The Best Dog Flea & Tick Shampoos in 2025
Fleas and ticks are never good news for your dog, and it likely upsets you to see them suffering through itchy and painful bites. Shampoos are usually the best choice among the available options for their convenience and safety.
Natural or pesticide-based shampoos are excellent, in addition to tablet or topical treatments. Knowing how many options you can use will make it easier to give your dog the relief that he or she needs from fleas and ticks all year.
We have tested dozens of shampoos on the market this year. Let’s check them out!
Our Top List
Last update on 2025-04-08 at 23:10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Arava Flea & Tick Control
Arvava is the shampoo to use if you’re looking for gentle, effective protection. Although the formula is pesticide-free, it will still rid your dog of these bothersome pests quickly.
The combination of Dead Sea minerals and botanicals like lemongrass, citronella, and rosemary offer effective pest control and skin conditioning. Your dog will enjoy a clean, refreshing scent after the use of this product.
In addition to getting rid of fleas and ticks while keeping your dog’s coat in top condition, the shampoo also helps repel further fleas and ticks. A portion of the proceeds from this product help support animal rights organizations worldwide. Your purchase helps give you the assurance that you’re doing your part to help animals in different areas.
Takeaways
- Effective, quick flea and tick relief
- Botanical formula that is healthy for a dog’s coat
- Charitable support for organizations providing animal protection
2. Adams Plus
If you’re looking for an effective treatment against fleas and ticks that also tackles lice, Adams fits the bill nicely. The shampoo also kills flea larvae and eggs for excellent pest relief. The formula is designed for sensitive skin, using oatmeal, coconut extract, lanolin, and aloe.
All of these ingredients are effective for soothing skin on their own and are unbeatable when used together for safe relief from pests. An insect growth regulator helps keep the pests away for 28 days after application. A pleasant scent and safety for puppies as young as 12 weeks are also beneficial to many dog owners.
Takeaways
- Kills not only fleas and ticks, but also lice, larvae, and eggs
- Contains oatmeal, coconut extract, lanolin and aloe
- Insect growth inhibitor continues to deter pests for up to 28 days
3. Vet’s Best Flea Itch Relief
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Vet’s Best offers dogs some of the best itch relief from flea bites. The ingredients not only help soothe irritated skin but provide moisturizing to help bring about better healing after an infestation.
The natural ingredients used in this shampoo include neem oil, and lemon and orange peel oil, as well as oatmeal, for more significant healing. This shampoo is USA-made and appropriate for animals 12 weeks and older, giving you greater assurance of its safety.
One of the advantages of this shampoo is that it can be safely used with other products due to its natural ingredients that are not known to cause interactions.
Takeaways
- Gentle itch relief designed for uncomfortable flea bites and infestations
- Essential oil blend is designed to have calming effects on skin
- Works with other remedies without any problems
4. Hartz Shampoos and Sprays
This shampoo effectively kills ticks and fleas, featuring a pleasant citrus scent. Pests are killed on contact for faster overall relief from the itching and pain that comes with these bites. The shampoo is safe enough for weekly use on dogs and puppies at least six months old. Your dog will be well-cleaned and deodorized when you use this shampoo, and enjoy a healthier, much better-looking coat.
When washing your dog, the shampoo works best when worked into a foamy lather. Massaging this shampoo into your dog’s coat from their head to tail before rinsing will provide the best coverage and eliminate the likelihood of fleas and ticks.
Takeaways
- Pleasant citrus scent
- Safe for weekly use for prevention
- Can be used on puppies and dogs at least six months old
5. Wahl Flea & Tick Repelling Shampoo
This gentle pet shampoo features rosemary, cedar and eucalyptus as essential oils. Your dog will have maximum protection from fleas, ticks, and other pests while having a coat that looks and smells great.
As a brand that many pet groomers use, Wahl builds on the knowledge that professionals in this industry have that allows them to provide better care. The formula is concentrated so that you don’t have to use as much.
This shampoo brand is also a safe, effective option for dogs with allergies. The scent also has a calming effect on dogs. A calming effect comes in handy, where many dogs stress over bathing and other forms of grooming.
