The Best Flea Collars for Dogs, According to Veterinarians

Fleas are every dog owner’s enemy — they can lay up to 50 eggs a day, and getting them under control can feel impossible once they’ve already infested a home. Although many oral treatments and topical applications exist, one of the best preventative options is flea collars, which can provide coverage from three to 12 months — an especially useful thing for dogs who spend ample time outside or in wooded areas.

Michelle Dulake, a veterinarian and founder of Fera Pet Organics, says that there are a few unique benefits of using a flea collar. “Flea collars are easy to use since it requires little effort to put them on or take them off,” she says. “They’re also long-lasting — they can work for up to several months — and are a more affordable option compared to other flea preventatives.” 

However, according to New York-based veterinarian Matthew McCarthy, flea collars work better as a supplement than a standalone treatment. “While they’re certainly budget-friendly, flea collars don’t quite measure up to the topical or oral treatments available today,” he says. (A collar can take up to 48 hours to start killing fleas, whereas topical spot treatments get to work within 8-12 hours and oral meds do within a mere 2-4 hours.) Other potential drawbacks, according to Dulake, include limited coverage and chemical exposure to insecticides, some of which can pose a risk to other pets in the household or cause topical allergic reactions in some dogs. “The effectiveness of flea collars compared to other flea control products such as liquid treatments depends on the individual pet and the severity of the flea infestation in the local area,” she adds.

So, if you’re battling an urgent flea situation, it’s likely better to go with a spot treatment or oral medication. But if not, collars are often a less expensive alternative and aren’t as messy to apply. Either way, before using one, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian first.

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Seresto is McCarthy’s top pick. “I like the Seresto collar by Elanco,” he says. “It provides eight months of flea and tick control, can be used in dogs over seven weeks of age, has a safety release feature in case your doggie gets it caught on a fence, and swimming or bathing will not affect its efficacy.”

Along with being resistant to the elements, the Seresto collar remains one of the options because of its tried-and-true formula of imidacloprid, which kills fleas before they can lay eggs, and flumethrin, which can kill ticks before they latch onto a dog’s skin. These two ingredients have also been considered safe and effective for decades and start to kill fleas within 24 hours of application. Bonus: it doesn’t have a greasy feel or an odor. 

Although Seresto’s large collars can be used on smaller breeds by cutting off excess fabric, the brand sells flea collars specifically for small dogs, too.

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