Your furry little pet can bring in a horde of fleas from the outside — and these fleas can even make their way to and into your bed, sucking on your blood, leaving tiny black flea feaces in their wake and carrying nasty, infectious parasites. Not to mention the world of pain they cause your cat.
If your little critter is feeling itchy and irritable, we can help you.
In this guide, we will talk about:
- 7 best flea collars of 2019 for cats
- Types of Insecticide in Flea Collars for Cats
- What are the features a flea collar for cats should have
- What are the dangers of fleas on cats
- How to check your cat for fleas
- FAQs
We have looked at dozens of flea collars and have recommended our top picks based on the best features:
Table of Contents
7 Best Flea Collar For Cats of 2019
We narrowed down our search to 7 of the best flea collars for cats in the market, based on ingredients, design, size, quality, and effectiveness.
1.Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick (Top Pick)
Seresto is easy to use, non-greasy, odorless and contains the active ingredients, imidacloprid, and flumethrin, which kills fleas that are hiding deep in your pet’s fur in under 24 hours and kill new fleas within 2 hours.
It also has an auto-release function which snaps open the collar if your cat feels trapped. The repellant lasts 8 whole months and not just kill flees but ticks as well.
- Non-greasy, non-toxic and odorless
- Repels and kills ticks as well
- Last 8 months
- Auto-release function
- Not all natural
- A bit pricey
2.Rolf Club 3D – Best Flea Collar for Cats
Rolf Club 3D Flea Collar is next in line to the throne. The new formula from Germany is perfect for cats as it doesn’t cause any irritation, is odorless and non-greasy. The collar takes a little longer to kill fleas than Bayer, approximately 24 to 48 hours. It also claims to last for 8 months, though some users claim its effectiveness decreases slightly after 4 months of use.
The collar is easily adjustable on cats and even small kittens and can be opened by your pets in emergency situations. The great thing about it is that it claims to repel mosquitoes as well.
- Less expensive than Bayer
- Kills fleas within 48 hours
- Repels mosquitoes as well
- Auto-release function
- Adjustable
- Not all natural
- Effectiveness decline after 4 months
- Have to take off collar when bathing
3.Totopets Pet Flea and Tick Collar
Totopets flea collar uses the potent active ingredient Tetrachlorvinphos, which is the secret to its effectiveness. Be warned though that the chemical can cause allergies in your cat, so make sure you test your pet first before you put the collar on it. Besides that, the collar is exceptional and gets rid of flea eggs, larvae and bites for 6 months. It can be fitted on cats as young as seven weeks, and the design is slim enough that it hides under the cat’s actual collar. It also releases a faint but not-unpleasant odor.
- Kills flea eggs, larvae and biting adults within 24 hours
- Can be fitted on 7-week old kittens
- Breakaway design
- Slim design fits under the collar
- Last 6 months
- Comes with a free finger toothbrush
- Waterproof
- Contains Tetrachlorvinphos which can cause allergies in cats
4.ONMOG Flea
ONMOG Flea and Tick Prevention Collar contain all-natural essential oils, which are not harmful to cats, and do not cause itchiness or allergies. The collar is a bit slow-acting, and fleas, ticks, and their eggs start dying off several days after it is put on the cat. However, it lasts for 8 months, and the collar keeps out insects not just from the cat but from the surrounding as well.
- Gets rid of flea, ticks, and eggs
- Uses all natural ingredients
- Lasts 8 months
- Waterproof
- Fleas only start dying after several days
- Strong odor of essential oil
- More effective with cat flea shampoo and spray
5.Pet Gallo Flea & Tick Cat Collar
Pet Gallo is one of the best flea collars for a cat, which comes with a really attractive price tag. The collar protects your cat from adult biting fleas, their larvae and eggs and is soft and comfortable around your cat’s neck. It is adjustable and can fit on cats of all sizes and last up to 6 months.
