Even domestic cats can become victims of blood-sucking parasites, not to mention pets that are regularly outdoors. A flea and tick collar is a convenient and effective accessory that can be used to protect cats from annoying insects.
There is a fairly wide range on the market, allowing you to choose the most suitable option, taking into account the gender, age and individual characteristics of your pet.
Operating principle
An anti-flea collar is a flexible strip made of polyvinyl chloride, textile or silicone. The material is impregnated with special substances to repel (repellents) or destroy (insecticides) parasitic insects.
Flea collars for cats begin to work as soon as they are placed on the animal's neck. During wearing, the product bends, stretches, and heats up, which promotes the release of the active substance, some of which gets onto the pet’s skin and fur. As a result, the parasites either die or leave the animal.
In a collar
When choosing which product is best to use - a collar or flea drops, cat owners are guided by their own preferences, since both products have both advantages and disadvantages. It is believed that a collar is more suitable for prevention, while drops are effective in case of an existing flea infestation.
Flea collar for cats, which one to choose?
A useful point for choosing an effective means of protection is reviews from real user owners. Some of them consider a flea and tick collar for cats to be the best and most convenient protective tool. I put a collar on my cat – and no problems! When time runs out, you will have to change the model. But not everything is as simple as many of us think. The owners admitted that the most effective flea collar for cats is one that cannot harm their four-legged friend, is easy to use and effective. Most often, the price of such a product depends on the strength of the active substance of the accessory and the manufacturer’s brand.
How long to wear a flea collar for cats?
The market offers flea accessories from various manufacturers with different active ingredients. Instructions for use contain information on brand and name, size, period of use, main active ingredient, price. Each such accessory has its own validity period and expiration date. Most often, the range of application is from 1 to 8 months. The flea trap can be stored unopened for up to 2 years.
Flea collar Celandine – reviews
A polymer strap for protecting cats called Celandine has received excellent reviews from users. It has an antiparasitic effect due to the active component Diazinon (10%). Thanks to the destructive effect of the drug, Celandine relieves animals of immature and mature lice, flea bloodsuckers, ixodid ticks, and other parasites. Polymer tape with Diazinon distributes the action of the active substance throughout the skin and fur of the animal, preventing the reappearance of parasites. The length of the Celandine cat protective accessory is 35 cm. The validity period of Celandine is 30 days, 60 days, 120 days. Thanks to the adjustable fastener, the protective tape is conveniently attached to the animal's neck. Celandine flea collar for cats is an inexpensive and effective protective accessory.
Beafar flea collar for cats
The Dutch safety polymer neck tape Beafar with a length of 35 cm will protect your pets from fleas and ticks from the age of six months and is valid for up to six months. It works on the basis of the main active ingredient diazinon 15%, and is considered one of the best insecticidal preparations for animals on the market. The Beafar neck flea trap is soft and comfortable, has a beautiful and fashionable color, and a good clasp. Beafar should not be used on kittens under 12 months of age.
Dana Ultra collar
The protective polymer neck tape “Dana Ultra” for cats has a wide range of effects. It is intended for:
- destruction of parasites;
- repelling lice, flea “troops”, ticks, lice-eaters;
- protection against worms.
Dana Ultra tape is easy to use and has water-resistant properties. It is worn around the cat’s neck when going to the dacha for the whole summer. For 4 months you don’t have to worry about the condition of her fur. The fastener must be fixed so that the tape does not compress the animal’s larynx, but does not sag.
Flea and tick collar for cats reviews about use
Many pet owners have found a flea and tick collar for cats to be the best protective measure. But not every strap can be used for kittens. After 6 months, kittens can be put on a bio-collar with minimal or no chemicals, but with the inclusion of essential oils. Before using the kitten strap, it is better to kill the “flea infestation” with drops or shampoo. The strap will serve as a preventive measure.
The straps for kittens and their older relatives receive grateful responses from their owners. In their reviews, they highlight the advantages of flea traps:
- reliable protection;
- harmless to the animal;
- ease of use;
- duration of wearing;
- availability of models from different manufacturers;
- softness, flexibility, beautiful appearance;
- affordable price.
Advantages and disadvantages
When choosing a flea collar, you need to consider all the pros and cons of the accessory. Benefits include:
- versatility (used both for prevention and for getting rid of insects, you can choose the best option for an animal of any age);
- simplicity and ease of use (the collar is easy to put on and can be removed at any time);
- availability (available in all pet stores, very loyal pricing policy);
- safety (the active drug does not penetrate the cat’s blood);
- long lasting effect;
- the accessory looks attractive , and in addition it can be used as a sign by writing the owner’s phone number or address.
