Flea Collar

Just like most dog owners, I have had problems with fleas and their larvae making life miserable for my beloved pets. Of course, it was not only my dogs that were miserable but so were everybody in the house, no thanks to the unwelcome presence of such small but terrible critters. Well, fortunately for pet lovers, we have the advantage of a flea collar on our side.

Yes, indeed, prior to the invention of the tick collar, flea infestations were widespread in dogs and cats. It was a constant battle between dog and man versus fleas and ticks, with the latter winning the battle more often not.

What It Is

First introduced in 1964, flea and tick collars are relatively effective, safe and affordable ways to provide protection for dogs against the diseases, irritations and general aggravations brought by these small pests. Flea collars look like your regular dog collars with one major difference - these are made of special materials that slowly release pet-friendly insecticides over a period of weeks and months.

You have to look at the label of the flea collar to determine its lifespan. After its efficacy has expired, you must replace the tick collar with a new one for safety's sake. Also, the tick collar is not a substitute for a regular dog collar because identification cards cannot be attached to it. As such, your pet will most often wear two collars - one for fleas and one in case your dog flees your house.

Where to Find It

You can find flea and tick collars in the veterinarian's office, in grocery and supermarkets and in pet stores. Usually, there are many brands and types to choose from so your final choice is often a matter of personal preference. You may experiment to see which brand and type of flea collar is best although personal recommendations are also good gauges of choice.

And speaking of types, there are basically three kinds of flea collars. First, there is the type that emits an insecticide gas proven to be toxic to fleas. However, this is only most effective around the neck and head area closest to the tick collar.

Second, you can choose the collar with a toxin that can be readily and safely absorbed into your dog's skin. Don't worry since the toxin is only fatal for the fleas, ticks and their larvae. Anyways, when the little critters bite into your dog's skin, they should die from the gas.

Third, an electronic flea collar works by releasing an ultrasonic pulse to drive away the little pests. Although the efficacy of these flea collars is under question, you can always see if it works for your dog. Just be sure to read the instructions for safety's sake.

Again, your choice will depend on your personal preference as well as your budget. Still, no matter the price tag, the benefits should be well worth it.

In conclusion, when choosing from the many types of flea and tick collars, it is always best to go for the organic ones. In my case, collars made with pyrethrins (a natural extract of chrysanthemums) and d-Limonene as well as linalool (both citrus extracts) are the safer options. Better yet, consult your veterinarian for recommendations on the brand of flea collar that will work best for your dog.