{"id":6296,"date":"2018-10-27T15:17:56","date_gmt":"2018-10-27T15:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cats.com\/?page_id=6296"},"modified":"2025-04-22T04:16:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T04:16:00","slug":"best-flea-collar-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cats.com\/best-flea-collar-for-cats","title":{"rendered":"What Is Best Flea Collar for Cats?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Seresto

Kate Barrington \/ Cats.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Invented in 1964 by entomologist Robert Goulding, Jr., the flea collar is one of the most readily available forms of flea treatment for cats. Usually made from plastic resin and infused with an insecticide or combination of insecticides, flea collars are inexpensive, simple to use, and relatively effective for repelling and killing adult fleas.<\/p>\n

An article on MedicAnimal<\/a> says that using flea collars for cats \u201c…used to be the most popular and accessible flea control option, until the newer spot-ons that proved to be safer and more effective were developed.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a world of diverse and often easy-to-access flea treatments for cats<\/a>, flea collars are no longer the best option for most guardians. In this article, we\u2019ll explore the different types of flea collars on the market, learn whether or not they\u2019re safe, and investigate what differentiates them from other flea treatments.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s only one flea collar that\u2019s consistently recommended by veterinarians and appreciated by cat guardians at the same time. If you want to skip to our number one choice for the best flea collar for cats, scroll to the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n

Quick Overview:<\/h2>\n

Our top pick is for the Best Flea Collar for Cats: Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats.<\/a><\/p>\n

This absorption-based flea collar stands out from the crowd with its use of flumethrin and imidacloprid, two insecticides with a reputation for safety. There is more information on the\u00a0 Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar further down the article. In the meantime let’s breakdown the different types of flea collars available on the market today and how safe they really our for our cats.<\/p>\n

Types of Flea Collars for Cats<\/h2>\n
\"Hartz

Kate Barrington \/ Cats.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Gas-Based Flea Collars for Cats<\/h3>\n

These collars release insecticides in a gaseous form.<\/p>\n

Most veterinarians don\u2019t like these flea collars and describe them as ineffective. They emit gases from your cat\u2019s neck area and have a limited range, sometimes not spreading all the way across your cat\u2019s body to their hindquarters, where fleas tend to concentrate.<\/p>\n

Absorption-Based Flea Collars for Cats<\/h3>\n

These collars release small amounts of insecticides across your cat\u2019s skin. The insecticides seep down into the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, turning your cat\u2019s skin and coat into an insecticide minefield for any fleas that try to take a sip of their blood.<\/p>\n

These are usually considered the most effective type of flea collar for cats. They kill adult fleas and protect your cat from newcomers for 7-9 months.<\/p>\n

In most cases, flea collars are only effective for killing adult fleas. Some, however, contain insect growth regulators – also known as IGR\u2019s – which prevent fleas from reaching maturity and reproducing.<\/p>\n

Natural and Herbal Flea Collars for Cats<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re concerned about the toxicity of conventional collars made with chemical insecticides, you might opt for a so-called natural or herbal flea collar instead.<\/p>\n

When asked about these alternative flea collars, Andrea M. Brodie, DVM says that, \u201cThey do not work. I suggest you do not use flea collars on your cat as there is always the danger of the cat getting hung up with the collar somewhere and getting hurt. The best would be to use a spot on for cats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Brodie\u2019s recommendation is echoed by most other veterinarians and cat guardians. These collars have limited effectiveness and sometimes do more harm than good.<\/p>\n

Ultrasonic Flea Collars for Cats<\/h3>\n

Back in the \u201860s, a space-age concept was born – a flea collar that, instead of using insecticides to deter and destroy fleas, emits a high-frequency noise – 20 to 60 kHz. Theoretically, this sound sends fleas packing.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an interesting concept, especially considering the risks associated with strapping a strip of toxins around your cat\u2019s neck, but it\u2019s seriously flawed.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no reason to think that ultrasonic flea collars work. In one study<\/a>, even increasing the collar\u2019s frequency output by 6,000 times did nothing to alter flea behavior. That doesn\u2019t mean that anecdotal evidence hasn\u2019t kept these noisemaking collars alive.<\/p>\n

If you do choose to take a gamble on an ultrasonic collar, know that one of these will set you back around $40.<\/p>\n

Do Flea Collars Work – And Are They Safe for Cats?<\/h2>\n
\"Seresto

Kate Barrington \/ Cats.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Flea collars for cats are often thought of as the easy way to treat a parasite infestation.<\/p>\n

Because they\u2019re often cheaper than other flea treatments, flea collars are easy to buy. They\u2019re also easy to put on. Some cats don\u2019t like the feeling of a spot-on applied to their back and many refuse to accept an oral pill. And it\u2019s particularly rare to find a cat who accepts a flea bath.<\/p>\n

Compared to these alternatives, flea collars are a simple choice with a high rate of what manufacturers call \u201cowner compliance\u201d.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s another side to the flea collar story that\u2019s much uglier – as ugly as raw, hairless skin around the neck. As ugly as children being exposed to dangerous concentrations of neurotoxins.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe use of any product on the market to control fleas on pets is associated with a degree of hazard to the animal.\u201d – Claude Kissin, Vice President, Hartz Mountain Corp., 1987<\/a><\/p>\n

As Mr. Kissin reminds us, all chemical flea treatments are inherently dangerous. You can\u2019t avoid some degree of risk, whether you\u2019re flea bombing your house, shampooing your cat<\/a>, applying a topical, or using a flea collar for cats.<\/p>\n