Best Dog Shampoo: Man’s Best Friend Deserves The Best.
As a responsible dog owner, you certainly know how important it is to feed your pet with nutritional, balanced food as well as meet its needs for exercise and training.
However, grooming is an equally important aspect of having a dog. If you wish it to lead a happy and healthy life, you need to pay attention to the right type of shampoo to use and the frequency of baths your dog requires as well.
Overview of the Top Products
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Price |
Rating |
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| Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo, Vanilla & Almond, 16 Ounce | Totally natural pet care, 100-percent bio-degradable and cruelty free | Soap-free shampoo |
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| Paws & Pals Natural Oatmeal Dog-Shampoo And Conditioner – 20oz Medicated Clinical Vet Formula Wash For All Pets Puppy & Cats – Made with Aloe Vera for Relieving Dry Itchy Skin | Ultra-purified water, infused with aloe barbadensis extract | INGREDIENTS CONT.: methylchlorolsothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, citric acid, versene, Na2, fragrance |
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| Professional All-in-One Natural Dog Shampoo for Healthy Skin & Coat, Plant Based Pet Shampoo | COCONUT, PALM, OATMEAL & ALOE. Natural Pet Shampoo Made With The Highest And Best Quality Ingredients. | Calming & Soothing Anti Itch Dog Shampoo Is A Source Of Natural Minerals Fantastic For Your Pet’s Skin. Excellent For Pets With Allergies To Grass, Food, Flea Bites Or Other Allergies & Sensitivities. |
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| Top Performance Fresh Pet Shampoo Prevents Mats and Tangles – Matches Natural pH Balance of Pet’s Coat and Skin, 17 Oz. | Non-Tangle Shampoo – Use of the shampoo prevents tangles and mats in the fur of dogs and cats | Safe to Use – The Fresh Pet Shampoo is safe to use with puppies and kittens as young as 6 weeks old, as well as older pets |
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| NEW All Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo | Hypoallergenic Conditioning Deodorizing Formula for Dogs Cats & Pet | Treatment Wash Sooth Dry Itchy Skin | Relieving Aloe Vera, Vitamins & Conditioner | Our all plant botanical based moisturizing pet shampoo contains high quality natural ingredients | Our soothing pet wash is effective yet extremely gentle making it an excellent shampoo for animals with allergies and other sensitivities. |
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| Wahl Pet/Dog 4-in-1 Lavendar Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner | Lavender and Chamomile | Cleans, conditions, detangles and moisturizes |
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| Nature’s Specialties Plum Silky Pet Shampoo, 32-Ounce | Shampoo and conditioner with silk proteins Long lasting fragrance Adds highlights and body Great texturing shampoo | Shampoo and conditioner with silk proteins Long lasting fragrance Adds highlights and body Great texturing shampoo Cleans and remoisturizes No.1 choice |
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| Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Soothing Aloe by Nootie – Best for All Pets including Dogs, Cats, and Horses – 100% All Natural Deodorizing Soap Free Formula Provides Itchy Skin Relief – 16 Oz. | Dry, sensitive skin can be every bit as irritating to your pet as it is to you. We designed our oatmeal aloe pet shampoo | We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that our non-medicated dog shampoo is free of the harsh chemicals you may find in other products. |
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| All Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, 5 in 1 Pet Shampoo for Dogs with Allergies, Sensitive & Dry Itchy Skin 16 oz. Made in USA. | Made with high quality, naturally derived extracts our pet wash shampoo | Our oatmeal dog shampoo and conditioner will save you a trip to the groomer and keep your pet smelling fresh. Works well as a pet deodorizer. |
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Cloud Star Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, 16oz, Green Tea & Bergamot | Soap free | All natural |
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Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo, Vanilla & Almond, 16 Ounce
This pet shampoo is all about nature-friendliness. It is completely natural, bio-degradable and not cruelly tested on poor little furry creatures. Moreover, since it contains no soap and is pH-balanced, your dog won’t be left with dry itchy skin.
More importantly, what it does contain are oatmeal and organic aloe vera, both of which soothe irritated skin and help it regain moisture. Once calm and moisturized, your pooch’s skin will regenerate easily.
This is why this shampoo is great for dogs with sensitive skin, since it should help them feel and heal better in no time.
That said, most of the customers confirm this and they couldn’t be happier. The most common remark is that the itching and scratching subside as soon as the bath is over and the fur is left shiny, soft and untangled.
