What to choose: shampoo or flea drops?

pros

Despite their effectiveness, shampoos are low-hazard substances that do not cause severe irritation when they come into contact with mucous membranes, and you can also combine treatment with hygienic washing. Many of them have additives that improve the structure of the coat.

As a rule, shampoos have a more affordable price than other products. There are series for puppies from an early age, as well as for dogs with different coat types.

Features of bathing a dog with antiparasitic shampoo

Most dog owners know how to wash their pet. Fortunately, unlike cats, dogs tolerate bathing procedures quite easily, and some even enjoy bathing. Treatment with anti-flea shampoo is almost no different from regular hygienic washing, with the exception of some features.

• You should prepare for washing in the same way as usual: get water at a temperature that is comfortable for the dog, prepare a towel, shampoo and other hygiene items, and call the dog. If she doesn’t like washing and is nervous, she needs to be calmed down first.
• Flea shampoo for dogs is applied to the coat in much the same way as regular shampoo, lathered and foamed. But if, when washing with a simple shampoo, the product is washed off almost immediately, then the anti-flea drug should be kept on the fur for several minutes. Usually this is 5-10 minutes, but a lot depends on the recommendations for using a particular shampoo.
• Some dogs, especially small ones, may become cold while shampoo is being applied to them. To prevent your pet from catching a cold, it should be covered with a towel until the product needs to be washed off. This towel must then be washed so that no fleas remain on it.
• When treating a puppy, it is better to leave the shampoo on for less time, and if it does not work completely, wash the baby with it again. If we are talking about an adult dog that is heavily infested with fleas, you can keep the shampoo for the maximum period allowed.

How to wash?

The first step is to thoroughly wet the dog's entire coat, including the head, ears and muzzle area.

The shampoo is diluted in warm water and evenly applied to the surface, foaming intensively. Next, following the instructions, you need to wait from 2 to 7 minutes and rinse everything off well with running water. After this, the pet is combed and completely dried.

Pets are prohibited from drinking water in which they bathe.

Is it often necessary?

Shampoo is used once, reused only for entomological reasons.

Mr Bruno

It is one of the least dangerous drugs for animals. Fleas and other skin parasites (lice eaters, ticks) are destroyed in one application. Mr.Bruno shampoo does not cause allergic reactions and does not cause dry skin or irritation.

Works great as a prophylactic.

Mr.Bruno is one of the latest developments in the field of veterinary medicine; it does not contain dyes or preservatives. The main active ingredient is permethrin in low concentration. The drug has a light green tea aroma.

• Mr. Bruno has a pronounced long-lasting anti-repellent effect.
• Packaging – 350 ml bottles with a dispenser.
• The price of flea shampoo for dogs Mr. Bruno is from 320 rubles.

Reviews

“We decided to use the new Mr. Bruno product to remove fleas from the dog. As they explained to us, the drug is a professional one. We have a large dog with rough hair. We are keeping an eye on her, but after the trip we brought fleas to the village. The vet recommended this particular remedy. It helped the first time. We are very pleased. I would also like to say about the consistency of the shampoo - a pleasant white color with a pearlescent tint.” Irina Mikhailovna.

Good and inexpensive

The most common shampoos with proven effectiveness:

Celandine

Insecticidal shampoo with active ingredient – ​​permethrin – 0.4%. Many components to protect and nourish the coat. Packaged in 180 ml. The shelf life is 3 years from the date of issue. The action is aimed at fleas, lice, lice.

• + Low toxic. Effective in one go. Has a pleasant smell.
• — Prohibited for use on pregnant and weakened dogs, as well as puppies under 8 weeks of age.

Lugovoy

Just like the previous shampoo, the action is based on permethrin. Available for dogs in three forms: “For dogs and cats” with chamomile, coltsfoot and calendula, “For dogs with short hair” with plantain, thyme, dandelion, lanolin and “For dogs with long hair” with St. John’s wort, sage and burdock root.

• + Low cost. Rarely causes an allergic reaction. Can be selected depending on the type of wool. Gives long-lasting protection.
• — Suitable for puppies only from 3 months.

Leopard

Refers to repellent shampoos. The active ingredients used are essential oils of lavender, costus, clove and pelargonium extract. It also has cleaning properties. The shelf life is 18 months from the date of production.

• + Can be used on puppies from an early age. Low cost.
• — Quite a pungent odor, ineffective in case of severe infestation.

Dana

The active ingredient is permethrin. But unlike “Clandestine” and “Lugovoi”, the effect extends not only to fleas, lice and lice, but also to ticks.

Intended for single use. It has 12 variations of drug packaging - from 50 to 400 ml. The shelf life from the date of production is 2 years.

