Seresto FAQs
Explore our frequently asked questions about Seresto for Cats and Dogs
Seresto for Dogs FAQs
Basic Product Information
Seresto for Dogs is an odourless, water-resistant* collar that protects your dog against fleas and ticks. Seresto works on contact, so fleas and ticks don’t need to bite to be killed. Seresto is the only product that protects dogs against deadly ehrlichiosis.
Seresto for Dogs protects dogs against fleas and paralysis ticks for 8 months, brown dog ticks, bush ticks and tick-borne diseases for 4 months, and kills lice present at the time of treatment.
Seresto for Dogs contains two active ingredients – imidacloprid and flumethrin. They are stored in the collar’s unique polymer matrix and released in low controlled doses, as needed, to maintain effective concentrations on your pet.
Seresto for Dogs’ innovative polymer matrix stores two active ingredients, imidacloprid and flumethrin, within the collar. Once fitted to your dog, the active ingredients migrate from the collar and spread through the fatty/oily layer of your dog’s skin and hair coat, where they work on contact to kill fleas, and repel and kill ticks.
The active ingredients continue to migrate in low doses from the collar to your dog, to provide continuous protection against fleas and paralysis ticks for 8 months, and brown dog ticks, bush ticks and tick-borne diseases, including deadly ehrlichiosis, for 4 months. Read more about how Seresto collars work here.
The Seresto collar is water-resistant* and does not need to be removed for bathing. Always use a soap-free shampoo and towel dry under the collar after exposure to water. *Read the product label for further information.
The Seresto collar is water resistant* and does not need to be removed for swimming. Always towel dry under the collar after exposure to water. *Read the product label for further information.
To ensure authenticity of your Seresto collar, it is recommended to:
- Purchase only from authorised and reputable retailers, such as veterinary clinics, established pet stores, or reputable online retailers. Click here to buy from an approved retailer.
- Carefully check the packaging for official Elanco branding, batch numbers and expiry dates. These details should be clear and legible.
- Be cautious of unusually low prices or products sold through unofficial channels, as these can sometimes indicate counterfeit products.
If you have doubts about the authenticity of a Seresto collar, contact our Animal Health Consultants on 1800 995 709 for guidance.
Usage & Application
To apply a Seresto Collar for Dogs, simply remove the collar from the protective pouch immediately before you intend to apply to your dog. Unroll the collar and remove the plastic connectors remaining on the inside edge of the collar. Put the collar around your dog’s neck and push one end of the collar through the loops. Tighten until two fingers fit between the collar and your dog’s neck. Cut off any extra length of the collar, but leave 2cm of the loose end beyond the second loop.
For puppies, leave additional length to allow for adjustment of the collar as they grow.
Seresto for Dogs provides 8 months of flea and paralysis tick prevention. For dogs at risk of brown dog ticks, bush ticks and tick-borne diseases, the collar should be replaced every 4 months.
No. Seresto for Dogs should only be applied to dogs. Seresto for Cats can be safely applied to your cat.
Seresto for Dogs can be worn alongside your dog’s usual collar, but always ensure that the Seresto collar is in contact with the skin.
Leashes or name tags should not be attached to the Seresto collar, as the force of your pet pulling against it could potentially open the safety mechanism. Use your normal collar or harness to attach the leash.
Seresto for Dogs can be used on puppies over 7 weeks of age.
The safety of Seresto has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. For flea and tick control, AdvantixTM can be used on pregnant and lactating dogs.
Seresto should be used continuously all year round. It should not be removed for an extended period and reapplied. However, if you’ve removed the collar only temporarily (e.g. during grooming), you can reapply it.
Effectiveness & Results
Ticks already on your dog prior to applying Seresto may not be killed immediately after collar application and may remain attached. Therefore, removal of ticks already on your dog at the time of application is recommended.
The paralysis tick is a potentially deadly parasite and difficult to control. While Seresto kills paralysis ticks for 8 months, the risk of tick paralysis cannot be entirely eliminated as it takes only one adult female tick to cause tick paralysis. Therefore, daily searching for and removal of any ticks found is recommended.
Seresto will kill fleas that are already on the pet within 24 hours of first applying Seresto. Only 5% of a flea infestation is adult fleas on your pet – the rest of the lifecycle occurs in the environment, your home and garden. In an infestation, it is also important to ensure you are implementing appropriate environmental flea control alongside regular flea prevention for all pets in your household.
