How does a flea collar for cats work and does it really help, how much to wear and for what period, is it possible for a pregnant woman, is it possible to get poisoned, which one is better

Lately, you can often see a cat wearing a flea collar walking down the street. This stylish accessory has a very specific function - protecting the animal from external parasites. However, pet owners do not always have the correct understanding of how a flea collar for cats works. Awareness of this issue will allow you to avoid a lot of mistakes when using this means of protection.

Operating principle

Flea collars for cats
A flea collar for cats is one of the most popular forms of using antiparasitic drugs. The soft rubberized material can be impregnated with repellent or insecticide.

The repellent repels harmful insects, thereby protecting the animal from their attack. As a rule, essential oils have an unpleasant odor for fleas. The instructions for each protective product indicate how long the repellent-based flea collar lasts. As a rule, after 2 - 3 months it needs to be replaced with a new one. Such a device is not a remedy for flea infestation, but only prevents them from attacking the animal.

If the collar is impregnated with an insecticide (organophosphates, carbamate poisons), then the principle of its action is somewhat different. Accumulating in the skin of the animal, the insecticide not only repels blood-sucking insects with its smell, but also kills them if they accidentally bite. Such an accessory can already be used not only to prevent flea and tick attacks, but also as a remedy for the presence of parasites on an animal.

Attention! Cases have been identified where a cat was poisoned by a flea collar. Although they are isolated, they still occur. However, such a result is possible under the following circumstances: the animal’s individual intolerance to specific components of the drug or the combination of a collar soaked in an insecticide with strong drops.

Varieties

There are several types of products. They can be conditionally divided into two categories: by purpose and by technology of influence on parasites.

1. By purpose:

for adult pets;
for pregnant cats;
for the smallest kittens.

2. According to the technology of action:

chemical composition (insecticide);
natural ingredients (fragrant oils and herbs);
ultrasound.

For the most effective use, you should carefully read the packaging or instructions for the product, it indicates the temperature mode of action and under what conditions its effectiveness decreases. It also provides information about the age at which you can put it on your pet.

Pros and cons

An antiparasitic collar, like any other insecticidal agent, has its positive and negative sides. The undoubted advantages of flea protective agents of this type include the following points:

Does not require hygiene procedures (washing, combing, etc.), as is the case with the use of shampoos and sprays.

Universal collars repel not only cat fleas, but also more dangerous parasites - ticks. It is precisely these means of protection that owners often resort to when they take their pets out of town, to the countryside, or into nature.

Effective protection for a long time. How long to wear a flea collar for cats depends on the type of impregnation. Repellent polypropylene tapes protect your pet for 2 - 3 months. If impregnation with an insecticide was used, the validity period can be up to 6 months.

The risk of overdose is reduced, since the collar is factory impregnated with a toxic substance in a dose that is non-toxic to the animal.

A wide selection and affordable prices play an important role in choosing an antiparasitic product.

A cat walking down the street wearing an accessory is not only protected from attacks by parasites, but also does not look like a stray animal.

“Clandestine” flea collars are used only for prevention.
However, despite the obvious advantages and positive aspects, anti-parasitic straps also have a number of disadvantages:

Repellent tapes are intended for prevention only. For example, the Celandine flea collar for cats already infested with blood-sucking insects is ineffective. The animal should be treated with shampoo, drops, anti-flea sprays and only then provided with a collar to prevent re-infestation.

The validity period of an antiparasitic agent in the form of a tape is usually less than that specified by the manufacturer. This is due to the operating conditions of the product.

The collar is contraindicated for kittens under 2 months.

The action of the anti-flea accessory is directed only against mature fleas. This form of insecticide does not affect eggs, larvae, and pupae.

For hyperactive animals, it is better not to use a collar, but to resort to other means of protection (for example, drops), since when actively climbing trees, the cat can get caught and get injured.

Whether a flea collar helps cats can only be judged after at least 5 days have passed from the date of use. You should not expect instant death of insects.

When choosing an anti-parasitic collar as protection against cat fleas and ticks, you should weigh the pros and cons. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the physiological state of the pet, its lifestyle, and level of health. You should also consider the potential risk of infestation not only from cat fleas, but also from more dangerous parasites.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of anti-flea accessories are:

weakened health of the cat, weak immunity;
old age of the cat;
the presence of serious illnesses;
young age. A kitten under two months of age is prohibited from wearing the product;
pregnancy. For cats bearing offspring, biomodels have been developed that do not contain poisons or toxins.

Possible negative consequences

As one of the forms of using an insecticide against fleas, an anti-flea accessory can cause the following troubles:

Allergy to flea collar . This phenomenon is not uncommon when using an antiparasitic accessory. Allergies most often occur when permethrin and tetrachlorvinphos are used as impregnations. The reaction may manifest itself in the form of itchy skin, sneezing, and watery eyes. In acute cases, convulsions, loss of coordination of movement, depression, and loss of consciousness are possible. Allergy symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 hours after use.

