Pet parenthood has its ups and downs. There are backyard zoomies. Netflix and cuddles in bed. Car rides with the windows down. And there are also accidents on the carpet. Fur on every article of clothing in your closet. And, of course, fleas.
Best flea shampoo for dogs 2019
Editor’s top flea shampoo is Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor. You can use it on dogs and cats alike, and it wards off ticks and lice as well as fleas. It’s specially formulated to be gentle on your dog’s skin, helping to soothe areas that have been irritated by excessive scratching or flea bites. Adams also has a full array of pet products to protect your whole house and yard from flea infections. Keep reading for a thorough review of Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor, as well as other popular flea shampoos on the market.
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor for Dogs and Cats
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo is an all-in-one product that’s safe for both cats and dogs. The shampoo works efficiently to kill fleas, ticks, and lice on contact and in every life stage, from egg to adult. The active ingredients are Pyrethrins (.75%), Piperonyl Butoxide (.75%), and Pyriproxyfen (.86%). Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo is the most highly rated flea shampoo, with hundreds of positive reviews.
Despite its effectiveness, Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo is gentle on your dog’s skin and fur. It effectively deodorizes your dog’s coat with deep conditioners that loosen dirt and dandruff. This shampoo is an excellent choice for dogs with allergies or sensitive skin: It contains aloe, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal, all of which soothe and condition. After use, your dog’s fur is soft and shiny.
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo is safe to use on dogs and cats, as well as puppies and kittens 12 weeks and older. The company sells a host of complementary products for your house and yard to give you complete protection from pests, or to stop an existing infestation.
To use, get your dog thoroughly wet with warm water. Add a tablespoon or so of the shampoo to different parts of your dog’s body and work the shampoo into a lather. Leave the lathered shampoo on your pup for 5 minutes to completely kill the fleas. Then rinse your dog thoroughly with additional warm water. Repeat every other week to ensure that your pup stays protected and to prevent another infestation.
Pros
Gentle on skin
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Leaves fur soft to touch
Can be used on or around cats
Cons
The scent is somewhat medicinal
Conclusion: This shampoo is suitable for dogs over the age of 12 weeks. It’s an excellent choice for pet parents with cats as well as dogs since it’s safe for use on and around cats. If you have a dog younger than 12 weeks, ask your vet or use a DIY flea shampoo (more on that later in this article).
Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal
Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo is pH balanced, so it’s gentle on your dog’s fur and skin. The shampoo can be used to kill fleas and ticks, including deer ticks that carry Lyme disease. The active ingredients are Permethrin (.10%) and Piperonyl Butoxide (.5%).
The Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo comes in a pleasant “Hawaiian ginger” scent that leaves your dog smelling delightful. Oatmeal makes it an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive skin or raw patches from scratching at fleas all day.
This shampoo can be used on dogs and puppies 12 weeks of age and over. However, Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo is not meant for cats. This means you shouldn’t use it on dogs who come into contact with cats on a regular basis. If your cat grooms or cuddles with a Sentry-treated dog, she risks coming into contact with the dog shampoo. Don’t use this shampoo on cats, or if you have cats in the house.
To use the shampoo, wet your dog with warm water. Apply the shampoo to your dog and work the shampoo into your dog’s coat. Don’t forget common flea areas like paws! For best results, continue massaging the shampoo into your dog for 5 minutes. Then rinse. Please note that Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo does not kill flea eggs. As a result, you should follow your dog’s first shampoo with another bath a few days later, to kill any fleas that have hatched in that time frame.
Pros
Gentle on your dog’s fur and skin
Smells great
Cons
Does not kill flea eggs
Cannot be used in a home with cats
Conclusion: Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal is an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive skin. However, pet parents who also have cats should buy a different brand of shampoo.
NATXZ DeFlea Ready to Use Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs and Puppies
DeFlea Pet Shampoo is unique in that it eliminates fleas without any pyrethrin-based pesticides. Conveniently, this shampoo is an excellent choice for use in conjunction with other topical spot treatments for both fleas and ticks. Instead of pyrethrin products, DeFlea Pet Shampoo uses dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (8.4%) and undecylic acid (2.0%). These naturally-derived products attack the flea’s exoskeleton until the shampoo penetrates the flea’s body, swiftly killing it.
DeFlea Pet Shampoo is not designed to condition your dog’s fur, but it doesn’t use pesticides. That makes this shampoo a solid choice for your dog if you know he’s sensitive to pesticides. And fortunately, you can rest easy knowing that the ingredients are safe and biodegradable. DeFlea Pet Shampoo is safe to use on any dog or cat, as well as puppies and kittens who are at least 12 weeks old.
To use, get your dog completely wet with warm water. Apply the shampoo to your dog and work it into a lather all over your dog’s body, including the ears and paws, which are common sites for fleas. Continue to massage the shampoo into your dog’s fur for at least 5 minutes. Then rinse your dog thoroughly and dry her off. You can repeat as often as necessary, as soon as three days after your dog’s last shampooing.
