No one wants to find out their puppy has fleas, but unfortunately it happens. Your puppy may be constantly scratching themselves. Maybe they are allergic to flea bites and have red welts on their skin. What can you do to help your puppy fight off the fleas? A puppy flea shampoo may help to alleviate their itching and discomfort.
These are our selections for Puppy Flea Shampoos:
| Best Flea Shampoo With Pesticide: | |
| Adams Plus Flea & Tick | |
| SENTRY Oatmeal Flea And Tick Shampoo | |
| Zodiac Oatmeal Conditioning Shampoo | |
| Best Natural Flea Shampoo: | |
| Natural Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo | |
| Vet’s Best Advanced Strength Flea & Tick Shampoo | |
| Richard’s Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo |
Related: Best Dog Flea Collar For Your Pup
What Are Puppy Flea Shampoos?
Puppy flea shampoos are shampoos that are specially formulated to kill fleas on dogs and are safe to be used on young dogs.
At What Age Can You Bathe A Puppy With Flea Shampoo?
It is best to wait to bathe your puppy with a flea shampoo until they are at least 12 weeks or older. If your puppy is under 12 weeks of age, a warm bath with gentle soap can help to wash away any adult fleas.
Are Flea Shampoos Safe For Puppies?
As mentioned above, flea shampoos are safe for puppies as long as your puppy is at least 12 weeks old. A puppy’s skin is very sensitive and flea shampoos can dry it out.
What Kills Fleas Instantly On Puppies?
There are several ingredients in puppy flea shampoos that are made to kill fleas instantly on contact.
Pyrethrins are the most common ingredient in puppy flea shampoos. These are chemicals made from chrysanthemums and act as a pesticide. Pyrethrins kill insects by targeting their nervous system, leading to their paralysis and death.
Precor is another ingredient you may find in puppy flea shampoo. This chemical is an insect growth regulator, meaning it stops the flea egg from maturing into an adult.
Using a puppy flea shampoo that contains a pesticide can be very drying to your pup’s skin. Look for ingredients that can also help combat the dryness, like oatmeal or aloe.
Are There Natural Flea Shampoos For Dogs?
If using a pesticide on your dog is not your cup of tea, there are some natural puppy flea shampoos available. These shampoos use essential oils as their active ingredients. Among them:
- Cinnamon Oil deters fleas from your dog.
- Clove Oil acts as an insecticide to kill fleas.
- Cedar Oil dries out the exoskeletons of fleas, killing both adult fleas and eggs.
- Thyme Oil repels fleas.
- Peppermint Oil deters fleas.
- Rosemary Oil repels fleas from your dog.
Does Dish Soap Kill Fleas?
Using dish soap to bathe your puppy can help to kill fleas that are on them. It works by drowning the fleas. Dish soap will not prevent your dog from getting more fleas, though. Dish soap can be very drying and irritating to puppies, so this method should not be used on a regular basis.
How Do I Bathe My Dog With A Puppy Flea Shampoo?
When bathing your dog with flea shampoo, it is important to follow the directions from the manufacturer. Bathing should be done either outside or inside in your tub. Wear gloves when bathing your dog with a flea shampoo, as the active ingredients may be harmful to you if you get it in your eyes or mouth.
- Work the flea shampoo into a lather, avoiding their eyes and mouth.
- Let the shampoo sit on your dog for 5-10 minutes. This allows the active ingredients to penetrate into your puppy’s skin.
- Thoroughly rinse the shampoo off.
- Comb your dog with a specialized flea comb to get rid of any fleas that are still on your pup.
How Often Should I Bathe My Dog With A Flea Shampoo?
In order for the puppy flea shampoo to be effective, bathe your dog at least once a week. Flea shampoos provide temporary relief of symptoms, so your dog needs to be shampooed on a regular basis for it to be effective.
What Is The Best Flea Shampoo For A Puppy?
The following flea shampoos are safe to use on dogs and puppies 12 weeks and older. The information on each is provided by the manufacturer.
We have broken our choices up between puppy flea shampoos that contain a pesticide and those that use essential oils to combat fleas.
Best Puppy Flea Shampoo Containing Pesticides
Adams Plus Flea & Tick
- Kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and lice.
- Uses Precor.
- Cleans and conditions.
- Contains Aloe Vera, Lanolin, and Oatmeal.
- Controls flea reinfestation for up to 28 days.
- Good for dogs and puppies 12 weeks and over.
- Use every 7-10 days or as needed.
Pros/Cons:
- Nice scent.
- Helps get rid of fleas.
Check Price At: Petsmart, Chewy, Amazon, Walmart
SENTRY Oatmeal Flea And Tick Shampoo
- Kills fleas and ticks.
- Uses Permethrin.
- Cleans and deodorizes.
- Lasts up to 10 days.
- Hawaiian Ginger scent.
- Includes oatmeal to soothe skin.
- For dogs over 12 weeks of age.
- pH balanced.
Pros/Cons:
- Nice scent.
- Leaves coat feeling soft.
- Pump defective for some users.
Check Price At: Amazon, Petco, Chewy, Walmart
Zodiac Oatmeal Conditioning Shampoo
- Kills fleas, ticks, and lice.
- Uses Precor.
- Continues to kill eggs up to 28 days.
- Prevents reinfestation.
- Contains Aloe Vera, Lanolin, Oatmeal, and Coconut Extract.
- Also removes dandruff, dirt, and scales.
Pros/Cons:
- Nice scent.
- Leaves a soft feeling coat.
Check Price At: Chewy, Amazon, Walmart
Best Natural Puppy Flea Shampoo
Natural Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo
- Ingredients include:
- Cinnamon Oil.
- Clove Oil.
- Cedarwood Oil.
- Kills fleas, ticks, black fleas, and mosquitoes.
- Works against fleas and ticks for up to 7 days.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Nice scent that lasts.
- Leaves fur feeling soft.
- Doesn’t lather like regular shampoo.
Check Price At: Chewy
Vet’s Best Advanced Strength Flea & Tick Shampoo
- Kills fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae.
- Kills ticks.
- No added colors or fragrance.
- For dogs and puppies over 12 weeks old.
- Plant based formula.
- Cleans and deodorizes.
- Includes essential oils:
- Thyme Oil.
- Peppermint Oil.
- Clove Oil.
- Rosemary Oil.
- Cedarwood Oil.
- Made in the USA with US and globally sourced ingredients.
Pros/Cons:
- Strong scent.
Check Price At: Amazon, Petco, Chewy, Petsmart
Richard’s Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo
- Kills fleas and ticks.
- Repels mosquitoes.
- For use on dogs 12 weeks and older.
- No artificial colors or fragrance.
- Includes 5 essential oils:
- Peppermint Oil.
- Clove Oil.
- Cedarwood Oil.
- Cinnamon Oil.
- Rosemary Oil.
- Paraben free.
- Safe to use with topical flea and tick treatments.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Strong scent.
- Helps with itchiness.
- Leaves a soft feeling coat.
Check Price At: Chewy, Petco, Amazon
Fleas can be very irritating to your pup. A puppy flea shampoo can help provide relief of the constant itching that can accompany flea bites.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.