Does a flea collar help against fleas for dogs and puppies: at what age should it be worn?

Small blood-sucking insects (fleas, ticks) are carriers of infectious diseases and pose a serious threat to the life and health of the dog.

There are many ways to get rid of this scourge (tablets, solutions, injections, etc.), the main thing is to choose the most effective, safe option. One of the effective methods of combating bloodsuckers is a flea collar. It does not cause allergic itching in the dog, has no odor, and is easy and convenient to use. You just need to put it on your pet’s neck and you can go for a walk.

How it works

A flea collar for dogs is a preventative device.

It should be put on your pet before he is attacked by blood-sucking insects. If fleas are found on a dog, they are ineffective. Therefore, opinions on the need to use the product are very contradictory. To understand how productive and safe this method is, you need to understand the principle of operation of a flea collar.

The collar is a ribbon product made of flexible plastic material, equipped with a buckle. Some models are impregnated with special highly toxic chemicals and therefore have a characteristic odor. After putting a protective collar on your dog, you need to wait for it to take effect. During this time, insecticidal and repellent substances are gradually released from it, enveloping the animal’s fur and skin. The toxic components are poisonous to fleas, but have a low toxic effect on the dog and remain on the pet the entire time it is worn.

Within a day, a flea is able to examine the entire body of a four-legged pet.

Having reached the collar attachment, she will inevitably encounter active substances that will either scare her away or destroy her. It is recommended to wear the collar all the time when there is a danger of the animal being infected by parasites, and not to remove it during bathing. It is believed that the repellent properties of one product last from 2 to 7 months.

There are several types of flea collars:

Chemical, impregnated with a substance that repels bloodsuckers. It is usually used for dogs older than six months, since chemical reagents can poison the puppy. Some dogs have an allergic reaction to the components of the impregnation. Therefore, after putting on the accessory, you should monitor your pet’s condition for 24 hours. If unusual behavior appears in the dog, the collar must be removed and the animal must be given antihistamines.
The biological collar has repellent properties for fleas and ticks. The products are impregnated with a concentrate of medicinal herbs and essential oils. Since they are harmless to animals, they can be used for whelping, lactating individuals, and small puppies.
The ultrasonic version is equipped with a special sensor that emits a signal that repels insects. There are no chemicals inside the collar, so it has no odor, proving itself to be an absolutely safe product. However, some breeders consider it ineffective.

Based on the variety of protective accessories, some owners find it quite difficult to make their choice. When choosing the appropriate option, you should focus not only on the age of the pet, but also its physiological characteristics.

Types of collars and the principle of their operation

A flea protection collar for dogs is a plastic band with a locking buckle. It emits a characteristic odor because it is impregnated with special compounds to repel fleas or ticks.

There are two types of collars. One emits a special gas that kills the parasite nearby, but the fleas in the other part of the body remain alive. Another type is more effective: the drug is in the collar and enters the subcutaneous layers of the dog’s skin. Having bitten an animal, the flea dies.

How does the collar work? The insecticide in the composition is effective after it is put on your four-legged friend. The dog's body heats the tape, and the poison spreads through the fur, getting into the surface layer of the skin. The concentration of the substance does not change as long as the dog wears the collar. The plastic tape begins its protective effect after 2 days.

Note: The collar does not need to be worn all the time. Sometimes it can be removed at home, but when going to the forest or places where there may be fleas (basements, gateways, warehouses), it is important that it is on the animal. But some instructions recommend not removing it at all to be safe.

Collars come in different modifications:

Chemical ones, which were discussed above and which are used for adult dogs. The active substance they contain, deltamethrin, has a strong effect on parasites. It may contain other drugs. These collars are purchased most often.
Biological, soaked in essential oils or extracts of medicinal herbs. Their action is not as effective, but their effect is softer. Therefore, it is used for puppies, pregnant and weakened dogs.
Ultrasonic, odorless, as they operate due to sound. They are the most expensive and, according to many dog breeders, the least effective.

Does it help?

When choosing between models with different principles of operation, many owners wonder which option is better, does a flea collar help dogs?

Since insects often die only after they bite, there remains the possibility of transmitting a dangerous infection to the dog. However, thanks to modern developments, the repellents with which protective products are impregnated not only kill bloodsuckers, but also repel them with a pungent odor. This reduces the risk of getting bitten. It should be understood that as the effectiveness of the toxins decreases, the effectiveness of the tape decreases and fleas can again attack the animal. Therefore, you should change the strap in a timely manner, in accordance with its expiration date.