Pros
Non-pesticide based treatment
Can be used with topical flea spot treatments
Safe for use around cats
Cons
Does not contain conditioning ingredients
Conclusion: The DeFlea Pet Shampoo is a wonderful option for any dog who is sensitive to the pesticides found in many other flea shampoos. It’s also a good choice for pet parents with cats as well as dogs.
Vet’s Best Flea Itch Relief Dog Shampoo
Vet’s Best Flea Itch Relief Dog Shampoo is also a unique twist on the classic flea shampoo. The extensive selection of natural ingredients provides itch relief from the flea bites that your poor dog has been receiving. The shampoo’s primary focus is soothing and treating your dog’s irritated skin – and as a side effect, the shampoo also kills fleas.
The list of ingredients reads like a collection of spa day ingredients for a human: essential oils, oatmeal, orange peel extract, lemon peel extract, and neem oil. Together, these ingredients treat your dog’s irritated skin and attack any fleas that are present.
Vet’s Best Flea Itch Relief Dog Shampoo is made in the USA and is suitable for use on dogs and puppies who are at least 12 weeks or older. Don’t forget to treat your carpet and furniture with flea products, as well! If you get rid of the fleas on your dog, she might pick up more if there are still live fleas in your home. Vet’s Best has a line of products for your whole house to help you eliminate the flea invaders.
To use Vet’s Best Flea Itch Relief Dog Shampoo, wet your dog’s coat thoroughly with warm water. Starting at your dog’s head, apply a small amount of the shampoo, and work your way down your dog’s body. Don’t forget your dog’s tail! Bring the shampoo to a lather and massage it into your pup for 3-5 minutes to make sure the shampoo reaches the skin. Then rinse thoroughly. Repeat if desired.
Pros
Soothing ingredients
Suitable for dogs with allergies
Cons
Does not kill flea eggs
Conclusion: While not the most potent shampoo on the market, Vet’s Best Flea Itch Relief Dog Shampoo is a soothing option for dogs with sensitive or irritated skin.
Hartz Flea & Tick Shampoo
Hartz Flea & Tick Shampoo kills both fleas and ticks on contact. Its active ingredients are Pyrethrins (0.045%), Piperonyl Butoxide (0.089%), and N-Octyl Bicycloheptene Dicarboximide (0.149%) The shampoo is useful as a weekly treatment to protect and deodorize your adventure pup.
Among the flea-killing ingredients is oatmeal, to soothe and condition your dog’s skin. The shampoo is also pleasantly scented so that your dog is clean and fresh after a bath.
Hartz Flea & Tick Shampoo can be safely used on dogs and puppies who are at least 6 months old. Be sure to treat all dogs in your house to ensure you’re killing all the fleas that have made it indoors. Please note that Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is not suitable for cats or for households that have cats as well as dogs! If you have a feline fur baby as well as a canine fur baby, buy a shampoo that is safe for use on both cats and dogs. That way, your cat is safe when she cuddles (or swats at) your dog.
To use the shampoo, get your dog’s coat completely wet with warm water. Work shampoo into your dog’s fur – don’t forget to avoid her eyes! Keep massaging until the shampoo becomes foamy and your dog is coated in the lather. Leave the shampoo lather on your pup for 5 minutes. Then rinse your dog clean.
Pros
Smells nice
Includes oatmeal to soothe skin
Cons
Cannot be used in a household with cats
Conclusion: Hartz Flea & Tick Shampoo is a good option for your fur baby in an all-dog household. If you have a cat, choose a cat-friendly shampoo for your dog.
Wahl Pet/Dog Eucalyptus Cedar & Rosemary Mint Flea & Tick Shampoo
Wahl’s shampoo uses a combination of natural oils to repel fleas and ticks for up to 1 week. All the ingredients are derived from plants, making it an excellent choice for pet parents who want a natural, gentle product for their fur baby. The shampoo is pH balanced, and it’s alcohol-free and paraben-free to avoid drying and build-up.
As the name strongly implies, this shampoo smells like “Eucalyptus Cedar & Rosemary Mint.” (It’s also available in other scents.) The natural ingredients work to condition and clean your dog’s fur and skin without stripping it. After a bath, your dog’s coat is smooth, shiny, and freshly scented. Note that if your dog has extremely sensitive skin, the oils might be too strong for her.
To use the shampoo, thoroughly wet your dog with warm water. Remember that this shampoo is very concentrated, so you don’t need to start out with much. Use a tablespoon or two and work the shampoo into your dog’s coat. Massage until you get a good lather. If necessary, add more shampoo so that your dog’s whole body is coated in foam. Rinse your dog thoroughly and dry him off. Then brush his coat well.
Pros:
Smells good
Natural ingredients
Cons:
Not for dogs with sensitive skin
Conclusion: Wahl’s flea shampoo is an excellent option if you’re looking for a natural shampoo to battle fleas.
