10 Best Flea Collars for Dogs – 2023 Top Picks & Reviews

Fleas and ticks are two common pests when it comes to pet ownership. Dogs are especially prone to bringing home unwanted guests in their fur during their adventures. Getting rid of these invaders isn’t always easy, but protecting your dog from these pests keeps your home free from the critters and prevents your pet from developing health issues related to the infestation.

There are several different types of flea treatments for dogs, and collars are among the most popular and effective measures. You can find options with pesticides known to work on fleas, ticks, and lice, while other brands will rely on natural remedies to repel pests. These reviews include the best flea collars and the pros and cons of each.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023

The 10 Best Flea Collars for Dogs

1. Hartz Ultra Guard ProMax Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs – Best Overall

The Hartz Ultra Guard ProMax Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs is the best overall flea collar for dogs. It can protect a range of breeds with its adjustable design, and the pack of two collars offers 12-month protection from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. The collars are designed to kill flea eggs, larvae, and adults to prevent and treat infestation. Made with soft, flexible material, it’s suitable for dogs over 12 weeks old. It’s also waterproof, so you don’t need to remove it when your puppy needs a bath or if they enjoy swimming.

This collar is designed to be comfortable while your dog wears it, but the chemicals used to kill fleas and ticks can irritate sensitive skin. Some dogs might find it itchy and can develop a rash if they wear it over a long period.

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2. PetArmor Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs – Best Value

The best flea collar for dogs for the money is the PetArmor Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs. It’s a pack of two flea collars designed to protect your dog from fleas and ticks for 12 months. The water-resistant design uses deltamethrin to kill fleas, eggs, larvae, and ticks. Both collars are suitable for small, medium, and large breeds and can be trimmed to the right size to suit toy dogs.

Since this collar is designed to sit close to the skin to work, the chemicals used to prevent infestation can irritate your dog’s skin, especially if they suffer from sensitive skin issues. It also has a strong odor that many dog owners find unpleasant.

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3. Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs – Premium Choice

If you prefer choosing veterinarian-recommended treatments, the Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs is the way to go. It’s more expensive than the other flea collars on this list, but it is one of the most well-known and popular flea-and-tick collars for dogs.

The collar is odorless, non-greasy, and waterproof. It starts working within 24 hours and offers 8 months of protection against fleas, ticks, and lice for medium to giant-breed dogs weighing over 18 pounds. The simple buckles are easy to adjust, and you don’t need a prescription.

Despite offering protection against most pests, the Seresto doesn’t repel mosquitoes. You’ll need to purchase a dog-friendly mosquito repellent if your dog suffers from mosquito bites.

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4. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Reflecting Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies – Best for Puppies

Safety for your dog doesn’t just mean protecting them from fleas and ticks; paying attention to their needs when you’re out at night is necessary too. The Hartz UltraGuard Pro Reflecting Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies is designed to reflect direct light for up to 450 feet while preventing infestations. It’s designed for use on dogs over 12 weeks of age and kills fleas, eggs, larvae, and ticks for up to 7 months. The collar fits most breeds and can be trimmed down to size for small dogs and puppies.

While the Hartz UltraGuard can be sized for puppies, it’s important not to use it on dogs under 12 weeks old. Also, you should keep an eye on your dog to make sure they don’t have a bad reaction to the chemicals on the collar, as it can irritate sensitive skin.

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5. TevraPet Activate II Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

The TevraPet Activate II Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs is a pack of two collars that give your pet a total of 12 months of protection against pests. Formulated to kill fleas and ticks and prevent future infestations by killing flea eggs and larvae, the TevraPet will start working within 24 hours. It’s also designed to repel mosquitoes if you live in an area where they’re common.

This collar only fits dogs with a neck width of up to 24 inches in diameter. While you’ll need a larger collar if you have a giant breed, you can cut it down to size for smaller dogs. The TevraPet collar is only suitable for dogs over 12 weeks old. It has also caused rashes in dogs with sensitive skin and may trigger seizures.

