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I recommend this product
5 Stars
This one was okay not broke at the lid or leaking.
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Protect Shampoo | Protect Home Spray
Rated 5.0 out of 5
Protect Your Pet From The Misery Of Fleas & Ticks
You know how painfully itchy a single bug bite can be.
Now imagine what it’s like for dogs dealing with hundreds or even thousands of bites – for weeks or even months on end! Not to mention the endless irritation of bugs crawling through their fur, biting into their flesh, sucking their blood, and laying hundreds of eggs all over their bodies.
If that’s an unpleasant thought, imagine how our poor dogs feel when they’re LIVING it!
Thankfully, there’s an all-natural veterinarian-strength remedy that kills fleas, eggs, and larvae on contact and creates a protective barrier that repels insects, and keeps your pet happily free of bug bites – without using harsh soaps, detergents, chemicals or toxins.
VetSmart Formulas plant-based PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray are backed by research and proven to eliminate fleas and ticks, soothe your pet’s irritated skin, keep their coat thick and shiny, and protect them from insects – even at the height of flea and tick season.
And they are perfectly safe to use on your pet, furniture, carpets, and bedding all year round!
How our proprietary plant-based formula works
Too many flea or tick treatments contain harsh chemicals such as DEET and other possible carcinogens. When dealing with an infestation, concerned pet owners may even resort to using “bug bombs” or calling the exterminator!
But there’s no need to risk your pet’s health or yours by spraying toxic insecticides all over your home. VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray contain only pet-safe essential oils and other plant-based ingredients that bring instant relief to your dog while destroying 98-100% of all fleas and ticks it comes into contact with.
Safe for dogs with sensitive skin and allergies
VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Dog Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray are both soap and detergent-free, so the natural oils of your pet’s coat and skin won’t be stripped.
Unlike other conventional anti-pest treatments, our products contain ZERO:
- Artificial ingredients, colors, or fragrances
- Harsh chemicals or pesticides
- Alcohol
- Parabens
- Animal by-products
Only plant-based, non-toxic natural ingredients that will prevent dry, itchy, and flaky skin and soothe and revitalize your pet’s skin and coat. You’ll love the fresh, natural scent!
Act now to protect your pet and home
A single flea can lay up to 50 eggs a DAY – and live up to 3 months long! By shampooing your dog regularly with VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo and spraying with VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Home + Dog spray before you take them outside during flea and tick season, you can eliminate flea infestations and other pest problems before they happen.
VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo + Spray is made entirely of plant-based ingredients that are non-toxic to your pets but deadly to fleas, ticks, and many other types of insects that may bite or irritate your pet.
And if you can’t protect your pet BEFORE it gets that first flea or tick bite, the next best thing to do is to take immediate action by spraying or shampooing your pet and then spraying your entire home every day until every last flea is gone.
Why use vetsmart formulas protect shampoo and home + dog spray instead of a commercial flea treatment?
When a dog has fleas or ticks, a responsible pet owner will do whatever it takes to eliminate the infestation and give their pet relief. Often that involves using a conventional flea treatment such as an oral anti-flea supplement or a topically applied remedy, such as commercial flea shampoos, sprays, collars, or “spot ” treatments.
But some pets who are given oral anti-flea treatments may experience adverse reactions such as vomiting and skin irritation, particularly if they are on it for a long time (because the fleas keep coming back or never really go away).
Many commercial flea shampoos, sprays, collars, and “spot” treatments (where the treatment is applied directly to the skin, usually between the pet’s shoulders) contain toxic chemicals and have been linked to adverse reactions, including muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures. In fact, in just one year, the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) received over 44,000 complaints from people whose pets experienced adverse reactions to topical flea treatments! Don’t let your beloved dog be the next victim to adverse reactions!
VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray includes only plant-based ingredients that have been researched for years and are proven to work but are completely safe for pets. They are soap-free and detergent-free so they won’t strip the natural oils from your pet’s skin and coat, and they include natural moisturizers that condition, soothe and prevent dry, itchy, skin. And they’re safe for dogs with allergies!
Protect dog shampoo & spray
- 100% risk-free and safe
- 30-day Money Back Guarantee
Additional information
Don’t Mess With Fleas And TicksVetSmart Has More Natural Oils Than The Others
PROTECT Dog Shampoo and Spray are 100% safe to use and have NO side effects often associated with over-the-counter anti-flea and pest treatments. They are safe for dogs with allergies.
- No artificial colors
- No artificial ingredients
- Alcohol-free
Protect Shampoo | Protect Home Spray
Sale price$14.95 USD
Regular price (/)
Rated 5.0 out of 5
Protect Your Pet From The Misery Of Fleas & Ticks
You know how painfully itchy a single bug bite can be.
Now imagine what it’s like for dogs dealing with hundreds or even thousands of bites – for weeks or even months on end! Not to mention the endless irritation of bugs crawling through their fur, biting into their flesh, sucking their blood, and laying hundreds of eggs all over their bodies.
If that’s an unpleasant thought, imagine how our poor dogs feel when they’re LIVING it!
Thankfully, there’s an all-natural veterinarian-strength remedy that kills fleas, eggs, and larvae on contact and creates a protective barrier that repels insects, and keeps your pet happily free of bug bites – without using harsh soaps, detergents, chemicals or toxins.
VetSmart Formulas plant-based PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray are backed by research and proven to eliminate fleas and ticks, soothe your pet’s irritated skin, keep their coat thick and shiny, and protect them from insects – even at the height of flea and tick season.
And they are perfectly safe to use on your pet, furniture, carpets, and bedding all year round!
ORDER NOWWhere you have seen us
How Our Proprietary Plant-Based Formula Works
Too many flea or tick treatments contain harsh chemicals such as DEET and other possible carcinogens. When dealing with an infestation, concerned pet owners may even resort to using “bug bombs” or calling the exterminator!
But there’s no need to risk your pet’s health or yours by spraying toxic insecticides all over your home. VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray contain only pet-safe essential oils and other plant-based ingredients that bring instant relief to your dog while destroying 98-100% of all fleas and ticks it comes into contact with.
Safe For Dogs With Sensitive Skin And Allergies
VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Dog Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray are both soap and detergent-free, so the natural oils of your pet’s coat and skin won’t be stripped.
Unlike other conventional anti-pest treatments, our products contain ZERO:
- Artificial ingredients, colors, or fragrances
- Harsh chemicals or pesticides
- Alcohol
- Parabens
- Animal by-products
Only plant-based, non-toxic natural ingredients that will prevent dry, itchy, and flaky skin and soothe and revitalize your pet’s skin and coat. You’ll love the fresh, natural scent!
Made With The Highest Quality Natural Ingredients
Don’t Mess With Fleas And TicksVetSmart Has More Natural Oils Than The Others
PROTECT Dog Shampoo and Spray are 100% safe to use and have NO side effects often associated with over-the-counter anti-flea and pest treatments. They are safe for dogs with allergies.
-
No artificial colors 
No artificial ingredients
Alcohol-free
Act Now To Protect Your Pet And Home
A single flea can lay up to 50 eggs a DAY – and live up to 3 months long! By shampooing your dog regularly with VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo and spraying with VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Home + Dog spray before you take them outside during flea and tick season, you can eliminate flea infestations and other pest problems before they happen.
VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo + Spray is made entirely of plant-based ingredients that are non-toxic to your pets but deadly to fleas, ticks, and many other types of insects that may bite or irritate your pet.
And if you can’t protect your pet BEFORE it gets that first flea or tick bite, the next best thing to do is to take immediate action by spraying or shampooing your pet and then spraying your entire home every day until every last flea is gone.
