Have you found fleas on your pet? You know they can cause various diseases, and most importantly, they irritate the hell out of your beloved pet. One type of protective measure against flea infestation is the flea and tick collar. I am sure the next question is, do flea collars work? Read this CatAppy article to get an insight about flea collars and an understanding of how it works.
Did You Know?
Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), an organophosphate pesticide used in flea and tick collar, is toxic in nature and when given in large doses, can harm or kill cats and dogs.
Developed in 1964 by Robert Goulding Jr., flea and tick collars are one of the oldest remedies available today, which are used in the eradication of fleas. It is a plastic collar, fashioned to kill fleas on the animal wearing it. Collars are designed in such a way that it gradually releases the pesticide or insecticide to kill fleas or ticks. Sometimes, it takes weeks or even months.
Tick collar is another alternative to get rid of fleas and ticks from your pet’s fur. It is time-consuming to comb out the ticks, or to give your pets a bath every alternate day. Plus, what is the guarantee that your pets won’t get infested by fleas again? Tick collar helps to prevent fleas, and if your dog or cat is already infested, it helps to get rid of them. It works by emitting a certain type of chemical into the hair follicles of your pet’s neck and upper back area. Flea collar can be worn by both dogs and cats.
How Does a Flea or Tick Collar Work?
►The first and foremost step is, to decide which type of collar you are planning to buy. There are two types of flea collars, which are:
1. Electronic Collars:
These collars emit an ultrasonic sound which helps to keep fleas and ticks away from your pet. Some of these collars have insecticides on the plastic which help in killing these fleas. They are a bit on the expensive side, ranging from USD 25 to USD 50, but they last for several months and sometimes many years. The drawback in this type of collar is that it emits noise infrequently to keep the pests at bay.
2. Chemical Collars:
There are two types in chemical collars, the first type of collar releases a toxin which is absorbed into the dog’s skin and kills the fleas if they happen to bite the dog. The second type emits a gas which is harmful for fleas and ticks; this gas is supposed to keep fleas away from your pet. It works well in eradicating fleas infested mainly in the neck and head area.
►Stimulation:
Once you pull the flea collar, it is activated. Pulling helps to release the powdered chemicals such as Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP). Once it is activated, it must be used immediately.
►Application:
After it is activated, put the collar around your pet’s neck and adjust it accordingly. Make sure to leave a two-finger space between the collar and your pet’s skin. This will ensure that your pet does not get choked. Cut off excess length so that your pet does not chew it. The collar, then, rubs against your pet’s fur which releases chemicals on it, and later, seeps into the skin. The collar continues to emit chemicals as long as your pet wears it, usually, up to six months. However, changing the collar periodically is advisable.
►Killing:
When fleas or ticks jump onto the animal, and crawl through their hair to bite the skin, they come in direct contact with the chemicals which have a poisonous effect. The end result is death of these tiny pests .
Do Flea Collars Work?
►If you compare it with other alternatives, it is not that effective. Because a collar is situated around the neck and head portion, and will be helpful to get rid of fleas and ticks only in that area.
►If fleas and ticks are supposedly near the pet’s tail or other body parts, the chemicals won’t work effectively. A flea collar generally loses its effectiveness when it’s wet. So, you can’t take your dog swimming with the collar on.
►Flea collars just kill adult fleas and not the eggs, so you are solving the problem only partially.
►Many dog and cat owners claim that the chemicals in the collar irritate their pet’s skin. Some pets even lose the fur that is beneath the collar.
►It needs to be worn all the time, this may be an irritant for your cat, especially, if it spends most of the time, outdoors. Since the collar does not offer elasticity, there have been many cases of cats getting strangled.
►There are many side effects too such as allergic reaction, skin redness, drug interaction, losing fur, and in extreme cases, death.
►Small kids and babies too are at risk because when they come in contact with the collar, chemicals spread on their hands as well. This can prove harmful to the tiny tots.
Does a flea collar work, is a dilemma that remains unsolved. But, it surely has many disadvantages for your pet and family. Avoid taking a risk, and opt for various alternatives such as using a shampoo or going to a vet. Always consult your vet before getting a flea and tick collar for your pet.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a professional on this subject.
