You love your dog, but not so much the messes they get into or wear as a result. Thankfully, the best dog shampoo can make your job a little easier. Although you might be tempted to lather him up with your own hair products, formulas for humans may contain ingredients not good for your pet’s skin. To make things easier in your search for a pet-specific shampoo, we’ve come up with a short list of the best dog shampoos on the market today.
Product FAQ
1. What Makes a Good Dog Shampoo?
A high-quality pet shampoo and shampoo should always have some vitally important elements:
Check Out Its pH Value
The pH level of a puppy’s skin is more neutral than that of humans, that’s why it is important to get a shampoo particularly formulated between 6.5 to 7.5 on the pH scale. Human shampoo is “pH balanced” to between 4.5 and 5.5 — way too acidic and irritating to some pets’ furs and skin. Over time, acidic shampoos strip off the hair of protective attributes and removing precious oil in the skin and coat, leading to dry, irritated skin and a dull coat.
Mild Ingredients
Search for mild cleansing components that are ideally soap-free. Soap can dry skin and lead to itching, dry skin.
Easy to Wash Out
The best dog shampoo is one that is easy to wash out all the way, with no remaining residue.
Moisturizing
The best dog shampoos also have moisturizing conditioners to help the coat and skin keep their healthy texture and glow.
2. Where Can You Buy It?
As soon as you’ve located the correct shampoo for your pet, whether it’s for regular use or to deal with a particular condition, you want to find a consistent way to buy that product. Shops change their product lines, which may frustrate when you’ve found a fantastic product and they decide to no longer offer it. We suggest that the most convenient and consistent provider is online at Amazon.com.
Paws & Pals Medicated Vet Formula Wash
- MADE IN THE USA FOR ALL BREEDS, INCLUDING PUPPIES & KITTENS: Proudly made in the USA, our...
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Enriched with a delicate balance of Argan Oil, Aloe, Vitamin B5, and...
- HEALTHY COAT CARE: Nourishes and maintains your pet's coat health with natural ingredients
Features
This is the best dog shampoo for maintaining your pup’s coat. Its entirely vegan formula features a delicate balance of essential oils and natural extracts that are tear-free and won’t irritate or inflame your pet’s nose or eyes, making sure tub time is a fun experience. This veterinarian-recommended shampoo is the best for your pet’s coat maintenance regimen. Paws & Pals is all-organic, so it respects your four-legged family member and the environment.
Pros
- Vegan
- Organic
- Non-irritating to a pup’s nose and eyes
Cons
- Expensive
- Some reported allergic reactions
Uses
Its essential oils and all-organic, vegan ingredients are designed to help a pet maintain a healthy coat and skin.
TropiClean Aloe and Coconut Pet Shampoo
- ELIMINATES PET ODOR – Cat & dog deodorizing shampoo is a smell eliminator wash,...
- SOFTENS THE COAT – The moisturizing dog shampoo for strong odors provides a deep...
- FEEL-GOOD INGREDIENTS – Our coconut dog shampoo is derived from natural ingredients such...
Features
TropiClean Aloe and Coconut Pet Shampoo is the best dog shampoo if you love to snuggle with a soft, good smelling dog. Aloe and coconut work together to provide a long-lasting glow and clean odor. Only the finest and sustainable ingredients are used to make this shampoo.
Even though the item is really a mild coconut cleaner, it creates a rich texture that can be rinsed easily. The shampoo has botanical extracts that nourish and strengthen your pet’s skin and coat. The best thing about this shampoo is the fact that results on your pet’s skin are immediate. Definitely a worthy investment.
Pros
- Works quickly to stop skin problems
- Long-lasting clean odor
- Rich lather
- Rinses easiliy
Cons
- Did not improve glow of dog’s coat
- Expensive
Uses
Relies on its ingredients of coconut and aloe working together to soothe pet’s skin irritations.
Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo
- Formulated with an odor neutralizer & deodorizer for tough pet coat odors
- Natural cocoa surfactant shampoo cleans & conditions
- OATMEAL FORMULA: The product is formulated with no dyes or parabens and soothes and...
