Fleas: a word that sends shivers down any pet owner's spine, so that's why making sure you've got the best flea shampoo for dogs to help keep infestations at bay is a must. Not only do fleas cause your dog immense grief and frustration, but they can be a real pain if they manage to infest your house.
Fleas are a parasite most dogs will come into contact with at least once in their lives. They latch onto their coat and bite their skin, making your pooch feel uncomfortable, sore and, not to mention, extremely itchy. If you notice your dog is constantly scratching, biting and gnawing at themselves, these could all be signs that your dog has fleas. There are a number of flea-spread diseases and infections that fleas can pass onto your hound so it's important that you treat any infestations as effectively and quickly as possible.
Best flea shampoo for dogs shortlist:
• Best flea and tick dog shampoo: Animology Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo
• Best dog shampoo for sensitive skin: Pike's Pouches Oatmeal & Aloe Vera Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
• Best cruelty free and vegan dog shampoo: Cooper And Gracie Flea Shampoo For Dogs
• Best flea shampoo for puppies: Johnsons Puppy & Dog Flea Shampoo
• Best flea repellent shampoo: Bob Martin Clear Flea Repellent Shampoo for Dogs and Puppies
As well as transmitting diseases, fleas can cause skin problems for your dog and burrow into your soft furnishings, making both your and your pooch's life a misery, so it's best to try and avoid them at all costs. However, thanks to regular treatments and shampoos - now even available in subscription boxes - most will die before they get the chance to thrive.
To help you choose the best flea shampoo for dogs on the market, we've rounded up the best-selling and top-rated to make your life easier (and hopefully, flea free).
Best flea shampoos for dogs
Best flea and tick dog shampoo
Description
Animology is a well-known brand within the grooming world - and for good reason. This Animology Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo helps to wash out fleas and ticks from your dog's coat, using neem and tea tree oil to naturally repel them. The easy-rinse technology means you can get the job done speedily, and it's 100% vegan.
Customer review: "Wow - this has got to be the best shampoo I've ever used. We watched the fleas ping off and down the drain - I don't know what's in this stuff but, the fleas hate it. Both dogs' coats are shiny and clean - our Springer Spaniel is the whitest I've ever seen her (...the whiteness lasted for around five minutes as she immediately went and dug the garden up)."
Pros
- Rids the coat of fleas on contact
- soothing for the skin
- Pro-Vitamin B5 leaves your dog's coat conditioned
Cons
- One reviewer felt the shampoo didn't deodorise for long
Best dog shampoo for sensitive skin
Description
This Pike's Pouches Oatmeal & Aloe Vera Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is one of the top-rated flea shampoos on Amazon. Suitable for dogs of all ages, breeds and fur types, it's pH balanced and is formulated with natural ingredients. The tea tree and peppermint essential oils eliminate bad odours, while naturally repelling fleas.
Customer Review: "Great shampoo, Fluffy had been scratching a lot and have checked thoroughly for fleas (not the easiest on a Pom), bathed her twice a week apart and had no more scratching. It rinses easier than any other shampoo for dogs I've ever used, again it can take a while to rinse a Pom's thick coat, the smell is not unpleasant but not flowery."
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive/irritated skin
- Leaves their coat feeling soft
- Eco-friendly packaging
Cons
- Some reviewers wished the pouches were bigger
Best cruelty free and vegan dog shampoo
Description
This cruelty-free and vegan flea treatment from Cooper and Gracie is all-natural, so it's great for sensitive skin and those paw-rents who look to use environmentally friendly, natural products on their pooch. Cooper And Gracie Flea Shampoo For Dogs absorbs quickly and sets to work to remove fleas, ticks and mites with ease.
Customer Review: "Oh wow. This stuff is amazing. My dog has had several skin issues and with the heat, the fleas have caused him so much pain. Not only does it take them away but leaves a soothed shiny happy dog!! Also he smells divine... I am now ordering more products to use. Have to use hardly any to get a good foaming and coverage. Well worth the money."
Pros
- A little goes a long way
- Hypoallergenic
- Ingredients sourced ethically, cruelty-free and plant-based
Cons
- Strong lavender smell which some may not like
Best flea shampoo for puppies
Description
This Johnsons Puppy & Dog Flea Shampoo kills fleas and is suitable for all breeds of dogs over 12 weeks of age, so this is a great option if you've got an itchy and scratchy pup on your hands. Made with ingredients that have insecticidal properties, it'll get rid of any fleas efficiently and easily.
