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Fleas and ticks are the biggest problems that a dog owner faces. Their bites can cause infections and illnesses that can injure, paralyze, or even kill your dog. Ticks can also become a problem for you. You really do not want ticks as their bites can cause some very nasty diseases such as Lyme disease.
Fortunately, a flea collar for dogs is a great way to prevent fleas and ticks from causing you and your dog any problems. However, choosing a flea collar for your dog is difficult. Some collars make your dog greasy. Other collars look ugly. Even worse, some collars just don’t work.
This article will cover the best flea collars for your dog and tell you what to look for. We’ll even answer all the most common questions that you have about flea collars, fleas, and ticks.
Fleas, tick, and other parasites can cause a lot of problems for your dog. The fleas do not even have to bite your dog to cause problems either. Just the fleas crawling on your dog’s body is enough to make your dog itchy.
Your dog will either scratch its itch or it will try to pull the fleas out with its teeth. Both of which can lead to problems. Your dog could inflame their ear if they itch it too much. This is especially problematic when your dog has long nails. Your dog may break their skin when trying to remove the fleas, which means blood everywhere that they sit.
They may also pull out chunks of their hair in the process. Pulling out hair does not cause any health problems, but it really does not look good. The cuts may also get infected if your dog likes to roll in the dirt.
Those problems were just from the presence of fleas. However, fleas and ticks can also bite your dog. Flea bites are itchy, which causes further scratching.
Tick bites are the worst though. Ticks can cause all kinds of nasty diseases like Lyme disease, tick paralysis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and other diseases. Even worse is that ticks can bite your dog and they can bite you. This means you are also susceptible to getting all those nasty diseases.
How Flea Collars Work
Flea collars are actually easy to understand. A flea collar for dogs is basically a normal collar with some kind of compound added to it that kills fleas and ticks. This compound is then released over a period of time (5-8 months) and kills fleas or prevents fleas from getting on your dog.
The compound used, and whether the fleas are killed or repelled, varies depending on the type of flea collar that you purchase. A chemical flea collar will use an insecticide to kill the fleas. These chemicals actually disrupt the entire life process of a flea. They kill the eggs, larvae, and small fleas. However, insecticides may possibly have some bad side-effects. They do work extremely well though.
Natural flea collars are available if using insecticides scares you. These work by using natural ingredients that smell bad to fleas. Citronella oil is the most common ingredient used in a natural flea collar for dogs, but it is not the only ingredient used. Basically, fleas really hate the smell and will not stay on your dog because of the smell. Humans do not notice the smell, so you don’t have to worry about these collars smelling bad.
Effective Against – Fleas, Ticks,Flea Larvae, Sarcoptic Mange, Chewing Lice
Lifestage – Puppy, Adult, Senior
Breed Size – Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, Giant Breeds
Our favorite dog flea collar is the Bayer Seresto flea collar. We like this flea collar because it gives you eight months of flea protection. This means you do not have to worry about applying flea medicine or fleas for the entire eight months. Plus, this collar does more than just kill fleas. It also discourages them from even getting on your dog. It also kills and repels ticks, which is something that not many other flea collars will do.
This flea and tick collar does not smell nor does it give any odor. You won’t even notice that your dog is wearing it.
As for sizing, that can be complicated when buying a flea collar. Unfortunately, this flea collar only comes in small or large. Large is large enough for a Great Dane and small is fairly small. You can easily trim the large collar and place it on a smaller dog though. When in doubt about sizing, just buy the bigger collar.
Pros
Veterinarian-recommended prevention
Starts to repel and kill fleas within 24 hours of initial application
Breed Size – Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds
As the name implies, the Only Natural Pet EasyDefense dog collar tag is an all-natural and homeopathic long lasting flea tag. You avoid all the potential downsides of using a chemical collar. It’s also super convenient since it’s just a tag that attaches to the collar.
This flea tag does not even use herbs or oils to repel fleas, so it does not have any smell. Instead, it produces a natural barrier that kills all fleas and ticks. This barrier isn’t an electric or magnetic barrier either. Instead, it’s a refined frequency that relies on quantum mechanics and was developed with a holistic medical approach.
