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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Editorial update 3/22/2021: It has been reported Seresto flea collars may be linked to serious health issues in pets, including death. See this article for more details.
The perennial battle against fleas and ticks can be draining. Conventional flea treatments can be tedious to administer (and messy), and they don’t always work. Even when you’ve conquered the fleas, prevention during flea season can keep even the most relaxed dog parents in a constant vacuuming frenzy. And despite your best efforts, your dog can pick up ticks (and even fleas) from the outdoors. Add to that the price of monthly treatments and the struggle can start to cost a lot of money, too. That’s where flea and tick collars come in.
If you’re looking for an effective flea collar for even the most severe infestations, a Seresto flea and tick collar might be the perfect product to help you skip the hassle, keep your peace of mind, and enjoy time with your dog instead of fretting about pests. Designed by Bayer, Seresto collars distribute flea and tick repellent over the dog’s entire body, offering continuous and low-upkeep protection, as well as treatment. In this in-depth product guide, we’ll help you understand how a Seresto collar works, and decide whether this product is right for you and your pet.
The Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar
Buy Now on AmazonSeresto collar features
- water-resistant
- comes in two adjustable sizes: small and large
- active ingredients (imidacloprid and flumethrin) work together to kill ticks, fleas, flea larvae, and lice on contact
- non-greasy
- no monthly treatments
- embedded ingredients also treat sarcoptic mange
- active ingredients are released slowly and in low concentrations
- 8-month flea protection
- easy to combine with tags and additional collars
- Seresto also makes cat collars, which offer similar protection
If fleas and ticks are regular visitors in your home, you might find that monthly topical treatments add up. If treatments are unsuccessful or not applied regularly, flea infestations can quickly become heavy, and lead to expensive and time-consuming efforts. If you’ve tried gels, shampoo treatments, natural treatments, carpet treatments, and more, it might be time for a flea collar. A lot of dog parents already have plenty on their plates, and many find that quick and effective flea and tick prevention is worth the upfront investment.
And while flea control is often top of mind for most dog owners, tick control is especially important in certain tick-infested areas, where ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
How a flea collar works
The active ingredients of the Seresto flea and tick collar, imidacloprid and flumethrin, spread slowly throughout the coat and the dog’s skin, protecting all areas, including the tail. These insecticides combine to create a product that kills fleas, ticks, and lice on contact, making the collar effective for both treatment and prevention. The slow release of these active ingredients allows for up to 8 continuous months of flea and tick protection.
This non-greasy collar is also water-resistant, which is good enough for most rainfall. Keep in mind the collar must be removed before bathing or swimming.
Dr. Thomas McMillen, writing for Mercy Animal Hospital, points out that Seresto is essentially like applying 8 tubes of Advantage. Rather than having to reapply monthly, however, the protection lasts for an 8-month period. This means that Seresto collars will replace topical flea treatments, rather than supplement them. So you shouldn’t need to combine Seresto with Frontline, Advantage, or other topical flea medications.
Is it safe?
Some dog owners worry whether flea and tick collars like the Seresto collar are harmful. The EPA (link to EPA bulletin on Seresto collars here) has determined that Seresto flea and tick collars are safe for dogs over seven weeks of age. Their findings suggested that humans who touched the collar sometimes experienced skin irritation, but the effects were not considered dangerous.
For many dog owners, especially those who live in areas with ticks, or who have pets with flea allergies, the benefits outweigh the risks of going unprotected.
Collar sizing and rating
For small dogs under 18 pounds and over 7 weeks of age, a small Seresto dog collar is best.
Buy Now on AmazonLarge dogs over 18 pounds and over 7 weeks of age will need the large collar.
Buy Now on AmazonCustomer reviews
Want to know what customers are saying about the Seresto flea collar? Amazon reviewers usually highlight cost-effectiveness and peace of mind.
Helpful review: “…The collar works PERFECTLY for the German Shepherd and coonhound. I have not seen a flea or tick on them since we started using these collars & we live in the country so they go running through the fields and woods often & they last for 8 months so it is more affordable than topical monthly treatments! Our yellow lab, on the other hand, had a reaction to the collar. Wherever the collar touched on her, it had a severe reaction.”
A word of caution: some reviewers note that their dogs experienced adverse reactions to Seresto collars, including severe skin irritation near the dog’s neck and behavioral changes that indicated a neurological issue. Although reactions like this seem far from the norm, if you are using a Seresto collar on your pet, please take it off as soon as you notice any concerning changes.
Talk to your vet, as well, if you have concerns about your dog’s reaction to the collar.
We hope this product review helped you decide whether a Seresto flea and tick collar is right for your pet. To read more about flea prevention, check out our guide to making it through flea season here.
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Featured image: Wikimedia Commons