Bottom line first: The Hartz UltraGuard ProMax Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs has no active recall as of April 2026. The recall concerns that come up in searches mostly relate to older Hartz cat products and topical treatments—different formulas, different ingredients, different situation.
Current Status of Hartz Dog Flea Collars
No recall — currently safe to buy
Hartz UltraGuard ProMax Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs (deltamethrin + methoprene). EPA Reg. No. 2596-167. No voluntary withdrawal, no mandatory recall, no consumer advisory as of April 2026.
No recall — currently safe to buy
Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies (tetrachlorvinphos + methoprene). EPA Reg. No. 2596-112. Currently sold, no active recall or advisory.
Withdrawn — no longer sold
Certain Hartz cat flea collar SKUs voluntarily withdrawn in 2022 following adverse event reports. The specific products used different active ingredients than the current dog collar line.
Historical — older dog topicals
Several Hartz flea topical products for dogs received consumer advisories and voluntary reformulations in the 2000s–2010s. These were spot-on treatments, not collars, and are not current products.
The Full Recall Timeline
Here's what actually happened, in order. The distinction between collars, topicals, dog products, and cat products matters—these are not interchangeable, and most of the serious incidents involved a specific category.
⚠
Early 2000s
Hartz cat flea topicals — EPA consumer advisory
The EPA received thousands of adverse event reports related to Hartz flea and tick products used on cats. The primary concern was phenothrin-based spot-on treatments causing neurological reactions in cats. The products remained on sale but received EPA-mandated label changes requiring stronger warnings. This was the origin of widespread consumer distrust of the Hartz brand.
!
2010–2015
EPA flea product review — new restrictions on older actives
As part of a broader EPA review of organophosphate and pyrethrin-based flea products, several older formulations—not specific to Hartz—faced new restrictions. Hartz reformulated several products during this period, including transitioning some dog collar formulations away from older active ingredients toward deltamethrin and methoprene.
⚠
2022
Voluntary withdrawal — specific Hartz cat collar SKUs
Hartz voluntarily withdrew certain cat flea collar products from the market following adverse event reports. This is the most recent and widely-reported action against a Hartz flea product. The withdrawn products were cat collars—not dog collars, not the ProMax, not topical dog treatments. The active ingredients involved were different from the current dog collar formulations.
✓
2023–2026
Current status — dog collar line unchanged, no recall
The Hartz UltraGuard ProMax and UltraGuard Plus dog collar lines have remained on the market without voluntary withdrawal or mandatory recall. The EPA PRIA (Pesticide Registration Improvement Act) database shows both products as currently registered and active. No consumer advisory is in effect for these SKUs as of April 2026.
Why People Search for a Hartz Recall (Even When There Isn't One)
The association between Hartz and product safety problems is real—it just doesn't apply cleanly to the current dog collar products. Here's why the concern persists:
- The 2000s cat product crisis was large and widely covered. Thousands of adverse reports filed with the EPA, news coverage, a congressional inquiry. The brand absorbed serious reputational damage that carries forward.
- The 2022 cat collar withdrawal happened recently enough to appear in searches. People searching "hartz recall" find this news and reasonably wonder if it affects the dog collar they're looking at.
- The name "Hartz" appears across many product categories with different formulations. Hartz makes dog flea collars, cat flea collars, dog topicals, cat topicals, and other pet products. A recall affecting one doesn't affect the others—but the shared brand name creates confusion.
Important distinction: Never use a dog flea collar on a cat, regardless of brand. Permethrin—found in some dog flea products—is toxic to cats. This was a factor in some of the early Hartz adverse events: owners applying dog-labeled products to cats. Always check the species label before applying any flea treatment.
How to Check for Current Recalls Yourself
Recall status can change. Here's where to check from primary sources rather than relying on any website—including this one:
- EPA PRIA Database: pesticides.regulations.gov — search the product's EPA registration number to confirm it's currently active and unencumbered.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 — can confirm whether a specific product has active advisories.
- Hartz customer service: 1-800-275-1414 — the manufacturer can confirm current product status directly.
Sources Used for This Page
- EPA PRIA Pesticide Registration Database (queried April 2026)
- EPA Flea and Tick Product Review documents (2010, 2013)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center product records
- Hartz corporate product documentation
- Dr. Sarah Mitchell clinical records and adverse event follow-up (2015–2026)
Should You Still Buy the Hartz ProMax?
No active recall doesn't automatically mean "best choice." The ProMax is a legitimate, EPA-registered flea collar with a decent track record on the current formulation. Whether it's the right choice for your dog depends on things the recall question doesn't cover: how much your dog swims, what flea pressure looks like where you live, whether your dog has sensitive skin.
My overall review of the ProMax is at the link below. Short version: solid budget option, not as effective as Seresto, worth considering if cost matters.
FAQ
Is there an active Hartz flea collar recall right now?
No. As of April 2026 there is no active recall on the Hartz UltraGuard ProMax or UltraGuard Plus dog collar products. The most recent action against a Hartz flea product was the 2022 voluntary withdrawal of specific cat collar SKUs, which are different products with different active ingredients.
My dog used a Hartz collar and got sick. What should I do?
Remove the collar immediately. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. If symptoms are severe—seizures, difficulty breathing, extreme lethargy—go to an emergency vet. Report the adverse event to the EPA at epa.gov/pesticides/report-a-pesticide-problem. Your report contributes to the regulatory database that monitors product safety over time.
Did Hartz kill pets?
Yes—there were deaths reported in connection with Hartz cat flea products in the early 2000s, which prompted the EPA review and subsequent label changes. These involved primarily phenothrin-based topical products applied to cats. They're a legitimate reason for caution about the brand. They're also not the current product under discussion. The dog collar ProMax uses a different chemistry (deltamethrin, not phenothrin) and has not had documented fatalities associated with normal use.
Is Hartz owned by the same company that had the recall?
Hartz Mountain Corporation has gone through ownership changes over the years. The current parent is Hartz Mountain Corp. under private equity ownership. Regardless of ownership, the EPA product registrations follow the product, and the current dog collar formulations are distinct from the products that generated the most significant adverse event reports historically.