Popular brands of “anti-parasitic tapes”

If the collar is selected correctly and the instructions are carefully studied, then it will not cause any harm to your pet. There are many brands of these devices.

The most famous among them:

Kiltix

Flea and tick control for large dogs Kiltix. It begins to act within a day and the effect lasts up to 7 months. Suitable if the dog is mature and healthy.

Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar

The anti-parasitic strap is used for dogs from 6 weeks of age from the manufacturer Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar. It's waterproof, has a reflective stripe, and smells good. Effective from the moment you put it on. Validity period: 7 months.

Scalibor

Scalibor is most effective 7 days after starting use. Not suitable for puppies less than 7 weeks old, but suitable for pregnant and lactating dogs. Valid for six months.

Beaphar Ungezieferband

Beaphar Ungezieferband is a flea collar produced by a well-known brand. Forms a protective barrier against ticks and fleas for 2 to 5 months. Activated 5 days after start of use. Do not use on sick or pregnant animals, puppies under 6 months.

Rolf Club

Low-toxic antiparasitic product against fleas and ticks Rolf Club, the effect of which lasts for 4 months. Do not use in parallel with other compounds, dangerous for weakened or sick four-legged animals, not for use in puppies.

For your information: The joy of dog breeders was caused by the appearance of know-how - a tape soaked in essential oils. Fleas dislike their smell and leave the animal. Safe for four-legged friends of any age. Most often used against fleas for puppies. It is better to use it simultaneously with aerosols, if the “bloodsuckers” patiently tolerate essential aromas.

There are special anti-tick collars. Their action is selective and directed at one parasitic insect. It helps not only to separate the tick from the skin, but also to destroy it. In spring, when you are walking your dog, such straps are very relevant. It begins to act within a day, and the duration of their effect on ticks is 3 months. But it is better to use a universal device that combines repelling or killing fleas and ticks.

Which is better

To choose the most effective, safe flea collar for dogs, you should study in detail the principle of operation of the product and read reviews about different models. At the same time, do not forget about the characteristics of the breed, age, and health status of the pet. The size of the accessory is also of great importance; it should not be too tight or loose.

Depending on the concentration of toxins, a particular flea collar may have different effects on your dog.

Therefore, sometimes even high-quality models can worsen the health of a pet. You should pay attention to products from well-known manufacturers, about which there are only positive reviews.

Veterinarians recommend using collars from the following well-known manufacturers:

Kiltix. The effect of the neutralizing components begins one day after the collar is put on the dog. The effectiveness of protective lena lasts for six months. Suitable for healthy adults, not recommended for pregnant women, recently whelped bitches and sick, small dogs. In this case, it is recommended to use other flea treatments for puppies;
Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar. Veterinarians recommend using models for puppies older than 6 months. The tape smells pleasant, is equipped with an LED strip, and begins its effect immediately after being put on the animal. The period of permissible use is 8 months.
"SCALIBOR". The collar is valid for 6 months. The maximum effect occurs a week after starting use.
Beaphar Ungezieferband. The duration of action begins 5 days after the start of use. Maximum service life is 5 months. Suitable only for healthy adults.
Rolf Club. The collar is non-toxic and odorless. It is not recommended to use in combination with other methods of controlling blood-sucking insects. Validity period – up to 4 months.

At what age can a puppy wear a flea collar? Which to choose?

Small blood-sucking insects (fleas, ticks) are carriers of infectious diseases and pose a serious threat to the life and health of the dog.

How to use it correctly

Many owners, when purchasing a flea protection device, are wondering how to put a flea collar on a dog?

If the accessory is used incorrectly, the result may be negative. Before use, the product should be stretched slightly so that when put on, the gap between it and the animal’s neck is 1.5 to 2 cm. If the strap is large, the excess piece must be cut off to prevent the dog from licking off the toxic substance. Before you put a collar on your dog, you need to wash it thoroughly to prevent the growth of parasites in the tail.

A puppy can wear a flea collar from 4 months. Since there is a high risk of the puppy being poisoned by poisons, this should be done with extreme caution. It is advisable to use bio-collars for small pets.

Pros and cons of flea control

If the owner of the animal treats him attentively and with care, then we can only talk about advantages. After all, he will choose the most suitable flea collar for his pet. Unfortunately, there are also unforeseen situations, so it makes sense to talk about the advantages or disadvantages of certain products.

