Your pet doesn’t need any pets. Fleas can cause irritation and itchiness for your dog, and these little pests’ bites can even cause more serious illnesses, some of which are fatal. Obviously, keeping your pet happy and healthy will be the main priority of any pet owner and animal lover, and the best and cheapest way to keep your dog flea-free is with a flea collar. We want to help you keep your dog safe and comfortable, and that’s why we wrote this list of the best flea collars for your dog.
Keep reading to see our full list, followed by a special budget section for anyone who really needs to save some cash, and a breakdown of which collar is best based on your particular needs. Or skip to our #1 flea collar by clicking here.
- What Should You Look For in a Flea Collar?
- Here's How We've Determined the Best Flea Collar
- #1: Activyl Protector Band for Dogs (Best Value – All-Purpose)
- #2: Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar (Best Collar)
- #3: Arava Flea and Tick Prevention Collar (Best All-Natural Flea Collar)
- #4: Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea and Tick Collar (Best Low Cost)
- #5: Rolf Club Flea Collar for Dogs (Best Fast-Acting Option)
- Budget Options
- What’s Should I Know before Buying a Flea Collar?
- Verdict: Your Best Flea Collar
What Should You Look For in a Flea Collar?
Flea collars are a bit off-putting to some people who haven’t used one before. After all, how is a small little collar supposed to fix my dog’s flea problem? That makes it hard to know what to look for. To make things a little less confusing, we’ve listed our criteria for the best flea collars. This way, you can understand how we came to our conclusion, and you can have an idea of what to look for if you decide to conduct further research after reading our list.
Criteria #1: Chemical Makeup – Dog flea collars work by secreting chemicals that will repel and/or kill fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other pesky insects. While you won’t need to earn a degree in chemistry before buying a flea collar, it’s important to know what chemicals you’re exposing your dog, your family, and yourself to before buying a flea collar. Some chemicals will stink up your home, while certain chemicals can be bad for your dog’s health, and some can even leave chemical burns. We don’t want to trade one problem for another, so we’re looking for flea collars that use chemicals that are completely safe for everyone involved (except the fleas).
Criteria #2: Lifespan – One of the main appeals of flea collars is that they don’t take any active effort on your part. You just put it on your dog and the collar does the rest. Flea collars are much easier than giving your dog a special bath once a week. I know how hard that is even under normal conditions. However, the chemicals in the collar will, of course, only last so long, and we want to make sure that you’re not running back to the store to pick up a new collar too often. That’d be just as inconvenient as a flea bath, and it’d get pricey. You’ll want to find a collar that will last at least a few months.
Criteria #3: Size – This criterion is subjective and entirely depends on the size of your dog, but it’s important to remember to check whether or not a flea collar will fit on your canine buddy. You also may not know the size of your dog’s neck off the top of your head, so it’s a good idea to double-check and make sure your dog’s new collar will fit before you buy it. The good news is most flea collars are adjustable, so they can fit a decently wide range of sizes. But if you have a much bigger or smaller dog, you may have to look for a niche brand of flea collars.
Criteria #4: Price – We mentioned the first big selling point of flea and tick collars already – the convenience. But the great part about flea collars is that they’re the cheapest way to deal with those irritating bugs. We don’t want to cancel out that advantage by recommending a flea collar that costs hundreds of dollars. Of course, the best flea collars will probably cost more than the rest of the competition, but we’re looking for the best deals available and collars that justify their price.
Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Flea Collar
We used the criteria listed above to evaluate the best flea collars. To verify how each collar met our criteria, we researched the most popular flea collars and checked how they’re advertised by the manufacturing brand. We also verified with customer reviews and blog posts that the collars actually performed as advertised.
#1: Activyl Protector Band for Dogs (Best Value – All-Purpose)
When it comes to getting the best performance for your dollar, there’s no flea and tick collar on the same level as the Activyl Protector Band for Dogs. This flea collar kills fleas and ticks and even repels mosquitoes as a nice bonus. Your dog will spend even the bug-infested summer completely undisturbed. The Protector Band is also completely water-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about taking it off before bathing your dog. You also don’t need to worry about your furry friend ruining this flea collar by running through the sprinkler or jumping into the pool.
