Best Flea Shampoo for Dogs

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic

Flea shampoo for dogs is one of the most efficient pet products for eliminating blood-sucking parasites from your pet’s fur. However, not all of them will do the job–so be sure to read our comprehensive buying guide to find out which offer the best price to performance ratio.

Sooner or later, every pet parent faces a dreadful situation: seeing those tiny, tiny creepy crawlies in your pet’s fur and instantly getting an inexplicable urge to start scratching your head off. Dog fleas are not “just” nasty bloodsuckers that will cause your pooch to bite and scratch his fur, but they can also cause serious health issues: from internal parasites to anemia, there is a number of dangerous conditions that can be linked back to pet fleas. Not to mention that, if left to their own devices, fleas can overtake your home and be incredibly difficult to eradicate for good. That’s why it’s important to react quickly once you realize your pet has fleas–and work to prevent this from happening in the first place.

Even though dealing with dog fleas is a taxing task, there are plenty of options available to help you eliminate parasites efficiently. Each parasite-killing product is designed for specific purposes in mind, whether it’s to treat the pet directly or to treat the space he lives in to eradicate all life stages of fleas from the environment. When it comes to antiparasitic products that are meant to be used on pets, there are different forms of administrations, all effective in their own right, to make sure that treating fleas isn’t a hassle. Flea shampoo for dogs is one of the most popular choices for eliminating parasites, both due to its ease of use and the fact that it instantly kills the nasty buggers in your pet’s coat, providing immediate relief to an itchy furball.

While some dog owners prefer flea collars or spot-on treatments, for example, many opt for flea shampoo for dogs as it already ties in with their pet’s existing routine and it’s quite effective. If you already bathe your pet at regular intervals (as you should), introducing an anti-parasitic product won’t be an issue or a hassle–just swap it with their regular shampoo and watch those tiny black spots fall dead and down the drain. Naturally, you won’t have to nor should you) use flea shampoo for dogs every time your pet is bathing- you should use it about once a month or every two months, as a preventative after the fleas have been eradicated with the first application.

Of course, if getting your pet rid of fleas was so easy, it wouldn’t be such a dreaded task among pawrents. While flea shampoo for dogs is an effective solution, not all of them deliver on their promises- and there isn’t a universal match for every pooch’s needs. From your pet’s age and skin sensitivity to the severity of flea infestation, there are various factors to consider before you get to scrub-a-dubbing. To help you make the right choice, we’ve rounded the best flea shampoos for dogs on the market, with a match for every doggo’s need–read on to learn more!

Editor’s Choice: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care

When you’re treating your dog for fleas and ticks, you don’t really love the thought of chemicals and poisons on them (or on you as they share the love). That’s why this veterinary formula that uses a natural insecticide is a favorite. The active ingredient is derived from flowers and is called pyrethrum. It will kill fleas and ticks as soon as it comes in contact with them and it hails from the chrysanthemum plant so you can trust that it’s a natural way to kill parasites as well as fleas and ticks. There are no harsh chemicals that can irritate your dog’s skin, and since it’s made with veterinary grade ingredients, you can trust that it’ll be a gentle and safe enough to use on your best friend. It’s application may be more often than you would use with a traditional medicinal flea and tick collar but for the natural way it manages fleas and ticks, many pet parents are willing to do so.

Runner Up: Advantage Flea & Tick Treatment Shampoo

This unscented dog flea and tick shampoo kills blood-sucking parasites on the spot–without irritating your pet’s sensitive skin in the process. The combination of active ingredients (pyrethrins with synergist components that enhance its potency) makes sure that your pet comes out of the bath completely parasite-free! This flea shampoo is safe to use on all dogs over 12 weeks of age.

Budget Choice: NaturVet Herbal Flea Shampoo

If you’re looking to keep your dog protected from fleas and ticks and want a really natural, plant-based way to shampoo them and do so, look no further than NaturVet Herbal Flea Shampoo. You’ll make sure your dog is good and wet as you get them ready and you’ll apply a generous portion to massage in and set for about 10 or so minutes of contact time. This will put the soothing and effective power of flea repellant essential oils Rosemary, Cedarwood, Geranium and White Thyme into action. Used weekly or semi-weekly, it’s a completely pesticide-free way to keep your dog cleaned and fresh while also under the protection of powerful essential oils. It’s veterinarian formulated and made in the United States at a cGMP compliant facility.

For pet parents who want to protect their dogs but don’t want to have any chemicals come in contact with their dog’s skin, this is an effective and natural way to get the job done.

Best for Multi-Pet Households: Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo

This broad-spectrum pet anti-parasitic shampoo kills fleas, ticks, flea eggs, flea larvae, and lice on contact. And not only that but unlike most flea shampoos for dogs, it continues working after the bath is over: the formula contains an insect growth regulator to kill and prevent flea development for up to 28 days. While being incredibly potent, this formula is also gentle and can be used on dogs and cats of all ages.

