Fleas and ticks are troublesome for both pet parents and their furry companions. Pets are prone to catching parasite infestations due to outside exposure, contact with infected animals, or exposure to contaminated areas. The effect of flea & tick bites on your dog’s health may start with itching or irritation but extend to the development of various diseases and even death in the worst scenarios. A year-round parasite protection, therefore, helps keep your pet healthy. But, what will suit your pet more? An oral or topical flea & tick treatment or a flea & tick collar? Let us find out.
Read on to learn about the pros and cons of oral and topical flea & tick treatments for dogs and cats, and flea and tick collars along with a comparative analysis of both these options.
Oral/Topical flea and tick treatments
Flea and tick treatments for cats and dogs come in various forms, e.g. oral chews or tablets, topical spot-ons (liquids), sprays or powders, etc. These treatments are made using powerful parasiticides and repellents that help kill fleas and ticks, and control and prevent their reinfestation. These treatments offer protection for one month, three months, or more.
Pros:
- Oral or topical treatments often target multiple stages of the pest’s life cycle and provide complete protection.
- Oral treatments do not wash off and lose effectiveness during bathing, while spot-ons are a great alternative for fussy eaters.
- These treatments are generally fast-acting and provide quick relief to pets.
Cons:
- Oral or topical treatments expose pets to higher concentrations of active ingredients at one time, which may occasionally lead to temporary skin irritation or stomach upsets.
- Some spot-on treatments can leave greasiness on the pet’s coat temporarily.
- Remembering and maintaining the dosage cycle of monthly oral or topical treatments is a laborious task and missing any of the dosages exposes pets to the risk of parasite infestations.
Flea and tick collars
Flea and tick collars for pets are made using comfortable-to-wear material and are adjustable for safe and precise fitting. The insecticides in collars spread to the entire body of pets from the point of contact and help treat and prevent flea and tick infestations. Different flea and tick collars protect different durations. One such vet-trusted collar, Seresto provides 8 continuous months of parasite protection and is available in both varieties- Seresto Collar for Dogs and Seresto Collar for Cats, to provide pet-specific tailored protection.
Also Read: Choosing The Right Flea & Tick Preventive Collar For Dogs
Pros:
- Collars are relatively cost-effective as they stay effective for longer duration.
- Pets are used to wearing collars and so accept the flea and tick collar easily, making it a convenient treatment option.
- Collars come with adjustable mechanisms for comfortable fitting without irritating pets.
Cons:
- Water-repellency of the collars is product-specific, so their effectiveness can get compromised due to bathing or swimming.
- Pets with certain health conditions may develop allergic reactions when wearing collars.
Comparison of oral/topical flea & tick treatments and collars
Here is a comparative analysis of both these flea and tick protection options:
To wrap up
Pets require year-round protection against pesky parasites like fleas and ticks. And while there are several options available for their protection including oral & topical treatments and collars, their suitability for your pet depends on your convenience, your pet’s preference, and their health condition.
If you have a fussy pet that is finicky about taking anything orally or gets irritated with the temporary greasiness of any topical treatment, go for a flea and tick collar. But if you are more worried about the water-repellency of the product or, need fast relief, select oral treatment or topical formula respectively. However, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian and start with a parasite protection program for your pet with their advice to get the best results.