Your dogs can easily pick up fleas that won’t only make them feel uncomfortable but can also cause disease to dogs and humans.
That’s why you must have the best dog flea shampoo to deal with these pests early on and prevent infestations and skin infections.
Most of them deal with both fleas and ticks. However, some can only tackle specific life stages of fleas, and only a few can work on all types of flea stages, from eggs to adults.
With several brands and formulations available, we summed up our five favorite shampoos and the top features to look for when choosing the right product for your pet.
Best Dog Flea Shampoo Reviews
1. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo With Precor
Adams has been in the flea and tick protection industry since 1975.
Its Precor-formulated Adams Plus shampoo is a top choice if you want a product with a long-lasting effect but will not negatively affect your pet’s skin and coat health.
It is safe for dogs older than 12 weeks, as well as for cats.
Review
The Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo has active, natural insecticides that kill not just ticks and fleas in all its life stages but also lice.
However, the ingredient that makes it stand out among its competitors is Precor.
It is an IGR or Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) hormone that breaks the life cycle of fleas, preventing infestation for about 28 days.
The shampoo also has skin- and coat-friendly ingredients, including coconut extract, aloe vera, oatmeal, and lanolin.
Unless they are allergic to any of the ingredients, it won’t irritate your dog’s skin and will help soothe irritation and itchiness due to bites.
You will also find your dog’s coat easier to comb, more manageable, and shinier than usual after using the shampoo.
Another feature we love most about this shampoo is its light coconut scent, which will leave your dog smelling fresh without irritating anyone’s nose.
Pros:
- Sensitive skin formula
- Moisturizing and soothing
- Long-lasting effect
- Pleasant, fresh scent
- Kills lice, fleas, and ticks on contact
- A little goes a long way
Con:
- Creates thick lather; may require longer rinsing
2. Veterinary Formula Flea and Tick Shampoo
Are you a dog parent looking for an affordable flea and tick shampoo that’s also gentle on your pet’s skin?
If so, this Veterinary Formula Clinical Care product is an ideal choice.
Like the Adams shampoo, it is also formulated for dogs and cats over 12 weeks old. You can also use it for bathing your ferrets and horses.
Review
The Veterinary Formula shampoo is formulated with natural insecticides that kill ticks and fleas on contact.
It also has gentle, soap-free, and paraben-free cleansing and exfoliating ingredients that restore your pet’s coat and skin health.
Additionally, the shampoo has lanolin and aloe vera to moisturize your pet’s skin and leave their coat lustrous and shiny.
These two ingredients also help soothe irritated skin from tick and flea bites.
Unlike the Adams shampoo, this flea and tick shampoo doesn’t have an IGR ingredient. Thus, you would need to reuse it only after seven days for moderate infestations.
Pros:
- Moisturizing, soothing, and exfoliating
- Safe for various animals
- Affordable
- Veterinary-grade ingredients
- Free from soap and paraben
Cons:
- The scent isn’t for everyone
- Doesn’t kill flea eggs
3. Advantage Flea and Tick Treatment Shampoo
By simply looking at the Bayer logo on the bottle, you’ll already know that the Advantage is one of the best flea and tick shampoos for dogs.
It’s the right pick for dogs and pet parents who have experienced an allergic reaction to fragrances.
Review
Compared to the other pet shampoos on our list, the Advantage has the purest formula, killing flea eggs, flea larvae, adult fleas, and ticks on contact.
It doesn’t have fragrances and the same moisturizing ingredients you’ll find in the last two shampoos we reviewed.
This formulation is one of the safest and more powerful flea and tick shampoos for dogs and owners allergic to some natural and chemical ingredients.
However, it lacks added moisturizing or skin and hair conditioning ingredients.
Therefore, you might need to apply a leave-in dog conditioner a day or two after using the Advantage shampoo.
It is why it has a thin consistency, so it doesn’t lather much. You also have to be careful when pouring the shampoo, as you might pour more than what you need.
Pros:
- Medicated flea shampoo
- Exclusively formulated for dogs
- Safe for those with allergies
- Fragrance-free
Cons:
- Watery consistency
- No moisturizers
4. TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo
TropiClean is one of the subsidiary brands of Cosmos Corporation, a well-established family-owned company based in the US.
This shampoo is for you and your dog if you prefer a product with a citrus-like scent.
Review
The TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Maximum Strength’s active ingredient is sesame oil, which will leave your dog’s skin and fur clean and moisturized.
To enhance the shampoo’s cleansing capabilities without adding soap or detergent, the manufacturer added coconut oil.
It also has combined essential oils, namely cedarwood, clove, cinnamon, and lemongrass, that kill and repel ticks, adult fleas, larva or pre-adult fleas, and flea eggs.
This mixture of aromatic oils also gives the TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Maximum Strength a citrusy scent, which is usually pleasant smelling.
However, some, especially those with sensitive noses, will find it too strong.
Also, although these are gentle ingredients, some dogs might be allergic to any of them, so keep this in mind.
Pros:
- Long-lasting scent
- Exclusively formulated for dogs
- All-natural shampoo
- Maximum strength formula
Cons:
- The strong smell isn’t for everyone
- Some dogs are allergic to essential oils
5. Richard’s Organics Flea and Tick Shampoo
Richard’s Organics is one of the subsidiary brands of SynergyLabs’ Natural Solutions and Grooming line of products.
The Flea and Tick Shampoo is an excellent option for those who aren’t fans of citrus scents but want one free of harsh chemicals.
Review
The active component of Richard’s Organics Flea and Tick Shampoo is tea tree oil.
