Fleas and ticks reproduce and spread quickly so eradicating them right away and in a definitive fashion is necessary. And for this, you need to buy a dog flea shampoo that is going to kill fleas and ticks on your dog’s coat, while preventing them from returning.
Flea shampoos for dogs are ideal for animals but you still need to clean the rest of your home. Getting rid of ticks and fleas requires an overall action: on your pet, in your home, on beddings, and in the yard.
Dog flea shampoos can be used for cleaning your dog on a regular basis too if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors. As a dog owner, you know ticks, lice and fleas are little parasites that ruin your life, and your dog’s one, too. They bite the skin of your pets, causing a great deal of discomfort and even passing on dangerous diseases. A single flea bite can leave the skin of your dog excessively itchy and irritated for days.
For efficient cleaning, you need to buy a potent anti-flea shampoo! There is no way around this! So here is our list of the top 5 best dog flea shampoos reviewed. There are also dog flea powders available if you dislike shampoos!
Sulfurated Lime
Originally developed to kill fungi, bacteria, and bugs living on trees, veterinarians discovered that dilute solutions of sulfurated lime (which may also be called lime sulfur or spelled as sulphurated lime) were also effective for ridding pets of these threats. It is most commonly applied as a dip or shampoo.
In diluted form, sulfurated lime is relatively safe, but you’ll want to take care to avoid getting it in your dog’s eyes, nose, or mouth. Sulfurated lime is also powerfully stinky. It smells like an entire carton of rotten eggs, so you’ll likely want to use it outdoors if that’s an option. It may also cause dark stains on the skin of light-colored animals.
Other Lice-Killing Medications
The chemicals detailed below are also very effective for treating lice, although they do not come in shampoo form. Some are featured in over-the-counter flea medications, while others will require a prescription from your vet.
Effectiveness in Fighting Lice, Fleas & Ticks
The primary and the most important purpose of a dog flea shampoo is to kill the fleas, lice, and ticks from your dog’s skin and relieve them from the irritation, redness, and itch.
The shampoo you choose should not only kill fleas but destroy the entire lifecycle of fleas so that there is no subsequent production of these. Some fleas and parasites in some geographical locations resist some products better, so it is kind of a game of trial and error.
It is advisable to go for shampoos that keep away fleas for at least 28 days. Additional benefits must include odor neutralization, removing debris, and moisturizing the skin of your dog. Antibacterial shampoos are generally not enough for parasitic infestations.
Dog flea control shampoos can be of three types:
Organic flea shampoos include essential oils like clove, peppermint, and cedar, but also vinegar for example. These oils attack and repel fleas while also soothing your dog’s skin. However, organic shampoos are milder and hence, weaker than the chemical-based products. On the positive side, organic shampoos have very little or no side-effects!
Overall, organic and natural dog flea shampoos are perfect preventative products but not suitable remedies for dogs who are prone to being affected by fleas or have been suffering from them for a long time.[pullquote-right]Using a dog flea shampoo is a start — make sure you clean your dog’s beddings, your home, and yard, too![/pullquote-right]
Most people use gentler products on their dogs and more aggressive flea killers for carpets and upholstery.
Chemical dog flea shampoos commonly contain pyrethrins, which are basically natural extracts found in Chrysanthemum plants. All six kinds of Pyrethrins are used in shampoos nowadays. They disrupt the natural flow of sodium out of the nerve cells of the fleas, thereby killing the parasites almost instantly.
Though not very long-lasting in effect, pyrethrins work quickly in freeing your dog from the grip of fleas and ticks, especially during a sudden infestation. Check out for the proportion of this compound in the shampoo you buy and consult your veterinarian in case of any symptoms after use.
FAQ
Will dog shampoo kill lice?
What shampoo kills lice?