In order to permanently overcome blood-sucking parasites in a cat, which bring her a lot of discomfort, you must first of all follow the basic rules for preventing infection. For cats isolated in an apartment, preventing the appearance of fleas is not so difficult. You just need to periodically use special drops or shampoos. For animals that have access to the outdoors, there are other methods, and one of them is a flea collar for cats.
Find out how to determine if a cat has fleas >>>,
How do flea and tick collars work?
The accessory, which protects against flea and tick attacks, looks like a regular collar, but its surface is covered with a thin layer of polyvinyl chloride, which contains microcapsules with insecticides and repellents.
Insecticides are chemicals that interrupt the life processes of insects. Manufacturers use carbonate pesticides, peritroids, and organophosphates. Once in the insect's body, they block the passage of nerve impulses, which causes paralysis and death. In mammals, the nervous system has a different structure, and drugs do not disrupt its functioning. Some models contain S-methoprene, which disrupts the formation of the chitinous shell, and the parasites die at the development stage (eggs, larvae). Insecticides from the surface of the collar get onto the fur and skin of animals over the entire surface of the body.
Repellents are substances obtained from essential oils and plant extracts; their smell repels parasitic insects.
The combination of insecticides and repellents provides reliable protection - most parasites do not even try to attack the cat. And those who were too hungry quickly died.
How to use?
Before putting the collar on the cat, you need to stretch it a little so that the microcapsules burst. A white coating will appear on the surface.
Insecticides and repellents are toxic chemicals, but their concentrations are low and they are not dangerous to a healthy adult cat when worn correctly. But you should not allow the cat to chew, lick the collar, or wear it if there are open wounds on the body.
The straps are made from moisture-resistant materials; the active ingredients do not react chemically with water. When exposed to rain, they do not lose their protective properties.
Animals may have individual intolerance to certain protective components. If the cat is restless, itchy, the skin under the strap is red, or hair is falling out, remove it. Consult your veterinarian and use a cat safety collar with a different active ingredient.
Essential oil collars suitable for protecting kittens
If there is a need to protect a baby over two months old, then for this purpose it is better to select collars based on natural essential oils. They are as safe as possible for animals and practically do not cause dangerous side effects. Among all the means of this type, the most effective are:
- Collar "Fitodok". The product is domestically produced, has an attractive price and good efficiency. Can be used from three months of age. The composition contains only essential vegetable oils, including: lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus oil. The effect of the collar lasts for about three months; the product protects against ticks for just over a month.
- These collars come from Holland. They cost noticeably more than the previous product, but are more effective. The composition also contains essential vegetable oils; this collar lasts for up to four months, maintaining effectiveness even after repeated wetness.
- Green fort. German collars. This is the leader of our “early” rating, since the product can be used starting from one month of age. The composition also includes components of exclusively plant origin.
How to choose a flea and tick collar?
The length of the strap should correspond to the volume of the animal's neck. Most manufacturers produce them 30-40 cm long with clamps. But there are also longer or shorter models (for kittens, large cats, etc.). You cannot buy a product for small breed dogs for a cat.
Some protective accessories have a strong, unpleasant odor that is more effective at repelling insects. But this has not been proven. An unscented flea collar for cats will also provide reliable protection.
Manufacturers produce accessories in different colors, with decorative embossing on the outside, with rhinestones, with reflectors, etc. Color and decorative elements do not affect the protective properties.
Check how long the accessory lasts. There are models whose active ingredients work for 1-3 months, others provide protection for up to 8 months. Most products begin to work within 3-8 hours after wearing.
In our online store you can choose a collar against fleas, ticks, lice and other insects:
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BEAPHAR – Beafar collar for cats against fleas and ticks, green 35 cm (1 piece)
1 PC
531 ₽
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BEAPHAR anti-flea and tick collar for cats, red 35 cm (1 piece)
1 PC
531 ₽
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BOLFO – Bolfo collar for small dogs and cats against ticks, fleas, lice and lice, length 38 cm BAYER (1 piece)
1 PC
522 ₽
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FORESTO – Foresto collar for cats against ticks, fleas and lice 38 cm BAYER (1 piece)
1 PC
1 729 ₽
1 564 ₽
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BARS – collar for cats against ticks, fleas, lice and lice, length 35 cm AVZ (1 piece)
1 PC
203 ₽
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ROLF CLUB 3D collar for cats against ticks and fleas length 40 cm (1 piece)
1 PC
384 ₽
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Advantages
Insect collars have several advantages over other methods of protection:
- ease of use - putting the strap around the neck is much easier than giving a bath to a cat who doesn’t like water with flea shampoo;
- comprehensive protection - the animal is not afraid of not only fleas, but also ticks, lice eaters, and other parasitic insects;
- validity period - after using the shampoo, fleas can settle and begin to reproduce within a few days, and the strap with microcapsules is valid for several months;
- There are models for kittens and pregnant cats;
- the ability to use if necessary - wear it before traveling to the country, but do not wear it in a city apartment when frost sets in;
- a cat in a collar will not be touched by utility workers catching stray animals.
