How to choose a tick collar for dogs

Why is a collar needed?

A dog collar is a plastic headband. It emits a pungent odor that parasites can smell well. They are suitable for different breeds of dogs and no matter what age it is. For a good effect, the anti-flea headband for dogs needs to be worn every day.

There are different types of such products. They have both pros and cons. They are selected according to various criteria, from the manufacturer to the parameters. There is also no need to skimp on them. Headbands that are too cheap may not protect the dog.

Operating principle

Depending on the principle of operation, they are divided into the following types:

1. Ultrasonic. They are battery operated and repel parasites with their sound.
2. Chemical. They contain bad substances that kill insects.
3. Biological. Bio collars are made with essential oils and herbs.

Chemical headbands are impregnated with special substances that can kill parasites from a distance with their smell. They have no contraindications, but they are still best worn by adult dogs. Since small puppies can get poisoned from such a smell. This also applies to pregnant animals.

Biological ones are made on the basis of essential oils, with the addition of celandine and other herbs. Any dog ​​can wear them, as they have no restrictions. These bio headbands do not kill parasites, but only drive them away. When ticks and fleas smell this smell, they try not to fall under its influence. But such bio collars have one drawback: they cannot be used for a long time. Over time, the smell fades and they lose their potency. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor this in order to change it for the animal in time.

Ultrasonic leashes are not harmful at all, but they are the most expensive. They have no chemical materials and are odorless. However, many owners are not happy with this type of headband. They believe that such protection is a poor option for insect control. This product works very simply, it emits a sound that insects can hear. There is also a downside to them: they are battery-powered and need to be changed from time to time.

How do they work?

All three types of headbands work differently. Chemical ones kill insects, and bio leashes and ultrasonic ones repel them. When using a chemical leash, allergies may occur.

To know how long to wear a flea collar to remove it, then read the instructions carefully, since it will only work for a short time.

Side effects and selection criteria

According to reviews from veterinarians, dogs that are constantly wearing flea and tick collars are more likely to suffer from diseases of the internal organs. It can be assumed that this occurs due to the constant intake of a small amount of poison into the body. There are no real studies on this issue, but it is best to take your pet in for a check-up twice a year. Other side effects of chemical and biocollars include the following:

1. Possibility of allergic reactions, salivation.
2. Increased excitability.
3. There may be a decrease in the acuity of smell.
4. Unless the collar is protected with a waterproof coating, it should not be used on hunting dogs.
5. There is no guarantee that the chemical composition with which the product is impregnated is distributed evenly. This means that insects will not be on the neck, head and chest, but they may remain on the back or in the tail area.
6. They do not completely protect against bites, so there remains a risk of infection of the animal from insect saliva.

Anti-flea collars should not be used on older dogs or small puppies, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Unfortunately, owners rarely read the instructions, paying attention only to commercials where everyone is healthy and happy. When choosing a collar, you need to carefully read the instructions. If the composition contains unfamiliar drugs, it is worth finding information about how these substances act on different organs, and whether they can be given to animals. It is impossible to find the best collar without taking into account the dog’s age and breed, its size, coat length, attitude to certain medications, and so on. You also need to pay attention to:

1. Manufacturer. It is preferable to choose German and Russian-made products; it is better to ignore Chinese ones.
2. Compound. It is specified in detail in the instructions.
3. Reviews from dog owners and recommendations from veterinarians. The best anti-tick collars for dogs are “Foresto”, “RolfClub 3D”, “Scalibor” and “Kiltix”. These products guarantee reliability and safety.

In some cases, flea collars for puppies are also necessary. They are a little less common, but still walk outside. In addition, they can be infected by their mother or a neighbor's dog. Veterinarians prohibit puppies from using any protective equipment until they are two months old due to their immature immunity. If infection does occur, you need to call a doctor. After two months, you need to purchase special products that are allowed for puppies.

Which leash is better to choose?

There are a couple of types of these products that occupy first places in use. Such as:

1. Flea barrier headband.
2. Leopard flea collar.

The leopard collar is used for cats and dogs against fleas and ticks. It is easy to use and has a number of positive aspects:

• quite low price;
• high efficiency;
• ease of use;
• long-term protection;
• neutral color, you can combine it with different accessories.

This collar also has its bad sides, such as:

• not all animals like to wear them, they bother them and they try to take them off;
• an allergic reaction may occur.

The Barrier company is very popular; it produces not only collars, but also shampoos and drops. Such companies produce both chemical and bio collars. The operating life of the chemical product is six months. And biological ones are used for eight months. There are also ultrasonic ones, they look like a small box that is placed around the dog’s neck and emits sound waves. This headband does not have a time limit, since it is battery-powered.

Types of flea collars

There are several types of flea collars.

Chemical

A chemical collar is a collar that contains substances that destroy parasites. These are mainly acaricides and insecticides, sometimes repellents. Today they are in great demand among dog breeders. However, for some dogs it may be contraindicated as toxic.

