One of the biggest worries that owners of cats have to deal with is the presence of fleas. They are not just uncomfortable for the animals but also a risk to their health. It is not just inconveniencing for the homeowners to clean up after their pets, but there is also the potential hazard to human health and well-being. Hence, it is a matter of great importance and requires an immediate solution such as in the form of flea collars.
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What are flea collars
Animal collars are used on the neck of an animal for different purposes such as to keep them harnessed or tied up. For home pets, flea or insect collars are the most common variation used. This device is equipped with certain chemicals that drive off or exterminate parasites that can reside on the animal’s body.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Flea Collars?
1. Pocket-Friendly
Other options for dealing with external parasites among cats are actually more substantial on the finances such as spot-on treatments and applications. The latter come in creams or liquid solutions that need to be applied directly on the animals’ skin to take effect. There are also oral tablets, which are most likely harder to put into application.
2. More convenient
The struggle lies in attaching the device on the cats’ neck. After that, there is really not much more to do. There is no need for scheduled application of any solution.
3. Last Longer
The recent developments in the technology behind animal flea collars have come up with ones that last up to around eight months. On the other hand, are usually finished up in 30 days.
How Do Flea Collars Work?
Generally, flea collars have two functions. The repellant type releases gas into the animal’s skin. This gas fends off the fleas. This type primarily works more effective in preventing the parasites from coming and can be considered a preventive solution to the problem. A common ingredient for this purpose is Amitraz, which has been proven to be an active and effective drug against external animal parasites.
The other type is full treatment. It comes with a medication that is ejected into the subcutaneous fat layer of the cats. This substance is responsible for actively killing the flea right on the spot. Deltamethrin, Pyriproxifen, and Propoxur are the widely used ingredients for this purpose. The first one is known to be one of the safest insecticides available. The second one works by sterilizing the pest. As a result, it is not able to mature and reproduce. The third one is exceptionally toxic, so everyone is warned to take extra care in handling it.
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Both Purposes Collars
Some collars act for both purposes. Others function in a single way only. Therefore, pet owners should be extensive when checking out flea collars. Depending on the situation and condition of their cats, one might work more effectively than the other. The collars that work both ways are naturally more effective in the most logical sense.
These collars have specified guidelines when worn. They should fit naturally and snugly on the cats’ neck. The goal here is to make sure that the collar is in direct contact with the skin for the medication to have its impact. More so, the animal should not be able to remove it.
Regularly changing to a new collar is also essential. Most professionals advise a maximum of eight months. For growing felines, it is the owner’s responsibility to regularly check and make sure that the collar is not too tight.
It is also not advisable to expose the collars to water a lot as it can lessen the item’s integrity. In cases, if the collar is cut off into pieces, they should be eliminated right away to avoid getting into contact with people and other human beings.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Using Flea Collars
A couple of concerns have been raised about the use of this item on pest control. One of which is the fact that some cats are actually more sensitive than others. The presence of this collar on their necks can result in irritation. As a consequence, these feline creatures experience loss of fur and damage to their skin.
Another issue is the inconvenience that cats experience whenever the collars get caught up in something. Whether it is a plant’s stem or the neighbor’s fence, the collars are usually without any elastic to give them leeway. Cats are not as intelligent as humans in figuring their way out of such situations.
There is also the question of the scope of effectivity of the collar technology considering its placement. It is most likely to work on the neck and head area of the cats only. Pet owners would then have to worry about an infestation in the rest of the sick animal’s body.
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Use With Caution
A more severe topic lies like the medications incorporated into the collar. Pesticides are generally known to be toxic for both animals and humans. Their toxicity does not readily affect through the skin. However, they can be inhaled or, in worst cases, ingested by humans especially kids, which can have dangerous results.
Animals also play with each other. Unknowingly, they can transfer the chemicals between them when their heads and faces are in contact with each other.
Another limitation of flea collars is that they are not suitable for certain cats. Aside from the allergic ones, pregnant and nursing cats should not be using this item. The same thing is applicable for both very young and very old felines. Cat owners should take the time to read the datasheets that come with the product to make sure that it is appropriate for their beloved pets.
Conclusion
A right amount of people has used and been using flea collars for their cats and other pets. The item is a cheaper and more convenient option for certain individuals. Regarding effectivity, they have been tested and proven to work as prescribed for.
When it comes to the question of their effectivity, there is no denying that they have been developed and equipped to work. Their limitations, however, make them a less preferred option for some cat owners. In the end, it is really up to the pet’s owner which pest control and treatment works best for his own cats.