Safety & Precautions
Seresto for Dogs is safe for dogs and puppies from 7 weeks of age when used as per the product label. Always use the correct product size based on your dog’s weight. If your dog has any specific health issues, please talk to your veterinarian.
Application site reactions such as itchiness has been reported in rare cases, while skin disorders of dermatitis (including hot spots or moist dermatitis), redness, hair loss, eczema, lesions and excessive licking/grooming have been reported very rarely. In these instances, temporary collar removal may be recommended until the symptoms have disappeared.
Also in rare cases, slight and transient reactions such as depression, change in food intake, salivation, vomiting and diarrhoea might occur initially.
Behavioural changes including hiding, vocalisation and hyperactivity have been reported in very rare cases and may be observed in animals that are not used to wearing collars for the first few days after application.
If your dog experiences any adverse reaction, please contact our Animal Health Consultants on 1800 995 709 or productsupportau@elancoah.com. For help with your dog’s health, reach out to your veterinarian.
Application site reactions such as itchiness has been reported in rare cases, while skin disorders of dermatitis (including hot spots or moist dermatitis), redness, hair loss, eczema, lesions and excessive licking/grooming have been reported very rarely. In these instances, temporary collar removal may be recommended until the symptoms have disappeared.
In the unlikely event your dog develops any of these symptoms, please call Elanco on 1800 995 709 to speak with one of our Animal Health Consultants.
Mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea may occur if your dog chews on their Seresto collar. Contact your veterinarian if your dog eats large parts or their entire Seresto collar, as veterinary attention is recommended in these cases. To prevent dogs from chewing on their Seresto collar, ensure it is properly fitted.
The active ingredients of the Seresto collar are bound within the collar matrix, limiting the amount of active ingredients available on the surface. If your dog licks the collar, some mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea may occur, however typically resolve within 24 hours. If your dog shows signs of illness, contact our Animal Health Consultants on 1800 997 709, or speak to your veterinarian. Ensure the Seresto collar is fitted correctly to prevent your dog from licking or chewing on the collar.
Specific Parasites & Conditions
Yes, Seresto Collar for Dogs protects against paralysis ticks for 8 months.
Yes, Seresto Collar for Dogs protects against brown dog ticks and the diseases they can transmit between dogs including ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and babesiosis for 4 months.
No, Seresto Collar for Dogs does not offer prevention of heartworm disease. For heartworm disease prevention, consider CredelioTM PLUS for Dogs. Credelio PLUS can be administered alongside Seresto.
No, Seresto Collar for Dogs does not repel mosquitoes. AdvantixTM can be used to repel mosquitoes.
Comparisons & Combinations
Seresto Collar for Dogs can be used alongside many other medications, including all-in-one (flea, tick and worm) parasite protection products. It is always best to speak to your veterinarian about the medications your dog is on.
Yes, Seresto can be used with Credelio PLUS, and this is recommended in areas of high tick pressure.
Purchasing & Availability
Seresto for Dogs is available at veterinary clinics, pet stores and reputable online pet supply retailers in Australia. See where you can buy Seresto here.
Yes, Seresto can be purchased online from reputable online pet supply retailers in Australia. Ensure the site you purchase from is legitimate. Click here to buy from an approved online retailer.
Troubleshooting
Seeing the occasional flea on your dog whilst they are wearing their Seresto collar can be normal. Adult fleas must come into contact with your dog to be killed by Seresto, but will stop biting quickly and be killed within 2 hours and before they can lay eggs. Fleas can be difficult to control, because the majority of the flea population in the home is in the form of flea eggs, larvae and pupae, rather than adult fleas on the dog. The skin and hair shed by a dog wearing a Seresto collar will kill flea larvae in the environment, but extra environmental control measures are also recommended in cases of heavy infestation. It can take several weeks to months to completely clear an environmental flea population. All animals in the household should also be administered regular flea prevention.
If you find a tick on your dog, remove the tick immediately. Monitor your dog for signs of tick paralysis, such as weakness, difficulty walking, loss of coordination or vomiting. Contact your veterinarian if any signs of illness occur.
The Australian paralysis tick is a notoriously difficult parasite to control. Unfortunately, as with any tick protection product, the risk of tick paralysis cannot be entirely eliminated by using Seresto, as it takes only one adult female tick to cause tick paralysis/poisoning.