Pros:
- Soothes the skin
- The fur looks great
- Nature-friendly
Cons:
- Small number of bad skin reactions
- Some report that the shampoo has a bad smell
Paws & Pals Natural Oatmeal Dog-Shampoo And Conditioner – 20oz Medicated Clinical Vet Formula Wash For All Pets Puppy & Cats – Made with Aloe Vera for Relieving Dry Itchy Skin
This 2-in-1 product will raise no eyebrows – we are talking about a completely vegan and organic quality shampoo that is made with utter respect towards nature and the environment.
At the base of this cleanser is a carefully balanced choice of essential oils and natural extracts recommended by veterinarians. Additionally, there is no soap in this formula, so you and your little buddy will forget about tears, nose or eyes irritations and inflammations and all that jazz.
It even has some great additional features. Most prominent of those is regarding the most taunting thing that your furry babies could experience: skin irritations.The owners are over the moon with the calming effects that this shampoo has on their dogs. On top of that, they say it leaves a nice, gentle, long-lasting scent too.
Pros:
- Mild formula appropriate for sensitive skin and eyes
- Diminishes skin irritation
- It leaves your dog’s coat looking great and smelling pleasantly
Cons:
- The scent doesn’t sit well with everyone
Professional All-in-One Natural Dog Shampoo for Healthy Skin & Coat, Plant Based Pet Shampoo For Dogs & Cats with Sensitive Skin. Cleaner, Deodorizer, Moisturizer, Conditioner & Detangler-Made in USA
This is a professional shampoo made from herbs that you are able to use for both your canine or feline friends. Moreover, it is quite versatile, as it also serves as a moisturizer, it conditions the fur as well as deodorizes and detangles it.
It’s made primarily for itchy, sensitive skin prone to allergies and all of its ingredients – coconut and palm oils, oatmeal and aloe extract – are chosen with the aim of soothing your beloved pet’s skin.
Moreover, if you are against using products with harsh chemicals on your little furry buddies, look no further, since this shampoo contains none of those.
Nature-loving owners are thrilled with the ingredients list as well as with the way this all-in-one shampoo soothes and cleans their pets’ skin and coat. Puppies or grown-up, messy canines all react great to it – and their humans love the scent.
Pros:
- All-in-one product
- All-natural
- Great for cats and dogs alike
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- A few reports of dissatisfying detangling and smell
Top Performance Fresh Pet Shampoo Prevents Mats and Tangles – Matches Natural pH Balance of Pet’s Coat and Skin, 17 Oz.
We all know vets don’t really like to hear that you are giving too frequent baths to your dog, especially if it’s really young. Some shampoos are too strong for their newborn skin, or their sensitive noses. However, that is not the case for this shampoo, as it boasts of a formula that is appropriate for pups as young as 6 weeks. Moreover, it’s pH neutral too – which is also important for the older animals – while being a perfect detangling product for any of the long-haired furry babies.
Your canine will have healthy skin and will flaunt that shiny, scented coat for weeks. That said, the owners who’ve already tried it couldn’t be happier about it. We especially recommend it for those restless explorers and curious diggers who can’t stay fresh for too long.
The lasting, but not overpowering scent pleases both parties’ noses – so it’s a winning option.
Pros:
- Suitable for puppies
- Long-lasting gentle scent
- Not watered down
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
- Not everyone likes the smell
NEW All Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo | Hypoallergenic Conditioning Deodorizing Formula for Dogs Cats & Pet | Treatment Wash Sooth Dry Itchy Skin | Relieving Aloe Vera, Vitamins & Conditioner
Oatmeal is an instant association with sensitive skin type, so it doesn’t surprise us that this shampoo is great for animals with easily irritated skin. The list of ingredients is long, but it surely doesn’t include one type of components: strong chemicals.
This herb-based pet shampoo, which boasts professional-level quality, is rich in vitamins and other elements necessary for keeping your pet’s skin healthy. Somewhere on the list of those elements is a forgotten home remedy for many problems – baking soda.
Baking soda is a great antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic component, which, in combination with light scent, leaves majority of pet-owner pairs contented. It works wonders for both cats and dogs with anything from itchy and red-to-flaky skin.
The owners are overjoyed and they even report reduced hair loss in their pets as well.
Pros:
- Soothes various irritations
- Natural and neutral ingredients
- Reduces hair loss
Cons:
- The price is just a bit over the average
- Some reports of itchy reactions
Wahl Pet/Dog 4-in-1 Lavendar Chamomile Shampoo and Conditioner
One more in the line of natural, plant-based shampoos is this Wahl multi-purpose shampoo which keeps your pet clean and looking good. That said, no harmful chemicals were included in the ingredients list of this chamomile and lavender-scented wash.
