Buying guide for best flea shampoos for dogs
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As soon as a dog starts scratching and biting at their fur, most pet owners immediately fear a flea infestation. If you miss even a single dose of your pup’s preventive treatment, these little parasites can take up residence on its skin and in its hair, causing terrible itching and irritation. So when your pet has fleas, finding the best flea shampoo for dogs to kill them should be your first priority.
While flea preventatives are your best bet for keeping your pup flea-free, a flea shampoo can kill an existing infestation on your dog in just hours. These shampoos contain active ingredients that coat the insects and kill them upon contact, and some formulas are also effective against ticks and other parasites. They are easy to use because they lather up just like regular dog shampoos. However, you usually have to let the formula sit on your pup for 10 minutes or longer to ensure that all the fleas and their eggs are killed.
At BestReviews, we’ve researched dozens of flea shampoos for dogs to help us find the best formulas. Our top pick, the Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo, kills both adult fleas and flea eggs, as well as ticks and lice. It provides protection for nearly a month and has a light, fresh scent that most pet owners find pleasant.
Editors’ picks
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo
Most Comprehensive
Active ingredients: Pyrethrin, piperonyl butoxide and pyriproxyfen | Safe for dogs aged: 12 weeks and up | Prevents: Fleas, ticks and lice | Scent: Fresh | Effective for: 28 days
The Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo is a multipurpose shampoo that can kill fleas in all life stages as well as ticks and lice. It features a trio of active ingredients — pyrethrin, piperonyl butoxide and pyriproxyfen — which are powerful enough to provide 28 days of protection for your pup. However, the formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin because it also contains skin-soothing ingredients, including aloe vera, lanolin and oatmeal.
Unlike other flea shampoos that have a strong chemical odor, this one has a light, fresh scent that most owners find pleasant. It also helps condition your dog’s coat while killing off pests, so its hair is soft and shiny after washing.
We also love the value that this shampoo provides. It contains protein that helps a little bit go a long way, so you only need 1 and a third tablespoons per 5 pounds of body weight. The formula is safe for use on dogs aged 12 weeks and up, too, making it an excellent option for most pups.
Veterinary Formula Flea and Tick Shampoo
Best Unscented Shampoo
Active ingredients: Pyrethrin, piperonyl butoxide and N-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarbomoxide | Safe for dogs aged: 12 weeks and up | Prevents: Fleas and ticks | Scent: Unscented | Effective for: 7 days
The Veterinary Formula Flea and Tick Shampoo provides three times the active ingredients as other formulas, including pyrethrum, a natural insecticide that kills fleas and ticks on contact while also soothing your pup’s irritated skin. It works quickly, too, reducing irritation associated with flea infestation, like excessive scratching, licking or biting at the skin, hair loss and allergic dermatitis.
The formula is safe for use on pups aged 12 weeks and up and can even be used for cats, ferrets and horses. It’s pH-balanced specifically for pets’ skin and doesn’t contain any soap, dyes or parabens. Instead, it features natural cleansing agents that won’t irritate your dog’s skin, plus aloe vera and lanolin to soothe redness and itching.
We also love that this shampoo is unscented, so you don’t have to worry about a harsh chemical odor or a cloying artificial fragrance bothering you or your pup. It’s also one of the easiest formulas to use because it only needs to sit on your dog for five to 10 minutes before rinsing to effectively eliminate fleas.
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Advanced Strength Dog Shampoo
Best Natural Formula
Active ingredients: Thyme oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil and cedarwood oil | Safe for dogs aged: 12 weeks and up | Prevents: Fleas and ticks | Scent: Peppermint | Effective for: 21 to 28 days
If you aren’t thrilled with the idea of using a formula with harsh chemical ingredients, the Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Advanced Strength Dog Shampoo is a game-changer. All its active ingredients are plant-based, but it still kills fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs and ticks. Its certified natural ingredients include thyme oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil and cedarwood oil, essential oils proven to repel fleas.
The oils also give the shampoo a pleasant peppermint scent that most owners love. Your dog’s coat will feel soft and manageable after washing, too. Because the shampoo is veterinarian-formulated, it’s also very easy to use, so you only have to lather up your pup and let it sit on your dog for five minutes to see results.
The Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Advanced Strength Dog Shampoo is safe for use on pets aged 12 weeks and up, so even younger dogs can use it. Pet owners who prefer to buy American-made products will also appreciate that it’s made in the United States.
Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Best for Sensitive Skin
Active ingredients: Phenothrin | Safe for dogs aged: 6 months and up | Prevents: Fleas and ticks | Scent: Oatmeal | Effective for: 7 days
The Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is perfect for pups with sensitive skin. It contains oatmeal, which helps soothe the skin and relieve itching and irritation. The formula doesn’t contain artificial fragrance, either, so it has a natural oat scent. Its active ingredient, phenothrin, still kills fleas and ticks on contact, though, helping to combat your dog’s pest infestation.
In addition to killing fleas, this shampoo is an effective cleanser and deodorizer for your pet. It also contains conditioning ingredients that leave your dog’s coat smooth and soft. Safe for use on dogs aged 6 months and up, it works both as a treatment for active fleas or a weekly prevention method to ensure your pup remains flea- and tick-free.
Like other Hartz flea products, this shampoo is highly affordable, so it’s ideal for budget-minded pet owners. It is easy to use because it has a thin consistency that lathers up easily. The formula only needs to sit on your pet for five minutes to effectively kill fleas, too.
TropicClean Max Strength Flea and Tick Shampoo
Best-Smelling Shampoo
Active ingredients: Sodium lauryl sulfate, lemongrass oil, sesame oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil and cedarwood oil | Safe for dogs aged: 12 weeks and up | Prevents: Fleas and ticks | Scent: Clove and lemongrass | Effective for: 7 days
The TropicClean Max Strength Flea and Tick Shampoo contains natural ingredients like lemongrass oil and cedarwood oil, but it’s still potent enough to kill fleas, ticks, larvae and eggs in just a single bath. Because it contains essential oils, it has a fresh citrus scent that many pet owners like.
The blend of essential oils is also beneficial for your pup’s skin. This shampoo helps moisturize and soothe irritated skin to help reduce your dog’s discomfort. It’s safe for dogs aged 12 weeks and up, so even puppies can use it for flea infestations. It provides up to a week of protection against fleas, making it a good idea to wash your pet weekly until you’re sure the flea problem is gone.
The shampoo’s bottle has a spill-resistant cap, so you don’t have to worry about making a mess if your dog fusses in the bath. We also love that the formula is cruelty-free, giving animal lovers important peace of mind.
How we analyzed
Finding an effective flea shampoo that kills off the pests without irritating your dog’s skin isn’t easy. To determine the best flea shampoos for dogs, we considered customer reviews from various online retailers to identify which formulas performed best. We specifically analyzed how quickly the shampoos worked, how long they offered protection, how well they soothed dogs’ itching and how they smelled.
Overall, we considered over a dozen flea shampoos and chose our top pick based on the quality and effectiveness of the active ingredients, how well it soothes sensitive skin, its scent and how easy it is to use.
Key features to consider
Ingredients
Active ingredients
Flea shampoos typically contain insecticides that kill fleas on contact. Many formulas include multiple insecticides to target fleas at all life stages. You can choose from shampoos with chemical or natural insecticides, a combination of both or formulas that rely entirely on natural ingredients to combat fleas.
The most common active ingredients in flea shampoos for dogs include:
- Pyrethrin: Pyrethrin is probably the most commonly used insecticide in flea shampoos for dogs. Naturally derived from chrysanthemum flowers, it works by disrupting the fleas’ nervous systems but is only effective on adult fleas. While it’s highly effective, it can cause adverse reactions in some dogs, which actually makes itching worse. It’s important to note that pyrethrin is toxic to cats, so you should avoid using a formula with it if you also have cats in your home.
- Pyrethroids: Pyrethroids, like permethrin, cyphenothrin and bifenthrin, are synthetic pyrethrins. They are typically slower to work than pyrethrin but are even more effective. However, pyrethroids may be even more prone to causing irritation and itching in some dogs’ skin because of their more potent insecticide capabilities. Like pyrethrin, pyrethroids are toxic to cats.
- Insect Growth Regulators: To target flea larvae and eggs, many flea shampoos contain insect growth regulators, such as s-methoprene or pyripoxyfen. They cannot kill adult fleas, but, when paired with pyrethrin or pyrethroids, can be highly effective in stopping an infestation.
- Synergists/Enhancers: Chemicals like piperonyl butoxide work to enhance the effects of pyrethrin or pyrethroids, so fleas are less likely to resist the insecticides. They cannot kill fleas on their own, though.
- Essential oils: Natural flea shampoos often use essential oils derived from plants believed to repel fleas instead of chemical insecticides. These oils include peppermint, cedarwood, lavender, clove, rosemary, eucalyptus and lemongrass. They generally aren’t as effective as insecticides, though, and can also pose a risk to your pup. Essential oils can cause skin irritation, stomach upset and other more serious health issues when absorbed into a dog’s skin, so many veterinarians advise against using products that contain them.
