A dog is man's best friend, so it is important that we look after the health of our four-legged friends. Fleas are one of the most common pest issues that dog owners face. Drawn to the warm furry coat your pet provides, these blood-sucking vampires can prove challenging to get rid of. But before you even notice those first signs of scratching and get into a flea frenzy, make sure that you are one step ahead by investing in a preventative solution such as a dog flea collar.
The benefits of using flea collars for dogs
I would always advise that you take precautions in the form of a flea collar to prevent your dog from receiving unwanted visitors. Although the safety of flea collars continues to be a hotly debated topic, there is no denying, that when used correctly and handled with care, they offer one of the easiest solutions for repelling, and in some cases eliminating, fleas.
There are so many different brands of dog flea collars readily available on the market that understanding which one is right for you and your pet can often seem overwhelming. As someone who has regularly used flea collars on both my own and client pets, I have listed below my top reviews and recommendations.
I would, however, always advise that you consult with your own family vet regarding which one to purchase and use as part of an overall flea prevention treatment plan, rather than to tackle an existing infestation.
What is the best flea and tick collar for dogs?
I would always recommend that you use a combination of flea control solutions, as some are better for preventing fleas rather than tackling a current infestation. The best flea and tick dog collar of choice is the Bayer Seresto. Although it is a pricier product, its reputation proceeds it in terms of results.
If you don't mind spending the money and are looking for a chemical-free alternative, then why not try an ultrasonic collar like the Sonic Guard, but be aware that these have yet to be backed by any conclusive research.
Things to consider when buying a dog flea collar
Not all dogs will be suitable for wearing a flea collar. For example, if your dog is elderly, pregnant or nursing puppies then you would need to use alternative methods. If you have a puppy it is not recommended that they wear a flea collar until they are over the age of 6 months. If you have children in the house or are pregnant yourself, then again, I would advise against using flea collars altogether as a form of treatment, or at the very least only purchase a natural flea collar made without using chemical pesticides.
Other things to consider before purchasing a flea collar:
- Ingredients. As stated above, not all dog flea collars are infused with chemical pesticides, with many now offering a natural alternative in the form of essential or plant-based oils and ultrasonic sound waves. I talk more about this below (add in link).
- Water-resistance. Most dogs enjoy running in and out of muddy puddles, lakes, and ponds, and are therefore unlikely to remain dry, all of the time. If your dog is a water baby or regularly needs bathing, I would suggest purchasing a water-resistant collar to increase its longevity.
- Size and adjustability. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and so it is important that you choose a flea collar to suit your breed. Often dog flea collars come in a variety of small, medium, and large but if you are in any doubt, you should measure the circumference of your dog's neck with a measuring tape. If you have a particularly large dog, then I would recommend using a drop-on treatment or a flea shampoo instead of a collar, as trying to maintain fleas across a large body area is often not possible just by using a flea collar alone.
- Adjustable collar and buckle: Most flea collars come provided with an adjustable collar and buckle, whilst others may require you to cut and fit it to suit. Some are not adjustable at all, so make sure you read the instructions before purchasing.
- Length of Protection. It should state on the packaging how long your chosen flea collar will protect your pooch, but on average it tends to vary between three and eight months. I would advise that you keep a note of when a new collar is required so that you can ensure your pet is kept flea-free.
Pesticide v natural flea collars
There are two main types of dog flea collars on the market.
- Chemical infused dog flea collars – the effectiveness of these collars vary depending on the insecticides used but are designed to manage and maintain fleas in all stages of their life cycle including larvae and eggs. Worn around the dog's neck the pesticides get released slowly into the dog's hair and skin, killing fleas as they encounter it.
- Natural dog flea collars – these collars are made up of organic ingredients and essential oils such as lavender, cinnamon, and eucalyptus which are thought to ward off fleas.
Top 7 Best Flea Collars – Reviews and Pros/Cons
1. Most Successful at Killing Fleas - Bayer Seresto
Top pesticide flea collar available to buy
Although this dog flea collar is anything but cheap, the expensive price tag is more than made up for in its effectiveness to banishing fleas and protecting your dog. Not only am I a massive fan of the Bayer Seresto dog flea collar but is the number 1 flea collar recommended by vets.
These collars contain an insecticide that is released slowly, ensuring that it is diluted when distributed throughout your dog’s fur. The flea dies on impact when coming into contact with the dog’s skin and what’s great about this collar, is that it kills off eggs and larvae too.
However, what makes this collar such a winner for me, is that it is odourless and grease free – leaving you free to snuggle up to your four-legged friend without a whiff of toxins or left-over smear.