Moreover, it works great without the synthetic ingredients, since not only does it clean, but it also moisturizes and does an amazing job with detangling your dog’s hair.
Online reviewers are primarily excited over the fact that it wonderfully soothes their canine friends’ horrible itches, even in the most sensitive species, leaving them feeling and smelling great.
Pros:
- Diminishes itches
- Multipurpose and natural
- Good price for a decent amount
Cons:
- Some dogs didn’t react well to this shampoo
- It has a slightly strong scent according to some owners
Nature’s Specialties Plum Silky Pet Shampoo, 32-Ounce
This mild 2-in-1 shampoo is among groomers’ primary choices and for a few good reasons. So, whether you have a six-week-old pup or a grown pet, you’ll probably be quite satisfied with this shampoo.
Primarily, it has an amazing effect on your pet’s coat. This is because vitamins, silk proteins and aloe vera do an amazing job with conditioning and refreshing fur. It affects your wallet positively as well, since, when you do the math, you’ll realize that it’s a quite reasonable price.
The customers really appreciate what it does for their pet and how easy it makes regular grooming. Moreover, the relief on the family finances doesn’t leave them indifferent either.
Pros:
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Pleasant fragrance
- Gives your dog a silky coat
- Good price for a shampoo concentrate
Cons:
- Some perceive the scent as too strong
- A few reports of flaking upon usage
Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Soothing Aloe by Nootie – Best for All Pets including Dogs, Cats, and Horses – 100% All Natural Deodorizing Soap Free Formula Provides Itchy Skin Relief – 16 Oz.
Dogs, cats, or horses – they can all have problems with dry itchy skin and this shampoo is designed to relieve that annoying condition.
Reasonably, the producer wanted to avoid the common trap that grooming products usually fall into – solve one and make another problem. This is why they use none of the harsh chemicals which could cause any irritations or allergies.
There are only natural soothing components, mixed and bottled up in the U.S., according to the highest standards. That said, dog owners have noticed a great difference in their beloved pet’s skin condition.
On top of that, they are thrilled about the cleaning abilities of this brand and place it above the chemically-stronger, less natural options on their preferences list.
Pros:
- Mild and soothing
- Great cleanser
- No residue
Cons:
- Some reports of itchy reactions
- A few customers are dissatisfied with the fragrance lasting period
All Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, 5 in 1 Pet Shampoo for Dogs with Allergies, Sensitive & Dry Itchy Skin 16 oz. Made in USA.
This multipurpose, easily applied shampoo will be a healthy and pleasant replacement for your visits to the groomer’s.
Oatmeal and Aloe are a clear sign of this shampoo’s calming effects. In addition, its gentle scent and conditioning components not only leave the coat fresh, silky and detangled, but also free of those little pesky ticks and fleas.
Pros:
- High-quality, multipurpose shampoo
- Rich in soothing natural elements
- Full refund guarantee
Cons:
- Some reports of itchiness
- The price is quite high
Cloud Star Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, 16oz, Green Tea & Bergamot
This shampoo is one of the simplest, most delicate washes that is great for your active and messy furry buddy. The ingredients section on the bottle is quite small – which is good, since it leaves no space for unnecessary harmful elements.
Only the gentle, natural and skin-friendly components were shortlisted for this classic formula. The delighted owners only confirm how tenderly but thoroughly it cleans their pets’ skin and coat, leaving it freshened up for days. Moreover, it’s extremely easy to use, which is a plus.
Pros:
- Gentle but thorough
- Simple and natural ingredients
- Great fragrance
Cons:
- Some fragrances don’t appeal to every owner
- The scent may not last for everyone
The Importance of Taking Care of Your Dog’s Coat
Depending on the type and length of the coat as well as the lifestyle your dog has, his or her grooming needs may vary from once or twice month, to less regular baths. Either way, you have to pay close attention to its hygiene and wash your dog regularly to avoid health issues.
Namely, dogs carry bacteria and other microorganisms in their fur. In other words, if you fail to wash them off, they can grow, embed themselves in the folds of their skin and cause irritations and skin infections.
Moreover, if you allow your dog to accumulate dirt in its fur, he or she is more likely to contract ticks. That is to say, these small, spider-like pests hatch in your pet’s hair, attach to your pet’s skin and feed on its blood.