Ingredients for sensitive skin
The active ingredients commonly used in flea shampoos can be very drying and irritating for a dog’s skin, so many formulas add soothing ingredients to make them suitable for pets with sensitive skin. Oatmeal is often included because it can have an anti-inflammatory effect. It is also moisturizing, which can help combat the drying effects of the shampoo’s other ingredients. Some formulas also add aloe vera, which can help reduce redness and inflammation, hydrate and encourage healing.
Fragrances
Because of their potent active ingredients, flea shampoos often have a strong chemical odor. Most formulas include some type of fragrance to make bathing your dog a more pleasant experience for both of you. Many rely on artificial fragrances to improve their smell, which are typically safe for most dogs. However, if your pet has an existing skin condition or allergy, artificial fragrances may trigger a reaction.
Other flea shampoos use natural fragrances from essential oils. As mentioned previously, while many essential oils are safe for use on pets, some can pose a risk. In fact, some are even toxic for dogs, including tea tree and ylang ylang, so avoid shampoos that contain those.
Dogs are extremely sensitive to smell, so you may prefer an unscented formula for your pet. These shampoos don’t contain added artificial or natural fragrances, so they’re less likely to irritate your pup.
Effectiveness
Pests treated
While all flea shampoos can get rid of fleas, some can also treat other pests that can cause issues for your pup. Many formulas also offer protection for ticks, which can be very helpful if you live in an area with a large tick population. You can also find some formulas that can kill lice and mosquitoes for more comprehensive protection.
Eliminating flea eggs
Not all flea shampoos are created equal. When your dog is infested, you need to get rid of all the fleas, including the eggs. Nearly all shampoos can kill adult fleas, but the most powerful formulas can kill fleas at all life stages. They contain multiple active ingredients, so they can kill flea eggs and larvae in addition to the adult insects.
Frequency of use
While flea shampoos typically don’t offer the long-term protection that collars and preventatives can, some are effective longer than others. The most powerful formulas offer up to a month of protection, but the majority typically only keep your pup safe for up to a week.
It’s also important to consider how often you can use the shampoo. You may be tempted to bathe your dog multiple times to be certain you get rid of all the fleas. However, because these formulas are so strong, you typically shouldn’t use them more than once or twice a week to avoid irritating the skin. Always consult the shampoo’s label to determine how often you can use it.
FAQ
Q. Do flea shampoos really work on dogs?
A. Flea shampoos are an excellent treatment for an active infestation on your dog, as long as you choose a formula that kills both adult fleas and eggs on contact. However, dogs can get reinfested very quickly, so if you haven’t removed the fleas from your home and yard, your pet may wind up with a flea problem once more.
It’s also important to note that while some formulas offer protection for up to a month, flea shampoo isn’t the best option for long-term flea prevention. Oral and topical preventatives are usually the most effective, so discuss the options with your vet.
Q. Can I use a flea shampoo on my puppy?
A. Most flea shampoos aren’t suitable for use on puppies younger than 12 weeks old. For younger dogs, you’ll typically need to visit a veterinarian to find an oral medication to treat a flea infestation.
Q. What is the best way to wash a dog with flea shampoo?
A. Always consult the bathing instructions on your shampoo’s label to ensure the best way to wash your dog. In general, it’s a good idea to start by wetting your dog’s neck and applying the shampoo to create a lather around the neck before you put your pet in the bathtub. That keeps the fleas from jumping up to your pup’s face when you place them in the water. Wet your pet thoroughly with warm water, and apply the shampoo, massing it into the fur from head to tail to create a lather. Allow the shampoo to sit on your dog according to the label instructions, and then rinse thoroughly. Dry your dog, and use a flea comb to see if you can find any fleas or eggs still in the coat.
Q. How did my dog get fleas so fast?
A. Dogs can pick up fleas from a variety of sources, including other dogs and pets, grass and people. Fleas jump easily from host to host, so if your pet plays with an infested dog or you bring a flea home on your shoe, it’s very easy for your pup to be affected. Missing just a single dose of your dog’s preventative makes them especially vulnerable.
Our expertise
Jennifer Blair has covered home, kitchen, lifestyle and pet products for BestReviews for eight years. She has written over 100 articles on topics like air fryers, vacuums and dog harnesses. She relies on oral flea and tick preventives to keep her two rescue dogs pest-free, but recently used the Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo to get rid of an infestation when one of her pups missed a dose.
