It is important that your pup has suitable flea and tick treatment to reduce the chance of catching the nasty diseases caused by these parasites.
We understand that it can be difficult to choose a product as there are so many on the market now, but, having all done the struggle of pinning your pet down once a month to administer topical treatments or baths, we feel that flea collars are the most practical method.
So what is the best flea collar for small dogs? We talk about how these anti-flea devices work and our top choices for the best flea collars for small dogs out there.
Why are flea collars important?
Fleas and ticks not only cause your dog (and you!) a lot of discomfort, they can also spread some nasty diseases. To avoid itching, illness and huge vet bills, it is necessary to protect your pooch against these critters.
Preventative treatments come in a variety of forms, such as topical and oral medications, sprays, shampoos, and collars.
Having all been in the position of trying to regularly pin down a pet to administer medication or give a water-shy pooch a smelly bath, we definitely prefer using collars as an effective flea treatment.
They are an easy way to kill and prevent further infestation of parasites, and they last for a lot longer than some other forms of treatment.
Our top choice for the best flea collar for small dogs
The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar is a great choice as it comes in a size specifically made for smaller dogs and puppies and gives you the flexibility to shorten the collar further if necessary.
It is also long-lasting (up to 8 months) and can be worn with a regular collar. Overall, it appears to be one of the best-value collars on the market as it is safe to wear all the time.
How do flea collars work?
There are two main types of flea collars available.
The first type works by emitting a gas which is toxic to fleas and other parasites, while the second uses a medication which gets absorbed into your dog’s skin, poisoning parasites when they bite.
The top three collars we have chosen are all in the first category as they work without your pooch having to get bitten first.
What to consider when choosing a flea collar
Some of the main points to consider when buying a flea collar are the size and the type of treatment they provide (as mentioned above).
You should also consider whether your dog has sensitive skin and needs an organic treatment, or if they are fine with regular treatments.
It is important to choose the correct size collar for your furry friend, as flea collars are designed to be safe for your dog’s skin but not necessarily for their digestive system!
This is particularly important for small dogs as a collar that is too big will just slip right off.
A correctly-fitting collar should be tight enough that they can’t chew on it, but not so tight that it irritates their skin around their neck.
A general rule for a good fit is being able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.
Most effective flea collars use small doses of insecticides to kill parasites.
Some of these are safer than others, so we recommend choosing a collar that uses chemicals such as deltamethrin or pyriproxyfen as these have been proven to be safer than other chemicals such as tetrachlorvinphos which can be harmful to both your pet and children.
Organic flea collars are a safer option, but there is a lot of question over whether they actually work and most ‘organic’ products still contain some form of non-toxic chemicals to make them effective.
If this is a particularly important factor for you, we suggest you take some time to carefully read the ingredients on different products to find one that is suitable for you and your pet’s needs.
Hopefully, our favorite three collars will give you some guidance in finding the best collar for your dog.
Top Three Flea Collars for Small Dogs
Seresto by Bayer
- Provides 8-months of continuous flea and tick prevention
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Seresto is a relatively new treatment that gives your pooch flea and tick protection for up to 8 months. The small collar measures 15”, but can be cut to size if necessary, and is suitable for dogs up to 18lbs.
Unlike conventional collars, Seresto contains two active ingredients (imidacloprid and flumethrin) which are released in controlled doses and transferred to your dog’s skin and hair to kill fleas and ticks without the greasy feel of topical treatments.
It is recommended that the collar is worn all year round and can even be worn whilst your dog is swimming or being bathed as the collar is water resistant.
Regular contact with water (more than once a month) can cause the collar to be less effective and it should be replaced every 5 months if this is the case for your dog.
This collar is slightly more expensive than others on the market but compared to having to wrestle your dog regularly to administer other treatments, we think this is definitely worth it!
The Seresto collar is even suitable for puppies from 7 weeks old, so it’s safe to say this is a pretty universal product.
PETARMOR Plus Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs
- PetArmor Plus is a fully waterproof, flea & tick topical prevention for dogs that kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice for up to 30 days after application.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
PETARMOR’s Tick and Flea Collar is an effective tick and flea treatment and prevention because it is waterproof, powerful, and long-lasting. What makes this product special is its ability to suppress flea activity.
It works by breaking the flea cycle entirely, as it kills flea eggs and larvae for up to 12 weeks! It also contains active ingredients and fipronil to protect your dog from brown dog ticks and other species that might transmit Lyme disease!
Adams Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
- The Adams flea and tick collar provides 7-month protection against fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, and ticks.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Adam’s Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs offers a 7-month protection against unwanted pests for your fur baby. It also boasts its fast-acting treatment in just one step against fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, and ticks!
We also love how it remains effective even after getting wet or soaked in the pool and rain. It’s adjustable and easy to use as well!
For more on keeping your dog healthy and happy see these articles:
How to Check for Fleas In Your House
