Getting Rid of Fleas with the Best Cat Flea Collars

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This review guide was updated in February 2019.


Fleas and ticks have always been a tough problem to deal with for many cat owners. Many of them, especially those with indoor cats, are confused as to how their pets were able to catch fleas. The truth is, there are many ways your pet can get fleas even if it stays strictly indoors.

Cat fleas can be found on birds, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and even indoor mice. Once your cat comes in contact with these infested animals, it’s easy for the fleas to jump onto them. Outdoor cats can pick up fleas while simply roaming in gardens, yards, parks, dog houses or just underneath the porch.

Cat fleas are the most abundant type of flea. Even though they are so small, they can be a real pain in the neck for both you and your cat. They are professional hitchhikers and can get just about anywhere.

Anyone or anything can unknowingly carry a flea all the way into your home. Fleas can easily jump on your pants, socks, or shoes even when you’re just walking outside the house. Once you get home, the flea can instantly leap onto your cat.

A cat’s coat is a perfect environment for fleas and ticks to reproduce fast. They can irritate the cat’s skin, making it possible for your pet to develop bald patches and hot spots. Since cats are known to be excellent groomers, it’s easy to hide the flea problem. There are signs that you can look out for to know if your cat has been infected by fleas.

  • Your cat bites or scratches his coat and skin more often.
  • Your cat grooms or scratches himself, particularly on his hind legs and base of the tail. Soon enough, he starts to develop bald patches.
  • Your cat starts having itchy red wounds that may ooze.
  • There are small black spots on the fur of your cat, or red specks on his bedding.
  • Your cat suddenly becomes restless or agitated. He keeps on moving in different places, rubbing himself on things, or shaking his head.
  • Your cat starts avoiding certain rooms in your house, especially those with padded furniture and carpets.
  • Your cat may acquire anemia. He’ll begin to lose weight and display a sluggish behavior.

The Cat Flea Collar and Its Benefits

A cat flea collar looks just like a standard collar. You can tie it around the neck of your cat to control fleas and ticks effectively.

They’re actually that simple and easy to use.

Since cat fleas, ticks, bugs, and other unwanted pests spread to all parts of the body, the collar helps stop these pests from reaching the head. It provides quick protection for the entire body of your cat and it can last for several months.

Although these collars are simple and convenient, some have a strong or foul odor that can be quite irritating for both you and your cat. You need to know how to purchase the right collar for you and your pet in roder to effectively combat the outbreak of fleas.

Different Types of Cat Flea Collars & How They Work

There are two different types of cat flea collars you can choose from. They vary depending on the insecticide compound that is used. The good thing is, these two types of collars are made to control and kill cat fleas once and for all.

Solid

This solid type of collar contains substances that eliminate the fatty skin layer of your cat while killing fleas and ticks. It is a combination of solid insecticide and resin where the insecticide is released over time as the collar wears away from rubbing against the cat’s skin.

The insecticide on a solid collar can either be absorbed into the top layers of the cat’s skin, or it can spread across it. The dispersion type takes effect once the flea comes in contact with the insecticide. Meanwhile, the absorption type of collar works with the insecticide being absorbed into the cat’s skin instead of just hovering on the fur. Once the flea bites the skin, the poison can kill them.

This type of collar is considered by many cat owners to be more effective than poisonous gasses. This also appears to be the safest way to get rid of pests. Also, some of the best cat flea collars work in this manner.

Liquid

A lot of popular collars with liquid insecticide release a poisonous gas. They are mostly effective for immediately driving fleas away upon contact, although not completely killing these pests. The fleas need to come near the collar to be eliminated. It doesn’t affect fleas and ticks if these pests are not exposed around the area near the collar. However, it’s a good thing that fleas don’t really know that and can’t actually smell the gas, so once they’re exposed on the area, they die on the spot.

The gas can help stop other fleas from coming or jumping onto your cat. The gasses released from this type of collar have also been proven to be safe for your cat’s health.

Are Cat Flea Collars Really Safe?

A quality cat flea and tick collar is basically considered safe for cats, humans and other animals. It is usable and easy to handle. Solid collars don’t make any mess.

Flea collars provide safe and lasting protection, but you still need to be careful when using them. Most labels clearly state that these collars are not to be played with, especially by children. Some collars contain insecticides that are more harmful to humans than animals. Remember to always wash your hands after using a collar. This doesn’t mean you can no longer pet your cat each time they’re wearing a flea collar. Just make sure that you wash your hands after touching them.

Like any other product, some cats may still react negatively even with collars that are considered safe. It would be best to stop using collars right away and consult a veterinarian in case your cat experiences sores, redness around the neck, or hair loss. During the first few hours of wearing a flea collar, your cat may also feel some discomfort as fleas are being removed in the process. Unfortunately, cats can still get bitten by fleas and ticks for some time while the chemicals work their way to kill the pests, this is because fleas can live sometime without a host.

There is also the possibility of strangulation that concerns pet owners. Make sure that you choose a collar with a safety release feature that can easily open or break as soon as the pressure exceeds the limit.

Guidelines to Follow When Choosing a Flea Collar

There are many cat flea collars you can choose from and it usually becomes a bit difficult for cat owners to make sure that what they purchase is best suited for their cats. It’s really impossible to find one ideal solution that would fit all the needs. Despite that, you can always check and take note of a few important things before finally picking one among the best options that are available out there.