Best All-Natural Formula: Richard’s Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo

Safe to use on dogs that are twelve weeks and older, this natural formula uses 5 different essential oils to kill and repel fleas in your pet’s fur. The combination of peppermint oil, clove oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, and rosemary oil is not just effective as an anti-parasitic but it is also beneficial for the skin and coat. Plus it makes the shampoo smell nice without adding artificial fragrances–but the herbal scent might be too much for some pawrents. However, if you want to avoid medicated shampoos in favor of effective all-natural formulas, it’s a sacrifice worth making.

Hartz Flea & Tick Shampoo

This fresh-scented flea and tick shampoo isn’t just effective but deodorizing as well- your pooch will be parasite-free and smell like a dream to boot. Affordable and potent with phenothrin as its active ingredient, this dog shampoo is a good choice if you want something that will kill all adult fleas and ticks on the spot, but it’s not a product that will keep your pet protected after the bath.

Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo With Oatmeal

With a formula that cleans, deodorizes, and conditions, this flea shampoo isn’t “just” your ordinary anti-parasitic product, but it will make sure your pet’s skin and coat remain in perfect condition, too. The oatmeal in the ingredient list keeps skin moisturized and soothes itchiness, whereas the “Hawaiian ginger” scent makes sure their fur smells nice for days. The enhanced permethrin-based formula will eliminate fleas and ticks for up to 10 days after bathing. This is one of the rare formulas that offer prolonged protection, but still, if you know your pet is at risk for re-infestation, combine this shampoo with a flea collar or spot-on treatment.

Natural Chemistry De Flea Shampoo Concentrate for Dogs & Cats

Budget-friendly and particularly convenient people who have more than one pooch (or kitty!) in their care. This flea shampoo concentrate is mixed with 3 parts water and 1 part shampoo before use so a little goes a long way–and this is a one-gallon bottle. It’s safe for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens and kills fleas in all life stages for complete care and effectiveness. The parasites will be dead on the spot, as soon as they come into contact with the foam.

TropiClean Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo

If you want a potent flea shampoo that contains no pyrethrins or permethrin but still effectively eliminates these blood-sucking parasites, this is an excellent choice. The natural formula blends together 5 different dog-safe essential oils- clove oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, and sesame seed oil- to immediately kill and fight off fleas for up to a week after the bath. Soap-free (but with coconut oil for lather), this formula is OK to use on dogs with sensitive skin.

Lillian Ruff Flea and Tick Shampoo

When you’re grooming your dog, you always want to be gentle as there’s a chance of getting near or in their eyes. Lillian Ruff Flea and Tick Shampoo is created to gently and safely bathe your dog but also repel fleas and ticks in the process. The aloe is generously added to condition and keep your dog’s coat clean regularly without fear of drying it out, and the shampoo can be your general maintenance shampoo that offers protection against pesky pests. It’s non-toxic, paraben-free and dye-free and uses the powers of natural essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, wintergreen, lemongrass and thyme to tell them to hit the road. Rosemary also acts as a repellant but also a natural antiseptic to keep your dog’s skin clean and calm if they have had interactions with fleas and ticks and you’ll love how fresh your dog smells after bathing in this made in the USA shampoo.

kin+kind Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs & Cats

kin+kind Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs & Cats


Plant-based but fast-acting, this natural formula proves that you don’t have to rely on harsh chemicals to get the best results with parasite elimination. The active ingredients in this formula are cedarwood and peppermint oil, both known as fantastic repellents of insects, including fleas and ticks. Better yet, these smells are quite pleasant if you’re a pooch or a human, so no need to worry your doggo will stink for days. In fact, this dog flea shampoo is also enriched with Lavender, so you can expect their coat to have a lovely herbal scent after the bath.

Hand-mixed in the USA, this vet-formulated dog flea shampoo is free of sulfates and parabens, vegan, cruelty-free, and GMO-free.

Fresh’n Clean Flea and Tick Small Pet Conditioning Shampoo


Targeted effect for anti-flea and tick function plus conditioning properties- what could be better? Not only that this dog shampoo will help get rid of all the nasty critters in your pet’s coat but it will also leave their locks shiny and soft to touch. With natural pyrethrins, it won’t make fleas and ticks run from your pet’s hair but kill the little buggers on contact. Even so, don’t be fooled into thinking that this conditioning shampoo contains harsh chemicals: it is gentle to the skin and completely safe for puppies and kittens over 12 weeks of age. To keep the coat looking lustre, there is the coconut oil extract- so no need to worry about drying out your pet’s skin and hair.

Bio-Groom Flea and Tick Dog/Cat Conditioning Shampoo


What if your dog’s flea shampoo wouldn’t just be a great choice for eliminating the pests that are making a home in their coat but also nourishing for their skin and hair both? Enriched with protein lanolin, this conditioning shampoo will give a distinct sheen to your pet’s coat. Lanolin is a wax-like substance that sheep produce naturally and it’s what gives wool its fantastic qualities: for your dog’s hair, it will protect it from damage and make sure it is shiny and soft. The pH balanced formula is suited for dogs with sensitive and dry skin as it will nourish the skin as well as the coat- all the while eliminating parasites.

