The 8 Best Flea Shampoos for Dogs of 2024

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Assortment of the best flea shampoos for dogs we recommend on a pink background

The Spruce Pets / Marcus Millan

Fleas carry a variety of diseases, which can sicken both animals and humans. The first indication that your dog has fleas might be itching, irritation, and/or patches of hair loss, and bathing your dog with a shampoo formulated to kill fleas and their eggs should be done as soon as possible to prevent a bigger infestation. These shampoos help deal with an immediate infestation, but are best when followed with a flea prevention product—like a monthly topical or chewable treatment—to keep fleas at bay long-term.

The moment you spot fleas on your dog or in your home, you should immediately consult with your veterinarian. The treatment plan you formulate together, which will include a shampoo for your dog, will also take into account any sensitivities your dog might have to active ingredients found in some flea shampoos.

“Be sure the product selected is safe for your age of pet and does not interfere with other medications currently being given,” Chris Roth, in-house veterinarian at Pets Best, told The Spruce Pets. “Follow labeled instructions, and keep in mind that more is not necessarily better!”

Our best overall pick is Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor. It kills adult fleas, eggs, and larvae, as well as ticks and lice. The long-lasting formula only has to be used about once a month and it contains aloe, lanolin, and oatmeal to soothe and moisturize skin.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor

Amazon

What We Like
  • Kills adult fleas, eggs, and larvae

  • Also kills ticks and lice

  • Contains aloe vera, lanolin, and oatmeal to soothe skin

  • Lasts for up to 28 days

What We Don't Like
  • Thick lather can take a while to rinse

This is a popular and effective all-around flea and tick shampoo. It kills adult fleas, as well as their eggs and larvae, and is effective in getting rid of ticks and lice. The active ingredients are pyrethrins, which are pesticides found naturally in chrysanthemum flowers. The formula also contains aloe vera, lanolin, and oatmeal to help relieve and moisturize irritated, dry skin. These leave your pet’s coat shiny and soft.

The long-lasting shampoo typically only has to be used about every 28 days. Thoroughly wet your pet, then apply about 1 1/3 teaspoons for every 5 pounds of your pet’s weight. Massage and work up a lather and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Then rinse well. The lather can be thick and can take a while to rinse out completely.

The shampoo has a fresh, light coconut scent. It comes in three sizes and can be used in dogs and puppies over 12 weeks old. It is not safe to use on cats.

Active Ingredients: Pyrethrins | Life Stage: Over 12 weeks | Scents: Coconut | Sizes: 12 ounces, 24 ounces, 1 gallon

Best Overall Runner-Up

Vet’s Best Advanced Strength Flea and Tick Shampoo

Vet’s Best Advanced Strength Flea and Tick Dog Shampoo

Amazon

What We Like
  • Kills fleas, eggs, and larvae

  • All-natural ingredients

  • Also kills ticks

What We Don’t Like
  • Strong herbal scent

  • Can irritate sensitive skin

Vet’s Best offers a line of natural products from shampoos and supplements to home flea sprays and dental products, all without potentially harmful chemicals and added ingredients. This plant-based flea and tick shampoo features rosemary and peppermint as active ingredients. The shampoo kills adult fleas, as well as eggs and flea larvae. It also kills ticks on contact.

The manufacturer says this extra-strength formula is twice as strong on adult fleas as other plant-based flea shampoos. It can safely be used on dogs and puppies that are at least 12 weeks old. Unlike some shampoos, it lathers well and rinses out easily. Although natural, the scent can be strongly herbal and somewhat medicinal.

Active Ingredients: Rosemary and peppermint oils | Life Stage: 12 weeks and up | Scents: Rosemary and peppermint | Sizes: 12 ounces

Best With Essential Oils

TropiClean Maximum Strength Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo

TropiClean Maximum Strength Natural Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo

Chewy

What We Like
  • Light citrus scent

  • Contains essential oils

  • Has cocoa butter to soothe skin

  • Kills fleas and ticks immediately

What We Don’t Like
  • Repels fleas and ticks for just 1 week or less

This lightly scented natural shampoo kills fleas and ticks on contact, then continues to repel fleas for as long as a week. The formula contains an essential oil blend of clove, lemongrass, cedarwood, sesame seed, and cinnamon. The ingredients work together naturally to fight pests. The shampoo also has cocoa butter to relieve and moisturize irritated skin.

The shampoo is safe to use on dogs and puppies that are at least 12 weeks old. To use, wet your pet’s coat thoroughly and then work shampoo into a deep lather, starting at your dog’s head and moving down their body. Leave it on for 5 to 7 minutes before rinsing completely, then towel dry. Because it only repels fleas for a short time, it’s recommended to use about every two weeks.

