Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor is a medicated pest-control shampoo for dogs and cats. It is designed to kill fleas and ticks during bathing while disrupting flea development, making it worth considering when an eligible pet needs both parasite removal and coat cleaning.
This Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo review examines the 12-fl-oz formula, its active ingredients, label directions, safety limits, and realistic role in a broader flea-control plan.
Quick Verdict
Reviewed Product
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor, 12 fl oz
A rinse-off insecticidal shampoo with an insect growth regulator for eligible dogs and cats.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.0/5
Best For: Owners of eligible dogs or cats needing a flea-and-tick bath with flea egg-development control.
Key Specs: 12 fl oz • Dogs and cats over 12 weeks • 3–5-minute lather • Up to 28 days of flea egg hatch inhibition
Key Advantage: Combines contact pest control with an insect growth regulator.
Main Trade-off: Does not replace ongoing, whole-household flea prevention.
Bottom Line: A useful treatment bath when the label fits your pet, but its 28-day claim concerns immature fleas rather than continuous adult tick protection.
At a Glance
- Product: Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor, 12-fl-oz bottle.
- Target pests: fleas, flea eggs, immature fleas, ticks, and lice, as specified by Adams.
- Eligible animals: dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens older than 12 weeks.
- Active ingredients: pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide, and (S)-methoprene.
- Application: prescribed quantity worked into a lather for 3–5 minutes.
- Key limitation: bathing does not treat fleas hiding in bedding, carpets, or the yard.
Verified Specifications & Buyer Implications
The formulation and directions matter more than marketing phrases such as “sensitive skin.” The following details come from Adams’ published product information and the product labeling.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle size | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | A smaller retail bottle may suit occasional treatment baths. How many washes it provides depends on each pet’s weight and the label-prescribed quantity. |
| Adult-pest ingredients | Pyrethrins 0.15%; piperonyl butoxide 1.88% | These are the listed insecticidal components. They support the shampoo’s contact-treatment purpose but do not establish lasting adult-flea or tick protection after rinsing. |
| Growth regulator | (S)-methoprene 0.10% | This ingredient targets flea development. Adams specifies up to 28 days of flea egg hatch inhibition, a narrower claim than preventing all future infestations. |
| Directions | About 1⅓ tbsp per 5 lb; 3–5 minutes | Weight-based measurement and adequate contact time are essential. Applying extra shampoo or rinsing immediately is not a substitute for following the instructions. |
| Repeat interval | Every 7–10 days, if necessary | The published interval concerns adult-flea relief when another bath is needed. It should not be confused with a recommendation for automatic weekly bathing. |
Design & Build Quality
This is a concentrated, lathering liquid rather than a leave-on topical treatment. Adams describes a creamy formula with oatmeal, coconut extract, lanolin, and aloe intended to clean, condition, and help manage the coat.
Those grooming additions are useful, but they do not guarantee tolerance for pets with allergies or inflamed skin. Bottle durability, dispensing accuracy, and real-world coat softness have not been independently tested for this review.
Setup & Ease of Use
No equipment or assembly is required, although safe handling and enough rinsing time matter. Prepare towels and a non-slip bathing area before bringing your pet to the tub.
- Check the species, age, health precautions, and directions on your actual bottle.
- Wet the coat thoroughly with warm water and keep shampoo away from the eyes.
- Measure approximately 1⅓ tablespoons per five pounds of body weight.
- Work the lather through the coat for three to five minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly, towel-dry, and observe for signs of sensitivity.
For general bathing preparation, see GoPetZone’s step-by-step outdoor dog bathing guide; the pesticide label still governs this particular shampoo.
How This Review Was Researched
This editorial review compares Adams’ official specifications and instructions, published product-label information, EPA pet pesticide guidance, and documented alternatives. No personal hands-on testing or independent kill-rate testing is claimed.
Category-Specific Performance
Adult Flea, Tick, and Lice Control
Adams states that the shampoo kills fleas, ticks, and lice on contact. The formula’s stated purpose supports its use during an active treatment bath, but publicly available product information does not provide an independently verified kill percentage for this review.
Flea Egg Development
The included Precor insect growth regulator is what differentiates this shampoo from a basic contact-only wash. Its published 28-day effect relates to inhibition of flea egg hatching and immature development, not a promise that new adult fleas cannot jump onto your pet.
Coat Cleaning and Comfort
Adams says its conditioning ingredients help remove dirt, loose dandruff, and scales while leaving a manageable coat. This is a useful secondary role, although heavily irritated skin may need veterinary assessment instead of another pesticide bath.
Whole-Household Flea Control
A shampoo treats the animal being washed, not the untreated places where fleas develop. Bedding cleaning, vacuuming, checking other pets, and an appropriate veterinarian-recommended prevention plan remain important when fleas keep returning.
Expert Insight: The most important distinction is between a bath that removes existing pests and an ongoing prevention program. Treat Adams’ egg-development claim as an added feature, not a complete substitute for household control.
Key Features Explained
Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide
Pyrethrins are the listed insecticide, while piperonyl butoxide supports their action. These are pesticide ingredients, so correct species, age, application amount, and exposure precautions matter even when the shampoo also contains conditioning additives.
Precor Insect Growth Regulator
The (S)-methoprene component interrupts immature flea development, adding a second mode of action beyond contact pest killing. This is particularly relevant when a buyer wants a shampoo addressing flea reproduction as well as visible fleas.