The main disadvantages include the following:
- insufficient effectiveness (the collar is good for prevention, but for getting rid of ticks the concentration of the active substance is not high enough);
- unpleasant odor (at first it causes anxiety for the animal, but after 7-10 days it practically disappears);
- the risk of an allergic reaction (substances with which the collar is impregnated can cause contact dermatitis in some animals);
- skin damage (the accessory can rub the delicate skin on the neck, this situation is especially common in representatives of hairless breeds, for example, Sphynxes).
If your cat is outdoors, wearing a collar can be a source of increased danger. For example, an animal may get caught on a branch or nail in a fence.
Types and features
All collars according to the principle of operation are divided into two types:
- bio collars that repel fleas;
- accessories impregnated with insecticides that cause the death of insects.
The operating principle of the product and the rules for its use are indicated in the instructions.
Biocollars for cats
Biocollars do not contain chemicals, and their action is based on the use of natural ingredients. Most often, the accessory is impregnated with a composition containing essential oils.
Biocollar
The most common plants for controlling parasites are:
- rosemary;
- sagebrush;
- eucalyptus;
- geranium;
- cedar.
This type of collar mainly works only to protect the animal from fleas. If there are already insects, then you first need to get rid of them, and only after that put on the accessory.
Insecticidal flea collars
More effective flea collars for cats are impregnated with a chemical that may contain the following compounds:
- imidacloprid;
- amitraz;
- cyphenothrin;
- permethrin;
- fipronil.
The active substances affect insects by blocking nerve impulses, as a result of which the parasites stop feeding and reproducing and die. Such collars are low toxic and not dangerous for cats, but they get rid of fleas quickly and reliably.
Important! You cannot wash your animal with anti-flea shampoo or treat it with special drops less than 10 days before using the collar. Otherwise, the accumulation of toxic substances in the pet’s body can cause intoxication.
Is it possible for pregnant and lactating cats
Is it possible for pregnant and lactating cats to wear an anti-flea accessory? This is a rather difficult situation in the fight against bloodsuckers. A veterinarian should be consulted regarding the collar. During pregnancy, you can choose a collar for a cat with a small concentration of plant components that repel insects.
After the cat has lambed, you should not use a collar until the kittens are 2 months old.
For nursing cats, protective straps are dangerous in any case, since kittens can come into contact with the collar, lick and chew it while feeding and playing. Therefore, it is better to use gentle shampoos to treat the cat and care for the area where the nursing cat and kittens are located.
Some companies have samples in their range of flea accessories that are recommended for pregnant cats and kittens over 4 months of age.
Service life and efficiency
A flea collar for cats is effective as long as a sufficient amount of active substance particles remains in it. The effectiveness of the product decreases gradually. The validity period largely depends on the type of collar. A product impregnated with a repellent will last 2-3 months, and a product treated with an insecticide will last from 6 to 8 months. After this period, the collar remains just a cute accessory that hardly helps protect cats from fleas.
More detailed information about how long to wear a particular flea collar for cats is indicated in the instructions for the product.
How much does a flea collar cost?
Owners of cats and cats monitor the market for protective veterinary drugs for animals. They love their pets and are ready to give any money to ensure that their four-legged friends are comfortable and pain-free. Monitoring prices for cat safety straps speaks in favor of domestic and Chinese products. They have the lowest cost. Chinese products of this type can be purchased at a minimum cost of 30-100 rubles. Products from German, Dutch, American, and French manufacturers are more expensive and depend on:
- purchased batch of goods;
- material quality;
- composition of the main active ingredient;
- duration of action;
- design;
- sizes.
Anti-flea straps for cat necks from European manufacturers are sold here for 200-800 rubles. Some models cost 1000-2000 rubles.
How much does the cheapest flea collar for cats cost?
The most inexpensive are anti-flea straps that protect the animal from ticks and fleas made in China. They can be bought within 70-100 rubles. A Russian-made Celandine strap can be purchased for 71 rubles. If you buy such a set of 5 units, the set will cost 300 rubles.
Insectoacaricidal cat neck accessory Bars costs 124 rubles. And a strap for a cat's neck with a specific smell of the Barrier components can be bought for only 39 rubles.
Wearing rules
When purchasing an anti-flea collar for cats, you need to know the basic rules for its use in order to save the animal from inconvenience and yourself from eliminating unwanted consequences. Basic recommendations:
- the accessory should be printed immediately before use;
- first, the collar must be stretched and kneaded a little;
- in cases where treatment with flea drops was carried out, you can put a collar on the cat no earlier than 10 days after the procedure;
- the accessory should fit snugly enough to the fur, but not squeeze the animal’s neck (a gap of about 1 cm should be left between the collar and neck);
- The collar must be properly secured with a clasp, and the dangling end must be cut off so that the cat cannot lick or chew it.
