By DogLovely Team

Fleas can be a real pest for you and your dog. Although adult dogs can be given ‘œspot-on’ topical treatments, flea collars, and oral medication for prevention and treatment, it’s not as simple for young puppies.

The majority of commercial flea and tick treatments are unsafe for puppies under the age of 4 weeks. This doesn’t mean you should avoid treating your puppy for fleas. Fleas and ticks can be very deadly to young puppies, as the parasites deplete their blood supply, which can result in anemia.

For puppies under the age of 6 weeks, it’s best to manually remove fleas yourself with a flea comb. Alternatively, you could give your puppy a flea bath using a flea shampoo that is safe for young puppies. It’s a good idea to speak to a veterinarian to get recommendations for flea shampoos that are suitable for very young pups.

It’s generally recommended to start flea and tick treatment for puppies when they are between 6 and 8 weeks old. However, as puppies are smaller and have a less-developed immune system than adult dogs, the ingredients found in flea and tick treatments can have a greater effect on them. Additionally, some commercial flea collars and topical treatments can contain Pyriproxifen, which is harmful to puppies under 7 weeks old.

Avoid flea collars for puppies under 8 weeks due to ingestion risk and choking hazards.

Do Puppies Need a Flea Collar?

If your puppy is under 6 weeks old, then they don’t need a flea collar.

Veterinarians typically advise against flea collars for puppies under the age of 8 weeks. Young puppies chew a lot, so it’s very likely that they will gnaw on a flea collar. This puts them at risk of ingesting the harmful ingredients found in the collar. Furthermore, most flea collars are too small for a puppy’s petite neck. If the collar is too loose, then your puppy could choke if the fabric gets caught on a piece of furniture.

Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs

However, the Seresto flea collar can be used on puppies who are 7 weeks old and over. It contains the chemicals imidacloprid and flumethrin, which slowly release over time. As the ingredients are released in small doses, there’s no risk of toxicity.

The collar repels fleas and ticks, so your dog doesn’t need to be bitten for the treatment to work. Additionally, the collar also kills fleas and ticks through contact. Even if a flea or tick jumps onto your dog, they won’t survive very long.

The collar claims to be effective against ticks and fleas for up to 8 months. Most flea treatments need to be used every 6 to 8 weeks to remain effective, so this collar is ideal if you have a busy schedule. You can just put the collar on and leave it for 8 months until it needs replacing.

The Seresto collar comes in a large and medium size. The large size is suitable for dogs who weigh over 18 lbs, while the small size is designed for dogs who are under 18 lbs.

‘œSpot-on’ topical flea treatments can be messy to apply and often give an oily sheen to your dog’s fur. It can also be a hassle to get your dog to stand still while you apply the treatment. With the Seresto collar, you don’t need to worry about any of these factors. The collar is easy to put on your dog and can be used in conjunction with other collars. There’s no mess or odor involved either.

The main drawback with the Seresto flea collar is that it works better for preventing fleas and ticks. If your dog is already infested with fleas or ticks, then the collar might not be very effective at removing them. The collar works by slowly releasing flea/tick-killing ingredients, so this isn’t ideal if you want an immediate effect. Additionally, the collar can be less effective over time, so it might not always protect your dog from fleas or ticks for the full 8 months it claims to.

The collar could cause your dog to develop an allergic reaction, so it’s recommended that you monitor your pup closely when you first use it. If your dog develops any side effects such as inflammation or redness, then stop using the collar immediately. This is not really a fault with the collar, as some dogs are more sensitive to certain ingredients.

Pros

  • Easy to apply
  • No mess or odor
  • Suitable for puppies 7-weeks-old and over
  • Lasts for up to 8 months

Cons

  • Loses its effectiveness over time
  • Works better for flea prevention than removal
  • Can sometimes cause allergic reactions

Best Flea Collars For 8-Week-Old Puppies

Bomior Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs and Cats

The Bomoir flea and tick collar is completely natural and contains no chemicals. It uses ingredients like citronella oil, cinnamon oil, Eucalyptus oil, and polyethylene, so it is non-toxic for puppies who are 8 weeks old and over.

The collar is water-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about removing it when your puppy is outside during rainy or snowy weather. The collar offers protection from fleas, ticks, and other pests for up to 8 months. The scent of the color is pleasant, which is great as some flea collars can smell like chemicals.

Bomoir’s flea collar can be adjusted to fit dogs of all sizes. The total length of the collar is 25 inches, but you can change the length by using the adjustable strap and cutting off excess fabric.