Active Ingredients: Clove, lemongrass, cedarwood, cinnamon, and sesame seed oils | Life Stage: 12 weeks and older | Scents: Citrus | Sizes: 20 ounces

Best Budget

Sentry Pet Care Flea and Tick Shampoo With Oatmeal

Sentry Pet Care Flea and Tick Shampoo With Oatmeal

Amazon

What We Like
  • Fresh ginger scent

  • Kills all flea stages, and ticks too

  • Soothes and conditions skin

What We Don't Like
  • Only lasts about 7 to 10 days

  • Not safe for cats and kittens

This cost-effective mild shampoo contains oatmeal to soothe and condition skin that has been irritated by pests. It works to kill fleas, their eggs and larvae, and ticks on dogs and puppies from 12 weeks old and up. The formula is pH-balanced specifically for a dog’s skin and is designed to clean, deodorize, and condition your pet’s coat.

The shampoo kills fleas quickly and ticks within one or two days. It only works for about seven to 10 days, so you’ll need to bathe your dog regularly (perhaps as often as weekly) to get rid of all the fleas throughout their life cycle. The shampoo has a fresh, ginger scent. It is not safe to use on cats and kittens.

Active Ingredient: Permethrin | Life Stage: 12 weeks and up | Scents: Ginger | Sizes: 18 ounces, 63.5 ounces

Best Organic

4-Legger Revitalize Dog Shampoo

4-Legger Revitalize Dog Shampoo

Amazon

What We Like
  • Certified organic

  • Moisturizes and soothes itchy skin

  • Natural ingredients like oatmeal and aloe

What We Don't Like
  • Very watery and hard to lather

  • Natural but strong scent

This USDA-certified organic shampoo contains all-natural ingredients like oatmeal, shea butter, and aloe to moisturize skin. These soothing and gentle ingredients work together to calm itchiness and relieve dryness. The active ingredient is organic neem oil. There are no preservatives, parabens, phthalates, or artificial colors and fragrances.

The shampoo is concentrated, so you don’t need to use a lot, but because it has no sulfates, it can be watery and difficult to work up a sudsy lather. The scent is citrus, but it can seem a bit strong to some people. 4-Legger focuses on creating products with only clean ingredients that are made with real plants, sustainably sourced, and cruelty-free.

Active Ingredient: Neem oil | Life Stage: All ages | Scents: Orange | Sizes: 8 ounces, 16 ounces

Best Anti-Itch Treatment

Vet's Best Flea Itch Relief Shampoo

Vet's Best Flea Itch Relief Shampoo

Walmart

What We Like
  • Soothes skin itchy from fleas

  • No chemicals

  • Lathers and rinses well

  • Leaves fur soft

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn’t kill or repel fleas

  • More expensive than many

Flea bites can make your pup’s skin very itchy and can cause them to scratch and scratch as they try desperately to get some relief. Vet's Best Flea Itch Relief Dog Shampoo doesn’t kill or repel fleas, but it helps soothe that irritated skin caused by annoying pests. Natural ingredients include oatmeal and neem oil which help ease the itchiness.

Because the shampoo doesn’t affect fleas, it’s best to use this in conjunction with monthly flea preventatives (topical or oral) or consider alternating with another flea-killing shampoo. This has no added chemicals or fragrances. It lathers and rinses easily and leaves your dog’s fur very soft.

Active Ingredients: Oatmeal, neem oil, citrus oils | Life Stage: 12 weeks and up | Scents: Citrus | Sizes: 16 ounces

Best Concentrated

Bio-Groom Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo

Bio-Groom Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo

Amazon

What We Like
  • Kills fleas, eggs, and larvae

  • Effective on ticks and lice

  • Cost-effective

  • Smells like coconut

What We Don’t Like
  • Can't be used on puppies

If you have a lot of dogs or give a lot of flea baths, Bio-Groom Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo can help you save space and money. The shampoo concentrate contains pyrethrins that kill fleas at all stages including eggs and larvae along with lice and ticks.

The formula can be used right from the bottle, or mix up one part shampoo to four parts water in another container, then shake well before each use. Rinse your pet, getting their coat thoroughly wet before shampooing. Then, lather them up thoroughly with the product, rub it in—making sure to include areas like paws—then wait 10 minutes before rinsing well.

The shampoo is made with coconut oil so also helps to condition and nourish your dog's coat while it is killing any pests on contact. Bio-Groom Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo can be used on dogs and cats, but should not be used on puppies and kittens unless they are over 12 weeks of age.

Active Ingredients: Pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide technical, n-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide | Life Stage: 12 weeks and up | Scents: Coconut, fresh | Sizes: 8 ounces, 12 ounces, 32 ounces, 1 gallon, 2.5 gallons, 5 gallons

Best Natural

kin+kind Flea and Tick Relief Shampoo

kin+kind Flea and Tick Relief Shampoo

Amazon

What We Like
  • Plant-based ingredients

  • No sulfates, parabens, or artificial fragrances

  • Safe for cats too

What We Don’t Like
  • Heavy lavender scent

Kin+kind focuses on natural and organic pet grooming and wellness products. The company uses plant-based clean ingredients with no sulfates, parabens, or artificial fragrances. The active ingredients in this flea and tick shampoo are peppermint, rosemary, and cedarwood oils. The shampoo is certified cruelty-free.

