You love cuddling your furry friends. But what if your dog smells unpleasant or has fur twisted terribly? The best way to avoid these is by cleaning and grooming your furry friend with the best dog shampoo. Also, it helps your pet stay healthy and free from bacteria and infections.
Well, dog breeds with long and thick fur coats require more care and frequent grooming sessions. This is because their fur won’t get messy and twisted. Meanwhile, dogs with less fur, like Doberman pincher, requires less washing and grooming.
If you want your dog’s fur to be shiny, healthy, and thick, you must choose the right shampoo. Not only does the fur matter, but also your pet’s skin, and using the best dog shampoo can make a lot of difference.
Well, you will find a variety of shampoos for dogs, but choose the right one depending on your pet’s skin needs.
Here is a list of the best dog shampoos you can consider to buy the right one for your furry friend.
How to Choose the Best Dog Shampoo?
Let me tell you, there is no one-size-fits-all dog shampoo. Every dog has a unique fur texture, skin type, and color.
Why use dog shampoo and not a human-friendly one?
The reason is that shampoos for dogs are specially produced. They are safe to use on your pet’s skin without any irritation. Also, they keep all ticks and fleas away, take care of allergies, maintain the proper pH levels, and avoid skin diseases.
Using your shampoo for your pet is not a good idea due to its high pH levels. It can harshly damage your pet’s skin, leading to irritation or disease.
Before you hop on the list, consider the below factors while buying a good dog shampoo.
Skin Type: Your pet’s skin type is the foremost factor to consider. If it is dry, consider buying a moisturizing shampoo. However, if it is sensitive, go with pet-friendly cleaners, hypoallergenic shampoo, or any other gentle product on your pet’s skin.
Fur: Every dog has a different fur coat. While some have bushy, thick, and long, others have shiny or silky fur coats. Also, some dogs have black, white, or brown coats with very little hair.
While buying shampoo, read the product labels carefully. Ensure that it is best suitable for your pet and maintains its fur’s shine and silkiness.
Ingredients: For an allergenic skin type, choosing a product with natural ingredients is better. Ensure it does not contain harmful chemicals like parabens or alcohol, or artificial colors and fragrances. All these may result in skin irritation and allergy.
Best Dog Shampoo To Keep Your Pet’s Skin Healthy
1. Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo for Dogs
Product Ratings: 4.7/5
Price: $7.99 (24-oz)
It is the best dog shampoo for itchy skin. Packed with plant-based materials, it is free from alcohol, parabens, and PEG-80 – harmful chemicals. It comes with an oatmeal formula, coconut lime verbena, and pet-friendly formula.
This product is pH-balanced with a scent of coconut lime verbena, making it ideal for dry pet skin. It leaves your pet’s fur shiny and lustrous and promotes less shedding. It helps your pet remain clean and smell good for a long time.
Unlike other products, a small amount of shampoo can do wonders for your pet. The reason is Wahl has a higher concentration of a coconut-derived sodding agent.
Features
- A hypoallergenic composition helps your pet’s fur coat to be clean, fresh, and odorless.
- Contains eucalyptus oil that is safe and harmless.
- It also conditions the skin while deodorizing it.
You can buy the product here.
2. Himalaya Erina-EP Tick and Flea Control Shampoo
Product Ratings: 4.3/5
No doubt, Himalaya is one of the most trusted brands. This shampoo from Himalaya combines natural actives to keep all external parasites like fleas, ticks, and lice away from your furry friend. With perfectly-balanced pH, this dog shampoo ensures no scaling and skin damage.
The pet shampoo is free from toxic chemicals and is gentle on your pet’s skin. With the deodorizing action control, your pet’s skin remains fresh and odor-free for a long time.
Packed with herb extracts, such as Vacha and Sarapunkha, this shampoo ensures all-around protection for your dog with its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and insecticidal actions.
Features
- Ideal for treating all external parasites, such as licks, ticks, and lice infestation.
- A perfect blend of natural actives and herb extracts.
- Extremely gentle to your pet’s skin coat.
You can buy the product here.
3. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo
Product Ratings: 4.6/5
Price: $25.95 (16-oz 2 Pack)
If your pet’s skin is dry, itchy, or flaky, Earthbath dog shampoo is a go-to choice. Along with oatmeal and aloe, it blends vanilla and almonds, providing moisture to your dog’s skin.
Colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera help your pet combat skin irritation, re-moisturize the skin, and promote healing. While being soap-free and pH balanced, it leaves your pet’s coat and skin plush, odorless, and fresh by cleansing it thoroughly.
Moreover, the product is free from paraben, gluten, DEA, artificial colors, phthalates, and sulfates. The best part is it does not wash off flea applications.
Features
- Oatmeal and aloe vera provide a high moisture level to your pet’s skin.
- Completely natural, soap-free, and chemical-free.
- The presence of vanilla leaves your dog orderless.
- Money-back guarantee.
- Suitable for all pets over 6 weeks.
You can buy the product here.
4. Tropiclean Papaya and Coconut Luxury 2-in-1 Pet Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Ratings: 4.6/5
Price: $14.99 (20-oz)
As the name suggests, the product is a composition of natural ingredients – papaya and coconut. Besides, it comprises kiwi, pomegranate, yucca, mango, chamomile, and aloe extracts. All these natural actives leave your pet’s skin plush, odorless, and pleasant.
Serves as the best dog shampoo and conditioner, the product cleans a dog’s coat by removing all dirt and debris while providing smooth conditioning. It is a go-to option for dry skin, as the lather moisturizes the skin and coat, leaving it healthy and soft.
The presence of coconut gives freshness and a soap-free clean to your pets. Approved by worldwide pet parents, the shampoo is free from paraben, synthetic dyes, and other harmful chemicals.
Features
- Composed of naturally derived ingredients.
- Cruelty-free.
- Serves as a shampoo and conditioner.
- Gentle on pet’s skin.
- Suitable for dogs and cats over 12 weeks.
You can buy the product here.
5. Isle of Dogs Deep Cleaning Shampoo
Product Ratings: 4.7/5
Price: $12.09 (16-oz)
As the name suggests, the product deeply cleanses your pet’s skin and leaves it free from dirt, grime, and pungent odor. Being free from sulfate and paraben, the shampoo is gentler and softer on a dog’s coat and skin.
The product features red berries, the champagne fragrance, and natural odor neutralizers, helping your pup remain fresh and pleasant. Also, it retains the shine and luster of fur.
Features
- Deep cleansing yet gentle shampoo.
- Promotes healthy, shiny, and soft skin and coat.
- Ideal for all life stages.
You can buy the product here.
6. Captain Zack Barking Up The Tree Dog Shampoo
Product Ratings: 4.3/5
Price: $13.99 ($2.07 / Fl Oz)
Suitable for all skin types and dog breeds, this shampoo from Captain Zack is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-irritant. It treats dandruff and skin with itchiness, redness, and other issues. You get a rich, creamy lather that nourishes your pet’s skin.
Free from artificial fragrances and harmful chemicals, this product moisturizes your pet’s skin and leaves it shiny and lustrous. Vitamin E helps reduce skin flakiness and fosters a glossy and healthy coat.
Tea tree is well-known to calm skin irritation and reduce inflammation while keeping all external parasites at bay. It is the best moisturizing dog shampoo with the goodness of natural actives of tea tree. More importantly, the product is pH-balanced and free from paraben.
Features
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
- Soothe skin irritation and inflammation with the goodness of tea tree and essential oils.
- Keeps ticks and fleas away from your pet due to the anti-septic properties of Vitamin E oil.
- Suitable for puppies over six weeks.
You can buy the product here.
7. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo
Product Ratings: 4.5/5
Price: $6.52 (16-oz)
The Brut’s Bees brand is true to nature, hence its oatmeal shampoo. It cleanses your pet’s skin and coat, soothing, conditioning, and softening. It is suitable for dry skin and all dog breeds.
A composition of well-known natural ingredients sets this product apart from others. It is a blend of colloidal oatmeal, honey, and beeswax, making it ideal for sensitive skin types.