On top of all that, this flea and tick collar has a one-size-fits-all design, so you can get the same collar for your chihuahua and your German shepherd. It’s important to note that while size won’t be an issue, the Protector Band is only designed for dogs over 12 weeks old. Finally, this flea collar lasts 6 months, so just pick up two of them in one trip and you’re set for the entire year. That’ll definitely save you a couple of trips to the pet store.
All of this comes at a very affordable price, making the Activyl Protector Band for Dogs one of the best flea collars around no matter what your budget is. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to take care of your pet. You’re getting a long-lasting collar that also repels mosquitoes and is water-resistant. All of that at a great price helped this collar earn the title of our number one flea collar. While there was a small number of reviews for this product on Amazon, most of them were positive, and this collar has been featured on lists of the best flea collars.
#2: Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar (Best Collar)
It was a tough decision to go with the Activyl Protector Band for our number one pick, and we could have just as easily gone with this Seresto flea collar. Seresto flea collars are some of the most popular items on the market, and they’re featured in “top ten” lists all over the Internet. In the end, we decided to give the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar the number two spot largely because it’s more expensive than the Protector Band. That being said, if you don’t mind spending a little more for the best product, there are two big reasons you might decide to splurge for the Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar.
Reason #1 to Choose This Product: Works on Contact
A lot of collars don’t take effect until a flea or other pest actually bites your pet. It will only protect them from the dangerous diseases that get spread by flea bites. These collars won’t help your dog deal with the annoying itchiness that comes from fleas that aren’t actually biting.
The Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar works immediately on contact, which means the chemicals from this flea collar will kill fleas as soon as they land on your poor flea-infested pup. This means that your dog won’t have to deal with any itchiness, and this collar will provide flea control before any biting happens.
Reason #2 to Choose This Product: Longer Shelf Life
While our number one flea collar “only” offers 6 months of protection, this Seresto flea collar lasts for 8 months. The difference between 8 months and 6 months may not sound so big, but it’s important to remember how quickly that will add up if you buy in bulk. As we said, two of the 6-month Activyl flea collars will, of course, last you one year, but if you by two of the 8-month collars, that’ll give you 16 months of protection from fleas and ticks. Just three of these collars will last you two full years, which narrows the price gap a bit when you remember you need an extra fourth collar from Activyl to last the same amount of time. Depending on how many flea collars you expect to buy, the Seresto collar might actually save you money down the line.
In addition to the on-contact flea-killing and the longer 8-month lifespan, the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar is also completely odorless, so you won’t have to suffer while protecting your pet. There is more of a consensus regarding this flea collar than our number one pick, and in addition to being on multiple “top 10” lists, it has over 800 reviews on Amazon which are largely very positive.
However, as we’ve mentioned, it’s a little more expensive than the Activyl Protector Band. While it may be the best product available, it’s not the best deal. That honor belongs to the Protector Band. The decision of which collar to buy mostly comes down to how much you’re willing to spend. If you don’t mind spending more, it’s probably best to go with the Seresto collar.
#3: Arava Flea and Tick Prevention Collar (Best All-Natural Flea Collar)
While it’s important not to be alarmist about added chemicals, it can definitely be a little concerning to see a product is mostly made up of ingredients you don’t recognize. Even though some chemicals are fine, some are not, and if you don’t want to risk it and don’t have the mental energy to research every individual added artificial chemical, it might be best to go with an all-natural approach to make sure your dog’s flea collar doesn’t contain any chemicals that are bad for them, or possibly bad for you and your family.
If you try to avoid artificial chemicals, the Arava Flea and Tick Prevention Collar is the perfect way for you to keep your dog completely flea- and tick-free while only using natural ingredients. This flea and tick collar uses essential oils of geranium, peppermint, clove, and other all-natural ingredients that are a little less frightening than man-made chemicals.
In addition to being completely natural, this flea and tick collar for dogs gives you the same 6 months of protection as the Protector Band and is also adjustable and waterproof. Plus, since it’s completely natural, there’s no harm in putting this collar on even the youngest puppies. It’s even a little cheaper than our number one flea collar too.
