Best Flea Collar for Dogs - Comparison and Reviews

Choosing a Dog Flea Collar: How They Work

Tick and flea collars all contain some form of insecticide that’s been proven to be safe for use in mammals and humans. The insecticide is embedded in the plastic collar as either a gas or a liquid. The gas will kill fleas as they bite into the skin, while the liquid is absorbed into the dog’s skin and then kills fleas or ticks when they pierce the skin. In general, liquid-based insecticide collars work better than gas-based ones, as they spread into a larger area, making them more effective overall.

Modern flea collars tend to use liquid active ingredients (we’ve added the active ingredients to each product review above). The best dog flea collar is designed to continuously secrete liquid insecticide which is then absorbed by the natural oils found in the dog’s coat. These oils then spread throughout the coat, offering a much higher level of protection, from tip to toe. How well-distributed the liquid is, and how effective the collar is, will depend on several factors, including:

• how close to the skin it sits,
• the age of the collar, and
• how often the dog gets wet.

The design of modern flea collars has also improved considerably. Modern flea and tick collars will usually contain some sort of anti-oxidant that will protect the collar and insecticide from degradation. Most flea collars are water-resistant and have special mechanisms that prevent your dog from choking or being strangled by the collar. Plus you can use our recommended best dog leash with the flea collar. These precautions, combined with modern insecticides that have passed toxicity screens, means that flea collars are safer to use than ever before.

The flea collar for dogs is designed to work continuously over three to twelve months, depending on the type of insecticide in the collar. While some collars can help treat existing infestations, most collars should be used as a preventative measure. If your dog already has fleas, there are alternative methods to treat the infestation, such as dog flea shampoos or oral medications. Once the infestation has cleared up, you can use a flea collar to prevent new outbreaks from occurring.

Active ingredients in flea and tick collars for dogs

The active ingredients are what determine how safe and effective the flea collar is. For instance, one of the most popular insecticides in collars used to be Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), a potent neurotoxin that was an incredibly effective poison.  Unfortunately, it proved to also be highly toxic to mammals, causing brain and neurological defects in dogs and humans. It has also been linked to several cancers and was listed by the EPA as a carcinogen in 2016. Symptoms of TCVP exposure included blurred vision, convulsions, pulmonary edema, and nausea.

Luckily, since then there has been a lot of research into safer alternatives that will still be effective against ticks and fleas, but safer for both pets and humans.  The most popular of these currently include Deltamethrin, Imidacloprid, and Flumethrin.

• Deltamethrin: deltamethrin is a neurotoxin that has been shown to be effective in the control of mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. It’s considered safe for use around humans, but as with any insecticide, it can still produce neurotoxic effects in high enough doses. However, at the doses found in collars, it is considered one of the safest insecticides currently on the market.
• Flumethrin: unlike Deltamethrin, Flumethrin is mainly used in veterinary medicine to protect animals from parasites such as ticks and fleas. Flumethrin is one of the more common insecticides used in flea collars due to its low toxicity and high efficacy.
• Imidacloprid: this insecticide works on the nervous system of insects, paralyzing, and ultimately killing them. Since Imidacloprid works on neurological receptors that are found only in insects, it’s much more toxic to insects than to mammals, which makes it one of the most widely used insecticides in the world. It’s used in a huge array of industries, from farming to forestry and of course, in flea collars. It’s moderately toxic to mammals when ingested orally, but has low toxicity when used on the skin.

There are other active ingredients that can be found in some flea collars, such as amitraz and propoxur, but several concerns have been raised about their toxicity and safety. If you do use a collar with one of these ingredients, make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet.

With the rise of the natural movement, many alternative flea collars have come on the market. These will contain essential oils such as peppermint or cedarwood, instead of synthetic insecticides. The EPA lists these oils as compounds that pose little or no risk to humans, making them the safest option around.

They are less effective as an insecticide than synthetic compounds. It’s up to you to decide whether you want an effective but slightly toxic product or one that is less effective but safer to use. 

Flea Develops Resistance to Treatment

There is a continuous arms race between insects and insecticides. As insects are exposed to an insecticide, they will start to develop resistance. The insects that survive contact will pass that resistance on to their offspring, meaning the new generation will be even more resistant than the last.

To combat this, flea collar companies keep inventing new insecticides that will work on these resistant populations. What this means is that the longer you use the same type of flea collar with the same active ingredients, the less effective it will become. You’ll notice that your dog will start getting fleas and ticks, despite wearing a collar.

