You might not have to worry about fleas and ticks during the cold winter months, but once spring starts to roll around, these tiny insects seem to come out of nowhere. That’s all a part of saying goodbye to winter and hello to warmer months ahead, but the one negative that comes with this seasonal change is that we have to start taking extra preventative measures against fleas, ticks, and other pests.
Controlling these pesky critters isn’t always easy. That’s why finding top reviews of products is so helpful. Nobody wants to deal with an infestation, so we rounded up some of the top sprays that we could find and provided you with each brand’s pros and cons.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Adams Plus Topical Flea & Tick Spray
Affordable
Safe on furniture and flooring
Works even after it dries
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Best Value
Vet’s Best Indoors Flea & Tick Home Spray
Cheap
Natural formula
Fresh scent
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Premium Choice
Wondercide Flea, Tick & Mosquito Spray
Clean recipe
Fresh smell
Safe on dogs and cats
Check Price
The 6 Best Flea and Tick Sprays for Dogs
Finding the best overall flea and tick spray for dogs comes down to finding something that works without costing you an arm and a leg. This Adams Plus spray gets our vote for the top brand on the market. Spray this solution all over your house without worrying about it destroying your furniture items. You can also spray it directly on carpets or pets to kill fleas and their larvae.
Bottle Size: 16 ounces
Life Stage: Adult
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This is a trusted brand that kills the insects on contact. It even continues to work after the spray dries. Then, all you have to do is continue to reapply every two months. While a little does go a long way, there are reports that it does have a strong smell.
Pros
Affordable
Safe on furniture and flooring
Works even after it dries
Lasts for two months
Fleas die on contact
Cons
Strong odor
The best flea and tick spray for dogs for the money has to be by Vet’s Best. Not only is this pet product affordable, but it is effective in killing insects other than fleas and ticks, like mosquitos. The formula is a plant-based recipe, so you won’t have to worry about any toxins getting in the house. It also smells nice because it uses essential oils as the main ingredients. However, it doesn’t work as quickly as some other products. It might also cause some irritation if your pet has sensitive skin.
Affordable
Safe on furniture and flooring
Works even after it dries
Lasts for two months
Fleas die on contact
- Affordable
- Safe on furniture and flooring
- Works even after it dries
- Lasts for two months
- Fleas die on contact
Strong odor
- Strong odor
Bottle Size: 32 ounces
Life Stage: Adult
Pros
Cheap
Natural formula
Fresh scent
Kills fleas, ticks, and mosquitos
Cons
Doesn’t work quickly
Might irritate skin
Getting the best pet products on the market usually costs you a little extra money. This Wondercide spray isn’t too expensive, but it might cost you more than some other brands. While it is more costly, the quality is much higher. This spray works on both dogs and cats, so you’re already getting more bang for your buck. It also has a wonderful smell from the natural, clean essential oils used in the formula. There are reports that say it is more effective for fleas than for ticks, though.
Cheap
Natural formula
Fresh scent
Kills fleas, ticks, and mosquitos
- Cheap
- Natural formula
- Fresh scent
- Kills fleas, ticks, and mosquitos
Doesn’t work quickly
Might irritate skin
- Doesn’t work quickly
- Might irritate skin
Bottle Size: 4, 16, or 32 ounces
Life Stage: Adult
Pros
Clean recipe
Fresh smell
Safe on dogs and cats
Cons
Expensive
Better for fleas than ticks
One thing that the market is lacking is more flea and tick products that are safe for young dogs. The nice thing about this Zodiac flea and tick spray is that it is safe to use on adult dogs and cats, as well as puppies and kittens. It provides quick relief and kills any laid eggs for up to two months while still killing adult fleas, lice, ticks, mosquitoes, and gnats.
