We all love our dogs and want the best for them.

One of the important decisions to make is what products to use for the important job of flea and tick control.

Did you know?

Depending on where you live, fleas and ticks are not only a nuisance, they can be carriers of dangerous diseases for both you and your pet.

One option for pest control are flea sprays. There are spray formulas designed for use directly on your pet, inside on carpet and bedding, and even outside for use in the yard or garden.

The best part is...

Because of this multi-tiered approach, sprays may be your best bet in the event that you already have an established infestation in your home.

Special Note for Cat Owners

We want to make sure you have the best information to make informed decisions about what pet products are right for your family.

When it comes to flea and tick control, it can get complicated if you have a multiple pet household that includes cats.

Please read our caution to cat owners if this applies to you, before deciding on the right flea spray for your dog. You can find it at the bottom of this page.

Best Flea Spray for Dogs (Direct Application)

Direct application techniques with flea control sprays are one of the fastest ways to give your beloved pet some relief from these biting parasites.

Be sure to follow the directions carefully. One downside of these products is that it is possible to overdose your pet if you are not careful.

Always work from the head to the tail, so fleas will not seek harbor in your dog’s ears.

In fact, spray a little of the product on your hand (use a latex glove) and rub a little to the outside of the ears and around sensitive areas to get started. Then work the product back to the tail area.

Consider using a flea comb in combination with your treatments, which you should try to do outside for better ventilation.

This will help both distribute the product evenly, as well as pull dead fleas and eggs from their skin and fur.

Medicated Pick

This is our top medicated pick for direct application for three main reasons:

First, it is extremely effective against fleas and ticks, stopping an infestation quickly.

Second, it kills fleas and ticks as well as flea larvae – and protects for up to two months after application.

Third, the broad-spectrum pesticides used in this formula are also extremely effective against lice, flies, mosquitos and gnats.

This is also a formula that offers repelling properties, helping to make sure your dog does not bring these pesky parasites into the house. It does have a bit of a medicinal odor, but it will dissipate after a few days of application.

Although it is labeled for safe use directly on dogs, horses and cats, we recommend you talk to your vet before using this product on cats. Some can have strong and even deadly reactions to Pyrethrins, an active ingredient in this formula.

All-Natural Pick

We here at Wiley Pup are pretty big fans of the Wondercide line of all-natural pet products, and this direct application flea and tick spray for dogs is no exception.

The company is family owned and operated and made in the USA. They have a strong commitment to sourcing quality, human-grade ingredients in their safe and effective formulas.

Although the product is marked as safe for cats, we urge you to check with your vet before directly applying to a cat since this product does contain cedar oil, which some felines can be sensitive to.

In addition, carefully follow dosing instructions.

For best results, use this product in combination with a flea comb to try to get rid of any flea eggs while you are doing your treatments.

Another standout feature of the Wondercide line of products is that they have a delightful smell and come in a variety of different essential oil combinations to choose from, depending on your preferences.

Check out Lemongrass, Rosemary, Cedar, and Peppermint.

Bargain Pick

Adams offers one of the best choices for an inexpensive flea and tick spray for dogs.

If budget is your number one concern, we encourage you to consider this pick for your flea control needs. It is well rated for effectiveness and a popular choice among customers.

This product both kills adult fleas and ticks, as well as their eggs and larvae. This disrupts the complete lifecycle, giving your pet the protection, they deserve.

However, although this product can provide up to 2 months of protection, you will likely find you need to apply it more often to keep fleas completely under control.

This spray also helps to repel mosquitos, a much-needed relief in humid areas.

The main downside of this spray is that it definitely has a bit of an odor. Put it on outside and give it a day or two before the smell goes completely away.  

Best Flea Spray for Home and Furniture

This category includes the top rated flea spray for the house. If you find yourself with a flea infestation in your home, unfortunately, it can be a real chore to get rid of these nasty parasites.

They lay eggs deep in the carpet and upholstery, meaning that just killing the adult fleas won’t be enough.

