| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs (2 pack) |
| Best Waterproof Collar | Rolf Club Natural Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs (2 Pack) |
| Most Gentle Protection | Arava Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies |
Note: A-Z Animals previously recommended Seresto collars, but in light of the Congressional recommendation for recall, we’ve changed our #1 pick to SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Protection for Dogs, which is excellent and uses all-natural materials.
Fleas may be small, but they’re downright terrible. At the very least, they can cause irritation on your dog’s skin. But if left unchecked, these parasites can transmit diseases to your dogs such as tapeworms, and bartonellosis. Additionally, fleas can even infest your home. While they can’t live on human skin, they can still bite you, causing intense itching.
It’s safe to say that neither you nor your dog wants these blood-sucking bugs anywhere around. One of the most convenient ways to prevent as well as treat fleas is to use a flea collar.
Of course, not all flea collars are created equal and there are different types available. Some flea collars are for prevention (by repelling fleas) while others are for treating an existing problem (by killing fleas). With the latter, there are also different types. Some kill only adult fleas, while others target eggs and larvae. You’ll find collars that contain natural ingredients and ones that use chemical insecticides for fast-acting relief. There are even some that are waterproof.
Obviously, there are all sorts of flea collars for you to choose from. However, the best one for your pet will depend on several different factors including function, size (for small or large dog), ingredients, and longevity. To help you make sure that you make the right choice for your canine, we decided to round up the best ones that we could find.
Check Amazon- Provides 8 months of protection
- One size fits all
- Natural and hypoallergenic
- Can be used from 3 months old
Check Amazon- Provides 6 months of protection
- Repels and kills fleas and ticks upon contact
- One size fits all
- Vet approved
Check Amazon- Contains natural herbal ingredients and essential oils
- Soothing natural scent
- Provides 6 months of protection
Top Picks: The Best Flea Collars for Dogs
#1 Best Overall: SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs (2 Pack)
We have selected the SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention Collar for Dogs as the best overall flea collar.
If you’re looking for a flea collar that contains 100% natural ingredients then you should look no further than this collar by SOBAKEN. Containing spearmint oil, clove oil, and citronella essential oil, this collar is hypoallergenic and is not toxic at all — meaning that you never need to worry about petting your best friend while they’re wearing it. It is also safe to use on puppies from three months old.
The powerful natural formula works by repelling fleas and ticks and provides eight months of continuous protection, with results noticeable within 24 hours. Although the active ingredient works by spreading through the coat of your pet, this flea collar doesn’t leave behind any unsightly greasy marks or lingering chemical odors.
With a length of 25 inches, this collar fits most dogs. Simply adjust the collar to the right size for your pet and cut off the excess length. As there are two collars in each pack, this flea collar is great value for money — and for owners with more than one pet.
Pros and Cons of SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This long-lasting flea collar provides eight months of continuous protection against fleas and ticks. | None |
| Containing 100% natural ingredients (including spearmint oil, clove oil, and citronella essential oil), this collar is hypoallergenic and non-toxic. | |
| This natural collar is safe to use on puppies from three months of age. |
- Provides 8 months of protection
- One size fits all
- Natural and hypoallergenic
- Can be used from 3 months old
2. Best Waterproof Collar: Rolf Club Natural Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs (2 Pack)
We’ve selected the Rolf Club Natural Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs as the best waterproof collar for pet owners who have a water-loving dog.
If your pup loves to spend their time splashing around in water then you’ll need a flea collar that can handle it and you’ll need something that is waterproof rather than just water-resistant. Typically, exposure to water shortens the effectiveness of flea collars from eight months down to around five months. However, this Rolf Club flea collar still manages to provide six months of protection.
This collar uses fipronil, D-cifenotrin, and pyriproxifen. According to the EPA, all of these chemicals may be potent insecticides but are generally not going to harm your pets or your loved ones. However, because of the strength of these chemicals, this flea collar is not recommended for use on puppies younger than 12 weeks. It does work against fleas, flea larvae, and ticks though — meaning that it provides a complete level of protection.
However, we do have to be honest about the drawbacks of this collar. Some users have reported that it didn’t completely eliminate all ticks from their dogs.
Pros and Cons of Rolf Club Natural Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This flea collar is provides six months of continuous protection against fleas, flea larvae, and ticks, | This collar should not be used on puppies less than 12 weeks old. |
| Fleas and ticks are killed immediately upon contact. | Sometimes it does not completely eliminate ticks from dogs. |
| This collar is completely waterproof and is suitable for pets that love water. |
- Provides 6 months of protection
- Repels and kills fleas and ticks upon contact
- One size fits all
- Vet approved
3. Most Gentle Protection: Arava Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs and Puppies
Some pets and their parents are understandably hesitant about some of the harsh chemicals in most flea and tick collars, so that’s why we’ve chosen the Arava Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs and Puppies as the one that provides the most gentle protection.
