A dog scratching is a common sight. To determine what your dog is scratching from can take a bit of effort. Before setting out to get the most potent flea shampoo, take a little time to learn what is available, check your dog’s condition, and determine what is actually needed. To get started finding relief for your pet, continue reading below.
Comparison chart of best flea shampoos
| Product image | Name | Size | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | VETiONX Defendex - All-Natural Flea, Tick, and Mange Shampoo for Dogs and Cats | 4 oz | $$ | 3.7 |
 | Zodiac Flea and Tick Dip For Dogs and Cats | 8 oz (3 pack) | $$ | 2.7 |
 | Zodiac Oatmeal Flea and Tick, Dog and Puppy Conditioning Shampoo | 18 oz (3 pack) | $$$ | 5.0 |
 | Therapeutic Conditioning Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies with Oatmeal | 18 oz (2 pack) | $$$ | 5.0 |
 | Lovely Fresh - Premium Natural Dog Shampoo | 17 oz | $ | 4.3 |
 | Medicated Oatmeal Dog Shampoo | 16 oz | $ | 3.9 |
 | Vet's Best Flea & Tick Total Protection Kit for Dogs | Protection Kit of 3 piece set | $ | 3.1 |
 | Vet's Best Dog Shampoo Provides Fast Itch Relief from Flea Bites and Infestations | 16 oz | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | Eqyss Flea Bite Citrus Dermatitis Spray & Shampoo | $$ | 4.5 | |
 | Nobugz Specially Formulated Dog Shampoo | 8 oz | $ | 4.4 |
Consider these flea shampoos
The following shampoos are high-quality products that are effective against fleas:
1.VETiONX Defendex – All-Natural Flea, Tick, and Mange Shampoo for Dogs and Cats. Homeopathic Pet Shampoo Naturally Washes Away Flea, Tick, Mange and Scabies Infestations. Addresses All Stages of Life Cycle Including Eggs. 1 Bottle
Many flea shampoos on the market simply kill off the fleas and their eggs. When you work with a product like this homeopathic shampoo from VETiONX, you get a shampoo that kills the fleas and their eggs while providing relief from the bites and skin trouble the parasites caused. This shampoo is safe for older pets, young animals, and even very sensitive pets. There are no harmful pesticides, pyrethroids, or pyrethrins in the product. The specifically designed shampoo provides relief from scabs, sores, redness, itching, sensitivity, and inflammation. It is naturally gentle and fragrant.
2. Zodiac Flea and Tick Dip For Dogs and Cats, 8 Ounce (3 Pack)
If you are looking for something that will kill your fleas, the Zodiac Flea and Tick Dip for dogs and cats is one of the best options on the market. This particular item gives you three 8-oz. bottles to get you through an entire season. It is designed to quickly kill fleas, lice, and ear mites. It is a concentrated formula, so be sure to carefully read the dilution instructions. Because of the strength of this product, it is very important you do not get it in your dog’s eyes. It does have a strong smell and will kill parasites on your dog or cat within just a few minutes of use. One reason this product is so popular is that you can use it on your dog or cat. If the smell is bothersome, or your pet has a lot of fleas, follow the treatment with a soothing oatmeal shampoo or something similar.
3. Zodiac Oatmeal Flea and Tick, Dog and Puppy Conditioning Shampoo 18oz (3 Pack)
If you want a well-known brand that is highly capable of killing fleas without using the traditional options with plenty of chemicals, then the Zodiac Oatmeal Flea and Tick is the perfect option. Zodiac is well-known for killing fleas and this product adds the bonus of oatmeal. This conditioner is ideal for skin problems and will help your pet feel more like their self in just a few short treatments.
4. Therapeutic Conditioning Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies with Oatmeal 18oz 2 Pack. Kills Fleas, Ticks, Lice & Eggs. Turns Your Pups Dry, Itchy Skin & Coat Soft, Shiny, Fresh & Manageable!
This item comes as a three pack and is anti-parasitic. It is especially formulated to kill fleas, lice, ticks, and their eggs. With the unique formula, your pet will have better skin and find relief from the flea irritation, as well as otherwise itchy, dry skin. The formula uniquely hydrates your pet’s coat and the conditioner will leave it fluffy, healthy, and shiny. Oatmeal has been proven time and again to help soothe troubled skin, and is a welcome addition to the shampoo. If you aren’t happy with your order, the company is proud to offer your money back.
