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As a pet owner, you already know that treating fleas is just a routine part of care. If you’ve seen the flea collars on the market that cats wear, you might wonder if this will be a cure-all solution to a flea problem.
The reality is flea collars can work quite well for cats. But, they sometimes need an additional layer of protection throughout the season.
How Do Flea Collars Work?
If you’re unfamiliar with how flea collars work, you might think it just affects the area around the neck. That’s actually not true. They have a much more potent design than first glance might show you.
When you place the flea collar onto your cat, it slowly releases chemicals around your cat’s neck and through the oils and fur. These chemicals stay on the fur and skin to ward off any potential fleas that could be lingering around.
As you can probably gather just by that little blurb, not all flea collars are made the same. Some have stronger effects than others, and it’s definitely reflected in the price.
Age Matters
When buying a flea collar for your cat, it’s essential to read the box so you pick one for your feline friend’s appropriate age and weight. Smaller cats require less of the chemical to make it most effective.
Larger or overweight cats require a higher dose to keep up with a task. So even though it might not seem like checking the age is super important, we assure you that it is a vital step.
For example, if you have a pretty large cat but buy a collar for kittens, the effectiveness will go way down, and might exacerbate the problem.
Formula Matters
Flea formula? Is there any real difference between certain types of flea medication? The general consensus is probably yes if you ask anyone who uses treatments regularly. Specific treatments stop flea infestations at different life cycles.
It depends on what sort of protection you’re looking for specifically. Most regular standard flea collars kill live adults. Others take care of fleas during their egg and larva stages. On the package or description, it should give all the details on the target purpose.
Getting a more intense formula is the best option if you have a flea issue. However, if you’re using it strictly as a preventative, strength might not have as big of an impact.
Price Matters
Pets are very expensive. Between routine vet care, emergency visits, and everyday supply needs, you can spend an arm and a leg on them. However, you will not want to skip on quality when it comes to flea treatment.
Your needs will be different depending on your cat’s lifestyle. For instance, if your cat has never been outside and you don’t have any other pets traipsing in and out of the house, a flea infestation is unlikey.
However, if you have an indoor-outdoor cat, having a flea collar is an awesome layer of protection that will prevent potential infestation in the home. Cheaper flea collars might not be up to par with the sort of protection your cat requires.
They’re not as potent and, therefore, not as effective. Cheaper flea collars might work well for indoor cats only, but we recommend getting the good stuff for any kitty that travels out into the world.
Where Can You Buy Flea Collars?
If you’re familiar with the concept of flea collars already, you might have a go-to brand that you already purchase. Flea collars are available over the counter for customers at department stores, utility stores, and pet shops. You can also buy flea collars online and at your local veterinarian’s office.
But if you’re unfamiliar and really looking for professional guidance, don’t be afraid to ask your vet for recommendations or to buy the brand they recommend right there in the office if they have it.
If you’re looking to buy online, there are some excellently rated flea collars for cats on Chewy.
Treating a Flea Infestation
Fleas have an interesting reproductive cycle that you might not be too familiar with. If you have a flea infestation, it will take more than just a flea collar to eradicate the problem. In addition to treating your cat, you also have to treat carpets and fabrics.
When fleas lay eggs, they do so off the host. So, when the eggs hatch in the carpet, they eat dust and other small particles first. Then, once they are mature enough, they hop on the warm host (your cat) for their first blood meal.
So, they do not require a live food source for the first several weeks. This leaves lots of room for eggs to hatch and develop before you even realize there’s a problem. So when treating live fleas, you must treat all the areas of your home.
This can initially require a lot of costs, but it will be worth it. Fleas can be incredibly resilient. Some can even live without a blood meal for months and stay alive. So, if you pay the dough up front, it will save time, energy, and a headache down the road.
Other Treatment Methods
Flea collars aren’t the only option for cat owners. As you probably already know, many different methods exist to keep your cat flea free. Always read reviews and get recommendations to select the best care method for your cat.
1. Oral Medications
Oral medications are typically given in liquid or pill form. They enter the system through the mouth, working their way into the body, eliminating live fleas and sometimes larvae or eggs. These are generally the most effective immediate treatments for fleas.
2. Topical Medications
Topical medications, lotions, or liquids that go on your cat’s skin work from the outside in. Typically topical medications work for several weeks at a time but tend only to kill fleas in their adult stages.
3. Sprays
Sprays are most effective for adult fleas. Your cat can easily get this medication in their mouths during grooming. Some sprays are much more effective than others, but you must watch out for any toxic ingredients.
4. Shampoos
Flea shampoo is a great part of flea and tick infestation prevention. Just make sure to read the label, ensuring safe, effective ingredients.
Conclusion
Once you have admitted any flea issues you might have, you can use a medium-strength cat collar as a preventative measure. Cat flea collars are a very popular and efficient flea treatment for indoor and outdoor cats. Sometimes, it needs to be used in unison with another treatment method, especially with the fabrics in your home.
Regardless of your selected treatment method, flea prevention is a must every season! So, always follow up with proper care.
Featured Image Credit: Inga Gedrovicha, Shutterstock
