Bob Martin Flea Collars (Bob Martin Flea Products)

Member Name: indigojade

Product:	Bob Martin Flea Products
Date:	09/04/01 (557 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: protects against fleas for 4 months, suitable for sensetive skinned cats allergic to other flea products

Disadvantages: can be dangerous in not fitted correctly

I have used a variety of flea products on my cats in recent years,one of my favourites being the program drops. However one of my cats unfortunately has developed a bad skin reaction to sprays and drops, nessitating a change of treatment for fleas. She is, unluckily for her prey the most awesome mouser, therefore needing regular de-fleaing! Bob Martins collars were recommended to me by my vet as the best course of action.

Since we have been unable to use the usual treatment of drops, we have had to resort to collars. I always thought that the collars could be used in conjunction with the drops, but I have lately realised this is not the case, especially not with Bob Martins flea collars.

The collar itself comes in a circular sealed plastic container - an absolute nightmare to open! The collars come in blue and red and look a little similar to jelly shoes. They do not feel particularly pleasant to human hands, but Guinness (cat) doesn't appear to mind this. The entire collar is impregnated with flea killer! The collar is fastened with a buckle, which is quite fiddly to fasten especially on a wriggly cat! The buckle does hold the collar firmly though, so there is no slippage on the smooth material the collar is made from. I found that the collar was a great length, needing about 1 inch cutting away after correct fitting.

To those who have never put a collar on a cat, you should always ensure that there is enough room to slip one finger between the collar and your cats neck. To tight and the collar will choke your cat, too loose and the cat is in danger of catching the collar on protruding branches and hanging or choking itself. I am not a great fan of flea collars, even less the reflective/ diamate studded collars. My cat wears a collar for flea protection only, not as a fashion accessory!

If placing on a small cat or kitten (over 6 months) check the fit of the collar at least every month to ensure the collar is not too tigh
t. Always trim any excess collar away and dispose of, do not leave 'growing' room on the collar, as it would be dangerous for the cat to chew the end of the collar.

When first applying the collar Guinness did have some fleas, not a vast infestation but fleas none the less. I applied the collar and after a couple of hours of wearing she was no longer scratching as much as before application. The claim on the box, is that 'flea kill' begins immeadiately! I wouldn't dispute this claim at all, as it certainly appeared to make a difference to her. After a days wearing she was no longer scratching herself because of fleas, only the occasional flick to show her displeasure, as cats are prone to doing!

Bob Martins collars protect the cat from fleas for up to four months. I do not know if they work well after this period as I change Guinness's collar exactly the four months is up. The collar claims to be unaffected by water and need not removed when bathing the animal! Hmm that is something I am not about to do with Guinness as I value my life, but handy to know as I have to bath one of my other cats every few months!.

As with all medication products children should be taught NOT to touch the collar as it contains diazinon which is an organophorous compound, if the collar is touched, then the hands must be washed in soapy water afterwards.

I have been using this collar on Guinness for about 12 months now and have had no adverse reaction from her at all, other than the initial fitting that is, once the old collar is off so is she! I find that the flea collars, which come in packs of 2 for between £3.50- £4.50 compare very favourably to other flea collar products. Another bonus with these collars, is that since using them, Guinness has not once come home without it on! A problme I found with the fabric flea collars as well as the fact the fabric ones fray and look tatty after a few weeks wear. They are not the mos
t attractive flea collar in the world, but they do the job for which they are intended - killing fleas!

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