Fleas are every pet owner’s worst nightmare. These little bugs are a nuisance to get rid of and can cause your puppy discomfort. Not only do fleas cause itching, but fleas can also lead to some serious diseases. If you have a puppy covered head to toe with fleas, it also has the potential to be life-threatening.
Luckily, you can help by bathing your puppy using flea shampoo. While flea baths should be reserved for after an infestation has started, you can stock up on flea shampoo just in case!
Since there are a lot of flea shampoos available, you want to choose the one that is the safest for your puppy. We have put together a list of flea shampoos that are effective and puppy-safe!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Richard’s Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo
All-Natural ingredients
Pleasant smell
Organic
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Best Value
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with PRECOR
Bulk buying options
Contains ingredients to soothe and rejuvenate skin
Check Price
Premium Choice
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Shampoo
Safe for dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses
Bulk buying options
Aloe and lanolin help soothe skin
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Hartz UltraGuard Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo
Oatmeal helps soothe itchy skin from bug bites
Also, washes your dog to make them smell fresh
Shampoo leaves a fresh scent
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TropiClean Neem & Citrus Dog Shampoo
pH Balanced, soap-free formula
Uses skin’s natural oils to condition the coat
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The 10 Best Flea Shampoos for Puppies
Richard’s Organics is an excellent option for any pet parents looking for a flea shampoo for their puppy, and that’s why we chose it as our best overall flea shampoo for puppies. This natural shampoo is the perfect way to keep your puppy products all-natural since the entire formula is naturally derived.
Rinse-Free?: No
Bottle Size: 12 oz
Pyrethrin-Free?: Yes
All-Natural?: Yes
Check Price on Chewy
This shampoo is devoid of any of the harmful chemicals that are often associated with de-bugging shampoos. Instead, it uses natural ingredients like cedarwood oil to kill and repel flea, ticks, and mosquitoes from your puppy’s vicinity. It’s an excellent pick-up for any puppy owner!
Since this shampoo is safe for canines 12 weeks and older, it will be safe to use on most puppies who have been home for at least a month. However, puppy parents of younger puppies than 3 months old will need to look into a cheaper shampoo or professional de-fleeing to eliminate their flea problem.
Pros
All-Natural ingredients
Pleasant smell
Helps repel ticks and mosquitoes
Cons
Not safe for cats because of the essential oils
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor is an excellent option for pet parents who need a cheap and effective solution to their puppy’s fleas. This shampoo can be bought in bottle sizes up to 1 gallon and is safe for use on puppies 12 weeks of age or older.
All-Natural ingredients
Pleasant smell
Helps repel ticks and mosquitoes
- All-Natural ingredients
- Pleasant smell
- Helps repel ticks and mosquitoes
Not safe for cats because of the essential oils
- Not safe for cats because of the essential oils
Rinse-Free?: No
Bottle Size: 12 oz, 24 oz, 1 gal
Pyrethrin-Free?: No
All-Natural?: No
This shampoo isn’t all-natural, so you’ll have to look elsewhere if you want an all-natural product. However, it’s exceptionally effective due to the inclusion of active pyrethrins, a dog-safe pesticide.
Adams Plus contains pyrethrin, which can be hazardous to cats in large doses. Although this shampoo claims it is safe on felines, some people want to avoid the risk altogether and only go for cat-safe shampoos.
Pros
Bulk buying options
Contains ingredients to soothe and rejuvenate skin
Cons
Not permethrinpyrethrin-free, should not be used on cats
Veterinary Formula’s Clinical Care Flea & Tick Shampoo was our choice for the best premium flea shampoo for puppies. In addition, this shampoo is safe for dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses. So, any farm owners can rest assured that they can use this shampoo for any of the animals they rely on.