• + Wide spectrum of action. Has long-lasting protection. According to reviews, it is one of the most effective shampoos.
• — Prohibited for puppies under 12 weeks and for pregnant dogs. It is necessary to keep it on the wool for a long time - from 5 to 7 minutes.

4 with a tail

Shampoo with repellent effect, based on natural citronella oil. The oil not only fights fleas and ticks, but also has a positive effect on the quality of the coat, smoothing it and making it shiny.

• + Allowed for young puppies. Has a pleasant aroma.
• — Better suited for prevention than for severe infestation.

Degtyarny

Tar-based medicinal shampoos for fleas and lice eaters are available from many manufacturers. In addition to their repellent effect, such products have a good effect on the condition of the skin, helping to relieve irritation and eliminate itching.

• + In addition to protecting against fleas, they are effective against various dermatoses. They have a low cost, varying depending on the manufacturer. Allowed for use on young puppies.
• - They have a specific smell. They don't foam very actively.

Bio-Groom Flea&Tick

It is a unique concentrate that provides lasting protection against fleas and lice, and also perfectly conditions the coat. The composition contains coconut oil, which increases the saturation of any colors. It must be diluted in proportions of 1:5.

• + Safe to use on puppies. It has comprehensive care and instant results in improving the quality of wool.
• - High price.

Doctor Zoo

100% natural ingredients: essential oils of thyme, rosemary, red pepper, sage, tea tree, bergamot and chamomile. Foams well and leaves behind a pleasant aroma.

• + Approved for use on puppies from the age of 2 weeks, as well as on pregnant and weakened dogs. Suitable for all types of wool. Low price.
• — Has no effect on ticks.

Review of the best flea shampoos

Sometimes choosing a suitable and effective shampoo against parasites for a dog is not possible the first time, but only after several experiments.

Rating of popular anti-flea shampoos:

1. Phytoelite is a good shampoo for adults and large pets, it contains permethrin, the substance is a powerful insecticide. The product rarely causes allergies, but veterinarians do not recommend using it for treating pregnant, lactating and weakened animals. Average price – 60–70 rubles.
2. Bim Fito shampoo is a popular product for killing parasites and preventing flea infestation. There are no chemical insecticidal substances in the composition, only natural plant ingredients, therefore, apart from individual intolerance, there are no other contraindications to the product. Price – 60–80 rub.
3. Dana is one of the few shampoos that has a long-term protective effect, reduces the risk of dandruff in animals, accelerates the healing process of small wounds on the skin, and gives the coat a pleasant smell. They produce a product for washing large pets and small dogs, puppies, the average price is 110–130 rubles.
4. Lugovoy shampoo – the line includes a product for pets with long or short hair, a universal product. The composition contains permethrin and plant extracts with a pronounced antiparasitic effect. Can be used for dogs over 1 year of age, not suitable for pregnant females. Average cost – 120–170 rubles.
5. Leopard is a natural remedy that contains extracts of lavender, cloves, costus and pelargonium, allantoin and glycerin. The product has a pronounced antiparasitic, antimycotic, bactericidal and moisturizing effect, improves the appearance of the coat, has no contraindications for age, and is safe for nursing and pregnant pets. Price – 160–170 rubles.

Among shampoos from different manufacturers, universal products are rarely found; there are hypoallergenic products for pets with long, thick or short hair, for large and small dogs.

Side effects

Specialized flea shampoos are low-hazard substances and even if they come into contact with mucous membranes, they do not cause significant irritation. The active substance remains only on the surface of the coat and does not penetrate the systemic bloodstream. Shampoo overdoses do not occur.

However, cases of individual intolerance to the components cannot be excluded. Outwardly, it will look like dry and irritated skin with redness. The dog may begin to itch, show anxiety, and possibly watery eyes.

In this case, you need to urgently rinse the shampoo off the surface of the coat with water and, if necessary, give your pet an antihistamine. It is worth noting that cases of intolerance are extremely rare.

How to use

To rid your animal of parasites, it is important to know how to properly wash your dog with flea shampoo. This kind of procedure is quite simple, but failure to follow some recommendations may lead to the lack of the desired result.

It is necessary to take into account the animal’s habits, its disposition, and behavioral characteristics . If the dog does not tolerate water well and is afraid to swim, you should not force him; you can resort to a number of some tricks, which are presented below.

Preparation

Before using flea shampoo, it is recommended to first comb the animal's fur. This measure will help remove a certain number of fleas and rid the animal of tangles, that is, clumps of matted fur. If you leave them, even the most effective shampoo will not be able to cope with fleas. If the fur is very matted, the tangles should be cut off.

You should not bathe your animal immediately after eating or on an empty stomach. Since adult dogs are fed twice a day, it is advisable to carry out water procedures between these two meals. You should not bathe a sick animal. Also, treatment will have to be postponed if there are flea scratches or wounds on the dog’s skin.

