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Best Cat Flea Collars for 2020: 7 Top Products to Get Rid of Pests

Some of us have been there. We’ve scrupulously cleaned our homes, combed our pets, and regularly bathed our cats with anti-flea soaps and shampoos, and after all of those efforts, fleas still abound. And we — cat owners and our kitties — continue to suffer. As a pet parent, what else can you do?

The answer is cat flea collars. A flea collar for cats offers an effective and no-hassle way of removing fleas and ticks by simply having your cat don a collar. It works by either repelling the pests with a strong odor or killing them through the active ingredients present in the collar. Newer versions slowly release these actives throughout your cat’s body, killing fleas and ticks upon contact.

If you haven’t added cat flea collars to your anti-flea arsenal yet, then this article about the best cat flea collars might just be what you need.

Do flea collars for cats really work? Different types of flea collars for cats target different flea cycle stages. Some are designed against adult fleas, while some target eggs. Some are designed to repel, while others kill fleas. But most cat flea collars work, although some do a much better job than others.

Best Cat Flea Collars

Top Cat Flea Collar Products

Let’s take a look at some of the best products in the market now. These are our top seven:

1. Bayer Seresto Flea & Tick Collar
2. Hartz UltraGuard Plus Collar
3. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Collar
4. PUPMATE Waterproof Flea and Tick Collar
5. SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Collar
6. LuckyPluto Flea & Tick Collar
7. JAKOP Innovations Flea and Tick Collar

1. Bayer Seresto Flea & Tick Collar

Bayer’s Seresto flea collar for cats is one of the best in providing safe flea treatment for cats.

Features:

• For repelling and killing ticks and fleas
• Odorless and non-greasy
• Uses a sustained-release technology
• Offers year-round protection against pests
• For cats and kittens 10 weeks and older
• Lasts for as long as 8 months
• Lists imidacloprid and flumethrin as the main ingredients

What we like about it:

Cats who are sensitive to strong scents will like this flea collar from Bayer. It’s odorless and won’t irritate their noses. The non-greasy formulation won’t turn their fur and skin oily (or your furniture), so none of that icky feeling when you pet them.

The sustained-release tech will work for a long time, and it will work well. It kills fleas and ticks on contact, and you can usually see them dropping within 24 hours. There won’t be enough time for pests to chow down on your kitty. This works on contact. Looking at the main ingredients, it’s great to see that Seresto only uses chemicals that are safe for cats and their humans.

It’s a great alternative for cats who are allergic to topical treatments. Just keep in mind that you should follow instructions exactly and keep the collar comfortably attached (not too tight nor too loose).

What needs a bit of improvement:

Several reviewers have mentioned the price as a bit prohibitive. It can look expensive, although if you consider that the product gives protection for up to 8 months, this may look reasonable.

Something that causes confusion among purchasers is the length of the protection period this collar offers. The 8 months mentioned by the brand is the max length of time your pet can feel the effects of protection, although it varies with every cat. Some pet parents had to purchase another before 6 months was up.

2. Hartz UltraGuard Plus Collar 

One of the best products for all-around care, Hartz’s flea and tick collar for cats both kills and repels.

Features:

• For repelling and killing ticks and all life stages of fleas (from eggs to adult fleas)
• Comes with a reflective strip for nighttime visibility
• Can be used with your regular collar
• Features a breakaway, safety release snap
• For use on kittens and cats from the age of 12 weeks and up
• Lasts up to 7 months
• Lists tetrachlorvinphos and (S)-Methoprene as main ingredients

What we like about it:

The UltraGuard Plus by Hartz not only kills fleas and ticks, but it also deals with all life stages of fleas. Flea eggs are prevented from hatching during the flea collar’s 7 months of effectivity. Since the collar’s medication kills fleas and ticks on contact, your cat is protected even before the fleas can take a bite.

The flea and tick collar is designed to be easy to put on and will work with your cat’s regular collar. A safety release feature keeps your pet safe from strangulation if he ever gets the collar caught on something. And since it’s inexpensive, if your cat ever uses the collar’s built-in safety release snap and leaves the collar somewhere, you can easily replace it with another without making your wallet cry.

The reflective strip is a nice touch. It reflects light up to 450 feet, so a naughty cat escapee can easily be seen at night. It’s constructed with a water-resistant nature to protect from sudden downpours, in case kitty likes to take a walk in the rain.

