If you have a dog, you know that fleas are a major concern. They are difficult to kill and can quickly spread throughout your house. One of your best defenses against these fleas is a good shampoo, but there are so many different brands, it can be difficult to find the best one for your pet.
We’ve chosen several of the toughest brands against fleas to review for you so you can see the difference between them. We’ll give you the pros and cons of each one and tell you how they worked on our dogs. We’ve even included a short buyer’s guide where we discuss what you should look for if you continue to shop so you can make an informed purchase.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall |
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Natural Chemistry Flea & Tick |
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Best Overall |
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Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick |
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Premium Choice |
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Arava Dead Sea Pet Spa Flea & Ticks Botanical Adult Dog Shampoo |
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Miracle Care De Flea Shampoo |
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Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Medicated Shampoo |
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The 8 Best Flea Shampoos for Dogs
1. Natural Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs – Best Overall
Size: | 16.9 ounces |
Main Ingredient: | Cedar oil |
Natural Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo is our pick as the best overall flea shampoo for dogs. It features real oatmeal, which helps soothe the skin, and it kills fleas, ticks, black flies, and even mosquitos for up to seven days after use, without using harsh chemicals, so it’s safe to use on any dogs, even puppies. Since it relies on natural ingredients instead of chemicals, it won’t interact with other flea medication your pet might be taking, and we found that it has a pleasant smell that won’t overpower your room.
The downside to Natural Chemistry is that it doesn’t produce any lather, so it can be challenging to make sure you get everywhere, and you tend to use a little more product, which already runs out pretty quickly.
- No harsh chemicals
- It won’t interact with other flea medications
- Pleasant smell
- No lather
- Runs out quickly
2. Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo – Best Value
Size: | 18 ounces |
Main Ingredient: | Chemicals |
Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is our pick as the best flea shampoo for dogs for the money. It uses oatmeal to help moisturize the skin and soothe it from painful flea bites. It kills fleas and ticks on contact, and the ergonomic bottle is easy to use and doesn’t spill, so there is no waste. We like that it comes with a flea comb which helps with the bath, and it will also help you detect them faster in the future.
The only downside we experienced while using the Hartz brands was that it has a bad odor, and some harsh chemicals make it unsafe to use on puppies and cats.
Related Read: Hartz Dog Shampoo Review
- Includes flea comb
- Helps hydrate skin
- Easy to use
- Bad smell
- Harsh chemicals
3. Arava Dead Sea Pet Spa Flea & Ticks Botanical Adult Dog Shampoo – Premium Choice
Size: | 5 ounces |
Main Ingredient: | 100% natural active ingredients |
A flea infestation is a frustrating and irritating experience for both dogs and humans. Arava Dead Sea Pet Spa Flea & Ticks Botanical Adult Dog Shampoo will make flea treatment a little more bearable and feel like a luxurious spa treatment for your dog. This plant-based shampoo is made with 100% natural active ingredients and omits chemical pesticides and artificial colors. It’s formulated to kill fleas and ticks immediately and repel them so that your dog is protected from getting bitten again. It contains 26 Dead Sea essential minerals that nourish the skin and coat, prevent dryness, and reduce itchiness.
This shampoo is also designed to have aromatherapeutic benefits that will help calm and relax your dog and leave them smelling fresh and clean. Overall, this premium shampoo is worth every penny. Just keep in mind that there are separate shampoos for puppies and adult dogs. So, you’ll have to purchase two different kinds of shampoos if you live with two dogs in different life stages.
- Made with 100% natural active ingredients
- Fast-acting formula
- Has aromatherapeutic benefits
- Must purchase different shampoos for puppies and adult dogs
4. Miracle Care De Flea Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies – Best Flea Shampoo for Puppies
Size: | 16.9 ounces |
Main Ingredient: | Chemicals |
Miracle Care De Flea Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies is our pick as the best flea shampoo for puppies. It uses a mild formula that’s safe to use on puppies older than 12 weeks. It won’t irritate your pet’s skin, and you can use it as frequently as once every three days until the fleas are gone. It’s easy to use and comes in a durable bottle that won’t leak or spill.
The downside to Miracle Care is that it doesn’t lather well, so it can be hard to tell where you have already cleaned. It also has a bad smell that some pet owners might not like, and though it does not bother our pet’s skin, some owners might prefer a brand without chemical ingredients.
- Mild formula
- Safe for dogs older than 12 weeks
- Easy to use
- Doesn’t lather
- Bad smell
5. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Medicated Shampoo
Size: | 16 ounces |
Main Ingredient: | Pyrethrum |
Veterinary Formula is a well-known pet health and wellness brand that makes many high-quality products at relatively affordable prices. The Veterinary Formula Care Flea & Tick Medicated Shampoo has a fast-acting formula that kills fleas on contact when used according to the product instructions. All you have to do is lather and work it into your dog’s coat thoroughly and let it sit for 5–10 minutes before rinsing.
This shampoo has a pH-balanced formula that’s free of parabens and soap. Its active ingredient is pyrethrum, which is a natural insecticide sourced from flowers. The formula also contains soothing ingredients, like aloe vera and lanolin, to moisturize the coat.
Before purchasing this shampoo, it’s important to note that it’s not designed to prevent further infestations. It will kill fleas on contact, but you’ll have to be extra vigilant with treating your home to prevent fleas from returning to your dog.
- Gentle pH-balanced formula
- Paraben-free and soap-free
- Contains soothing ingredients
- Not preventative
6. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Aloe & Cucumber Scent Foaming Dog Shampoo
Size: | 10 ounces |
Main Ingredient: | Chemical |
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Aloe & Cucumber Scent Foaming Dog Shampoo is another chemical-based formula that provides you with a gentle shampoo for your pet’s skin that is safe for puppies twelve weeks and older. It has an aloe and cucumber scent that shouldn’t bother pets or their owners, and it comes in an easy-to-use drip-free container.