Plan to repeat the use of these sprays (read package directions for instructions for safe use of each product).

You will also need to vacuum flooring and wash your dog’s bedding more or less daily until the infestation is under control.

Our review includes the top flea spray for treating inside the home in the following three categories:

• Medicated Pick
• All-Natural Pick
• Bargain Pick

Medicated Pick

This is a very effective product for killing fleas and ticks.

Due to the penetrating formula and aerosol spray, this is one of the greatest flea sprays for carpets on the market.

The non-greasy, water-based formula will get deep into upholstery, rugs, and bedding, continuing to kill on contact for months and preventing reinfestation.

In addition, the formula contains pesticides that will kill adult fleas, as well as growth inhibitors that will destroy larvae.

Since the entire life stage of the flea is targeted, this product is effective even against serious infestations. It kills adult fleas within 10 minutes of contact.

Consider this Armageddon-In-A-Can for those nasty little buggers!

All-Natural Pick

If you are looking for flea control in the house that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, we love this all-natural product by Vet’s Best. This extremely popular flea spray for the home gets strong customer reviews for effectiveness.

Unlike some natural flea and tick sprays which only repel these nasty critters, this product actually kills fleas, flea eggs and ticks on contact.

The primary active ingredients are clove and peppermint essential oils which have long been known as effective insecticides, despite being plant based.

Be advised, however, that some cats can have a severe negative reaction to these essential oils so those with multi-pet households should consult their vet before using this product.

Bargain Pick

If you are looking to find an inexpensive flea spray for home and furniture, this is our top selection in that category.

Adam’s is a long-trusted name in the pet care industry. This spray works to kill fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and even bed bugs.

You may need to reapply a few times and vacuum several times if you have a severe flea problem in your home. Spray it on bedding, carpets and rugs if you are trying to stop an already established flea problem.

This is a non-greasy and non-staining formula, so it is safe to use on all fabrics.

Once you get your flea problem under control, you will get up to 7 months of protection against reinfestation when used as directed. Reapply each 6 months to make sure you continue to protect against fleas and their larvae.

Another advantage of going with this bargain friendly choice?

There are a variety of other products by Adams that are safe to use in conjunction with their fleas spray for home and furniture, including shampoo, collars, and spot treatments.

Top Rated Flea Treatment Spray for the Yard

There are a few considerations before using a flea control spray yards, lawn or garden. The first is to try to be careful about where you apply the product.

Ingesting large amounts of pesticides, even those safe at smaller doses, could be harmful to your pet.

Try to target areas where fleas might enter the home, such as around doors, the garage or patios. These are the most important places to have the most protection to keep these buggers from getting indoors.

Finally, all pesticide are extremely toxic to aquatic life as well as birds and bee health.

Use sparingly, only as needed, and away from your ponds, creeks and streams.

Medicated Pick

This product is actually marketed for agricultural applications, offering strong outdoor protection for large outdoor areas including stables, kennels and yards.

The powerful formula offers a full 10% permethrin, a powerful insecticide. This is an extremely effective product, best used for controlling a major flea infestation.

Because it is designed for outdoor use, you can easily apply to a huge area, including your yard and garden.

In addition to killing fleas, flea eggs and ticks, it also protects against most types of flies such as horn, house, face and stable flies. It kills lice, mites, ants and mosquitos as well.

However, do be advised that this is very serious pesticide. You should closely follow the instructions for safe. This product must be diluted to safely use for insect control outside of the home.

Never use this product directly on your dog, or in the house.

Another thing to be careful about with this, or any, outdoor insecticide is that aquatic life is extremely sensitive to these toxins.

If you happen to have a small pond or water feature on your property, a tiny bit of this product could easily devastate the fish population.

All-Natural Pick

Bargain Pick

Conclusion: Top Rated Flea Spray

We hope this guide has been helpful for our readers to find the best flea and tick spray products for their pets, indoor and outdoor use. Remember that it is often not enough to use just one product. If you have a full-on infestation, you may need to use all three to get it under control.