What needs a bit of improvement:

If your cat has sensitive skin, this might not be the best collar for him to use. The medication can be too strong for some, so not all will have the same tolerance for it. It must be used with extreme caution by both humans and their pets because of the particular main ingredient used (tetrachlorvinphos).

You also need to closely follow the instructions provided in the packaging. Some purchasers have mentioned in reviews that the collar causes irritation in their pet’s skin, but this can sometimes be caused by attaching the collar too tightly. It should hang a bit loosely around the neck instead.

3. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Collar 

Adams’s flea collar is one of the best when it comes to killing fleas and ticks from egg to adult stage.

Features:

• Kills fleas from egg to adult stage and ticks from larvae to adult life
• Has a breakaway safety release snap
• Can be fitted on cats and kittens
• Can last up to 7 months of protection
• Lists Tetrachlorvinphos and (S)-Methoprene as active ingredients

What we like about it:

It works great with ticks. If you live in a wooded area where ticks can cause problems, this will be a big help to keep those things from sticking to your pet. It works on fleas just as well, killing them on contact and preventing a reinfestation from happening.

As always, a breakaway feature is a good addition to any collar. The safety release snap will let your cat escape in case the collar snags on something, preventing potential harm from happening.

The price is a welcome relief. It’s pretty inexpensive, so it’s a “best buy” if you have multiple cats in your household that you need to protect.

What needs a bit of improvement:

The scent can be too much, particularly if your pet dislikes strong scents. It can be bothersome if you happen to let your cat sleep next to you. It also stops working before the 7 months are up, which is the max length of protection period indicated by the brand.

One of the main ingredients is Tetrachlorvinphos, which can be harmful to pets and their humans. Use with care.

4. PUPMATE Waterproof Flea and Tick Collar 

It doesn’t only offer one of the best waterproof protection for cats and dogs, PUPMATE’s product is also long-lasting.

Features:

• Repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other vermin
• Is formulated to be hypoallergenic
• Designed to be waterproof
• Completely organic and recyclable
• Works within 30 minutes of use
• For cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies
• Can last up to 8 months
• Lists lemon eucalyptus, lavender, and linaloe natural oils as active ingredients
• Full refund guarantee if you are unhappy about the product

What we like about it:

If you’re worried about using flea control products with tons of chemicals on your pet, then this is the best solution for you. PUPMATE’s flea collars are formulated using herbal oil. These are linaloe, lavender, and eucalyptus oil — all-natural ingredients known to repel pests. Aside from using a non-chemical solution, the collars are designed to be hypoallergenic — perfect for sensitive cats.

The collars are eco-friendly and use 100% plant-based ingredients. They don’t only target the usual kind of problems associated with felines such as fleas and ticks, but they can also repel rodents, ants, beetles, and more.

The fact that these are waterproof is an excellent bonus to already excellent products. Forgetting to take off the collars while giving your kitties baths does not stop these from functioning. They are pretty long-lasting, and we love the full refund guarantee if purchasers aren’t satisfied.

What needs a bit of improvement:

These flea and tick collars do not really kill insects as advertised, but they do good work in repelling them. Also, it can be hard to keep them on your cat’s necks because the collar keeps falling off.

Use with care as it includes eucalyptus oil in its ingredients list.

5. SOBAKEN Flea and Tick Collar 

One of the best cat flea collars made with herbal ingredients, SOBAKEN’s product will safely protect your kitty from unwanted pests.

Features:

• Repels fleas, ticks, and lice
• Waterproof
• Uses no harmful chemicals
• Made to complement small, medium, and large cats
• Lasts up to 8 months
• Best for cats aged 3 months and up
• Lists spearmint and clove oils as active ingredients

What we like about it:

Fresh smelling kitties with no hint of fleas? Oh absolutely. PetGuard’s product contains a couple of essential oils to combat any flea infestation. It relies on herbal alternatives to provide you and your cat a non-chemical way to get rid of pests.

The product uses no artificial smell but instead relies on the natural scent of the herbal ingredients. Many cats don’t seem to be bothered by it, so it’s a great alternative flea collar for those who are hesitant in purchasing ones with chemical ingredients.

