“My… dog… has… fleas…” Sure it’s an easy and fun lick to play on a guitar. But when it’s your dog doing the licking – or worse, biting – there’s nothing easy or fun about fleas and ticks. Loss of hair, raw skin, welts, and non-stop distraction of your pet from what he or she would like to do, can turn him or her into a sad or sick puppy. Then there are the diseases to think about that fleas sometimes transfer, such as Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. That’s why your dog needs a flea collar. Here is a comparison of some of the more popular collars.
Kills fleas on contact
Imidacloprid is an ingredient that has seen great success in reducing and/or limiting flea and tick infestation. Flumethrin kills fleas and ticks before they bite. Both are released from the collar continuously in small amounts, covering your dog’s coat. That combination limits and often eliminates the damage fleas do to the dog directly, as well as what the dog might do to himself through all the biting and scratching for itch relief.
Let dogs be dogs
Having the strength of two collars assures you will get eight months of protection, regardless of how rough your dog or the elements are on this product. Unlike some other brands, the Sobaken collar is safe to use on dogs three months old and beyond. It’s also surprisingly resilient to rain and summer dips in the lake and ocean.
Easy on the nose
It wouldn’t be a proper review without representation from this long-time pet care brand. Hartz combines all the most popular features in its collar. It’s water resistant. Its bright orange shield reflects light up to 300 feet, for your pet’s extra nighttime safety. Finally, the extremely faint smell and lightness of the collar seem to make your pet forget he’s even wearing it. Bonus feature: It lasts for seven months.
Keeps pets peppy
Utilizing a unique Israeli patented micro-injection technology, the Arava collar leans on essential oils found in plants and trees to repel the little buggers. The scent is strong at first, so the manufacturers suggest airing it out for a day or two before using it on your pet. But it’s waterproof, completely safe for you and your children, and doesn’t create the lethargy in pets that some owners have complained of in chemically competitive products.
Break the cycle
Another green and eco-friendly product, the Petsmont collar emits all-natural oils – peppermint, citronella, cedarwood, lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender oil, and geranium. The formula confuses fleas’ sensory input system, causing them to avoid your dog. It’s also a soft, neck-friendly plastic elastomer collar your pet won’t even notice. The two hypo-allergenic collars provide up to a year’s worth of protection (6 months each), aiding your efforts to break that flea cycle especially during the less active winter months.
S. Ruxton is a contributing writer to Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. A former baseball writer, S. Ruxton loves to revisit the smaller Gulf towns of Clearwater, Dunedin, and Bradenton. Historic Winter Park is also a favorite destination.