Fleas and ticks are unpleasant to dogs and their owners. They can cause itching and damage to your best friend’s skin. Your dog’s thick fur is an excellent breeding ground for these bugs. If left to accumulate, they can cause lots of damages and must be treated early.
There are many treatment methods you can use to treat these pests. Selecting the best flea shampoo for dogs is a classic option to kill these bugs and provide your dog a healthy skin. Dog shampoos come in different types with varying benefits for your dog.
But what is the best flea and tick shampoo for dogs? Well, that will depend on many factors. This guide explains the criteria for selecting the ideal shampoo for your dog, tips for safe use of these shampoos and a review of the top shampoos.
Lillian Ruff Flea and Tick Shampoo
There is no way for fleas to remain after using this shampoo. Powerful essential oils included, which is well known for combat the presence of fleas & ticks. It made in the USA, and to make You sure that this product works, manufacturer have 30-days money back guarantee. Flea comb included too, so You'll be satisfied.
Who Should Buy Flea Shampoo for Dogs?
Dogs can get fleas and ticks from anywhere. Fleas don’t fly, all they do is hop from host to host. So it could happen through contact with animals or from the environment when exploring the undergrowth.
There are many methods you can use to kill these bugs depending on your preference and your dog’s lifestyle. But who should buy flea shampoo for dogs?
Well, shampoos are ideal for people whose dogs love bathing. If you bathe your pet regularly and she enjoys it, then the best anti flea shampoo for dogs should be your ideal way to treat fleas and tick infestation. If bathing time is fighting time for your dog then look for other means of treatment like pills or a flea and tick collar.
Comparison Table
Important Features to Consider
There are many features you should consider when selecting the best over the counter flea shampoo for dogs. Below are the main factors to help you choose a shampoo for your dog.
Efficacy
There is no sense in buying a flea shampoo that doesn’t work. So the most important thing to look at is whether the shampoo performs the purpose you bought it for. But don’t just look at what is written on the label because not all shampoos perform the function they claim to do. To be sure of its efficacy, look at what the customer reviews say about the product.
Also, there are many species of flea and ticks worldwide. It’s advisable to understand the type of ticks and fleas are found in your area and then choose the best flea shampoo treatment for dogs that is effective against those species. Your veterinarian should help you with this. Alternatively, you can buy products labeled "broad spectrum," as these are effective in killing several species.
What it eradicates
Most flea shampoos work on both fleas and ticks, but others don’t kill ticks. If your purpose is to kill fleas then most shampoos should be okay, but if you intend to kill ticks you have to double-check that your shampoo is effective on eradicating ticks. Reading the labels should help you select the right product for your situation.
Shampoos also work differently. Some only kill the pest, while others also attack the immature form of the pests. The shampoos that work on the larvae and eggs, help to break the life cycle of the bugs and are more effective in completely eradicating their infestation.
Preventative powers
Flea shampoos work differently on pests. Some repeal these bugs, others prevent reinfestation while others kill on contact. There are even some that can perform all the three at once. You can choose a shampoo based on your preferences.
Package size
If you want good value for your money, you must consider the size of the package. If you have two bottles say 1 and 2, with Bottle 1 costing some dollars more than Bottle 2, and it is twice the size of Bottle 2, then you should choose Bottle 1 as it gives you value for your money.
Scent
Scent is an important factor to consider. You don’t want your dog smelling awful after showering with a flea shampoo. So check out customer reviews on the scent before buying a shampoo.
Dogs usually have a more refined sense of smell than humans. Therefore, some smelling shampoos can easily harm their respiratory system. The best way to prevent this is to buy dog shampoos that are naturally scented with citrus, lavender and other non-artificial ingredients.
Review of the Best Flea Shampoo for dogs in 2020
There’s no one fit all dog shampoo. Everyone has their own needs and dogs react differently to shampoos. So below is a review of the best rated flea shampoo for dogs on Amazon to help you choose what suits you best.
Product Information
Brand Name - Lillian Ruff
Size - 16 Oz
Price - $$$
1. Soothes and Cleanses
If your pup’s skin is itching from a flea attack, then this dog shampoo can help you soothe the skin thanks to the rosemary and aloe ingredients. Rosemary oil is a natural antiseptic that cleanses the skin while aloe is a natural moisturizer and soothing ingredient that will give the skin the much needed relief.
2. Flea Comb
To increase efficacy, this shampoo comes with a comb that helps you pull bugs that hide inside your pooch’s hair while shampooing it. This ensures there’s no chance of pest while ensuring proper cleansing of the dog’s coat.
