Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens Review: Pros; Cons, and More

Written by A-Z Animals Staff
Updated: August 25, 2022
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The Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens is one of the highest-rated products of its kind that we’ve encountered. This veterinarian-recommended prevention treatment kills fleas and ticks on cats and kittens (12 weeks old or older) of all weights.

If the mere thought of fleas and ticks makes your skin crawl, you’re not alone. Most pet parents shudder at the thought of these creatures infesting their feline friends. Fleas are the most common cause of skin disease in cats and they can also cause anemia. Tick bites carry diseases that are potentially dangerous to cats and even to humans.

Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens: Pros & Cons

PROS:

  • Since the collar works through contact, fleas and ticks don’t have to bite your furry friend to die.
  • Water-resistant
  • Provides up to seven months of continuous flea and tick protection.

CONS:

  • Skin may become irritated from contact with the collar.
  • While it provides some protection immediately, full protection may take a few days to kick in.
  • The Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats and Kittens contains a chemical recognized by the State of California to cause cancer.

Where is the Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens Made?

This product is manufactured by The Hartz Mountain Corporation in Secaucus, New Jersey. Hartz Mountain Corporation was established in 1926 by Max Stern, a German immigrant, who was a canary dealer early on, importing them from the Hartz Mountain region in Germany. Hartz began to specialize in all kinds of pet products, and by the 1990’s, they were selling nearly every kind of pet product, including pet toys, shampoos, accessories, and foods. Their products are sold in retail outlets throughout the US and internationally, and they are a brand that is trusted by millions.

Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens: Materials

Flea collars are made of plastic impregnated with insecticides that release over time to coat cats’ fur. The active ingredients in Hartz collars are Tetrachlorvinphos and (S)-Methoprene. Both protect against ticks and fleas.

Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens: Where to Buy

Best for Cats & Kittens
Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats, 1 Collar (7-mos. supply)
  • Works on contact to kill fleas and ticks -- they don't have to bite your cat in order to die
  • Water-resistant
  • Provides up to 7 months of continuous flea and tick protection
  • The active ingredients are Tetrachlorvinphos and (S)-Methoprene
  • The plastic collar is permeated with insecticides and can be worn alongside your cat's regular collar
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens Specs

Design

This Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens is created from plastic that is permeated with Tetrachlorvinphos and (S)-Methoprene. The collar releases microdoses of these insecticides over time that coat your cat’s fur to protect them from fleas and ticks. The flea collar can be worn alongside your cat’s regular collar.

Safety

Before it was registered for use, Hartz UltraGuard was extensively tested by veterinarians and scientists. And it has been thoroughly evaluated by regulators – including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Durability

This flea and tick collar will protect your feline friend from fleas and ticks for seven months.  

Price

This Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens retails for between $4.72 and $10.99, depending on the outlet, and is available at Walmart, Chewy, CVS, and other major retailers.

Recalls and Controversies

We did an exhaustive search of any recalls or controversies that may exist about the Hartz Ultraguard Flea and Tick Collar, and found no recalls issued by the FDA. While the EPA has not raised any red flags about the Hartz collar, or others that contain the active ingredient tetrachlorvinphos, according to EPA documents, there were 4,600 incident reports filed from 1992 to 2008 about pet collars that contain tetrachlorvinphos. Unfortunately, 363 deaths were reported. While the EPA has not banned the substance being used in these collars, you should take this into consideration when planning your course of action to treat your cat’s fleas and tick.

Bottom Line

We recommend the Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Cats & Kittens because it works to protect your cat or kitten from fleas and ticks for seven months. It starts working fast and works through contact, so fleas and ticks do not have to bite your cat to die.

General Considerations When Shopping

Whether you’ve decided that the Hartz cat flea collar is the right one for your cat, or if you’re interested in some of our other suggested products below, there’s several factors to keep in mind when shopping for a good cat flea and tick collar. Take a look at each of the criteria we use when considering what the best product is for our pets:

  • Scent: Some flea and tick products have very strong scents, which customers can find off-putting. Odorless products would be the ideal, as they will be very tolerable for your cat (as well as you). Below you can learn more about the ShengKou natural collar, has a natural citronella scent that is not overpowering. While the Hartz collar does not specify if there’s an odor or not, we found that reviewers did not complain about this point.
  • Longevity: We look for products that last long enough for us to consider investing in the product. The collars we refer to in this article last an average of 7 months, while the Seresto collar lasts 8 months.
  • Comfort: You want your cat to be comfortable in its collar, with an adjustable option. The latest flea collar design is a breakaway collar, which is the easiest to remove and put back on. Others are easy enough to remove. These collars are adjustable to fit comfortably for any cat.
  • Water Resistance: When you are researching, look for an indication of whether the collar is water-resistant or not, so that it will remain effective even if it gets wet from your cat being out in the rain or getting a bath. If you’re unsure about the collar’s water-resistance, simply remove it when bathing your cat.
  • Value: Many pet owners prefer flea collars because they are more affordable than some other treatments. The Hartz collar is very affordable, costing an average of $10. Most collars range from that amount to around $30, but the Seresto collar we’ve mentioned below is pricier at around $55.

Other Products

Adams Flea & Tick Collar for Cats

If you’re looking for a similar flea and tick collar product, which contains the same active ingredients as the Hartz collar, but has a break-away mechanism for easy placement and removal.

Best Breakaway
Adams Flea & Tick Collar for Cats, 2 Collars
  • Lasts up to seven months
  • Prevents ticks and fleas from laying or growing eggs on cats
  • A convenient breakaway mechanism for easy removal
  • Odorless, non-greasy
Check Chewy Check Amazon

ShengKou Flea and Tick Collar for Cat with Premium Plant-Based Essential Oils

For those that would prefer to fit their cat in a collar that fused with natural ingredients, we recommend this one by ShengKou. The active ingredients are Citronella Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Garlic Oil, Lemongrass Oil, and Thyme Oil. The collar is adjustable and has a safety mechanism to hold it in place, but also allows for quick removal if needed.

Best with Essential Oils
ShengKou Flea and Tick Collar with Essential Oils for Cats
  • Made from non-greasy, pure essential oils like citronella
  • Also includes Polyethylene
  • Suitable for cats 10 weeks old and older with a neck circumference of 13.8 inches or less
  • Waterproof protection
  • Repels fleas and ticks
Check Amazon

Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats

The Seresto collar has different active ingredients than the Hartz or Adams: Flumethrin and Imidacloprid. It comes at a higher price point but does work for 8 months, which is quite long for a flea/tick collar.

Best Premium
Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Cats
  • Slow release active ingredients kill fleas, ticks, and larvae for 8 months
  • Adjustable collar is odorless and non-greasy
  • Visibility reflectors included with collar for outdoor cats
  • Suitable for cats 10 weeks and older
Check Chewy Check Amazon

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