If you don’t mind tried-and-tested chemicals, then you might want to spend the extra few bucks for the Protector Band collar as it will pack a bit more of a punch. It also adds mosquitoes to the no-entry list of your pup’s fur. But if you only trust ingredients that came straight from mother nature and you want a flea collar for your furriest family member that has all the essential oils, the Arava Flea and Tick Prevention Collar is the only choice for you.
#4: Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea and Tick Collar (Best Low Cost)
If you’re looking for the cheapest viable option, look no further than the Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea and Tick Collar. This collar is cheaper than pretty much all of the other flea collars on the market, but will still keep your dog pest-free. The Hartz UltraGuard Plus kills fleas and ticks already on your dog, repels fleas that haven’t yet gotten comfortable in your dog’s fur, and prevents flea eggs from hatching. It’s also water-resistant and has a 7-month lifespan. As an added bonus, this flea collar has a neon orange coloring that is reflective and is a great way to stay safe, if you like to take your pup for late-night walks.
There is a bit of a catch. Unlike the collars higher up on our list, this flea collar only kills fleas and ticks and doesn’t protect against any other annoying bugs. Plus, it won’t fit on every dog. It advertises as being able to fit on any dog with a neck smaller than 22 inches, which usually won’t be an issue, but if you have a bigger dog, then you won’t be able to capitalize on this deal. But if your dog is of an average or smaller size, then this collar is the absolute best way to save money and still protect your pet from fleas and ticks.
#5: Rolf Club Flea Collar for Dogs (Best Fast-Acting Option)
Any flea treatment is going to take some time, but sometimes time is of the essence. If you already know for sure that your dog has fleas or other pests and you need a collar that will take care of the issue fast, you need the Rolf Club Flea Collar. The active ingredients in this collar will kick in after just a day or two, so you can be on top of that flea problem as soon as you spot it. The Rolf Club flea collar isn’t a preventative measure; it’s a solution. Besides killing fleas and ticks and flea larvae, it also deals with mites, lice, roundworms, and hookworms.
The biggest problem with this collar is that its lifespan of 4 months is the shortest of any of the flea collars on our list. That means that it’s best as short term fix, and not as a long term collar for keeping pests away. That being said, it’s very cheap, so even with the short lifespan, it might be worth it to use this collar as your go-to. If you’re in a position where you can wait a few days before the active ingredients in your dog’s flea collar get to work, then you’ll probably want to look at our other collars that last longer. But if you’re really in a rush, this is the best choice for you.
Budget Options
We managed to keep things pretty cheap, but if budgeting is your number one concern and even the cheaper options on our list weren’t exactly what you were looking for, don’t worry. We’ve added this section of budget flea collars from most expensive to least expensive so you can focus just on finding the product that matches your budget.
#1 Budget: Natural Care Dog Flea Collar
Our first budget item, and the second flea collar on our list that’s free of artificial chemicals, is the Natural Care Dog Flea Collar. This collar uses only natural ingredients and essential oils to rid your dog of fleas, ticks, sarcoptic mange, and lice, as well as flea larvae. It’s also water resistance and has a one-size-fits-all design. It gives you 4 months of protection.
As far as budget options go, this collar is a little “expensive” and is pretty close in price to our main flea collars and even more expensive than the Hartz UltraGuard. This collar is also easy to use and offers clear instructions, though you can’t adjust the size after your first time putting the collar on your dog, and you’ll need a pair of scissors to cut off the extra length from the collar. That being said, this is a great, cheap, long-lasting flea collar for dogs of all sizes.
#2 Budget: 4 Pack Woyamay Flea and Tick Collar
Our second budget option is yet another flea collar that only uses natural ingredients, which just goes to show that you don’t need to be worried about finding a collar that doesn’t rely on man-made chemicals. The 4 pack Woyamay Dog Collar offers 8 months of protection from fleas and ticks using only the essential oils from citronella, clove, and peppermint. The collar is waterproof and adjustable, as we’ve come to expect. It can fit dogs of almost any size, but not puppies less than 12 weeks old. So, if your newest fur buddy is the one suffering from fleas, you’ll, unfortunately, need to go with another collar or find a different way to deal with the issue.
