Flea shampoos often have pyrethrin in them, which is an insecticide derivative from the chrysanthemum, and are effective for killing insects. Pyrethrin by itself usually won't kill fleas and ticks, but will temporarily incapacitate them. Pyrethrin is usually used in combination with some other chemical; however, when using any pesticide you need to be aware of the potential side effects. Some animals are extremely sensitive to chemicals and you need to be ready to wash it off immediately if you see any symptoms such as excessive drooling, neurological symptoms such as jerking, or behavior that is otherwise out of character.

In addition, these chemicals have the potential to poison you. When the label says to wear rubber gloves before applying to animals, and has warning labels on it about contact with your skin, you have to wonder why, if it's that harmful to you, you are putting it on your pet.

The movement now is toward safer, more natural products such as d-limonene, which is citrus oil that kills bugs. There are also herbal flea shampoos that contain ingredients such as oils of orange, cedar wood, citronella, eucalyptus, and neem oil. These are safer for you and for the pet, although anyone or any pet can have a reaction to any sort of chemical.

With the spot-on products of today, such as Advantage® and Frontline Plus®, there really should be no need to use flea and tick shampoos on the dog. Shampooing will also wash away the skin oils in which the active ingredient is dispersed. Be sure to read the product directions regarding bathing dogs that have spot-on products applied.

Any good degreasing shampoo, or even dish soap diluted fifty-fifty with water, put on a dog's dry coat and left for about ten minutes should kill any fleas or ticks on the pet, without the after effects of the pesticides. Be sure to rinse very well afterward and use a good conditioner because these products dry out the hair as well as the fleas' exoskeleton.