THE SECRET TO MAKING SURE FLEAS *STAY* GONE
For every flea you see on your dog, nine more are hiding out of sight in your home. Even when you think that you’ve gotten rid of them all, hundreds or thousands more can be lying dormant in your carpet and bedding or on your furniture, waiting for warm weather to return. (Or for you to crank up the heat in your home!)
In order to rid your dig and home of fleas for good, it is critical for you to break the life cycle and ensure no more eggs get laid – and that those that exist in your home are destroyed before they hatch into larvae.
That’s why, for best results, we recommend that responsible pet owners use both the shampoo and the spray to protect their pets and homes.
Why Use VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo And Home + Dog Spray Instead Of A Commercial Flea Treatment?
When a dog has fleas or ticks, a responsible pet owner will do whatever it takes to eliminate the infestation and give their pet relief. Often that involves using a conventional flea treatment such as an oral anti-flea supplement or a topically applied remedy, such as commercial flea shampoos, sprays, collars, or “spot ” treatments.
But some pets who are given oral anti-flea treatments may experience adverse reactions such as vomiting and skin irritation, particularly if they are on it for a long time (because the fleas keep coming back or never really go away).
Many commercial flea shampoos, sprays, collars, and “spot” treatments (where the treatment is applied directly to the skin, usually between the pet’s shoulders) contain toxic chemicals and have been linked to adverse reactions, including muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures. In fact, in just one year, the US FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) received over 44,000 complaints from people whose pets experienced adverse reactions to topical flea treatments! Don’t let your beloved dog be the next victim to adverse reactions!
VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray includes only plant-based ingredients that have been researched for years and are proven to work but are completely safe for pets. They are soap-free and detergent-free so they won’t strip the natural oils from your pet’s skin and coat, and they include natural moisturizers that condition, soothe and prevent dry, itchy, skin. And they’re safe for dogs with allergies!
Ingredients & Usage Direction:
PROTECT Dog Shampoo & Spray
- 100% risk-free and safe
- 30-day Money Back Guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use our Protect products?
Protect Dog Shampoo:
Shake well before each use to mix the essential oils with the other natural liquid ingredients. Wet coat with warm water to ensure penetration through skin. Work shampoo into fur and lather from head to hind quarters, being sure to keep the product away from your dog’s eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Let the lather stand for 2-4 minutes then rinse thoroughly until water is free of suds. Towel dry. Do not use more than every 3 days unless your veterinarian approves.
Protect Home + Dog Spray:
Shake well before each use to mix the essential oils with the other natural liquid ingredients. Spray on dog bedding, carpets, car interiors and other areas that may be infested. You may also use on your dog’s coat by rubbing the fur in the opposite direction from the fur growth to expose skin, then spray and rub in. Keep away from your and your dog’s eyes, nose, mouth and ears and do not put excessive amounts of product on skin or fur. Do not use more than every 3 days unless your veterinarian approves.
What is the pH for the Protect Dog Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray?
Both Protect Dog Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray are pH neutral. They are tested regularly, and pH range is 6-7.
Can I use VetSmart Formulas Protect products on my cat?
These products are uniquely formulated for dogs and should NOT be used on cats.
Will the Dog + Home Spray stain my fabrics in my house?
Typically not. However, this product does contain natural oils so we recommend that you test on inconspicuous fabrics and surfaces before use, just to be sure.
My dog has sensitive skin and allergies. Are these products safe for them?
These products are formulated with dogs with sensitive skin and allergies. They are soap-free and do not contain harsh detergents or parabens. We always recommend that you test this product (or any products) for possible allergic reactions with a small amount and observe for 24 hours. If any sensitivities occur, bath your pet with a mild soap and rinse with plenty of water. Consult with your veterinarian as required.
Why can I only use these products every three days?
VetSmart Formulas Protect is Veterinarian Strength and formulated to be used no more than every three days. However, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent treatments in certain cases.
My pets are indoors only. Why would they need this product?