Bio collars

Biological collars contain extracts of medicinal herbs and essential oils that repel ticks and fleas and also have a healing effect. Compared to chemical agents, they are safer for the animal, but quickly lose their protective properties.

Ultrasonic collars

The collar is equipped with a special device that creates ultrasonic impulses that repel parasites. This protective device is expensive and runs on batteries. According to dog owners, it is less effective than other types of collars, but is absolutely safe for the animal.

Homemade

A DIY collar will save money and protect your pet from exposure to chemicals.

To make a collar you will need:

• a strip of any natural dense fabric with a length equal to the circumference of the neck + 10 cm;
• 3 tbsp. spoons of garlic oil;
• 6 drops of essential oil of thyme, lavender, cedar;
• 3 tbsp. spoons of witch hazel extract.

Mix all components and soak the prepared strip in the resulting solution for 10 minutes. The collar should dry well. After 2 days it is ready to use. The collar is valid for 1 month.

How to use a collar correctly

It's very easy to use:

1. First, unpack the box.
2. Remove plastic connections and other items.
3. Stretch it a little and put it on your pet.
4. Pull it up so that there is a little space left, and it does not put pressure on the dog and there is something to breathe. Approximately 1.5 centimeters
5. After it has begun to act, for the first few days avoid going to the forest and taking water treatments.

How to choose protection for an animal

Finding good collars is not as easy as we thought. They are sold in large quantities and different for every taste. Before buying them, you need to know a few rules:

1. If you have already selected the manufacturer whose product you will buy, read reviews about it.
2. Read the ingredients on the label. What chemicals does it contain?
3. Be sure to consider the size of your four-legged friend. So that he doesn't look small on him.
4. Don't skimp on them. Low cost flea protection can harm your pet.

To keep animals free from fleas and ticks, you can also use special drops. Perhaps this method will suit you even better. There are many types of drops. Some can help for a couple of days, while others can help for a couple of months. It depends on what purpose you are purchasing them for. If you need to go out into nature for a couple of days, then you don’t need a large amount of the drug. And if the road is long, then it is better to take drops with a strong effect.

Can it be used on babies and pregnant dogs?

Most flea and tick collars have the restriction of not being used on animals under six months of age.

Some manufacturers have special products designed for puppies starting from 2-3 months of age. It is permissible to use collars for pregnant animals if the manufacturer does not have a restriction for such cases, or, on the contrary, there is a special permitting mark.

But in any case, there are contraindications for use - individual intolerance, salivation, skin irritation, vomiting, dizziness. If such symptoms appear, you should stop using the collar.

For fluffballs, you need to choose collars that indicate on the packaging - especially for puppies, but be sure to check the instructions at what age to use

For nursing dogs, collars are not always a suitable option, as puppies may lick them while crawling on their mother.

Using similar means of protection against fleas and ticks for cubs and pregnant women or using safer and more gentle ones (for example, flea shampoos for dogs or simply combing the hair) is an individual matter for each owner, but before use it is better to consult a veterinarian.

How to accustom a puppy to a collar

To begin with, in order to accustom a dog to a flea headband, he must get used to a regular product.

When the puppy is still small, it is very easy to accustom him to wearing protection. As for an already adult dog, there may be problems with this. If the dog hasn't worn it since he was a little girl, then of course he won't like it. At first she will not be comfortable in it. She will fidget, itch, and run away.

It is best to let the dog get to know him first. When you have dressed him, distract the dog with a game or some kind of treat. It’s better to put it on before eating, since she won’t notice anything other than a bowl of food. If you teach your dog to put on a collar before eating, he will quickly get used to it and will look forward to this moment.

Put it on for ten minutes, several times a day. If you see that your pet has started wearing it, gradually increase the time. Then you can wear it whenever you feel comfortable.

When is the best time to wear

As for service dogs, for them the collar is practically part of the body; they wear it constantly. But for hunting dogs, on the contrary, it will be superfluous. During the hunt, it will only disturb them; the dog can get caught on a branch and get stuck.

For pets, it is needed to fasten a leash, hang a tag on it with the dog’s name and, of course, to protect it from fleas and ticks. A flea collar for puppies is worn before going for a walk. While the animal is walking, it may pick up parasites, which in turn can infect it with various diseases.

If your pet is clean and does not have fleas, put a collar on it or give it drops for prevention. Decide for yourself what is better to buy drops or a collar. And if you can’t decide, then you need the help of a specialist. So that the animal does not get sick later, and is always in a good mood.

Table: comparative characteristics of collars from different manufacturers

In addition to these manufacturers, there is a fairly large variety of them, both domestic and foreign. When choosing, you must be guided by a combination of effectiveness, safety and price.

A wide variety of flea and tick collars allows you to choose for every taste and budget