Dog owners commonly worry about infestation by fleas on their beloved pets. There are several solutions used to deal with such infestations, including topical spot-on treatments and oral flea medication.
Advancement in flea collar designs has produced models that can last for up to eight months, making them handy to use from time to time.
Flea collars can work by emitting a gas that repels the fleas. Other types are fortified with medication that dissolves into the fat layer of your dog’s skin to kill the fleas.
We reviewed dozens of dog flea collars to identify the very best, including:
1. Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
This dog collar is vet-recommended for being convenient, non-greasy, and odorless. It is easy to put on your dog alongside other ID collars.
The collar’s active ingredients are flumethrin and imidacloprid, which are dispensed in low amounts over your pet’s skin surface and hair for eight months.
The collar will give your dog long-lasting protection, not only from fleas, but also from ticks, lice, and sarcoptic mange.
Since the collar kills via contact, fleas do not have to bite your pet to die. You will thus find it easier to keep your dog stress-free because fleas can be painful and annoying for any pet.
Using this collar will relieve you of the inconvenience of messy monthly treatments. Beyond being economical, the collar is effective, easy to apply, and low-maintenance.
2. SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention Collar for Dogs
This dog collar by SOBAKEN promises eight months of protection from flea and ticks. You can look forward to saving on frequent treatments since you do not have to apply the collar every month.
The collar features a 100% natural formula. It is also non-toxic and hypoallergenic, as well as being vet-recommended as a pet-friendly solution for fleas.
Using the collar is as easy as adjusting and buckling it in place. Leave an extra two to three inches to let the collar move freely around the dog’s neck.
Since it is waterproof, the collar will still be 100% effective after washing your pet. You can let your dog play throughout the day with no worries, and it will protect your dog’s skin without causing any negative reactions.
3. TORRIX Dog Collar
This model is 25-inches long to fit dogs of all ages. You do not have to worry about allergies because the collar is layered with natural ingredients like Citronella Oil and Eucalyptus.
The collar provides 12 months of tick and flea protection. You no longer have to keep visiting the vet or buying expensive shampoos to deal with flea infestations on your pet. The collar is fully-effective in wet conditions, and you can, therefore, keep it on during washing time.
In addition to being safe and eco-friendly, the collar is non-greasy and odorless. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee, and you can return it after 60 days if it does not deliver on the promise of protecting your dogs from fleas.
4. MEDODOR Flea and Tick Dog Collar
If you are looking for a safe collar for your dog, try the MEDODOR flea and tick collar. It guarantees a protection period of eight months, during which your pet will be free of flea infestations.
The collar is packed with essential oils like Clove, Lemongrass, Citronella, and Peppermint, which will also soothe your dog’s skin and prevent any rashes and inflammation. The absence of chemicals means that your children are safe to play with the dogs without getting reactions.
The collar is easily adjustable for small and dogs, and it is comfortable to wear. It glows in the dark to help you locate your pet easily. MEDODOR has included a 100% satisfaction and money-back guarantee with this collar.
5. Rolf Club 3D Flea Collar for Dogs
This collar has been made with new German Technology that provides more than six months of flea and tick protection. Your pet will also be shielded from mosquitoes and larvae.
It is designed to kill fleas in the first 24 to 48 hours of use, which will be a great relief to an infested dog.
The collar has undergone tests by veterinarians to ensure your dog gets effective protection from fleas and ticks. The non-toxic ingredients will also leave no harm to your pets.
6. Arava Flea & Tick Prevention Collar
This dog collar is infused with essential oils and active herbal ingredients to prevent bites from ticks and fleas.
It features an Israeli patented micro-injection technology that infuses essential oil into the collar. The oils are dispensed via the special pores in the plastic on a slow-release process. The effect of the ingredients will subsequently last for six months.
Since the collar is packed with natural oils like Rosemary, Thyme, Cinnamon, and Eucalyptus, your pet’s skin will be safe at all times. The natural scents of these ingredients can be overwhelming at first, and you can leave the collar outside for 24 to 48 hours before fastening it on your dog.
7. Petsmont Dog Flea and Tick Control Collar
The protective abilities of this collar by Petsmont can last for 12 months. The package comes with 2 collars that lats for 6 months each.
This collar is made with a special bled of essential oils and other natural ingredients, that will keep fleas and ticks away.
The natural rubber used to make the collar makes it quite durable, while its water-resistant qualities mean that your dog can play in water and still be protected.
Are Dog Flea Collars Good?