Just because your pets stay indoors doesn’t mean that bugs do! Fleas, ticks, and other insects can be tracked in on people’s clothing and shoes or sneak in when the door is open for just a moment. And it only takes one pregnant insect to launch an infestation. The best way to protect your pet and your home during flea season is to take preventative action with an anti-pest shampoo and spray.
What are the main ingredients of the Protect products?
The main ingredients of VetSmart Formulas PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray are cedarwood oil, rosemary oil, lemongrass oil, argan oil (for the shampoo), deionized water, and a proprietary blend of coconut oil, coconut extract, aloe, and vitamins A, B, D, and E. Please refer to the product label for more information.
How much product do I need?
For the shampoo, it depends on how many pets you have, how big they are, how long their fur is, and how often you shampoo them. For the spray, it is similar and you also want to consider how many areas and the size of the areas you are treating. Generally speaking, though, one 8-ounce bottle of each product typically lasts 4-6 weeks during flea season, depending on your needs. During the fall, winter, and early spring, your bottle may last longer.
What is the difference between the shampoo and spray?
The shampoo is meant to be worked deep into your pet’s fur, left to stand for 2-4 minutes, and then thoroughly rinsed off of your pet. This will kill any adult insects, eggs, and larvae on contact and help protect your pet from future bites and infestations. When you are battling a flea infestation in your home, we recommend you re-apply the shampoo every three days.
The spray is meant to be sprayed directly into your pet’s fur and then left there. It is also meant for use on your furniture, carpets, and bed - wherever fleas, eggs, and larvae might be hiding. It will kill adult insects and eliminate eggs and larvae while wet and then form a barrier that will repel any insects your pet may encounter outdoors or inside your home.
What is the shelf life of this product?
PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray both have a shelf life of five years.
What happens if my dog ingests the product by licking it off its fur?
PROTECT Shampoo and Home + Dog Spray are made of plant-based, non-toxic ingredients and are perfectly safe for your dog.
Is this product safe for use with puppies?
We recommend these products for use with dogs 18 months and older.
Does the product work to kill and repel other insects, such as spiders, wasps, or bees?
Yes! Feel free to let your pets roam outside, secure in the knowledge they are protected from any creepy-crawlies they might encounter on their travels.
Is cedarwood oil toxic to dogs?
Cedarwood oil is safe for dogs.
Can I use this product with other over-the-counter or prescription flea treatments?
Yes, you can, although we recommend you discuss this with your veterinarian to make sure.
Can I use this product all year long?
Yes, absolutely! Our Protect products are designed for year round use. In fact, we encourage you to do so. Flea eggs can lie dormant in your carpet, bedding, and furniture for months, which means a single warm spell (or someone turning up the heat too high in the winter) can trigger them to hatch. The best way to ensure your pet stays protected year round is to use our products year round. Not only will the spray protect your pet and home from insects, our shampoo will condition your pet’s skin and coat and leave their fur shiny and soft. Plus, your home will smell great!
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Protect Shampoo and Protect Home + Dog Spray are for dogs only. Keep cats away from treated dogs and sprayed surfaces until dry.
Research and references Peer-reviewed studies on the ingredients, with links to PubMed
Protect Shampoo and Protect Home + Dog Spray are plant-based flea and tick products for dogs made with cedarwood oil, rosemary oil and lemongrass oil in a conditioning base of coconut, argan and aloe. Below is the independent research on those oils and on botanical flea and tick control, with the test system each study used. For dogs only; keep cats away from treated dogs and sprayed surfaces until dry.
Cedarwood oil
Cedarwood oil has been studied by USDA Agricultural Research Service entomologists. Juniperus virginiana cedarwood oil repelled the brown dog tick, the blacklegged tick and the American dog tick in a concentration-dependent way, and its main component, cedrol, killed blacklegged tick nymphs. Steam-distilled cedar and juniper wood oils were toxic to ticks and fleas in laboratory tests, and a cedar tar rich in cedarwood sesquiterpenes killed adult cat fleas in a dose-dependent way. A 2025 review of 48 plant species ranked the cedar and juniper family among the most active against fleas.
