5 Best Flea and Tick Collars for Cats

Created: 07/09/2018
Updated: 02/26/2021 13:54:58 Share:
Author of the article: Rudenko Irina Sergeevna

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

It is not customary to buy a collar for cats, as it is considered to be a dog attribute. But this opinion is completely wrong, because the collar plays an important practical role. The animal needs it for walks; it can be used to track the location and also monitor the health of the pet, and in case of loss, the chances of finding the cat will be much higher. The collar also allows you to show others that the animal is not stray.

Our experts have prepared a rating of the 8 best collars for cats, selecting the most popular ones from a large number of 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

Advantages and disadvantages

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

The advantages include the following factors:

1. There is no need to carry out additional hygiene procedures with pets; no washing or combing is required.
2. The accessories are easy to use, safe for animals, and aesthetically pleasing.
3. Universal products can repel fleas and ticks.
4. 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.
5. Since tick and flea collars are manufactured at specialized enterprises, the risk of overdose of hazardous substances is significantly reduced.
6. Wide range and affordable prices.
7. The animal looks like a pet, not a stray.
8. The products are not afraid of moisture and can be used during rain.

Cons of cat insect collars:

1. 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.
2. The repellent tape is valid for only 3 months.
3. The accessory can be worn to protect kittens after reaching the age of 2 months.
4. A flea collar can only be used to target sexually mature individuals. Larvae, eggs and pupae are not affected by this form of insecticide.
5. 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.

PawTrack

It was created specifically for cats and weighs only 70 grams. It works for about three days if a cunning work plan is set up. The built-in motion sensor detects when the animal is moving and when it is lying still, and turns off the transmitters. This system allows you to save battery power. Information about the cat's location is updated every ten minutes. You can see where your pet is using a mobile application. The collar can remember the places where the cat has walked and can show the full history of its movements over the past month. PowTrack can automatically switch between cellular networks when crossing regional and state borders; in Russia it uses MTS.

Advantages:

• low weight;
• possibility of recharging;
• battery saving mode;
• the ability to find out where the cat is at any time using Google maps;
• pet's movement history;
• no SIM card required;
• automatic switching between cellular networks;
• uses both American GPS and Russian GLONASS;
• The mobile application warns when the cat leaves the specified area and the collar battery is low.

Flaws:

• high price.

How to use the collar

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

1. It is recommended to use accessories that are designed for cats. Other products may contain a different concentration of insecticide.
2. It cannot be cut into pieces, since the length and concentration are designed for the weight of the animal.
3. 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.
4. If the tape is periodically removed, it should be stored in a tightly closed plastic bag to prevent evaporation of the insecticide.
5. The collar for kittens can be used from 2 months.
6. 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.
7. 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.

How to choose a cat collar by size

All cat neck products are safe. To prevent suffocation, they are equipped with special fasteners or elastic inserts. In addition, they are designed so that a pet cannot accidentally get caught on anything. When deciding to purchase a collar for your pet, you should keep in mind that it should be strictly for a cat.

Important! A dog harness should not be used on cats, even if it fits perfectly.

Most cat models come in a standard size. In addition, they have a length adjuster. When trying on the product, it is necessary to put it on in such a way that you can insert a finger between the collar and the neck - in this case it will not rub, and the animal will not slip out of it. If it is not possible to try on a strap in a store, take measurements of your neck in advance using a meter tape, add 1-2 cm to the resulting figure and go shopping. It is also recommended to give preference to models with soft rounded side edges and made from natural materials to avoid skin chafing or allergies.

We recommend that you read: 10 best electronic collars for dogs

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:

1. 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.
2. Radiating. Plastic products that repel insects by emitting electromagnetic waves. The effect on cats has not been fully studied.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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.

Instructions for using flea collars

To protect the murka from annoying parasites, a collar is placed on the predator’s neck so that it fits snugly and does not cause discomfort. In any case, follow the instructions. If it is recommended to wear protection only during the day or for a certain time, then the collar is put into a bag so that its antiparasitic properties continue to operate for the entire period specified in the same instructions.

The effect of the poisonous tape lasts 6-7 months. After six months, the product should be replaced.

• If a cat licks the collar, it means it is hanging loosely . Therefore, its ends that are too long are cut off to prevent poisoning of the “scratch” with a pesticide.
• The product should not squeeze the cat’s throat , for which the gap should be 1-1.5 cm.
• Do not use other toxic insecticides while the tape is on . This can lead to an excessive amount of pesticides affecting the kitty, which is unlikely to add to its health.