Another point going in the collar’s favor is the price. It’s relatively cheap and a multiple-cat household can easily keep up with treating lots of cats against ticks and fleas.

What needs a bit of improvement:

It’s not a breakaway collar, which could end up a problem for cats who love to climb and wander outside. And since it relies on natural ingredients, the collar won’t be able to eliminate an existing infestation. It can only act as a flea and tick prevention collar to deter any insect that wants to move houses into your kitty’s fur.

Use with care as its main ingredient includes clove oil, which can be harmful to cats.

6. LuckyPluto Flea & Tick Collar 

No need to worry in case of rain, this collar by LuckyPluto offers one of the best water-resistant protection against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.

Features:

• Repels fleas, ticks, larvae, lice, and mosquitoes
• Formulated to be non-toxic and odorless
• Designed to be water-resistant
• Uses no chemical ingredients
• For dogs and cats
• Offers protection for up to 8 months
• Lists eucalyptus, lavender, and linaloe oils as the main ingredients

What we like about it:

It’s mostly organic, so it’s a good alternative for pet parents who do not want to buy products with harsh chemicals in them. The collar is excellent in repelling fleas and ticks, keeping you worry-free in case your much-loved cat decides walking through and rolling in the grass is a nice pastime.

It’s adjustable and will easily fit dogs and cats of all sizes. And it’s easy enough to adjust and use.

There is no discernible odor from the flea and tick collar — a plus for sensitive felines — and it’s non-greasy. There won’t be any oily feel and residues on your cat or your furniture.

What needs a bit of improvement:

Although the collar repels fleas, it doesn’t do much if there already is an existing flea population on your cat. You will still need to use other forms of flea prevention to eliminate the ones that have made their home on your cat’s body. Also, the flea prevention only seems to work for a few months and not near enough the maximum of 8 months described by the brand.

Use with caution because one of its main ingredients is eucalyptus.

7. JAKOP Innovations Flea and Tick Collar

JAKOP’s repels pests even before they bite, providing one of the best prevention features with an excellent money-back guarantee.

Features:

• Repels lice, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and larvae
• MSDS – SDS tested and certified
• Designed to be waterproof
• Comes with a flea comb
• For cats and dogs 8 weeks and older
• Can last up to 8 months
• Lists castor, thyme, clove, and lemongrass oils as active ingredients

What we like about it:

It comes with a flea comb! So you can eliminate any infestation and let the collar prevent new ones from forming. The collar keeps the fleas and ticks under control without resorting to chemical-based ingredients. The main ingredients use natural oils for a non-chemical kind of protection.

The collar has a soft texture that doesn’t irritate the skin. It also comes with a nice natural smell that doesn’t annoy wee sensitive noses. And there should be no problem with adjusting the collar to fit around your pet.

Forgetting to take off your cat’s collar in the bath is not a problem. It’s completely waterproof and will continue to function well after drying. The price is reasonable, and when you figure in the comb that comes with it, then it’s a pretty good deal.

What needs a bit of improvement:

The collar doesn’t completely repel fleas by itself, particularly if it’s a nasty infestation. It has to work in combination with the flea comb for best results. It does do what it’s supposed to, although it may take a bit of time before you see satisfactory results.

Use with care since one of the ingredients is clove.

Types of Flea Collars

Flea collars for cats are usually categorized into three types: collars that repel, collars that kill fleas, and collars that are a combination of the previous two.

1. Repellent Flea Collars – These collars usually emit gas or a strong odor to repel fleas and ticks from taking up residence in your cat’s body.

2. Treatment Flea Collars – These collars are either designed with a medication that is absorbed into your cat’s skin or have ingredients that are spread throughout the body of your cat through his skin’s natural oils. The best flea collars of the treatment type should start working and killing parasites within 24 hours of use.

If it is the type that is absorbed into the fatty layer of the skin, the insecticide will kill any tick or flea that bites into your cat. If it is the type that uses active ingredients, the fleas and ticks will die on contact, even before they try to chomp on your pet.

3. Repellent and Treatment Collars – These collars will repel pests from being attracted to your kitty and will kill the existing flea and tick infestations. These are usually fast-acting too and will drop many of your pet’s parasites within 24 hours.