Poisoning . Symptoms of poisoning by insecticides contained in the collar are similar to those of an allergic reaction. But in case of intoxication, the first signs appear 5 - 6 hours after using an accessory soaked in chemicals, and in case of allergies - in the first hour.

It is impossible to answer unequivocally the question of whether a flea collar is harmful. Allergic manifestations, poisoning and chronic intoxication certainly have a negative impact on the pet’s health. It is also recommended to periodically check the condition of the pet’s skin during the entire period of use of the protective device.

How does it work?

Let's look at the operating principle of the most popular collars for pets - bio- and insecticidal.

Both insect repellents work in a similar way. When attached to the pet’s neck, the active substance with which the strap is impregnated begins to be evenly distributed throughout the animal’s fur. Thanks to a special formula and technology, the essential oil or insecticide is released in portions. This allows you to maintain an ideal balance of the concentration of the active substance without harming the pet’s health.

After attaching this device to the pet’s neck, the active substance spreads throughout the fur and begins its action.

The essential oil (insecticide) is selected in such a way that it has the most negative effect on parasites, while causing minimal harm to the cat (dog).

Essential oils will not cause any harm to your pet, but will be harmful to parasites.

After you fasten the strap around your pet’s neck, after one hour the impregnation will be evenly distributed over the surface of the fur, starting to cause a lot of trouble for the parasites.

These collars very rarely cause side effects.

Safety rules for putting on and wearing

Many pet owners mistakenly believe that there are no special rules on how to put a collar on a cat to protect it from fleas. However, for effectiveness and safety, you should listen to the recommendations of manufacturers and veterinary specialists:

Use only products intended for this type of animal (do not use products intended for dogs on cats).

Do not cut the product into pieces; it is intended for one animal, taking into account its weight.

The collar should be secured to the pet so that it does not dangle around the neck, but does not squeeze too much. It should be remembered that in different poses the diameter of the pet’s neck is different. Manufacturers recommend making a gap of one centimeter between the strap and the body.

If the protective device is periodically removed, it should be stored in a closed plastic bag. This will prevent a decrease in the preventive effect ahead of time.

Before putting on a flea collar for cats, the instructions should be carefully studied for combination with other insecticides. As a rule, it is strictly forbidden to use a collar in combination with other flea control products. This can lead to an overdose and poisoning of your pet with insecticides. If the animal has been treated with shampoo, injections, tablets, sprays, the collar can only be put on 3 - 5 days after the parasites have been destroyed.

We recommend reading the article about where domestic cats get fleas. From it you will learn about possible routes of infection, signs and symptoms of a pet having fleas, and the dangers that fleas pose to humans and cats.

Useful anti-parasitic accessory

When choosing an antiparasitic agent for a cat, you need to rely on what goal the owner is pursuing. If the cat is already infected with fleas, lice eaters or other ectoparasites, then models with contact insecticides are suitable. If your cat needs infection prevention and he never leaves the apartment or house, it is enough to purchase a biocollar based on natural plants. In this case, you need to take into account the cat’s body weight, its age and the current state of the cat’s health. Only strict adherence to the instructions and rules will make it safe to use this useful accessory.

Selecting the best options among those offered

A wide selection of antiparasitic devices on the pet products market is presented by both foreign and domestic manufacturers:

"Bars" . A domestically produced protective agent based on fipronil provides a preventive effect for 4 months. Can be used from 2 months of age. Contraindications: pregnancy, feeding. It is not recommended for use in sick and weakened animals.

"Befar" . A flea and tick collar for cats from a European company provides maximum protection 5 days after use and remains effective for 5 months. Not recommended for pregnant, lactating cats and young animals under 6 months of age.

"Bolfo " The active ingredient of the product is propoxur, which has a universal insecticidal effect. The collar can be used on productive cats after consultation with a veterinarian.

“Clandestine” . Collar for cats and dogs of domestic production. The active ingredient is permethrin, which destroys fleas, lice-eaters, and ixodid ticks. The protective device is not recommended for pregnant or lactating females. Can be used for kittens from 4 months of age.

“Dana-ultra” . A combined action product that is effective against fleas and ticks. Used from 2 months of age, not recommended for productive animals.

Is it possible to do it yourself?

Many cat owners are interested in whether it is possible to make a flea collar with their own hands. Does it help? Experts still do not advise experimenting in this case and spraying insecticides on ordinary collars. An animal can easily get toxic skin damage.

Dermatitis or an allergic reaction will soon appear. During production at the plant, a certain volume of an insecticidal-acaricidal substance is sprayed onto a polymer tape. This allows the product to gradually release and protect the pet. Unfortunately, it is impossible to achieve this effect at home.

Can the collar be used on a pregnant cat?

The Bolfo flea collar can be used on pregnant cats
Despite the widespread advertising and popularity of the protective accessory, veterinarians are often asked questions about its effect on the animal’s health, side effects, and use in a particular physiological condition. And some of the most popular ones are about wearing while expecting offspring.

