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Fleas are every dog’s enemies. This makes them feel uncomfortable and can even compromise their health.
One way to prevent and get rid of flea issues in dogs is by using a reliable flea shampoo for your pooch.
6 Best Flea Shampoos
- Best Overall: TropiClean Dog Flea Tick Shampoo
- Runner-Up: Direct Protect Plus Flea Dog Shampoo
- Safest Flea Shampoo: Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Shampoo
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Adams Plus Shampoo With Precor
- Best Budget: Natural Care Dog Shampoo
- Best Value: Arava Flea Control Dog Shampoo
Best Overall: TropiClean Dog Flea Tick Shampoo
Key Features:
- With calming citrus aroma
- pH balanced
- Soap free, paraben free and dye free
- Effective stain removal
- Made with naturally derived ingredients
- Quick rinse and lather formula
- Made in the USA
- Comes in 4 sizes
Looking for a flea shampoo that is made from 100% naturally derived ingredients? Then, consider the TropiClean Dog Flea Tick Shampoo. Its essential ingredient is Neem, which is proven to be effective for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
This is one of those natural flea shampoos that form a thick lather and rinses easily, making bathing a better experience for you and your pooch. You can use it to de-grease his sticky, smelly, and dirty coat after a fun-filled day in the rain. It has that calming citrus aroma and offers 4 sizes of choices to pet parents.
Runner-Up: Direct Protect Plus Flea Dog Shampoo
Key Features:
- Kills ticks, fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, and lice
- With soothing aloe, oatmeal. lanolin, and coconut extract
- With insect growth regulator (IGR)
- Safe for dogs 12 weeks and up
- With a pleasant, fresh scent
One of the best ways to prevent future flea and tick infestations is by using Direct Protect Plus Flea Dog Shampoo. It has an insect growth regulator (IGR) that effectively kills developing fleas from getting out of control. It is safe to use on dogs aged 12 weeks and up.
This is formulated with ingredients perfect for dogs with sensitive skin. It has the fresh, pleasant skin both pets and pet parents have come to love. If you don’t mind using chemicals on your pooch as long as it can effectively remove fleas, then this is one of your best choices.
Safest Flea Shampoo: Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Shampoo
Key Features:
- Fast-acting when killing ticks, fleas, and mites
- Active ingredient is Phenothrin
- With oatmeal
- Cleaning and deodorizing
- Fresh-scented
- Safe for dogs 6 months and up
One of the safest flea shampoos in the market is the UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Shampoo by Hartz. Its active ingredient, Phenothrin is known to be effective for getting rid of lice, flea, and ticks. But despite this, it contains oatmeal known to have healing and soothing properties perfect for sensitive skin.
Oatmeal makes this flea shampoo gentle on your hands. It is fast-acting and safe for dogs over 6 months. The best thing about this shampoo is that you can buy this t an affordable price.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Adams Plus Shampoo With Precor
Key Features:
- Kills ticks, fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae and lice
- With insect growth regulator (IGR)
- With soothing aloe, oatmeal. and lanolin
- With a pleasant, fresh scent
- Safe for dogs 12 weeks and up
If your pooch has sensitive skin, consider the Adams Plus Shampoo With Precor to be a great investment. This specially-formulated flea shampoo contains oatmeal, lanolin, and soothing aloe perfect for a dog’s sensitive skin. It has an IGR or insect growth regulator known to effectively prevent and kill flea development for as much as 28 days.
Pet parents can safely use this for dogs from 12 weeks and older. You can also use this to ward off mosquitoes from biting your pooch. Now, you have better peace of mind knowing your pet is flea and tick-free thanks to this flea and tick shampoo.
Best Budget:Natural Care Dog Shampoo
Key Features:
- Kills ticks, fleas, and flea larvae on contact
- With natural plant extracts
- Alcohol-free, paraben-free, and free from harsh chemicals
- Quick rinse and lather formula
- Safe for dogs 12 weeks and up
- Made in the USA
Another naturally formulated flea shampoo you need to know about is the Natural Care Flea Dog Shampoo. It is free from harsh chemicals, paraben, and alcohol. Its quick lather and rinse formula makes it a favorite among pet parents.
