Best Dog Shampoo for Your Furry Friend

For some dog owners, bath time can be a bonding experience. For others, everyone ends up soaked and nobody is happy. Having the best dog shampoo can make things easier when the goal is a clean pet that doesn’t smell like wet dog.

Look for shampoos that dilutes easily, has a good clean, will not leave behind any residue, and is as natural as possible while being affordable.

8 Best Dog Shampoo

• Best overall 
• Best natural/organic 
• Best for sensitive and dry skin 
• Best for odor 
• Best for shedding 
• Best waterless 
• Best flea shampoo 
• Best for puppies 

1- BEST OVERALL DOG SHAMPOO:

EARTHBATH OATMEAL & ALOE PET SHAMPOO

Earthbath has a wide range of shampoo formulas from which to choose that can work for every dog and owner. They are all specialized without any harmful chemicals or parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. All items are also cruelty-free.

KEY FEATURES:

• Address dry, itchy, and flaky skin
• Brilliantly clean & soft

Pros

• No parabens, sulfates, phthalates
• No fragrance

Cons:

• Watery formula
• Some people prefer scented 

2- BEST NATURAL/ORGANIC DOG SHAMPOO:

4-LEGGER ORGANIC DOG SHAMPOO

All 4-legger products are certified organic and free of harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors and fragrances, or harmful preservatives. They’re also vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

KEY FEATURES:

• Natural ingredients that make sense
• Great for itch relief and sensitive skin

Pros:

• Certified organic
• Foams well
• Leaves hair soft

Cons:

• Very watery
• Some users did not like smell

3- BEST DOG SHAMPOO FOR SENSITIVE AND DRY SKIN:

ROCCO & ROXIE CALM SENSITIVE SKIN

This gentle shampoo for dogs has hydrating and soothing aloe vera extract, cleansing chamomile, promoting healthy skin growth with rosemary, and is mild coconut and honey scented.

These shampoo formulas are void of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde, artificial colors, dyes and other additives. The formulas are ph balanced so they’re safe and comfortable for a dog’s skin.

KEY FEATURES:

• Hydrating
• Free of harmful chemicals

Pros:

• No parabens, phthalates, or other additives
• Mild scent
• Leaves very shiny fur

Cons:

• Doesn’t lather well
• Very thick and hard to get out of bottle

4- BEST FOR ODOR:

BUDDY WASH ORIGINAL LAVENDER & MINT DOG SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

This conditioning shampoo is a two-in-one product that’s infused with soothing lavender and mint essential oils, as well as ingredients such as chamomile, sage, and rosemary extract.

The fresh scent created by using natural extracts should help eliminate the scratchy odor that made you take your pet to the bathroom in the first place.

KEY FEATURES:

• Pure and botanical ingredients.
• Herbal scent.
• Free of harmful chemicals
• Gentle on dog’s skin.

Pros:

• Lathers easily 
• Not tested on animals
• Includes conditioner 

Cons:

• Scent may be overpowering for some people
• Very thick and hard to get out of the bottle

5- BEST FOR SHEDDING:

FURMINATOR DESHEDDING ULTRA PREMIUM DOG SHAMPOO

But this furminator shampoo from a popular grooming brand may make bath time bearable. It includes natural ingredients to improve skin’s health, like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, of cranberry and sunflower seed oils, along with aloe vera and vitamin e.

KEY FEATURES:

• Works to reduce shedding
• Promotes healthy skin and coat
• Enriched with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, calendula extract, and papaya leaf extract

Pros:

• Very moisturizing
• Enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• No parabens or chemical dyes

Cons:

• Added fragrance that may be too strong
• Has to sit for a while

6- BEST WATERLESS DOG SHAMPOO:

WAHL WATERLESS PET WASH

Featuring a plant-based alternative to traditional pet washes, this waterless pet wash is non-irritating and eliminates harsh chemicals. 

KEY FEATURES:

• Made in the USA
• No rinsing necessary
• Oatmeal formula
• Allergy friendly
• The brand used by professionals

Pros:

• Cruelty-free
• Plant-based with no parabens

Cons:

• No unscented option
• Won’t help with very dirty dogs

7- BEST FLEA SHAMPOO FOR DOGS:

RICHARD’S ORGANICS FLEA & TICK SHAMPOO

For your pet, it’s not enough to just have a safe shampoo. To avoid reinfection, it is important to also have another effective means of flea control like monthly chewables or a spot-on treatment prescribed by your vet.

KEY FEATURES:

• 100 percent all-natural actives flea and tick treatment for dogs
• Formulated to kill fleas and ticks
• Effectively kill mosquito larvae
• Useful to treat infections and other skin problems
• Helps to treat seborrhoea as well as bacterial and fungal infections

Pros:

• Paraben, dye, and soap free
• Inexpensive
• Has vitamin e, lecithin, and lanolin to soothe itchy skin

Cons:

• None!

8- BEST FOR PUPPIES:

PURE AND NATURAL PET FRAGRANCE FREE HYPOALLERGENIC ORGANIC SHAMPOO

Pure and natural makes several USDA-certified organic pet shampoos and conditioners that have no parabens, sulfates, chemicals, formaldehyde, or other harmful chemicals.

The company makes a specific puppy shampoo that is all natural, but we like this gentle hypoallergenic formula. It has no artificial fragrances or dyes, no preservatives or additives, and the simple ingredients include organic aloe water, organic castile soap, and organic calendula and jojoba oils.

KEY FEATURES:

• Puppy shampoo, tearless, sensitive skin
• Safe and gentle on your puppy’s coat
• Relieves itching
• Safe for puppies 12 weeks and older

Pros:

• USDA – certified organic
• Unscented
• Left coat very silky

Cons:

• Doesn’t lather easily
• Some people prefer scent

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN SHOPPING FOR DOG SHAMPOOS

Look for natural ingredients in the shampoo. Choosing organic can avoid exposure to toxic chemicals.

When grooming pet dogs, get your dog nice and wet first and then start from the head and work your way down. Rinse from the head down so that all the dirty water doesn’t flow into clean areas of your dog’s body.

1- Ingredients

It’s not enough to make a product that belongs in your skin-care regimen – be sure to check the ingredients. Products with perfumes, mineral oils, sulfates, parabens and phthalates can lead to some health complications, such as skin irritations or even cancer in dogs.

You should also be sure to avoid artificial colors, dyes, and other chemicals. Instead, use essential oils that help your body and are allergy-free.

2- Breed

The dog’s natural coat determines the kind of shampoo that should be used. Some dogs and their coats are so oily they require less washing.

Groomers recommend using a no-conditioner shampoo on these breeds, as it can cause them to over oil, potentially causing skin problems.

3- Lifestage

While a lot of brands might say their product is safe or gentle for puppies, the key is to check ingredients first. Always read the label to make sure there are no damaging ingredients. Stick to something gentle and natural.”

Most shampoos are safe to use starting at 8 weeks of age, but if you’re unsure, always ask your vet before using a product. In general, medicated shampoos and those targeted towards fleas aren’t recommended until puppies are a little older.

If you loved this article, you will also love reading our eBook Dubai Ruff Guide

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