- Kills fleas, eggs, and larvae
- Lasts for up to 8 months
- Can be used on dogs from 7 weeks old
- Collar has a safety release mechanism
- Non-greasy and odourless
- Easy to put on and can attach to a lead
- Costly collar
- Some dogs may experience side effects
- Takes a while to become effective
2. Most Cost Effective - Hartz Ultraguard
This is the one of the most inexpensive flea collars available, yet one of the most effective on the market. But be warned, its active ingredient tetrachlorvinphos (an organophosphate), is a pesticide used in agricultural products and has been known to cause toxic reactions in dogs, humans and other pets.
However, whilst it is good to be cautious, it is also important to note that these cases are in the minority, with most owners experiencing great results. I would therefore recommend that if you purchase this product, that you keep a close eye on your pet.
If you are on a budget then this adjustable, scented, water-resistant collar should see you flea free for up to 7 months.
- Kills fleas, eggs, and larvae
- Lasts for up to 8 months
- Can be used on dogs from 7 weeks old
- Collar has a safety release mechanism
- Non-greasy and odourless
- Easy to put on and can attach to a lead
- Costly collar
- Some dogs may experience side effects
- Takes a while to become effective
3. Most Comprehensive - Adams Flea & Tick Collar
Similar to the Hartz Ultraguard, this flea collar by Adams includes the main ingredient tetrachlorvinphos, so I would recommend that you take precautions when applying it to your pet and keep a look out for any side effects your dog may experience.
This flea collar comes with an adjustable strap and offers prevention for up to 7 months. It is water-resistant and great value for money.
- Comprehensive flea control with an IGR
- Protect for up to 7 months
- Water-resistant
- No safety release mechanism
- Potentially harsh insecticide
4. Best Value for Money - Laypet Flea & Tick Collar
Top natural flea collar available to buy
The Laypet dog flea collar is one of the most innovative on the market and is made with 100% natural ingredients. This one size fits all collar is infused with essential oils including lemon eucalyptus and lavender, and can be used in the fight against lice, ticks and mosquitoes too.
Whether you have a large dog or a small pup, this collar has been designed to “snip to fit” your pet pooch and with up to 12 months protection it offers great value for money.
- Hypoallergenic – so good for pets with skin allergies
- One Size Fits All
- Protects for up to 12 months
- Ordourless
- For the first few days expect an intense smell
5. Best Overall Protection - Umran Collar for Dogs & Cats
The Umran dog flea collar provides protection for your pet against not only fleas but ticks as well and is made from plant-based ingredients including lemon eucalyptus, lavender oil, linaloe oil (so is hypoallergenic).
Like the Laypet collar, it can be adjusted to fit any dog or cat no matter how big or small they are and is water-resistant for when they fancy a splash around. It is not the cheapest collar on the market, but it is fast acting, getting to work in just 30 minutes and eliminating fleas within 48 hours. Plus, it has long lasting protection for up to 8 months.
- Multi-protection against fleas and ticks for up to 8 months
- Adjustable
- Water-resistant
- Hypoallergenic
- Sweet smelling aroma
- Expensive
- Difficult to keep collar tightened
6. Best Eco-friendly Collar - Pupmate Collar
This flea collar offers you all the protection your pet could need whilst being eco-friendly, water-resistant and odour free. At first glance this collar appears to be more expensive than others available on the market, but Pupmate offer a satisfaction guarantee promise, which means that is you are unhappy with the product you can receive your money back.
I have used this make of collar many a time and have always been impressed with its success rate. You can also purchase wipes and paw cleaner to accompany this product.
- Natural ingredients only
- Freshly scented
- Water-resistant
- Adjustable collar
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed
- Very expensive
7. Most Innovative Collar - SonicGuard
Top ultrasonic flea collar available to buy
The SonicGuard collar is a small electronic device, that comes in a variety of colors including pink, white, red, black or brown. These small pendants attach to your dog’s collar and emit a series of ultrasonic sound waves that are harmless to humans and pets but that claim to disturb and repel fleas.
I am still highly sceptical of these types of collars but appreciate the need to look for non-toxic solutions when treating animals. The battery life is relatively long lasting and should see you through 10-12 months of protection. The fact that this collar is odourless and water-proof is another reason to give it a try.
- Safe
- Chemical-free
- Waterproof
- Odourless
- Long lasting battery life
- Little research to back up claims
- More expensive than your average flea collar
Can I use a dog collar on my cat?
One of the most popular questions that I get asked on a regular basis is, can a dog flea collar be used on a cat? The answer to this is most definitely not. These two types of collars are not interchangeable and although the cynic in me may once have questioned whether cat and dog collars are produced separately purely for marketing purposes, research and knowledge have shown that they are manufactured based on absorbability.