Seresto kills ticks after a brief exposure to the active ingredients on the skin and coat of your dog. In most cases, ticks exposed to Seresto exhibit an anti-feeding behaviour (also known as repellency) and do not attach, rather they drop off and die. A very small percentage of ticks may not be killed. These ticks will survive a little longer and may even attach. In this case, it is important to remember that a single female paralysis tick is sufficient to harm a dog. With this in mind, it is very important to ensure that during tick season, daily searching for and removal of any ticks found is recommended. This instruction is common to all tick products and illustrates the difficulty of achieving total protection for pets.
In areas that experience high environmental tick pressure, a combination of preventative products with different modes of action can be used together to provide additional protection against ticks. Seresto can be used alongside other tick products, such as Credelio PLUS to enhance protection.
Seresto for Cats FAQs
Basic Product Information
Seresto for Cats is an innovative flea and tick collar that protects cats from fleas and paralysis ticks for 8 months. It is an odourless and water-resistant* collar with a safety release mechanism that is designed to loosen or break should your cat become trapped or snagged. *Read the product label for further information.
Seresto provides cats with protection against fleas and paralysis ticks. Seresto also kills larval flea stages in the pet's surroundings, treats and controls flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), and reduces the transmission of cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae) between cats by fleas, and flea tapeworm through effective flea control.
In Australia, Seresto is available without a prescription from veterinarians, pet retailers and online pet supply stores. It is important to purchase from authorised retailers to ensure the authenticity and quality of the product. Click here to purchase from an approved retailer.
Seresto contains two active ingredients: imidacloprid and flumethrin. They are stored in the collar’s unique polymer matrix and released in low controlled doses, as needed, to maintain effective concentrations on your pet.
Seresto utilises a unique polymer matrix. The active ingredients, imidacloprid and flumethrin, are stored within the collar. Once the collar is applied, low concentrations of these active ingredients are continuously released, as needed, from the collar to your cat. They then spread over the cat’s skin and coat through the oily lipid layer, where they work on contact to kill fleas, and repel and kill paralysis ticks.
The active ingredients continue to migrate in low doses from the collar to your cat to provide continuous protection against fleas and paralysis ticks for 8 months. Read more about how Seresto collars work here.
Usage and Application
To apply a Seresto collar to your cat:
- Remove the Seresto collar from its protective pouch and unroll, ensuring that no plastic connectors remain attached to the inside surface of the collar.
- Put the collar around your cat’s neck and insert the loose end through the two loops.
- Adjust the collar around the cat’s neck without it being too tight or too loose. It should be possible to fit two fingers comfortably between the collar and the neck.
- Cut off any extra collar length, leaving about 2 cm of the loose end beyond the second loop. Check collar periodically and adjust the fit as necessary. For kittens, leave additional length to allow for adjustment of the collar as they grow.
Seresto should be replaced every 8 months to ensure continuous flea and tick protection.
No, Seresto Collar for Cats should not be applied to dogs. To protect your dog from fleas and ticks, apply Seresto Collar for Dogs.
Seresto can be worn alongside your cat’s usual collar, but always ensure that the Seresto collar is in contact with the skin.
Seresto for Cats can be safely applied to kittens over 10 weeks of age.
The safety of Seresto has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. For flea and tick prevention for your breeding cat, consult your veterinarian.
To ensure authenticity of your Seresto collar, it is recommended to:
- Purchase only from authorised and reputable retailers, such as veterinary clinics, established pet stores, or reputable online retailers
- Carefully check the packaging for official Elanco branding, batch numbers and expiry dates. These details should be clear and legible.
- Be cautious of unusually low prices or products sold through unofficial channels, as these can sometimes indicate counterfeit products.
If you have doubts about the authenticity of a Seresto collar, contact our Animal Health Consultants on 1800 995 709 for guidance.
Effectiveness & Results
Ticks already on your cat prior to applying Seresto may not be killed immediately after collar application and may remain attached. Therefore, removal or ticks already on your cat at the time of application is recommended.
The paralysis tick is a potentially deadly parasite and difficult to control. While Seresto kills paralysis ticks for 8 months, the risk of tick paralysis cannot be entirely eliminated as it takes only one adult female tick to cause tick paralysis. Therefore, daily searching for and removal of any ticks found is recommended.
Seresto will kill fleas that are already on the pet within 24 hours of first applying Seresto. Only 5% of a flea infestation is adult fleas on your pet – the rest of the lifecycle occurs in the environment, your home and garden. In an infestation, it is also important to ensure you are implementing appropriate environmental flea control alongside regular flea prevention for all pets in your household.
