Collar for cats against fleas and ticks: top 5 best models

Operating principle

The anti-parasite product is made of soft rubber and impregnated with insecticides or repellents (oils and plant extracts).

The operating principle is as follows:

The smell of the repellent repels parasites, since the aroma of oils is unpleasant for insects. Each product comes with instructions indicating how long the product should be used. This is due to the fact that repellents tend to evaporate. According to the rules, accessories are changed after 2.5-4 months. A flea and tick collar for cats is not intended to treat animals that are infested with insects. The accessory protects the pet and prevents the attack of parasites.
Collars that are impregnated with insecticides act differently. Carbonate poisons or phosphates are used as impregnations. The principle of operation of such an accessory is that the substance accumulates in the pet’s skin. The insecticide not only repels parasites, but also leads to their death.

It is worth considering the factors that may cause individual intolerance to the components of the accessory during the period of using a flea and tick collar. History has recorded cases of cats being poisoned while wearing the product.

Possible negative consequences

As already mentioned, collars have a number of disadvantages and in some situations, for various reasons, can lead to negative consequences, the main ones being:

Poisoning of an animal or an allergic reaction if the cat has an individual intolerance to any components. Most often this happens if the pet manages to lick the device.
Fleas that did not die, but migrated, may lose interest in the pet , but they will settle at home and people will become their target.
The inability of some models to destroy parasites without prior additional treatment.
An overly active cat may fall into a trap if its collar gets caught on a tree, fence or other obstacle.
Getting injured if the cat tries to wriggle out and get rid of the interfering device on its own.

Advantages and disadvantages

Accessories against insects, which are saturated with insecticidal substances, have negative and positive properties.

The advantages include the following factors:

There is no need to carry out additional hygiene procedures with pets; no washing or combing is required.
The accessories are easy to use, safe for animals, and aesthetically pleasing.
Universal products can repel fleas and ticks.
Tapes against blood-sucking insects provide effective protection over a long period of time. The duration of wearing is determined by the type of impregnation. Polypropylene products with repellents retain their functions for 2.5-3 months, accessories with insecticidal impregnation - for six months.
Since tick and flea collars are manufactured at specialized enterprises, the risk of overdose of hazardous substances is significantly reduced.
Wide range and affordable prices.
The animal looks like a pet, not a stray.
The products are not afraid of moisture and can be used during rain.

Cons of cat insect collars:

Tapes that are made with repellents serve only as a preventive measure. If an animal is infested with insects, the pet is treated with drops, shampoo or sprays.
The repellent tape is valid for only 3 months.
The accessory can be worn to protect kittens after reaching the age of 2 months.
A flea collar can only be used to target sexually mature individuals. Larvae, eggs and pupae are not affected by this form of insecticide.
For active animals that move a lot, the use of drops is recommended. When constantly walking and climbing trees, a cat can get caught in a branch and get injured.

If antiparasitic agents such as tetrachlor or Winforce are used as impregnation, the animal may develop an allergic reaction.

Symptoms include itchy skin, excessive lacrimation and sneezing. In difficult cases, the reaction manifests itself as convulsions, impaired coordination of movement, and loss of consciousness.

Signs of such an allergy appear 1.5-2 hours after using the product. In case of poisoning by insecticidal substances, the first symptoms appear after 4-5 hours of wearing the accessory.

How to use the collar

Using the product requires compliance with the rules. They are:

It is recommended to use accessories that are designed for cats. Other products may contain a different concentration of insecticide.
It cannot be cut into pieces, since the length and concentration are designed for the weight of the animal.
The accessory is secured so that the pet’s neck is not compressed. It is recommended to leave a gap of 1 cm between the body and the strap.
If the tape is periodically removed, it should be stored in a tightly closed plastic bag to prevent evaporation of the insecticide.
The collar for kittens can be used from 2 months.
Before putting a protective accessory on an animal, you must carefully study the instructions. The composition may interact with other similar agents, which will lead to overdose and poisoning of the pet.
After treating the cat with shampoo or sprays against parasites, as well as after injections or taking pills, the collar can be worn only after 4-5 days.

Which collar is better to choose?

To decide on the choice of an antiparasitic accessory, you need to know what flea collars exist. Types of products are divided according to the type of active substance:

Gas (insecticidal). The rubber band contains capsules with poison inside; the accessory is effective against adults and larvae, but is toxic to the animal. May cause an allergic reaction in cats.
Radiating. Plastic products that repel insects by emitting electromagnetic waves. The effect on cats has not been fully studied.
Ultrasonic. The products are objects made of fabric onto which a emitting device is attached. There are keychains for household collars on sale. The devices operate on batteries. Cats do not sense ultrasonic waves, but for insects the radiation serves as a warning of danger, so parasites do not attack. The device must not be used in damp conditions. Many people question its effectiveness.
Herbal (repellent, biocollars). The rubber band is impregnated with herbal extracts or essential oils that repel insects. A flea collar of this type is valid for up to 8 weeks.

