The Best Dog Flea Collars

There are countless wonderful things about dogs, but fleas aren’t one of them. Unfortunately, dealing with fleas is just part of being a dog parent, and you have to decide the best way to prevent or get rid of them. If you’re looking for an alternative to tablets or “spot on” style treatments, flea collars could be the answer. An extremely low-maintenance option, you can simply put the flea collar on your dog and forget about it for three to eight months. Concerned about chemical pesticides? No problem! You can find a wide range of all-natural flea collars with no added nasties.

We reviewed dozens of dog flea collars to find the very best. We considered a range of important factors, such as active ingredients, size, shelf life, durability, customer ratings, and overall effectiveness. Using all this information, we narrowed our options down to bring you our top five dog flea collar picks.

Top Pick

Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea and Tick Collar

Low-concentration ingredients delivered over time for a full 8 months of protection.

Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea and Tick Collar stood out as a best buy for pet parents who want reliable flea and tick protection. This sturdy flea and tick collar is designed for dogs over 18 pounds. It can protect against fleas and ticks, and it can also help to kill off existing infestations.

The 5 Top-Rated Dog Flea Collars

Editor’s Picks Brand Rating
Best Overall Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea and Tick Collar 4.4
Runner Up Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar 3.6
Best Budget Buy HARTZ Ultraguard Flea and Tick Collar 3.6
Best Dog Tick & Flea Tag Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea, Tick & Mosquito Collar Tag 3.6
Best Natural Dog Flea Collar TropiClean Flea & Tick Repellent Collar 4.0

*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

Our Top Pick: Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea and Tick Collar

The Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea and Tick Collar offers robust protection for dogs 7 weeks and older or over 18 pounds. (There’s also an option for small dogs, under 18 pounds, which we discuss later in this report.)

This flea collar protects against both fleas and ticks, and it kills on contact – no biting required. The low concentration of active ingredients is released over time to provide consistent protection for a full eight months. It’s non-greasy and odorless, as well as easy to apply; it can even be worn with leash collars without creating discomfort for your pup.

Bayer Seresto is a veterinarian-recommended product, so you can have confidence in this trusted brand to offer the protection your dog needs without the mess or the hassle of monthly treatments.

Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea and Tick Collar Key Features:

  • 8-month protection period
  • Suitable for puppies over 7 weeks old
  • Water-resistant

Check out our Full Review of The Seresto Flea Collar for Dogs for even more information.

Our Runner Up Pick: Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar

Runner Up

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar

Low-concentration ingredients delivered over time for a full 7 months of protection.

The Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar is an effective and water-resistant collar with long lasting protection. Like the Bayer Seresto flea collar above, it protects against fleas and ticks, larvae, and lice, plus it helps to ward off mosquitoes.

An easy-to-use, non-greasy collar, Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar offers up to 7 months of protection. It’s adjustable for a custom fit, so your pup can continue to enjoy swimming and splashing in the hot summer months while wearing this collar.

A odorless flea collar, Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar relies on effective ingredients, providing safe protection from pests for your beloved pet.

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs Key Features:

  • Protects for up to 7 months
  • Adjustable and water-resistant
  • Effective ingredients

Best Budget Pick: HARTZ Ultraguard Flea and Tick Collar

Budget Pick

HARTZ Ultraguard Flea and Tick Collar

A budget-friendly choice, the HARTZ Ultraguard won’t break the bank.

The majority of flea collars are reasonably affordable, but the HARTZ Ultraguard Flea and Tick Collar tips the scale when it comes to budget flea control. Costing less than $5 , this is a solid choice for the pet parent on a budget. It’s designed with large dogs in mind, and fits necks of up to 26 inches around.

It might not be quite as effective as some of our top picks, but if you’re looking for a preventative, rather than a cure to a serious flea infestation, it should work well enough. That said, it does have mixed reviews, and while some buyers found it ineffective, others say it worked like a charm. At such a low cost, it’s probably worth a gamble.

This flea collar does use chemical pesticides, which a small percentage of dogs are very sensitive to. Therefore, if this is your first time using the HARTZ Ultraguard, keep a close eye on your dog for any signs of skin irritation, and discontinue use if irritation occurs. However, in the vast majority of cases, dogs tolerate these collars just fine.

HARTZ Ultraguard Flea and Tick Collar Key Features:

  • Effective for up to 7 months
  • Easy to adjust
  • Suitable for large or small dogs
  • Use for puppies 12 weeks of age and older

Best Dog Tick & Flea Collar Tag: Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea, Tick & Mosquito Collar Tag

Best Tick & Flea Collar Tag

Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea, Tick & Mosquito Collar Tag

If you live in an area with a lot of ticks and fleas, this collar is an excellent investment.

Dealing with fleas, ticks and even mosquitos can be a real nightmare, but with the Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea, Tick & Mosquito Collar Tag it doesn’t have to be. This recommended collar actually kills and detaches any existing ticks and fleas, as well as preventing new ones from attaching themselves to your dog.

The extremely effective collar tag works its magic using silicon dioxide particles that are encoded with frequencies that are safe for your pet, but grating to fleas and ticks. It’s worth noting, that this is a chemical-free flea prevention option.

This tag is simply attached to the collar and in three weeks you’ll start seeing results. Costing around $50 and lasting a full year, it’s not the most cost-effective option, but it’s well worth it if you’re looking for a more natural, chemical-free alternative to get rid of ticks and fleas.

Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea, Tick & Mosquito Collar Tag Key Features:

  • Kills and detaches ticks
  • Simple to put on
  • Works for 1 year

Best Natural Dog Flea Collar: TropiClean Flea & Tick Repellent Collar

Best Natural Option

TropiClean Flea & Tick Repellent Collar

The power of essential oils helps to get rid of fleas without the potential health risks.

Looking for an effective natural flea collar for your dog? The TropiClean Flea & Tick Repellent Collar uses a blend of essential oils to remove and prevent fleas and ticks. If you know your dog is sensitive to chemical pesticides or you simply prefer to avoid using them, this is an excellent option.

This collar is fully adjustable, so it’s suitable for small, medium, and large dogs alike. Just buckle it to the correct length and cut off any excess, leaving a couple of inches to facilitate future adjustments.

Thanks to its waterproof design, you don’t have to worry if your dog gets the TropiClean Flea & Tick Repellent Collar wet, whether going for a swim, going for a walk in the rain, or having a bath. At just under $20, this is a reasonably priced option. What’s more, there’s a satisfaction guarantee from the manufacturer, so if you’re not happy with it, you can get your money back.

TropiClean Flea & Tick Repellent Collar Key Features:

  • Works for up to 4 months
  • Essential oils include almond oil and peppermint oil
  • Waterproof

Who Should Buy a Dog Flea Collar?

Anyone who owns a dog may need to use some kind of flea treatment, but who should buy a flea collar? Flea collars are ideal for anyone who wants a low-maintenance option. Simply put one on your dog and forget about it for the next three to eight months. So, there’s no more remembering those monthly treatments.

Some dog flea collars are also ideal for canines who have had bad reactions to spot-on style treatments and/or who hate taking tablets. Anyone who buys a dog flea collar should make sure it’s suitable for their four-legged friend. If your dog doesn’t like to wear a collar 24/7 or gets irritation from wearing a collar for too long, a flea collar probably isn’t suitable. Also, flea collars work better at preventing infestations rather than clearing up an existing one. So, if you already have fleas, you may have to try another product first and then use fleas collars as a preventative.

Top Pick

Bayer Animal Health Seresto Flea and Tick Collar

Low-concentration ingredients delivered over time for a full 8 months of protection.

Important Features to Consider

A dog flea collar should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a dog flea collar:

  • Natural or chemical. Dog flea collars are either infused with chemical pesticides or natural essential oils. As a rule, natural flea collars tend to be less effective than their chemical counterparts (although there are some exceptions), however, they also have fewer side effects.
  • Water-resistance. Dogs don’t tend to stay dry 100 percent of the time, especially for eight months. Whether your dog is jumping in lakes or rivers for a swim, going out on walks on rainy days, or being bathed, it can take a toll on her flea collar. Some flea collars are water-resistant, meaning they can stand up to occasional soakings.
  • Size and adjustability. Since dog flea collars come in a range of sizes, you’ll need to find one that’s the correct size to fit your dog. If in doubt, you may need to measure the circumference of your four-legged friend’s neck with a soft measuring tape. Also, check how adjustable your chosen flea collar is. Most have a slide style buckle, which can be adjusted to any size up to the maximum length of the collar, but some options aren’t as adjustable.
  • Protection period. Your chosen flea collar will list its protection period, which is generally between three and eight months. The longer the protection period, the less often you’ll need to change the flea collar, which means less work for you.
  • Effectiveness. Some dog flea collars are simply more effective than others. Some options only offer protection from fleas, which is fine if your pup doesn’t currently have any tiny residents in her fur, but it won’t do anything to clean up an infestation. Of those dog flea collars that can kill fleas, some only kill adult fleas, whereas others will sterilize eggs and young fleas, breaking their life cycle.
  • Tick protection. Many, but not all, flea collars also offer protection from ticks. A handful of collars only kill and detach ticks, but don’t kill or prevent fleas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flea collars toxic?

Flea collars that contain pesticides technically are toxic. They contain chemicals such as amitraz, organophosphates, or pyrethrins, all of which are used because they’re toxic and therefore have the ability to kill fleas. Although they shouldn’t harm your dog if used correctly, there are some inherent risks. However, this is the case for any chemical flea treatment, not just flea collars.

If you’re worried about the use of toxic chemicals, you’ll find plenty of natural flea collars to choose from.

Do flea collars really work?

There’s plenty of evidence, both clinical and anecdotal, to suggest that flea collars really do work. Some contain the same kinds of chemicals as topical flea treatments, so there’s no reason a flea collar wouldn’t work if the other treatments do. That said, as with most products, some dog flea collars are more effective than others.

How long does it take for a flea collar to work?

This depends on the collar you choose, so check the included instructions for information. Many start working right away, but this doesn’t mean your dog will experience instant relief from a current infestation, as it may take some time for all the fleas to die, plus some flea collars don’t kill juvenile fleas.

Are flea collars safe for puppies?

Some flea collars are safe for puppies and others aren’t. It depends on the active ingredients in the flea collar, as well as the age of your puppy. One concern (even if you choose a flea collar that’s safe for puppies to wear) is that they’re more likely to chew a flea collar if it falls off or they slip out of it, which could prove dangerous, as the ingredients in flea collars aren’t meant to be ingested.