That’s why it’s a good idea to cycle between various collars. By exposing ticks and fleas to new insecticides continuously, you can ensure that they don’t develop resistance to any single insecticide. This will ensure that your collars will remain effective over long periods of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flea collars safe for dogs?

Yes, flea collars have been specifically tested for safety for both dogs and humans. If used as directed, these collars are safe to use. Much of the toxicity of the collar comes from the type of insecticide used, so make sure to read the packaging that comes with the collar.

Some collars aren’t suitable for pregnant or sick dogs, and others should not be used on puppies. When in doubt, consult your vet and read the labels carefully.

Are dog flea collars safe for cats?

In general, no. Cats and dogs have very different physiologies, so what is safe for one may not be safe for the other. Some insecticides, such as permethrin, have been shown to be safe for use in dogs and for humans, but are lethal to cats.

Cat flea collars are specifically designed with cats in mind. They will contain insecticides that are safe for cats and will usually have more robust safety mechanisms in place.

If you have both a dog and a cat in your home, it’s worthwhile to stay away from dog-only flea collars. Any exposure to the insecticide can be harmful to your cat, even if it isn’t wearing the collar itself. If your dog and cat play together, your cat will be exposed to potentially lethal chemicals.

It’s a better idea to use collars that are formulated for both cats and dogs. If you’re ever uncertain about the safety of your collar, speak to your vet or expert to get proper medical advice.

Can I use a dog flea collar on a puppy?

Using a flea collar on a puppy is usually not recommended. Puppies are much more sensitive to irritants and toxic products than adult dogs, and the amount of insecticide in a dog collar may be harmful to your new pup. In general, vets recommend avoiding using any type of flea or tick treatment on a puppy before it is eight weeks old.

If your puppy has a tick or flea infestation, it’s best not to try to treat it yourself and see an expert instead. They’ll be able to advise you on safe ways to combat the infestation and will make recommendations to protect your puppy from further harm as well.

How often should I change the collar?

Different collars have different lifespans, and these can also be influenced by various external factors. In general, collars will last anything between three and twelve months before they need to be replaced. Usually, collars will come with instructions for use, and this will also give you a recommended replacement date.

If your dog is very active, that may affect the lifespan of the flea collar. If your dog gets wet a lot, you may have to replace your collar much sooner than expected. Collars that get damaged, either through rough play or chewing also need to be replaced. If you are using another type of flea and tick medication, make sure to remove the collar in order to limit chemical exposure for your dog.

A good indicator of when to replace a collar is when it stops working and if it isn’t visibly damaged. If you start noticing a few stray fleas or ticks on your dog, it’s a good sign that the collar has reached the end of its lifetime and need replacing.

If you’ve reached the end date given by the manufacturer, however, and the collar still appears to be working, you should avoid the temptation to push it past the end date. Rather replace the collar according to the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure that your pet is parasite-free.

When should I use a tick and flea collar?

There are many different ways to control ticks and fleas in dogs, including drops, shampoos, and flea collars. The type of prevention you use will usually depend on where you live, and the type of dog you have.

If you live in a cold climate, you’ll find that fleas aren’t usually a problem. That means that during the winter months, you may not need to bother with any type of flea prevention at all, and only focus on protection during the summer months.

Fleas love hot summers and can lay up to fifty eggs per day. This means that if you see one or two fleas on your dog, there’s up to a hundred that you are missing. Fleas tend to reproduce when it’s hot, so if you live in an area that is temperate all year round, it’s worthwhile to invest in continuous flea prevention.

While many of us focus on fleas when it comes to parasites on our pets, ticks actually pose much more of a danger. There are many tick-borne diseases that can be fatal to your pet, and ticks are present all year-round. If you live in an area with ticks, or you walk in places where ticks live, you want to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to protect your dog.

The main reason why you’d use a tick and flea collar as opposed to drops or edibles is that it’s cheap, effective, and easy to use. Once you’ve fitted the collar, you can forget about ticks and fleas for up to eight months, and it will only set you back under $100 for that period.

When should I not use a tick and flea collar?

Some tick and flea collars contain very potent insecticides, which are then spread over your dog’s skin. These insecticides can be toxic and even harmful to your pet, especially if they’re old, sick, or pregnant. Many flea collars are also not recommended for use in puppies, or with dogs that have sensitive skin.

That’s why it’s a good idea to discuss tick and flea prevention with your vet. Not only do they know your dog, but they’ll also be able to recommend alternatives and find a solution that works for both you and your pet.