Best flea shampoo for puppies
Hartz Flea & Tick Shampoo
There are certain shampoos on the market that are specifically intended for use on puppies. Talk to your vet about which shampoo is an excellent choice for your young dog. Keep any allergies and sensitivities in mind when deciding what shampoo to use.
Another option for treating fleas on puppies is a DIY flea shampoo. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a DIY devotee to make a great shampoo! Flea shampoo is quick and easy to make, and best of all, it’s effective and safe for your puppy.
Fleas vs. ticks
Nature may be beautiful, but she’s also full of critters, some of which are friendlier than others. Fleas and ticks rank high on the “unfriendly” list due to their ability to spread diseases to your fur baby and you. The possible illness range from allergic reactions, anemia, partial paralyzation, and even death. Obviously, it’s essential to protect your dog from the dangers of flea- and tick-borne illnesses. The first step is understanding how your dog might get fleas, and then learning how to protect her from them.
Your dog can get fleas from another pet or from playing outside. Once fleas are on your dog, they hitch a free ride into your house and start reproducing. Fleas can lay eggs, hatch, and grow on your dog’s body. They can also set up camp in your carpet, furniture, and bedding, or move to other pets like cats.
A single female flea lays about 40 eggs a day, which hatch after as little as 48 hours. If that isn’t upsetting enough, experts say that for every flea you find crawling around your home, there are probably another hundred out of sight. That’s horror movie material, right there.
Most ticks, on the other hand, don’t do as well in a home environment. (The brown dog tick, which thrives indoors, is the one exception to this rule.) Ticks typically bite a dog or human and stay attached to their unwilling host. You and your pup are most likely to fall victim to a tick if you walk in wooded areas or tall grass.
You’ve probably heard of Lyme disease, which is spread by ticks. There are specific Lyme disease vaccines that are available for dogs – if you live in a high tick area, talk to your vet about the vaccine to learn if it’s right for your dog.
Does my dog have fleas?
You can check your pup for fleas yourself to keep infestations at bay and make sure he’s protected from flea-borne illnesses. Fleas are a more significant issue during warm months when they thrive outdoors, waiting for a chance to jump onto your dog when he’s playing in your yard. But your dog can get fleas during any time of the year.
The first warning sign is usually your dog itching, scratching, or biting at her skin. You can also inspect your dog’s fur more closely during bathtime or grooming. Keep an eye out for flea feces and flea eggs on your dog’s skin. Flea feces look like dark specks, and flea eggs look like white specks.
Do flea shampoos really work?
The answer is, “Yes, but.” Flea shampoos kill fleas on contact, so you can rest assured that every flea on your dog is dead after a good shampooing. But it’s worth noting that flea shampoos aren’t a permanent cure for creepy-crawly visitors: The shampoo protection wears off over a few weeks. You’ll need to regularly shampoo your dog with flea shampoo to ensure she’s always protected.
Do flea shampoos kill eggs?
Most flea shampoos do kill eggs. These shampoos are meant to kill fleas in every life stage, from egg to larvae to adult. Even if your dog and furniture are crawling with fleas, a good shampoo can give you a significant leg up in the battle against the bugs.
Some flea shampoos, however, do not kill eggs. As a result, you need to wash your dog with flea shampoo a few days later, to kill any new fleas that may have hatched. You might choose one of these shampoos if your dog has allergies or sensitivities to any ingredients in the stronger flea shampoos.
Is flea shampoo the right choice for my dog?
If your dog likes to spend a lot of time outdoors, he probably brings home a variety of unsavory hangers-on: burrs, mud, dirt, puddle water, etc. As a result, you probably give him a bath regularly. That makes your outdoorsy dog a great candidate for flea shampoo, which needs to be used every week or so to maintain your dog’s protection.
If your dog is still a young puppy, you can’t use most flea shampoos on her. Of course, even puppies can get fleas, like any other pet. Check with your vet for suggestions if you’re worried that your young dog has fleas. If you buy a shampoo for puppies, check the label to make sure your dog is old enough to use it. You can also use home remedies for young puppies (more on that later).
Some dogs are stubborn or anxious, making bathtime a struggle. If that’s the case for your fur baby, you might feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to give Fido a bath every other week. Pet parents with complicated bathtime routines should look for another form of flea protection for their dogs.
DIY flea shampoo for dogs
Mix one half cup of water with a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar and a quarter cup of Dawn dish soap. If you want to shampoo your dog frequently, or if your puppy has very dry skin, try using Castille soap instead of Dawn.
Get your puppy wet with warm water, then massage the shampoo into her fur. Leave the lathered shampoo on your puppy for 5 minutes. During that time, comb or brush your puppy to remove dead and dying fleas. Then rinse your puppy thoroughly. After bathtime, keep your puppy warm until he’s completely dry.
Conclusion
Protecting your dog (and home) from fleas is a crucial part of pet parenthood, and flea shampoo can help keep your pet safe. Keep your particular fur baby in mind when shopping for a flea shampoo, including any allergies or sensitivities. And don’t forget, talk to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about flea shampoo for your dog!
