Fleas are always a grave problem that pet owners with dogs need to handle as these tiny insects will relentlessly attack your puppy leaving him irritated and itchy. Also, some serious diseases are transmitted by fleas so you need to purchase a decent pet flea shampoo to get your dog’s coat clean as well as to kill those annoying and dangerous fleas.
Before finding a suitable product , some try a homemade liquid made of dish detergent, water, and vinegar to get rid of a flea problem. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work and can lead to skin allergies. Thus, in today’s article, I will be glad to help you choose the best flea shampoo for dogs.
Best Flea Shampoo for Dogs – Comparison Table
Best Flea Shampoo for Dogs Review
Wahl Dog/Pet shampoo – Pet Friendly, PH Balanced, Paraben Free
Our rating:
The first product in my reviews of the best flea shampoo for dogs today is Wahl’s Flea and Tick Shampoo that is formulated with natural fragrances – cedar oil, mint, and rosemary- to kill fleas and ticks. The expected duration of effectiveness should be about one week, and of course, you do not have to use any toxic chemicals.
Also, after a few times of use, your dog’s coat will be clean and shiny. With frequent use, you can help your pet get rid of fleas for the whole season without any application of harsh detergents. The product is PEG-80 free which means it will not cause allergic reactions.
On the negative side, Wahl’s Flea and Tick Shampoo might cause dryness for those with highly sensitive skin. Also, the consistency is quite thin, which means that you have to use a lot on a large dog.
Pros
- Natural fragrances
- Pleasant smell
- Kills and inhibits fleas
Cons
- Potential dryness to the extremely sensitive skin
- Thin consistency
4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo – All Natural and Hypoallergenic with Aloe and Lemongrass, Soothing for Normal, Dry, Itchy or Allergy Sensitive Skin
Our rating:
One of the main factors which makes this 4-Legger USDA Certified Organic Dog Shampoo a choice of the best flea shampoo for dogs is that it is 100% natural and contains lemongrass and aloe which are safe for your lovely dog. Likewise, this is suitable for normal, to itchy and dry, allergic, or sensitive skin at any ages since it will not strip the natural oil from your pet’s coat.
Apart from killing fleas, 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo is easy to apply and rinse off and will not leave a sticky mess. With sustainable ingredients, the product is biodegradable.
However, we recommend that for long-haired dogs you use a conditioner afterwards, as the animal’s thick coat is likely to get tangled after using it. Also, some may find the strong lemongrass smell a bit unpleasant.
Pros
- 100% natural
- Easy to apply
- Safe for both young and adult dogs
- Kills fleas, and leaves a clean and fresh skin
Cons
- Causes tangled fur
- Unpleasantly strong lemongrass smell
Wondercide Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo Bar for Dogs & Cats to Kill & Repel Fleas
Our rating:
As one of the best flea shampoos for dogs, Wondercide Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo Bar is effective in repelling insects for pets at any ages as it is antibacterial and antifungal. It provides gentle cleaning. The product is natural, organic, and biodegradable. Therefore, it is safe even for sensitive skin.
In spite of those advantages, the bar might scratch your dog’s skin if you apply too hard. The smell is also a bit too strong.
Pros
- Repels fleas at any stage of their lifecycle
- Biodegradable
Cons
- Might scratch the skin
- Unpleasant smell
Pet Shampoo – Easily Removes Odors, Dirt & Itchy Dander – Awesome Results Guaranteed
Our rating:
Unlike many flea shampoos on the market, this Pet Shampoo comes with a money-back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with the results. It is user-friendly and leaves your dog with a very clean, soft skin. Furthermore, the liquid is gentle enough for you to use on both puppies and adult dogs thanks to its natural ingredients without harsh chemicals.
You know, even the best flea shampoo for dogs still has its flaws! Firstly, this product seems to make the skin a little dry, so be careful when lathering your pet. Secondly, the pump tends to leak liquid even when you are not using it.
Pros
- Great smell
- Easy to use and rinse off
- Safe for both puppies and adult dogs
Cons
- Dries the skin
- Leaking pump
Natural Chemistry De Flea Concentrate Flea and Tick Shampoo
Our rating:
De Flea Pet Shampoo is concentrated so you must dilute it with water. Although it does not contain any toxic chemical based pesticides, the product still kills fleas on contact at any stage of their life cycle. Aside from fleas, the product can also kill other insects, for example, lice.
As one of the best flea shampoos for dogs, the ingredients are natural, and the product is biodegradable so it will not inflict harm on your pets, your family, or the environment. On the other hand, the smell is quite strong, and the directions on the label may result in confusion between knowing whether to dilute it with water or apply it directly.
Pros
- Kills insects on contact at any stage of their life cycle
- Gentle
- Biodegradable
Cons
- Strong smell
- Directions are confusing
Mycodex Flea Tick Shampoo P3 Triple Strength Pyrethrin
Our rating:
Mycodex Flea Tick Shampoo is powerful enough to eliminate insects on contact so that it can be considered as an option as the best flea shampoo for dogs, with aloe vera, coconut extract, and lanolin, the concentrate has been formulated for even ultra-sensitive skin.
Your dog will be left smelling fresh and with beautifully soft skin after bathing with this shampoo. However, you should not use it on kittens or puppies under 12 weeks of age as the concentrate includes pyrethrin. In addition, remember to wear gloves as the liquid can cause irritation to your hands.
