Dealing with fleas can be a frustrating ordeal for any dog owner, as these pesky parasites not only irritate your furry friend but can also lead to more serious health issues. Thankfully, a reliable flea collar can serve as an effective line of defense to keep these unwelcome visitors at bay. In this article, “6 Best Flea Collars For Dogs – Reviewed,” we delve into the top choices available, examining their features, efficacy, and safety. Whether you’re looking for long-lasting protection or something suitable for sensitive skin, our comprehensive guide aims to help you find the ideal solution for your canine companion.
When my Cockapoo named Mozzie (pronounced like Ozzy with an M in front) was about a year old, I took him to the vet for a checkup. I was shocked when they found that he had fleas.
I had been faithful in putting topical treatments on him every month as recommended. But apparently, the topical treatment I was using was not water-resistant and washed off when I gave him a bath.
Ever since then, I’ve been a bit paranoid about fleas.
I check his fur regularly to make sure that he hasn’t attracted fleas, which could make him uncomfortable or damage his health. He’s my baby, and I do everything I can to protect him!
While topical and oral flea treatments are most recommended by vets, a flea collar can offer your dog an extra line of protection if they spend most of their time outside or if they’ll be out in areas where they’re likely to come in contact with fleas and ticks.
Some flea collars offer protection from mosquitoes, lice, or other pests as well.
Product
Details
Best Reviewed
Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
Scent: Odorless
Age Range: All Life Stages
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Prevents Flea Eggs
Adams Flea & Tick Control Collar
Scent: Topical
Age Range: Puppy
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Best Reflective Collar
Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea & Tick Collar
Scent: Orange, Fresh
Age Range: All Dog’s Stages
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Mosquito Protection Too!
TevraPet Activate II Flea and Tick Collar
Scent: No Scent
Age Range: All Life Stages
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Budget-Friendly Collar
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellent Collar
Scent: Cedarwood, Peppermint
Age Range: All Life Stages
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Affordable Flea Collar
SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention Collar
Scent: Natural Strong Odor
Age Range: All Life Stages
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Best Flea Collars For Dogs – Top 6 Picks
Flea collars and the chemicals they contain can vary in safety levels. To ensure your pet’s well-being, collaborate with your vet for a customized plan. Consider oral flea-prevention treatments, which can be safer for pets than collars leaving residue. While these meds require a prescription and can be pricier, they offer a residue-free alternative worth discussing with your veterinarian.
There are a lot of options when it comes to flea and tick collars for dogs.
We’ll take a look at some of the best flea collars for dogs out there so that you can make a wise choice for your pup.
1. Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
The Seresto flea and tick collar is extremely popular and well-reviewed. Seresto pet collars maintain EPA standards under FIFRA, effectively protecting dogs and cats from fleas and ticks, and controlling lice in dogs.
Some flea collars only work to kill adult fleas, which means that if a flea lays eggs on your dog, they could be infested with flea larvae before the collar kicks in.
The Seresto flea and tick collar for dogs works on adult fleas and ticks, plus lice and flea larvae.
This flea collar has no odor and doesn’t have a greasy feel to it at all. It also keeps working even if your dog gets a bath or goes swimming.
I like that the active ingredients in this flea collar are slowly and continuously released so that your dog can get even protection without a massive dose of chemicals up front.
This collar comes in two different sizes, so be sure to measure for a dog collar before purchasing.
Pros:
- This flea and tick collar remains effective for up to eight months.
- Can be used on puppies starting at 7 weeks old.
- The Seresto flea and tick collar kills fleas and ticks on contact — not just if they bite your dog.
Cons:
- If your dog goes swimming regularly or gets baths often, this will reduce the length of time that the collar is active.
Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
The price of “Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs” varies, so check the latest price at
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2. Adams Flea & Tick Control Collar
The Adams flea collar kills adult fleas, adult ticks, flea larvae, and flea eggs. Your pup can start wearing it once they are 12 weeks old.
Over time, the active ingredients transfer from around your dog’s neck to their fur and skin. This is how it gives full-body protection for up to seven months.
The flea life cycle lasts between 14 and 28 days, so a flea collar like this one that can kill fleas during any life stage is most effective.
(Is anyone getting kind of itchy just thinking about flea life stages and eggs?)
The Adams flea collars are one-size-fits-all. You simply put it on your dog, adjust the collar to the correct size, and then trim off the excess material. This is a nice feature because you don’t have to worry about purchasing the wrong size for your dog.
Pros:
- These dog flea collars are water resistant, so your dog can get a bath and go swimming without losing protection.
