Mary Allen
As soon as it gets warmer outside, the vermin can no longer be stopped. From now on, there is a risk for humans and animals to be infested with ticks, which can have serious consequences. As a dog owner, you now have a great responsibility towards your animal, which means that you should take care that you can offer your darling the best possible protection against pests.
Because one thing is clear, ticks can transmit terrible diseases, so that in the worst case they can lead to an agonizing death for your dog. In this article, we will inform you about the so-called tick collars, which are intended to prevent tick infestation in animals.
Tick collars – chemistry that works
There are a variety of so-called tick collars from different manufacturers on the market. These all have the same effect and are intended to ensure that the ticks do not bite themselves in the first place, but instead disappear immediately or die off prematurely. Tick collars for dogs are therefore used preventively and have the so-called “foot withdrawal effect”. Put simply, it has a repulsive effect on the little bloodsuckers.
The various tick collars can usually be found in black and white so that they do not attract attention unnecessarily. They are also available in different lengths for use with both small and very large dogs. The typical tick collar can therefore be put on, adjusted, and then cut off so that the excess does not interfere.
If you are looking for a suitable tick collar, you will either find it on the Internet or you can buy it directly from your local veterinarian and have it put on. The costs of the different models are very low and therefore affordable for every dog owner. The cheaper models are already available for less than ten euros.
A tick collar, whether for dogs or cats, has four different effects. These are the following:
Repellent effect
The repellent effect has a deterrent effect on the ticks so that they take to their heels immediately through the substances released by the band and do not first make their way to your dog’s skin. So after the ticks have visited their host, they drop again. At least that’s how it is in most cases.
Anti-feeding effect
This effect deters the ticks from biting the host, in this case, their dog.
Knock-down effect: The tick is paralyzed by the substances released so that it can no longer move as usual. This is due to the neurotoxin of the collar.
Lethal effect
The lethal effect causes the tick to die, killing it. This means that the affected tick can no longer harm your pet.
Dog collars against ticks – what should be considered?
The typical dog tick collar contains the active ingredient deltamethrin. This is a well-known and very effective neurotoxin. The collar is simply put on the dog in addition to the normal dog collar and should only be used to combat ticks. It is not suitable for leashing and walking as it would not be stable enough. It is important that these are ONLY worn by the dogs, as the material is not toxic to them.
But for cats or us humans, yes. For this reason, you should make sure that your children, especially small children up to two years of age, do not come into contact with the collar and then put their fingers in their mouths. Although studies so far have not found any danger even with a larger intake of the secreted active ingredient, parents should still be careful. Furthermore, the manufacturers recommend that the collars are only used from the age of seven weeks and not for very small puppies, as they may not be able to properly absorb the nerve toxin.
However, there is no danger for pregnant or lactating bitches and there are no health consequences to be feared for the unborn dogs. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to wash or bathe your dog, the collar must be removed beforehand. This is mainly because the organisms living in the water are not harmed. If possible, at least five days should elapse from the first application to the first bath, the first swim, or the first wash, so that the active ingredient can spread optimally. The tick collars are usually effective for a long time, up to six months. It is important that you check this effectiveness, as it can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Are there any side effects?
Of course, there are always some side effects with these chemical anti-tick agents that the wearer can experience. These include, for example, allergic reactions to the active ingredient. So it can happen that your dog reacts with skin problems. Redness or sores were observed most in this regard. The fur can also change negatively or even fall out in some cases. Only in very rare cases did neurological reactions occur, in which the dogs began to tremble or even convulse.
No matter what side effect your dog reacts to. As soon as you notice any changes in this regard, you should remove the collar immediately and contact a veterinarian so that they can examine your animal thoroughly and find an alternative option with you.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tick collars?
| advantages | Disadvantages |
| long effectiveness
simple application can also be worn by pregnant and lactating bitches good effect cheap to buy can be ordered online or purchased from a veterinarian suitable for small and large dogs can be individually adapted to the dog |
must be removed before bathing
must be kept out of the reach of children toxic to cats can cause skin irritation can lead to shedding can lead to neurological reactions |
Conclusion
Of course, chemical agents always have side effects, which you as a dog owner should not take lightly. However, it is also clear that ticks are very dangerous for your dog and can transmit very terrible diseases. The number of dogs dying or suffering permanent damage as a result of a tick bite is increasing every year. So don’t be put off by the side effects. Unfortunately, it has been proven that many household remedies against ticks do not have the effect that dog owners want, so ticks keep biting unhindered and are not even distracted by garlic, oils, and other natural smells and active ingredients. If you want to be on the safe side, you should discuss the subject of dog collars against ticks with your veterinarian and get advice on this.