3. Contains Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly effective in getting rid of fleas and ticks. This flea and tick shampoo contains powerful essential oils including lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, wintergreen among others that make it one of the best flea and tick shampoo for dogs.
With this shampoo, your dogs are also assured of no adverse side effects since it is free from toxic non-natural ingredients such as paraben, dye, tear, and sulfate.
4. Money-Back Guarantee
The manufacturers of this product are so confident of this shampoo that they give you a 30-day Risk-Free full money-back-guarantee in case you are not happy with the product.
- Does not irritate pet’s skin
- Highly effective
- Comes with a flea comb to remove fleas
- Has nice lavender-coconut scent
- Works for both puppies and big dogs
- Doesn’t foam easily
Product Information
Brand Name - Veterinary Formula Clinical Care
Size - 16 Oz
Price - $
1. Ideal for Sensitive Skin
If you want the best flea shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin then this might be your ideal choice. It is a medicated shampoo that contains antiparasitic and antiseborrheic components specifically formulated for dogs with sensitive skin. It also made with a pH balanced treatments that works best with pups above 12 weeks of age and struggling with allergic skin.
2. Treats Various Skin Conditions
Besides getting rid of fleas, this dog shampoo treats other conditions fast. Some of these conditions include; inflamed scalp, bald spots, waxy skin, itchy skin, and red skin rashes. You can effectively treat these conditions by bathing your dog 2-3 times per week. You can then reduce the frequency as your dog’s skin get better.
3. Veterinary Recommended
The shampoo is made using veterinary-grade ingredients proven to safely treat various skin conditions caused by fleas. It is also free from harmful ingredients such as dye, paraben, and soap.
- Gives quick results
- Made with veterinary-grade ingredients
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Medicated shampoo
- Only for dogs over 12 weeks of age
Product Information
Brand Name - Natural Chemistry
Size - 16.9 Ounce
Price - $
1. Residual Effect
The shampoo is very effective and leaves a residual effect lasting up to 7 days. For a week you won’t have to worry about the fleas coming back. The shampoo also kills the bugs regardless of their stage in the lifecycle. This ensures no eggs are left behind to hatch and thereby completely destroying the infestation.
2. Natural Ingredients
If you are looking for the best natural flea shampoo for dogs, then this shampoo has got you covered. It is made from natural botanical extracts like sodium lauryl sulfate, cedarwood oil, and Clove oil among others. These natural ingredients ensure the shampoo remains forever effective because the pests do not become resistant.
3. Safe and Non-toxic
Since this shampoo is made from all-natural ingredients, expect that there will be no side effects whatsoever. The product is safe and non-toxic to your furry friend because it does not contain pyrethrins.
- Affordable
- Effect remains for up to a week
- Nice smell
- Has no pyrethrin
- Watery
Product Information
Brand Name - Arava - Dead Sea Pet Spa
Size - 13.6 Ounces
Price - $$$
1. Botanical Mixture of Herbs
The product contains a mixture of 11 botanical herbs and up to 26 Dead Sea minerals. The herbs include peppermint, clove, cinnamon, lemongrass, thyme just to name a few. With such a mixture your dog gets more benefits including cleansing and moisturizing your pooch’s skin. This makes it highly effective and one of the best tick and flea shampoo for dogs.
2. 100% Natural Ingredients
Most dog shampoos have either filler ingredients or artificial ingredients that are harmful to your furry friend’s skin. This is not the same for this product as it contains 100% natural ingredients. These ingredients nourish the skin making it stronger without damaging it.
3. Safe and Effective
Arava Flea and Tick Control is free from any harmful chemicals and carcinogens that may harm your dog’s skin. This makes it safe and free from side effects.
It is also highly effective making it the best tick and flea shampoo for dogs as well as keeping these bugs away.- 100% natural ingredients
- Leaves the fur fluffy and shiny
- Gentle on the skin
- Not recommended for sensitive dogs
Product Information
Brand Name - SENTRY PET CARE
Size - 63.5 Fz
Price - $
1. Cleanses and Deodorizes
This shampoo cleanses, conditions, and deodorizes your pet’s skin. The product is made for both adult dogs and puppies of 12 weeks old and more.
2. Special Formulated for Dogs
Oatmeal being one of the main ingredients, aids in conditioning making this a great shampoo for dry, itchy skin. While it is great for sensitive skin, avoid using it on cats as the manufacturer recommends it for dogs only.
3. Long-Lasting Residual Effect
Once you apply this product on your pets, it kills ticks fleas and ticks on contact. The shampoo will remain effective for the next 10 days killing any fleas that may get onto your dog. Besides, it can get rid of deer ticks which are known t cause Lyme disease.