The Adams brand effectively removes fleas and shouldn’t bother your pet’s skin. Still, the downside is that many people may be afraid of the chemical ingredients, especially when natural shampoos are available. The small bottle size will also be unsuitable for some larger dog breeds.
- Sensitive formula
- Aloe and cucumber scent
- Drip-free container
- Chemical ingredients
- Small bottle
7. Bio-Groom Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo
Size: | 1 gallon |
Main Ingredient: | Chemical |
The Bio-Groom Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo comes in a one-gallon bottle, and you can also get a 2-gallon pack, so it’s one of the largest amounts on this list, making it a perfect choice for large breeds and homes with several dogs. It’s pH-balanced, so it shouldn’t bother your pet’s skin, and it promotes a soft and shiny coat.
The primary downside to this shampoo is that it uses a chemical ingredient to kill fleas instead of a natural one, which can cause some pet owners to avoid it. Also, it can be quite expensive and more than you need if you only have a small dog because of the large gallon size.
- Large size
- Coconut oil-derived ingredients
- Promotes a shiny coat
- pH balanced
- Chemical ingredient
- Expensive
8. Sentry Flea & Tick Tropical Breeze Shampoo for Dogs
Size: | 18 ounces |
Main Ingredient: | Chemical |
Sentry Flea & Tick Tropical Breeze Shampoo for Dogs is one of the lowest-cost shampoos on this list, and it kills fleas and ticks while cleaning and softening your pet’s fur. It has a pleasant fragrance and comes in multiple sizes, so you can get it in the 18-ounce bottle or the gallon size if you have several pets.
The downside to the Sentry Flea & Tick shampoo is that it uses chemical ingredients that can interfere with any flea and tick medication your pet is already taking. It’s also not that effective, so it might take several baths to notice a difference in the number of fleas on your pet.
- Low cost
- Pleasant fragrance
- Multiple sizes
- Chemical ingredients
- Not very strong
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Dog Shampoo for Fleas
Flea Dog Shampoo Ingredients
Chemical Ingredients in Dog Shampoo
You will find several chemical ingredients like permethrin, methoprene, and others. These chemicals can be extremely effective against fleas, and if your pet only gets fleas occasionally, it can be a great solution. However, if your dog spends a lot of time outside and picks up fleas several times each year, the chemicals may start to affect your pet, and it may suffer from dry and itchy skin, among other things. Another problem with these shampoos is that manufacturers add other chemicals as well, like powerful fragrances, that can cause other problems for your pet.
If your dog is taking a medication like Frontline or one of the many others, a chemical-based shampoo might interfere and make them less effective, so we recommend choosing one of the other types.
Essential Oils in Dog Shampoo
Several essential oils, like lemongrass, can be a great substitute for chemical ingredients, and they can make a great choice if your dog occasionally catches fleas. Shampoos that use these oils often leave your pet smelling nice, sometimes for several days after the bath. However, many essential oils, including lemongrass, can be harmful to your dog if you use them too frequently.
Dog Shampoo Natural Ingredients
Natural shampoos usually use cottonseed or castor oil to help eliminate the fleas and ticks in your dog’s coat, and they also help make it soft and shiny. They are less dangerous to your pet’s health than the other options we looked at, so they are a great choice for someone with a dog that catches fleas every time it leaves the house. The downside to these shampoos is that they usually aren’t as effective as the others, so you will likely need to give your pet more than one bath to eliminate the fleas.
Dog Shampoo Bottle Size
Once you choose your cleaning ingredient, your next step will likely determine bottle size. We recommend getting more than you think you need, especially if you choose a natural brand or one that uses essential oils because you will usually need to use more and may need to give the pet more than one bath.
Dog Shampoo Fragrance
Almost all shampoos seem to include some fragrance to help the dog smell better when you are finished bathing. However, fragrance can be bad for your pet, especially from essential oils or chemicals. However, a bath here and there isn’t likely to do much damage, so it only becomes a big concern if your dog always seems to have fleas.
Other Things You Can Do For Dog Fleas
- If your home is infested with fleas, there is a good chance they will get back on your pet after the bath, so it’s important to remove them from home too.
- You can spread baking soda over the carpet and let it sit overnight before vacuuming for a great way to reduce the flea population in your home. Repeat as needed.
- We highly recommend using a monthly medication like Frontline to protect your pet from fleas. It creates a protective barrier over your pet, so the fleas and ticks never become a problem. It also protects them from heartworm, which they can get from mosquitos and other health problems.
Conclusion
When choosing your next flea shampoo for dogs, we highly recommend our pick as the best overall. Natural Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs is extremely effective and contains no harsh chemicals. It smells nice and is easy to use. Another smart choice is our pick for the best value. Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is inexpensive and comes with a flea brush that will help you remove the fleas as you bathe and check your results later.
Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock
Contents
- A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
- The 8 Best Flea Shampoos for Dogs
- 1. Natural Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs – Best Overall
- 2. Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo – Best Value
- 3. Arava Dead Sea Pet Spa Flea & Ticks Botanical Adult Dog Shampoo – Premium Choice
- 4. Miracle Care De Flea Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies – Best Flea Shampoo for Puppies
- 5. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Medicated Shampoo
- 6. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Aloe & Cucumber Scent Foaming Dog Shampoo
- 7. Bio-Groom Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo
- 8. Sentry Flea & Tick Tropical Breeze Shampoo for Dogs
- Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Dog Shampoo for Fleas
- Flea Dog Shampoo Ingredients
- Dog Shampoo Bottle Size
- Dog Shampoo Fragrance
- Other Things You Can Do For Dog Fleas
- Conclusion