To combat the fleas and the ticks, this formula uses pyrethrins that are highly effective against parasites and will kill the bloodsuckers on contact. Of course, while harsh on fleas, the formula is gentle on pets: this dog flea shampoo can be used on puppies and kittens over 12 weeks old.

How does flea shampoo for dogs work?

Flea shampoo for dogs is a medicated version of regular pet shampoo, “enriched” with anti-parasitic substances that kill blood-sucking insects and don’t irritate your pet’s skin in the process. Like regular shampoo, they also come in different formulas: natural, scented, suitable for different age groups, hypoallergenic, etc. The only difference is that soaping up your pet with flea shampoo for dogs will kill any existing adult flea in the pet’s coat, unlike an ordinary shampoo. What makes flea shampoo for dogs effective against parasites is its formula, which usually includes insecticides such as permethrin or pyrethrin as an active ingredient.

The method of use is pretty straightforward- you’ll also work up a lather like you usually do, make sure to thoroughly massage the soap inside the coat, and rinse it all out with copious amounts of warm water. Voila! Bloodsuckers gone, a nice-smelling and clean pooch, a happy pawrent–easy peasy!

However, unlike dog flea collars or spot-on treatments, flea shampoo for dogs doesn’t offer lasting and continual protection from parasites. The fleas are killed during the bath, and shortly after it, they can again infest your pooch if there are any in their environment or they come in contact with another flea-infested dog or cat. That’s why the most efficient way to use flea shampoo for dogs is to combine it with a protective product that prevents re-infestations after the shampoo has killed all of the existing parasites.

Flea shampoo for dogs vs collars vs topical treatments: which is the most effective?

There is an impressively versatile range of pet products aimed at eliminating fleas and other parasites, such as intestinal worms and ticks. From powders and sprays to chewables and spot-on treatments, you shouldn’t have a problem finding the exact type of treatment that suits your budget and preferences. So what are the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of the most popular flea treatments for dogs?

Flea shampoo for dogs is affordable, easy to use, and can be incorporated into your dog’s routine. The downside is that its effect is instant, and it won’t be able to keep fleas from infesting your pet if there are fleas in his environment.

Flea collars repel these blood-sucking parasites, either with insecticides or natural remedies that rely on powerful scents (lavender, citrus, etc) to dissuade fleas from living on your pet. They can be effective for months (if there is no contact with water) but they can also be irritating for pets with sensitive skin, have an overpowering smell, or dangerous for young kids to touch.

Chewables for parasites are consumed orally, so the hassle is minimal. However, this type of administration might not work for every pooch, especially if there’s a need for continual flea protection. The active ingredients in chewables can affect dogs with neurological conditions such as epilepsy or have long-term effects on their health if given irresponsibly.

Spot-on flea treatments are effective but a hassle to apply- it’s not always easy pouring the liquid on a designated spot(s) on your pet’s back without it sliding down its fur, making them greasy and reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. Similarly, they can be rendered ineffective if your pet is exposed to water in the first few days after the application.

Flea sprays and powders are generally not as popular because their application can be messy and impractical- spraying over your pet’s whole coat or dusting them all over with a powder is certain to be a hassle. To boot, as the flea-killing product is all over the fur (and not located on the back, where your pet can’t reach it), your pooch is highly likely to lick it off and ingest it- experiencing side effects ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to apathy and shivering.

What to look for in flea shampoos for dogs

When you’re looking for flea treatments for your pet, it’s important to choose with their needs in mind–what worked wonders for another pooch might not be the best option for your four-legged bestie. To make sure you’re not wasting your money on yet another ineffective product, be sure to consider these factors before buying flea shampoo for dogs:

Compatibility

Before you make a bath for your pooch, it’s important to check if the flea shampoo you picked is meant for them. What’s safe for adult dogs might not be for puppies, for instance, or what’s great for most pooches might give your sensitive pooch an allergic reaction. Check for safety precautions on the label and look for mild, hypoallergenic formulas if you are worried about a reaction.

Spectrum of effect

Do you want a shampoo that just kills fleas or a one that eliminates ticks, as well? Are you looking for a flea shampoo for dogs that has a preventive effect or do you need an instant solution for parasite elimination? There are different active ingredients in anti-parasitic pet shampoos, so be sure to “shop around” until you find precisely what you need all bundled into one shampoo bottle.

Additional features

While flea shampoos are used to eradicate bloodsucking parasites, it doesn’t mean that they can’t have other properties. For instance, there are flea shampoos that are scented and will have your pooch smelling like a dream days after his treatment, shampoos that offer itch relief, flea shampoos with conditioner, formulas specially made for white-coated dogs, long-haired dogs, short-haired dogs. There are dozens of options–so don’t settle for generic flea shampoo.

Value for money

Generally, flea shampoos are an affordable anti-parasitic solution, but that’s not always the case. The best way to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth is to double-check the amount of shampoo in the bottle. Compare the bottle sizes between the products that you’ve picked–you’d be surprised how often you get double the shampoo for just a few bucks more. It pays to be thrifty–after all, the more money you save on flea shampoo for dogs, the more money for your pet’s fave treats, right?


We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.

Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

More by Angela Vuckovic

Next