Research:
- Flor-Weiler (2022). Repellency and toxicity of a CO2-derived cedarwood oil on hard tick species (Ixodidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology. Study population: Unfed nymphs of Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. PubMed
- Eller (2014). Bioactivity of cedarwood oil and cedrol against arthropod pests. Environmental Entomology. Study population: Ixodes scapularis nymphs; ants. PubMed
- Dolan (2007). Biocidal activity of three wood essential oils against Ixodes scapularis, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Aedes aegypti. Journal of Economic Entomology. Study population: I. scapularis nymphs, Xenopsylla cheopis. PubMed
- Tufan-Cetin (2024). Insecticidal potential of Cedrus libani tar in eco-friendly control of cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, from different populations in Turkiye. Heliyon. Study population: Field-collected adult Ctenocephalides felis from six populations. PubMed
- Campos (2025). Essential Oils and Bioproducts for Flea Control: A Critical Review. Insects. Study population: Fleas. PubMed
Lemongrass oil
Lemongrass and related Cymbopogon oils act on all flea life stages. A 2026 study found Cymbopogon oils killed cat flea eggs, larvae, pupae and adults and repelled adult fleas. Lemongrass oil killed brown dog tick larvae and nymphs and adult blacklegged ticks, and like DEET it blocks the ticks' ability to sense a host. In a randomized, double-blind trial, dogs fed a daily herbal extract containing lemongrass and rosemary had 82 percent fewer fleas after five months, and the same supplement cut flea counts 77 percent in cats; those trials used an oral supplement, which is different from a shampoo or spray, but they show the plants' effect on live fleas in pets.
Research:
- de Oliveira Chaves (2026). In vitro insecticidal and repellent activity of Cymbopogon essential oils and geraniol against cat flea. Veterinary Parasitology. Study population: Ctenocephalides felis felis, all life stages. PubMed
- Duarte (2024). Acaricidal potential of essential oils on Rhipicephalus linnaei: Alternatives and prospects. Veterinary Parasitology. Study population: Rhipicephalus linnaei. PubMed
- Anholeto (2024). In vitro acaricidal activity of essential oils and their binary mixtures against Ixodes scapularis. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. Study population: Adult Ixodes scapularis. PubMed
- Gaudet (2024). Lemongrass essential oil and DEET inhibit attractant detection in infected and non-infected Ixodes scapularis ticks. Current Research in Insect Science. Study population: Adult female I. scapularis, wild and lab reared. PubMed
- Moog (2020). Evaluation of a plant-based food supplement to control flea populations in dogs: A prospective double-blind randomized study. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance. Study population: 22 naturally flea-infested dogs. PubMed
- Banuls (2023). A Dietary Plant Extract Formulation Helps Reduce Flea Populations in Cats: A Double-Blind Randomized Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). Study population: 20 naturally flea-infested indoor-outdoor cats. PubMed
Rosemary oil
Rosemary leaf oil killed 100 percent of Ixodes ricinus (castor bean tick) nymphs within about five hours of contact. The rosemary family (Lamiaceae) was among the most active plant families against fleas in the 2025 review, and a related citronella-type Cymbopogon oil killed dog tick larvae and adult fleas in vitro in a study that also tested it on dogs.
Research:
- Elmhalli (2019). The repellency and toxicity effects of essential oils from the Libyan plants Salvadora persica and Rosmarinus officinalis against nymphs of Ixodes ricinus. Experimental and Applied Acarology. Study population: Ixodes ricinus nymphs. PubMed
- Campos (2025). Essential Oils and Bioproducts for Flea Control: A Critical Review. Insects. Study population: Fleas. PubMed
- Tadee (2024). Essential oil pharmaceuticals for killing ectoparasites on dogs. Journal of Veterinary Science. Study population: Dog ticks and fleas in vitro; skin tolerance tested on dogs. PubMed
Coconut, argan and aloe for skin and coat
The conditioning base is there for the dog's skin and coat. Topical aloe sped wound healing and reduced skin inflammation in dogs in two studies. Coconut oil has clinical evidence in people for brittle hair, and medium-chain fatty acids derived from coconut oil repelled biting insects and ticks in USDA research. Argan oil improved skin elasticity in a human trial.