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6. TropiClean Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs Small & Medium Breeds

Plant-based remedies are alternatives to regular flea treatments, and you can get collars that use natural ingredients too. The TropiClean Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs Small & Medium Breeds uses cedarwood and peppermint oils for a cruelty-free design that repels fleas and ticks. Since it doesn’t use harsh chemical pesticides, it’s a gentler option for dogs with sensitive skin. Like traditional flea collars, it’s water resistant and provides full-body protection.

It does have a strong peppermint odor, which can be overwhelming for some owners and dogs. The protection doesn’t last as long as other options, with only 4 months of protection against infestation. You also can’t use it on puppies younger than 4 months old.

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7. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies

Designed to offer 6 months of protection against fleas and ticks, the two collars in the Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies packet protect your dog for up to 12 months. The collars are water resistant, so your dog can still enjoy their favorite swimming sessions or have a bath if they need one.

Some dogs have had health issues while wearing these collars. It can cause skin irritation in dogs with sensitivities and has also been known to cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other bad reactions. Although it’s designed for all breeds in mind and can be cut down to size if necessary, dogs with necks larger than 26 inches will need a bigger option.

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8. Zodiac Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

A budget-friendly option for small dog breeds is the Zodiac Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs. It kills fleas and ticks for up to 7 months and works to prevent future infestation by interrupting the lifecycle of the flea. The collar is odorless, non-greasy, and water resistant and has a soft, comfortable design that can be trimmed down to fit toy breeds.

The Zodiac collar can only be used on dogs with necks up to 15 inches in diameter, which means medium, large, and giant breeds will need a larger collar. It can also irritate sensitive skin and has been known to cause lethargy in some dogs that are sensitive to the ingredients.

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9. Shengkou Natural Flea & Tick Collar for Small Dogs

A natural alternative is the Shengkou Natural Flea and Tick Collar for Small Dogs. It uses citronella, cinnamon, garlic, lemongrass, and thyme oils to repel fleas and ticks for up to 6 months. The natural ingredients are distributed through your dog’s coat as they wear the collar, providing full-body protection. Besides the two collars, the pack includes tick tweezers and a flea comb.

The Shengkou collar is designed for small dog breeds, so you’ll need to find a larger one designed for big dogs. Despite the natural formula, it can still cause some dogs discomfort and skin irritation if they’re sensitive to the ingredients, so you’ll need to monitor their reaction. It’s also designed to repel pests rather than kill them, which can make tackling an infestation difficult.

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10. Cadorabo Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

The Cadorabo Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs is a natural way of protecting your dog for up to 8 months. It’s water resistant and made from a soft material that’s easy to adjust and cut to size. Besides killing fleas, ticks, and lice, it repels mosquitoes to provide all the protection that your dog needs when they’re outside. The formula uses citronella, cinnamon, garlic, thyme, and lemongrass oils rather than chemical pesticides.

Although the Cadorabo uses natural ingredients, dogs with sensitive skin can still have an allergic reaction to the collar. If it’s your first time using this product, make sure you monitor your dog while they wear it. You’ll also need a bigger collar if your dog’s neck is larger than 24 inches.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Flea Collar for Dogs

Purchasing new products for your dog is challenging, particularly if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. Not all flea treatments will suit you and your dog, and finding the right one will take time, effort, and careful attention to your dog’s reaction to the treatment.

This buyer’s guide explains more about flea collars, the benefits compared to other treatments, and how to choose the right brand for you.

Why Choose a Flea Collar?

Flea collars aren’t the only solutions to fleas and ticks, but there are benefits to using them. Other common prevention measures for flea infestations are topical treatments, medicated shampoos, or sprays. All three of these alternatives can be problematic and time consuming simply because they require frequent use.

Flea shampoos and sprays can be formulated with natural ingredients and don’t last as long as spot treatments or collars. The shampoos also have the downside of drying out your dog’s skin the more you use them. Since you will need to use them regularly due to how quickly the effects wear off, they’re not always the best options.

Topical treatments last longer but not to the extent of collars. While the protection from a flea collar can stretch to 6–8 months, depending on the brand that you choose, topical treatments only last for a month at best. Unlike a collar that can be left on, you’ll need to reapply the spot treatment every month for it to be most effective.

