Are Flea Collars Dangerous for Cats? A Vet Explains

In this video, Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ takes a look at flea collars and answers whether or not this common flea prevention tool is safe for cats.

To report adverse drug reactions:
Merck Animal Health (Bravecto): 800-224-5318
Elanco Animal Health (Credelio): 888-545-5973
Boehringer Ingelheim (Nexgard): 888-637-4251
Zoetis (Simparica, Revolution Plus): 888-963-8471
If you prefer to report directly to the FDA, or want additional information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, see How to Report Animal Drug and Device Side Effects and Product Problems.

Video Navigation:

0:00 Introduction
0:19 The Short Answer
1:42 Ingredients to Avoid
2:54 What About Seresto?
7:58 Tips for Safe Flea Prevention & Treatment
10:13 Conclusion

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[timothyneiswander]

My experience with Seresto is that for most of my cats it works great. Except one cat that developed a rash all over. She even started getting bald spots. After looking up the side effects I decided to remove the collar and the rash cleared up.
Also had a co-worker complain about all the expensive skin treatments he had to get his dog because of a bad rash. I said it sounded like an allergic reaction to something. I was telling him about the various allergies my pets have had over the years and when I got to flea bites he said not possible because he uses flea collars. When I asked what type he used, he said Seresto. I told him about my cat and suggested he take it off to see if it cleared up. The next day he said not only did he take it off but he checked his vet receipts and found that the rash started shortly after switching to Seresto. The cleared up and he switched back to his former flea control.
The take away from this is pay attention to your pet. Pay close attention when you change their enviroment.

[moggridge]

She's back! The original and the best. 👍😀

[chadwickmccarty]

I'm so glad I viewed this video! I had purchased a Hartz Ultra Guard Plus cat collar & was preparing to place it on in a few days but noticed it contains tetrachlorvinphos which is one of those organophosphates which of course was in small print. I'm sure the odds are nothing would happen but I'm not taking that chance I rather flea comb her everyday & some other method.

[stevegilmore]

Thank you for taking the time to post this. I just ordered 8 Seresto collars from Chewys when Frontline Plus completely failed them .. Follow-up .. for 7 cats they worked wondrously. Only Miss Lucy had an adverse affect and I took it off her as soon as I saw the problem. Oddly, even though she spends most of the time outside and has a very bad allergy from flea bites (sores /scabs) she hasn't had any fleas even though she is unprotected by anything now, except whatever was left from the collar. So, I recommend them, just keep a close eye on them.

[elizabethhall]

My cats are so smart that they know when it's revolution plus time...but not quite smart enough to know that it's way less annoying than getting fleas, ticks, mites, or worms...so they don't need to run around the entire apartment or hiss at me 🙃. We're making progress, but goodness gracious!

[wtbryant]

It’s a bit scary to use any product on an animal after chasing a few Google searches. Everything is bad.

Thank you for an actual informed opinion.

[nunyabznz]

.3% not really high, but to the kitties it's not good. Counterfeit products are everywhere! Never noticed that ring before...lol
Thank you again for being there for our precious furry family members.

[chanazify]

Wow, thank you so much, this is way more than even my vet have informed me on.

[stevevicki]

We always appreciate your info/videos!

[saltydinonuggies]

I used seresto on my cat for like a year and I noticed that the hair around her neck started to disappear and she was constantly scratching. Idk if it was a bootleg but I took it off. Her hair is still a little patchy on her neck but she doesn’t scratch anywhere near as much. I’m glad I went with my gut on it even though the vets didn’t notice it. I definitely plan on looking into other options if she gets fleas again.

[giovannisynthesis]

Can you talk about Hartz cat products and why there’s so many reports of pets having serious reactions to them?

[niklag]

i used seresto for my cat, but after a month I saw bald spots on the area where the collar was. I immediately took the collar off, gave him a bath and applied coconut oil in the area. my poor cat...

[claudiaarenas]

Thank you so much for this informative video! I just put a Seresto collar on my 9 yr old doggie...I'm desperate to help her get rid of fleas and it was after trying several natural alternatives but she keeps getting them despite me cleaning, bathing, cleaning, n bathing, etc....I'll keep an eye on her now that I know how this works. Thank you again. 🙏🐶

[Hyestar]

Soresto works for like 2
I just take it off in November and put it in a ziplock bag and use it doing it for years

[scottfw]

Seresto might be brand of a flea collar got from vet several years ago; I remember more that it was rated for 9 months than what the brand was. Think it came in a circular tin. Anyway, wherever it touched Georgie cat his hair fell out within a week.
Grumman cat apparently did okay with it. A wrinkle in the fabric is that because of my messy health with endocrine, mitochondrial, autoimmune, problems, it is necessary to be careful what is used.

[theChadRamroq]

What about pheromone collars? I use the Nature 24/7 or whatever it is called. Its purple, and seems to work without any fur or skin irritation.

[Passaic]

Thank you Dr Wooten for this video and the many others you provide. I am a new cat owner. I essentially adopted a family of a mother cat and 6 kittens. One kitten was already adopted by a couple who are veterinarians, so I feel he is super well cared for ad safe. The kittens are now 7 months old. The mother cat is about a year and a half to two years old. We don't know for sure when was momma cat born. She showed up by herself about a year ago, in the yard of the house where my mother and I live. We are both retired. A few weeks ago I noticed a lot of scratching among the kittens. Our vets provided little vials of some liquid between the shoulders of all 6 cats. It worked but I see little black things on the sofas and elsewhere. It seems like flea dirt. So I am learning how to deal with possible flea infestation here. I live with my mom and the cat family in Puebla in Mexico. Momma cat's name is Tita. Once again, thank you for your very informative videos. Best wishes from Puebla in Mexico.

[huskiesgo]

Back in the 60's, my parents put a "flea collar" on my cat and he died shortly after. Won't have anything to do with them anymore.

[markharrisllb]

We always get our collars from the vet and he fits them for us. I forget the make, but I trust our vet Paul.

[maumaulamchannel]

Thank you very much for these info. I've been using Seresto on one of my dog and it works like a charm. I've seen a dead tick hanging on her fur and one crawling then dropped. I was super worried when I read the news regarding seresto but based on the info you gave, I think I will continue using it and just keep an eye on my dog. 😊