To use, apply shampoo throughout your dog’s coat, starting at the head. Massage deeply, let sit for about two minutes, and then rinse well. It should kill fleas within two minutes or less and kill ticks within four to 24 hours. The scent is natural lavender with peppermint, but can be heavily floral. The shampoo is made in the United States in a USDA-certified organic facility.

Active Ingredients: Peppermint, rosemary, and cedarwood oils | Life Stage: 12 weeks and up | Scents: Lavender | Sizes: 12 ounces

Final Verdict

Our favorite flea shampoo for dogs is Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor. It kills adult fleas, eggs, and larvae, as well as ticks and lice. The long-lasting formula only has to be used about once a month and it contains aloe, lanolin, and oatmeal to soothe and moisturize skin. Another great option is Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Advanced Strength Dog Shampoo. It uses all-natural ingredients like rosemary and peppermint oils and kills fleas at every stage.

What to Look for in Flea Shampoos

Ingredients

There are basically two types of flea shampoos: those that use synthetic chemicals and those that use essential oils. Look for essential oils if you want more natural products. TropiClean Maximum Strength Natural Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo, for example, has a blend of five essential oils. However, formulas with ingredients like pyrethrins or permethrin are stronger and last longer. Pyrethrins are derived from the chrysanthemum plant and permethrin is the synthetic version. Pets can have allergic reactions to pretty much anything, so talk to your vet for advice.

“If using over-the-counter medications, you should ask your veterinarian if it is safe to use on your pet,” says Roth. “Certain ingredients are not safe or pose a risk for young or older pets with health concerns.”

Dog Life Stage

Most of the flea shampoos we researched said they were safe for puppies 12 weeks and up, but be sure to check the label. Don’t use a product on a younger puppy because it could be too harsh on growing and developing young skin. When in doubt, check with your vet.

Flea Life Cycle

Most flea shampoos kill adult fleas on contact or within a few minutes. Some, like our overall best pick, Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor, also kill flea eggs and larvae, as well as ticks and lice. Check a shampoo to see how often it should be used. “Most will only kill the adult fleas,” says Roth. “Some have a residual effect that is variable in time of effectiveness.”

Safety

Always talk to your vet to make sure you are using the best product for your dog. Follow the directions on the label and make sure you rinse thoroughly, keeping shampoo and lather away from your dog’s eyes.

“Active ingredients are all pesticides, so all have the potential for some toxicity and/or adverse effects,” says Roth. “Make sure to use products that are endorsed by your veterinarian and follow all labeled instructions. Don’t mix and match products.”

Re-Application

Some shampoos will repel fleas for just a week or so, while others, like Adams will be effective for nearly a month. Read the label to see how often the shampoo should be used. “It really depends on your individual pet, their age and health status, and also what ingredients are in the shampoo,” says Roth. “In general, avoid using multiple products at the same time.”

FAQ
  • Does flea shampoo work?

    Yes, medicated flea shampoo will kill fleas in the short term. “All-natural” shampoos that have essential oils or Dawn dish soap (a favorite of some animal shelters and rescuers) just kill the fleas that are currently on your pet, says Lisa Tanner, DVM, a veterinarian based in Alpharetta, Georgia. They won’t provide any residual protection.

  • What should you look for when choosing a flea shampoo?

    "I would recommend one labeled for use in cats and dogs to prevent any accidental cat toxicity problems," Tanner says. "I would also recommend reading the directions carefully to make sure that they can be completely followed."

  • Is flea shampoo good for cats?

    “Yes, flea shampoo can be used in cats, but many of them do not care for bathing so there may be easier ways to treat a cat,” says Tanner. Your vet will likely recommend a topical flea product that is applied monthly to your cat’s fur to treat fleas.

    "At a minimum it takes three months of treatment for fleas to go through their life cycle to be eliminated, and we recommend a full six months of monthly topicals along with treating the environment and all pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, etc.),” Tanner told The Spruce Pets.

  • Will lice shampoo kill fleas?

    You may be tempted to grab another product if your pet is itching, but why bother? Lice shampoo, for example, can kill fleas, but it’s not labeled for animals and therefore it isn’t recommended when there are so many approved animal products available, says Tanner.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

To find the best flea shampoos, we consulted with veterinarians and professional groomers about what to look for when deciding on how to use a product and selecting the right one for your pet. We considered shampoos based on characteristics such as active ingredients, ease of use, and flea life stage they treat.

This article was researched and written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than 60 puppies and dogs and is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products to use on them.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Fleaborne Diseases of the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  2. Pyrethrins General Fact Sheet. National Pesticide Information Center.