Customer Review: "A few days previously had used Frontline on dog and sprayed the house. Unfortunately dog still has lots of fleas so used this shampoo. Very impressed. Could literally see dead fleas coming off as I was shampooing him. He's so much more comfortable now. Smells very nice too."
Pros
- Kills fleas on contact
- Leaves the coat soft and fluffy
- Pleasant smell
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as some of the others due to small bottle size
Best flea repellent shampoo
www.viovet.co.uk
Description
For a healthy, shiny coat, free of fleas and other pests, the Bob Martin Clear Flea Repellent Shampoo for Dogs and Puppies works a treat. It's worth noting that while it can be used on dogs and puppies from 12 weeks of age, it's not a suitable option for nursing female dogs.
Customer Review: "Brilliant shampoo for my dog - leaves his coat lovely and shiny, good clean fragrance, and you see the fleas wash away! I would recommend using in conjunction with other de-flea-ing activities just to be on the safe side, but as a day to day measure to help provide some instant relief for your pet, you can't do better."
Pros
- Rids the coat of fleas
- Pleasant smell
- Leaves the dog's coat shiny and soft
Cons
- Effects aren't as long-lasting as other shampoos, so ensure you follow this with a spot-on flea treatment
FAQs
How do I keep fleas away?
Looking for product suggestions to free your home from fleas? We'd recommend this Household Pet Cleanse from Cooper & Gracie, and the Indorex Flea Spray. Then, make sure to vacuum multiple times a day to prevent any dormant fleas springing to life and wreaking havoc once more.
If the infestation is really bad, you may need to call upon a professional pest control company.
Best household flea cleaner
Description
Looking for a cleaner that will get rid of fleas without damaging your furniture? Give the C&G Pets Household Pest Cleanse a try. With its refreshing citrus scent. all you have to do is spray the product onto your furnishings, leaving it to activate, before vacuuming and brushing off sofas and carpets, and it'll provide long-lasting protection.
Customer Review: "Amazing product around the home smells good"
Pros
- Citrus scent
- Non-toxic for other animals
- Made in the UK
Cons
- The brand recommends doing a small patch test on your furniture before spraying the whole lot, although it should be safe to use on most wooden and fabric surfaces
Best flea spray
Description
Another great option for ridding your home from any infestations is the Indorex Flea Spray. All you need to do with this aerosol is spray it around your home, give it time to work its magic, and it'll protect your home from fleas, lice and dust mites for six to 12 months.
Customer review: "We'd been dealing with a flee infestation for a few weeks and tried a couple of different sprays but nothing was working. Decided to give this one a go and we've had no further issues. Make sure you have all of your windows open when you use it as otherwise you'll fumigate yourself! It doesn't smell good but that's okay as it doesn't linger for too long and the product does the job."
Pros
- Good value
- Treatment lasts a long time
- Deals with the problem quickly and efficiently
Cons
- Smell not pleasant
Does my dog have fleas?
The clearest sign that your dog has fleas is, of course, scratching. If you notice your dog is scratching, biting and gnawing at its body more frequently, it's time to delve deeper to see what the problem is. Dogs can also cause injury to themselves by over-grooming, so if you recognise bald spots or irritated skin, that could also be a sign of fleas.
As well as this, you may see black specks of flea dirt on their skin during grooming, or even see it on your carpet and anywhere the dog lies often, such as a bed or sofa.
Fleas will bite humans, although, they won't generally live on humans or hang around for a substantial amount of time. If you notice any small, red bites around your ankles, this is also a sign that there could be fleas around.
How do I treat dog fleas?
If you don't currently have a flea treatment for your dog, speak to your vet about their recommended products and don't forget to administer it at regular intervals throughout the year. The key to a flea-free pooch is prevention.
The most popular flea treatment for dogs is a 'spot-on' formula, as they're the most effective and easiest to deliver. You simply apply a small vial of liquid to the skin on the back of your dog's neck, between their shoulder blades and let it go to work. You can also get flea collars, powders and sprays, although these generally aren't as effective as the spot-on treatments.
If your dog has managed to contract fleas, despite all your best efforts, you may need to use a flea shampoo to kill them off, as well as treating your house to fend off any further parasites.
If your dog has a regular flea treatment and doesn't have fleas, you don't need to use flea shampoo on top of this, a regular dog shampoo will do.
Jade Moscrop is the Commercial Content Editor for What’s The Best, specialising in lifestyle topics. When she’s not writing about fitness gear, homeware and pet products, she can usually be found wandering the countryside, buying houseplants or listening to female-fronted rock bands.
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