Criterias of choice

To choose the best flea collar for cats, you should consider the following important points:

• You should only buy a certified product sealed in foil with dates: expiration date and manufacturing date, otherwise there is no guarantee that you are purchasing a quality product.
• The product must be accompanied by instructions.
• The product should not contain phosphates, even organic ones, as well as permethrin and amitraz.
• It is better to buy tapes in specialized stores, and choose products from trusted manufacturers with extensive experience and an impeccable reputation.
• The product must be designed specifically for cats; dog collars are not suitable. Separately, products are produced for nursing and pregnant cats, as well as for kittens.
• The pursuit of a cheap sample can lead to suffering for your mustachioed friend. It is better to prefer products from well-known domestic and European brands.

Flea collar for cats beaphar (beafar)

Beafar products lead the market in terms of optimal price-quality ratio. They cost about 60 rubles. Beaphar products have been appreciated by thousands of “scratchies” and their satisfied owners. The reason for the popularity of this manufacturer's products is their naturalness and, accordingly, environmental friendliness . The product contains margosa extract - a natural insecticide, which at the same time is in no way inferior to chemical analogues in effectiveness. That is why such products are also used to protect kittens aged 1.5 months and older.

American Hartz collar

In any industry there is a standard product, a kind of trendsetter, to which all other manufacturers are equal. Such products include Hartz collars. They are distinguished by their high efficiency, and also by the fact that even in conditions of high humidity they retain their antiparasitic properties. They cost about 100 rubles . The cost is affected by the specific series. The Hartz product range is without a doubt the richest on the market. This allows you to choose the one model for your specific furry friend. But as for kittens under 3 months old, Hartz does not offer anything special anti-parasitic for them.

Bolfo: flea collars for cats

Bolfo products last about 4 months. The price of a flea collar for cats from the Bolfo brand is 200-250 rubles . This is the highest price for a prestigious and popular product. Bolfo tapes are also resistant to excessive moisture. The series depends on the weight of the predator. As it increases, the content of insecticide in it also increases, which allows the pesticide to be evenly distributed over the entire surface of the animal.

Collar Leopard

Antiparasitic products of domestic production with a price of about 50-60 rubles , which does not in any way affect the quality and effectiveness of the product. The product is reliable and, moreover, absolutely safe for the four-legged friends themselves, does not cause side effects, and is easily tolerated, especially by those predators who watch the street, mainly lying on the windowsill.

Collar Doctor Zoo

The Russian-made Doctor Zoo brand product will remain active for 2 months. It is absolutely safe for your favorite predator and will protect it from annoying ticks and fleas. It is inexpensive, about 50 rubles . The tape is impregnated with dimpilate, an insectoacaricide that cleans the murka of parasites.

Collar Celandine

The insectocarid agent, made in the form of a polymer tape, will effectively and for a long time protect your pet, as the manufacturer assures. The product is based on the insecticide fipronil, which guarantees its high safety along with effectiveness. The product is resistant to temperature changes, light and moisture. A domestically produced product worth about 100 rubles . Tape can sometimes cause allergies. Therefore, the use of the product should be under the supervision of the owner and if the pet’s well-being worsens, urgent measures should be taken to replace the collar with another more reliable product.

Some unscrupulous manufacturers supply the market with products filled with compounds used for cattle. Therefore, those who want to support a domestic manufacturer should remember this and once again make sure of the decency and good reputation of the brand. You can find out about this from other users, consult a veterinarian and do not chase the cheapest.

The mustachioed friend hopes for care from his owner, and the latter is responsible for the one he has tamed. And the question “how much does a flea collar for cats cost” is not the most important question for the cat herself. It shouldn’t be like that for the owner of his mustachioed friend.

A word about bio-products

Safe products against blood-sucking insects use oils obtained from the following plants:

• Bergamot.
• Cedar.
• Cinnamon.
• Lavender.
• Carnation.
• Eucalyptus.
• Swamp mint.
• Neema (margosa).
• Citronella.

The natural composition of the products gives them a pleasant smell, nourishes the animal’s fur, making it thick and silky. The neem tree protects the “scratched” skin from fungal diseases. Such tapes are not dangerous for children playing with kittens. But bio-products don’t last long. They are effective, as a rule, only on animals that are free of parasites.

Therefore, before putting on the collar, the pet needs to be washed with a special shampoo . Even with natural formulations, animals may have individual intolerance to some component. If strange symptoms occur, it is best to remove the collar and consult a veterinarian for professional advice and medical attention.