Why Choose Seresto for Dogs?
Seresto for Dogs is a long-lasting flea and tick collar designed for owners who want reliable parasite protection without remembering monthly treatments. A single collar provides up to 8 months of continuous protection against fleas and ticks, making it one of the longest-lasting flea-control options available for dogs in New Zealand.
Unlike conventional flea collars that simply sit around the neck, Seresto uses a polymer matrix that gradually releases two active ingredients — imidacloprid and flumethrin — in low concentrations. These ingredients spread across the skin and coat, replenishing continuously throughout the collar’s effective life.
Seresto kills fleas and flea larvae and both repels and kills ticks through contact. This means fleas do not need to bite your dog before being affected, while tick repellency helps reduce attachment. Seresto also treats lice infestations in dogs.
The collar is suitable for puppies from 7 weeks of age and is available in different sizes for smaller and larger dogs. Once fitted, it should generally remain in place continuously to maintain uninterrupted protection.
Browse our full Dog Flea Treatment range or explore more Seresto products.
What Does Seresto Protect Against?
Fleas
Seresto kills adult fleas through contact with the treated skin and coat. Because fleas do not need to bite before being affected, the collar helps reduce flea irritation and discomfort.
Flea Larvae
Imidacloprid is also shed into the environment with normal skin and hair turnover, where it can kill flea larvae. This helps interrupt the flea life cycle and reduce the development of future infestations.
Ticks
Flumethrin both repels and kills ticks through contact. It is effective against larval, nymph and adult tick stages, helping reduce tick attachment and the need for manual removal.
Lice
Seresto also treats lice infestations in dogs, adding another layer of external parasite protection beyond fleas and ticks.
What Seresto Does Not Treat
Seresto is an external parasite treatment and does not provide intestinal worm control.
It does not treat:
- Roundworm
- Hookworm
- Whipworm
- Tapeworm
If your dog also requires worm protection, use an appropriate intestinal wormer or an all-in-one parasite treatment.
How To Fit The Seresto Collar
- Remove the collar from the packaging and unroll it completely.
- Place it around your dog’s neck.
- Adjust the fit so approximately two fingers can comfortably fit between the collar and the neck.
- Feed the loose end through the retaining loops.
- Trim excess collar length, leaving approximately 2cm beyond the second loop.
- Check the fit regularly, particularly on growing puppies.
For best results, the collar should remain on continuously throughout the eight-month treatment period.
Active Ingredients
Imidacloprid
Imidacloprid kills adult fleas, flea larvae and lice through contact. It spreads across the dog’s skin and coat from the collar and is continually replenished during use.
Flumethrin
Flumethrin is responsible for Seresto’s tick activity. It spreads across the skin and coat and both repels and kills ticks through contact.
Up To 8 Months Of Protection
A single Seresto collar provides up to eight months of continuous flea and tick protection. This removes the need for monthly dosing and makes Seresto particularly convenient for owners who struggle to remember recurring parasite treatments.
No Monthly Applications
Once fitted correctly, Seresto continuously releases its active ingredients without requiring tablets, chews or monthly spot-ons. This can significantly simplify parasite prevention for busy households or dogs that are difficult to medicate.
Fleas Do Not Need To Bite
Seresto kills fleas through contact with the treated skin and coat rather than requiring them to feed first. Reducing flea bites can help minimise irritation and discomfort, particularly in dogs sensitive to flea exposure.
Helps Break The Flea Life Cycle
Seresto does more than kill adult fleas. Imidacloprid is also shed into the environment with your dog’s skin and fur, where it can kill flea larvae and help reduce the number of new fleas developing around the home.
Repels & Kills Ticks
Flumethrin provides contact activity against ticks and also helps repel them before they become firmly attached. This gives Seresto an advantage over flea-only collars and treatments that do not provide tick control.
Water Resistant
Seresto is water resistant and does not normally need to be removed for swimming or bathing. However, prolonged or repeated water exposure and frequent shampooing can reduce the duration of flea efficacy, so excessive washing should be avoided where possible.
Suitable From 7 Weeks Of Age
Seresto can be used in puppies from 7 weeks of age, allowing long-lasting flea and tick protection to begin relatively early. The collar fit should be checked regularly as puppies grow.
Treats Lice In Dogs
In addition to flea and tick control, Seresto is also indicated for the treatment of lice infestations in dogs. This broader external parasite coverage can reduce the need for a separate lice treatment.
A Good Choice If You Want Fewer Treatments
Seresto is particularly well suited to owners who want long-lasting flea and tick protection without having to remember a monthly chew or spot-on treatment. One collar provides up to 8 months of protection, which can make parasite control much easier to manage throughout the year.
Ideal For Dogs That Dislike Tablets
Some dogs are difficult to medicate orally or quickly learn to avoid parasite chews hidden in food. Because Seresto is worn as a collar, it avoids the need for tablets altogether and provides ongoing protection once fitted correctly.
Useful For Active Outdoor Dogs
Dogs that spend plenty of time walking, exploring rural areas, running through long grass or travelling outdoors can benefit from continuous flea and tick protection. Seresto stays in place throughout everyday activity and is water resistant under normal conditions.