Let's start with the advantages of this protection:

easy to use: put it on the dog and forget about it until the strap works;
reasonable price compared to other insecticidal preparations;
it is hygienic because it penetrates under the skin and does not stain surrounding objects;
wide spectrum of action: acts against fleas and ticks, lice eaters.

Convenience and low cost allow dog owners to use collars regularly, changing them after a certain time. And even though new products have appeared on the market, many pet lovers prefer this particular anti-parasite device.

But, unfortunately, in a number of cases you have to deal with disadvantages:

a possible allergic reaction not only in the animal, but also in humans, since most of the poisons on the collar are volatile;
the fragility of the product: usually the owner misses the moment when the collar needs to be replaced with a new one, and fleas attack the pet again;
the poison penetrates the dog’s body and causes negative health consequences (their manifestations are individual for each animal);
Children communicate with their favorite four-legged animal by stroking it and touching the plastic tape on its neck, after which they must wash their hands.

Attention! You should not sleep with a dog, since humans can also be poisoned by volatile poisons. After direct contact, wash your hands with soap and water. If a child chews the collar, serious poisoning may occur, leading to vomiting, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Collar manufacturers warn about this.

Question answer

When an owner chooses parasite protection for his pet, he is faced with many questions:

Which collar is best for small breeds? You need to choose flea tape according to the size of the animal, while maintaining the required concentration of toxic substances. The strap should not squeeze your neck or dangle around it.
At what age can puppies wear a protective accessory? Since small animals are vulnerable to the effects of poisons, it is recommended that a flea collar be used on puppies from 4 weeks of age.
How long does the active flea agent last on the strap? The duration of action of toxins impregnating the straps depends on the manufacturer, as well as on the individual characteristics of the animal. Most often, the effectiveness of protective tapes lasts from 2 to 7 months.

Whatever flea collar you choose for your dog, you must first take into account the age, condition, and size of the animal.

A properly selected accessory can permanently rid your pet of intrusive parasites.

Flea and tick collar for dogs

From time to time, fleas appear on our pets - blood-sucking parasites that cannot be gotten rid of quickly. They are very well adapted to a parasitic lifestyle and feel great in dog hair. Fleas irritate animals and are carriers of dangerous diseases. and if a dog lives in a house, this becomes a problem for all its inhabitants.

A flea collar helps a lot in the fight against parasites. Quite a lot of them are produced and owners who are worried about their pets never tire of arguing whether they are useful or harmful, effective or not. Let's try to understand this issue.

Directions for use and precautions

It is advisable to remove parasites before using the collar. Veterinarians first recommend using flea drops, which are dripped into the withers through a special pipette, and after a couple of days, putting on plastic tape. If there are still fleas, wash your pet with shampoo.

First, you need to unpack the strap, stretch it slightly, check the plastic jumpers, and only then try it on your dog. The collar should not fit tightly to the neck: if a finger passes between the collar and the body, it means that he is dressed normally. It is advisable to cut off the excess part of the tape so that it does not irritate your four-legged friend. Thanks to a correctly worn collar, the pet will avoid dermatitis, and the poisonous agent will be distributed more evenly.

During the first few days, care must be taken to ensure that the animal does not become infected with fleas en masse again. Therefore, cancel walks in the forest and communication with relatives. You should not take off the collar at night, because it has only just begun to work.

During the first week, avoid swimming. You can add treatment with essential oils if this does not contradict the instructions. But the use of other chemicals is prohibited! If the collar is sometimes removed, then store it in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

Note: Keep these instructions while your dog is wearing the collar. It indicates how the plastic tape is treated. If a piece of it gets into the body of a child or dog, the instructions indicate an antidote that will help stop the poisoning.

Here are a few tips for using a collar:

After the collar is on, monitor your dog for several hours. An allergy may occur: the animal will begin to itch, behave restlessly, and a rash will appear.
If the dog is a pet and has not had fleas for a long time, remove the tape from its neck. Constant wearing in the absence of infection is useless.
Use one pest repellent followed by an antiparasitic. An excess of poisons will not benefit your four-legged friend.
After treating your dog, do not forget to clean and rinse its bedding, in which fleas willingly live, waiting for their prey.

If you did everything correctly, then your pet will be free from “annoying guests.”