How to choose and use a flea and tick collar for dogs?

Spring pleases each of us with a warm sun, and this undoubtedly raises the mood. However, along with the heat, dangerous insects also wake up, which can cause great discomfort to our four-legged friends. Fleas and ticks are waiting for dogs everywhere: in parks, in forests and just by the road. Moreover, the main trouble from them is associated not so much with bites, but with diseases that these bloodsuckers transmit. In order to protect their pet, many dog ​​breeders often acquire a flea and tick collar for dogs. However, for the tool to work, you must know the basic selection criteria and rules of use.

How do flea and tick collars work?

Collars for dogs from ticks are made from soft polymeric materials. It looks like an ordinary flexible belt with a buckle. Due to the wide range of models and the extensive range that some manufacturers are able to offer, each owner has the opportunity to buy a collar for a dog of any breed, size and age.

The device begins to work after some time from the start of use (from the moment when it was on the neck of the animal). Upon contact with a warm body, the active substances that the collar is impregnated begin to evaporate, enveloping the coat and the surface of the skin. Throughout the expiration date, it maintains an optimal concentration for scaring away or killing parasites. At the same time, it is recommended to wear the product constantly, even during a night's sleep. If the animal needs to be redeemed, then the collar is removed and put on immediately after its coat is completely dry.

The principle of operation of collars depending on the type

All flea and tick collars for dogs are divided into three categories:

• Chemical - based on toxic substances for bloodsuckers. Such collars are preferably used to protect adult animals only. For puppies, they can be dangerous. The active components of these products destroy fleas and ticks after they bite the animal. Penetrating into the body of the parasite, the poison paralyzes its nervous system and soon leads to death.
  

  On a note! Collars soaked with insecticides often have an unpleasant odor, because of which the dog may refuse to wear the product!

• Biological - such collars are impregnated exclusively with natural substances that can scare away the pest and at the same time will be absolutely safe for the animals themselves. The active ingredients are usually essential oils and extracts from various plants.
• Ultrasonic - they are relatively new. Such collars do not exude odors, and therefore the dog does not experience discomfort when worn. However, such products are in a rather high price category, and therefore many dog ​​breeders simply can not afford them.

We analyze the pros and cons

Like any other antiparasitic agent, a flea and tick collar for dogs has both advantages and disadvantages.First, consider the negative aspects.

Main disadvantages

The greatest number of shortcomings was noted in products impregnated with toxic substances. And they are bad not only in that they can exude an unpleasant odor, but also in their harmful effects on the state of the animal itself. In some cases, an allergic reaction can be observed in dogs, which is manifested by inflammation on the skin at the place of collar’s ​​contact with the neck, as well as a general deterioration in well-being: vomiting, indigestion, lethargy and weakness. The dog will feel especially bad with individual intolerance to the active substances. By the way, the latter also applies to biological collars.

Important! In order to protect your pet from the dangerous effects of allergies, during the first day of wearing the product you should constantly monitor the animal and inspect it from time to time. If itching and rash occur, the collar must be removed immediately and a different brand of product selected!

Another reason to consider such devices dangerous is the recommendation on the package, according to which it is undesirable to sleep in the same room with a dog in an anti-collar collar.

If there are a lot of parasites on the animal’s body, then in this case a collar alone will not be enough. In case of severe infection, it is recommended that you first use special shampoos, drops or sprays.

Benefits

As for the positive aspects of using flea and tick collars for dogs, there are many more:

• firstly, they are a relatively inexpensive way to protect your four-legged friend from annoying parasites;
• secondly, antiparasitic collars are very convenient, both for animals and their owners - once put on and can not be removed until the expiration date, and the product in the meantime will protect the dog from fleas and ticks;
• thirdly, they are hygienic: there is no need to endure the bathing procedure once again, there is no need to wait for the coat to dry completely, as after drops, and the owner will not worry that his pet will lick the preparation or stain furniture;
• fourthly, a device alone can have a fairly wide spectrum of action and protect the animal from fleas, and from ticks, and from lice eaters, and from other pests;
• fifthly, modern antiparasitic collars, including chemical ones, rarely provoke the development of allergies.

On a note! An allergy in most cases arises from the fact that the owner, when buying a collar, does not take into account the weight, age or breed of his pet and chooses the wrong accessory!

Terms of use

No matter how effective and safe the antiparasitic collar is, waiting for a positive result from its use is possible only with proper operation. If this condition is not met, even the most expensive device from the manufacturer with the best reputation can harm the health of the pet and will not provide adequate protection. So, how to use such a product.

First, the collar should be removed from the packaging and remove the plastic jumpers. Stretch the strap a little, put it on the neck of your pet. At the same time, it is important to ensure that it does not fit too tightly - a gap of one and a half centimeter should remain between the body and the collar. Having adjusted the product to size, cut off the remaining tip or wrap it around the neck by threading it into a special pocket.

On a note! Not every collar can be trimmed. This is due to the fact that some will be impregnated along the entire length with the amount of active ingredient necessary for protecting the animal. About whether it is possible to remove the extra length will always be written on the package!

As mentioned above, it is advisable to use several antiparasitic drugs at once after consultation with the veterinarian. In addition, information on whether any combination of such drugs is possible, you will always find in the instructions for the purchased product.

When using a flea and tick collar for the first few days, you should exclude walking with a dog in parks where there is a lot of vegetation in the forest and avoid shady areas - this is where ticks often wait for their prey. Plus, at the same time, it is not recommended to carry out water procedures and not to bring the animal out into the street in the rain and snowfall.

If you remove the collar for a while, it must be put in a sealed package and put away in a dry place protected from direct sunlight where the air temperature will not exceed + 25 ° C and drop below 0 ° C.

And remember that this product is not able to prevent, and even more so cure parasitic diseases and the consequences of bites. It is only a precautionary measure that will help prevent infection.

Popular brands

So, we will consider the most popular and effective flea and tick collars for dogs today.

• "Kiltix" - the adaptation of this brand begins its work a day after the start of use. Its validity period is about seven months. It is intended only for adults and absolutely healthy animals. Use for puppies, sick, pregnant and lactating dogs is prohibited.
• "Foresto" - this collar has a repellent effect against fleas, ticks and other blood-sucking parasites. It provides reliable protection even during frequent walks in the forest, parks with high vegetation, near water bodies and in other places where pests can live in large numbers.
• "Scalibor" - protects the animal for six months. Maximum efficiency is observed seven days after the start of wearing. In the product line you can find an option that is suitable for lactating and pregnant dogs. It is not recommended for use in young animals whose age is less than 7 weeks.
  
• "Beaphar" - is able to show high activity against ticks and fleas for 2-5 months. The best protection is provided after five days from the start of use. Products belonging to this trademark have no restrictions on the size or weight of the animal. You can wear them only on healthy pets who are already 6 months old.
• "Hartz" - moisture-proof flea and tick collars for dogs and puppies, whose age is at least six weeks. Able to provide reliable protection against bloodsucking parasites for 6-7 months. Products begin their active work immediately after the first contact with the body of the animal.
• "Rolf Club" - are low toxic, do not exert unpleasant odors and, provided they are worn continuously, provide prevention of the appearance of fleas and ticks for 4 months. The instructions indicate that these collars are not recommended for use in parallel with other antiparasitic agents. Not applicable for puppies and sick dogs.

When choosing a flea and tick collar for your dog, you should pay attention not to its modest price, but, first of all, to the country of the manufacturer. Give preference to proven European and domestic brands and avoid the use of cheap Chinese products. Otherwise, you can jeopardize the health of your fourth friend.