Bulk buying options
Contains ingredients to soothe and rejuvenate skin
- Bulk buying options
- Contains ingredients to soothe and rejuvenate skin
Not permethrinpyrethrin-free, should not be used on cats
- Not permethrinpyrethrin-free, should not be used on cats
Rinse-Free?: No
Bottle Size: 16 oz, 1 gal
Pyrethrin-Free?: Yes
All-Natural?: No
While this shampoo isn’t listed as pyrethrin-free, it is listed as being safe for cats. So, it can’t contain any pyrethrins since those are toxic for cats. This shampoo formula also contains aloe and lanolin to help soothe your puppy’s irritated skin from their flea problem. So, it’s a great buy!
This shampoo is only suitable for one use per week, so, you’ll have to wait a week to reapply the formula if it doesn’t fully clear up your puppy’s flea problem. However, it helps repel and kill fleas after the first application for several days.
Pros
Safe for dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses
Bulk buying options
Aloe and lanolin help soothe skin
Cons
Some people say it is not effective on cats
Hartz’s UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is excellent for any pet parents of older puppies. This is safe for use on puppies six months of age or older.
Safe for dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses
Bulk buying options
Aloe and lanolin help soothe skin
- Safe for dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses
- Bulk buying options
- Aloe and lanolin help soothe skin
Some people say it is not effective on cats
- Some people say it is not effective on cats
Rinse-Free?: No
Bottle Size: 18 oz
Pyrethrin-Free?: No
All-Natural?: No
This shampoo formula is fortified with oatmeal to help your puppy feel less itchy and irritable after its infestation is quelled. The cleansing components also help your puppy feel clean for the first time since a flea jumped on their back!
Unfortunately, this shampoo isn’t pyrethrin-free, so this shampoo cannot be used on cats. Any pet parents of cats and dogs will need to buy another cat-safe flea shampoo for their feline.
Pros
Oatmeal helps soothe itchy skin from bug bites
Shampoo leaves a fresh scent
Cons
Not pyrethrin-free
Only for puppies 6 months or older
TropiClean’s Neem & Citrus Dog Shampoo is great for any pet parents who need to give their pup a flea bath. This pH-balanced shampoo is perfect for any puppy with sensitive skin. It will help soothe their skin that’s been irritated by flea bites for far too long!
Oatmeal helps soothe itchy skin from bug bites
Shampoo leaves a fresh scent
- Oatmeal helps soothe itchy skin from bug bites
- Shampoo leaves a fresh scent
Not pyrethrin-free
Only for puppies 6 months or older
- Not pyrethrin-free
- Only for puppies 6 months or older
Rinse-Free?: No
Bottle Size: 20 oz, 1 gal, 2.5 gal
Pyrethrin-Free?: No
All-Natural?: Yes
TropiClean is excellent because it features all-natural ingredients to cleanse the skin and kill fleas that have made your puppy their home. In addition to editing the skin and fur, this shampoo will clean the hair and redistribute the skin’s natural oils through the fur. This redistribution helps keep the coat conditioned and moisturized.
It is worth noting that this shampoo is not safe for cats. So, if you have a cat in your household, you’ll want to pass on this. Even inhaling fumes from a canine that has recently been washed can be dangerous for cats.
Pros
pH balanced, soap-free formula
Uses skin’s natural oils to condition the coat
Cons
Some people do not like the citrus smell of the shampoo
Pet parents looking for an all-natural, pyrethrin-free formula need not look further than Vet’s Best’s Advanced Strength Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo. Vet’s Best has been curating a collection of all-natural, veterinarian-formula pet medical products for years, and their Flea & Tick Shampoo does not disappoint.
pH balanced, soap-free formula
Uses skin’s natural oils to condition the coat
- pH balanced, soap-free formula
- Uses skin’s natural oils to condition the coat
Some people do not like the citrus smell of the shampoo
- Some people do not like the citrus smell of the shampoo
This formula features advanced strength compounds that kill fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs, and ticks on contact without any synthetic compounds. It’s formulated specifically for use by dogs using rosemary and peppermint to drive out flea infestations.
Remember that when fleas die, they rise to the top of an animal’s coat and fall out. So, you may see an abundance of dead fleas around your house after using this shampoo, but it doesn’t mean your puppy has been reinfested.