Features
Does your pet have a way of stinking shortly after bath time? If you’ve got a dog that jumps in muddy puddles and enjoys being outside, then odor is a recurring issue. Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo is the best dog shampoo for getting rid of that stinky dog smell.
The lightly scented shampoo, made of oatmeal and organic cocoa surfactant, targets body odor and removes it in the most natural ways possible. It’s also a soap-free formula that includes four great advantages: neutralizing skin odor, exfoliating skin and coat, gentle cleaning and conditioning of skin and coat.
You’re certain to experience outstanding cleaning, incredibly soft skin and decreased static within a couple days of working with this shampoo.
Pros
- Eliminates tough odor
- Improves skin
Cons
- Light honey scent may not please everyone
- May not eliminate all odors
Uses
This dog shampoo is, above all, a deodorizer.
Miracle Coat Dog Shampoo
- Offers easy bathing for pets with noiseless sprayer.
- Natural, pharmaceutical grade ingredients provide solutions to enrich the natural...
- MiracleCoat, the creator of rinseless solutions blends convenience with care for concerned...
Features
The Miracle Coat Dog Shampoo is the best dog shampoo for pups that hate water. It is an extremely trusted spray-and-wipe alternative to the traditional dog bath. This manufacturer has thought of everything, even making the bottle with a noiseless sprayer to prevent spooking your dog while bathing.
The Miracle Coat Dog Shampoo is a safe solution for your four-legged friend, since it’s formulated with organic and pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.
You simply spray it on dog’s coat, use hands to massage it into a lather so it soaks to the skin, let it sit for a bit and then towel dry and brush your pet. This waterless shampoo is a good choice if your pet is experiencing irritated or itchy skin.
Pros
- No water needed
- Good for irritated skin
- Useful for dogs difficult to bathe
Cons
- May be difficult to spray and wipe down dog
- Priciest item on our list
Uses
This waterless shampoo is specifically designed for the pet that’s difficult to bathe.
Oster Oatmeal Essentials 4-in-1 Shampoo
- Formulated with Vitamin B5 and natural conditioners to help detangle, remove static, add...
- Made with 100% Natural Oatmeal to soothe and protect the skin
- 100% dye free, paraben free, alcohol free, phosphate free, phthalate free
Features
This is the best dog shampoo that’s organic. In fact, it’s’ 100 percent organic, certified vegan and smells great. There are many shampoos available on the market claiming to be organic, but the truth is they are only partly organic. This shampoo is nontoxic and totally safe.
This pet wash includes aloe, coconut oil and jojoba, all of which are proven to ease itchy and dry skin from fleas and dander. Additionally, it contains oatmeal, shea butter and rosemary to bring out the shine in your pet’s coat.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Fights dry, itchy skin
Cons
- Not for sensitive skin
- Expensive
Uses
This 100-percent organic formula is engineered to relieve itching from fleas and dander.
FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo
- Packaging may vary. Furminator deShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo
- Works to reduce shedding
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
Features
If you have a “supreme shedder,” then it is a daily struggle to keep your house free of pet hair. FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo is the best dog shampoo for adorable, but shedding breeds. Papaya leaf extract releases your pet’s undercoat, while omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids and calendula extract maintain skin hydration. Owners say it loosens fur they didn’t even realize their dog had.
This shampoo includes no chemical dyes or no parabens. Bathing is a significant part your pet’s grooming regimen, and this good-smelling shampoo will help contain a shedder’s coat in the tub, rather than in balls around the house.
Pros
- Helps shed undercoat in bath
- No chemical dyes or paraben
- Affordable
Cons
- Pet “blows” its coat with this product, so cleanup afterward is needed
Uses
Product specifically targets shedding dogs, to help loosen their undercoat.
Pro Pet Works Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo Conditioner
- ✅【All Natural Plant-Based Patented Formula for Your Furry Friend】Discover our...
- ✅【Premium Pet Care for Your Dog Wellness - Made in USA】This professional pet shampoo...
- ✅【One Wash, Endless Benefits: 5-in-1 Grooming Marvel at Your Fingertips】This...
Features
This shampoo with conditioner built-in is the best dog shampoo for dogs who suffer from sensitive skin. Like people, our pups can have allergies that harsh additives or chemicals amplify. Pro Pet Works Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is free of additional colors, sulfates, alcohol and fragrance, so it is an excellent choice for the sensitive pooch.
