Last Updated: 16/12/2025
Are Tick Collars Enough to Protect Your Pet? Vet Advice on Prevention
Are you relying on a tick collar alone? Learn from an experienced vet whether collars provide adequate protection against deadly paralysis ticks. We break down the pros, cons, and why combining preventatives is often the safest choice for your pet.
Author: Dr Elise Barry BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Australia's beautiful landscape unfortunately comes with a serious health risk for our beloved dogs and cats: ticks. While brown and bush ticks can cause irritation and transmit diseases like Ehrlichiosis, the paralysis tick is the one that sends chills down every Aussie pet parent's spine. Found primarily along the East Coast, the paralysis tick releases a deadly venom that can lead to rapid paralysis and death if not treated immediately.
With a massive selection of tick preventatives on the market - from spot-ons to tablets to, yes, collars - it's completely understandable to feel confused. Many pet parents ask: are tick collars effective? Are they a complete, stand-alone solution for tick prevention? We'll draw on years of clinical experience to guide you through the pros and cons of tick collars and help you determine the best, scientifically-backed strategy to keep your furry friend safe.
The different types of ticks in Australia
There are three main tick species in Australia that can affect your dog or cat:
- Paralysis Ticks (Ixodes holocyclus): These are the most dangerous. They are commonly found along the East Coast, from Queensland to Victoria. They release a powerful neurotoxin that causes progressive paralysis and is often fatal without immediate veterinary attention.
- Brown Dog Ticks (Rhipicephalus linnaei, previously R. sanguineus): These ticks are widespread and can infest homes and kennels. While they usually only cause local irritation, they are responsible for transmitting serious diseases like Ehrlichiosis.
- Bush Ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis): Also common across the country, these ticks typically cause local irritation where they attach but are generally not life-threatening.
How tick collars work for dogs and cats
Tick collars are a popular choice because they are long-lasting and easy to use. Instead of relying on your pet to swallow a tablet or a liquid application, the collar works in two ways:
- Repelling Ticks: The compounds in tick collars like Seresto and Kiltix are designed to repel ticks before they can attach. This can be especially useful for preventing the transmission of diseases like Ehrlichiosis where the tick needs to feed for transmission to occur (please note that only Seresto is registered to reduce the transmission of Ehrlichiosis.
- Killing Ticks: The compounds in tick collars are also designed to kill the ticks after they come into contact with the animal’s skin and coat.
Pros and cons of tick collars
Pros
- Affordable: Often more cost-effective than monthly oral or spot-on treatments.
- Easy to Use: Simply clip it on. No tablets or liquids required.
- Long-Lasting: Require less frequent application than monthly products.
- Repellant Action: Repel ticks before they bite, which can help prevent disease transmission.
Cons
- Not 100% effective: They are generally not fully effective against paralysis ticks in high-risk areas.
- Water Sensitivity: Effectiveness can be reduced by frequent swimming or bathing.
- Coat Penetration: May take time to fully penetrate thick coats, potentially reducing effectiveness initially.
- Safety Risk: Not suitable for teething puppies or kittens, as chewing or eating the collar can cause serious illness.
Tick collars versus other preventatives
Choosing the right tick preventative often comes down to your pet's lifestyle, the area you live in, and the specific threat you are facing.
Action: Kills ticks rapidly after they bite.
Duration: Monthly to 3-monthly
Best for: Fast, reliable protection against paralysis ticks; great for water lovers.
Please note: oral combined flea and tick preventatives are only available for dogs
Is a tick collar enough for paralysis tick protection?
The short answer is: it depends, but usually no, not alone.
For dogs living in areas only at risk of Brown Dog Ticks and Bush Ticks, a high-quality repelling collar like Seresto may provide adequate protection and help prevent diseases like Ehrlichiosis.
However, for pets along the East Coast at risk of the deadly Paralysis Tick also, we strongly recommend a combination approach.
To achieve the best possible safety net, especially in high-risk paralysis tick areas, we recommend:
- A primary isoxazoline-based chew (e.g., Simparica, Bravecto, Credelio, or Nexgard) because these products kill ticks extremely quickly and offer reliable, systemic protection.
- PLUS a repellant tick collar (e.g., Seresto) to provide an extra layer of defence by discouraging ticks from climbing onto and attaching to your pet in the first place.
For cats who spend time outdoors, we recommend tick prevention using isoxazoline-based products such as Nexgard Spectra, Bravecto or Revolution Plus. While Brown dog ticks pose minimal risk to cats, if you live in an area where Brown Dog ticks are active, we recommend speaking to your vet regarding additional tick control for your cat.
What to do if you find a tick on your pet
Finding a tick is always worrying, but knowing what to do immediately can save your pet's life.
- Remove the tick: Use tick-removing tweezers or a tick remover tool to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull steadily upwards. Do not twist or squeeze the body of the tick, as this can inject more venom.
- Seek veterinary care immediately: Even after the tick is removed, the venom is still in your pet's system and symptoms can worsen or develop further. Take your pet to your veterinarian immediately for examination. They may need tick anti-serum and supportive care, even if your pet seems fine at that moment.
- Monitor closely: Even if your vet sends your pet home without treatment, monitor them closely for 24-48 hours for signs of voice change, hind-leg weakness, vomiting, or difficulty breathing/swallowing.
The best tick prevention strategy
The safest approach is a multi-layered strategy tailored to your pet's specific risks:
- Know your area: Identify the type of ticks prevalent where you live and where you travel.
- The gold standard (east coast/high-risk): Combine a fast-acting oral preventative (tablet/chew) with a repelling collar for maximum protection.
- The non-negotiable step: Perform a daily tick search on your pet, feeling thoroughly with your fingers against the direction of hair growth. This is the ultimate safety net.
Weigh up the pros and cons of tick collars, read product instructions closely, and remember it is always safest to check with your vet about the best prevention to suit your dog or cat's needs.
FAQs
Tick collars are a valuable and convenient tool in the fight against ticks, offering long-lasting and easy-to-use protection. However, it's crucial to remember the cold, hard fact of life in tick-prone areas: no single product can guarantee 100% protection against the deadly paralysis tick.
For dogs and cats living along the East Coast, a multi-modal approach - often combining a fast-acting oral preventative with a repelling collar - is the gold standard recommended by vets.
The final, essential layer of protection is always a daily tick search. If you have any doubt about the best product combination for your pet's lifestyle and location, please reach out to your local vet or contact us for tailored advice.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 16 Dec 2025
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Elise Barry BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Elise graduated from the University of Sydney in 2007 and worked in mixed practice in the Central Tablelands before relocating to South East Queensland to work in small animal practice. Dr Elise has completed a diploma in wildlife management and furthered her studies in ophthalmology and animal behaviour. She enjoys helping pet owners to understand their pets and keep them happy and healthy.