Pros
Effective blend of essential oils
Formulated by Veterinarians
Cons
Some people said the shampoo was not very effective on fleas
Zodiac’s Oatmeal Conditioning Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies is another excellent option for pet parents looking to get rid of their puppy’s fleas for good! Their formula is fortified with ingredients like aloe, oatmeal, and lanolin to help soothe your pup’s skin after an infestation.
Effective blend of essential oils
Formulated by Veterinarians
- Effective blend of essential oils
- Formulated by Veterinarians
Some people said the shampoo was not very effective on fleas
- Some people said the shampoo was not very effective on fleas
Rinse-Free?: No
Bottle Size: 18 oz
Pyrethrin-Free?: Yes
All-Natural?: No
It’s important to note that this shampoo contains pyrethrins which are extremely dangerous for cats. So, if you have cats in your house, do not buy this shampoo, as even inhaling the pyrethrin off an animal who has recently been washed can be deadly.
This is an excellent option for dog-only households that can’t be beaten easily. This shampoo kills fleas and ticks on contact, but it also contains PRECOR Insect Growth Regulator to help kill flea eggs and larvae.
Pros
Oatmeal soothes the skin from bug bites.
Helps remove dander
Cons
A few users noted the shampoo causes knots and tangles in puppy’s fur
Pet parents who want to stick to a well-known brand and are trusted by pet parents and veterinarians everywhere will love Sentry’s Flea & Tick Tropical Breeze Shampoo for Dogs. This formula is backed by the Sentry name, one of the most widely celebrated pet brands.
Oatmeal soothes the skin from bug bites.
Helps remove dander
- Oatmeal soothes the skin from bug bites.
- Helps remove dander
A few users noted the shampoo causes knots and tangles in puppy’s fur
- A few users noted the shampoo causes knots and tangles in puppy’s fur
It comes in a relatively big bottle and is guaranteed to quell your flea problem with a blend of cleansing compounds and pesticides. Although a family favorite pet brand makes it, this shampoo is not safe to use around cats, so keep that in mind when purchasing this for your puppy. Additionally, some people noted that they had to apply the shampoo several times for it to be effective at killing the fleas.
Pros
Many people loved the smell of the shampoo
Reviews noted that fleas and ticks started dying quickly after the first application
Cons
Overall effectiveness was not universal
Advantage is another family- favorite brand for flea and tick treatments, and their shampoo for dogs and puppies doesn’t cut any corners. They’re a well-loved and highly trusted brand because they put the animals first.
Many people loved the smell of the shampoo
Reviews noted that fleas and ticks started dying quickly after the first application
- Many people loved the smell of the shampoo
- Reviews noted that fleas and ticks started dying quickly after the first application
Overall effectiveness was not universal
- Overall effectiveness was not universal
Rinse-Free?: No
Bottle Size: 8 oz, 12 oz, 24 oz
Pyrethrin-Free?: No
All-Natural?: No
Advantage is the producer of one of the most effective topical flea and tick treatments, K9 Advantix, so it’s safe to say they know their way around the world of flea and tick solutions. However, users of the product have mixed reviews about how effective it was at killing their puppy’s fleas.
Pros
Scent of shampoo was not overwhelming
Family-trusted brand
Cons
Mixed reviews on the effectiveness
PetArmor Plus’ Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs is an excellent product for getting rid of flea infestations. This tropical-scented medicinal shampoo will clean your dog’s coat while killing all those fleas hiding out in their locks.
Scent of shampoo was not overwhelming
Family-trusted brand
- Scent of shampoo was not overwhelming
- Family-trusted brand
Mixed reviews on the effectiveness
- Mixed reviews on the effectiveness
This shampoo is safe to use with puppies at least 12 weeks of age. So, even parents of young puppies can utilize this shampoo! It’s unscented to avoid further irritating already irritated and sensitive puppy skin.
