Does your dog have fleas? Have you tried flea shampoos and powders without much success? A dog flea collar can help provide relief to your ailing pup.
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Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative and should not be taken as medical advice. Talk to your veterinarian regarding any health concerns you may have for your dog.
What Is A Dog Flea Collar?
A dog flea collar is a plastic collar that fits around your dog’s neck. It is treated with specific chemicals that can kill fleas, eggs, and larvae. These chemicals will then travel down and around your dog’s body through your dog’s natural oils, thus killing fleas.
Who Should Use A Dog Flea Collar?
Fleas collars can be beneficial for dogs who:
- Are unable to take pills to fight fleas due to an allergy or other reason.
- Are outdoors and exposed to woody areas or areas with high grass.
- Are around other animals that may have fleas at the dog park or daycare.
- Live in an area with feral cats that may pass the fleas onto them.
- Come in contact with wildlife that may have fleas.
Who Should NOT Use A Flea Collar?
Flea collars are NOT good for:
- Puppies under 12 weeks of age should not use a flea collar.
- Senior dogs and female dogs who are pregnant or nursing should not use a flea collar.
- If your dog shares a home with a cat, flea collars should be avoided because their active ingredients can be toxic to cats.
Do Dog Flea Collars Actually Work?
Yes, dog flea collars do work to an extent. The chemicals on the flea collar need to be able to make contact with your dog’s skin. If you have a dog with long or thick hair, a flea collar may not be as effective.
Read the label of the flea collar you wish to use. Some kill only adult fleas, others kill flea eggs and larvae too. Still others may only be a repellent, and don’t kill fleas.
It also depends on how serious a case of fleas your dog has. A light infestation may have a better chance of being eradicated than one that has been going on for a long time. In that case, a dog flea collar may need to be used with another flea treatment.
Talk to your veterinarian to see which treatments are appropriate for your dog.
Are There Any Side Effects To Using A Dog Flea Collar?
Yes. There are some dogs that may not be able to tolerate wearing the collar.
Some dogs may be sensitive to the active or inactive ingredients. This may cause irritation to your dog’s neck where the collar is in contact with it. They may develop a rash as well.
If you have other dogs that may lick or bite the collar your dog is wearing, this can lead to poisoning and may cause vomiting or other symptoms.
It is important to note that if you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior while wearing a flea collar, remove it immediately and have them checked out by your veterinarian.
Children should also keep away from the flea collar. If you have small children that are going to be around your dog, a flea collar is not recommended.
Do Flea Collars Work If My Dog Already Has Fleas?
Dog flea collars are more effective as a preventative measure to stop your dog from getting fleas. However, if the flea collar you choose specifically states it kills fleas, then it should kill fleas that are already on your dog.
Again, read the label to be sure the collar not only kills fleas, but also eggs and larvae. If your dog already has fleas, you can be sure there are eggs and larvae present as well. These need to be killed before they become adults and feed off your dog. If you don’t get rid of the eggs and larvae, your dog will still have fleas.
How Do I Use A Dog Flea Collar?
To use a dog flea collar, you should first wear gloves when handling it.
Take it out of the container and put it around your dog’s neck.
To have a good fit on your dog, you should allow a few inches of leeway around the neck. Two fingers should fit comfortably under the collar. This allows for growth of your dog and for the collar to easily move.
Buckle the collar when you have determined the correct size, cut away the excess, and dispose of it.
Dog flea collars generally last from 3 to 8 months. If your dog has a serious case of fleas, the collar may need to be changed more frequently.
What Are Common Ingredients In Dog Flea Collars?
Common active ingredients in dog flea collars include:
- Deltamethrin is a man-made insecticide that interferes with the fleas nervous system, resulting in paralysis and death.
- Pyriproxyfen is an insect growth regulator and stops flea eggs from maturing into adults.
- Flumethrin is a man-made insecticide used to repel and kill ticks, larvae, and nymphs.
- Imidacloprid is an insecticide that controls flea infestation by disrupting their nervous system, leading to death.
Is There A Natural Alternative Dog Flea Collar?
Yes. There are dog flea collars that use essential oils to combat fleas as an alternative to using insecticide to kill them. You still need to use caution with these collars and they may also take a longer time to work than their insecticide counterparts.
Common essential oils used to fight fleas include:
- Cedarwood Oil dries out the exoskeleton of fleas and also kills eggs and larvae.
- Peppermint Oil repels fleas.
- Geraniol is a natural insecticide and repellent.
- Thyme Oil is used to repel fleas.
What Is The Most Effective Flea Collar For Dogs?
The most effective flea collar for dogs would be one that uses a combination of ingredients that can both kill adult fleas and also their eggs and larvae.
Best Dog Flea Collars
These are our suggestions of dog flea collars. Information about each collar is according to the manufacturer.
All of these collars have gotten good reviews from users at controlling their dog’s flea infestations. There are always going to be dogs whom the collar does not work for. As stated earlier, some dogs may need a combination of treatment to effectively combat their flea problems.
We have also included two natural dog flea collars that use essential oils to fight fleas.
PetArmor Plus Flea & Tick Collar
- One size fits all.
- Kills fleas and ticks.
- Lasts for 6 months.
- Kills flea eggs and flea larvae.
- Waterproof.
- For dogs 12 weeks and older.
Pros/Cons:
- Easy to use.
- Non-irritating.
- No harsh scent.
Vetality Avantect II Flea & Tick Collar
- Kills fleas, flea eggs, and ticks.
- Repels mosquitoes.
- Waterproof.
- For dogs over 12 weeks of age.
Pros/Cons:
- Nice scent.
- Easy to use.
Seresto Flea & Tick Collar
- Kills fleas and ticks.
- Protects for 8 months.
- Odorless.
- Non-greasy.
- Water resistant.
- Safety release mechanism.
- For dogs and puppies over 7 weeks old.
- Made in Germany
Pros/Cons:
- Seresto gets mixed reviews from users regarding its effectiveness.
Vetality Naturals Flea & Tick Collar
- Protects from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
- Provides 4 months of protection from fleas and ticks.
- Repels mosquitoes for 1 month.
- Composed of a blend of essential and natural oils.
- Cedarwood Oil.
- Peppermint Oil.
- Zinc Stearate.
- Almond Oil.
- Phthalate free.
- PVC free.
- Waterproof.
- Safe for use around children when used as directed.
- For dogs and puppies 6 months and older.
Pros/Cons:
- Pleasant scent.
- Easy to put on and adjust the size.
Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Dog Flea Collar
- Repels fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
- Protects up to 4 months.
- Includes a mix of essential oils:
- Geraniol.
- Peppermint Oil.
- Thyme Oil.
- Protects against new fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, but does not get rid of an existing infestation.
- Phthalate free.
- No artificial fragrance or colors.
- For dogs over 4 months of age.
- Made in France.
Pros/Cons:
- This product has received mixed reviews regarding its effectiveness.
Having fleas is not fun. The constant itching and scratching can seem never ending. A dog flea collar can help to combat pesky fleas that have taken over your dog.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.