The appearance of fleas in a beloved dog brings a lot of trouble to the animal and its owners. There are many ways to get rid of this scourge: from pills to medicinal solutions, it is only important to be able to choose the appropriate effective and safe drug.
In this regard, special flea and tick collars deserve special attention. For dogs, this remedy is more often preventive, and opinions about its effectiveness are divided: some are satisfied, others consider it a waste of money.
To understand how justified the use of an insect-acaricidal collar, let's find out in detail: what is the remedy, how it affects parasites and how safe it is for your pet.
The principle of operation and types of collars
For reference, a flea collar for dogs is usually a plastic product in the form of a flexible band with a buckle, sometimes with a characteristic smell due to the presence of highly toxic chemicals in the composition.
How does a flea collar work? After some time from the moment the product is put on, the dog becomes protected from fleas and ticks: insecticidal and repellent components are released from the collar and spread over the pet's coat and skin surface.Substances maintain the necessary concentration all the time while the collar is put on the dog.
How long should a flea collar be worn? It is recommended to wear it all the time, without taking it off even at night - only in this case a reliable result will be achieved.
Collars are:
- Chemicals containing harmful substances for parasites. Used for adult dogs.
- Biological, the action of which is based on the healing properties of medicinal herbs and essential oils. Can be used for puppies, sick individuals and pregnant dogs.
- Ultrasonic - universal, odorless and no chemicals, but more expensive. However, it must be borne in mind that many consider this type of collar to be the least effective option.
A wide range of dog collars often confuses owners: what to choose? There are several criteria that can help you with this.
Flea collar: which is better?
A good flea collar is, first of all, individually and wisely selected. When choosing, you can be guided by the following criteria:
- Read reviews about a particular company.
- Choose a collar according to the size.
- Read the information on the packaging - the collars differ in the concentration of the substance and are suitable for specific dogs.
- Don't save. A cheap collar may only be called an anti-flea collar, but in fact it will not contain any substances; Also, a poor-quality composition can poison a pet.
- Choose products from trusted manufacturers, but be aware of a possible allergic reaction, regardless of the brand of product.
It is interesting:
Even a high-quality collar can cause severe poisoning of a dog or a small child if one of them accidentally chews on the tip of the collar, so conscientious manufacturers indicate the name of the antidote in the instructions so that doctors and veterinarians can help in time.
Among the variety of different brands of collars, the following are the most popular:
- Collars against fleas and ticks Kiltix. They become most effective 24 hours after putting them on, they last up to 7 months. Suitable for healthy adult dogs; pregnant and lactating dogs, as well as sick animals are not recommended.
- Collar for dogs and puppies from fleas and ticks Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar (including with a reflective strip). Such a collar is moisture resistant, has a pleasant fresh smell, begins to act immediately after putting it on. Protects against insects up to 7 months; not recommended for puppies under 6 weeks old.
- Collars SKALIBOR. Provide protection against flying and crawling insects for six months; The greatest protective effect is achieved 7 days after putting on. Can be used for pregnant and lactating dogs; Not recommended for puppies under 7 weeks old.
- Beaphar Ungezieferband flea and tick collar. Guarantees protection from 2 to 5 months and has no restrictions on the weight and size of the animal. Begins to act after 5 days from the start of application. Not recommended for sick or pregnant dogs or puppies under 6 months of age.
- Rolf Club, collar against ticks, fleas and withers. Low toxicity, odorless, protection up to 4 months. It is not recommended for use in combination with other drugs, and is also contraindicated in puppies and sick weakened dogs.
Review:
“For six months after buying the collar, we don’t worry at all - there are no fleas. But about ticks is a moot point, something additional is needed. But the main thing is that my dogs do not have allergies.”
Anna, Krasnoyarsk.
When choosing a collar, it is important not only to give preference to a certain brand that has been tested by time and the experience of other dog breeders, but also to carefully study the characteristics of the product, as well as take into account the age characteristics of your dog and its state of health.
How to properly use a flea collar
No matter how expensive and high-quality the flea collar is, and the reviews about it are the most positive, improper use of the product will minimize the result and can even lead to serious problems.
How to properly put on a flea collar: unpack, remove the plastic jumpers, slightly stretch the product and put it on the dog, fitting it to the size of the neck with a gap of 1.5 cm. Cut off the remaining free end of the tape.
Properly worn collar eliminates the manifestation of contact dermatitis and insufficient distribution of the substance on the skin.
Useful advice:
If there are fleas, you should wash your pet with a special anti-flea shampoo, and then use a collar, otherwise the fleas will go to the tail and can survive there.
Detailed information on how to use a flea collar can be found in the instructions. It will also be useful to consider the following nuances:
- the simultaneous use of shampoos or repellents based on essential oils and a collar (if the instructions do not prohibit) will increase the effect.
- During the first 2-3 days of use, it is worth protecting the dog from forest walks and, if possible, not bathing.
- Violation of the instructions reduces the protective characteristics of the collar and may lead to poisoning of the dog.
Review:
“The strong smell from the collar in the first days of use upset me a lot, and the dog was clearly uncomfortable - I had to take it off. But over time, the smell weakened, and the fleas disappeared. We enjoy walking the dog in the woods.”
Vera, Kaluga.
The flea collar is most effective when the rules for its storage and the period of use are strictly observed, as well as the fleas and ticks that were on the dog are previously removed, since the collar is more of a preventive measure.
