Update January 4, 2023:
We created this page nearly two years ago as a reference for our clients in response to the negative press that Seresto collars were receiving in the media. Since then, we have received dozens of messages and questions from pet owners across the country. If you are looking for more information about how to verify whether your collar is legitimate, please review the manufacturer's information page and contact them directly using this link.

Thank you!

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Our original statement is available on our blog here. Below you'll find a series of frequently asked questions, complete with references and additional links to help guide your decisions.

1. I just heard Seresto collars are dangerous? Should I be worried?
2. Are Seresto collars safe?
3. ​What about the report from the EPA that Seresto collars are dangerous?
4. Are my pets at risk if they are wearing a Seresto collar? Should I remove the collar?
5. My pet wore a Seresto collar and had a reaction!
6. How can I tell if my collar is a fake?
7. Where can I buy real Seresto collars?
8. I am still uncomfortable using a Seresto collar, what other preventatives can I use?
9. Can I just stop using a flea and tick preventative? My pet doesn’t go outside much anyways.

 
1. I just heard Seresto collars are dangerous? Should I be worried?
At this time there is not any evidence that Seresto collars are dangerous. As long as you have a genuine Seresto collar (see FAQ #6) and you have not noticed any issues with your pet, there is no cause for concern.

The original article from USA Today is making alarming claims that Seresto collars are responsible for the deaths of almost 1,700 pets. There are multiple issues in the article that question the credibility of this claim including the reliance on personal anecdotes instead of scientific studies, specific EPA report cited, and the lack of discussion regarding counterfeit flea and tick products.

2. Are Seresto collars safe?
Just like with human medicine, nothing is 100% safe and effective. Multiple studies have found Seresto collars to be safe for pets and their owners. See sources here and here.

Elanco states over 25 million collars have been distributed since 2012 and  “as a globally marketed product, more than 80 regulatory authorities around the world, including the US EPA, rigorously reviewed the safety data collected over the course of Seresto’s development prior to registration and/or approval, as appropriate.”

Of all the collars distributed, only 0.3% report any adverse reactions. Often these issues are usually seen in pets already known to have sensitivities and resolve once the collar is removed. There have been zero definitive cases of Seresto collars causing serious illness or death.

If you recently started using a Seresto collar on your pet for the first time and think it is causing an issue, remove it and call your veterinarian.

3. What about the report from the EPA that Seresto collars are dangerous?
The report cited in the article from the EPA is a collection of reports directly from consumers. Submissions are not required to provide evidence or be analyzed by a veterinarian first. These cases have not been investigated to determine if the claims made are accurate. 

As Dr. Brennen McKenzie writes in the EPA's response to the USA Today article,  “Such databases are useful surveillance tools that can provide early signals of real problems, but they are also full of uncorroborated and inaccurate reports and speculation. They are not reliable evidence for a causal role of any product or medicine in harm done to people or animals. This, again, requires appropriate scientific investigation.”

4. Are my pets at risk if they are wearing a Seresto collar? Should I remove the collar?
Just like with human medicine, nothing is 100% safe and effective. Multiple studies have found Seresto collars to be safe for pets and their owners. See sources here and here.

Collars purchased from Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital, another licensed veterinary hospital, or a licensed pharmacy are safe to use on your pet. If you purchased a collar online from a retailer like Amazon or at a pet store, it could possibly be fake. It is recommended you check the lot and serial numbers with the manufacturer, Elanco (formerly Bayer Animal Health).

5. My pet wore a Seresto collar and had a medical issue/my family became sick!
Just as in human medicine, there is nothing that is 100% safe and effective. Even ‘all natural’ or homeopathic medical treatments can cause reactions in some pets/people. There are recorded events of pets and/or people having adverse reactions to Seresto collars, these are usually mild skin irritations and resolve with the removal of the collar. See sources here and here.

If you are noticing a reaction after putting a Seresto collar on your pet, remove it and call your veterinarian. Do not throw the collar or packaging away as the serial and lot numbers may be needed.

6. How can I tell if my collar is a fake?
Collars purchased from Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital, another licensed veterinary hospital, or a licensed pharmacy are safe to use on your pet. If you purchased a collar online from a retailer like Amazon or a pet store, there is a chance it is counterfeit.
​
There can be many nuanced differences between real and fake collars from the packing to the product itself. Some fakes are packaged in genuine Seresto tins. Below are two videos that compare different counterfeit collars with genuine ones. 

All genuine collars will have the Bayer logo and a serial number printed on the collar (Bayer Animal Health was recently purchased by Elanco, so the branding may change down the road). This number should match the number on the tin. You can contact Elanco with the serial number and they can confirm if it is genuine. You can reach Product Support at 800-422-9874.
 
The EPA also has an educational site regarding counterfeit preventatives.
 
7. Where can I buy real Seresto collars?
Licensed veterinary hospitals like Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital get their supply directly from Elanco (formerly Bayer Animal Health). You can also go to the manufacturer’s consumer site, Pet Basics, for links to legitimate online suppliers.

 
8. I am still uncomfortable using a Seresto collar, what other preventatives can I use?
We want every owner to feel comfortable and confident in the products they use. The hospital offers veterinarian approved topical and chewable options for flea and tick prevention. Feel free to call the office to discuss what option would work best for you and your pets.
 
9. Can I just stop using a flea and tick preventative? My pet doesn’t go outside much anyways.
We recommend all pets are given a flea and tick preventative. Fleas and ticks can be present even in urban environments, and . At minimum, fleas and ticks can be annoying but they can also cause serious health issues and transmit deadly diseases such as Lyme disease.




Sources Cited:

Hettinger, Johnathan. “Popular Flea Collar Linked to Almost 1,700 Pet Deaths. The EPA Has Issued No Warning.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 3 Mar. 2021

“Safe Use of Flea and Tick Preventive Products.” American Veterinary Medical Association

Original EPA Incident Summary

Veterinarian written article

Flea/tick product side effects:
https://animalnerdz.com/dog-acting-weird-after-flea-medicine
http://npic.orst.edu/health/pets2.html

EPA site on counterfeit products:
https://www.epa.gov/pets/avoid-counterfeit-pesticide-products-dogs-and-cats

Scientific papers on Seresto:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3353155/
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00436-015-4514-z.pdf