Bathing

Before washing your dog with flea shampoo, it is important to consider the animal's behavior.

If your dog does not tolerate water treatments well, flea repellent can be used as follows::

• Fill a small basin with water or put it in the bottom of the bathtub. Next, add the amount of anti-flea shampoo required for bathing the animal. You should know that each product has certain dosages, which should be calculated according to the dog’s age, size, and coat thickness. After obtaining a thick foam, thoroughly treat the dog's fur with it, and then rinse carefully using a warm shower.
• If bathing is to your pet’s taste, treatment can be carried out as follows: first, you should thoroughly wet the animal’s fur, using a shower or filling a bathtub with water. Next, lightly foam the amount of detergent required according to the instructions in your palms, then apply it to the wool and rinse it thoroughly. Afterwards, it is important to rinse off the foam completely.

It is not recommended to leave foam on the animal, as the use of insecticides can lead to poisoning of the dog.

Procedures after swimming

Equally important are the measures taken after bathing the dog. To prevent re-infection, you need to completely replace your pet’s bedding, in which hordes of blood-sucking creatures may well nest. If this is not possible, you need to boil the litter and then freeze it outside for several hours. However, the best option is replacement.

If possible, it is recommended to limit the animal’s contact with stray brothers. It is these dogs that are often sources of infection in healthy pets. It is periodically recommended to use any mild shampoo to prevent the appearance of parasites in your pet.

Reviews

Owners

“Children often bring picked up kittens or puppies from the street. And we always try to place them in families. In homeless animals, the issue of fleas is especially acute; sometimes puppies are simply swarming with them. Therefore, what we immediately do is bathe it with flea shampoo.

The effect is noticeable after the first use. I really like the variety of options, including series specifically for young children.”

Olga Novikova, owner of a mongrel dog.

“I am the owner of a Dalmatian dog. In the summer, we constantly go with the whole family to the dacha and our pet Chris always accompanies us. One of his favorite activities is lying on the grass. That's where he most likely picked up the fleas. Since he sleeps in the house both on the bed and on chairs, the absence of fleas is extremely important for us.

We decided to wash him with Lugovoi flea shampoo. I was very worried that it wouldn’t work right away, but no! On the same day, the itching stopped and the fleas were forgotten until the end of the season.”

Ekaterina Zubova, owner of the Dalmatian breed.

Veterinarians

“Flea shampoo is an essential product in the home of any dog ​​owner. It is the most gentle and can be used as first aid when detecting fleas. If the dog is washed frequently, other anti-flea agents will be washed off and thus the protection period will be shortened.

In the case of using shampoos, it is possible to combine two actions into one - tidying the coat and preventing fleas. Most of them are made with herbs and have a pleasant smell of meadow grass. The deodorizing effect lasts for a long time.”

Marina Rudakova, veterinarian.

What to choose: shampoo or flea drops

Different substances fight parasites in different ways. There are insecticides that kill parasites and help the dog get rid of them, and repellents that repel fleas and ticks and provide a preventive effect. Shampoos and drops are especially popular in form.

• Shampoo is usually used when the animal is already infested as a quick and effective way to get rid of all the fleas at once. Keeping the pet is also important: if the dog likes to walk and spends a lot of time in the fresh air, more concentrated and long-lasting drops on the withers will do a better job, and if we are talking about a lap dog that rarely walks, shampoo will also help.
• Flea shampoo is great for those who frequently bathe their dogs. Detergents dissolve and wash away the fatty lubricant of the hair, which is where insectoacaricidal substances from drops or sprays are contained. Dog flea shampoos have a short-term residual effect, and a day or two after washing will repel blood-sucking arthropods. And then it will be possible to resume protection with concentrated means.
• The shampoo is perfect if you are picking up a dog from the dacha and have found and decided to adopt a stray puppy. Flea shampoo is highly effective if you decide to wash a rug or bedding, a dog hammock or a seat cover. Then the item must first be soaked in the solution, and only then washed. You can also use shampoo to wash floors in case of flea infestation.

Benefits of using shampoos

Its effect is due not only to the insecticide it contains, but also to the property of the foam to bind parasites , slowing down their movement and making their shell wet, which allows the toxic substance to penetrate inside the insect .

Shampoos completely rid dogs of existing parasites . If your pet does not come into contact with infected animals, there is no need to use other means. For those dogs whose lifestyle is more active, it will be a preliminary means of getting rid of fleas. After bathing, he will need to wear a special collar to minimize the risk of reinfection.

At the same time, shampoos are harmless to the animal itself . In addition, they contain caring components, making the dog’s coat soft and beautiful after bathing. They do not irritate the skin and do not cause allergies.

On a note ! Another advantage against fleas is its low cost.