The Best Flea Sprays for Dogs

There's a reason that fleas are called pests. They're annoying, itchy, and painful. And they multiply – fast. In only one month's time, 25 fleas can multiply into 250,000 fleas. And they end up everywhere your dog goes, so potentially all over your house. That's not a good scenario for anyone. Of the various flea-fighting options out there, the flea spray is an effective and easy-to-use option. You can spray it on your dog, as well as on any furniture, rugs, etc. that they touch. So, unlike injections or pills, flea spray can be used to kill not just the fleas on your dog, but the fleas anywhere in your house, as well. You want a flea spray that is effective, as well as safe to use. All of the flea sprays we reviewed kill ticks as well. Read on for our reviews of the best flea sprays for dogs on the market today.

What to Look For

We kept the following three things in mind while searching for the best flea sprays on the market: Does it use natural or chemical-based ingredients to eliminate fleas? Is it also effective against ticks or other pests? How long does it take to see results? Our favorite was the flea spay from Vet’s Best, which uses a plant-based formula to kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. We also really liked the flea spray from Adams, which is safe to use on household furniture and kills fleas on contact. Read on to learn more about our top picks and why we liked them so much.

Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Spray

Plant power

This plant-based formula kills fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes without harsh chemicals.
Best Overall

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For an effective plant-based flea spray, pick up this spray from Vet’s Best. Vet’s Best has been making these kinds of pet products for 30 years and have developed a winning formula to combat fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. This combination of essential oils, water, and other plant-based ingredients is 100% certified natural, so you can be sure you are not harming your dog or your family when you use this spray. It works best to spray directly on your dog and massage through the fur and into the skin. But it also works to spray on furniture, such as couches, beds, and carpets. Since it’s water-based, it won’t stain. It’s made in the USA and independently tested to validate that it does kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.

Pros

  • 100% certified natural, plant-based ingredients
  • Independently tested

Cons

  • Strong smell

Wondercide Natural Flea and Tick Killer

The unprejudiced killer

This all-natural spray has been proven to get rid of most fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
Runner Up

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For another all-natural spray that kills fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, try this spray from Wondercide. It comes in four essential oil flavors: Cedar, Lemongrass, Rosemary, and Peppermint. They are all aromatherapy grade, so pick the scent you like best. They all have been proven to eliminate  98-100% of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. They don’t just kill the adult bugs but the eggs and larvae too. Spray and rub all over your dog’s body – as well as any furniture or surfaces your dog has touched – and get rid of those annoying pests.

Pros

  • 4 essential oil flavors
  • Eliminate 98-100% of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes

Cons

  • Lemongrass flavor has color that may temporarily affect what you spray it on but washes out

Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray

The kiss of death

This powerful spray not only kills fleas and ticks, but also prevents them from coming back for up to two months.
Best Preventative

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Adams has been selling flea spray for decades, and they’re still in business, so clearly they’re doing something right. This spray not only kills ticks, fleas, eggs, larvae, but it prevents fleas for two months. It does that with a powerful ingredient that is an Insect Growth Regulator. This is excellent so you’re not always playing from behind when it comes to the flea-stopping game. But you can actually get out ahead of them. This is a chemical spray; it is not an all-natural, plant-based spray. It works though. And if your dog and you are being plagued by fleas, you need something that works.

Pros

  • Kills ticks, fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, and repels mosquitoes
  • Insect Growth Regulator prevents fleas for 2 months

Cons

  • Chemical-based
  • Unpleasant odor

Hartz Flea & Tick Spray

Ticked off

This effective spray kills fleas and ticks for seven days and has aloe to soothe your dog's skin.
Best For Ticks

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For another strong, effective chemical-based spray, check out this spray from Hartz. This one seems to work better on ticks, killing them almost immediately. So if ticks are your main problem, we recommend this spray. It kills fleas as well; it just seems to take a few more minutes. But then after the initial spraying down of your dog, any fleas or ticks that try to join the party for the next seven days will meet their untimely demise. This spray also keeps flea eggs from hatching for one month. Though it is chemical-based, this spray does have aloe in it to relieve your dog’s itchy skin.

Pros

  • Aloe soothes itchy skin
  • Kills fleas and ticks for 7 days

Cons

  • Chemical-based

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use flea spray?

Spray it generously all over your dog’s coat and then rub it into their skin. For their face, spray it onto your hand and then rub it carefully and methodically into their face, so you don’t spray them in the eyes or mouth. Then spray it in their bedding and any furniture, floors, or surfaces they touch. Respray regularly, according to the instructions on the label.

Is flea spray safe to use on puppies?

Read the product warnings on each spray to see what they say. It is generally recommended not to use flea sprays – particularly the chemical-based sprays – on puppies less than 3 months old.

Can I use flea spray on cats?

Check the product page for the spray you want. Some sprays are made for both dogs and cats, but some are only for dogs; some are only for cats.  Most companies that make dog-only sprays also make cat-only sprays.

About the Author

A self-proclaimed dog person, Eugene grew up with several pooches and is looking to adopt a new one. He knows that not all pets are the same, so he wants to make it easier for owners to find products that are just right for their furry friends. Eugene is also an avid outdoorsman and enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, and hiking.

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