- Adams also sells a yard spray for flea prevention. Since dogs often get fleas from their own backyards, this might be a nice addition to your flea collar purchase.
- These flea collars are odorless and non-greasy.
Cons:
- This flea and tick prevention collar for dogs uses an ingredient called Tetrachlorvinphos, which is an effective pest killer but could be dangerous for humans and pets.
Adams Flea & Tick Control Collar
The price of “Adams Flea & Tick Control Collar” varies, so check the latest price at
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3. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea & Tick Collar
Hartz Ultraguard flea collars for dogs kill and repel fleas and ticks (including flea eggs and larvae). It can even prevent flea eggs from hatching.
It starts to work immediately when you place it on your dog, with full protection built up over a few days.
Once your puppy is 12 weeks old, they can start to wear this flea and tick collar.
It is an effective collar for prevention even if it gets wet. The Hartz Ultraguard flea and tick collar work for up to seven months.
One thing that sets this flea tick collar apart from the rest is that it has a bright orange color with a reflective strip down the middle. Since your furry friend can wear this reflective dog collar alongside their usual daily collar, you get the added nighttime visibility benefits.
Pros:
- This is a one-size-fits-all collar that fits neck sizes of up to 22 inches.
- You can see the reflective strip from up to 300 feet away.
Cons:
- Some reviewers felt that this flea collar was a bit less effective than other brands. However, it is a very budget-friendly option.
Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea & Tick Collar
The price of “Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea & Tick Collar” varies, so check the latest price at
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4. TevraPet Activate II Flea and Tick Collar
If you live in an area with lots of mosquitoes (ugh, mosquitoes are the worst!), you can protect your dog from them with the TevraPet collar. As a pet parent, I hate seeing mosquitoes or other bugs bothering my pups.
It offers flea and tick protection as well — including killing flea eggs. This flea collar starts to kill fleas and ticks within 24 hours and starts repelling mosquitoes instantly.
The active ingredients in this collar for dogs are Deltamethrin and Pyriproxyfen are quite common and generally seen to be safe for flea infestations.
The TevraPet flea collars last for up to six months. Since they give you two collars with your purchase, they say that this dog’s flea collar lasts for twelve months.
Your doggo can start wearing it once they are 12 weeks old.
Pros:
- This is a high-quality flea and tick prevention option at a budget-friendly price. And it will last you a year.
- The company offers a satisfaction guarantee. You can ask for a refund for any reason within one year of purchase.
CONS:
- Some reviewers said that this dog collar didn’t seem to offer as long of protection as it stated.
TevraPet Activate II Flea and Tick Collar
The price of “TevraPet Activate II Flea and Tick Collar” varies, so check the latest price at
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5. Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellent Collar
If the chemicals and active ingredients used in most flea and tick treatments make you a bit nervous, there are natural flea collar options available. And they’re not super expensive like you might expect.
This natural flea collar uses cedarwood and peppermint oils as active ingredients for repelling fleas and ticks from your dog’s entire body for up to four months.
Because of the use of essential oils, these flea collars do have a scent. This could be a positive or negative thing for you, depending on how well you like the scent of cedarwood and peppermint.
It is made in the USA with plant-based ingredients and no harsh chemicals.
Your dog can wear this repellent collar once they are four months old. It can also work for cats.
Pros:
- This flea collar says that it is 100% Certified Natural.
- Free from Phthalates & PVC.
- Water-resistant flea collars for dogs.
Cons:
- Based on the reviews, this collar is less effective in areas that have high amounts of fleas and ticks. In that case, it may work better as an add-on to your dog’s topical or oral preventative.
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellent Collar
The price of “Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellent Collar” varies, so check the latest price at
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6. SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention Collar
The Sobaken flea and tick collar provides preventative measures against adult fleas and ticks, flea larvae, lice, and sarcoptic mange. Oh! And it’s natural and hypoallergenic too.
This is a one-size-fits-all collar that can be worn by dogs 3 months old and up. It will last up to eight months.
Most other flea collars say that they are water-resistant. This one says that it is waterproof — 100% effective after bathing or being out in the rain.
The natural flea collar ingredients used are natural oils from spearmint, clove, and citronella. The reviews are mixed on how strong the smell is, but most buyers liked the smell.
These flea collars work by continuously releasing a low concentration of repelling oils on your dog’s skin and fur.
Pros:
- For every collar sold, this company gives $3 to organizations that help save animals.
- Can fit neck sizes up to 25 inches — that works for very large dogs.