Now, this flea collar tag has some downsides. First, not everyone believes in holistic medicine. If you don’t believe in it, then this is not the product for you. The other downside is that this takes about three weeks before you see any reduction in fleas. Other chemical options work much faster.
Breed Size – Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, Giant Breeds
Other options on this list use chemicals to kill fleas. The side-effects on your dog are not very known. Due to this fact, many dog owners choose to purchase a flea collar that only uses natural ingredients.
If you are one of those pet owners, then the Arava Flea & Tick Botanical Collar is perfect for you. It uses 11 natural oils and herbs to kill fleas and ticks. These essential oils are actually injected into the collar. They are then released by a patented slow-release process, which makes them effective for even longer. You can expect the collar to kill fleas and ticks for about five months.
This collar really does not have many downsides. It even costs less than many of the chemical flea collars. Though it does have a few potential issues that you should know about.
First, most people love the natural smell of the collar. However, some people and small dogs do not like the smell. You can still use the collar, but you may want to only use it outside or you can leave it outside for a few days to let the smell wear off. The other issue is that the collar is only effective for about five months, which is still plenty of time. It is shorter than a few other flea collars though.
All in all, we really like this flea collar. It’s natural, effective, and smells great. It is also very affordable.
Effective Against – Fleas, Ticks,Flea Larvae, Sarcoptic Mange, Chewing Lice
Lifestage – Puppy, Adult, Senior
Breed Size – Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, Giant Breeds
SOBAKEN’s flea and tick collar is a prevention flea collar. This makes it different from the other collars on our list that kill fleas.
A flea prevention collar uses natural ingredients. Fleas find the smell of these ingredients unbearable and will leave your dog.
The ingredients used in the SOBAKEN flea collar are citronella oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil. Citronella oil is the one that fleas do not like. The other oils are in there because most people find them pleasant.
Anyway, this flea collar is specifically designed for a larger dog. The collar is 24 inches. Putting it on your dog is easy too. Just slide it onto their neck and tighten the collar. Make sure to give your dog a few inches of breathing room. You can then cut off the excess collar, but that is not necessary depending on the amount of excess collar.
Also, make sure that your dog cannot easily chew this collar. Some small dogs actually want to eat the collar due to the scent, which you definitely do not want.
Overall, this is a good flea collar that we recommend if you have a large dog. You just have to remember that this collar prevents fleas from hopping on your dog. It does not actually kill fleas or disrupt their lifecycle.
Effective Against – Fleas, Ticks,Flea Larvae, Sarcoptic Mange, Chewing Lice
Lifestage – Puppy, Adult, Senior
Breed Size – Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, Giant Breeds
Another great dog collar on our list is the Primova Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs. This is one of the more affordable dog collars that still offers eight months of protection.
It doesn’t use chemicals to kill fleas and ticks. However, the collar does use essential oils to repel insects without harmful effects for your dog. Natural scents mean you don’t have to deal with the bad artificial smell of a flea collar also.
The sizing on this collar is also extremely convenient. It has one size: 25 inches. You simply put the collar on your dog and then cut off the excess collar. No more worrying about purchasing the right size. It is an actual one-size-fits-all option.
All in all, we recommend this dog collar if you want good protection at a good price.
Effective Against – Fleas, Ticks,Flea Larvae, Sarcoptic Mange, Chewing Lice
Lifestage – Puppy, Adult, Senior
Breed Size – Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, Giant Breeds
Only Natural makes our list again with their EasyDefense Flea and Tick Dog Collar. This is a holistic treatment option, so it is safe for your dog.
The active ingredients are Geraniol, citronella, citronella oil, and cinnamon oil. Those ingredients all work to kill fleas and ticks. However, they are not nearly as effective as a chemical flea collar. They are much safer than a chemical flea collar though.
The extra safety of a holistic flea collar makes them perfect for those concerned with the well-being and health of their dog. Unfortunately, they will not work very well with a severe flea control infestation or fleas with a high level of resistance.
Only Natural’s flea collar is the most inexpensive one on our list. This makes it perfect for those that want an introduction a holistic treatment option without spending much money.
Pros
Vet aproved
Effectively protects against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes
Effective Against – Fleas, Ticks,Flea Larvae, Sarcoptic Mange, Chewing Lice
Lifestage – 12+ Weeks Old
Breed Size – Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, Giant Breeds
The Hartz UltraGuard Plus is another budget flea collar. It kills fleas, ticks, and their eggs. In fact, it can kill them at all stages of their lifecycle. This makes it especially effective at permanently removing the problem.