- Ideal for dogs with sensitive skin
- Rapidly kills fleas when bathing
- Great Scent
- Very thin
Product Information
Brand Name - Oster
Size - 18 Oz
Price - $
1. Premium Ingredients
If you are keen on the ingredients that make a dog shampoo then you are in the right place. The manufacturer of this product is keen on selecting and using only the premium products to ensure you get a premium product that will give you the results you desire.
2. pH Balanced Treatment
This shampoo has a well-balanced pH treatment specifically for dogs with sensitive skin. This makes it the best flea shampoo treatment for dogs aged 12 weeks and more. With the pH balancing, however, you cannot use this shampoo to bathe your cats and other pets.
3. Gentle on the Dog’s Skin
Made paraben free and does not contain harsh soaps and chemicals which are a problem to dogs with sensitive skin. The shampoo contains naturally derived cleansers that are tough on the fleas but gentle on the pooch’s skin.
- Free from harsh ingredients
- Kills on contact
- Ideal for dogs with sensitive skin
- Not safe to other pets like cats
Product Information
Brand Name - Adams
Size - 12 Ounce
Price - $$
1. Cleanses and Deodorizes
It doesn’t just cleanse your dog and remove the fleas, this dog shampoo deodorizes the pup’s skin leaving it feeling fresh and smelling nice.
2. Totally Eliminates Infestation
You don’t have to wait up to 4 weeks for eggs to turn to mature fleas in order to kill them. This shampoo kills eggs, larvae, and even the mature fleas thereby breaking the life cycle of these bugs. The result is the total destruction of the entire infestation remaining with nothing to worry about.
3. Ideal for pets
This is a one-fit-all effective solution. So if you purchase this shampoo you can bathe all your pets including dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. This makes it the best flea shampoo for small dogs.
- Breaks the life cycle of fleas
- Can be used to de-flea your home too
- Works for other Pets
- May not work for puppies under 12 weeks old
Product Information
Brand Name - Zodiac
Size - 532 Ml
Price - $
1. Made from Oatmeal
Oatmeal has many benefits to your pup’s skin. These benefits include cleaning, moisturizing, relieve allergies, flea problems as well as soothing relief to sensitive skin. In addition to that, this shampoo will soften your dog’s skin leaving it looking healthy.
2. Has Insect Regulator
The shampoo works by preventing the bugs from multiplying. Thanks to the insect regulator, this Zodiac Oatmeal shampoo destroys the pests from the immature stages.
3. Residual Effect up to 4 weeks
When you shampoo your dog, the residual effects will remain for as long as 28 days. During this period fleas will not bother your canine friend.
- Offer protection for up to 28 days
- Gives a soft shiny coat
- Nice smell
- Need to invest in protective gear and gloves while using
Dangers of Some Flea Control Products
The FDA and the Environmental Protection have the legal authority to regulate and approve all dog drugs and treatment products. Despite these regulations, there are flea control products that still contain toxic chemicals. Most of these chemicals used as ingredients are effective at killing fleas and ticks, but they also have adverse health effects on your pet over time.
Such cases have been experienced in the past. An example is where the FDA had to give an alert regarding some flea products which contained a harmful chemical called isoxazoline. According to FDA, this active ingredient “had been associated with neurologic reactions like muscle tremors, and seizures in dogs and cats.”
There have also been studies done by U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that indicate increased illnesses resulting from the use of dog flea shampoos. The main ingredient mentioned in most of these reports being pyrethrins. According to these reports, pyrethrin based shampoos are toxic to cats but safe for dogs.
Tips for a Safe Use of Flea Shampoo for Dogs
Read labels
Labels indicate the ingredients present in the flea shampoo. Always read the labels and if you notice any ingredients that your dog might be allergic to then avoid using those products. You should also stay away from products that do not indicate their ingredients.
Follow directions
Shampoos are used in different usage frequencies. Some will require you to wash your dog daily while others can only be used once in a week. If you bath your dog daily with the shampoo that requires to be used once in a week, you might end up irritating your pup’s skin.
Also, some of the best flea shampoo for dogs will require you to apply it to the dog and wait for some minutes before washing it off. Failure to let it stay for some minutes will not kill the fleas. So be sure to read the instructions before using a shampoo and follow them to the latter.
Dog’s health condition
Dog flea shampoos are generally made for healthy animals. If your dog has a health condition, for instance, if they are sick, extremely old or pregnant, you may want to talk to your Veterinary officer about your flea shampoo before using it. Some flea shampoos can worsen your dog’s health condition.