Even though it isn’t meant for dandruff, it can help lessen dry skin flakes. This shampoo contains organic aloe extracts, almond oil and vitamins A, D and E so it won’t irritate your dog’s eyes, nose or skin while bathing. It has a natural, although sweet, odor that’ll leave the pet’s coat glossy and fresh.
It’s so mild, in fact, you can bathe with this product all of your pets, from dogs and cats to ferrets and rabbits.
Pros
- Good for sensitive skin
- Helps doggie dandruff
- Organic ingredients
- Can be used frequently
Cons
- Smells sweet
- May not work for all dogs
Uses
This shampoo is designed as a mild cleaner for dogs with super-sensitive skin.
Wahl Dog/Puppy Shampoo
- Made in the USA - Our cornflower & aloe pet shampoo is pH balanced, alcohol free, paraben...
- Gentle Puppy Formula – This cornflower and aloe pet shampoo is great for gently cleaning...
- Less is More - Wahl has a higher concentrate of coconut derived sodding agent, which means...
Features
Plant-based ingredients make Wahl a puppy owner’s first choice. Wahl Dog/Puppy Shampoo rinses clean with abundant lather to completely clean your pet’s coat and alleviate the customary itch that many dogs have after a bath. The scent isn’t overbearing.
Pros
- Nice scent
- Lathers good
- Rinses well
Cons
- May not be good for sensitive skin
- May not eliminate tough dog odor
Uses
This mild formula is designed with a safe formula specifically for puppies.
Adams Flea and Tick Cleansing Shampoo
- Made in the USA - Our cornflower & aloe pet shampoo is pH balanced, alcohol free, paraben...
- Gentle Puppy Formula – This cornflower and aloe pet shampoo is great for gently cleaning...
- Less is More - Wahl has a higher concentrate of coconut derived sodding agent, which means...
Features
This is the best dog shampoo for flea and tick eradication and prevention. Simply let your pet soak in it for five minutes and you’ll have a pet free of fleas and/or ticks. It has a fantastic odor and is a strong weapon against troublesome pests.
In addition to cleansing and deodorizing your pet’s coat, it kills ticks and fleas and also breaks the flea life cycle by killing flea eggs and protecting against flea infestation for up to 30 days. It also works effectively against lice.
Pros
- Kills fleas, ticks and lice
- Deodorizes your pet
- For use on dogs and cats
Cons
- Pet may not want to wait the five minutes before rinsing
- Have to bathe every 30 days to stay effective
Uses
Specifically designed to kill fleas, ticks and lice, while protecting against future infestations for a month and deodorizing pet’s coat for a fresh smell.
Fresh ‘n Clean Scented Shampoo
- Soothing Agents: Aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E gently clean the hair and lock in...
- Cleansing Shampoo for Dogs: Provides a fresh, soft, and shiny coat while strengthening and...
- Doggie Odor Control: Has a long-lasting classic fresh scent that clings to hair for up to...
Features
This is the best dog shampoo for owners who want their companion to smell amazing. Infused with wheat protein, aloe vera and vitamin E to protect and fortify your dog’s skin and coat., it also eliminates tangles and mats in their hair so brushing and cleanup are easier.
The product lathers nicely and a little goes a long way with this strongly scented shampoo. Pet owners state that unlike any other dog shampoos, Fresh ‘n Clean lasts for as many as 14 days after a wash. Then, simply refresh the scent by wiping your pet with a moistened towel. Fresh ‘n Clean contains antistatic agents to keep coats manageable.
Pros
- Smells great
- Detangles hair
- A little goes a long way
- Long-lasting (for up to 14 days)
Cons
- May be too strong
- May irritate dog’s skin
Uses
Deodorizes and makes any dog smell great.
The Best Dog Shampoo
The overall best dog shampoo on our list is the Fresh ‘n Clean Scented Shampoo. It cleans your pet well, while also keeping him or her smelling great.
For a shampoo with natural ingredients, we recommend the Pro Pet Works Oatmeal shampoo. It’s mild and is sure to soothe Fido’s irritated and itchy skin!
Last update on 2023-10-04 at 03:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API