Pros
- Kills insects on contact
- Produced for sensitive skin
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Contains pyrethrins
- May cause irritation to your hands
Paws & Pals Flea and Tick Shampoo-Conditioner Scrub for Dogs & Cats – Moisurizes, Deodorizes, Detangles Fur Coat (Flea & Tick)
Our rating:
Paws & Pal’s Flea and Tick Shampoo is worth a try since it kills adult fleas and ticks and their eggs on contact while still being very gentle on your dog’s skin. This is all due to the key ingredients which include aloe vera, shea butter, oatmeal, and paraben. The product has been carefully formulated for sensitive and dry skin and is one of the best flea shampoos for dogs.
Despite those benefits, the bottle appears much bigger than it is in reality. The scent is a bit weak and does not last long.
Pros
- Eliminates insects and their eggs on contact
- Leaves pets with a clean, soft skin and coat
- Safe for puppies
Cons
- Small bottle
- Weak scent
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor for Dogs and Cats
Our rating:
It is not surprising that this big name – Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo- has been included in the list of the best flea shampoo for dogs. It is good at finishing off fleas, ticks, and lice as well as their eggs and larvae. With soothing aloe, coconut extract, oatmeal, and lanolin, you can use this product on puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats. Also, Adams Shampoo will provide up to 28 days of control of premature fleas.
On the minus side, it does not kill 100% of all the fleas, so you will need to use additional treatments. Meanwhile, the liquid is a bit harsh on sensitive skin.
Pros
- Eliminates both adult and premature fleas
- Can be applied to both young and mature pets
- Provides 28 days of control of premature fleas
Cons
- Have to use with other treatments
- A little harsh
All Natural Dog Shampoo for Dry, Itchy & Sensitive Skin by Critter Concepts|Most Effective, Allergy Relief Formula with Tea-Tree Oil & Vitamins|Soothe Hot Spots, Moisturize and Combat Skin Irritation
Our rating:
Thanks to the healing ingredients – Vitamin E, B5, shea butter, sunflower oil, and tea-tree oil- All Natural Dog Shampoo will soothe your pets’ aching skin from allergies, hot spots, and dryness. Considering the factor of the best flea shampoo for dogs, it will also give your dog a silky soft, clean, and great smelling skin and coat. It is budget-friendly because of its concentrated formula.
However, you might find it difficult to dilute the shampoo with water. It might also take you a long time to see the result of relieving allergies and itches.
Pros
- Contains natural healing ingredients
- Leaves great smelling and soft skin
- Saves a lot of money
Cons
- Difficult to dilute the liquid with water
- No immediate results
Organic Pet Shampoo & Conditioner: Neem Extract for Dry Skin, Itching, Hot Spot Relief, Moisturizing, Consistent Texture – For Shiny & Healthy Hair/Coat
Our rating:
If you are seeking a 2-in-1 product, Pet Diesel – Organic Pet Shampoo & Conditioner should be considered. The main reason that it appears in my reviews of the best flea shampoo for dogs is the use of natural ingredients – essential oils, herbal extracts, and organic minerals. With shea butter, your pet will have shiny and soft skin.
Additionally, being made from biodegradable materials, Pet Diesel Shampoo and Conditioner is 100% eco-friendly. The tear-free formula has been specially designed for ultra-sensitive skin. Although it is an organic product, not everyone will like its strong smell. It has also been reported that the shampoo does not fully eliminate all fleas.
Pros
- 2-in-1 product
- 100% organic with no-tear formula
- Good to use with other flea treatments
Cons
- Heavy scent
- Does not kill 100% of fleas
How to choose the best flea shampoo for dogs
Unfortunately, there is no product that can fit all situations, so you need to understand a few fundamental factors to help you determine the best flea shampoo for dogs. Here are the basic elements for you to take into consideration before coming to a final decision.
Skin Conditions
It’s very important before using any new product that you check if your pet has any skin problems. These may include flaky, itchy or dry skin. To deal with these conditions, opt for a moisturizing shampoo instead of a scented one. The reason is that the former often contains natural ingredients like vitamin E, oatmeal, or honey while the latter tends to include chemicals further irritating the skin.
Age
Like us, the skin of puppies is much more sensitive than that of adult dogs. Therefore, if you are keeping a little one, find a shampoo which is specially produced for young individuals. These products are gentle and often made with a no-tear formula to avoid irritation even if the liquid gets into the puppy’s eyes.
Scent
Dogs often like to dig in the garbage and other smelly things. This is why it’s good to use a shampoo with a long-lasting scent. However, you may want to avoid products which have too strong an odor as you and your pet may find it unpleasant.
Shampoo ingredients
When shopping for any products, including the best flea shampoo for dogs, examining the ingredients is a must. You should reject any product that contains artificial dyes and fragrances because they are more likely to irritate your pet’s eyes and skin. Instead, those with natural fragrances, such as citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, or chamomile, would be a wiser choice.
Check other pet care products:
To Sum Up
Well, that’s the end of today’s article! In general, all the products that have been mentioned above take advantage of natural ingredients and have a gentle effect on pets’ skin while still retaining their effectiveness in repelling fleas. The winner today is Wahl’s Flea and Tick Shampoo. The scent is very pleasant because the manufacturer does not combine too many strong ingredients. Also, your pet’s coat will become shinier with continued use.
I hope that you’ve found my reviews of the best flea shampoo for dogs and my in-depth buying guide useful. If you have concerns, please leave a comment below. Thanks so much for reading!
Thanks for reading!