Whether your dog is wearing a D&H leather collar or other brand, if the chemicals from a liquid spot-on flea treatment come into contact with the leather, the leather will get damaged.
This doesn't apply simply to your dog's leather collar. We have seen images of ruined leather car seats, leather upholstered chairs and sofas. Even leather handbags.
To avoid this damage, there are a few things worth bearing in mind.
- When applying the liquid flea treatment, remove its collar and make sure you apply to your dog between the shoulder blades, and not at the neck/collar area.
- Be careful to apply just a drop or two at a time. Dig with your fingers through the coat, separating the hair, and let the drops settle and absorb into the skin. You may need to do this in a couple of different spots.
- If your fingers get wet with the chemicals, make sure to rinse thoroughly immediately afterward.
- Then, make sure your dog doesn't jump onto your leather car seats or leather furniture. Put its collar back on after any residue on the coat has dried.
All the soft leather and thicker hide leathers we use are colour-fast. The dye will not run if the collar gets wet in the rain or a gallop through big puddles or the ocean. If you notice any leeching of the colour this is typically due to the leather coming into contact with a synthetic product. Some hairsprays or perfumes could therefore also damage the leather though we have never seen this reported.
To help ensure the longevity of your dog's leather collar, allow to air-dry (not on a radiator) after it gets wet and ensure it is dry before re-using.
Leather is fibrous and, although the cut leather edges of our products are sealed, a leather product that is allowed to get wet again and again will deteriorate. Imagine a pair of fine leather shoes stomping through wet streets all winter. It won't be long before they fall apart - so your leather dog collar needs likewise to be respected.
A cleaning with dubbin or saddle soap, then buffed up with a leather restorative like Neat's Foot Oil or a beeswax product (eg. Renapur or Leather Genie) will help restore the leather to its natural lustre and protect it against the elements.