If skin parasites begin to bother your beloved pet, then not only the animal, but also its owner feels depressed. You need to think about the means of protecting your pet in a timely manner. After all, the appearance of fleas and ticks can lead not only to unpleasant itching, but also to serious infectious diseases. In this article, we will look at what harm bloodsuckers can cause to an animal, what types of collars exist, as well as which flea and tick collar is best to choose for your dog, consider customer reviews and draw a conclusion about their effectiveness.
Consequences of flea bites
The dog scratches the affected areas, which often causes an allergic reaction. The substance that fleas inject under the skin has a negative effect on the hemostasis system, which is responsible for stopping bleeding. In addition, allergens contained in the secreted secretion can cause stomach diseases, as well as lichen and hair loss.
Ectoparasites carry tapeworms such as the cucumber tapeworm. It starts in the intestines of the animal and, as a parasite, releases toxic substances that can cause nervous disorders, nausea and refusal to eat. In severe cases, seizures and sudden weight loss are possible.
Sometimes fleas can lead to a deadly disease like rabies. You don’t have to be afraid of the virus if you get vaccinated in a timely manner.
Attention!
Be careful not to use these types of collars on a cat that is at any stage of pregnancy. This item is also strictly prohibited for nursing mothers. After all, the milk that a cat feeds its cubs can poison small and fragile kittens. Due to possible intoxication, a kitten can wear a collar only from the moment it turns three months old. Collars that work on blood-sucking animals should not be worn on animals that are too active. The cat may get caught in a tree or somewhere else. The collar will not come unfastened, and such a useful accessory will turn into a killer. Be careful and careful!
Consequences of tick bites
To rid your animal of forest blood-sucking insects, you need to put a protective collar on your dog before walking in the park. An unprotected animal can be infected with the following diseases:
- piroplasmosis - provokes the destruction of blood cells;
- bartonellosis - leads to dysfunction of internal organs;
- borreliosis - can cause paralysis of certain parts of the body.
These diseases most often lead to death. This is why it is so important to protect your pet from ectoparasites in a timely manner.
There are many means of protection against pests, but flea and tick collars are considered the most effective and convenient to use.
Cat, welcome... welcome...
Do you want to always be aware of where your mustachioed pet is at any given moment? Then a GPS collar for cats is what you need. Abroad, collars with such a device are spreading quite quickly. And this is not surprising. Caring owners want to be able to save their cat at any time if she is in danger. A cat may get scared and, running far from its home, get lost forever. This nimble and ubiquitous animal is also capable of getting into places where it cannot get out. A cat in such trouble may meow until it loses its voice, but the owner will not be able to find it because he has no idea where it might end up at one time or another. In our country, such a useful device has not yet become widespread. The price of a GPS collar remains impressive for many loving owners. Its cost can start from 10,000 rubles and above.
How does a tick and flea collar for dogs work?
A flea and tick collar is a protective product made of plastic or rubber, which is an elastic band that is fixed around the animal’s neck. The device has insecticidal properties and, upon contact with the dog’s skin, begins to release toxic substances that are smoothly distributed throughout the body. After about two days of using the collar, the “inhabited” blood-sucking parasites and their larvae die, and new “potential neighbors” are repelled by the repellents included in the composition. The service life of the device is from 4 to 7 months.
Continuous use of this collar will reliably protect your beloved pet from fleas and ticks. The main thing is to carefully read the instructions and safety precautions before use to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Contraindications and rules of use from the instructions:
- It is not recommended to wear an anti-flea collar on sick, pregnant or weakened animals, as well as pets under two months of age;
- during the first hours of wearing, the dog must be supervised, as individual intolerance or allergies are possible, in which case the collar must be removed immediately;
- the product should not lie next to food, things and other interior items;
- the storage location must be inaccessible to children and animals;
- It is necessary to exclude the possibility of the collar getting into the oral cavity, as this can cause disorders of the digestive and nervous systems. If this happens, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.
Benefits of flea and tick collars
If you follow certain rules of use, the protective collar will become a reliable barrier against blood-sucking parasites. In addition, it has significant advantages over other insecticidal agents:
- the product is affordable and, when used correctly, does not cause discomfort to the dog;
- innovative models of collars can protect the animal from various types of blood-sucking insects;
- modern devices are multifunctional and are used both to get rid of parasites and to prevent their occurrence;
- A new generation insecticidal device contains chemicals that are harmful to fleas and ticks, but safe for pets.