With well-balanced pH levels, it is 100% safe for pets of all life stages. Also, it is free from artificial fragrances and colorants, harmful chemicals, and sulfates.
Features
- Colloidal oat flour and honey nourish the skin and coat.
- The presence of green tea extract helps ticks and fleas stay away.
- No dominating scent and a light lather.
You can buy the product here.
8. Burt’s Bees Natural Shed Control Shampoo
Product Ratings: 4.1/5
Price: $7.67 (16-oz)
The next on our list is the best de-shedding shampoo for dogs from the same brand – Brut’s Bees. It is a composition of natural ingredients, such as Omega 3 and Vitamin E. It deeply nourishes and conditions your canine’s skin to reduce flakiness and provide moisture to dry skin. More importantly, it strengthens your pet’s fur, reduces breakage, and leashes stray hairs.
While the product is pH balanced, it is suitable for all life stages. A cruelty-free product does not contain sulfates, paraben, artificial fragrances, and colorants. Besides Omega 3 and Vitamin E, other compositions include coca, beeswax, Linum or linseed oil, glycerin, xanthan gum, etc.
Features
- No strong scent and no strong lather.
- Controls de-shedding while being gentle.
- Free from colorants and chemicals.
- Suitable for all pups and dogs.
You can buy the product here.
9. Dogz & Dudez Natural Neem Anti-Tick and Flea Dog Shampoo
Product Ratings: 4.2/5
The anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and insecticidal formula treat every skin disease, leaving your pet free from itching and skin infections. The goodness of the natural ayurveda herb neem and the lemongrass extract keeps all ticks and fleas at bay. You must consider buying this product if your pet suffers from skin issues.
The chemical-free product has a water-like texture, ensuring the shampoo leaves your pet’s skin or fur quickly. With well-balanced pH, it is free from paraben and other artificial elements.
Features
- Utilizes plant-based ingredients.
- Light and water-like texture.
- Treats dry and itchy skin.
- Vegan and Ayurvedic Certified tick-free shampoo.
- Suitable for dogs and cats.
You can buy the product here.
10. 4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo
Product Ratings: 4.6/5
The USDA-certified organic dog shampoo is the best solution for itchy and sensitive skin. It treats dry and flaky skin and reduces dandruff with the help of lemongrass and aloe vera. Very true to its name, it is composed of purely organic ingredients – aloe vera, coconut oil, lemongrass, and many others.
As it s purely organic, the product naturally strengthens your pet’s fur without artificial thickeners. It also maintains fur’s shine and luster while cleaning thoroughly and maintaining freshness.
Features
- Receive the USDA Certification from the National Organic Program.
- Recommended by holistic veterinarians.
- Purely organic.
- Hypoallergenic for sensitive skin types.
You can buy the product here.
To Wrap it Up!
These were our top recommendations for dog shampoo. All of the above products have well-balanced pH levels, clean your pet’s skin and coat thoroughly, and leave them fresh and healthy.
Our list comprises dog shampoos for every concern – shed control, dryness and flakiness, sensitiveness, and itchiness. While choosing any of the above products, checks the ingredients and ensure the product best suits your pet’s skin type and fur.
Happy pet parenting!
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best shampoo for dogs?
Well, you will find a list when you search on the internet. However, the best shampoo for dogs is free from chemicals like paraben and artificial colorants or dyes. Also, it must have well-balanced pH levels.
2. Can I use baby shampoo for dogs?
The pH level in baby shampoos is around 7, which is suitable for dogs. However, it serves as a one-time alternative. Ensure you use a dog shampoo for frequent bathing.
3. How do I keep my dog smell-free?
You can keep your dog smell-free by showering two to five times a week. Ensure to brush properly using cruelty-free shampoo.
4. Why are dog shampoos expensive?
Dog shampoos are expensive because they are formulated with components that provide moisture, nourishment, shine, and luster to your pet’s skin and coat.
5. Can I use human shampoo for my dog?
No, you cannot use human shampoo for your pet. It is strictly prohibited due to its high pH levels.