Research:
- Drudi (2018). Aloe barbadensis miller versus silver sulfadiazine creams for wound healing by secondary intention in dogs and cats: A randomized controlled study. Research in Veterinary Science. Study population: Dogs and cats. PubMed
- Arbaga (2021). Biochemical and histopathological changes related to the topical application of Aloe vera ointment for canine pyoderma. Veterinary World. Study population: Dogs with experimentally induced Staphylococcus aureus pyoderma. PubMed
- Phong (2022). Coconut, Castor, and Argan Oil for Hair in Skin of Color Patients: A Systematic Review. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. Study population: Humans, 22 clinical articles. PubMed
- Zhu (2018). Better than DEET Repellent Compounds Derived from Coconut Oil. Scientific Reports. Study population: Biting flies, ticks, bed bugs, mosquitoes; pastured cattle field test. PubMed
- Barrozo (2021). Repellent and acaricidal activity of coconut oil fatty acids and their derivative compounds and catnip oil against Amblyomma sculptum. Veterinary Parasitology. Study population: Amblyomma sculptum nymphs and larvae. PubMed
- Boucetta (2015). The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity. Clinical Interventions in Aging. Study population: 60 postmenopausal women. PubMed
How botanical flea and tick products work
Plant oils kill and repel parasites on contact and through their scent. Two reviews of essential-oil ectoparasiticides in animals describe real contact, immersion and vapour toxicity to ticks, fleas, lice and mites, and note that their action is short-lived compared with synthetic pesticides. That is why Protect is designed for use at bath time and as a repeat-use spray rather than as a month-long treatment.
Research:
- Ellse (2014). The use of essential oils in veterinary ectoparasite control: a review. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. Study population: Lice, mites, ticks on livestock and companion animals. PubMed
- Gonzaga (2023). Essential oils and isolated compounds for tick control: advances beyond the laboratory. Parasites and Vectors. Study population: Field and semi-field studies on cattle. PubMed
For veterinarians
The three active oils have laboratory evidence (contact toxicity and repellency against Ctenocephalides felis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor variabilis) but no published on-dog trial of a cedarwood, rosemary and lemongrass shampoo or spray. Two rankings place cedarwood below other oils and well below DEET for tick repellency (Meng 2016, Le Mauff 2024), and lab repellency did not translate to an on-host assay in Le Mauff 2024. Cedarwood showed minimal 24-hour kill of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) in Flor-Weiler 2022. Botanical topicals lose most activity within days (Ellse and Wall 2014; a 2026 controlled spray trial in beagles fell from 96 to 98 percent knock-down at day 2 to 11 to 56 percent by days 7 to 14). Safety: an ASPCA Animal Poison Control review of EPA-exempt essential-oil flea products (Genovese 2012) found 92 percent of 48 exposed cats and dogs developed adverse effects, 77 percent after use per label, with three deaths; small and young cats are most at risk from terpene oils (Khan 2014). The product is labelled for dogs only and should be kept off cats and off surfaces cats contact until dry.
About this research
Protect Shampoo and Protect Home + Dog Spray are plant-based grooming products for dogs, not drugs. The studies above were conducted by independent researchers on individual ingredients, not on the finished VetSmart Formulas product, and are provided so that pet owners and veterinarians can read the evidence for themselves. Results in one species or preparation do not guarantee the same result in another. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If your pet has a diagnosed condition or takes medication, talk to your veterinarian before adding a supplement.