This USA-made flea shampoo is safe to use on dogs 12 weeks and up. It can kill ticks, flea, and flea larvae upon contact. Now, you no longer need to worry about these pesky pests ruining your canine buddy’s day.
Best Value: Arava Flea Control Dog Shampoo
Key Features:
- Has formula for dogs and puppies
- With 26 Dead Sea minerals, Castor, Citronella, cinnamon, clove, eastern red cedar, Geranium, lemongrass, thyme, peppermint, rosemary, and soybean and
- With subtle and pleasant scent
- 30 days risk-free guarantee
If you are looking for a reliable flea control shampoo for your pet’s flea problem, you can trust Arava Flea Control Dog Shampoo to get the job done. This can effectively kill ticks and fleas upon contact, thus effectively getting rid of your problem. Its natural formulation consists of Dead Sea minerals and essential oils.
There are 2 variants specially formulated for pups and adult dogs. It has that subtle and pleasant scent pet parents love. The processes involved and quality control ensures pet parents that their investment is worth every penny.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Flea Shampoos
Lifestage
Most dog flea shampoos are safe for dogs and pups 12 weeks and older. But it is still best to check the label before investing. This way, you can be sure that you are using a flea shampoo that is safe for your dog’s age.
Ingredients
Some flea shampoos are made from chemicals that can harm your pooch’s sensitive skin. For best results, check the ingredients wisely. There are naturally-formulated flea shampoos that are just as effective and are perfect for a dog’s sensitive skin.
Non-Offensive Scent
Dogs have a keen sense of smell. You might think that your canine buddy’s new flea shampoo smells great. but if they find this overpowering, they can end up hating the shampoo and bath time in general.
Safe for Puppies/Cats
Not all flea shampoos can be used for pups and cats. If you have a flea problem with your cats and puppies, choose one specially formulated for their age. This way, you won’t have any worries concerning their health and safety.
Benefits of Flea Shampoos
You can include flea shampoos in your flea prevention plan for your favorite pooch. But unlike flea spot treatments and flea collars, flea shampoos offer to be the more natural approach to preventing a future flea infestation.
The following are reasons why pet parents prefer flea shampoos over other options.
- Kill all stages of fleas
- Easy to use
- Stays long enough until you administer spot on flea treatments
What to Avoid in Flea Shampoo
In general, avoid flea shampoos with heavy chemicals, which are from unknown brands, and those that do not have additional features like healing dry skin, soothing benefits, and softening the fur. Ask your pet’s vet for their recommendation. When shopping online, choose one after reading the reviews of other pet parents who already tried the shampoo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do flea shampoos really work?
Yes. These can be effective for as long as you use the right flea shampoo. Just make sure to follow the indicated instructions.
What is the best shampoo to get rid of fleas on dogs?
Only you know which one is best for your pooch. You have your vet to guide you in choosing the right flea shampoo, the reviews of pet parents left on the internet, and your pet’s special requirements to rely on. If you need help in choosing you can always use this list as your additional guide.
What shampoo do vets use for fleas?
Different vets will have their own flea shampoo of choice. It is best to talk to your pet’s vet and see if this is the best choice for him. Your vet will consider his medical history to ensure he prescribes the best flea shampoo according to his needs and situation.
What shampoo kills fleas instantly?
Many flea shampoos can kill fleas instantly. This is since these are often fast-acting in killing and removing fleas one the first wash. What many flea shampoos lack is a residual activity which means continuous use is required for long-lasting effects.
How do I tell if my dog has fleas?
There are some signs that tell you if your canine buddy now has a flea problem. Here are some of them.
- Signs of flea eggs
- Visible fleas on their bed or coat
- Flea dirt on your dog’s skin
- signs of flea bite
- Itching and skin irritation
- There is a simple test that allows you to check if what you found is really flea dirt or not. Remove some specks from his coat and spread this into a wet towel. If you see small blood stains, then your dog has fleas.
Conclusion
Flea issues are never good news to any pet parent. Thankfully, many flea shampoos are effective in killing, removing fleas, and stopping a flea infestation in its tracks. Choose wisely when buying flea shampoo for your pet and your best friend can enjoy a flea-free life for a very long time.
