Quality flea collars for cats?

Question

Hey everyone...after taking my puppy to the vet this week I learned some terrifying information it was new to me but after searching the net realized that the information had been available for quite sometime...cats can get heartworms! Anyways I have gone years without having my cats on heartworm preventative and feel terrible, so I want to start my cats on heartgaurd plus...my vet recommends Revolution but honestly at 145 dollars for a year supply for one cat I simply can not afford that. However, one of the disadvantages of heartguard is that it does not protect again fleas and ticks. I looked at the flea and tick medications like advantix (which is what my puppy is on) but I can't afford that for two cats either...is their any cheaper alternative? What about a good quality flea collar...I live in an apartment so I want them to be protected but I read that most flea and tick collars don't work...is that true? Anyways I am open to all suggestions...thanks!

Elaine M · Answer

Flea collars don't work to repel fleas anywhere but off their neck (the cat can be loaded with fleas elsewhere), and if the collar gets wet, the chemicals leech out and give the cat a toxic overdose. They are just not reliable.

Does your area have heartworm showing up in cats?  Check with your local vets, because if not, then why are you treating for them?  Are they indoors? You don't need that then--just a basic flea medication WHEN fleas show up. There's no need to treat if the animals don't have fleas.  

Do a check every 4 days with a flea comb. If you see something, use the Advantage (it works at keeping fleas off of cats for a full 6 weeks we found, instead of the 4 the box says), or Revolution or Frontline.  One application per cat for every 4 weeks.  That's all you need.  Just call around to the different vet clinics and ask for a price quote, I found it ranged from $12 to $26 a dose here in Milwaukee, same product, different vets.

veni vidi vici · Answer

I will never put a collar on my cats again. The first cat I put one one managed to get it stuck in his mouth! I had gone out and when I came back my cat came back with the collar around his neck but also pulled tightly in his open mouth, so tight that he could not close his mouth and was soaked in sweat!!!! I had to cut the collar off and never again put one on him.

A few years later I tried a different cat with a collar and at the same thing happened! 

I have no idea how this happened because I have never heard of this before. It was very upsetting both for the cats and also for me seeing my cat in this situation. I am thankful that nothing more serious happened for both our sakes He is such a loving cat and I would never hurt him or put him in harms way. Which is why I will never buy a collar again for a cat

? · Answer

below is an article about the danger of flea collars to cats. I would consider a natural way to go. Check out web sites for the use of natural flea collars that use oils instead of toxins.

HM · Answer

"Quality flea collar" is an oxymoron. They are harmful to your cat and simply do not work. Advantage for cats is the only thing that does. You can find it very cheap online (you do not have to buy a year's supply at a time) or I think you can find it at Petsmart and Petco now.

CF_ · Answer

flea collars dont work and have been linked to many pet deaths.. if your pet is indoors only (apartment pet) dont worry about it.. your pet isnt at risk

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Quality flea collars for cats?

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