Safety & Precautions
Seresto is safe for cats from 10 weeks of age when used as per product directions. If your cat has any specific health issues, consult your veterinarian before use.
Application site reactions such as redness, itchiness, and hair loss have been reported in rare cases, while skin disorders of dermatitis (including hot spots or moist dermatitis), eczema, lesions and excessive licking/grooming have been reported very rarely. In these instances, temporary collar removal may be recommended until the symptoms have disappeared.
Also in rare cases, slight and transient reactions such as depression, change in food intake, salivation, vomiting and diarrhoea might occur initially.
Behavioural changes including hiding, vocalisation and hyperactivity have been reported in very rare cases and may be observed in animals that are not used to wearing collars for the first few days after application.
If your cat experiences any adverse effects while using Seresto, please contact our Animal Health Consultants on 1800 995 709.
Application site reactions such as redness, itchiness, and hair loss have been reported in rare cases, while skin disorders of dermatitis (including hot spots or moist dermatitis), eczema, lesions and excessive licking/grooming have been reported very rarely. In these instances, temporary collar removal may be recommended until the symptoms have disappeared.
If your cat experiences any skin irritation while using Seresto, please contact our Animal Health Consultants on 1800 995 709.
The active ingredients of the Seresto collar are bound within the collar matrix, limiting the amount of active ingredients available on the surface. If your cat licks their collar some mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea may occur, however typically resolve within 24 hours. If your cat shows signs of illness, contact our Animal Health Consultants on 1800 997 709, or speak to your veterinarian. Ensure Seresto is fitted correctly to prevent your cat licking or chewing on their collar.
The Seresto Collar for Cats is designed with a safety release mechanism. This mechanism allows the collar to widen or break if your cat gets caught on an object. It is important to ensure that the collar is fitted correctly to minimise the risk of it getting caught.
Specific Parasites & Conditions
Yes, Seresto for Cats offers protection against paralysis ticks for 8 months.
No, Seresto for Cats does not repel mosquitoes.
Seresto for Cats reduces the transmission of the flea tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) between cats by fleas, but does not kill tapeworms or protect against any other internal parasites. Milbemax for Cats offers heartworm and intestinal worm protection that can be used alongside Seresto.
Purchasing & Availability
Seresto is available at veterinary clinics, pet stores and reputable online pet supply retailers in Australia. See where you can buy Seresto here.
Yes, Seresto is can be purchased online from reputable online pet supply retailers in Australia. Ensure the site you purchase from is legitimate. Click here to buy from an approved online retailer.
Troubleshooting
Seeing the occasional flea on your cat whilst they are wearing their Seresto collar can be normal. Adult fleas must come into contact with your cat to be killed by Seresto, but will stop biting quickly and be killed within 2 hours and before they can lay eggs. Fleas can be difficult to control, because the majority of the flea population in the home is in the form of flea eggs, larvae and pupae, rather than adult fleas on the cat. The skin and hair shed by a cat wearing a Seresto collar will kill flea larvae in the environment, but extra environmental control measures are also recommended in cases of heavy infestation. It can take several weeks to months to completely clear an environmental flea population. All animals in the household should also be administered regular flea prevention.
If you find a tick on your cat, remove the tick immediately. Monitor your cat for signs of tick paralysis, such as weakness, difficulty walking, loss of coordination or vomiting. Contact your veterinarian if any signs of illness occur.
The Australian paralysis tick is a notoriously difficult parasite to control. Unfortunately, as with any tick protection product, the risk of tick paralysis cannot be entirely eliminated by using Seresto, as it takes only one adult female tick to cause tick paralysis/poisoning.
Seresto kills ticks after a brief exposure to the to the active ingredients on the skin and coat of your cat. In most cases, ticks exposed to Seresto exhibit an anti-feeding behaviour (also known as repellency) and do not attach, rather, they drop off and die. A very small percentage of ticks may not be killed. These ticks will survive a little longer and may even attach. In this case, it is important to remember that a single female paralysis tick is sufficient to harm a cat. With this in mind, it is very important to ensure that during tick season, daily searching for and removal of any ticks found is recommended. This instruction is common to all tick products and illustrates the difficulty of achieving total protection for pets. In areas that experience high environmental tick pressure, a combination of preventative products with different modes of action can be used together to provide additional protection against ticks. Seresto can be used together with other tick products to enhance protection.
If your cat contracts a tick while wearing a Seresto collar, please contact our Animal Health Consultants on 1800 995 709.