This flea collar fits up to a 22-inch neck, which means that you should not have any problem with the size. A larger Great Dane or other big breeds might have difficulty wearing it, but the size works for most long dogs.
You can expect seven months of protection from this flea control collar. The exact amount of protection you get just varies on the severity of the infestation and the resistance of the fleas. A more severe infestation or more resistance will mean that the collar may not work for the whole seven months.
Overall though, we really like this collar and it comes in at a good price. Seven months is a lower amount of time than some of the other collars, but it’s still plenty of time for flea season.
Here are some frequently asked questions about flea collars for your dog.
Are chemical flea collars dangerous? – We don’t know. There has not been much testing done on the effects of chemical flea collars. The warning label says not to touch them and that pregnant women should not be near them. Chemical flea collars are certainly the most effective flea collars on the market though.
Do flea collars really work? – Yes. Flea collars really do work. Their efficacy just depends on the type of collar that you purchase. A chemical collar will kill fleas that get on your dog. A natural flea collar will simply repel fleas.
Keep in mind that a chemical flea collar will not work with every type of flea. Sometimes a flea infestation will be unmanageable. The fleas may have also built up resistance to that specific type of chemical.
Do they have any side-effects? – They might make your dog’s fur greasy. Other than that, rather no. Some long dogs may develop an allergic reaction to the specific component used in a flea collar, be it chemical or botanical one. These side-effects are rare and individual. Now, putting an insecticide on your dog could cause problems, but none of have been discovered at the time of writing. You should avoid touching the flea collar though.
Do flea collars smell bad? – Some people do not like the smell. Some people like the smell. You will get used to the smell after a few months anyway.
Will they fit my dog? – They should. Flea collars are not like normal collars. The collar has a large amount of adjustability. Often up to 25 inches. You simply place the collar on your dog and cut off the excess collar. Only dogs with extremely large necks will have difficulty with a flea collar.
Can I attach a leash to the flea collar? – Not with most flea collars. Flea collars don’t have the strength to hold your dog. They are really just meant to repel or kill fleas. You will still have to use a normal collar.
How to Put a Flea Collar on Your Dog
Almost any flea collar can be easily placed on your pup the way shown in this video:
How to Remove a Tick:
If your pup’s got attacked by the tick, you can help him with the TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit. These handy stainless steel tools come with the pocket Tick Identification Card. A must-have for dogs and humans.
Keeping Your House Flea-Free
You obviously want to keep your house free of fleas and ticks. A flea collar is a good place to start, but it is not the only option available. You can also combine a flea collar with other options to ensure that you never see another flea or tick again.
A good way to keep your house flea-free is to keep your yard clean. Keeping your grass short destroys the environment that fleas thrive in, which means fewer fleas overall.
Other good flea reduction methods are throwing out your trash and keeping stray animals away from your property. Fleas love garbage. They love garbage that has organic matter in it since they can lay eggs in it. Stray animals are known to carry fleas, so you want to discourage them from getting near your house. The easiest way to do that is to just not feed them near your residence.
Another great way to clear the fleas out of your yard is to use an insecticide in your yard. You just spray this insecticide in your yard and it will disrupt the flea life cycle, which should reduce the number of fleas.
Finally, having tile is another great way to reduce fleas. Fleas can lay eggs in carpet and even live in it, but they cannot do much of anything on a tile. Obviously removing the carpet from your home isn’t feasible for most people. Instead, you should make sure that you keep your carpet clean by vacuuming on a weekly basis. You should also get a deep carpet clean once or twice a year.
As a veterinarian practicing for 48 years, Dr. Cropper brings her priceless experience to all our readers. She is currently taking care of her two rescues, Ollie the Greyhound and Bryce the Pitbull mix, that is why she always sees things as a veterinarian and a pet owner simultaneously.
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Fortunately, a flea collar for dogs is a great way to prevent fleas and ticks from causing you and your dog any problems. However, choosing a flea collar for your dog is difficult. Some collars make your dog greasy. Other collars look ugly. Even worse, some collars just don’t work.