As a result, this causes your pet discomfort and itching. Furthermore, some ticks carry various diseases, causing rashes, sores and flu-like symptoms.
Why You Have to Use Dog Shampoo
To keep your dog’s coat nice and clean, use a dog shampoo, choosing the type that is suitable for your pet’s unique needs. Namely, this product is specially formulated to keep your dog’s fur and skin clean, without causing irritations.
You might wonder:
Can I use my shampoo on my dog?
Although this may not do much harm to your pet, given it doesn’t happen that often, you must really avoid using your human hair care products to maintain the hygiene of your dog’s fur.
That said, there are two main reasons why you need to avoid using human shampoo on your dog. First of all, your skin has a different pH from your dog’s and the acidic shampoo you use can easily break down its protective layer, causing your pet’s skin to dry out.
Furthermore, your dog will start to scratch and form small abrasions, which will then allow bacteria and parasites to enter, causing more serious problems.
The second reason for using only these specialized dog shampoos lies in the fact that your dog’s skin has significantly less layers than yours, making it more sensitive to the harsh chemicals contained in human products.
Different Types
As you might already know, there are many brands and varieties of dog shampoos to choose from, as one kind does not fit all of them. Namely, depending on the length and density of the coat, some dogs might need different formulas to keep it clean and healthy.
You need to take special care if your dog has sensitive skin (or even a sensitive stomach). If it is prone to skin irritations, it might need more of a gentle formula to be able to resolve this issue. On top of that, if it contracts parasites, it will need a specialized formula to get rid of them and prevent re-infestation.
General Purpose
This type of dog shampoo should suit most of the dogs and it comes in a variety of scents and ingredients.
Hypoallergenic Formula and Medicated Shampoo
Dog shampoos with a hypoallergenic formula are designed to help dogs with sensitive skin. Their mild composition will help avoid skin irritations and soothe the symptoms of allergies.
Moreover, if the problem persists, your veterinarian will prescribe a special medicated shampoo, which comes in antifungal, antiseptic and antibacterial varieties.
However, if you wish for a more natural alternative for your dog, use Aloe Vera-based shampoos. These are excellent in soothing the skin and cooling the coat, which, in turn, help control the irritations.
Anti-Parasitic Formula
This type of dog shampoo is intended to manage parasites such as fleas, mites and ticks. It eliminates the parasites as well as their eggs and form a short-term barrier to prevent them from infesting your pet all over again.
Shampoo for Puppies
As young dogs have very sensitive skin and are more prone to irritations, special puppy products were developed to keep them clean and healthy. Namely, these shampoos are very mild and nourish gentle puppies’ skin.
Fur-Enhancing Shampoo
Some shampoos are specially intended for enhancing the color and texture of your dog’s coat, removing stains and giving it a more vibrant and shiny look.
How Often Should You Shampoo Your Dog?
Most dogs require a monthly bath. However, if your dog gets dirty more often – running through the mud, snow or slush – you have to bathe it every two to three weeks. Have in mind though, that in this case, you need to use mild products that moisturize your pet’s skin.
Remember not to wash your dog more often than needed, as doing so will cause the natural oils to disappear from its coat, which leaves the skin vulnerable to bacteria and parasites.
In addition to that, your dog’s coat will tend to get dirty and smelly more often, which leads to more serious problems that have to be medicated after a while.
Factors to Consider
Age
An important factor to consider before purchasing dog shampoo is the age of your dog. You wouldn’t use your regular shampoo on a newborn baby and the same goes for dogs and puppies.
As previously mentioned, puppies have much more sensitive skin than older dogs, which is why you have to make sure to buy shampoo that is suitable for your pet’s age.
Skin Condition
You have to ask yourself:
Is your dog’s skin flaky, dry, or scaly?
If so, be sure to get a shampoo that specifically caters to your dog’s skin condition. Otherwise, you may make it even worse. Be sure not to buy shampoos that contain artificial scents as well, since they are usually peppered with toxins and chemicals that will damage your dog’s skin.
pH Level
The pH level of the shampoo is one very important factor, as your dog’s skin has a natural pH to maintain, just like us humans. In other words, you have to ensure that the shampoo’s pH isn’t too high nor too low.
Fur Condition
If you worry about the rough fur of your dog, know that there are many shampoo-conditioners out there that promise to soften your dog’s fur and make it much more pleasing to look at.
In fact, using the wrong shampoo for your dog may also be the cause of this rough fur, which will result into an uncomfortable feeling for your pup. We wouldn’t want that to happen, so be sure to check the ingredients to see if it’s safe for your dog.