It is precisely because of the preventive properties that collars are often considered ineffective, if not harmful to dogs. Is it really?
Benefit or harm?
Despite the fact that the chemical composition of the collar is safe for humans, some substances can sometimes cause an allergic reaction - children, pregnant women and allergy sufferers are at risk.
Some veterinarians note the so-called delayed consequences: diseases of various organs and systems of the dog due to the ingress of poison into the bloodstream through the skin. At present, the key effect of the composition of the collar on the health of the dog has not been fully proven, but preventive examinations at the veterinarian are mandatory.
Individual intolerance to the components is a significant but rare drawback that leads to the development of an allergy to a flea collar in a dog. The first hours of wearing the animal should be under control, as alarming symptoms (skin itching and rash) appear almost immediately. Local reactions are mild and not dangerous - just change the collar.
Flea and tick collars for dogs have a lot of positive aspects - the reviews of experienced owners and the great demand for them fully prove this. Besides:
- This is a comfortable, simple and relatively inexpensive way to prevent fleas and ticks.
- This is a hygienic way: no need to wait until the coat dries, or be afraid that the dog will stain the upholstery of the furniture.
- Modern bio collars are absolutely safe.
- Most collars have a wide range of action, and are effective not only against fleas, but also against ticks and withers.
- Modern products do not have a systemic effect on the body, and the daily dose of the substance acting on insects is extremely small for the development of pathologies in a dog.
Thus, in general, a flea collar for dogs can be considered a completely safe tool, and it really helps reliably, but only if the instructions are strictly followed.
It is important to remember that the collar is not an independent means of exterminating insects, but as an effective preventive measure it justifies itself well - after all, it is much easier and cheaper to prevent the appearance of parasites than to fight them for a long time.
What are the most effective flea and tick collars?
Well, I bought a Skalibor collar for my pet dog, but still one tick stuck to the dog's muzzle, that is, to the outside of the nose and very deeply embedded in the skin of the nose, but died immediately. And today the dead tick was removed (veterinarian at the clinic). But there really are no fleas on my beloved pet, and before I used the Kiltix collar, my dog did not catch a single tick.
Evgeniy! Spring has come and it's time to think about a flea and tick collar for your pet. My advice to you - buy a collar "Trixi" (trixie). It is 6 months old and moisture resistant.
And my dog has a Foresto collar. We like him very much. Very comfortable, safe. For the entire period that we wear, I have never found anyone (I mean fleas with ticks) on a dog. Therefore, I can say with confidence that the collar protects the dog perfectly.
Some people wear collars and some don't. Individually.
I don’t have confidence in collars, as I dripped drops of Advantix to my Alpha, I will continue to drip them, they never let me down, ticks and fleas are not for us! Even mosquitoes and flies do not stick to it. Maybe the new collars are better, but she is not yet ready to change the means of protection and risk the health of her dog. And thanks for the article, very informative!
I only wash my dog with flea shampoos, I have a small child, and I am afraid to treat the dog with all sorts of drugs, the baby constantly sticks to it. So while we manage like this, I don’t see fleas.
The collar is very good at preventing fleas and protecting against ticks. We bought a collar for our dog and everything was fine, but after a while, her hair began to fall out under the collar. I don’t know what it is connected with, but I think that an allergic reaction has gone. I had to take it off and switch to flea drops. We were worried that there would also be a reaction to them, but so far everything is fine, for half a year now we have met spring without a single tick, but fleas have long been forgotten.
We switched from drops to a collar after our Mark (Corgi) developed severe allergies. From my own experience, I can say that collars are the best means of protection. Us as in the past year vt. The doctor told me about them, so we use them. Change it every 6-7 months, that's all. No fleas, no ticks in the summer season - Mark feels comfortable. No side effects were observed either. We use a collar that does not need to be removed when in contact with water and does not stink.
We bought a collar for our dog and are very pleased, it repels ticks and fleas very well, you don’t have to worry about the health of your dog. What I liked is that it works for 8 months, you don’t need to bother with frequent treatment, it stays strong, but it doesn’t interfere with the dog either. In general, it's nice to read that people care about pets, well done.
Today I bought a Foresto collar, it fits right next to us - I have am. staff. I wonder if these collars are larger than 70 cm.Now I'll ask next time. The box says up to 70 kg. It would be sad if it would be one more cm less - all pipets. Someone had it. And the reflectors don't stay on. Like, correctly cling, but open. I'm going to the vet tomorrow. doctor and I know everything. If he really is that good, then well, these reflectors, the main thing is that my Zeus feels comfortable. Later I will write what it is, good or not.
Collar PHYTODOC has never failed! My dog is safe in it, I am responsible for the words) We have been using it for a year now, and I have never had to remove parasites. I only do prevention.
And we used a collar from Rolf club, and we have a terrible allergy in dachshunds, we could not understand what it was at all. We went to three clinics, and they didn’t help us there, until we figured it out ourselves. The dog becomes covered with blisters, then with scabs, and begins to go bald. They are very, it turns out, toxic, and you can ruin the animal. Mom and the kitten almost died, well, there was some kind of green, either with mint, or the smell of lavender. Also, the whole neck was peeled off to the goal, he stopped eating. Removed the collar and everything was ok. Take care of your pets.
The same situation with the dog - miniature pinscher.
Is a collar harmful for pregnant women?