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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

I seem to be searching for the impossible item.

21 replies

TopBitchoftheWitches · 02/10/2021 09:42

Can anyone recommend a quick release flea collar for cats?

All the quick release ones seem to be reflective but not flea collars and all flea collars are fixed collars iyswim?

I don't really want a fixed collar due to one of my three cats getting injured by one.

Any advice I shall be very grateful.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 02/10/2021 09:45

Wouldn’t you be better getting a decent spot on flea treatment from the vets?

Original poster
TopBitchoftheWitches · 02/10/2021 09:49

I use a spot on treatment, this is for after that.

OP posts:
JingleCatJingle · 02/10/2021 09:51

Flea collars are not used any more.
Get a decent spot on treatment from your vet.

westcountryboy · 02/10/2021 09:52

Flea collars are crap. Just use a decent treatment regularly and that should be enough.

Wolfiefan · 02/10/2021 09:56

If you use a decent spot on from the vet and not a dodgy OTC one then you don’t need a flea collar. Just keep the spot on done regularly.

GeidiPrimes · 02/10/2021 10:00

Quick-release collars aren't fit for purpose - either they fall away too easily or they don't release. I found this out to my peril, when my poor little cat got his caught in his mouth like a bit. He didn't make a sound, just sat there suffering in silence, mouth gaping until I noticed Sad. It would be really terrifying for a cat some way from his home.

I only use flea collars in my vacuum - wouldn't dream of putting one on a pet. Try Advantage spot on, can be bought online.

Original poster
TopBitchoftheWitches · 02/10/2021 10:04

I've been using front line so will swap to advantage, thank you.

Yes one of mine got hurt by her fixed flea collar by managing to get her arm(?) through it.
That's why I was looking for quick release ones.

Thanks all.

OP posts:
bonzo77 · 02/10/2021 10:07

My old cat and my mums had awful reactions to flea collars so have not used them for years. I don’t think they work. Current cat always got her leg or jaw caught in normal collars and pulled off the quick release ones. So she’s not worn one since she was a kitten. She’s now 11.

Wolfiefan · 02/10/2021 10:08

Quick release ones don’t always release. Let alone quickly!
If you’ve been using frontline you should get some Indorex and treat the house too unfortunately.

waybill · 02/10/2021 10:15

We are currently fostering a rescued stray who was injured by a collar that he managed to somehow get his front leg through. The injury under his armpit was horrible and red raw, and it's taken weeks of antibiotics and visits to the vets. It still hasn't healed properly.

Collars are a big no-no as far as I'm concerned.

RuleOfCat · 02/10/2021 10:19

Please don't use a flea collar OR a quick release collar. Both are dangerous.

dementedpixie · 02/10/2021 10:22

Frontline is often ineffective so I'd change to a different one. Either get from the vet or use something like Advantage that can be bought OTC

Original poster
TopBitchoftheWitches · 02/10/2021 10:51

@waybill

We are currently fostering a rescued stray who was injured by a collar that he managed to somehow get his front leg through. The injury under his armpit was horrible and red raw, and it's taken weeks of antibiotics and visits to the vets. It still hasn't healed properly.

Collars are a big no-no as far as I'm concerned.

Sounds similar to my girl.
OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 02/10/2021 13:07

I also agree that you shouldn't use any collars at all and you certainly shouldn't use flea collars. For starters they don't work and they can irritate the skin. Just use Advantage spot on.

And yes I'm with a rescue and we've seen some horrific collar injuries - and of course we only see those that live. Those that are killed by their collars don't come into us.

TheNinjaWife · 03/10/2021 14:36

Bob Martin do quick release flea and tick collars that are also reflective. We live in a high tick area and although we treat our cat with treatment we use these too. He has been wearing one for about 10 years now, but we do take it off when he goes to bed at night. He is around 15 years old.
We got our collars from Sainsbury’s. They come in pale pink and blue.
These are quite new out and seem to be the best so far.
I feel he is safer in early evening wearing a collar because it’s reflective. Also I put extra bells on it to prevent him catching birds. Seems to work although he does still bring in mice.

TheNinjaWife · 03/10/2021 14:40

Just to add our cat is quite large. He also does not climb trees or like to get into enclosed spaces. I’d be more cautious if he was smaller and or like to crawl under things or climb/jump.

dementedpixie · 03/10/2021 14:44

I wouldn't use Bob Martin anything tbh

icedcoffees · 03/10/2021 15:18

Definitely try Advantage.

Collars on cats are a big no-no IMO. I also don't like collars on dogs in the house - they should be for walks only.

thecatneuterer · 03/10/2021 17:28

@TheNinjaWife Flea collars don't work and they also shouldn't be used together with other products as they apparently interact, and not in a good way. And all collars are a risk. Use Advantage and leave it at that.

And as a matter of principle I would never use Bob Martin's anything because of their past prioritising of profit over cats' lives.

CrystalMaisie · 03/10/2021 19:53

Now cats are chipped, is there any need for a collar?

JingleCatJingle · 06/10/2021 08:47

There is certainly a need to collar my pure black cat, otherwise cars would not stop.
I use quick release collars.

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