Best flea collars for dogs to prevent infestations from those pesky parasites

One of the most popular brands, Seresto Flea and Tick Control Collar - Under 8kg protects your small dog for up to eight months in a single application without the need for a prescription. 

It works by slowly releasing the collar's active ingredients in low doses onto your pooch's coat and skin over the course of eight months to kill any fleas while also repelling and killing ticks. You may think that due to the collar applying the treatment for you, it might leave behind a residue but that's not the case with Seresto as it protects your pup without leaving behind any mess or grease in your hound's hair.

Customers rave about how this product actually works for up to eight months, reporting it actually kept the ticks and fleas away throughout the spring and summer when their pooch wore the collar. It's worth noting that the dose of the ingredients is designed for dogs under 8kg, so this specific collar won't be very effective on larger dogs but as you'll see below, Seresto also offers a collar for larger dogs.

Dogs over 8kg aren't forgotten about either with Seresto as this collar has a higher dosage of the active ingredients, Imidacloprid and Flumethrin, to protect your big boy or girl.

The collar gradually releases its active ingredients in low doses onto your dog's coat and skin over eight months, effectively killing fleas and ticks. Despite providing continuous treatment, the Seresto collar is designed to avoid leaving any residue, ensuring your hound stays protected without leaving any mess or grease behind on their fur.

Over 94 per cent of customers on Viovet would recommend the Seresto Flea Collar, with many reviewers saying they've never seen another flea or tick on their pooch since they started wearing it. Some customers thought it was a little on the pricey side, especially if you've got multiple dogs to protect, but found it was worth it for the level of protection it offers. You make sure you're buying the right dosage for your pup as if your pooch is smaller than 8kg, they could end up overdosing on the treatment.

After protection from more than just fleas? The Beaphar Canishield Collar will fight off ticks and sandflies too, making it a great option for pups that live near to the beach or if you're planning on taking your pooch on a staycation this year.

A small dose of the insecticide deltamethrin is gradually emitted from this collar to offer protection from pesky parasites for up to six months. We also rate that it's suitable to be used on dogs over seven weeks of age so it's a great option for protecting younger pups too.

To make sure your pooch is adequately protected and to ensure the best results, it does rely on you putting the collar on your dog before flea season starts, which is typically mid-to-end April in the UK, and although the collar offers six months of protection, the brand recommends you change it every four months. We like that it's available in two neck sizes, 48cm and 65cm, to offer the right size and dosage of ingredients depending on the size of your dog, and you can also cut the excess off to ensure the perfect fit.

For dogs that love to make a splash and just can't keep themselves out of puddles, ponds, rivers, lakes and more on their walks, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that the Johnsons Flea & Tick Collar For Dogs is a water-resistant flea protection collar.

Once worn by your pooch, the killing of fleas will begin almost immediately but it may take a couple of days for the active ingredient to spread entirely through their coat to get rid of the full infestation. That being said, it should prevent a further re-infestation of fleas and ticks up for up to four months after that.

Unlike other collars on our list so far, the Johnsons Flea & Tick Collar is only available in one size so it might not be suitable for larger breeds with a bigger neck circumference.

Containing Margosa extract, which is a natural ingredient known for its flea and tick-repellent properties and retailing for under £5, this Bob Martin Clear Flea Collar for Dogs is an effective yet affordable option for protecting your pooch against parasites.

It’s very easy to use as all you need to do is simply place the collar around your dog’s neck and it will then provide ongoing protection for up to six weeks without the need of frequent reapplication like you would need to if you were using a spot-on treatment.

There aren’t many reviews readily available for this product online, but one we spotted on Viovet mentioned the collar was too big for their pooch so this could mean it’s not suitable for dogs with smaller necks, such as small/mini breeds and puppies. If the collar is too big, it could mean the collar isn’t as effective as it should be, and it could also cause your pooch some discomfort so you should make sure it fits snugly but not too tight.

Although, as pet owners, we can’t put a price on keeping our dogs happy and healthy, at under £2.50, the Wilko Vinyl Pet Flea and Tick Collar is an absolute steal!

While offering its continuous protection for up to four months, it won’t give off any harmful odours, leak or stain your pup’s coat so you’ll barely even notice it’s there. Like some others on our list, it’s also designed to be water-resistant so it’ll be able to work its magic against fleas and ticks even if your pup likes to frequently practise their doggy paddle.

Customers have mixed opinions on the effectiveness of this collar, with some reporting good results in keeping fleas and ticks at bay, while others find it less effective. We like that the collar can be loosened and tightened as needed to provide the perfect fit for your pooch so it’s ideal if you’re using it on a dog that is still growing as you can regularly adjust the fit to ensure the collar stays comfortable and effective.