Conditioning Formula and Light Scent
Oatmeal, aloe, coconut extract, and lanolin are listed as coat-conditioning ingredients, and Adams describes a light scent. Fragrance-sensitive pets or those with diagnosed skin conditions still need an individualized product choice.
Real-World Usability & Maintenance
Unlike collars or monthly preventives, this product requires a complete bath and several minutes of lather contact. Owners of cats or water-averse dogs should account for the practical difficulty of thorough application and rinsing.
Keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry location inaccessible to pets and children. Follow the label’s disposal instructions; do not pour unused pesticide shampoo down an indoor or outdoor drain.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Targets fleas, ticks, and lice during bathing.
- Includes flea-development control.
- Labeled for eligible dogs and cats.
- Also cleans and conditions the coat.
Cons
- Not suitable for very young pets.
- Requires careful pesticide handling.
- Cannot control an infestation alone.
Common Issues & Fixes
Fleas Reappear After Bathing
Cause: Untreated fleas and immature stages may remain elsewhere in the pet’s surroundings.
Fix: Discuss ongoing prevention with your veterinarian and clean affected bedding and living areas.
Possible Skin Sensitivity
Cause: Any pet pesticide can cause individual sensitivity despite conditioning ingredients.
Fix: Follow the label’s mild-soap rinsing guidance and contact a veterinarian promptly if symptoms occur or persist.
What to Know Before You Buy
Do not use this shampoo on puppies or kittens younger than the label’s age threshold. Consult a veterinarian before use on medicated, debilitated, elderly, pregnant, or nursing animals, and before combining it with another flea-and-tick pesticide.
Check the exact packaging and active-ingredient panel: Adams sells other shampoos with different formulations. If your pet is already receiving a monthly preventive, ask whether a medicated bath is appropriate and how bathing affects that product’s instructions.
For dogs with skin problems, GoPetZone also has a sensitive-skin shampoo guide, but a non-pesticidal grooming shampoo cannot replace flea treatment.
Who Should Consider It / Who Should Look Elsewhere
Who Should Consider It
- Owners managing fleas on eligible dogs.
- Cat owners seeking a correctly labeled shampoo.
- Buyers wanting flea egg-development control.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Owners of pets below the age limit.
- Pets needing veterinarian-directed skin care.
- Buyers seeking continuous, no-bath prevention.
Alternatives to Consider
These shampoos meet different bathing needs; they are not interchangeable for species or age. GoPetZone’s flea-and-tick shampoo roundup offers additional category context.
Reviewed Product
Adams Plus with Precor
Best For: Flea baths with growth-regulator support.
Key Specs: 12 fl oz; dogs/cats over 12 weeks; (S)-methoprene.
Advantage: Flea egg hatch inhibition.
Trade-off: Not a standalone prevention plan.
Alternative A
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Shampoo
Best For: Households needing a multi-species bathing option.
Key Specs: 16 fl oz; dogs/cats/ferrets/horses 12+ weeks; 5–10-minute lather.
Advantage: Broader labeled species coverage.
Trade-off: Longer application time; no matching 28-day IGR claim verified.
Alternative B
Hartz UltraGuard Rid Citrus Flea & Tick Shampoo
Best For: Dog-only households wanting a basic contact wash.
Key Specs: 18 fl oz; dogs 6+ months; five-minute contact.
Advantage: Larger bottle for eligible dogs.
Trade-off: Never use on cats or younger puppies.
Is It Worth It?
For an eligible pet that needs an insecticidal bath, Adams offers an unusually useful combination of visible-pest treatment, coat cleaning, and a labeled growth-regulator effect. The 12-ounce size is practical for smaller households, though per-bath consumption increases with animal weight.
Its value drops if you need hands-off protection, cannot bathe your pet comfortably, or expect shampoo alone to solve household fleas. Compare the full prevention plan, not merely the size of the bottle.
Final Verdict
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor is a strong choice for appropriately aged dogs and cats when owners want a measured, rinse-off flea-and-tick treatment with an added flea-development ingredient. Its main limitation is that it cannot replace consistent environmental control or veterinarian-guided prevention.
Choose it when a treatment bath fits your pet’s needs and health status; choose another route when regular bathing is impractical or a long-term preventive is the actual goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo be used on cats?
Yes, for cats and kittens older than 12 weeks when used as labeled. Do not substitute an unrelated dog-only flea product, and ask a veterinarian about pets with medical concerns.
Does Adams Plus Shampoo keep ticks away for 28 days?
No such 28-day tick-repellency claim is established here. Adams’ 28-day statement concerns flea egg hatch inhibition and immature flea development.
How long should the shampoo remain on the coat?
Work the lather for three to five minutes before thoroughly rinsing. Keep it away from the eyes and use the quantity stated on your bottle.
How often can I repeat a bath?
Adams lists every seven to ten days, if necessary, for adult flea relief. Do not use repeat bathing as a substitute for veterinary advice or regular preventive care.
Can I use it with a flea collar or topical prevention?
Ask your veterinarian and consult both product labels first. Combining pesticide products or bathing too soon after some topicals can create safety or effectiveness concerns.
Will it eliminate fleas from the house?
No, shampoo only treats the pet being bathed. Flea control may also require cleaning sleeping areas, vacuuming, treating other eligible pets, and a tailored prevention plan.
Affiliate disclosure: GoPetZone earns a small commission when you purchase through links on this page — at no extra cost to you. Our editorial process is independent: affiliate relationships never influence which products we recommend or how we rank them.
