One of the most common problems that we see people having with their pet cats is fleas and this causes many people to reach out with various flea related problems each month.
A Seresto collar is definitely one of the best ways to deal with fleas in your cat but some people end up having problems with their cat’s Seresto collar too.
One problem that we have seen people having recently is with their cat licking its Seresto collar, often obsessively without your cat wanting to do anything else.
This can be a potentially serious issue as it’s never a good idea to let your pet cat inject an anti-flea treatment so you really should be looking to discourage your cat from licking its Seresto collar as soon as possible.
The longer you leave your cat to chew or lick its Seresto collar, the more likely it is that the cat will develop a habit of doing this making it more difficult to train out of your cat.
This is why you really do need to take action as soon as possible but even then, it can still be difficult to stop your cat from licking its Seresto collar.
What Is A Seresto Collar?
A Seresto collar is an anti-flea device that you put around your cat’s neck in order to protect them from fleas.
The way that it works is that the Seresto collar releases a small amount of pesticide onto your cat’s fur which then spreads out over their body and provides protection from fleas for up to 8 months.
This is a much more effective way of dealing with fleas than other methods such as spot-on treatments and it’s also much more convenient as you only need to put the collar on once every 8 months.
The main ingredient in a Seresto collar is imidacloprid which is a pesticide that is commonly used in flea treatments.
This pesticide works by paralyzing the fleas which then means that they can’t feed on your cat’s blood and eventually die.
The amount of imidacloprid that is released from a Seresto collar is very small and it’s not considered to be harmful to cats, however, some cats may be allergic to it.
If you think that your cat may be allergic to imidacloprid then you should speak to your veterinarian as they will be able to advise you on what to do.
Is It Normal For A Cat To Lick A Seresto Collar?
It is not normal for a cat to lick a Seresto collar and if your cat is doing this then it’s definitely something that you should be concerned about.
There are a few reasons why your cat may be licking its Seresto collar including:
Your Cat Is Trying to Remove the Collar
If your cat is licking its Seresto collar then it may be because it is uncomfortable or itchy and your cat is trying to remove it.
Your Cat Is Trying to Get Rid of The Taste
Another reason why your cat may be licking its Seresto collar is because it doesn’t like the taste of the pesticide and it is trying to get rid of it.
Your Cat Is Allergic to The Pesticide
As we mentioned before, some cats may be allergic to the imidacloprid that is used in Seresto collars. If your cat is licking its Seresto collar then it may be because it is trying to get rid of the taste of the pesticide.
It Is Completing A Habit
Once a cat starts licking its Seresto collar, it can become a habit and your cat may continue to do it even if there is no longer any reason to.
Your Cat Is Bored
Some cats may start to lick their Seresto collar out of boredom if they don’t have anything else to do.
What Happens If A Cat Licks A Seresto Collar?
If a cat licks a Seresto collar then it’s not going to be harmful to them as the amount of pesticide that is released from the collar is very small.
However, if your cat is licking its Seresto collar obsessively then it may be ingesting more of the pesticide than is safe and this could potentially lead to poisoning.
Symptoms of imidacloprid poisoning in cats include:
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Lethargy.
- Depression.
- Loss of appetite.
- Dilated pupils.
- Tremors.
- Seizures.
- Coma.
If you think that your cat has ingested a harmful amount of pesticide then you should take them to the vet immediately as they will be able to treat them.
How To Stop Your Cat From Licking Its Seresto Collar!
If your cat is licking its Seresto collar then there are a few things that you can do in order to stop it from doing this including:
Try a Different Flea Treatment
If your cat is licking its Seresto collar then it may be because it is allergic to the imidacloprid that is used in the collar.
There are other flea treatments available that use different pesticides so it may be worth trying one of these instead.
Speak To Your Vet
If your cat is licking its Seresto collar then it’s definitely something that you should speak to your veterinarian about as they will be able to advise you on what to do.
They may be able to prescribe your cat a different flea treatment or they may be able to give you some tips on how to stop your cat from licking its collar.
Try A Different Collar
If your cat is licking its Seresto collar then it may be because it is uncomfortable or itchy.
There are other collars available that may be more comfortable for your cat to wear so it may be worth trying one of these instead.
Give Your Cat Something Else To Do
Some cats may start to lick their Seresto collar out of boredom if they don’t have anything else to do.
Try to give your cat some toys or play with them more often so that they are not bored.
