As dog owners, we like to keep on top of flea treatments, with vets recommending that you apply a flea treatment at least every three months and once per month for puppies until they are six months old, however, the best dog flea shampoos can also help. They're just what you need in your dog grooming products kit to try and keep the pests away.
Sometimes though, fleas just stick. As well as catching fleas from other animals, large gardens, long grass and areas of wildlife are a handful of places where your pet could pick up the pests. You can spend hours trying to pull them out one by one or cleaning carpets and furniture but they'll keep coming back. If you're struggling to get a hold of these pesky insects, we've got the best dog shampoos to help you treat the problem.
Best dog flea shampoos at a glance:
• Best overall dog flea shampoo: Animology Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo - view on Viovet
• Best sensitive skin dog flea shampoo: Pike's Pouches Oatmeal & Aloe Vera Dog Shampoo & Conditioner - view on Amazon UK
• Best vegan dog flea shampoo: Cooper And Gracie Flea Shampoo For Dogs - view on Amazon UK
A parasite, fleas will latch onto dog hairs and bite your pets, making them uncomfortable and itchy. With newer dog flea treatments and shampoos coming into action, you can kick these fleas away before they become too much. It's best to try and repel and reduce the number of fleas on your dog before they even get there with treatments and shampoos. Luckily enough, we've rounded up options for the best flea shampoos for your dog.
The best flea shampoos for dogs
Best overall dog flea shampoo
Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Well-known in the grooming world, this Animology Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo is our top overall pick. With good value and key features you need, we think it's the best. Ridding of both fleas and ticks using neem and tea tree oil, this is a natural and 100 per cent vegan option, great for sensitive skin too.
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."
Pros
- Kills fleas and ticks on contact
- Soothing with natural ingredients
- Pro-Vitamin B5 keeps your dog coat soft and conditioned
Cons
- One reviewer felt the shampoo didn't deodorise for long
Best sensitive skin dog flea shampoo
On sale
AmazonA top-rated product on Amazon, grab this Pike's Pouches Oatmeal & Aloe Vera Dog Shampoo & Conditioner, suitable for all ages, breeds and fur types. We particularly like that it's all-natural with peppermint and tea tree essential oils - leaving your dog smelling fresh after their bath! It's also made right here in the UK.
Customer review: "I've used this on my dog for a while now, the oatmeal is good for dry skin and softens the coat nice as well. My dog has a weekly bath in this and it's really helped her. Smells good as well, highly recommended."
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive and irritated skin
- Extra soft from natural ingredients
- Eco-friendly packaging
Cons
- Some reviewers wished the pouches were bigger
Best vegan dog flea shampoo
AmazonCruelty-free and vegan, this Cooper And Gracie Flea Shampoo For Dogs is made for those looking to be environmentally friendly and use natural ingredients. Made for itchy and sensitive skin, this helps to kill fleas while keeping your pooch comfortable. It's highly absorbent yet low lathering and will get to work into your dog's coat quickly and with ease.
Customer review: "This stuff is amazing - my dog has several skin issues and the fleas have caused him so much pain. It takes them away and leaves a soothed shiny happy dog!! Also, he smells divine... I am now ordering more products to use. Good foaming and coverage. Well worth the money."
Pros
- Efficient and easy
- Hypoallergenic
- Ingredients are all natural, ethical, cruelty-free and plant-based
Cons
- Some reviewers have reported bottles having leaks when delivered by Amazon
Best dog flea shampoo for puppies
AmazonThis Johnsons Puppy & Dog Flea Shampoo is perfect for puppies over twelve weeks of age. Killing all fleas and suitable for all breeds, it's great for when those pesky fleas start to make their way in. It contains special ingredients that have insecticidal properties which help to keep your pup's coat bug-free.
Customer review: "I always use this Johnson’s flea shampoo if I find fleas on my dog! It works really well to kill the fleas but they will come back if you don’t use a spot on treatment, wash their bedding/places they sleep to get rid of eggs too etc! For a quick itch relief the shampoo is great! If you use a spot on treatment don’t put it on your dog straight after a bath, leave it 3 days for their natural oils to build up!"