#3 Budget: Hartz UltraGuard Puppy Flea Collar
Hartz is back on our list with the absolute cheapest flea collar available, which gives them the two cheapest collars in this article. So, if you couldn’t find a cheap collar you liked above, you should definitely peruse the Hartz catalog. It’d be pretty much impossible for this flea and tick collar to be any cheaper, but remember that it only fits on puppies and smaller dogs with necks smaller than 16 inches.
Just like the UltraGuard plus, this collar lasts for 7 months, and unlike some of our higher-tier products, it only protects against fleas and ticks. The biggest problem is that, despite being geared towards puppies, this collar is not designed to be worn by dogs less than 12 weeks old. So if your newborn puppy is having flea issues, you will still have to find a different solution. But if you have a cute tiny dog that’s older than 12 weeks, there’s no cheaper flea collar than the UltraGuard for puppies.
What’s Should I Know before Buying a Flea Collar?
It’s important to know that the dog-owning community is filled with doubters when it comes to flea collars. They’re not necessarily considered the most effective way to get rid of pests, but they’re the cheapest, and they’re simple and easy to use.
As we’ve discussed a little, there are flea collars whose active ingredients are unhealthy chemicals. But with the proper research, you should be able to avoid those collars, and you can always stick with all-natural collars like the Arava Flea and Tick Prevention Collar.
If you have a serious problem on your hands, it’s best to go with a full flea bath, as collars naturally are less likely to kill fleas and ticks farther away from the neck. It might be best to think of flea collars as a way of dealing with smaller groups of fleas, or as a preventative measure.
As we’ve learned from most of our collars on this list, flea collars are generally only intended to be worn by dogs above a certain age. So if you have a puppy, you’re better off looking for a different way to deal with those pesky and dangerous fleas and ticks.
Verdict: Your Best Flea Collar
I would understand if you’ve already forgotten which collar does what, so here’s a quick breakdown to save you the trouble of rereading our list.
If you want the best value for money, pick the Activyl Protector Band for Dogs.
It’s our number one flea collar for a reason. The Activyl Protector Band comes in at a great price, and it’s the only collar on our list that, in addition to killing fleas and ticks, also repels mosquitoes. When those pesky blood-suckers come biting in the summertime, you might find yourself wishing you were wearing this flea collar.
If you need the fastest-acting flea collar, pick the Rolf Club Flea Collar for Dogs.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. In case of a real flea-related emergency, you can’t always wait for a flea collar to take 3 or 4 days before the active ingredients start kicking in and dealing with those pests. For those cases, the Rolf Club 3D Flea Collar is guaranteed to go into effect in less than 48 hours, so you can tackle any infestation as soon as you spot it. The only downside is that it has a relatively short lifespan of 4 months.
If you want to keep the spending cheap, pick the Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea and Tick Collar.
You have other expenses, and sometimes you just want the cheapest option that will get the job done. And if that’s what you’re looking for, then you need the Hartz UltraGuard Plus. This flea collar is one of the cheapest collars on the market but still lasts for 7 months and kills fleas and ticks on your dog while preventing more from burrowing in their fur. It also prevents eggs from hatching. Plus, the collar is a reflective orange color that will keep your dog safe during nighttime walks – all for a price that’s cheaper than some train tickets. That’s a pretty good deal.
Flea collars are cheap, easy to use, and convenient, but it’s worth thinking over whether or not they’re the right solution for your flea problem. If the problem is more serious, you might want to take a different approach. If you decide to use a collar for your infestation, remember to think about what you need.
If you want to stay within a budget, you have all of our budget options to choose from, and you can’t go wrong with a Hartz collar. If you want the absolute best collar even if it costs a little more, then you’ll want to buy the Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar that provides protection for 8 months and kills pests on contact. Or you might want to avoid chemicals and buy a collar that uses essential oils and other all-natural ingredients. They may be a little weaker, but they’re sure to be completely safe. It also may be a good idea to consult a veterinarian before deciding how to deal with your dog’s fleas. No matter what decision you make, we hope that our article helped you come to that conclusion.