The only downside with this collar is that it can sometimes cause allergic reactions in dogs. If you notice any side effects, stop using the collar and consult a veterinarian.

Pros

  • Lasts for up to 8 months
  • Completely natural and non-toxic
  • Pleasant odor and water-resistant
  • Can be adjusted to fit dogs of any size

Cons

  • Can sometimes cause allergic reactions

GreenFort Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs and Cats

Natural collars are a safe protection from fleas

The GreenFort flea and tick collar is safe for puppies over 7 weeks old. It repels fleas and ticks, as well as other pests like withers, mosquitos, and horseflies. Only ingredients like lemon grass, castor oil, citronella oil, and rosemary oil are used in the collar, so it’s completely natural. However, the collar doesn’t have a very discreet odor as it smells strongly of chemicals.

The GreenFort flea and tick collar is suitable for dogs of all sizes. It claims to provide protection from fleas and ticks for up to 6 months. Although, this doesn’t always seem to be the case, as it can lose its effectiveness quickly. Additionally, the collar can struggle to remove fleas if your dog already is already infested with them.

Like with some of the other flea collars, the GreenFort collar can cause allergic reactions. If you spot your dog displaying any side effects, then stop using the collar and speak to a veterinarian for advice.

Pros

  • Natural ingredients
  • Can be used for up to 6 months
  • Protects against fleas, ticks, and other pests
  • Suitable for dogs of all sizes

Cons

  • Can be infective against existing infestations
  • Strong-smelling and loses its effectiveness quickly
  • Can sometimes cause allergic reactions

Best Flea Collars for 12-Week-Old Puppies

Petsmont Flea Collar for Dogs

This flea collar from Petsmont is infused with a hypoallergenic and plant-based formula to make it a completely natural treatment for fleas and ticks. It uses a blend of essential oils like peppermint, citronella, cedarwood, lemongrass, and lavender.

The collar is adjustable and fits small to large dogs. When attached to your dog’s neck, the collar is entirely circular to make it more secure and comfortable. The Petsmont flea collar is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, which can be recycled. This makes it entirely eco-friendly.

When using this flea collar, your dog is protected from fleas and ticks for up to 6 months. It also repels mosquitos, lice, and flea larvae. The collar works by confusing a pest’s sensory input system. This repels the pest from landing on your dog.

However, the flea collar is best used to prevent fleas and ticks rather than to treat existing infestations. If your dog already has fleas or ticks, then the collar could be ineffective. In addition to this, the collar can sometimes stop working before 6 months.

The collar has a strong scent of citronella, so it does smell quite potent. If you or your dog are sensitive to strong odors, then the Petsmont flea collar might not be the best option. Some dogs might develop an allergic reaction with this collar, so it’s a good idea to monitor your dog for any abnormal effects when you first use it.

Pros

  • Eco-friendly
  • Completely natural
  • Adjustable and comfortable

Cons

  • Works best as a prevention method and can loses its effectiveness quickly
  • Strong scent
  • Could cause an allergic reaction

GetOff Natural Flea Collar for Dogs

The GetOff flea collar is eco-friendly, hypo-allergenic, and completely natural. It’s safe for puppies over 8 weeks old. The collar is infused with essential oils like citronella, geranium, peppermint, and eucalyptus.

The collar claims to prevent fleas and fleas for up to 4 months. However, its effectiveness appears to wane before this period. Additionally, the collar isn’t at efficient at removing ticks.

You don’t need to worry about your dog getting wet as the collar is water-resistant. It can also be fully adjusted to fit dogs of all sizes.

This collar has a pleasant and fragrant smell. If you or your dog are sensitive to strong scents, then this is something to keep in mind.

Pros

  • Suitable for puppies 8 weeks old and over
  • Natural ingredients
  • Pleasant smell

Cons

  • Effectiveness wanes fairly quickly
  • Can struggle to prevent ticks

Conclusion

Treating your puppy for fleas and ticks routinely is important, as these pests can be detrimental to their health. For newborn puppies, remove fleas with a puppy-safe flea shampoo or manually with a flea comb.

Once puppies are between 6 to 8 weeks of age, then you can begin using commercial flea and tick treatments. Take care not to use any treatments that contain Pyriproxifen on puppies under 7 weeks old.

Flea collars can be a great option for older puppies as they are convenient, mess-free, and more long-lasting than other flea prevention treatments. Any one of the flea collars listed above are a good choice for your pup!

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Dog Grooming,

Last Update: March 11, 2024