This oil is one of the safest and most effective ingredients that kill and repel fleas when used at the right concentration.
This advanced strength flea and tick shampoo also boasts moisturizing and calming properties. It’s formulated with cedarwood, cinnamon, peppermint, and rosemary oils.
This mixture of essential oils helps kill and repel ticks on dogs, and its scent helps repel mosquitoes that may bite and annoy your pet.
The shampoo will leave your dog’s coat shiny and soft, thanks to the added lanolin, vitamin E, and lecithin. Not only that, but it can also help soothe their irritated and itchy skin.
Like the Adams shampoo, this shampoo for puppies and adult dogs has a long-lasting effect. In fact, the manufacturer recommends that you only use it once a month.
Pros:
- All-natural, gentle formula
- Exclusively formulated for dogs
- Moisturizing, soothing, and calming
- Long-lasting effect
Cons:
- Some dogs are allergic to essential oils
- Doesn’t sud well
What To Consider When Choosing a Dog Flea Shampoo
As we reviewed our top picks for dog flea shampoos, we already hinted at some of the most important aspects of a good shampoo.
That said, let’s learn more about them to help you narrow down your options and finally pick what’s best for you and your dog.
1. Active Ingredients
The shampoo’s components are the most critical factor to consider because they will significantly affect your dog’s health and how effective the product is.
When looking at the shampoo’s ingredient list, you must also carefully check if there are any components your dog is allergic to.
Every dog is different; some can have allergic reactions to certain chemicals, while others react to some natural ingredients.
If you’re unsure or don’t know if your dog has allergies, you can always consult your veterinarian.
That said, the best dog flea shampoo is the one formulated for sensitive skin types.
Today, you’ll find products formulated with essential oils, synthetic chemicals, and a combination of both.
All-Natural
All-natural flea shampoos are usually less effective than chemical-based ones but are mostly safer to use. That’s because most essential oils can only repel fleas and ticks.
That said, the naturally formulated shampoos on the list have essential oil concentrations that can kill these pests while also being safe.
Synthetic Chemicals
On the other hand, those with synthetic chemical ingredients are more potent but can be unsafe, depending on the other chemicals included.
Consider a shampoo product whose active ingredient is permethrin and has vet-recommended seals and certifications.
Combination
Lastly, most hybrid types find the balance between effectiveness and safety.
The best ones are pyrethrin-based shampoos with safe concentrations of EPA- and FDA-approved chemicals, such as hormones.
When you opt for chemical-based and hybrid shampoos, make sure they don’t have banned toxic compounds.
These include formaldehyde, isopropanol, sulfates, paraben, methylparaben, and phthalates.
2. Efficacy and Effectiveness
Unfortunately, not all flea shampoo options work.
Some will only put the fleas to sleep, so you would need to brush them out using a flea comb while your dog’s fur is still wet.
Not only is this tedious for you and uncomfortable for your pet, but it can also lead to re-infestation because they are just around your home.
Therefore, it’s always best to choose a shampoo manufactured by a trusted company, especially those specializing in pet care, grooming, and health.
Meanwhile, efficacy refers to how long it takes for a particular product to take effect.
In terms of flea shampoo, some kill fleas after a few hours while others work immediately or after a few minutes.
All the shampoos on our list work upon contact with the pest or insect, but you would need to leave them on for a few minutes.
Even if you pick the most powerful flea shampoo, remember that you should also treat your home, backyard, surroundings, and your dog’s beds, clothes, and more.
For heavy infestations, using dog flea shampoo and spraying your surroundings won’t be enough.
You would need to use topical treatment and flea medication prescribed by your vet.
3. pH Level
The acidity or alkalinity of the dog flea shampoo is also important to consider.
The wrong pH can lead to skin damage, which can cause a variety of skin conditions and even infections.
Your dog’s skin is hypersensitive, thinner than human skin, and has a pH of 6.2 to 7.4, so it’s more neutral and a bit alkaline.
For this reason, you should never use human shampoo, even those formulated for babies, because they are a little acidic to match the human skin’s normal pH.
4. Scent
The scent is among the most ignored feature of a dog flea shampoo or even regular dog shampoo.
Understandably, you want one that will leave your dog’s fur smelling great for days.
However, some dogs have sensitive noses or are allergic to fragrances, so the perfect choice is unscented shampoos.
Note that they aren’t really free of scent. Rather, they don’t have fragrances or scent-enhancing ingredients that can trigger allergies.
Likewise, you’ll find shampoos with a pleasant smell without the need to add perfumes and artificial fragrances.
They contain extracts of plants, such as flowers, fruits, and herbs, that are naturally aromatic, giving the shampoo a signature scent.
Choosing among these types of flea shampoo all boils down to preference.
After all, a Hawaiian ginger scent can be too strong and unusual for you but is gentle and aromatic for another.
5. Dog’s Age
Like humans, younger dogs have more sensitive skin susceptible to pesticides and insecticides, even at lower levels.
Your veterinarian will prescribe what your young fur baby needs.
On that note, almost all dog flea shampoos aren’t formulated for dogs aged 12 weeks and below.
Checking the label, especially the precautions, is one of the best practices to be 100% sure it’s safe for your dog, age-wise.
The Right Dog Flea Shampoo
At this point, you might already have picked one shampoo on our list that matches your dog’s specific needs.
Of the five, our top recommendation is the Adams Plus shampoo because of its high efficacy, long-lasting effectiveness, mild scent, and skin- and coat-friendly ingredients.
It also offers great value for money because you would only need a little amount for it to lather without negatively affecting its effect on fleas and ticks.
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