Most dogs get fleas at some point in their lives and many dogs have sensitive skin. That means finding a flea shampoo that works well on dogs and doesn’t irritate sensitive skin can be a challenge.
Some dog shampoos for sensitive skin work well, but don’t do much to control fleas. Other dog shampoos for fleas can be very tough on dogs with sensitive skin. That might lead you to ask “What is the best flea shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin?”
You can make your own home remedy dog flea shampoo, and that can work. But if you have a serious infestation you might want something with certified insecticides.
I’ve put together my top three picks for the best flea shampoo for sensitive dogs that are both gentle AND effective for dogs with sensitive skin.
#1 Sentry Oatmeal Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs
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This is my #1 choice for a solid flea and tick treatment for sensitive dogs. The active ingredient is permethrin and piperonyl butoxide.
Permethrin is an insecticide and piperonyl butoxide is there to increase the effectiveness of permethrin.
The bug killing ingredients are there. So that’s one thing checked off the list.
This Sentry sensitive skin flea and tick shampoo also has quality ingredients that make it ideal for a dog who gets ouchy easily. It’s an oatmeal based formula which is very soothing to dog’s skin.
Many customers report that this shampoo is the ONLY thing that works to give their dog relief. Dog’s with sensitive skin often react severely to flea and tick bites and this shampoo will soothe the red welts and reactions for most dogs.
It also has a very pleasing Hawaiian ginger fragrance that will leave your pup smelling wonderful!
Important: Sentry Oatmeal Flea and Tick Shampoo is great and safe for dogs, but is NOT recommended for cats. If you have both cats and dogs choice #2 is probably a better bet for you.
#2. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo with Precor
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If you have a household with both dogs and cats and want to buy a single flea and tick shampoo that works for sensitive skin, Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo is a good bet.
The active ingredients are methoprene, pyrethrins, and piperonyl butoxide.
Methoprene interferes with an insects life cycle and is used to control fleas in dogs. Pyrethrins is an insecticide and pipernyl butoxide boosts how well the insecticide works.
This is a great combination of ingredients to combat ticks and fleas!
The Adams Plus product also has a great formula to soothe sensitive skin. It contains aloe, lanolin, and oatmeal for a triple punch!
Customer report that this product REALLY works. It will kill fleas as you wash and you can watch them go right down the drain – even when other products haven’t worked.
#3. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea and Tick Shampoo
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This shampoo has the highest percentage of active ingredients of the bunch, and is approved for both cats and dogs.
It contains pyrethins, pipenyl butoxide, and N-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide.
This is powerful stuff! If you haven’t had good luck with other shampoos, then you may want to try this one.
This particular shampoo takes into account a dog’s sensitive skin by avoiding harsh ingredients like soap and detergents.
I don’t think it’s quite as good as the other two for the treatment of sensitive skin, but it is VERY good at killing fleas and ticks.
Flea and Tick Shampoos are Not Usually Enough
Flea and tick shampoos made for dogs with sensitive skin can give your dog almost instant relief from infestations and irritation.
But 95% of fleas live in yards, carpets, upholstery and bedding.
If you don’t treat those areas then you are going to have problems with the fleas coming back over and over again. You MUST treat your house and yard as well as your dog if you want to eliminate the infestation.
The Bottom Line on The Best Flea Shampoo for Sensitive Dogs
When you are looking for a flea shampoo that works for dogs with sensitive skin you want to get one with flea fighting ingredients AND sensitive skin ingredients.
There are lots of flea fighting dog shampoos and lots of sensitive skin dog shampoos, but only a few do both things well.
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