As a responsible pet parent, you try your very best to use preventative measures to keep your pooch healthy and happy – and investing in a good flea collar can certainly help.
Flea prevention is crucial for avoiding skin irritation, rashes, and flea-borne diseases. Flea collars can also help prevent ticks from latching onto your dog, and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. Some flea collars even offer parasite control to help avoid problems like sarcoptic mange – a.k.a. scabies.
What is the most effective flea collar?
To figure out which flea collars work the best for your pooch, there are many aspects of the collar to think through. How many months of protection does the flea collar have? How fast does it kill fleas? What are the active ingredients? Does it contain any harsh chemicals that may irritate your pooch’s skin?
As you do your own research and check out our top picks below, think through this list to help you find the best flea collar for your best friend.
Some things you may want to look for in a dog flea collar:
- Water-resistant
- Long-lasting
- Fast-acting
- Natural flea collar
- Includes tick repellent
- Includes mosquito repellent
- Includes mite control for Scabies
- Adjustable collar
- Non-greasy collar
- For small dogs and large dogs
- Kills fleas in every life cycle including flea eggs, and flea larvae
What are the side effects of using a flea collar?
It’s possible for your dog to have some skin irritation or allergic reactions to some of the ingredients used in certain flea and tick prevention collars, but it’s rare for dogs to suffer from any adverse effects. Flea and tick treatments like Seresto do contain insecticides like imidacloprid and flumethrin, however, the levels contained in the collars are very safe for dogs. Just be sure to read the label and purchase the right size collar.
Other flea prevention collars may use insecticides like tetrachlorvinphos, or amitraz. Any of these chemicals can be harmful if ingested. So please be careful to wash your hands after handling these collars, and don’t leave them lying around where your pooch can get to them.
If you are concerned about using a tick and flea treatment with these ingredients, you can always try a natural flea collar or talk with your veterinarian about any concerns you may have.
What are the best flea collars for dogs?
1. Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs
Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs is one of the most popular flea and tick collars for dogs on the market. The link above is for large dogs, but they also have a Seresto collar for small dogs too. Seresto also protects your dog against mange mites. This veterinarian-recommended flea and tick prevention kills fleas and ticks on adult dogs and puppies that are 7 weeks and older.
The ingredients kill fleas within two hours. The tick repellent ingredients kills ticks within 48 hours, and kills any new ticks within six hours.
This non-greasy, odorless Seresto collar is adjustable with a quick-release feature. It is water-resistant, and is long-lasting with up to eight months of protection. Plus, it has reflectors that provide extra visibility at night.
Some controversy has come up with this popular collar. However, the manufacturer and many experts have agreed it is effective for flea and tick protection. There are also many copycat collars claiming to be a Seresto collar, so make sure you are purchasing a true Seresto Flea and Tick Collar from a reputable source, such as your veterinary hospital’s online or in-person store.
2. Adams Flea & Tick Collar Plus for Dogs & Puppies
Adams Flea & Tick Collar Plus for Dogs & Puppies is a long-lasting flea and tick prevention collar with up to six months of protection, and two collars per package. The collar is water-resistant, kills adult fleas before they lay eggs, kills ticks, and is even a mosquito repellent.
Adams Flea & Tick Collar Plus is a one-size-fits-all flea collar for small dogs and large dogs alike – as long as they are at least 12 weeks old. It’s easy to slide on, adjustable to fit any dog’s neck, and you can trim off the excess. It also has a continuous release of active ingredients that protect your dog’s entire body.
3. Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs
The Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs is a long-lasting flea and tick prevention that offers up to seven months of protection. This is a flea and tick collar for small dogs and large dogs over 12 weeks old, and has a reflective strip that will reflect direct light up to 300 feet. It kills and repels ticks and fleas at all life stages, from flea eggs and flea larvae to adult fleas.
This brand of flea treatment considers themselves to be a much easier alternative to a topical treatment. And no matter your dog’s neck size, it’s easily adjustable to fit every pooch.
4. Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellent Collar for Dogs with Certified Natural Oils
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellent Collar for Dogs is a flea and tick treatment that uses a plant-based formula. It fits any dog’s neck size up to 20 inches around. And it’s easily adjustable to fit small dogs by cutting off any excess. Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellent Collar is proven to be long-lasting and provides up to four months of protection.
This natural flea collar does not use insecticides. Instead, it uses certified natural oils. “Each steam distilled essential oil is selected for its potent pest-fighting properties and is 100% Certified Natural.” This flea and tick repellent is water-resistant and free from things like Phthalates and PVC, which means it’s gentle on your dog’s skin and may be a good option to try if your dog is sensitive to flea collars that contain insecticide. This collar will not work if your dog already has fleas or ticks, and it is not effective in areas with heavy flea populations.
5. TevraPet Activate II Flea Collar for Dogs
This flea collar utilizes deltamethrin and pyriproxyfen as the active ingredients. This collar provides 12 months of protection against all life stages of fleas, kills adult fleas, ticks, chewing lice, and repels mosquitoes and other biting flies for 6 months. The ingredients provide fast-acting protection and the collar is waterproof.
In the same way that all pet parents want to protect their dogs with tick and flea prevention, they should also consider protecting their pup with a pet insurance plan. If your pup gets sick or injured, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll have help paying for eligible vet bills.
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