Fleas are a nuisance that must be dealt with, especially if you have a small canine pal. For dog parents, finding the perfect flea collar that is safe and effective may seem like a challenge, especially with all the options on the market. Pet parents must consider a few factors when looking for flea collars, such as ingredients used, if the collar uses all-natural ingredients, and if the collar actually works.
In this guide, we’ll list our top 10 picks of flea collars based on user reviews to help you make a safe and informed decision for your small dog.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
The 10 Best Flea Collars for Small Dogs
1. Adams Flea and Tick Collar – Best Overall
| Breed size: | Toy and small breeds |
| Protection duration: | 7 months |
| Life stage: | All life stages |
This Adams Flea and Tick Collar is suitable for toy and small dog breeds and offers up to 7 months of protection. This collar is odorless and begins killing fleas and ticks instantly, and it’s easy to put on your dog. It is water-resistant, meaning it won’t lose its effectiveness if it gets wet. Not only does it kill fleas and ticks, but it also kills flea eggs, tick larvae, and tick nymphs.
Its small size is designed for small dogs, and the excess can be trimmed off after applying. This collar may cause irritation in some dogs, and if you notice irritation, take it off and discard it immediately. With the low price and 7 months of protection, this collar is the best overall flea collar for small dogs.
2. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Reflecting Flea & Tick Collar – Best Value
| Breed size: | All sizes |
| Protection duration: | 7 months |
| Life stage: | All life stages |
The Hartz UltraGuard Pro Reflecting Flea & Tick Collar provides full body protection for up to 7 months. It kills flea eggs and breaks the reproduction cycle, leaving your dog flea-free. It’s safe for all breed sizes 12 weeks and older, and it’s water-resistant. This collar features a Reflect-X Shield that reflects direct light for up to 450 feet for nighttime safety. Made in the U.S.A., this collar protects against fleas, flea eggs, and ticks.
This collar may not be effective for all dogs, so be sure to watch out for any irritation. The smell may also be pungent for some consumers. However, for the price, this collar is the best flea collar for the money.
3. Seresto Flea & Tick Collar – Premium Choice
| Breed size: | Breeds up to 18 pounds |
| Protection duration: | 8 months |
| Life stage: | All life stages |
The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar provides up to 8 months of protection against fleas and ticks. This collar comes veterinarian-recommended and is safe for dogs 7 weeks or older. The collar is easily adjustable and begins working to repel fleas within 24 hours of applying, and it kills ticks within 48 hours. It also kills re-infestation within 2 hours for fleas and 6 hours for ticks. It’s odorless, non-greasy, and has a quick release for easy removal. It’s also water-resistant.
Some consumers claim the collar does not work for the entire 8-month duration, and some dogs may scratch at it. This collar is also expensive and only suitable for dogs up to 18 pounds.
4. Missona Flea and Tick Collar– Best for Puppies
| Breed size: | All breed sizes |
| Protection duration: | 8 months |
| Life stage: | Puppies 8 weeks and up |
The Missona Flea and Tick collar is veterinarian-recommended and is an all-natural alternative, which is an excellent choice for delicate puppies. It uses plant-based essential oils that are composed of citronella, clove, and peppermint oils, all of which target and repel fleas and ticks for 8 months. This collar is suitable for all breeds and is easily adjustable, allowing you to adjust as your puppy grows (they grow fast!). It’s water-resistant and affordable.
While the use of natural oils is a safer option, some consumers claim the collar doesn’t work. However, other users claim the collar works beautifully. Users also claim that the collar works for fleas but not for ticks. With the inexpensive cost, we feel it’s worth a try, especially for delicate puppies.
5. Shengkou Flea and Tick Collar
| Breed size: | All breeds up to 18 pounds |
| Protection duration: | 6 months per collar |
| Life stage: | All life stages |
This two-pack flea and tick collar from Shengkou is another safer option that uses all-natural ingredients. Oils used are cinnamon, citronella, garlic, lemongrass, and thyme. This collar not only protects against fleas and ticks but also against lice and mosquitoes.
This pack of collars provides 12 months of protection (6 months per collar) and is waterproof. These collars also come with a breakpoint design for safety that releases in case your pup gets hung up on an object, such as a tree branch.
These collars have a citronella smell that lasts two to three weeks, and if the smell is too strong, you can open the package and wait to apply it to your dog until the smell diminishes. Some users claim the collar is hard to put on a dog, and even though it’s waterproof, users claim the collar may be ineffective once wet.
6. JMXU’S Flea and Tick Collar
| Breed size: | Breeds 18 pounds and up |
| Protection duration: | 8 months |
| Life stage: | Dogs over 7 weeks old |
JMXU’S Flea and Tick Collar fits all dog sizes and continuously releases safe ingredients in low concentrations to combat fleas and ticks. The collar is adjustable but only fits dogs 18 pounds and up, meaning it will not work with toy breeds but should work well for small breeds.
This collar kills fleas, flea eggs, and ticks, and it repels mosquitos. The inside of the collar is smooth, allowing for comfort while wearing, and it has a dual buckle system that allows for easy application. It’s waterproof and fits dogs 7 weeks and up.
Some users state the collar only works for roughly three months, and only 4% of the product involves all-natural ingredients. The all-natural ingredients include cinnamon, vanilla, lemongrass, and thyme oil.