5. Lovely Fresh – Premium Natural Dog Shampoo 3-in-1 Formula With Oatmeal and Neem – Relieves Skin Irritation, Moisturizes and Conditions, Keeps Insects Away – for Sensitive, Dry, Itchy, Normal Skin
This flea shampoo is uniquely different in that it kills fleas, keeps them away, and still smells nice. It has been especially formulated to help your pet’s coat and skin remain healthy and beautiful even if they encounter fleas. It uses all-natural ingredients such as neem oil, oatmeal, and vitamins to help get rid of pests and provide relief from irritation caused by fleas. The formula doesn’t use alcohol, detergent, or soap, to help keep from irritating your pet’s skin further. The shampoo is created with conditioner inside, making rinsing easier and providing protection for your dog’s coat.
6. Medicated Oatmeal Dog Shampoo Anti-ITCH Maximum Strength Formulation With 1% Lidocaine HCL 1% Pramoxine HCL and Colloidal Oatmeal
With so many products to kill fleas, many dogs are protected with a topical application of medication. The problem here is that fleas still bite your dog. This can cause skin troubles that are a direct result of flea allergies. Using a high-quality shampoo with colloidal oatmeal can help your pet heal and live more comfortably. Because it lacks soap, your dog’s flea and tick treatments are affected. Many professionals recommend that dogs who have serious skin reactions to fleas don’t use a chemical based shampoo. In this case, dawn dish soap can be used to kill the fleas and clean the dog, then follow this with a soothing shampoo such as Nootie’s Medicated Oatmeal bath.
7. Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Total Protection Kit for Dogs, 3 Pcs Set
Truthfully, one of the best ways to deal with fleas is treating your pet, cleaning your pooch, and treating your home. This package comes with products to deal with all three. When purchasing it, you receive the natural shampoo, home spray, and spot on for your dogs. The shampoo will kill existing fleas and the spot on will help break the life cycle by killing fleas as they are hatched. Use the home and go spray to spray areas in your home where fleas may be living, such as your couch, carpet, and dog beds. This tri-fold system will help to get rid of fleas in your home and give your pet permanent relief.
8. 16 Fl. OZ, Dog Shampoo Provides Fast Itch Relief from Flea Bites and Infestations
Vet’s Best is designed to provide quick relief from all the bites that a flea infestation can leave. Its specially-designed formula has been created to calm raw, irritated skin by providing moisture. The shampoo uses micronized oatmeal, lemon peel, neem oil, and solvent-free orange to kill fleas, and provide comfort from itching. This shampoo is formulated and recommended by vets. You can use it on dogs that are 12 weeks or older.
9. Eqyss Flea Bite Citrus Dermatitis Spray & Shampoo – Dog Cat Pet Puppies – Scratching & Itching
If you have multiple animals that need relief from flea bites, Eqyss shampoo is the right product to use. This can be used on cats, dogs, and puppies. The non-poisonous shampoo is created from lemons, providing a safe alternative for your pets. It will help with flea specific irritation, soothe skin troubles, and provide moisturized conditioning.
10. Nobugz Specially Formulated Dog Shampoo – DEET FREE, All Natural Insect Repellent Shampoo for Dogs, 100% Guaranteed to Repel Fleas, Ticks, Gnats, Mosquitoes, Pesky Insects – 8oz Made in USA
For many of us, a natural product that we can trust is of the utmost concern. This shampoo by Nobugz offers something to help rid your pet of pests, without the use of DEET or other heavy pesticides. This natural repellent is made from clove oil, citronella oil, cedar oil, lemongrass oil, and licorice extract. It smells great and gets rid of bugs on your pets. In addition, the citronella will help to repel gnats, flies, mosquitoes, and other pests. It offers a money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied as well.
Factors to consider before purchasing dog flea shampoo
- Determining If It’s Fleas
Just because your dog is scratching doesn’t necessarily mean they have fleas. There are countless reasons your dog may be scratching including food allergies, dry skin, and contact allergies, just to name a few. Before running out and getting a flea shampoo, you should first determine if your pet actually has fleas. One of the best ways to check is to get them to roll over. You will often see fleas scattering from the tummy area, around the armpits, or under the collar. You will also often see these pests around the tail base and up the back. Remember, even if you don’t see fleas, your pet still may have troubles. Fleas only stay on your dog or cat to feed (which is about ten percent of their time); the rest of the time they are elsewhere. They may be in carpet, furniture, your dog’s bedding, or in the grass.