Note: If you need to know which kind you’re purchasing, look at the label. If the product only mentions the words “repels” or “wards off,” it’s probably a flea preventative type and will only repel. If somewhere in the box it says “kills fleas and ticks,” then it will eliminate the pests that have made their home on your cat.

How to Choose The Best Flea Collar For You and Your Pet

It goes without saying, the best flea collars will have to be safe and non-toxic. Of course, they also have to work. But how can you make sure you get the best? Check their construction. The following are the key features of a cat flea collar that you need to consider when purchasing:

1. Ingredients

Check the label for ingredients. The best flea collars must be safe for you and your pet. The most common types of ingredients in flea collars that rely on chemicals are Amitraz, Propoxur, Pyriproxifen, Deltamethrin, tetrachlorvinphos, Imidacloprid, and Flumethrin. While most are considered safe for pets, some can be highly toxic.

• Amitraz – an excellent effective anti-parasitic drug that can also treat mange but should not be used in strong doses or to treat a kitten
• Deltamethrin – classified as a safe pesticide for pets and humans
• Propoxur – attacks the nervous system of ticks, fleas, and lice but can be highly toxic to humans.
• Pyriproxifen – Attacks eggs and larvae, and sterilizes pests so they won’t be able to produce or mature.
• Tetrachlorvinphos – a neurotoxin that is highly effective against pests but can be harmful to both humans and pets. Products that utilize this should be kept away from children and be used with extreme caution.
• Imidacloprid – an insecticide that is non-toxic for mammals
• Flumethrin – a highly potent substance against ticks and mites but safe for cats

You can also go the alternative route if you want to use products that utilize only natural ingredients. The best flea collars that rely on herbal ingredients use only essential oils deemed safe for pets. Essential oils that are safe to use include the following:

• Lavender oil
• Cedarwood oil
• Lemon and Lemongrass oil
• Rosemary oil
• Thyme oil
• Citronella oil

On the other hand, if you see these oils below, use with extreme caution or only after consulting with a vet. Not all essentials are safe for cats. The following can cause reactions in them:

• Wintergreen oil
• Basil oil
• Cinnamon oil
• Mountain Savory oil
• Sweet birch oil
• Citrus oil (d-limonene)
• Pine oil
• Ylang Ylang oil
• Pennyroyal oil
• Peppermint oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Clove oil
• Tea tree oil

Your cat’s reaction to a particular flea or tick collar will differ from another’s. As cat owners, we must find out if our cat is allergic to any ingredient before purchasing a collar as an uninformed choice can potentially lead to skin sensitivities or worse, health issues.

2. Flea collar type

If your kitty is already infested with ticks, lice, and fleas, look for a flea or tick collar for cats that can kill those parasites. If your cat does not have any type of infestation yet but you are going to a location where they might catch these, choose a flea or tick collar that repels fleas and ticks instead.

3. Breakaway collar feature

Just like with any regular cat collar, some of the best flea collars for cats have a feature that allows your cat to escape should the collar get caught on something such as a tree limb or fence.

4. Size

The best flea collars for cats provide kitties with ample room to breathe and move about, but not so roomy as to allow him to take it off easily. The packaging will usually include instructions on how to get the best fit.

5. Quality

The collars should be sturdy and not break off with just a little contact on surfaces. Since some collars are designed to slowly release the pesticide in a span of months, the collar itself should last as long too.

6. Water-resistance

A sudden downpour might catch you unawares while walking your cat out. Water-resistant flea collars for cats will be able to handle a bit of rain. But if you want a collar to be able to handle a deluge, a waterproof collar might be best.

7. Length of protection

A few flea collars for cats can provide continuous treatment for as long as eight months. If you don’t want to be bothered replacing your cat’s collar every few months, opt for a collar that will last you the max number of months.

Keep in mind when choosing a product that the best flea collar for one person will most likely differ from another. This is usually dependent on budget, purpose, and the cat’s unique reaction to the product.

How Long Does It Take For a Flea Collar to Work on a Cat?

The ingredients used in the collar determines how long before it begins to work. Ordinarily, cat flea collars using chemical ingredients to repel or kill pests begin to work within 24 hours of use. However, sometimes results may be seen only after a period of 3-4 weeks. Most natural pet collars take even longer to deliver satisfying results.

What Happens if a Cat Licks a Flea Collar?

