Hartz Dog Shampoo Review 2023 – Pros, Cons, & Final Verdict

Review Summary

If your dog has a problem with fleas or lives in an area with a high tick risk, a flea-guard shampoo is one of the most common ways to prevent it. Hartz Dog Shampoo is a popular brand with many different products, but their most popular shampoo line is their UltraGuard shampoo. This review looks at Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo, but many of the points discussed here are relevant to other Hartz UltraGuard products.

Overall, we found Hartz Dog Shampoo to be a high-quality product that is effective at removing ticks and fleas and preventing future infestations. Compared to other similar shampoos, Hartz Shampoo gives a lot of quality and effectiveness for the price, and the addition of oatmeal to the shampoo helps it soothe bug bites or irritated skin, adding an additional layer of protection. However, the biggest drawback to Hartz Dog Shampoo is that, like all chemical flea-protection shampoos, a small percentage of dogs will have a reaction to the shampoo. Although the toxicity of Hartz Shampoos is low, if your dog is sensitive to the shampoo, the possible side effects of using Hartz Shampoo over time are serious. For this reason, caution should be used in monitoring for symptoms of a reaction, and some owners may prefer to avoid flea and tick shampoos all together.

Hartz Dog Shampoo—A Quick Look

Specifications

Pest Control

The most important purpose of Hartz Dog Shampoo is to treat and prevent pest infestations such as fleas or ticks. Hartz dog shampoo is a pesticide-based formula. This means that it uses a mild poison to destroy fleas, ticks, and flea eggs without posing a major risk to larger animals like dogs. Pesticide-based formulas are highly effective at destroying and preventing fleas, and most effective flea treatments use some form of pesticide. However, pesticides should be used with caution, so you should always follow the directions on Hartz Dog Shampoo directly and stop using it if you see signs of a reaction.

Soothing Formula

Although the primary purpose of Hartz Shampoo is pest control, part of what sets it apart is its functionality as a shampoo. One of the primary ingredients in this shampoo is oatmeal, which is a natural ingredient with many purposes. It helps smooth and moisturize fur, treat dry skin, and soothe irritating bug bites. These functions are important in helping your dog feel healthy and have a healthy skin and coat. Reviews suggest that most owners are happy with the ability of Hartz Dog Shampoo to clean fur.

Safety

Hartz Dog Shampoo is a pesticide-containing shampoo, and that means that it will always carry an inherent risk. A small percentage of dogs will have a reaction to the shampoo. These reactions can include inflammation and skin irritation. If use continues over time in sensitive dogs, there is a possibility of major complications, including an increased risk of epilepsy and seizures. These problems are significant; however, they are rare side effects. Although Hartz Dog Shampoo is the most popular brand of flea shampoo, less than 5% of EPA complaints related to flea products were related to the Hartz Brand. This shows that Hartz Dog Shampoos, although not risk-free, are much safer than average.

We recommend using flea and tick shampoos occasionally if your dog is likely to encounter pests, but for dogs who stay mostly indoors or in cultivated areas, a strong pesticide may not be necessary. If you choose to use this shampoo, always follow safety instructions, including monitoring for adverse reactions and keeping the product clear of your dog’s eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What danger do fleas and ticks pose to dogs?

Fleas and ticks pose a serious threat to canine health. Some of the most common illnesses associated with flea and tick bites include Flea-bite Anemia, Lyme disease, Babesiosis, Tapeworms, Anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. In addition, flea or tick bites can cause serious discomfort even if there is no disease and flea infestations can spread to humans from dogs.

Does Hartz Dog Shampoo pose a threat to the environment?

Pesticides are a major cause of pollution, and Hartz Dog Shampoos can have an adverse effect on aquatic life. Although the quantity of pesticide in a bottle of shampoo is small, it’s still recommended to dispose of shampoo in a way that keeps it from entering your local rivers, lakes, and other water sources.

How else can fleas and ticks be prevented?

There are many different flea and tick products on the market. Some of the most common products are flea collars, oral or topical medications, and flea shampoos. Flea collars are more likely to fail but also more likely to cause side effects. Medications vary widely in effectiveness and risk, but most medications are given only after infestation has occurred. Another option is to minimize contamination risks by keeping your dog leashed and avoiding unknown dogs and areas where ticks are common.

What the Users Say

Overall, user ratings for Hartz Dog Shampoo are high. Many users report an immediate decrease in fleas and ticks, with some being completely gone in one treatment and others requiring 2–3 weeks’ worth of bathing. Most users say that the smell and texture of the shampoo are pleasant and that their dogs like bathing with the shampoo just as much as they like bathing without it.

Last Thoughts

Overall, the reviews and available data show that Hartz Dog Shampoo is a great option for most dog owners. It is highly effective at treating and preventing fleas and ticks, and its other ingredients help support it in making it an effective and easy-to-use shampoo. However, all flea and tick shampoos have an inherent level of risk, so new users should use caution to make sure their dog doesn’t have serious reactions. When used with proper precautions, Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is highly recommended.