  • Make sure that when you want to treat your pet, the collar doesn’t contain “Permethrin”, a chemical that is very toxic to cats. Unfortunately, there are still a few brands that use this chemical. It’s important that you inspect this first before buying.
  • Purchase an elastic cat flea collar so it can be easily stretched. Cats, by nature, are curious and they love to explore. They usually like fitting through small places or even climbing a tree. This puts your cat in the actual risk of strangling himself if he isn’t wearing a flexible collar, especially when he gets stuck on a tree branch. This is why a lot of cat owners acquire elasticated collars to guarantee that this doesn’t happen.
  • Even though you want to purchase a stretchable collar, always make sure it perfectly fits your cat. If it’s too loose, it may tend to fall off. Also, your cat might want to nibble on it, which can cause negative effects.
  • Closely pay attention to your cat when you put a collar around his neck for the first time. Cats react to flea collars in different ways. There are some cats that don’t seem to like having collars around their necks. Others even tend to panic when wearing them for the first time, although it’s a rare case.
  • This one seems very obvious, but it’s important not to use the same flea collars you put on your dog for your cat. Dog collars contain higher amounts of chemicals to kill fleas and ticks, and this can be really dangerous for your cat.Also, for a kitten, remember to get the right collar measurement for its size. However, it’s considered best to use a natural flea control method for kittens since they can be very sensitive to insecticides.

Review of the Best Cat Flea Collars on the Market

Here’s a short review on some of the best cat flea collars that you can purchase.

Beloved Pets Flea and Tick Collar

Beloved Pets Flea and tick Collar

This collar is effective in eliminating the problem with fleas and ticks. It doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, and is safe for your kittens, cats as well as your family members who come in close contact with your pet.

The collar is also adjustable and it comes in various sizes to lessen your worries. It can easily fit cats and even kittens. This flea and tick collar’s protection for your cats can last for four months while breaking the rebirth of fleas.

Its active ingredients are mainly concentrated on the collar area. This makes it less effective in other areas far from the neck. Before using the collar, it would be best to remove the existing fleas and ticks first, especially on the cat’s head. Also, it doesn’t smell good, which can be a little bit of a problem for many cat owners. It can also be a little pricey given its working period.


Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar

Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar

Considered as one of the best cat flea and tick collars, the Bayer Seresto is also often suggested by vets because of its two active ingredients, namely imidacloprid and flumethrin. These ingredients help limit flea infestations and kill fleas and ticks as well. The collar is totally non-greasy and doesn’t have any foul odor. It is also waterproof, so there’s no need to open or replace it in case your cat accidentally gets wet.

It’s easy to put this collar on cats. For additional safety, it also has a breakaway feature. It slowly releases chemicals that allows the collar to be used continuously for up to eight months. However, the effect of toxicity varies, depending on the type of cat. This collar is not recommended for kittens under the age of 10 weeks.

Compared to other brands, this collar fits tighter. To prevent your cat from choking, you can get a bigger collar. It can also be difficult to adjust it, so it’s best to measure the size of your cat’s neck and place a mark on the collar.


Hartz Ultraguard Flea and Tick Reflective Collar

Hartz UltraGuard Flat & Tick Reflective Collar for Cats

The Hartz Ultraguard flea and tick collar can effectively kill fleas and ticks. It has a clean and fresh scent and it is water resistant, so there wouldn’t be a problem if your cat gets wet or needs a bath. The Hartz Ultraguard collar also casts direct light for up to 300 feet. It doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals so it’s completely safe for your cat to lick the collar. The collar has a safety release snap that prevents your cat from having neck injury. You can easily use and remove the breakaway collar.

It works great up to seven months, although the conditions need to be ideal. Results can vary based on factors beyond your control, such as your location or the climate. On the other hand, you surely wouldn’t mind any of these with its exceedingly low price.

This collar can only be used for cats above the age of 12 weeks. Also, be mindful that the collar is really toxic for humans.


ABIsedrin Flea and Tick Collar

Unlike Beloved Pets Collar and the Bayer Seresto Collar, the ABIsedrin flea and tick collar is both waterproof and adjustable. This makes it very useful for different sizes of pet, including those who are active and tend to get wet. It is made of hypoallergenic materials that don’t cause irritation and don’t leave any trace on the cat’s body while getting rid of fleas and ticks. It also reduces the number of pests by 90% within a day.

The collar doesn’t have any chemical odor, but it gives out a faint scented smell. It is completely safe for cats and it can be used up to eight months. The ABIsedrin collar also has one of the cheapest monthly cost, making it a really good choice.

However, although it is cheap and totally free from toxicity, the collar isn’t too effective in terms of controlling fleas and ticks. The result usually varies.


Amlion Cat Flea Collar

If you’re looking for a quality cat flea collar that provides a reliable and lasting protection for your cats, then the Amlion cat flea collar would be a good choice. Compared to similar products, it is more extreme and powerful in eliminating harmful flea and tick infestations for eight months. This non-greasy collar is rich in potent flea repelling ingredients, and comes with a fresh and nice scent.

There’s no need to worry about the growing size of your cat because the Amlion collar is fully adjustable. It is soft and flexible, which makes it a comfortable accessory for your cat. It is also water resistant so your cat can freely swim and play with water without losing the collar’s quality.

Just remember to safely keep the container away and make sure it’s out of reach of children. Wash your hands after using it, and it would be best to consult a veterinarian when your pet gets sick.

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