The Cadorabo Flea and Tick Collar uses natural ingredients, such as lemon eucalyptus (60%), linaloe oil (25%), lavender oil (5%), and citronella oil (10%). The two-pack of collars fits all dog breeds 8 weeks and up and offers 8 months of protection.
It’s waterproof and kills fleas, flea larvae, ticks, sarcoptic mange, chewing lice, and repels mosquitos. The low-concentrated ingredients are distributed all over your dog’s coat and skin, and it’s eco-friendly.
Some users report their dog scratches at the collar, and some claim the all-natural ingredients do not work to kill fleas. However, other users are pleased with the results. Avoid prolonged exposure to wetness, as this will diminish the collar’s effectiveness.
8. Monipgu Flea and Tick Collar
| Breed size: | All sizes |
| Protection duration: | 8 months |
| Life stage: | All life stages |
The Monipgu Flea and Tick collar is yet another product that uses all-natural oils for a safer option, especially if your dog suffers from skin allergies. This collar kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, and ticks. It’s waterproof and fits small, medium, and large dogs. It’s also easily adjustable and offers 8 months of protection.
The collar comes in a pack of two with a flea comb and instruction manual, all at a reasonable price. It offers a quick release, and if you are not completely satisfied with the collar, customer service will get back to you within 24 hours.
A downfall with this product is it does not disclose all ingredients used until you buy the product and can read the label inside, even though they advertise “all-natural” ingredients, so proceed with caution. The collar may also be hard to adjust.
The Fipukin Flea and Tick Collar was created by veterinarians and lasts 8 months. This two-pack comes with a flea comb and tick removal tool, and also repels lice. It’s waterproof and easily adjusted for a perfect fit.
This collar continuously emits natural plant oils for effectiveness, and the company donates a portion of all proceeds to the Animal Welfare Association. It’s also made with an emergency breakpoint design.
Some users state that the collar does not work, and skin reactions have been stated, so proceed with caution. It also may have a strong chemical smell.
10. TevraPet Activate II Flea & Tick Collar
| Breed size: | All dog sizes |
| Protection duration: | 6 months |
| Life stage: | All life stages 12 weeks and up |
The TevraPet Activate II Flea & Tick Collar offers 6 months of protection and is suitable for dogs of any size. It kills fleas and ticks on contact, and the collar is fully adjustable. It also kills flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and mosquitos. This collar comes vet-approved, and it starts working within 24 hours. If not completely satisfied, the company will refund you within 1 year of purchase. These collars are made in the U.S.A.
A common complaint with this collar is that it doesn’t work well to kill ticks, and some dogs may have unpleasant adverse reactions, such as diarrhea, skin reactions, and trembling.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Flea Collars for Small Dogs
Picking a flea collar is important for your small dog’s health, and one size does not fit all. Certain factors need to be considered before purchasing, and in this buyer’s guide, we’ll go over those factors to help you even further.
How Flea Collars Work
Flea collars work by releasing chemicals throughout the oils in your dog’s skin and fur. Flea collars are designed to continuously release these chemicals that will offer 6 months and up of protection. Flea collars can be a more affordable option rather than topical treatments, and you don’t have to worry about remembering to administer topical treatments monthly.
With these collars, you can apply them to your dog and forget about it for several months. Bear in mind, though, that some flea collars may cause an adverse reaction in some dogs, such as skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, and even seizures. We recommend consulting your veterinarian before purchasing a flea collar to ensure its safety.
Synthetic vs. All-Natural Ingredients
Some flea collars advertise using only all-natural ingredients rather than synthetic ingredients. All-natural flea collars use essential oils, but not all essential oils are safe for your small dog. For example, some all-natural flea collars use citronella oils, which can be toxic if ingested. When contemplating a collar that uses citronella, ensure the oil is on the inside of the collar so your dog cannot lick it off.
Waterproof Flea Collars
All the flea collars mentioned above are waterproof, which is an important feature to consider, especially if your dog loves the water. Bear in mind, however, that prolonged exposure to water may cause the collar to lose its effectiveness.
Comfort
The flea collar you choose must be comfortable for your dog. Most are easily adjustable, but the collar should be too tight around your dog’s neck. A rule of thumb is to ensure you can slip two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.
Another excellent feature to look for is if the collar has a breakpoint design, meaning it will release if your dog gets hung up on an object that could cause choking.
Efficacy
Most of the flea collars we’ve listed protect not only against fleas but also flea eggs, larvae, ticks, lice, and mosquitos. Some also break the life cycle to prevent more fleas. It’s important to check the efficacy of a flea collar before purchasing it to ensure it will work for what you need it for.
Conclusion
We hope our reviews of the top 10 flea collars help you in making an informed and safe decision for your small dog. To recap, the Adams Flea and Tick collar provides 7 months of protection, kills fleas and ticks instantly, kills flea eggs, tick larvae, and tick nymphs, and is designed for small dogs for the best overall flea collar. For the best value, Hartz UltraGuard Pro Reflecting Flea & Tick Collar provides 7 months of protection, features a reflective shield, breaks the reproductive cycle, and is water resistant.
When in doubt, always consult your vet to provide the safest option for your small dog.
Featured Image Credit: Alexei_tm, Shutterstock
