Seresto Flea Collar (Reviews You Can Use)

The flea collar is one of the most time-honored flea treatments you can provide to your dog. One of the more recognizable names out there is Soresto. Equipped with named credentials and a promise of being long-lasting, it’s a collar that tends to stand out. Is it worth purchasing?

Seresto Flea Collar at a Glance

If you take a look at the tin container that the Seresto flea collar comes in, you’ll notice the symbol for Bayer. If it looks familiar, it should. Bayer – the same company that produces Bayer aspirin, is the pharmaceutical company behind the Seresto flea collar.

This connection isn’t as surprising as you may initially think. A good portion of Bayer’s massive portfolio is dedicated to animal products designed to help your pooch (or your cat) enjoy a better life. Some of the other products Bayer’s associated with include Advantix, Drontal, and Profender.

The fact that Seresto is associated with one of the most well-known pharmaceutical companies in the world is rather impressive, but it’s not the only thing that leaps out at the consumer. The other prominent element is the promise that it’s a flea collar that can last for a whopping eight months after initial application.

This length is about as long as it gets in the world of flea collars, and it lasts longer than any flea treatment in general. Seresto can maintain this length by putting forth a steady supply of active ingredients perpetually released in low concentrations.

The active ingredients that the Seresto collar releases are known as imidacloprid and flumethirin. Both ingredients are insecticides designed to disrupt the flea or tick’s nervous system through various sensory blockages. Eventually, the critter will become paralyzed and die.

These ingredients are released onto the dog gradually through contact with the dog's skin. Once the contact occurs, the ingredients will spread out over the pooch's body. This allows for full flea protection coverage on the whole dog, and not just high areas of flea concentration.

The collar itself is designed for easy, comfortable application that allows for easy adjustability. It is also designed with a two-way release mechanism that allows the dog to break free of the collar in the unlikely event that he gets caught on something. 

Even though the safety feature allows the collar to bend and brake with relative ease, it still should be noted that it’s a sturdy collar. It’s also a waterproof collar, so you don’t have to worry about removing it whenever your pooch wants to join you for some playtime in your pool.

Overall, the collar is designed to eradicate fleas within 24 hours and ticks within 48 hours. This not only protects your pooch from annoyances such as scratching, but it also can an effective too to stave off serious issues driven by these pests, such as Lyme disease.

There is one other thing that may jump out at you when you encounter Seresto online or at your local pet store – the price. The collar is amongst the most expensive flea collars on the market. If you’re not familiar with the product, this could cause the kind of sticker shock that may prevent you from purchasing the product.

However, you should consider that the price point is so high because you are essentially getting eight months’ worth of flea and tick protection. You’re also paying for the convenience of not having to slather a topical cream on your pooch every few weeks. This could be something that your four-legged friend may appreciate.

While it’s still easy to view Seresto as a luxury item in the short-term, it tends to take on the look of a reasonably priced product in a big picture context. Granted, even in the long-term, you’ll be paying more compared to some of the short-term flea treatments on the market, but you may end up viewing that as the price of convenience.

Is Seresto Right For You?

All of the science metrics aside, the Seresto Flea Collar is designed for the kind of person who craves a slice of convenience when it comes to pet ownership. The fact that the collar allows you to put it on and leave it one for two-thirds of the year is pretty alluring, especially if you have a pooch that tends to be fidgety during grooming sessions.

It’s also a sensible product for people that have outdoor dogs, particularly those that live in the country or rural areas. Fleas and ticks tend to thrive in a more natural environment, and if your pooch routinely puts himself in such surroundings, he may get feasted upon rather easily. As such, this collar could be wonderful preventative medicine.

But does the flea collar actually live up to its promise of lasting eight months? The consensus amongst consumers that have purchased the product is that it not only does last, but it continues to work strongly even during the latter months. You won't have to worry about its effectiveness lessening toward the end.

The one quibble that there tends to be with the Seresto collar is its size in relation to small, thick-necked breeds, such as pugs. Seresto comes in two sizes: Small dogs under 18 pounds and large dogs over 18 pounds. There is no middle ground currently available.

The small dog size will fit without a problem on breeds that have “normal” necks. However, the collars tend to fit a bit too snug around big, beefy necks. While this doesn’t detract from the collar’s effectiveness, it does potentially make for a relatively uncomfortable experience for this type of dog.