When getting rid of skin insects, the combined use of repellent products will be more effective. And in the future, it is necessary to remember that it is much easier to protect the animal in time than to later suffer with the removal of blood-sucking parasites.
Tips for choosing
For each dog, the collar is selected individually, taking into account the following criteria:
- the size of the product is important for the animal’s comfortable well-being;
- age and individual characteristics of the pet - not all collars are approved for use by puppies, as well as old or sick dogs, pregnant and lactating dogs;
- manufacturer - proven brands guarantee the quality and reliability of products, which is important for the safety of the dog.
Detailed information about the product - restrictions and features of use, concentration of active ingredients - is indicated in the instructions. Be sure to study it carefully. It wouldn't hurt to consult a veterinarian either.
What collars are suitable for puppies
Sometimes you have to protect babies from blood-sucking parasites. They can become infected from their mother or another dog living in the house, or also accidentally while playing outside. The danger of bites for a puppy is as follows:
- severe itching, scratching, which leads to the development of anemia due to significant blood loss for a small dog;
- there is a high probability of contracting infections and worms carried by parasites due to an incompletely formed immune system.
There are collars on sale that are designed specifically for puppies.
But products intended for adult dogs are not suitable for puppies, as they can provoke allergic reactions and weaken the body. You need to choose special products that are approved for dogs up to 6 months. They are odorless and are used from three weeks, two months or other ages. This is described in more detail in the instructions.
Veterinarians do not recommend putting a collar on a puppy under 2 months, nor do they recommend using other types of protective agents - drops, shampoos, tablets.
The following collars are suitable for puppies:
- Insectal plus (Russia). Impregnated with permethrin and fipronil, it lasts from 2 to 4 months and is used from 8 weeks of age.
- Insectal combo is a low-toxic, odorless product based on ivermectin. Cannot be worn on dogs under 2 months of age; contraindicated for Sheltie and Collie breeds.
- Hartz Ultra Guard Flea (Germany) – used from three months of age, provides protection for up to seven months, the active substance is tetrachlorvinphos.
Video: how to choose and put a collar on a dog
How to choose the right flea and tick collar
To choose a comfortable protective equipment for your pet, you need to study in detail the classification and size range of protective collars.
There are the following types of collars:
- Biological - more natural. Suitable for young puppies or dogs recovering from illness, as well as for females during pregnancy, as they contain plant extracts. Efficiency is average.
- Ultrasonic - odorless. This type of protection is harmless and universal. The action of such devices is based not on insecticidal properties, but on the sending of ultrasonic waves.
- Chemical ones are the most effective. They are recommended for completely healthy and adult dogs, as they contain a high concentration of toxic substances that are fatal to fleas, ticks and other parasites.
In addition to classification by species, there is a division by size of animals depending on the length of the collar:
- For small dogs of breeds such as Spitz, Chihuahua, lapdog, dachshund and many varieties of terriers, a collar up to 38 cm in length is suitable.
- For medium-sized pets, the representatives of which are: bulldog, husky, bull terrier, collie, husky, poodle, you need a product with a length of at least 58 cm.
- For large dogs: mastiff, Doberman, St. Bernard, German and Caucasian shepherd - a protective tape of 70 cm is intended.
Having decided on the type of product and measuring the volume of the dog’s neck, you can go shopping for a protective accessory.
When choosing a device, you should also consider the following factors:
- Composition and active ingredients. Manufacturers who have nothing to hide indicate this information.
- Cost of the collar. A cheap product may have questionable contents that are dangerous for your four-legged friend.
- Manufacturer. It is better to choose brands that have been tested by time and customers and have positive reviews.
You need to approach the purchase of protective equipment responsibly, having studied in detail all the characteristics and recommendations for using the product, so that your pet is as comfortable in a collar as without it.
Indications for use
A collar with pheromones is used as a calming agent to prevent an animal from becoming restless in various stressful situations, or as a deterrent for overly active and aggressive pets. It can be used in the following situations:
- going to the veterinarian;
- grooming (including nail trimming);
- participation in the exhibition;
- changing of the living place;
- traveling by car or flying;
- the appearance of a new family member (including the birth of a child, or a long stay of a guest in the house);
- the appearance of a new animal;
- holidays with fireworks, loud songs, noise, and uproar;
- carrying out repair work;
- during a thunderstorm.
If a collar is used to suppress the temper of an overly energetic pet, then you must remember that the product will not solve the problem. It can be an auxiliary tool in the educational process.