Some cats will paw at their collars if they’re not used to them. And some might happen to lick these intentionally — or accidentally if they happen to be grooming themselves. If your pet looks like he is licking the collar intentionally, carefully check that spot on your cat’s neck. Licking collars can be a sign that he is experiencing allergic skin reactions underneath the collar and that he’s trying to soothe it.

If you observe your cat licking his flea collar, whether it’s accidentally or intentionally, check for signs of diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, which are all common results of a stomach upset. Neurologic symptoms like hind limb weakness, hyperthermia, ataxia, and seizures or tremors are more serious. You should also be concerned if your cat exhibits increased lethargy. Contact a veterinarian right away.

If your cat constantly licks his flea collar, remove it for his safety, even if he does not display any signs of illness. Most flea and tick collars use insecticides to repel and eliminate pests, and these chemicals should not be ingested.

Bonus Section: Treating Your Cat for Fleas

While cat flea collars work, check that you’re also doing the following below to make sure that your cat’s flea infestation will be gone in no time.

1. Look for flea hotspots.

Adult fleas are easy enough to catch but younger fleas, particularly their eggs, are not. If you’re not careful, these unseen eggs can hatch, thus continuing the life cycle.

Watch your pet as he goes about his day. Make a list of the spots he frequents, particularly the areas where he naps, lies down, and grooms himself. Usually, these are the places where flea eggs drop to the ground and escape your notice. Target these places for an exhaustive cleaning along with his cat bag/carrier, bed, cat stand, and toys. And if your kitty travels with you, include your car in the cleanup as well.

2. Lessen the moisture and humidity.

Fleas thrive in moist and warm environments, which is why they love the furry bodies of cats. It makes for an even better home for them if your pet gets wet and is not properly dried off. Make sure your cat is toweled off when they come inside from the rain. Also, run a flea comb through their fur right after.

If you have a problem with humidity, do use a dehumidifier. An environment with 70% humidity is a perfect breeding ground for fleas.

3. Make treatments a regular thing.

If you want to keep pests at bay, a regular cat flea treatment composed of flea combing and the use of flea shampoos, medication, and cat flea collars will help you combat the problem.

4. Wash everything.

Adult fleas are easily seen, but their eggs and larvae are not. These can settle on your couch, carpets, bedding, and pillows. To combat the spread of fleas, wash the items using very hot water. You can also do steam cleaning for carpets and furniture.

5. Use diatomaceous earth.

Food-grade diatomaceous earth dehydrates insects by cutting through their exoskeleton surface. It’s non-toxic and safe to use around pets. Sprinkle some of these around your kitty’s resting areas and his flea hot spots. Be careful when using this around someone with asthma because diatomaceous earth is composed of very fine dust.

6. Keep your outdoor area clean.

If you let your pet roam your backyard, make sure that it is clean and free of debris for him. Keep grass and plants trimmed so there will be less shady areas for fleas to thrive in. (Fleas hate sunlight.) If you suspect that his infestation is coming from your yard, go to the nearest garden center and purchase beneficial nematodes. Unlike parasitic ones, beneficial nematodes combat pests and break down organic matter.

7. Treat your other pets.

If you have more than one pet in your household, treat them as you do the one with a flea problem. They may not be scratching as much, but they can act as hosts for pests.

Do flea collars for cats really work?

Most flea and tick collars are an option for dogs and cats who are not suffering from an existing infestation of pests. That is, they may be effective at preventing, but not curing, an infestation. The second type of treatment collars emit active ingredients that kill fleas and ticks on contact, before they bite.

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

The collar will begin to kill fleas, ticks and flea eggs and larvae immediately. Its full protection against harder to kill ticks will be built up within a few days after being placed on the pet. For continuous flea and tick protection under normal conditions replace the collar every seven months.

Can a kitten wear a flea collar?

A kitten can wear a flea collar at the age of 12 weeks; however, according to the Pet Poison Helpline, flea collars can be life-threatening when used incorrectly. Consult your veterinarian before using flea collars or any flea products on your kitten.

Do flea collars work if they already have fleas?

Yes! Flea collars are designed to kill fleas. Some collars target only adult fleas while others may kill some of the younger stages of fleas. If you question if a certain flea collar really works, visit the manufacturer's website to learn about the product and its label claims.