How to Choose a Flea Collar

Looking at reviews is only the first step in choosing an effective flea collar. The best collar for your dog might require a bit of trial and error on your part, so to get you started, here are a few factors to consider before buying your first collar.

Active Ingredients

The ingredients that flea treatments use are effective, but they can cause their own problems. You have to pay attention to the ingredients that your dog is sensitive to, and you need to watch out for any potential reactions to the formula if you switch to a new brand.

There are two types of active ingredients that you can choose from, and both will depend on your preference. The most common treatments are chemical pesticides like tetrachlorvinphos, deltamethrin, or pyriproxyfen. These are distributed throughout your dog’s fur and work to kill fleas and ticks and interrupt the lifecycle to prevent further infestation.

Natural remedies often rely on plant-based formulas with essential oils like peppermint, citronella, and cedarwood, among others. These remedies work by repelling fleas and ticks through a strong scent that pests find unpleasant. Unfortunately, some pet owners — and dogs — can also find these strong smells overwhelming. These scents often fade quickly too, meaning you have to apply them more often.

Both types of active ingredients have their pros and cons. Collars are designed to be in close contact with your dog’s skin for prolonged amounts of time, and many dogs suffer from skin irritation, rashes, and sometimes seizures due to the formulas. Even natural ingredients can cause your dog allergic reactions if they are sensitive to the ingredients.

Durability

Flea collars are designed to be worn for several months, and with the amount of exploring that most dogs do, durability is a key factor to consider. Most designs are made from soft materials to ensure that it’s flexible enough to be adjusted and comfortable for your dog to wear. It also needs to be sturdy enough to withstand your dog’s adventures or any scratching that they do.

Size

Unlike regular collars, which are made with certain breeds in mind, flea collars tend to be one size fits all. That said, you can purchase options that are designed primarily for small breeds, in which case, you’ll need larger options for big dogs, but you can use a large collar for a small dog. All you need to do is adjust the collar so it fits your dog and then cut off the excess, leaving a few inches for future adjustments.

Type

Flea collars are often a combination of treatment and prevention, but you can get options that only prevent infestation. Preventative flea collars are designed to repel fleas and ticks but don’t necessarily kill them if they do come in contact with your dog.

While the ingredients of these flea collars are usually natural and some owners prefer them, unfortunately, these collars often don’t treat an existing infestation. You’ll need to combine preventative flea collars with another flea treatment method, such as a shampoo or regular flea combing, to kill the fleas living on your dog.

The second and more popular type are flea collars that use pesticides to kill the fleas that come into contact with your dog. These options work on adult fleas and ticks, as well as flea larvae and eggs, interrupting the life cycle to treat the infestation. For these collars, the chemicals distributed through your dog’s skin are often the biggest downside. Although the ingredients are tested for safety, they’re not without health risks.

Water Resistance

Swimming or taking walks in the rain are part of dog ownership. Unfortunately, not all flea treatments can withstand a dog’s activities. Most flea collars are designed to be waterproof to ensure that the effects last longer than your dog’s next bath. Waterproofing or water resistance ensures that any contact with water—whether it’s an intentional swimming session or your dog rolling in wet grass—doesn’t immediately ruin the flea protection.

Unfortunately, water resistance isn’t perfect. Extended contact with water can interfere with the treatment and prevention offered by the collar. However, a little protection is better than nothing.

Final Thoughts

We hope that these reviews of the 10 best flea collars for dogs have helped you decide which one is best for you. To recap, our overall favorite is the Hartz Ultra Guard ProMax Flea and Tick Collar for its 12-month protection and affordability. A second budget-friendly option is the PetArmor Flea & Tick Collar, which combines durability with an adjustable design in a handy pack of two for longer protection. For a veterinarian-recommended option, you’ll need to spend more, but the Seresto Flea & Tick Collar is a popular and effective treatment for preventing infestations.

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Featured Image Credit: Alexei_tm, Shutterstock