Cons:
- This is slightly more expensive than other natural options, though still quite affordable for eight months of protection.
SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention Collar
The price of “SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention Collar” varies, so check the latest price at
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Buyer’s Guide: What to Look Before Purchasing a Flea Collar For Dogs
Here is a list of factors worth considering before choosing a flea and tick-repellent collar for your canine companion.
Ingredients
Flea collars use different combinations of either chemicals or natural oils.
Some common chemical ingredients that are generally considered safe include:
- Deltamethrin
- Amitraz
- Pyriproxifen
- Propoxur
Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) is also relatively common in flea collars, though it is a more controversial ingredient. Some scientists believe that it is a human carcinogen and possibly a neurotoxin for people and pets.
Occasionally, dogs have skin reactions due to the chemicals in flea collars. If that happens, you can learn how to treat a chemical burn from a flea collar and treat it at home.
Natural ways to kill fleas and ticks include using essential oils. Skin irritation is much less likely with a natural collar, though not impossible.
Duration
Flea collars each last a different amount of time, ranging from 4 months up to a whole year.
Keep in mind that if your dog likes to go swimming or if you keep the flea collar on your dog during bath time, this can reduce the amount of time that the collar can repel fleas.
While it’s super nice not to have to worry about giving your dog monthly flea and tick prevention, you also could forget to change their flea and tick collar at the right time.
One way to remember when it’s time to change their collar is to set up a recurring delivery with Amazon.
Odor Vs Odorless
Most flea collars that use chemical ingredients are odorless, though it’s always best to check the product description to be sure.
With a natural flea and tick collar, it works with essential oils which are scented. Depending on the combination of oils used, so might either love or hate the scent.
If you are shopping for a natural flea collar, be sure to read through the ingredients list to see if you like the smell of the oils used. Some common scents are:
- Citronella
- Clove
- Spearmint
- Peppermint
- Cedarwood
FAQs
How Do Flea Collars Work?
When you get a new flea collar, you will stretch it out to activate it. Then, you will place secure it around your dog’s neck and adjust it. Make sure that it is not too tight or too loose.
Then, trim off any excess material. If you have a puppy, don’t trim off too much of the excess. You will likely need to adjust the puppy collar over time as your dog grows.
Once the collar is on your dog, the ingredients will start to evenly distribute throughout their skin and fur.
Depending on the ingredients, the flea and tick collar will either repel, treat, or both.
A repellent collar emits gas to keep pests away from your pup.
Flea treatment collars work by killing pests either when they bite your dog or on contact before they can bite.
Are Flea Collars Safe?
Dog Flea collars are a somewhat controversial topic. While they are known for being quite effective, there are some downsides.
The chemicals used in a flea collar work by direct contact. This means that anytime your dog rubs up against you or your furniture, some of those chemicals could transfer.
It is recommended that you wash your hands after touching your dog if they are wearing a flea collar. It is also not recommended that you sleep in the same bed as your dog if they wear flea collars.
Skin irritation can occur from the chemicals used. If your dog is going to have an adverse reaction to wearing a flea and tick collar, it will likely happen within the first few days of you putting it on them.
All that said, flea collars have been used by pet parents for decades to repel fleas and ticks. Talk to your vet if you are concerned about whether a flea and tick-repellent collar is the right choice for your pup.
Do Flea Collars Kill Fleas Instantly?
Flea collars do not kill fleas instantly.
It can take up to a few days before it kills fleas everywhere on your dog’s body because you have to wait for the active ingredients to distribute from the collar down through the tail.
Depending on the collar, it may only kill adult fleas and ticks, or it may kill flea eggs and larvae as well.
Conclusion
Fleas and ticks can cause more than just itching and irritation for your pup. Bites can lead to anemia, Lyme disease, and other health concerns.
Pet owners should try to always keep their dogs protected from these dangers. Luckily, solutions are quite affordable, and you don’t even need a prescription from your vet.
I hope this article has helped you understand the ins and outs of shopping for a flea and tick collar for your dog.
In conclusion, selecting the right flea collar for your dog is crucial for ensuring their health and comfort. The list of the six best flea collars reviewed by WAF provides a diverse range of options catering to different needs and preferences. From long-lasting protection and natural ingredients to water resistance and affordability, each collar brings unique benefits. Ultimately, choosing the best product depends on your dog’s specific requirements and lifestyle. By weighing the pros and cons of each collar, pet owners can make an informed decision to effectively protect their furry companions from pests and irritation.