If you and your furry friend face a flea infestation, you need to know which flea treatments are best: flea collar vs. drops. When your dog gets fleas, it can take so much hard work to rid your pup and home of these pesky insects. From washing bedding to steam cleaning your carpet, getting rid of fleas is a stressful and time-consuming process.
It’s better to prevent a flea infestation before it starts. The right flea prevention can help you avoid hours of work and costly measures for eliminating fleas, but with so many flea prevention options to choose from, pet parents may find it overwhelming to find the right one.
Flea collars and drops are among the most popular flea treatments. Concerned pet owners want to know which is better: flea collars vs. drops. We break down how these treatments work and the benefits and side effects of each to help you choose the right flea control option for man’s best friend.
Flea Collar Vs. Drops
There are many effective flea prevention options to choose from, but the most effective flea treatment for you is one that you will actually use. It’s essential to think about which treatment is most practical and safe for you and your dog. As you narrow down your list of options, think about your habits and the needs of your pet. For example, if you know you’ll have trouble remembering to administer monthly treatments, that can help you hone in on the products that will work best for you.
Flea Collars
Do flea collars work? This flea prevention option has come a long way in recent years. When you think of flea collars, you may imagine the cheap, ineffective ones of years past.
Now, you can find very effective flea collars that will provide your dog with months of protection from fleas and ticks. Some popular brands include Seresto, Vetality, Adams Plus, and Activyl.
You can simply place the collar on your dog and trim any excess if needed. It’s perfect for anyone who struggles to remember to administer monthly treatments or is pressed for time.
How Flea Collars Work
The chemicals in flea collars eliminate any existing fleas and prevent them from targeting your dog in the future.
Once you place the collar on your dog, the collar releases the chemicals which are dispersed across your dog’s body via their natural oils, skin, and coat. The pesticide in the collar can kill fleas and larvae when it comes into contact with them. They don’t need to bite your dog for the chemicals to work.
Most collars should start eliminating fleas within 24 hours.
Flea Collar Benefits
Many pet owners love flea collars. Here are some of the benefits they cite:
- A flea collar provides continuous protection while your dog wears it.
- Many collars provide up to eight months of adequate protection.
- They are an effective, long-lasting flea prevention option that does not take much effort to use.
- Some collars repel other parasites, including mosquitos.
- Flea collars are often more cost-effective than flea products that are administered monthly.
- With this option, you don’t have to handle topical treatments.
As you can see, there are many benefits to using this form of flea control. Make sure that you choose the appropriate collar for your dog’s weight to ensure that you get every advantage from the treatment.
It’s important, however, to be aware of any potential drawbacks to using it, too.
Flea Collar Side Effects
Every flea control product has the risk of adverse reactions. Reported side effects of collars include:
- Chemical burns
- Scratching
- Redness
- Hair loss
- Digestive distress
- Seizures
- Effects on the nervous system
Another drawback is if your dog paws at collars. If left unattended while wearing a flea and tick collar, some dogs might be able to remove it and chew on it.
How Effective Are Flea Collars?
The effectiveness of a flea collar for dogs can vary. Some provide robust protection, killing and preventing fleas for months. Others simply repel fleas but fail to kill any existing adult fleas or larvae. Take a close look at any claims about the product to see what kind of protection it provides and that it meets your needs.
A flea and tick collar provides the most protection around the neck and head region, though they can protect the whole body with slightly less potency.
Topical Flea Drops
Topical flea treatment options are referred to as spot-on treatments or drops. You can apply these treatments to the skin in the area between your dog’s shoulder blades. Many flea drops are administered monthly. After you use this popular monthly treatment, do not get your dog wet for 24 to 48 hours, so no swimming or baths.
Popular brands of topical flea drops include Revolution, K9 Advantix, Frontline, Advantage, and many others. Many pet parents feel comfortable with this form of treatment and have used it for years. It is known for being safe, effective, and widely available. Some flea drops may require a prescription from your veterinarian.
How Topical Flea Drops Work
The chemical is absorbed into your dog’s sebaceous glands when you apply the treatment between your four-legged friend’s shoulder blades. These glands work to lubricate your dog’s coat by releasing oils that keep fur healthy. The pesticide in the drops is released with your dog’s oils after you apply the treatment and, with most drops, will cause the fleas’ internal organs to shut down.
Topical Flea Drops Benefits
Many people trust flea drops to protect their dogs from fleas. Some of the benefits of this treatment include:
- Some drops offer protection against ticks, mosquitoes, parasites, and heartworms disease and can treat ear mites and sarcoptic mange.
- It is a familiar treatment option that is widely trusted as an effective way to kill and prevent fleas.
- Some topical treatments are available without a prescription for pet owners who need immediate flea control.
- Dogs can go swimming and be given baths when using this product except for the first 48 hours after it is applied.
- Most drops prevent fleas and kill them at all life stages, from larvae to adult fleas.
- Once it is absorbed into your dog’s skin, you no longer have to worry about handling it or any dangers it may pose to humans or animals.
There are so many benefits to this excellent flea treatment. Just like with all flea products, make sure to select the right product for your dog’s weight. That way, it will be effective.
Topical Flea Drops Side Effects
Side effects can happen with any flea treatment. The potential side effects of topical flea drops include:
- Skin irritation
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive salivation
- Itching
- Digestive distress
Flea drops are safe, and side effects are not common.
Some dog owners may not want to handle pesticides and may prefer another flea control method.
How Effective Are Flea Drops?
When appropriately used, flea drops are a very effective way to address a flea problem or prevent one from occurring.
They begin killing fleas quickly; you don’t have to wait for them to bite your dog. The moment the fleas come into contact with your dog’s skin, they absorb the active ingredients, and many formulations will quickly kill them as well as flea eggs and larvae.
Flea Collar Vs. Drops: Which One Is Best?
Flea collars and drops are both effective options for eliminating fleas. The best treatment is one that works for both you and your dog. Some questions can help you determine which one is best for you and your furry companion.
- Will I have difficulty remembering to apply a monthly topical treatment?
- Does my dog like to destroy collars?
- Will my dogs lick topical treatments off each other?
- Am I comfortable with handling topical treatments?
- Does my dog attempt to escape their crate, and if so, is there any risk of the flea collar getting caught on the crate during an escape attempt?
- Do I want the product to protect my dog from disease or other insects in addition to fleas?
Your answers to these questions may help you determine which treatment is best.
All flea treatments come with the risk of adverse reactions. One benefit of a flea collar is that it can quickly be removed from your dog if these uncommon side effects occur.
There are effective options for every category of flea treatment, but not all products within those categories deliver the same results. Examine the product’s features to ensure it gives you the protection you want.
Additionally, there are knock-off flea products sold online, and they are not effective. It is crucial to purchase flea collars or topical treatments from a trusted online pharmacy if you’re buying online. That way, you can shop with confidence.
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