Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

4 flea and tick shampoos for dogs that actually work

Vera Lawlor
By

Fleas and ticks are a fact of life when it comes to sharing your home with a dog. And while preventive medicines are the first line of defense against diseases carried by these parasites, a good flea and tick shampoo provides additional protection. Every pet has different bathing needs and skin conditions, so it’s best to speak with your veterinarian before using any flea and tick shampoo on your dog. Following are four of the best flea and tick shampoos promoted as safe for use on dogs 12 weeks of age and older.

Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo with Precor 

  • Good for dogs with sensitive skin
  • Features oatmeal, coconut extract, lanolin, and aloe
  • Can also kill lice

This shampoo is a great option for dogs with sensitive skin. The product is enriched with oatmeal, coconut extract, lanolin, and aloe and includes an insect growth regulator to kill fleas, ticks, and lice. It helps prevent reinfestation for up to 28 days by killing flea eggs and larvae. In addition to fighting against parasites, this shampoo will leave your dog’s coat soft, shiny, and easy to brush. When bathing, wet the coat thoroughly with warm water and lather the shampoo, starting at the head, working back toward the tail, and ending with the legs. The shampoo should be left on for five minutes before rinsing the coat thoroughly.

Recommended Videos

Richard’s Organics Flea and Tick Shampoo 

  • Features cinnamon, rosemary, and peppermint oils
  • Helps to relieve scabs and hot spots
  • Sulfate-, paraben-, and dye-free

This shampoo is a favorite with pet owners who prefer to avoid harsh chemicals. The ingredients include cinnamon, rosemary, and peppermint oils, as well as purified water and vitamin E. The essential oils soothe irritated skin while killing fleas and ticks. This shampoo also helps relieve scabs and hot spots as well as excessive scratching, licking, or biting at the skin. When bathing, start at the head, working the lather into your dog’s coat as you move toward the tail. Wait for a few minutes before rinsing the coat thoroughly.

Related

Dog having a bath.

Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal

  • Oatmeal helps soothe skin
  • Deodorizes and conditions your dog’s coat
  • Features a Hawaiian ginger scent

This shampoo contains the active ingredients permethrin and piperonyl butoxide to kill fleas and ticks. It also includes oatmeal that helps soothe skin that’s red and irritated from constant scratching due to flea and tick bites. Your dog’s coat should be wetted thoroughly before applying the shampoo. After lathering, leave on the coat for five minutes before rinsing. In addition to killing fleas and ticks for up to 10 days, this shampoo cleans, deodorizes, and conditions your dog’s coat.

Vet’s Best Advanced Strength Flea and Tick Shampoo 

  • Contains all-natural essential oils and plant-based ingredients
  • Features a rosemary and peppermint scent
  • Cleans and deodorizes your dog’s coat

This shampoo kills fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs, and ticks on contact while also cleaning and deodorizing your dog’s coat. The product contains all-natural essential oils and plant-based ingredients, including peppermint, thyme, and rosemary. Once your dog’s coat is wetted thoroughly, apply the shampoo, working it into a lather from the head to the tail. Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, nose, and genitals. Leave the shampoo on the coat for up to 10 minutes, and then rinse the coat thoroughly. When finished, your dog’s coat will have a pleasant scent of rosemary and peppermint.

When dealing with flea and tick infestations, remember that in addition to treating your dog, you need to treat possible sources of new infestations such as carpets or the yard. Many companies that specialize in flea and tick shampoos for pets also offer sprays for inside and outside the home.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Vera Lawlor
Vera Lawlor
Contributor
Vera was the pet columnist for 201 Family magazine and has contributed pet and animal welfare articles to Bone-A-Fide Mutts…
Does your dog drink a lot of water? Here’s when you should be concerned
Is your dog thirstier than usual? This could be the reason why
A pug drinking water from a sink faucet

Ensuring your furry best friend gets plenty of water is one of the most important parts of being a pet parent. But how much water should your dog drink on a daily basis? Veterinarians claim the general rule of thumb is a simple equation: The majority of dogs require around 1/2 to 1 ounce (about 1/8 of a cup) of water per pound of body weight each day. Don't want to reach for your measuring cup? Make sure your pup has round-the-clock access to clean water, and everything should be fine.

That being said, if your dog empties their water bowl several times a day, or you notice their intake has increased drastically, you should probably keep a close eye on things. If your dog drinks a lot of water, you may be wondering, "Why is my dog always thirsty?" We'll share how to monitor your pup's water intake, the most common reasons your dog may be thirsty, and when you should speak with your vet.

Read more
Is your puppy breathing fast while sleeping? Here’s when you should worry and how to help your dog
When to call a vet because your pup is breathing fast while sleeping
A Jack Russell terrier lies in bed between the feet of his owner

It’s hard not to love watching your puppy sleep. In fact, they might somehow manage to get cuter as they snooze. They look so content and peaceful, especially if they're snuggled up to you. Though experts frequently recommend giving your pet their own sleep space, like a crate, it’s ultimately up to you. Regardless of where and when your puppy is sleeping, you want them to be comfortable and safe. If you notice your puppy breathing fast while sleeping, you may get worried. Should you be? It depends.
Here’s what experts want you to know about labored breathing during sleep and when to call a vet.

Different puppy sleeping patterns
Before we get into breathing patterns, it could help to have some knowledge of puppy sleeping patterns. They're similar to ours, though puppies cycle through them more quickly than humans. A puppy may experience 20 sleep cycles nightly. Humans typically go through about four or five cycles. These are the phases.

Read more
Why do you often find your dog with their tongue out? Here’s what vets say about the ‘blep’
A dog with their tongue out may be cute, but what does it really mean?
A German shepherd puppy sticks out their tongue

There's nothing cuter than a "blep" but what does it mean? Whether you first heard the term blep on the internet (it is meme-worthy, after all), or are learning of it for the first time, you're in for a treat. Bleps are positively adorable! The term started gaining online traction in the late 2010s, though it's no less popular today. The common canine behavior it's based on, however, is a habit as old as time: sticking out a tongue. Yep, a dog with its tongue out is enough to break the internet!
It's pretty dang cute, after all, but it's not always easy to figure out why a dog's tongue is sticking out. Don't worry though, pet parents — this is a great place to start! This is everything you need to know about bleps and what they mean.

What is a blep? How about a mlem?
Besides being one of the most popular terms used in pet-related social media, a blep refers to when an animal sticks their tongue out of its mouth only slightly. Braxton's Animal Works describes the action as "leaving the tongue, usually the tip, outside the mouth unconsciously." Many pet owners will notice it while their buddy is sleeping, or even after!

Read more