There have been some side effects that have been reported with the use of the Seresto collar. Some of these effects are mild such as skin irritation around the collar area. In rarer cases, seizures have been reported.

If you are worried about these particular effects, you may want to pay a visit to your veterinarian before you take the plunge on purchasing the collar. In some cases, your vet will be able to prescribe the collar for your pooch. This may be noteworthy if your four-legged friend has pet insurance.

What Other Options Are Available?

There are other long-term flea collar options that are on the market. For instance, Scalibor  makes a collar that lasts for six months, while PetGuard makes a non-toxic herbal flea collar that lasts for quit short yet unspecified term. Not surprisingly, they are considered to be less expensive than Seresto.

However, it should be noted that the old adage “you get what you pay for” applies to the world of flea collars. Seresto tends to rank very highly in consumer satisfaction according to online reviews. It also tends to rank significantly better when compared to less-expensive treatments. 

And of course, there are other ways that you can go about tackling your dog's flea situation. Short-term solutions such as topical creams, oral medications, or flea dips are alternative options to handle fleas and ticks. These methods do require considerable more elbow grease on your part in order to be effective.

If you’d prefer not to have to deal with dousing your dog in a dip solution or tricking him to take a pill, however, then a quality flea collar may be your best option. In a market that is filled with several long-term options, Seresto definitely holds its own in a big way.

What Are the Disadvantages of Using a Flea and Tick Collar?

While flea and tick collars work well directly on your dog, they don’t solve the problem of attacking the area of infestation. If your pooch is constantly being overwhelmed by flea attacks, you may want to look to a solution that eliminates the critters in the places they lay in wait.

Sometimes, dogs have bad reactions to the gas or medication the flea collars. These reactions could be as mild as skin irritation or could be as extreme as illness or death. Additionally, dogs that are uncomfortable with wearing a flea collar may try to gnaw off the collar, which could also cause health problems.

Because of this, it’s wise to constantly monitor your dog’s behavior and health as he wears the flea collar. If you suspect that your dog is uncomfortable or is exhibiting sickness after you apply the collar, make an appointment with your vet immediately.

Things to Look for in a Flea and Tick Collar

The most important thing you should take note of when you’re buying a flea collar is to make sure you’re getting the precise type of flea collar you want. While some collars offer the ability to act as both a repellent and a treatment, others do not. You’ll want to read the product’s box carefully to ensure a proper purchase.

Fortunately, there are several key phrases you can look for on the box that will give you major clues to how it operates. If you see phrases like “repels fleas” or “keeps pests away,” then the collar will simply act to drive the critters from feasting on your dog’s flesh. Conversely, if the word “kill” in on the box, you have a treatment-based collar in your hands.

If you’re getting a treatment-based collar, be sure to seek out one that promises to not only wipe out fleas and ticks, but eradicate eggs and larvae as well. Taking care of multiple generations of critters will maximize your pooch’s protection and help to make a significant dent in any infestation occurring on your property.

So, Should You Purchase Seresto?

There are certain human and canine lifestyles that lend itself more naturally to the purchase of a flea collar. An active, energetic dog that thrives on being outdoors is going to be exposing himself to a greater risk of developing a flea or tick issue. An indoor, couch potato breed may not have the same level of exposure.

Also, the lifestyle of the owner may be something that should be considered when a flea treatment is discussed. If you lead an active, on-the-go lifestyle, it may be a little more difficult to wholly commit to a more hands-on flea treatment like a shampoo or a dip. A flea collar offers a “fix it and forget it” style of solution for these people.

When either one of the aforementioned scenarios is in play, a collar like Seresto can be an effective weapon. The eight-month length of protection is a pretty impressive feature, especially since it’s the longest treatment out there. The fact that this length of time is not lip service is even more impressive.

Even though the price may be daunting and there are some concerns over the way the collar fits certain breeds, Seresto’s track record for amongst current and repeat customers is something that makes this product worth considering. While it may cost you a few extra bucks, it may be worth it for the sake of your dog.

And let’s not forget that your pooch is the one that ultimately benefits from this purchase. You are not only preventing fleas and ticks from making your dog's life miserable in the short-term, but you're also preventing it from developing potential health issues in the long-term. From a dog owner's perspective, nothing's more important.