Clean recipe
Fresh smell
Safe on dogs and cats
- Clean recipe
- Fresh smell
- Safe on dogs and cats
Expensive
Better for fleas than ticks
- Expensive
- Better for fleas than ticks
Bottle Size: 16 ounces
Life Stage: Puppy, kitten, adult
Even though it is safe for puppies, it should not be ingested, and you’ll have to be careful not to let your dog’s lick themselves right after you apply it or until it dries. It also has a slight chemical smell that most people aren’t fond of.
Pros
Safe for puppies and kittens
Quick relief
Kills more than fleas and ticks
Cons
Must watch pets after application
Bad odor
This spray has a lot to offer in terms of effectiveness. The recipe is formulated to kill any fleas and ticks that come in contact with it for up to seven days after the application. It also includes aloe so that it is sensitive on your pet’s skin. While it isn’t an all-natural product, it is highly effective. However, some dogs don’t react well to some of the ingredients in it, so you must keep a close eye on them with each use.
Safe for puppies and kittens
Quick relief
Kills more than fleas and ticks
- Safe for puppies and kittens
- Quick relief
- Kills more than fleas and ticks
Must watch pets after application
Bad odor
- Must watch pets after application
- Bad odor
Pros
Lasts for 7 days
Aloe added to soothe skin
Cons
Not all-natural
May cause irritation
- Frontline Flea & Ticks Spray for Dogs and Cats
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Bottle Size: 8 or 16 ounces
Life Stage: Adult
Frontline is a trusted brand that pet owners have used for years. This specific spray is safe to use on both cats and dogs that are older than 8 weeks old. Unfortunately, it does contain chemicals that could be harmful to any sensitive animals. You also might want to use a test area on your furniture to ensure it doesn’t damage it or leave a lingering odor before spraying it on your possessions.
Lasts for 7 days
Aloe added to soothe skin
- Lasts for 7 days
- Aloe added to soothe skin
Not all-natural
May cause irritation
- Not all-natural
- May cause irritation
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Bottle Size: 8 or 16 ounces
Life Stage: Adult
Pros
Safe for dogs and cats over 8 weeks old
Cons
Contains harmful chemicals
Bad odor
Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Flea and Tick Sprays for Dogs
Putting any sort of chemical-based product on top of your pest is a little risky. Dogs aren’t all the same. Each one has its own sensitivities, and even one simple ingredient could create irritation or health issues if you’re not careful. When buying a flea and tick spray, you need to keep your dog’s health a priority over everything else.
Safe for dogs and cats over 8 weeks old
- Safe for dogs and cats over 8 weeks old
Contains harmful chemicals
Bad odor
Expensive
- Contains harmful chemicals
- Bad odor
- Expensive
How Does Flea Spray Work?
There are a couple of different options when it comes to flea and tick spray. While there are sprays, collars, tablets, and shampoos to choose between, they are usually considered either natural or not natural products. Many people today prefer to keep things clean by using sprays that use essential oils to repel fleas and ticks instead of chemicals. On the other hand, chemical-based products do tend to be more effective. The choice is ultimately up to you and what you think the safest option is for your pet and your home.
What Are the Negatives?
With all treatments, there are some risks involved with using these products. The most common type of issue to arise is allergic reactions. This usually causes things like hot spots, itchiness, flaking, and other forms of skin irritation. If you notice any of these symptoms, refrain from using the spray any longer and ask your vet for alternative options.
How To Apply Flea and Tick Spray
You should always test your products to ensure that they are safe for your pet and your home. Apply the spray to a small spot on your dog and your furniture. Check each day after applying the solution to ensure that both your dog’s skin and your furniture aren’t suffering any damage. If they both look okay, you may apply the spray in a larger section and continue to monitor things until you’re completely confident that the product is safe and won’t cause any issues.
Conclusion
We hope that these reviews of the top flea and tick dog sprays have helped you come to a decision. The Adams Plus brand may be our vote for best overall, but the Vet’s Pet and Wondercide sprays are both wonderful options that work for different price points.
Only you can make the final decision between these products. Once you find one that is suitable for your pup, they’ll thank you for protecting them from such pesky insects.
Featured Image Credit: Nomad, Soul, Shutterstock