- Kills adult, baby and flea eggs
- Pleasant smell
- Last 6 months
- Water resistant
- Potent chemical insecticide
- Made in China
- No breakaway release
6.Only Natural Pet EasyDefense
If you don’t want your precious cat to be exposed to harsh chemicals, this all-natural flea collar is for you and your pet. The active ingredient contains geraniol oil, peppermint oil, and thyme oil and is perfect for cats that have sensitive skin. Some users say it does not effectively kill fleas, but rather repel them. However, it lasts for three months, is water resistant and comes at a very affordable price.
- Non-toxic
- Great for cats with sensitive skin
- Eco-friendly
- Uses natural ingredients
- Adjustable size
- Lasts only 3 months
- No breakaway collar
- User claim not very effective for killing existing fleas
7.Hartz UltraGuard
One of the best cat flea collars for people who do not want to compromise on price or quality is the Hartz UltraGuard Flea and Tick Cat and Kitten Collar. The collar repels and kills fleas and their eggs for 7 months and exudes a soothing smell. Although it is water-resistant, it should be removed when giving your cat a bath. The great thing about it is its affordable price, since cats lose their collars all the time when they are climbing trees.
- Non-toxic
- Lasts 7 months
- Pleasant smell
- Breakaway feature
- Can be fitted on kitten 12 weeks old
- Contains chemicals
- Need to take it off during baths
Types of Insecticide in Flea Collars for Cats
There are two main types of insecticides used in flea collars for cats: solid and liquid types
Solid Insecticide
In its solid state, insecticide and resin are blended together, and the medication is discharged when the collar rubs over the fur of the cat. Depending on what type of insecticide is used, it may either be absorbed by the cat’s skin or be dispersed on top. For the dispersed insecticide, a flea dies on contact. But for the absorption type, the flea has to bite the skin for the insecticide to take effect.
Liquid Insecticide
The liquid type of insecticide is spread as a gas. This type of insecticide is more effective in repelling fleas rather than killing them because the gas will only kill fleas that are near the collar.
What Are The Features A Flea Collar For Cats Should Have?
The best flea collar for cats should have a variety of different features.
What Are The Dangers Of Fleas On Cats
No good pet owner likes to see his or her cat scratching itself to death. However, fleas can cause more than just an annoyance for cats; they can result in serious diseases, like tapeworm infection, anemia, and dermatitis, all of which can infect humans as well. Below are some conditions that fleas can cause.
Tapeworm
What’s so horrific about tapeworm is that they can be transmitted to humans if fleas accidentally get into your food. Tapeworm infection in cats is similar to humans and can result in loss of appetite, stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea, and inexplicable weight loss.
Plague
Fleas can transmit bacteria called Yersinia pestis to your cat. Your cat can get this by ingesting infected rodents or from fleas that previously used rodents as host. Such fleas can bite humans and infect them with the bubonic, septicemic or pneumonic plague.
Murine Typhus
Murine typhus is caused by infected fleas and can be transmitted to humans if they come in contact with the insect’s feces. The symptoms include fever and chills, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, cough, and rashes
Anemia
Flea anemia is a serious condition in cats which result in restlessness, weight loss, loss of appetite, dark, sticky stools, rapid, uneven pulse and lethargy in cats. This occurs in cats that are heavily infested with fleas.
How To Check Your Cat For Fleas
We recommend that pet owners check their cats for fleas every few weeks before the infestation takes hold. Cats are able to groom themselves perfectly so it may be difficult for you to know the symptoms.
To check for fleas in your cat’s coat, use a flea comb to brush your pet’s hair, check for drowned fleas in the bath water and keep a close eye on your cat for any signs of excessive scratching and biting.
Adult fleas also leave behind dark spots of digested blood. While brushing your cat’s fur, place a towel beneath it and see if any dark flecks fell off. If you put these flecks in water, they will turn red, indicating a flea infestation.
Once you detect an outbreak, the best thing you can do is to react quickly. Flea collars for cats are a viable option, but you should also support it with other, more effective options like anti-flea shampoos and medicated sprays.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
The Takeaway
Flea collars for cats are a feasible option if you suspect an outbreak. However, the fleas that infest your cat make up only a fraction of the flea population. Only 5% of fleas are adults, 10% are pupae, 35% are larvae, and 50% are eggs. If you want to completely eradicate fleas from your home, make sure you keep your pets, house, and yard clean and groomed at all times.