Flea and Tick Collars

While flea collars seem tempting to use, read the ingredients carefully and check the chemicals for safety at Scorecard, the Environmental Defense Fund’s database of chemicals. According to the Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC), ingredients on some flea collars are carcinogens, neurotoxins, or both. An effective and natural collar can be made using repellent essential oils.

Choose an absorbent collar for your pet, such as the widely available heavy-duty woven nylon collars. The collar will absorb essential oils, and no additional collar is needed. Essential oils that repel fleas and ticks include citronella, rosemary, and rose geranium. Buy only 100 percent pure essential oils, and using an eyedropper, put just one or two drops on the collar. Repeat each week. Some animals are very sensitive to the strong smell of essential oils, so start with just one drop and increase to two if they seem to tolerate the smell. If ticks are the biggest problem, use rose geranium; for fleas choose citronella if for a dog, but not for cats.

Caution
Pennyroyal shouldn’t be used around pets, especially pregnant pets.
Cats are sensitive to citrus, so avoid citronella.
Make sure not to get the essential oil in the pet’s eyes or directly on their skin.

Read more: Pets, Pests, Remedies & Treatments

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

K. J. N.

4:23AM PST on Dec 14, 2011

My cat had for a short time flea collar. She didn't want to eat and drink anything so we took it off. She also had allergic reactions. Apparently these measures flea concentration is low but she hated that smell.
Not everyone pet can wear those things. Besides collars shoudn't be worn as soon as something starts to itching your cat but only as the fleas do not persists after multiple washes.

send a green star

Jane N.

10:55PM PST on Dec 23, 2010

I have just had my 13yo staffordshire bull terrier put to sleep thanks to a tumor on the spine - right where we have applied the advantix & frontline her entire life. Do yourselves a favour. Don't use frontline. Don't use advantix. They contain pesticides which are KNOWN carcenogens. Do your research. :(

KayL N.

4:45PM PST on Nov 7, 2010

I learned the dangers of flea collars the hard way when my kitty went into convulsions. It wasn't until I had her at the vet's and he took the collar off that I even suspected it as the culprit. Her neck was raw and blistered under the collar, she'd reacted so badly. It took months for her fur to grow back on her neck. I've never put a flea collar on a pet since then.

Leah D.

6:21AM PDT on Sep 23, 2010

Just spend the money and get Frontline. Vet recommended. Works quickly. Just a few drops.

Beng Kiat L.

12:55AM PDT on Jun 25, 2010

Thanks

Cheryl B.

8:45PM PDT on May 31, 2010

thanks for the info.... much easier to repel them in the 1st place

Jan C.

12:50PM PDT on May 4, 2010

It's scary that there's so much conflicting information! Please always check with your vet first about the safety of what you're using. Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it's safe.

If your regular vet doesn't know, check with an alternative medicine vet.

But if you have any doubts at all about safety, don't use whatever the method is!

12:47PM PDT on May 4, 2010

It's scary that there is so much conflicting information here! Please always check with your vet. There are alternative medicine vets around if you feel the need to go for their advice. But, no matter what, if in doubt, don't use "it!"

Heather B.

6:24PM PST on Feb 1, 2010

Thanks for the info, Annie.

Chris M.

10:59PM PST on Nov 7, 2007

I'm sorry, the link I meant to post didn't come through. It was my first post to this list, so I don't know how things work :-)
Anyway, if you go to thelavendercat dot com there is a lot of very good info there about essential oils and cats.
(and yes, garlic is toxic to dogs--and is more so for cats)