The Arava collar has an ultra-gentle formula of natural oils and herbs that provides six months of protection using a special slow-release technology. The company backs this product with a 30-day money-back flea and tick prevention guarantee.
This collar has a soothing natural scent and is eco-friendly and safe for owners, kids, and dogs with sensitivities. It’s also waterproof which means it’s suitable for pets who love to splash around in water.
However, this collar is a repellant rather than a flea killer and isn’t intended to treat preexisting infestations.
Pros and Cons of Arava Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs and Puppies
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This gentle collar contains only natural ingredients which work via a slow-release format. | As this collar is only a repellant it is not suitable for pets with preexisting infestations. |
| This collar provides six months of continuous protection against fleas and ticks. |
- Contains natural herbal ingredients and essential oils
- Soothing natural scent
- Provides 6 months of protection
Our Criteria: What to Look For in a Flea Collar
We know that the last thing you want is a pet with an infestation of fleas. Not only do they cause discomfort to your dog, but they can be seriously annoying — and even harmful — to you too. Although flea collars are an effective method of treating flea infestations not every flea collar is the same.
Many flea collars contain chemicals, but if you have a sensitive pet then you might want to consider a collar with natural ingredients instead. Then there’s other factors to consider — such as whether your dog spends a lot of time in water. While a water-resistant collar might be sufficient for a dog that only has a bath or gets wet occasionally, for those water-loving pooches a waterproof collar would be more effective.
Additionally, you should consider whether you require a collar that simply repels fleas or whether you need one that actively kills them. Furthermore, consideration should be taken as to whether the collar kills only adult fleas, or whether it kills them at all stages of life.
Best Flea Collars: Summary
When it comes to choosing the right flea collar for your pet there are a few factors to consider — such as whether your pet spends a lot of time outside or playing in water, and whether they have sensitive skin or allergies. Although selecting a flea collar can be daunting, we hope that this product review has given you a well-rounded range of choices.
Up Next
- The Best Heartworm Prevention for Dogs — Help your four-legged friend steer clear of another kind of nasty intruder!
- Best Flea and Tick Treatment for Dogs — From collars to pills to tasty chewables, there are many ways to keep the creepy crawlers away.
- Best Dog Training Books — He’s already your best friend. But with a little work, you can strengthen the bond and make life easier for you both!
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs (2 pack) |
| Best Waterproof Collar | Rolf Club Natural Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs (2 Pack) |
| Most Gentle Protection | Arava Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies |
Finding the Best Flea Collar FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the most effective flea collar for dogs?
The most effective flea collar is one that not only treats fleas but also prevents an infestation. Moreover, it should also be able to target fleas in various life stages — adult, larvae, and eggs. Another requirement for a flea collar to be effective is how it provides protection to all areas of your dog’s body. The collar should be able to distribute the active ingredients throughout your dog’s body, not just around the neck and shoulders.
Of course, having the right ingredients is also important. The chemicals used must be fast-acting. In addition, they should also be of zero to low toxicity to your pet as well as humans. Based on one scientific study, the combination of imidacloprid and flumethrin are not only effective insecticides for fleas but also good for killing ticks. Not only that, these insecticides are able to kill fleas and ticks within 24 to 48 hours. Moreover, these ingredients are very low in toxicity to humans, especially when exposed via skin transfer. This is an important consideration since you and your loved ones will most likely be petting your dog throughout flea season and beyond.
Aside from containing effective ingredients, the best flea collar should last a good long while — longer than flea season. In fact, the longer the protection the better. In addition, the most effective flea collar should be easy to apply and not greasy. You don’t want to see traces of the insecticide greasing up the various surfaces in your home.
Do flea collars for dogs really work?
Flea collars are effective in both the prevention and treatment of fleas and ticks. There are two ways that these products work. Older style flea collars emit a gas that is toxic to fleas, killing them when they get into contact. However, this limited the effectiveness of the product because it could only offer protection to areas of the body in close proximity to the collar (i.e. the neck). Modern flea collars, on the other hand, typically contain ingredients that are continuously released from the collar. These ingredients are then spread throughout the dog’s body via the natural oils in your dog’s fur and skin. Depending on the active ingredient used, the flea collar will either repel fleas or kill them on contact.
It is important to note, however, that in cases of severe infestation, it might be best to use a flea collar along with another type of treatment. Please consult with your vet first before using a collar or combining it with a different type of flea treatment.
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