Pros
- Kills fleas on contact
- Soft coat and conditioned fur
- Smells great
Cons
- Some reviewers reported having to use this shampoo multiple times before they started to see results
Best preventative dog flea shampoo
www.viovet.co.uk
Our final pick of the best dog flea shampoos is this Bob Martin Clear Flea Repellent Shampoo for Dogs and Puppies. Working on both dogs and puppies over 12 weeks, this is a great value product to prevent fleas from coming back. Just note that this isn't suitable for any female nursing 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
- Fleas killed on contact
- Leaving your dog shiny and soft
- Good value
Cons
- Not suitable for female nursing dogs
FAQs
How do I keep fleas away?
So there you have it, our top pick of the best dog flea shampoos. Now that you're killing off all the fleas in your dog's fur, you may be wondering how to keep them away from your house and pets for good.
We recommend deep cleaning your house, so any fleas stuck in furniture will be taken away and won't be able to jump back onto your pooch. As well as this, there are some products you can get your hands on to ensure they won't be coming back.
Best household flea cleaner
AmazonJust spray the C&G Pets Household Pest Cleanse onto your furniture and this should kill off the fleas without affecting your furnishings. It has a refreshing citrus scent and promises long lasting protection. We recommend vacuuming and brushing sofas and carpets after using this and using it weekly for maximum prevention.
Customer review: "Really easy to use, I literally spray the whole house (curtains, sofas, mattress, floor, furnishes), non-toxic and nice scent"
Pros
- Citrus scent
- Non-toxic
- Made in the UK
Cons
- Although it is safe to use on most fabric and wooden surfaces, the brand recommends doing a small patch test to begin with
Best household flea spray
AmazonAnother great spray for targeting fleas and dust mites is the Indorex Flea Spray. It's designed so all you have to do is just spray it over your furniture and let it works its magic to get rid of fleas and lice inside your home. It's said that each treatment should last up to six months.
Customer review: "Works better than any I've used before. I don't think it kills eggs though so I recommend to do again a few days later. It killed all adult fleas straight away. There were no fleas for a couple days until I noticed some babies (I assume they just hatched) so I treated the house again and now there are no fleas at all. Thank you so much."
Pros
- Long lasting treatment
- Good value for money
- Gets rid of fleas and lice quickly
Cons
- It can cause skin irritation so apply with caution
The RSPCA also recommends combing through your pet's fur coat once a week using a fine-toothed comb held over something white, like a piece of kitchen paper. Any fleas or flea droppings will be deposited on the surface. Add a few drops of water, and if the droppings turn reddish brown it's very likely your pet has fleas.
You should also make sure that you are grooming your pet regularly as it has many benefits and will improve the bond between you. Even if you have a dog with short hair, you should still groom your dog regularly and trim their hair with dog grooming scissors. Making this a regular routine will keep their fur cleaner and will show if your pet has any fleas or ticks.
How do I know my dog has fleas?
Before you start investing in any new flea treatments for your pooch, it's best to know what you're looking for.
The most obvious place to start is, of course, scratching. If your pet starts to scratch or gnaws uncomfortably at its body more frequently, it's best to check it out and see what's going on. At this point, you can probably work out whether it's fleas or not.
Signs and symptoms of fleas and ticks:
• Scratching
• Hair loss or balding
• Spots around the body
• Over-grooming
• Redness, irritation and sore patches
• Thickened skin
• Dark specks in fur or around furniture
As well as this, if you notice insect bites start to pop up on yourself, especially on your ankles, then these fleas may be pinching at your skin too.
Once you've spotted the signs, do a quick check throughout your dog's coat with a fine-tooth comb. If you're unsure, always remember it's okay to give your vet a call, just to check.
How can I treat dog fleas?
The best way to treat dog fleas is to get a hold of them before they can get onto your dog with a prevention treatment. This should be easy if you pick up a flea treatment regularly as they can kill off the problem before it starts.
This is easy to do at home and most frequently done with 'spot-on' treatments which work by just popping the small vial of liquid at the back of your pup's neck every month. Super easy, efficient and will keep your pooch calm. You can also get flea collars, powders and sprays as an alternative to these spot-on formulas.
If it's too late for prevention, then a dog shampoo is the best way to go, by getting deep into the fur to kill the fleas. After this, you'll want to de-flea your home with furniture treatments and a deep clean.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.