Your dog may also have thicker fur than usual and require a lot of shampoo during baths. For this reason, be sure to get bottles with bigger quantities in order to save more money in the long run.
Dog’s Preference
Maybe your dog hates getting wet, or maybe your dog loves baths — either way, there’s an answer for both preferences.
If your dog hates showers, you may opt for dry shampoo or wipes. That is, if they don’t have long and thick fur that really does need to be washed and dried the traditional way.
These dry shampoos and wipes are also perfect for when you just don’t have enough time on your hands to give your dogs a full bath. However, be sure to get dry shampoo or wipes that is specifically made for dogs, not humans.
Ticks and Fleas
The dreaded ticks and fleas problem – if your dog has ever suffered from it, you’ll know that there are more than one downsides to it, more than the fact that they are just plain gross.
Ticks and fleas are uncomfortable; they crawl all around your dog, causing him or her to scratch, claw and bite at their skin, often causing wounds and scabs on their sensitive skin.
They may also fall off your dog and walk around your home, crawling into parts of your house and maybe even on you. It’s not easy for vacuums to get them.
The question is:
How do we remedy this?
Many brands claim to provide solutions for this, but what you need is a permanent solution. It’s important to buy shampoo that washes the ticks off during a bath.
However, it’s also important to have sprays, powders and whatnot that are tick repellant to make sure that they don’t go on your dog in the first place.
Ingredients to Avoid
The shampoo that you buy for your dog gets absorbed by their skin, which is why it’s important to completely avoid shampoos that contain dangerous and harmful substances that may affect your dog’s health badly.
That said, you have to remember to avoid any shampoo product that has artificial fragrances or colors, as they are a leading cause for skin allergies. Surfactants damage your dog’s skin and fur, which welcome substances that are capable of causing cancer in living tissues.
Preservatives, parabens, sulfates, mineral oils and petroleum must be avoided as well. Moreover, no matter how well-meaning it may be, shampoos that contain bug repellants must be kept away from your dog, unless they are natural such as rosemary or citrus.
This is because they can cause major damage to the skin of your dog. Being smart about the kind of products you allow on your dog’s skin will save your pet from painful episodes and will save you plenty of money caused by trips to the vet.
So, be sure to always check the ingredients of the shampoos that you purchase for your furry friend.
Tips on Bathing Your Dog
Preparation
Before bathing your dog, be sure to have all the materials you need ready. Some examples are shampoo, the eye ointment to avoid getting the shampoo in your dog’s eyes and cotton to make sure water doesn’t get stuck in its ears.
It’s important to fill the tub with water before you even start the bath, so you don’t waste time as well as water. Get your dog ready by brushing his or her fur out in order to ensure that the shampoo reaches every part of its coat and skin.
Moreover, remember to apply the eye ointment and stuff the cotton in your dog’s ears. Lastly, make sure that your dog has something – a towel or a rubber matt – to create traction so that it can hold itself up and stand properly instead of slipping all over.
During the Bath
Make sure to thoroughly wet your dog — from every patch of fur down to his or her very skin. Start shampooing all over and make sure to get every inch, including the neck, the back, in-between the nails and toes, the ears, the tail and the head.
It’s important to get every single part because you never know what horrors could be hiding in your dog’s fur. Hence, you’ll want to make sure you get it all. After you’re done meticulously shampooing your dog, be sure to also thoroughly rinse him or her.
This is because leftover shampoo may cause skin irritations, which could lead to bigger problems.
After the Bath
After the bath, don’t unleash your dog just yet. You wouldn’t want it to go around rolling in dirt before getting dried up – you’ll end up with a dirtier dog than you started with. Get a towel and pat your dog dry, maybe even use a hair dryer to speed things up a bit.
It would be best to use one that blows cold air or room temperature air, as hot air may damage your dog’s skin. Blow all the water out of your dog’s coat before letting him or her run wild and free once more.
Conclusion
To conclude, depending on the coat your dog has and the lifestyle it leads – whether it spends most of its days inside or runs around getting dirty all the time – you have to wash it every few weeks or even months.
For this very purpose, you have to use specialized products that contain ingredients that are safe for your pet.
As you are able to deduce from reading this article and seeing our ten recommendations, you will know that there are so many dog shampoos to choose from. Thus, you will definitely find one that best suits your pet’s needs.
If you have any questions or seek additional information on shampoos for your dog, please feel free to leave a comment in the section below this article.