How Do I Choose the Best Cat Flea Collar?

As you shop, keep in mind that an effective cat flea collar is one made specifically for cats and includes a quality medication designed to kill current and prevent future fleas. Flea collars are one of the most affordable types of flea treatments, but you should be prepared to pay more for a quality collar from a trusted brand. Understand that not every cat will react the same way to every kind of flea collar. You might need to try a few different kinds before you find the one that works best for your pet. Also, combining the collar with another method of getting rid of fleas will help you get the most from the cat flea collar you choose.

Flea collars are coated with a type of chemical or medication designed to kill fleas and prevent them from staying in your cat’s fur. Therefore, to choose an effective cat flea collar, you must choose one coated with a quality medication. Keep in mind that even though flea collars typically are affordable, the price might increase with the quality of the medication. Check pet shops, pet supply stores, online retailers, and even your veterinarian’s office for a selection of flea collars. Before making a purchase, look for online, magazine, or forum reviews and ratings to determine past customer satisfaction.

Generally, flea collars are one-size-fits-all, and it’s left up to the pet owner to trim the flea collar to fit. So, probably you won’t spend much or any time looking for the right size. You will, however, need to pay attention to the type of flea collar you buy. For example, a cat flea collar and a dog flea collar are not interchangeable. Similar to other kinds of flea treatments, flea collars made for dogs are dangerous for cats.

Note that your search for the best cat flea collar isn’t over after you purchase one. Once your cat starts using a flea collar, you must pay attention to any negative reactions he might have to the chemicals or medicine on the collar. For some cats, these chemicals are too harsh. Sick cats, and those with a lifelong illness such as feline leukemia (FeLV) or the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), can have adverse reactions to the chemicals in flea collars. If this applies to your cat, or you notice your cat becomes sick while wearing a collar, consult your veterinarian.

Using a flea collar can be an effective way for getting rid of fleas. Still, sometimes pet owners find that using flea collars in addition to other flea treatments works best. Therefore, you might have more success treating a flea problem if you actually treat the problem with another method, and use a flea collar as a way of maintaining a flea-free cat. Since the cat flea collar already has chemicals and medications on it, consider a gentler means of getting rid of fleas, such as a bath with cat shampoo or a thorough combing with a flea comb. Once the fleas are gone, use the flea collar to keep them away.