From the description it is clear that herbal and gas accessories are effective and safe antiparasitic agents. If an allergic reaction occurs, consult a veterinarian.

When choosing a product, you should pay attention to the following points:

the product must correspond to the type and age of the animal;
the packaging must not be damaged;
You should buy accessories from popular brands, not Chinese counterfeits;
the presence of toxins such as Winforce or Amitraz in the tape is undesirable;
When purchasing, you need to check the expiration date of the product;
take into account specific points when choosing a product for kittens, pregnant or lactating cats.

If it is necessary to use several types of antiparasitic drugs, you need to ensure that the drugs contain different active ingredients.

Approximate cost of anti-flea accessories

The cost of collars varies depending on the manufacturer. Imported analogues are priced at 500-800 rubles, depending on the duration of action. There are copies priced at 3,000 rubles.

Russian analogues are priced from 50 to 250 rubles, depending on the composition and duration of action.

It is not recommended to use cheap Chinese analogues. The active substances included in their composition have not been studied. This can negatively affect your pet's health.

Top 5 collars for cats

The pet products market offers a wide variety of protection products against blood-sucking insects. Below we will look at the product ratings of the most popular brands.

Hartz collars

Hartz brand accessories are recognized as effective means. The manufacturer has been on the market for a long time and is popular among owners of furry pets.

The tapes destroy fleas, lice and ticks within a short time. When exposed to moisture, the products do not lose their properties. The company provides a wide range of products at an affordable price. Accessories are not available for kittens under 3 months of age.

Bolfo collars

Bolfo antiparasitic products operate by containing the substance propoxur, which has a universal insecticidal effect. The use of the product in productive animals should begin after consultation with a veterinarian.

Beaphar collars

The product is from a European manufacturer and, according to reviews, is the best anti-parasite collar. After 4-5 days of use, a protective effect is observed, the effectiveness of which lasts for six months. Do not use on pregnant or lactating cats or kittens under 6 months of age.

Leopard collars

Leopard is a product of a Russian manufacturer, effective and safe. Contains the substance fipronil, retains protective properties for 4 months. Pet owners note the absence of side effects. The product is recommended for use at home. Suitable for use on kittens over 2 months of age.

Collars Doctor Zoo

Another inexpensive and effective Russian product is Doctor Zoo collars. After 2 months of use, the product must be replaced.

Pet owners need to periodically check the condition of their pet’s skin in areas where the body comes into contact with the product. This will help to identify the symptoms of an allergic reaction in time.

All information posted on the site is provided in accordance with the User Agreement and is not a direct instruction to action. We strongly recommend that before using any product, you must obtain a face-to-face consultation at an accredited veterinary clinic.

Reviews

Many owners of domestic cats have already used various collars designed to combat parasites and are now ready to share their opinions and impressions of the use of such products:

Maria: “Every year I take my cat to the dacha, he doesn’t go outside, he lives exclusively at home, but he still starts to itch almost immediately - this is our first sign of the appearance of fleas. I’ve been buying Hartz collars for a long time, they help a lot, but at first I have to keep the cat exclusively on the terrace: I’m afraid that the fleas that escaped from him will spread throughout the room where I live.”
Margarita: “I purchased a Beaphar collar, it is really very effective and helped get rid of all parasites in the shortest possible time. However, a severe allergic reaction began, not in the cat, but in me. Persistent runny nose and red rashes on the skin. Unfortunately, I didn’t immediately take into account that this could happen, so I advise all allergy sufferers to be more careful and attentive when choosing anti-flea products.”
Inna: “Since we know first-hand about fleas, we have already tried a large number of different remedies. The penultimate time, the choice fell on Beaphar collars, and I bought the most expensive models, but in the end I didn’t like them very much. They had an effect, but they fizzle out very quickly, so at the moment I don’t recognize anything other than Hartz. So far this is the highest quality type of collar that I have come across.”
Alexandra: “I work in a nursery, we always buy Hartz collars for cats, the highest quality product I’ve ever tried. The only problem is that they are not suitable for Sphynxes, their skin is too sensitive, but they are still tormented by fleas, despite the lack of hair. This breed becomes allergic to Hartz and Bolfo and scratches even more. We already wanted to try other methods to combat parasites, but Beapher collars became a real salvation, which were ideal for these cats - no fleas, no allergies.”