Takeaways
- Features rosemary, cedar and eucalyptus oils
- Concentrated formula requires less shampoo
- From a brand very familiar with pet groomng needs
6. Sentry Shampoo with Oatmeal
This gentle oatmeal shampoo has a PH balance that is gentle on your dog’s skin and coat. Puppies at least 12 weeks old and adult dogs both benefit from its use.
You can use this shampoo to kill both fleas and ticks, including deer ticks that can carry Lyme disease. The shampoo also destroys flea eggs, which can lead to further infestations. This shampoo can be safely reapplied every ten days.
The shampoo’s formula is suitable for dogs with sensitive skin, as it contains no harsh chemicals. One of the things you’ll find pleasing about this shampoo is its ginger scent, which helps your dog smell cleaner after use.
Takeaways
- Safe and gentle for puppies as young as 12 weeks old
- Kills both fleas and ticks for up to 10 days after application
- Ginger fragrance is pleasant, without being overpowering
Verdict & Review
Arava Flea & Tick Control Shampoo
Pros
- Effective and quick
- Works against fleas and ticks
- Botanial formula
- Healthy for your dog's coat
- Manufacturer supports charities
Cons
- We haven't encountered any cons.
Our top pick is the Arava sShampoo if you’re looking for total relief without all the harsh chemicals. One of the things that we love about this shampoo is the blend of effective pest control and quality botanical ingredients.
As we noted earlier, this shampoo is very effective against skin irritation that can arise from flea and tick bites. The ingredients serve as a deterrent against further infestations from pests.
If having your dog’s coat looking clean and refreshed matters to you, you’ll be glad to know that this shampoo delivers on its promises. The added Dead Sea minerals help provide further protection against pest infestations without diminishing the effects of the botanical ingredients by any means.
Buying Guide
Even if your dog is in the house most of the time, you should still have flea & tick shampoo at hand. All it takes is a romp through overgrown grass in the yard or playing with another dog that’s infested for your dog to have problems.
Think about how cooperative your dog is about being bathed. If bathing your dog is a nightmare that requires a trip to the groomer, other forms of relief like pills or sprays might be better.
Another thing to consider is whether you can commit to bathing your dog on a fairly regular schedule. If you’re not consistent about bathing your dog, what you use for a shampoo might not be at its most effective.
Tips for picking the right one
- Find out what type of scent is used – you want one that’s pleasant and not likely to overpower everyone in the room
- Think about the size you want – some concentrated formulas can be useful with a smaller bottle
- Learn about preventative power – a shampoo that helps prevent infestations in addition to treating them eliminates the need to buy additional products
- Read about what it eliminates – a shampoo that tackles both fleas and ticks will likely be more useful than a product that handles one but not both
- Discover how efficient the product is – efficiency plays a substantial role in most buying choices
Always use the shampoo according to the directions on the label. You will not only ensure that it works effectively, but you’ll avoid problems that can come from overexposure to the ingredients.
Bathe your dog in a setting where you can thoroughly rinse out his or her coat to avoid irritation from soap residue. A bathtub or shower with a spray nozzle or an outdoor hose with a spray nozzle will usually do the best job.
Can my regular dog shampoo do the job?
Most dog shampoos designed for regular use lack the necessary ingredients that kill fleas and ticks, as well as prevent infestations. Regular dog shampoos provide cleansing and deodorizing, rather than pest control.
Make sure you follow the schedule for using the flea/tick shampoo carefully. You will need to use the regular shampoo on an alternating schedule in many cases to get the maximum effectiveness from both of these products.
How do I know if a shampoo suits all my needs?
Reading the product labeling is essential to ensure that you’re using the right product. Some shampoos will kill the adult fleas, without killing larvae or eggs. Others might not kill ticks, and some might not repel fleas or ticks.
Also worth noting, too, is that dog shampoos will not treat areas of your home or yard that are infested. To treat home and yard areas, you’ll need to use products designed for this type of usage.
How long do I have to use it after buying?
The time that the shampoo is good for will depend heavily on the ingredients that are used. Botanicals may have a shorter shelf life than chemically-based products. Always check the expiration date to make sure the shampoo is still usable.
Most products will have an expiration date on the label. If the shampoo is past the date, it is unlikely to be as effective. You want to make sure that the product you use for your dog is at its most effective.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!