Flea collars are a source of controversy among pet owners, as they tend to have more disadvantages than advantages. The pros of using them include:
- Cost-Effective- Dog owners who use pet collars often point out how economical they are. Most of them offer protection for six months at a one-off price of about twenty dollars for a pack of two. Even the more expensive collars will cost significantly less than monthly vet drops.
- Convenient- Once you put the collar on, you can forget about it until it is time to use another one. If you have a busy schedule, you can forget to apply drops or administer your pet’s spot-on treatment. You also avoid wasting time by removing fleas from your animal. Topical treatments also need time to dry, which can be an inconvenience for many pet owners. The simplicity of use is among the major reasons that make flea collars popular.
- Long-Lasting– Advancements have made modern flea collars more long-lasting than formers ones. Some brands promise up to 12 months of round-the-clock protection, provided the collar is kept in optimal conditions. Collars release the flea-fighting ingredients slowly and continually to keep the parasites at bay.
- Easy to Apply on Fussy Dogs– Pet owners can be frustrated when their dog refuses to take the pill. Some pets are too fuzzy, and they make the application of spot-on treatments a hassle. With flea collars, all you have to do is strap them on like an additional ID, and you are good to go.
The disadvantages of the collars include:
- Contact with Children and Other Pets– Your dog is bound to interact with humans, including children during playtime. If there are any chemicals on the collar, they may come into contact with the skin of children or other pets. Children can put their fingers in their mouths after they have touched the collar, which is quite dangerous.
- Ineffectiveness- Flea collars may be specially designed to prevent infestations by fleas, but they can be quite ineffective. Prevention is strongest around the neck area, and the hindquarters of a large dog can be particularly vulnerable. If the fleas retreat away from the neck, your dog will be left unprotected. Some owners will, therefore, supplement the collars with additional treatment.
The effectiveness of the collars can also be compromised if fleas build up a resistance against the ingredients in them.
- Depending on the kind of collar you buy, the fleas will still bite your dog. Manufacturers commonly infuse their collars with repellants to prevent bites, but the strength of the ingredients quickly erode in a short time. Even if the parasites seem to die from the effects of the collar, the absence of repellants means that your pet is getting bitten. Your dog’s body will, therefore, absorb bacteria and protozoa from the saliva of the fleas.
When Should You Put a Flea Collar on Your Dog?
It is best to use a pet collar when pest concerns are particularly great. Some pet owners will use the accessory during the fall when fleas are at their most active and brutal. You should, therefore, use a collar from September to November, as you wait for a reprieve once winter starts.
Use a collar every time your dog is going out to play in tall grass, but avoid over-medicating the animal if they are on other treatments like pills.
Can Flea Collars Make Dogs Sick?
Manufacturers load a host of chemicals in flea collars to make them effective, but these elements can cause harm if ingested. If not checked carefully, some dogs can chew on the collars and suffer from accidental poisoning.
Symptoms of poisoning from flea collars vary from dog to dog and can include weakness, diarrhea, urinary inconsistence, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite, and seizures. If your pet’s coat is irritated by the chemicals, you should see loss of fur, and redness of the coat.
If you detect flea collar poisoning, remove it as soon as possible and present it to the vet once you bring in your dog.
Are Flea Collars Safe for Puppies?
It is best to avoid using flea collars on puppies that are less than four to six weeks old. The ingredient pyriproxyfen is especially dangerous for puppies that are younger than seven weeks old.
This ingredient is commonly layered in flea collars because it effectively kills young fleas and stops the flea development cycle.
The less-developed immune systems of puppies make them vulnerable to the pesticides used in flea collars. Puppies also go through a chewing stage when growing teeth, which makes everything around the house a target.
If the collar becomes loose, therefore, there is a chance that the pup will chew on it and ingest various chemicals. If the loose collar was to be caught up in furniture, there is also a choking danger for your puppy.
For puppies that are too young for flea collars, you can make use of flea shampoos or dips. Oral medication and topical solutions are often recommended for puppies above six weeks old.
Whatever method you choose, ensure your puppies are free from fleas as they can be rendered anemic by a serious infestation.
Conclusion
Dog flea collars are simple solutions to keep the parasites away from your beloved pets. Brands like Seresto, MEDODOR, SOBAKEN, TORRIX, and Masold have tried to make their offerings long-lasting, and you can expect six months or 12 months protection depending on the manufacturer.
These accessories come in handy in the fall when fleas are actively looking for hosts, which is why you should strap one on your dog every time they go to play outside.
Ensure your home is also pest-free, especially if you have puppies. The use of flea collars is not without contradictions, however, as they can be toxic if your dog ingests the chemicals slathered on them.
Children and other pets can also ingest the ingredients when playing with your dog. If you detect poisoning, take your dog to the vet quickly and carry the collar.