5 best tick collars for dogs in 2022
There's nothing worse than having a fly or a bug lingering around your skin, itching and irritating you.
At least we have the power to kill them!
Think about our poor canines; they are prone to such things and can't shake them off as easily as us, especially the horrible bug known as ticks.
Yes, ticks.
What are ticks?
Ticks are tiny parasites that suck your dog's blood once attached to their skin. They tend to live in the grass, trees, shrubs, leaves, and piles of mud. This means dogs are easy victims of ticks as they love to play outside. Ticks vary in size; you can find them the size of a pin up to large size of an eraser. They also have eight legs, so they fall under the family of arachnids.
Where do ticks bite dogs?
Ticks are attracted to areas of the body that are full of moisture and are warm. Once they attach to a dog's body, it's more than likely they will move to other areas such as their legs, groin, chest, and hair.
Once they latch on, they bite and start to draw blood from their skin; after blood is drawn, they continue to latch onto the dog. It takes up to 10 days for ticks to detach themselves and stop drawing blood from your dog's body.
What are the symptoms on a dog?
If a tick has bitten your dog, the common symptoms to look out for are:
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Skin irritation
If you suspect your dog has a tick and notice any of these symptoms, speak to a veterinarian first, who will be able to check thoroughly if they have one. If they discover he has one or, even worse, a disease resulting from the tick, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics.
If you're just conscious about your dog, there is a preventative measure you can do, which is getting them a tick collar.
What is a tick collar?
Tick collars are special dog collars that contain an insecticide that acts as poison towards any ticks and fleas trying to attack your dog's neck or head. Generally, these collars work between 4-8 months.
5 Best tick collars for dogs
Now you have an insight into what tick and flea collars are, here are some of our 5 top picks you to need to know about.
Seresto Flea & Tick Collar
The collar is not greasy and odorless making it comfortable for your dog to wear daily. It contains two main active ingredients, imidacloprid, to control flea infestations and flumethrin, to kill and repel fleas and ticks.
Pros
- Within the initial application, it starts to repel flea within 2 hours
- Within the initial application, it starts to repel ticks within 6 hours
- The collar is adjustable and has quick-release features
- It contains reflective parts so your dog can be easily seen
- Water-resistant formula, so it works against sweat and water activities
Cons
- Complaints by dog owners they only work between 3-5 months
Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs
Pros
- Water-resistant collar
- It has a breakaway feature
- Adjustable collar
- It prevents flea eggs from hatching and stops re-infestation
Cons
- Dog owners complain that this only works for a few weeks
Adams Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies 2 Pack
Pros
- One size fits all collar; all you need to do is adjust towards your dog's necks
- Has up to 12 months of protection from a pack of 2 collars
- Water-resistant collar
- It's not heavy to wear; it only weighs 0.16 pounds
Cons
- Dog owners complain their dogs scratch when wearing the collar
- Complaints of chemical burns
Tera Pet Activate II Flea and Tick Collar
Pros
- It repels mosquitoes as well as fleas and ticks
- 6 month lifespan of each collar
- It's waterproof
Cons
- Dog owners complain of allergic reactions to their dogs
5. Dr Mercola Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs
Pros
- Works up to 4 months
- Fits necks up to 27 inches long
- It contains geranium, almond oils, and wintergreen
- It contains no chemicals or toxins and is made in the USA
- It has a mint smell attached to the collar
Cons
- Dog owners complain it breaks easily
- Dog owners complain it sticks together
Final word
Well, there you have it; these are just a few tick collars for your dog you can buy. You must take your time to look at all the reviews and effectiveness before deciding on your dog. Remember, if you notice any signs like lethargy, fever, skin irritation, or swollen lymph nodes, it could be a sign your dog has a tick. In this instance, take your dog to the veterinarian for an examination immediately.
Alex Wrigley is a professional writer and blogger who loves travel, technology and dogs. She is originally from the UK but currently lives in Nepal with her three dogs: two pugs and a golden retriever.
