How to Buy a Flea Collar

As a dog or cat owner, one of the ways you can keep fleas off your pet is a flea collar. One type of flea collar releases a gas that's toxic to fleas, another produces a powder that disperses in the pet's fur and a third contains an insecticide that the animal's fat absorbs and thereby kills the fleas.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Weigh your dog so you can be sure to buy the right flea collar. If you don't have an accurate scale at home, ask your veterinarian if you can weigh your pet at the office.

2. Check your dog for existing fleas. Flea collars don't work well against fleas the animal already has. However, they are certainly better than using nothing until you can utilize a different method.

3. Choose the type of flea collar you want. They range in price and effectiveness. Read the packages to determine what type of insecticide and method of delivery the collar uses.

4. Make sure you buy a collar that is safe for your pet. Do not put a cat flea collar on a dog, and vice versa. In addition, purchase a collar that will work for the size of animal you have. If you put a collar designed for a very large dog on a Chihuahua, for example, you may expose your pet to too much insecticide. Finally, check the warning section of the label. Usually, you shouldn't put a flea collar on animals less than 12 weeks old, nursing mothers, pregnant animals or sick animals.

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