Wearing rules
You should not put collars on your cat that are intended for other animals, such as dogs. Exceeding the dosage of the active substance may cause illness or poisoning of the pet.
How to choose the right collar for your pet?
The effectiveness of a flea and tick collar largely depends on its quality. Therefore, you need to choose an accessory carefully, taking into account some nuances:
- You need to purchase a collar only in a specialized store;
- It is advisable to choose a product from a well-known brand;
- the collar must be packed in a hermetically sealed bag;
- Instructions must be included with the product;
- you need to check the expiration date and availability of a valid certificate for the collar;
- The product must be appropriate for the age and weight of the pet.
For kittens, pregnant and lactating cats, and older animals, you need to purchase an anti-flea collar designed specifically for this category.
Collar design
If an animal is infected with fleas for a long period, its body, weakened by the attack of parasites, can malfunction and be susceptible to many other diseases. Therefore, it is much easier to prevent the problem of fleas in an animal. A special protective collar is perfect for this purpose. This accessory is a plastic flexible strap equipped with a clamp and impregnated with an insecticide and/or repellent to kill and/or repel insects. The product has a porous structure, due to which the active substance is easily released from the collar and distributed throughout the animal’s fur and skin. The flea collar works when it comes into contact with the animal’s body: the strap heats up and gradually releases protective substances.
Precautionary measures
The substances included in the impregnation of a cat flea collar do not pose a danger to humans, but if they get on the skin, they can cause an allergic reaction. The products can also pose a threat to small children who like to taste everything.
Follow safety precautions
Following simple safety rules will help you avoid health problems:
- While putting a flea and tick collar on cats and kittens, you should not eat or smoke;
- After putting the accessory on an animal, you must wash your hands thoroughly;
- be sure to ensure that the accessory does not fall into the hands of children or into the mouth of a pet;
- The collar should be stored in a place protected from light, away from food.
At the first signs of poisoning, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Possible negative consequences
As one of the forms of using an insecticide against fleas, an anti-flea accessory can cause the following troubles:
- Allergy to flea collar . This phenomenon is not uncommon when using an antiparasitic accessory. Allergies most often occur when permethrin and tetrachlorvinphos are used as impregnations. The reaction may manifest itself in the form of itchy skin, sneezing, and watery eyes. In acute cases, convulsions, loss of coordination of movement, depression, and loss of consciousness are possible. Allergy symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 hours after use.
- Poisoning . Symptoms of poisoning by insecticides contained in the collar are similar to those of an allergic reaction. But in case of intoxication, the first signs appear 5 - 6 hours after using an accessory soaked in chemicals, and in case of allergies - in the first hour.
It is impossible to answer unequivocally the question of whether a flea collar is harmful. Allergic manifestations, poisoning and chronic intoxication certainly have a negative impact on the pet’s health. It is also recommended to periodically check the condition of the pet’s skin during the entire period of use of the protective device.
Contraindications
Before choosing a flea collar and putting it on your cat, you need to make sure that your pet has no contraindications, which include:
- age (collars are not recommended for kittens under 1.5 months of age and older animals);
- health status (cats with weakened immune systems or existing diseases should not be protected from fleas with a collar);
- tendency to allergies (the active substance can cause lacrimation, vomiting, and skin irritation).
You should also refrain from using a collar if the cat has abrasions, scratches or other damage to the skin on its neck.
Safety rules for putting on and wearing
Many pet owners mistakenly believe that there are no special rules on how to put a collar on a cat to protect it from fleas. However, for effectiveness and safety, you should listen to the recommendations of manufacturers and veterinary specialists:
- Use only products intended for this type of animal (do not use products intended for dogs on cats).
- Do not cut the product into pieces; it is intended for one animal, taking into account its weight.
- The collar should be secured to the pet so that it does not dangle around the neck, but does not squeeze too much. It should be remembered that in different poses the diameter of the pet’s neck is different. Manufacturers recommend making a gap of one centimeter between the strap and the body.
- If the protective device is periodically removed, it should be stored in a closed plastic bag. This will prevent a decrease in the preventive effect ahead of time.
- Before putting on a flea collar for cats, the instructions should be carefully studied for combination with other insecticides. As a rule, it is strictly forbidden to use a collar in combination with other flea control products. This can lead to an overdose and poisoning of your pet with insecticides. If the animal has been treated with shampoo, injections, tablets, sprays, the collar can only be put on 3 - 5 days after the parasites have been destroyed.
We recommend reading the article about where domestic cats get fleas. From it you will learn about possible routes of infection, signs and symptoms of a pet having fleas, and the dangers that fleas pose to humans and cats.