Is it possible to put a flea collar on a nursing cat? The use of this type of protection for a nursing female is not recommended by both manufacturers and veterinary specialists. The insecticide used to impregnate the tape has a long-lasting effect, which can cause severe poisoning in small kittens and lead to the death of offspring. To treat a nursing cat against blood-sucking insects, there are specially developed preparations, for example, “Frontline” drops.

Is there a flea collar available for sale for a pregnant cat? Almost all insecticide-impregnated tapes are not recommended for pregnant cats. Veterinary specialists prefer collars based on essential oils to protect an animal in an interesting position. They are less dangerous in terms of intoxication, but will not protect against allergic manifestations.

Insecticidal tape “Bolfo” can be used for pregnant pets, but only after prior consultation with a veterinarian who will assess the health of the expectant mother.

The question of which flea collar is best is difficult to answer even for a veterinarian with extensive experience. In any case, you need to choose products from well-known companies that are responsible for their pet products, buy protective equipment from trusted veterinary pharmacies, and do not skimp on cheap Chinese counterfeits.

Comparison table of characteristics

In order to compare the presented products, we recommend that you study the table with all the characteristics of the models.

Model	Size(cm)	Animal age (weeks)	Protection (days)	Active ingredient	Price, rub)
CElandine Insectal	35	8	90	diazinon	from 43 to 78
Foresto (Bayer)	38	7	240	flumethrin, imidacloprid	from 1370 to 2593
Beaphar	35	24	180	diazinon	from 335 to 454
Apicenna Dana Ultra	35	24	90	fipronil, pyriproxyfen, ivermectin	from 210 to 266
Inspector	40	35	120	ivermectin, fipronil, pyriproxyfen	from 411 to 483
CLEANITY Plus	35	17	120	diazinon	from 81 to 96
Agrovet protection	35	4	30	contains a composition of essential oils of citronella, lavender, eucalyptus	from 92 to 122
Bars (AVZ)	35	8	120	fipronil	176 to 245
Apicenna Dana Ultra for cats and kittens	40	8	90	ivermectin, fipronil, pyriproxyfen	from 258 to 270
Agrovet protection Fitodoc	35	8	35	essential oils of citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, margosa, tea tree	from 254 to 329
VEDA	35	4	90	margosa oil, essential oils of citronella, lavender, feverfew, cloves	from 109 to 199
RolfСlub	35	8	61	fipronil, etofenprox and pyriproxyfen	from 254 to 288
RolfСlub 3D	40	12	180	fipronil, etofenprox and pyriproxyfen	from 271 to 384
BioVax	35	8	60	ethers of Dalmatian chamomile and lavender; tea tree oil; calendula	from 110 to 140

Which company is better?

When looking for a collar for a pet, many are faced with the question: “Whose brand’s collar is better?” After all, when you go to any pet store you can see a huge assortment of this product. Therefore, when choosing, you need to focus on the following qualities:

price-quality ratio;
efficiency;
safety;
duration of use.

Collar "Leopard"

Russian collar manufacturers have become famous in the production of goods for animals. Collars became popular for two reasons. Firstly, good quality and efficiency. Secondly, the affordable price, which averages 150 rubles.

Important. Collars from this company are not suitable for very small cats. The desired age of the pet is from three months.

Collar "Beaphar"

Already a more expensive collar, which, however, justifies its price. Its action is based on the strong drug diazinon, which is recommended exclusively for cats from six months of age. The collar is valid for up to five months. Interestingly, the collar will also protect your pet from ticks, but for a much shorter period - two months. In addition, this company produces a separate protection SOS Beaphar, which will help kittens starting from one and a half months. This product accumulates in the skin layer of its carrier, protects against parasites and protects against the development of dermatitis.

Collar "Bolfo"

The most gentle option of all. This collar is based on the substance proposcur, which does not accumulate in the skin and rarely causes an allergic reaction.

Collar "Hartz"

What immediately catches your eye is the high cost of the American drug: the price ranges from 400 to 700 rubles. But this product has received many good reviews due to its main advantage - long-lasting action. On average - up to seven months. At the same time, the product does not lose its protective qualities throughout the entire period.

Article on the topic: Flea and tick collar for dogs

A flea protection product in the form of a collar is perhaps the best option for your beloved cat. The most important thing is to choose an accessory that suits your pet and carefully follow the instructions. A few simple steps that will make your pet's life much easier.

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Flaws

Unfortunately, even a seemingly ideal remedy for fleas for cats has its drawbacks, albeit minor ones.

Many buyers of the collar noticed an unpleasant aroma, which did not annoy the pets, but sometimes did not suit the owner at all. Indeed, there is an unpleasant odor, but it is noticeable only in the first days of use and only after prolonged close contact between a person and a cat.
Regardless of the purpose (decorative, walking, anti-flea), every collar has this drawback - gradual abrasion of fur. Therefore, be careful when deciding to put a collar on a cat for a long time.
There are rare cases when toxic collars cause allergies in a pet, which is associated exclusively with the body of the pet. Therefore, carefully observe your pet during the first three to four hours of wearing the collar. If you notice redness in the neck area, immediately remove the accessory and consult a specialist.