The amount of toxins that a dog can absorb is far greater than that of a cat. This is because cats are, in the main, much smaller animals and therefore their bodies are not as efficient at breaking down chemicals at the rate at which a dog can. Therefore, if you were to use a dog collar on a cat it could cause them serious harm.
7 Alternatives to using a Flea Collar
Whilst I am an advocate for dogs wearing flea collars, it is important that you are aware of all the options should a flea collar not be a viable preventative method for your pet. Below I have listed the most popular do-it-yourself flea remedies available today.
- Drop On Medications: Also known as spot-on, this form of medicine works just as its name suggests. Applied between the shoulder blades of the dog, small drops of medicine penetrate deep into your pet's skin and disperses throughout the body via the sweat glands. Containing ingredients like those found in a flea collar, drop on's work by repelling and killing fleas once they encounter it.
- Oral Medication: Oral medication offers the same protection against fleas as a collar would, but often come with fewer reported side effects. Although pills can be bought online, it is always best to check with your vet before purchasing as they can offer advice on the best type of oral medication for your dog.
- Sprays and powders: Flea sprays and flea powders offer a cheap alternative to other dog flea treatments and can last for several months providing your dog remains dry. Failure to do so will result in the spray washing off and the fleas invading once more.
- Shampoos: If your dog will tolerate a thorough clean, then bathing with flea shampoo is a good option. These shampoos contain pesticides that can tackle both the fleas themselves and any eggs and larvae and offers protection for up to 28 days.
- Holistic flea killer treatments: Aside from the pesticide-free and ultrasonic collars, there are many myths surrounding dog fleas and the best way to tackle them without using harmful ingredients. I personally believe that these old wives' tales will be unable to tackle an infestation on their own, however, when combined with other methods may offer additional benefits. Many of these solutions are cheap and simple to set up. For example, why not try bathing your dog in lemon juice, which is a key ingredient often found in pesticide-free collars. Thought to dry out and dehydrate fleas, even if it doesn't work at least you'll be left with a fresh smelling doggy.
- Vacuuming: Another thing to try is to vacuum the fleas up. Just like bed bugs, fleas hate extreme heat and therefore a regular deep clean of all your carpets and soft furnishings with a specially designed vacuum or steamer could see your dog flea-free over time. Finally, why not invest in some pungent pot plants? Many dog shampoos, powders, and collars use essential oils with plant-based ingredients, so adding chrysanthemums, lavender, and eucalyptus around the home will not only create a sweet-smelling environment but could even start to repel fleas.
- Check your dog's diet: Finally, why not take a look at what your dog eats and look to include a small amount of garlic. If it keeps vampires away, who's to say it won't have the same desired effect on these blood-sucking pests? This is not recommended for cats, but a small amount, concealed within your dog's normal feed is perfectly safe.
Are flea and tick collars safe for dogs?
Whilst flea collars are safe for the majority of dogs to wear, you should take necessary precautions if using a flea and tick collar that contains chemicals. Once affixed around your dog's neck, you should check it regularly to make sure they are not suffering from an allergic reaction.
And remember, not all dogs will be suitable for wearing a flea collar. If your dog is elderly, pregnant, under 6 months of age, or nursing puppies then you would need to protect them from fleas and ticks using alternative methods.
Likewise, if you have children, other pets in the house, or are pregnant yourself, then again, I would advise against using flea collars altogether as a form of treatment, or at the very least only purchase a natural flea collar made without using chemical pesticides.
How effective are tick collars for dogs?
Most flea and tick collars are effective for preventing dogs and cats from suffering from an infestation of pests, although they do not usually kill or cure them. As ticks generally attach themselves around a dog's face and ears, these collars are more effective at combating ticks than fleas.
Are flea collars or drops better for dogs?
There isn't a great deal of difference between the two as flea collars and drops contain the same ingredients but drops need to be applied more regularly (usually once a month!) whereas a collar can last for up to 12 months.
Conclusion
So to round up, here are my thoughts and opinions on dog flea collars. When used safely I believe that pesticide collars are the most effective solution for combating fleas despite recent press reports. However, you should always consult with your own vet beforehand, follow the instructions given on the product packaging and check your pet regularly for any signs of known side effects.
I would always recommend that you use a combination of flea control solutions, as some are better for preventing fleas rather than tackling a current infestation.
Although my stand-out collar of choice is the Bayer Seresto (see on Amazon) its reputation proceeds it in terms of results. If you don't mind spending the money and are looking for a chemical-free alternative, then why not try an ultrasonic collar, but be aware that these have yet to be backed by any conclusive research.
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