Basic rules of use
There is no need to skimp on antiparasitic agents, so proven and well-established manufacturers in the market are preferred. To buy a collar, you should go to a veterinary pharmacy or pet store, and not to a market or a tent on the street. And if competent advice is required, they provide information about the breed, age and health characteristics of the pet.
It is important to check the integrity of the packaging and the date of manufacture - the insectoacaricidal effect will be higher the shorter the product has been in warehouses. All storage areas must be protected from direct sunlight, kept away from food products and at temperatures between 0 and 25 °C. The lack of instructions for use in the collar kit is alarming and forces you to refuse the purchase.
There is no need to rush to use the purchased product: first, the cat should be bathed with anti-flea shampoo, treated with spray or drops, and any existing parasites should be combed out. And then a week later they put on a collar. To do this, perform a number of manipulations:
- the packaging is opened only before use;
- the rubber or plastic tape is released from the jumpers;
- the collar is fixed on the animal’s neck, and its tip is threaded into the hole;
- the tape is tightened so that there is free space left;
- protruding excess is trimmed with scissors;
- The owner needs to wash his hands well with soap.
The remainder of the tape is placed on the animal’s bedding; this will serve to prevent and destroy possible parasites. Once fixed, the collar does not loosen, does not press or rub the skin. The optimal distance to the neck would be about 25 mm - the owner’s finger fits into the existing gap.
In the first days, it is recommended to monitor the pet, and if itching, rash or swelling occurs, remove the product and seek help from a veterinarian. Contact of small children with a cat wearing an antiparasitic collar is excluded. When this is not possible, after playing together, participants should wash their hands thoroughly and not put them in their mouths to avoid poisoning.
When the collar expires, it becomes necessary to replace it. When a cat begins to lick the tape, this indicates that he is irritated by the smell or is simply uncomfortable. After checking whether the collar is not pressing, loosen the tension if necessary, and if it’s all about the strong aroma, then buy another accessory that acts more gently.
Disadvantages and precautions
The main disadvantage of a collar is that it can cause injury or suffocation if the animal gets caught. You need to wear the accessory correctly - not too tight or loose. A finger should fit between the neck and the strap.
If the animal gets caught in the rain, the accessory will not lose its protective properties, but its validity period will be reduced.
Some models have a strong, unpleasant odor, but odorless models are sold that provide good protection.
Uncertified products from unknown manufacturers are dangerous. They do not always correctly calculate the dosage of insecticides and repellents, which can lead to poisoning.
Before purchasing, check with your veterinarian which collar is best for your cat, taking into account his age, weight, lifestyle, and health status.
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.
Which flea collar is best for cats?
We cannot recommend the best flea collar for cats to everyone. A model that well protects a large adult cat may cause a deterioration in the kitten’s health, or allergic reactions in some animals. But after studying the reviews of veterinarians and cat owners, we can name several of the best flea collars.
"FORESTO" - contains imidacloprid and flumethrin, which provide effective protection against fleas, ticks, mosquito repellents, mosquitoes. Recommended for kittens over 10 weeks. The accessory is resistant to moisture and odorless. Validity period – up to 8 months.
"Bars" - Russian uses the active substance - fipronil. The protection lasts 3-4 months. Can be used for adult animals and kittens over 9 weeks.
Beaphar produces homeopathic medicines for animals, which are purchased in Europe. Protection is provided by a natural substance - margosa extract, it is gentler, less toxic, can be used for kittens over 6 weeks old, and for pregnant cats. The products do not have an unpleasant odor.
"Bolfo" - a German manufacturer produces several models for animals of different weights and ages. Validity period: 3-4 months. There is no unpleasant odor, allergic reactions occur very rarely.
"Clandestine" - inexpensive and reliable products with the active ingredient - permitrin and pine fragrances.
Approximate cost of anti-flea accessories
The cost of collars varies depending on the manufacturer. Imported analogues are priced at 500-800 rubles, depending on the duration of action. There are copies priced at 3,000 rubles.
Russian analogues are priced from 50 to 250 rubles, depending on the composition and duration of action.
It is not recommended to use cheap Chinese analogues. The active substances included in their composition have not been studied. This can negatively affect your pet's health.
