Do flea collars work? (eating, carpet, siamese, dog)

[once-upon-chicago]

Just wondering if they do. One of our cats now prefers to be outside part-time and I'm wondering if we really need to keep that collar on him. He hates it. If they don't work then its coming off. BTW I live in Phoenix, AZ so I don't know how bad the flea problem is here.

[TomSD]

I don't know how well the collars work but the drops work wonders. Just make sure you get a decent brand. Coupled with powdering the carpets should keep them under control in the house.

I haven't used the drops on an outdoor cat but when I moved the person who lived here before me didn't take care of their pets very well because soon after moving in the place was infested... completely unbearable. Treating with the drops and powdering the carpet and my problem was solved in a few weeks though I kept treating for a few months to be sure.

[Okiegirlfriend]

NO. It only works directly under the collar and the poison in them can harm the cat. Frontline is better. You can also use Capstar, but it only works for 3 days.

[mytimenow]

I never had any luck using the collars on my cat. He is an indoor/outdoor cat -- well, mostly indoor, but still. I use either Frontline or Advantage (I switch them frontline in "winter", Advantage in "summer", seems to work better that way in SW FL - my vet suggested it). Sorry, can't advise you on flea issues in AZ -- have you talked to your vet? I DO use collars though -- I cut them up and put them under the cushions of ulphostered furniture as a precautionary measure, replace them 1 or 2 times a yr. Works pretty good down here.

[once-upon-chicago]

Originally Posted by mytimenow

I DO use collars though -- I cut them up and put them under the cushions of ulphostered furniture as a precautionary measure, replace them 1 or 2 times a yr. Works pretty good down here.

That's interesting about using them around the house. I took it off of him yesterday. He looks so miserable and frankly the idea of him wearing poison around his neck scares me. He's a changed cat since he's been going outside. Gotten quieter and growls easier like he doesn't have any patience. He's fixed, too.

[Ohiogirl81]

My childhood cat was indoor/outdoor, and a flea collar worked on her just fine. She's been gone for 25 years; maybe the collars have changed.

We use Revolution; even though our cats are indoor-only, fleas still manage to find them somehow.

[once-upon-chicago]

We're going to try the drops. Don't know how they work but we'll give it a shot. I took the collar off and thought he'd be happier since its off. He's just a different cat since he's been going outside. If I didn't know any better I'd think he wasn't fixed

[Rita Mordio]

Flea collars are very dangerous for outdoor cats. First of all, the poisons can harm the cat considerably - fur loss, rashes, etc. Secondly, that style collar is generally a lot thicker than a generic name tag collar. As such, it's more easily hooked on things and more likely to *don't look if you can't handle it* strangle your buddy.

Your vet should have flea drops that go on the back of the neck. They do wonders.

[mytimenow]

Originally Posted by once-upon-chicago

That's interesting about using them around the house. I took it off of him yesterday. He looks so miserable and frankly the idea of him wearing poison around his neck scares me. He's a changed cat since he's been going outside. Gotten quieter and growls easier like he doesn't have any patience. He's fixed, too.

I'm wondering about the growling? He's probably quieter because he gets more stimulation outside and is tired when he comes in. Is it because he wants to go out again? I have a very very verbal kitty, NOT a drop of siamese, (makes up for the quiet dog!) and when he wants out he certainly lets you know of course when I don't let him out when HE wants I hear about that too. However it is more of a constant complaining, not growling. Does he growl at other times? Is that how he talks?

[Retired Law 08]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

My childhood cat was indoor/outdoor, and a flea collar worked on her just fine. She's been gone for 25 years; maybe the collars have changed.

We use Revolution; even though our cats are indoor-only, fleas still manage to find them somehow.

How is the revolution,I have it and haven't used it yet. I want to let the boys out on the screened in porch,but have to use that before I do.