One downside is that you’ll need a prescription before buying this shampoo, as Chewy only sells it with a valid prescription.
Pros
Medicinal shampoo
Tropical scented, so your dog smells fresh after their bath!
Cons
Requires a prescription
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Flea Shampoo for Puppies
Do I Need to Give My Dog Regular Flea Baths?
Giving your dog a regular flea bath can help prevent infestations. By “regular,” we mean every one to two weeks. Bathing your dog more regularly than the chemicals often used in flea shampoos will dry out their skin and make them sick if they accidentally ingest the insecticides used in the shampoo often.
Medicinal shampoo
Tropical scented, so your dog smells fresh after their bath!
- Medicinal shampoo
- Tropical scented, so your dog smells fresh after their bath!
Requires a prescription
- Requires a prescription
Essential Precautions When Using Flea Shampoo
As we’ve mentioned, flea shampoo can contain any number of harsh insecticides used to kill the fleas on your dog’s body. These chemicals include pyrethrin (also called pyrethrin), an insecticide, and Precor, an insect growth regulator. While both compounds are safe for dogs in small quantities, they are harsh on the skin and not safe for your dog to ingest in high doses.
These pesticides are also not great for your skin. Wear gloves when washing your dog to keep your skin from drying out.
Pyrethrin is also highly dangerous for cats. Even inhaling pyrethrin fumes can be fatal for cats. So, if you have a cat, you’ll want to choose a pyrethrin-free shampoo to keep them safe. Some fatalities have been recorded in dogs as well. Still, pyrethrin is listed as safe for dogs and complications are rare.
Other Methods of Protecting Your Puppy Against Fleas
There are many methods of protecting your dog from fleas, and it’s usually considered best to double up on treatments to provide your dog with the best possible protection against fleas.
Topical Flea and Tick Treatment
A popular flea and tick treatment amongst pet parents is a topical solution. Topical flea and tick treatments get applied to the back of the puppy’s neck and along the spine to protect the whole body from fleas.
These treatments generally last for one month before they need to be reapplied but are considered the most effective preventative treatment when used solo. So, pet parents who want to get their puppy the most effective flea protection without doubling up will want to invest in these. However, just like with shampoos, make sure the topical treatment is safe for puppies.
You’ll have to monitor your puppy for a few hours after applying the solution to ensure they don’t lick it off. You’ll also want to separate any animals that have been treated, so other pets don’t lick the solution off either. This would harm the solution’s efficacy, and it could be deadly for your other pets to ingest the pesticides.
Flea Collar
Flea collars are collars that are infused with pesticides. Collars eliminate the need to worry about your other pets licking anything off your treated dog since they don’t have a residue.
Flea collars are generally more effective as a long-term investment since collars, like the Seresto collar made by Advantage. The collars are usable for up to eight months and can be used on puppies as young as 7 weeks old. But always consult your vet first.
Other Tips for Getting Rid of Fleas FAST!
Clean the House
Fleas like to hide out in your carpeting and floors. Once a flea infestation has taken hold on a dog, they will bring the bugs home with them, and the problem will spread far past the scope of just your dog.
Cleaning up the house with a vacuum can help kill fleas that are hiding in your home and the eggs they’ve left behind. You’ll want to clean the house several times over the span of a few weeks to get not just the fleas that are there now, but also those that will hatch later.
Mowing the Lawn
Mowing your lawn will help cut down on the flea population around your house and prevent your dog from becoming reinfested after the treatments. Flea eggs are mainly found in tall grass and shrubs.
When in Doubt, Use a Bug Bomb
This should be a last resort for getting rid of fleas. Get everyone out of the house for a few hours and hire pest control professionals to bug bomb your house.
Final Thoughts
If your puppy has fleas, never fear because a quick bath should wrap that problem right up! Try out our favorite choice, Richard’s Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo. If you’re on a budget, no worries! Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor has got you covered! If you’re not on a budget, try Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick, our choice for the best premium flea shampoo for puppies.
Featured Image Credit: Autri Taheri, Unsplash