Supervise the dog
Watch your dog before and after using any product on them. If you notice any side effects, immediately bathe your dog with plenty of water to get rid of the chemicals from the Shampoo. Mild soap can also help remove the chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my dog with flea shampoo?
While flea shampoo helps in removing fleas, overdoing it can harm your dog instead. Some shampoos contain chemicals that can irritate while others can make your pet’s skin dry if overused.
Ideally, you should wash your pet with the best flea and tick shampoo for dogs once or twice per week depending on the infestation. You should also consider how the shampoo works. For shampoos that prevent infestation, bathing your dog once every month will suffice. If your shampoo only kills the bugs but does not prevent them, washing your dog whenever you notice any fleas is the best way to go about it.
Will flea shampoo get rid of fleas on my dog?
The best flea shampoo for dogs kills both immature and adult fleas and prevent infestation. Such shampoos should help you eliminate the flea infestation. On the other hand, flea treatment for dogs that only kill the adult fleas will require you to bathe your dog after every week for one month. Alternatively, you can use treatment that kills eggs and larvae alongside your shampoo. Once you’ve shampooed your pup, treat your entire home to get rid of fleas that may be hiding in the carpet and couch as they can get back onto your pets.
Does flea shampoo expire?
Yes. Similar to other dog products, flea shampoo also expires. While some shampoos can last up to 18 months, be sure to check the expiration date to avoid buying expired products. Buying expired dog shampoo puts your pooch’s healthy at risk. Besides, they do not work effectively.
Will regular dog shampoo kill fleas?
No, it does not. Regular dog shampoo does not contain active ingredients such as Permethrin that kill fleas. As such, you will require a flea shampoo to effectively eradicate fleas.
Conclusion
Dog owners will tell you the best way to protect your canine friend from fleas and ticks is by bathing your pet with the best flea killing shampoo for dogs. The benefits go beyond killing the bugs and protecting your dog from reinfestation. You get more skin benefits.
Our top pick, Lillian Ruff Flea, and Tick Shampoo does just that. It kills fleas and ticks and soothes and cleanses your skin giving it relief from itching. Other dog shampoos in the list give many other benefits including leaving lasting residual effects, providing essential amino acids and conditioning effects. You’ll just have to choose the best flea shampoo for dogs that meets your requirements.
The shampoos may not do all jobs including getting rid of fleas and ticks that hide in your couch or on the lawn. So be sure to use additional indoor and outdoor treatments and sprays to get rid of all fleas and keep your best friend safe.
More Dog Flea Shampoos
- Brand Name - Richard's Organics
- Volume - 12 oz
- Lifestage - Adult, Senior, Puppy
- Main Ingredients -
Peppermint Oil, Eugenol (Clove Oil), Cedarwood oil, Cinnamon Oil, Rosemary Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
- Brand Name - Hartz
- Volume - 18 oz
- Lifestage - Adult, Senior, Puppy
- Main Ingredients - No Info
- Brand Name - Adams
- Volume - 12 oz
- Lifestage - Adult, Senior, Puppy
- Main Ingredients -
Pyrethrins: 0.15%, S-Methoprene: 0.10%, Piperonyl Butoxide: 1.88%, other ingredients: 97.87%.
- Brand Name - TropiClean
- Volume - 20 oz
- Lifestage - Puppy, Adult, Senior
- Main Ingredients - Clove Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Sesame Seed Oil
- Brand Name - Hartz
- Volume - 18 oz
- Lifestage - Adult, Senior, Puppy
- Main Ingredients - Active Ingredients: Phenothrin 0.27%.
- Brand Name - PetAg
- Volume - 18 oz
- Lifestage - Adult
- Main Ingredients - Pyrethrins 0.05%, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.50%,Other Ingredients 99.45%
- Brand Name - Vet's Best
- Volume - 12 oz
- Lifestage - Puppy, Adult
- Main Ingredients - No Info
- Brand Name - Zodiac
- Volume - 18 oz
- Lifestage - Adult, Puppy, Senior
- Main Ingredients - (S)-Methoprene: 0.10%, Pyrethrins: 0.15%, Piperonyl Butoxide: 1.88%
- Brand Name - Natural Care
- Volume - 12 oz
- Lifestage - Adult, Senior, Puppy
- Main Ingredients - Thyme Oil 0.32%, Peppermint Oil 0.45%, Clove Oil 0.72%, Rosemary Oil 1.00%, Cedarwood Oil 1.03%
- Brand Name - Dog Wash
- Volume - 24 oz
- Lifestage - Adult
- Main Ingredients - Purified Water, Proprietary Surfactant Blend, Liquid Pearl, Permethrin, Fragrance, Tertrasodium Edta, Preservative, Color
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