Signs fleas are feeding on your dog include bites, flea dirt, and eggs. You might see small, raised red dots on their tummy; these can be flea bites. Flea droppings,known as dirt, looks like pepper so tiny black specks left on your dog’s skin indicate fleas. Eggs are white, so if you see ‘salt and pepper’ dirt on your pet’s tummy or back, you are likely dealing with these pests.
- Flea Life Cycle
First, it’s important to understand your dog can pick up fleas anywhere. This includes on a walk into the grooming shop, on a walk around the park, walking into the vet, and in your own backyard. Once you have an idea of what their life cycle is like, it’s a lot easier to get rid of fleas. Depending on the temperature and humidity, this cycle can last a couple of weeks to a few months.
It starts with the female laying eggs after a heavy meal of blood, likely from your pet. This blood is necessary for the flea to reproduce. Eggs are very small and white; they can look like tiny bits of rice or dandruff. These eggs are laid on your pet in bunches of 20 and a female can lay as many as 40 eggs in a day. They can fall off of your pet into your home, so you will need to treat the entire space in addition to your pooch.
Hatching takes a couple of days to a couple of weeks, depending on environmental factors. Fleas thrive in warm, humid conditions and have a hard time when it is cold and dry.
Following hatching, flea larvae are blind and avoid light. They take a few weeks to develop and eat pre-digested blood the adult fleas leave behind (flea dirt or flea feces) as well as other organic debris. They appear legless and see through. These larvae will then spin cocoons at about 5-20 days after they hatch.
The flea pupae stage is next and is the last stage before adulthood. If conditions aren’t favorable, the pupae can last for months and even years. The cocoon is thick and sticky, making it hard to vacuum up and easy to miss. The flea won’t emerge until a host is present. This is why some people will move into a home that has been vacant for months, only to end up with a ‘sudden’ flea infestation. The cocoons were dormant and felt the vibrations or body heat of the people and their pets, and then hatched. These adult fleas only represent about 5 % of the entire population in a home and will spend a great deal of their time on the host animal.
To properly eliminate fleas in your home entirely, you need to address the different stages of their life cycle and their different habitats. This may mean several products or just one product used repeatedly over the course of a few weeks or months. It is very important to understand that while fleas are a nuisance, they can also be extremely dangerous. They can carry disease and they can lead to anemia and even death with your pets. This is very true in young puppies who can’t handle the blood loss that happens with a heavy infestation and older dogs who may be weakened. Don’t wait to start a treatment plan, begin as soon as you see the first flea.
- Shampoo Choices
In addition to a variety of products for your home, collars, sprays, and topical medications, there is a large range of flea shampoos for you to select from. You can opt for all-natural products if you don’t want to use harsh chemicals or if you have a dog with sensitive skin. It is recommended to use a high-quality product that is known to work right from the start, whether a naturally based one or one with pesticides. This is so you don’t let your pet suffer from the parasites.
- Chemically Based Shampoos And Dips
Most true dips are not used by groomers or sold to pet owners any longer. A short time ago, you could get these strong dips to kill fleas and prevent infestation. More is understood about fleas, what kills them, and the consequences of these chemicals now. The term dip may be used, but the ingredients are not nearly as harsh as they used to be. If you are looking for something that will definitely kill the fleas and their eggs, these products have stood the test of time.
- All-Natural Flea Shampoo
If your pet has sensitive skin, you have sensitivities, or you just don’t want all those chemicals in your home, there are shampoos for that. Try selecting citronella-based products or oatmeal-based shampoos. These will offer defense against fleas and soothe your pet’s irritated skin.
- Cautionary Notes
Do not use anything designed for dogs on your cat or kittens. Products for dogs contain a higher concentration of chemicals and if used on a cat or kitten, can cause injury or even death.
For the best results, when shampooing your pet, start at the back of their head and form a circle of shampoo around the head and neck. Do the same immediately around their bottom. When you start washing your pet, the fleas will run to their eyes and anus to escape the shampoo. If you have already placed it around these areas, the fleas will get stuck without escape, making your treatment more effective.
Conclusion
Now you can take your knowledge of the best dog flea shampoos and figure out which product you want to buy for your pooch. Choose one of the recommended shampoos on our list for the best results as each of those will be gentle on your dog and give him healthy, shiny fur without a flea in sight.