When it comes to treating flea infections, there are always two ways to go: one is to treat the environment where the flea breeds, and the other is to treat the pet itself. Environmental treatments may include flea powder, carpet treatment, insect bombs, and spraying insecticides. Pet treatments include flea shampoo, prescription topical or internal medications, and a familiar over-the-counter device called a flea collar.

Prior to the advent of prescription flea drugs, cat owners had limited options for treating their pets directly. Flea combs and shampoos help to remove or kill adult fleas, but have little effect on preventing infection at the source. Flea collars were introduced as an effective method to repel fleas without using harmful pesticides. The cat owner can simply activate the ingredients through a pop action, stick it to the pet, and watch the fleas disappear.

Advances in flea control drugs, such as topical "topical" treatments, have had an impact on the popularity of over-the-counter drugs, such as flea collars and flea powder, but many cat owners still buy affordable over-the-counter flea collars that are still available on store shelves today .

There are two schools of thought about flea collar technology. Some flea collars are designed as flea repellents, which means that active ingredients such as citronella produce hostile odors to repel fleas on pets. Adult fleas do not necessarily die from exposure, but they will seek relief by leaving the cat's skin and coat as quickly as possible. These types of flea collars are commonly sold as flea repellents.

The other type of flea collar is more like a drug delivery system. The collar is filled with chemical pesticides, which are absorbed by the cat’s skin and fur. These active ingredients can actually kill flea larvae, flea cocoons and adult fleas that are often in contact. Some may also contain insect repellents, but they are mainly used to end the entire life cycle of a flea infection.

Among the two types of flea collars on the market, the insect repellent model is considered not as effective as the insecticide-infused model.

Many flea collars are advertised as "the best fit for one size", but there are still differences between adult cats and kittens. Flea collars designed for adult cats contain higher levels of insecticides or repellents than collars designed for kittens. The same standards apply to adult dogs and puppies. Once you have determined whether to use an insect repellent or a flea-killing brand, please read the product label carefully to make sure it is age-appropriate.

There are basically three different flea collar designs to choose from, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Ease of use is a major consideration, but safety and health factors also need to be kept in mind.

The instructions accompanying the flea collar should explain the entire process from start to finish, but here is an overview. Some flea collars contain ingredients that require activation to take effect. This may involve stretching the belt or buckling the belt quickly. Others may be ready to use it right out of the box.

Buckle-style flea collars usually have an extra-long belt that allows the owner to customize the fit and cut off the excess. The right match is very important. If it is too tight, pets may develop skin ulcers or difficulty breathing or swallowing. If it is too loose, the pet may be able to remove it completely or trap its paws in it. The ideal fit should be loose enough to provide comfort, but close enough to prevent removal.

Elastic flea collars usually slide on the cat’s head and then bounce back into place on its neck. The fit may be a good fit, so owners should consider buying a larger size or looking for a more adjustable collar style.

Separate collars usually fit like traditional identification or strap collars. The leash wraps around the pet's neck, and then snaps to hold it in place. The fit may or may not be adjustable, depending on the brand. If the collar must be removed quickly, the snaps should be completely detached.

Cat flea collars are usually best used in combination with other forms of flea control. Insect repellents or insecticides in the collar will only affect the cat itself, and will not affect the cat's other environment. The owner needs to take more measures to completely control the fleas.

Cleaning the cat’s bedding or favorite blanket will help prevent fleas from establishing colonies in it. Frequent vacuuming with a pet-friendly vacuum cleaner can also help remove flea dirt, excess pet hair, flea eggs, and dead adult fleas. In addition, mopping hard floors will remove flea colonies living in cracks and crevices.

Applying flea powder on carpets can also solve this problem, while spraying locally with insecticides approved for fleas. In the worst case, owners can also consider using room sprayers or flea bombs to eradicate large flea infestations. There are also physiotherapy services available for outdoor use. Although non-toxic methods such as ultrasonic insect repellents can help control the number of fleas, the overall evaluation of these devices is not high.

When flea collars for cats and dogs were first introduced to the public, they were seen as a huge improvement over messy and dangerous products such as flea powder and flea shampoo. All the owner had to do was activate a simple belt-style collar. Insect repellent creates a flea-free zone around the cat, and insecticide kills fleas at all stages of the life cycle.

However, as newer flea products (such as topical topical and prescription drugs) become more popular, the disadvantages of flea collars become more obvious. Flea collars emit high levels of toxic chemicals, and many cats suffer from serious diseases. Some cats have skin ulcers due to regular use of tight collars. Others injure themselves while trying to remove the flea collar, and accidental trapping or entanglement is always a potential danger.

Although the official does not prohibit cats from using flea collars, there are calls for better education of consumers about their potential environmental and safety hazards. For example, the National Resources Defense Council maintains a database of toxic chemicals used to produce flea collars.

Michael Pollick is a contributor to BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company whose mission is to help simplify your buying decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products, recommending the best choice for most consumers. If you purchase a product through one of our links, BestReviews and its newspaper partners may receive a commission.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.