Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo, 18 oz Bottle

Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo, 18 oz Bottle

ASIN: B000OXCUCO
Analysis Date: Jan 29, 2026 (re-analyzed Jan 29, 2026)

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Review Analysis Results

B
Authenticity Grade
15.00%
Fake Reviews
4.80
Original Rating
4.40
Adjusted Rating

Analysis Summary

The majority of these reviews for Hartz UltraGuard shampoo appear genuine, with approximately 85% showing authentic characteristics. All reviews are marked as verified purchases, which significantly increases their credibility. The reviews display a natural distribution of ratings (mostly 5-star with some 4-star and one 3-star), which is typical for a functional product that meets most users' expectations. The detailed personal experiences described across multiple reviews create a coherent picture of the product's performance.

Strong evidence of authenticity comes from numerous reviews containing specific personal context and detailed experiences. Review #1 mentions using the product "for years" and describes how it makes their puppy's fur "soft and shining" with scent lasting "a few days." Review #5 provides particularly detailed context about a German shepherd who "likes to lay out in the dirt and soak up the sun," noting the product's ability to "lather up good and get through his fur" despite being "runny." Review #13 describes using the shampoo when their dog gets itchy after park visits, noting improvement "within an hour." These specific, varied experiences suggest real usage rather than manufactured praise.

A few reviews raise minor concerns due to their generic nature. Review #2 uses fragmented phrases without connecting narrative, while Review #8 consists of only "Good product, great price, Amazing seller!" which lacks product-specific details. Review #9 is extremely brief ("The product is effective for my dog") and could potentially be part of a manipulation pattern, though it might simply be from a less verbose customer. However, these represent a small minority among otherwise detailed, authentic-sounding reviews.

Overall, this review set appears predominantly genuine with only a small subset showing characteristics that might indicate manipulation. The detailed personal stories, specific product observations (like the runny consistency mentioned in multiple reviews), and varied writing styles suggest real customer experiences. While a few reviews are suspiciously generic, they don't represent a significant pattern that would undermine the overall authenticity of the feedback for this product.

Key patterns identified in the review analysis include: Multiple mentions of product being 'runny' or 'liquidy' consistency, Specific breed mentions (German shepherd, small dogs), Personal anecdotes about dog behavior and scratching issues.

Review Statistics

6,562
Total Reviews on Amazon
-0.40
Rating Difference

Price Analysis

Hartz UltraGuard is positioned as a budget-friendly option in the pet flea/tick shampoo category. Given the high 4.8/5 rating from over 6,500 reviews, it appears to offer strong value for cost-conscious pet owners. Check for Subscribe & Save or bundled deals to maximize savings.

MSRP Assessment

Estimated MSRP: $12.99
Source: Brand typical pricing
Amazon Price: Unable to compare

Market Position

Positioning: Budget
Alternatives Range: $8-$25
Value: Hartz offers effective flea/tick control at a budget-friendly price point compared to premium veterinary brands.

Buying Tips

Best Time to Buy: Prices often drop in spring/summer when flea/tick season peaks and retailers run promotions.
Deal Indicators: Look for Subscribe & Save discounts, multi-buy bundles, or coupons clipped on Amazon.
Watch For: Watch for third-party sellers charging significantly above typical retail; verify seller reputation.
Price analysis generated by AI based on product category and market research. Actual prices may vary. Last analyzed: Jan 29, 2026

Understanding This Analysis

What does Grade B mean?

This product has good review authenticity with minor concerns. While most reviews appear genuine, we detected some patterns that warrant mild caution.

Adjusted Rating Explained

The adjusted rating (4.40 stars) represents what we estimate this product's rating would be if fake reviews were removed. This product's adjusted rating is lower than Amazon's displayed rating (4.80 stars), suggesting positive fake reviews may be inflating the score.

How We Detect Fake Reviews

Our AI analyzes multiple factors: language patterns (generic vs. specific), reviewer behavior (history, timing), temporal anomalies (review clusters), verification status, sentiment authenticity, and statistical outliers. No single factor determines a review is fake - we look at the combination of signals.

Important Limitations

No automated system is perfect. Sophisticated fake reviews can evade detection, and some genuine reviews may be incorrectly flagged. Use this analysis as one data point in your purchasing decision, not the only factor. Reading actual review content yourself is always valuable.

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