Ctenocephalides canis, otherwise known as the dog flea, is an ectoparasite, or a pest that lives on the outside of their host, and feeds primarily on mammals.
Dog and cat fleas both have the capability to transmit other parasites and diseases to your pet. One of the primary concerns is tapeworm. When a dog or cat ingests an infected flea, the tapeworm can develop in your pet’s intestines.
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Are dog and cat flea collars the same?
Dog and cat flea collars are not the same and should not be used interchangeably. Using a dog collar on a cat can be deadly. One thing that determines the toxicity from insecticides is the weight of the animal.
Dogs and humans have the ability absorb a certain level of chemicals and their bodies can break them down effectively.
Because cats are smaller, they are not capable of breaking down some of the chemicals fast enough, which could cause a fatal reaction.
Always read the label of your collar completely to make sure it is designed for your specific pet and their weight. Follow all instructions including washing your hands after touching the collar.
Do I have dog fleas in my home?
If you have determined that your dog has fleas, the chances that you have them in your home is extremely high. By the time you notice your dog scratching and biting excessively or you see a flea in their fur, there could already be thousands of eggs and larvae in your home. These would be found in areas your dog frequents such as the bed, couch, carpeting or rugs, favorite sleeping spots, and feeding areas.
Adult female fleas lay up to 50 eggs each day. These eggs don’t stay on your pet. They fall behind your dog in areas called source spots. These are the few spots where you dog spends his time the most. Up to 95% of the flea eggs and larvae in your home can be found in these source spots.
How did my dog get fleas In The First Place?
The fact that your dog and home has fleas does not reflect poorly on your ability to keep your home clean. People from all walks of life get flea infestations because fleas are relatively easy to transmit.
When young fleas are in their cocoons, vibrations, sounds, and heat trigger them to hatch and look for a host. Their ideal host is a dog, cat, or other mammal, but sometimes they will jump on humans and feed if necessary. Fleas also have the amazing ability to jump up to 2 feet. This means you, and your pets, can pick up fleas from anywhere and bring them into your home.
Some of the common areas where you might involuntarily pick up these annoying hitchhikers are dog parks, in your yard, hotels, and other people’s homes. There are some ways you can limit your exposure to fleas and prevent flea and tick infestations.
When you go to dog parks or other outdoor areas, make sure your dog is wearing a flea collar that repels fleas. There are also sprays and spot treatments, which will help to keep fleas from jumping on your dog. Also make sure you spray your shoes, socks, and bottom of your pants with a bug spray that repels fleas as well. Some of the natural repellant sprays for dogs can also be used on humans.
When you take your dog with you to a hotel or shared vacation home, you can do two simple tests to check for fleas. Take a white washcloth and dampen it with some water. Wipe the cloth on carpeting, the bottom of the drapes, and furniture. Look for red or rust-colored streaks, which could be “flea dirt” or digested blood.
For the other test, take a pie pan or plate, and fill it with water and a few drops of dish detergent. Place the pan under a light source, like a nightlight, and wait for about an hour. If there are fleas in the area, they will be attracted to the light, fall into the pan, and drown.
Another preventive measure you can take is to treat your yard. In many communities, neighbors will walk their dogs in the grass along the sidewalk. Use an insecticide and repellent for your yard to prevent other dog’s fleas from becoming your problem.
How Effective Are Dog Flea Collars?
The effectiveness of dog flea collars varies by the type of insecticides used. There are ingredients designed to manage fleas during different stages of their life cycle. This is important to understand so that you purchase products which fit your current needs.
Repellent flea collars are typically made with natural ingredients such as essential oils to ward off fleas. They are not recommended for current infestations as they are not effective in killing fleas.
Collars with strong insecticides such as Permethrin and Tetrachlorvinphos are designed to kill adult fleas. These products tend to provide the most immediate relief for your pet, but are not effective in eradicating the rest of the flea population.
When you consider that adult fleas only make up 5% of the fleas in your home, you need to follow an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to completely take care of the problem. A good IPM may include activities such as daily vacuuming, laundering sheets and bedding, and using a flea comb to check for fleas.
Insect growth regulators, or IGRs, effectively sterilize eggs and young fleas. This prevents the life cycle from continuing though it can take several weeks to work.
One factor that can reduce the efficacy of flea collars is whether or not they are waterproof. Waterproof collars allow for monthly bathing and the occasional exposure to rain without reducing their ability to work. Water resistant collars are not as effective if they are routinely submerged in water.
Top 4 Best Dog Flea Collars
You might think that all flea collars are the same, but the protections and capabilities they offer are quite different from brand to brand. Here are some of the top flea and tick collars for dogs on the market today.
- Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs (Our top choice)
- Rolf 3D Flea and Tick Collar (best budget option)
- TevraPet Acivate II Flea Collar
- Fipukin Natural Flea Collar
Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
When it comes to name brand, you don’t get more premium than Seresto.
We’re a fan of the Seresto line of flea collars because they are the first flea collar to rival topical “spot-on” treatments in their effectiveness.
They target adult fleas and have an IGR to halt the life cycle eggs and larvae.
The collar is solid with the insecticide mixed with the resin. This allows the active ingredients, Flumethrin and Imidacloprid, to release slowly over time.
TevraPet Acivate II Flea Collar
The TevraPet Activate Flea Collar is an economical alternative to brand-name flea collars. This package contains two collars for up to 12 months of protection from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
It contains Deltamethrin and Pyriproxyfen, the active ingredients found in the leading brands. They’re safe and effective against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
The TevraPet Activate Flea Collar is simple to use and easy to put on your dog. It’s also waterproof and designed to fit securely around your pet’s neck.
Rolf 3D Dog Flea Collar
This collar is a relatively new one-size-fits-all collar on the market. It fits large dogs to small dogs, which is great and could save you a bit of money if you want to use one collar for multiple dog sizes.
It is a fipronil based collar, so not completely natural, but fipronil is proven to be an effective pesticide.
The one size fits all feature works by shipping you a really long collar. You then cut it to the desired length for your dogs neck size.
It’s pretty easy to get going and definitely our top pick for budget conscious pet owners.
Fipukin Natural Flea Collar
Now there’s a natural alternative to flea prevention for your dog. The Fipukin Natural Flea Collar contains citronella oil to combat fleas and ticks. It does so without the harsh ingredients found in other leading brands.
Each collar provides up to eight months of protection from fleas and ticks. In addition, it’s fully waterproof and easy to put on your pet.
Think you might need professional help with your flea problem? Use the form below to connect with local pest control pros:
