What is Collar Allergy?
With all of the different styles, materials, and varieties of cat collars, your cat may be allergic to one of the materials or several, which can be a difficult thing to determine. However, just getting rid of the collar may not be good enough to ease your cat’s itching and pain. If your cat has had a reaction that you are able to see, the allergens have already had the time to release histamines into the body, which causes the symptoms.
It may take several weeks for the side effects to go away if you just take off the collar and do not treat the problem. It is best to take your cat to see a veterinarian and get her treated with an antihistamine or corticosteroid injection because this can help reduce the itching and inflammation right away. The veterinarian may also be able to suggest a collar that is safe enough to put on your cat.
A collar allergy is likely an reaction to one of the materials used in making the collar such as nylon, plastic, leather, fabric, elastic, and vinyl. If it is a flea collar causing the reaction, your cat could be allergic to the medication in the flea repellent or the material it is made of. Since there are so many types of collars, it may be difficult to determine what material your cat is actually allergic to, but the results are usually similar, but with one difference: the location.
For example, if your cat is allergic to the material it is made of, the symptoms may be localized to the neck area, but if it is a drug reaction it can affect the whole body and can be very dangerous for your pet. The most common signs include scratching and redness around the collar area, so it is important that you see a veterinary professional if you suspect that your cat has a collar allergy.
Symptoms of Collar Allergy in Cats
Because all cats have different immune systems and collars are so varied, the symptoms can vary quite a bit as well. However, the most common are:
Regular Collars
- Red irritated rash anywhere on the body but mostly on the neck
- Chewing on and pulling out hair
- Long red lesions (granulomas)
- Crusty sores and papules
- Hair loss in the collar area
Flea Collars
- Scratching all over the body
- Extremely red rash or blisters on neck under collar
- Chewing at feet (sometimes mutilating)
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Swelling of the face
- Sore, red ears
Types
There are many styles of cat collars made from all kinds of materials such as:
- Safety collars that break away if the collar gets caught on something; these may be made of any kind of material
- Elastic collars are similar to a large hair scrunchie and are usually made from some kind of fabric
- Buckle collars are usually made of fabric, leather, nylon, or even plastic
- Flea collars are usually made from plastic resins that are mixed with insecticide
Causes of Collar Allergy in Cats
The cause of collar allergy could be a number of different materials, which may include:
- Vinyl
- Plastic
- Leather
- Fabric
- Elastic
Diagnosis of Collar Allergy in Cats
Diagnosing any kind of allergy can be challenging and time consuming. But, with a collar allergy, the veterinarian is usually able to tell where the main exposure area is so it is a bit easier. If may help if you bring the collar to show the veterinarian, especially if it is a flea collar that seems to be causing the problem. A comprehensive physical exam has to be done first, taking special notice of the skin. Your cat’s vital signs will be recorded and the overall health of your cat is also noted at this time. Blood, skin, urine, and stool samples will all be taken for analysis.
Treatment of Collar Allergy in Cats
The treatment will likely include medication, and supportive care such as fluid therapy may also be provided.
Medication
Some of the antihistamines your veterinarian may use are chlorpheniramine, clemastine fumarate, hydroxyzine, or diphenhydramine. Another drug that has shown to be effective is cyclosporine. Steroids such as triamcinolone, methylprednisolone flumethasone, dexamethasone, or betamethasone are also excellent for severe cases.
Supportive Care
Intravenous (IV) fluid may be offered to prevent dehydration in your cat and oxygen is also available if needed.
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Recovery of Collar Allergy in Cats
Your cat should be back to normal within a few days, although the rash may take a few weeks to heal if it was severe. Some cats have scars from self-mutilation, but that is rare.
Collar Allergy Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Korat
Orlando
7 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itching Just A Little
My cat has this weird red oval shape on the back of its neck and he wears a flea collar so I don't know if that's the thing and I don't think it's fleas or ticks because he doesn't scratch and bite himself or anything to ever believe the itching but it made me a little scared cuz when I was about to change his flea collar few minutes ago I just noticed it and I didn't know how long he already had it and I don't know what to do
July 26, 2018
1 Recommendations
For the time being try to keep Orlando indoors and don’t put another flea collar on him, bathe the area around the neck with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly; keep an eye on the spot for signs of improvement, once healed try to use a topical spot on medication instead of a collar to see if it is better. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 27, 2018
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Lucy
3 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scab On Neck
My pretty kitty has fleas so we got her a flea collar. After reading the reviews and how some animals have averse reactions I decided to check her daily. She just developed a scablike area on her neck. I removed the collar and give her a bath making sure to wash her neck. It was a very minor scab but I am a helicopter cat Mom so I just wanted to double check that the reaction will stop after the collar is removed? She hasn't shown any signs of lethargy and hasn't been bother by me check the area. I just wanted to confirm she will be okay and if I should do anything to treat the scabbed area.
July 25, 2018
2 Recommendations
Nothing wrong with being an attentive pet parent. If you have removed the collar and bathed the area around the neck, no further treatment should be required only monitor it for improvement; it would be better to try a topical spot on medication in the future as they are tolerated better generally than collars. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 25, 2018
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mixed
Isabella
3 Months
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching
I put a collar on my kitten and I noticed it was causing her to have a sore do I took it off and used a little ointment. The sore was almost healed but she started scratching it now the scab is hanging off.what can I do?
July 20, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
If the area is not infected or getting worse, that scab should fall off normally and a new scab should form. If she keeps scratching at it, it might be getting infected or be itchy, and she might need to see a veterinarian to get medications to help it heal.
July 20, 2018
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Ragdoll
Shanaya
5 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scraching
Scraching, Scabs
my cat scraches around her neck and behind her ears so much that she has removed her fur and caused scabs. I have removed the collar but the scraching has not stopped. What should i do next?
July 19, 2018
1 Recommendations
You should ensure that the area around the neck with washed thoroughly with a mild soap to remove any residue and to bathe any sores which may be around the neck; try to discourage Shanaya from scratching herself. If there is no improvement over the next few days you should visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 19, 2018
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tabby
Emily
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching
I just got my tabby cat a 8 month flea & tick collar for a 7 month grace period and she was ok at first all the ticks and fleas are dying....but I'm starting to see 4 sores on her as if maybe it could be eating her skin...the brand is hartz it's full body protection so what can I do about that ??
July 18, 2018
0 Recommendations
If the sores are near the collar, it may be a chemical burn; you should remove the collar and bathe Emily with a mild shampoo to remove any residue from the skin or fur; bathe the sores and apply a little Neosporin to each one regularly. Visit your Veterinarian as well for an examination to be on the safe side as they may report the incident back to the manufacturer (pharmacovigilance). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 19, 2018
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Sir
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sneezing
I put a hartz flea collar on my 8 year old cat and he began sneezing and coughing and threw up once. I didnt know what was causing this issues. I looked at the last changes and the collar was the only change. I removed the collar today. Day 3 of the symptoms ad I will keep an eye out for improvement
domestic short hair
Shay
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Gagging
Lethargy
Hair Loss
Rash
Sores
Scab
Unusual Meowing
Our cat is indoor only. She has shown small balding spots from her Seresto flea collar. Our Female Domestic Short Haired cat has been dealing with fleas. We tried Frontline but it was not effective enough. We decided to try a Soresto flea collar for a change because they rave about it on the commercials plus a bit of research seems to say over all that it's fine for cats. Well, we ended up taking the collar off today as our cat was not quite her self. We had put the collar on August 19, 2019, so today (August 24, 2019) has marked 6 days of her wearing the collar. I am going to bathe her as well with earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Fragrance Free Cat Shampoo next. The past two or three days she had randomly had meowing fits, once in the early morning hours, again in the late evening hours...it's just completely unusual behavior for her. She has also only within a couple days started randomly doing a minor head bob like going to vomit and slight gag look but no gag noise and nothing coming of it. She's also a little bit on the lethargic side. She has been eating, drinking and using the litterbox fine at least. I am hoping that after the bath, she will return to her normal old self! Speaking of old...we don't know her exact age as she was born in our garage but we guessed she was born somewhere between 2-4 days before we found her...eyes still closed and ears folded. This was back in August of 2008 I believe, which puts our kitty Shay at roughly 11 years old. She was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure in the end of October 2018. She is on Hills Prescription Diet k/d dry food.