A Practical Option For Busy Households
Monthly parasite treatments are easy to forget, especially in multi-pet homes or during winter when fleas may be less noticeable. Seresto reduces the number of treatments you need to remember by providing protection for most of the year from a single collar.
When A Collar May Not Be The Best Choice
Seresto may not suit every dog. Dogs that strongly dislike wearing collars, regularly lose collars, have persistent neck irritation or require broader internal parasite protection may be better suited to a chewable or spot-on treatment.
The collar should also be checked regularly for fit, particularly on growing puppies.
Seresto vs Monthly Spot-On Treatments
Monthly spot-ons such as Frontline Plus are applied directly to the skin and require regular reapplication. Seresto provides a much longer treatment interval, making it attractive to owners who prioritise convenience.
Frontline Plus may be preferred where owners specifically want monthly topical treatment and insect growth regulator activity against immature flea stages.
Seresto vs Monthly Flea Chews
Oral treatments such as NexGard are given once a month and work systemically after being eaten. Seresto works through contact at the skin and coat and avoids oral medication entirely.
Dogs that swim frequently, dislike tablets or are difficult to medicate may suit Seresto particularly well, while owners who do not want their dog wearing a collar may prefer a chew.
Remember Worm Protection
Seresto treats external parasites only. It does not replace routine intestinal worming, so dogs using Seresto will still need an appropriate worming treatment based on their age, lifestyle and parasite risk.
Q: How long does Seresto last?
A: One Seresto collar provides up to 8 months of continuous flea and tick protection when worn as directed. This long duration means most dogs only need one collar for the majority of the year rather than monthly flea treatments.
Q: How does the Seresto collar work?
A: Seresto contains imidacloprid and flumethrin within a polymer matrix. Small amounts of these active ingredients are continuously released from the collar and spread over your dog’s skin and coat, maintaining protection against fleas and ticks for up to eight months.
Q: Does Seresto kill fleas before they bite?
A: Yes. Imidacloprid kills fleas through contact with the treated skin and coat, meaning the flea does not need to bite your dog before being affected. This can help reduce irritation caused by flea bites.
Q: Does Seresto protect against ticks?
A: Yes. Seresto contains flumethrin, which both repels and kills ticks through contact. It is active against larval, nymph and adult tick stages and helps reduce tick attachment.
Q: Does Seresto kill flea larvae?
A: Yes. As your dog naturally sheds skin and hair, small amounts of imidacloprid are also shed into the environment, where they can kill flea larvae. This helps interrupt the flea life cycle and reduce reinfestation.
Q: Does Seresto treat lice?
A: Yes. Seresto for Dogs is also indicated for the treatment of lice infestations. This gives it broader external parasite coverage than a standard flea-only collar.
Q: Can puppies wear Seresto?
A: Yes. Seresto can be used in puppies from 7 weeks of age. Do not use it in puppies younger than 7 weeks, and check the collar fit regularly as your puppy grows.
Q: Can my dog swim while wearing Seresto?
A: Yes. Seresto is water resistant and generally does not need to be removed before swimming or bathing. However, repeated prolonged water exposure or frequent shampooing may shorten the duration of flea protection.
Q: Does Seresto treat worms?
A: No. Seresto only targets external parasites such as fleas, ticks and lice. Your dog will still need an appropriate intestinal worming treatment for roundworm, hookworm, whipworm or tapeworm.
Q: Is Seresto better than a monthly flea treatment?
A: Seresto offers a different approach rather than simply being “better”. Its main advantage is convenience: one collar provides up to eight months of protection rather than requiring monthly dosing. Monthly chews or spot-ons may be preferable for dogs that do not tolerate collars or owners wanting different parasite coverage.
Q: What is the difference between Seresto and NexGard?
A: Seresto is a long-lasting flea and tick collar that works through contact and lasts up to eight months. NexGard is an oral chew given once every month. The most suitable choice depends on whether you prefer a collar or oral treatment, how frequently you want to dose, and your dog’s individual needs.
Q: What is the difference between Seresto and Frontline Plus?
A: Both provide flea and tick control, but Seresto is worn continuously and provides up to eight months of protection from one collar. Frontline Plus is a topical spot-on applied monthly and also contains an insect growth regulator that targets flea eggs and larvae.
Q: Do I need a prescription to buy Seresto in New Zealand?
A: No. Seresto Flea Collar for Dogs can be purchased without a veterinary prescription in New Zealand through veterinary clinics, pet retailers and authorised online retailers. Always choose the correct collar size and follow the fitting instructions supplied.
Q: How do I know if my Seresto collar is genuine?
A: Elanco recommends buying Seresto from veterinary clinics, pet stores or authorised online retailers. Counterfeit collars may not contain the correct active ingredients or provide the expected level of protection, so product authenticity is important.
Q: How should I fit the Seresto collar?
A: Fit the collar so you can comfortably slide two fingers between it and your dog’s neck. Trim any excess length while leaving approximately 2cm beyond the second retaining loop, and check the fit regularly throughout use.
Q: Do I remove Seresto at night?
A: No. Seresto is designed to remain on continuously. Leaving the collar in place helps maintain consistent distribution of the active ingredients and uninterrupted flea and tick protection throughout the treatment period.