Your Guide To The Best Dog Shampoos
Just like in humans, it’s important for dogs to have good hygiene, and you’ll need to oversee that. Whether you’re brushing their fur, cleaning their teeth, or giving them a bath, you should work to establish and keep up with a routine to care for your pup.
When you’re trying to keep Fido’s hygiene up to scratch, you’ll naturally want to use the best products to get the job done. However, no two dogs are the same, so what may be perfect for one dog may not work for yours. Keep reading for everything you need to know about picking the best dog shampoo!
Why Use Dog Shampoo?
Why dog shampoo specifically? Dogs have different body chemistry than humans, and as such, require a different type of shampoo. By using dog shampoo, you can keep your pup’s skin and fur in prime condition, as well as treat common skin problems in dogs such as itching, skin allergies, and fleas.
Can I Use Human Shampoo On My Dog?
No, you should avoid using human shampoo on your dog, even if you don’t have dog shampoo around at the moment. As mentioned before, dogs have different body chemistry, and as such, their skin has different needs than a human’s. Using human shampoo on your pup could damage their skin, leaving it dried out and irritated. Stick to a high-quality dog shampoo!
Best Flea Shampoo For Dogs
Flea shampoo is, of course, dog shampoo designed to treat pups suffering from fleas. It works like a charm to get rid of the fleas, but be sure not to overuse it. Flea shampoo tends to be a bit hard on dogs’ skin, so you shouldn’t apply it more than once a week, making sure to follow application instructions carefully and rinse thoroughly once you’re done.
| Brand | Description | Price |
ADAMS Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor | ADAMS Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo works to kill parasites on your dog’s skin, as well as take care of any eggs and larvae. It’s designed to smell great, and can be used on dogs with sensitive skin! | Buy On Amazon | $14.97 |
Wondercide Flea and Tick Shampoo | Wondercide’s all-natural flea and tick shampoo makes use of essential oils such as peppermint to fight off fleas and ticks while soothing your pup’s skin, allowing it to be used on even the most sensitive of pups! | Buy On Amazon | $19.99 |
Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea & Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo | Combining an effective formula that kills fleas and ticks on contact with the soothing power of oatmeal, this shampoo helps with pests and itchy skin alike! | Buy On Amazon | $9.19 |
Best Dog Shampoo For Itchy Skin
While fleas are a common cause of itching, your dog may suffer from itchy skin for other reasons. If they seem itchy but don’t have any fleas, this is the best dog shampoo for them! It’s specially formulated to promote healthy skin, and will greatly reduce your pup’s itching. Just use it as normal during routine baths and your pup will be good to go!
| Brand | Description | Price |
DOUXO S3 CALM Soothing Dog & Cat Shampoo | DOUXO S3 CALM is designed to soothe itchy and irritated skin in dogs in addition to strengthening the skin barrier, which will allow your pup to resist future irritation! | Buy On Chewy | $19.99 |
Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs | Wahl’s itch relief dog shampoo uses the soothing properties of coconut and oatmeal to soothe and rejuvenate your pup’s dry and itchy skin. | Buy On Amazon | $8.99 |
VETNIQUE LABS Dermabliss Itchy Dog Shampoo | Made by vets to relieve itching and hydrate your pup’s skin, this is the perfect choice for keeping your dog happy and healthy! | Buy On Amazon | $18.99 |
Best Smelling Dog Shampoo
While it’s important that your dog’s shampoo works correctly, you want it to smell good, too! If you aren’t looking for any specialized purposes such as fleas, an ordinary, great-smelling dog shampoo will do the trick!
| Brand | Description | Price |
Pawfume Dog Shampoo and Conditioner | Pawfume’s dog shampoo keeps your pup’s coat sleek and shiny, and comes in three great-smelling, long-lasting scents you can choose from! | Buy On Amazon | $14.99 |
TropiClean Grooming Shampoo for Dogs and Cats | Bringing your pup’s coat a fresh, invigorating rush of tropical scents, this shampoo will leave your pup squeaky clean and smelling great! | Buy On Amazon | $11.99 |
Wahl 4-in-1 Calming Pet Shampoo | Another great pet shampoo from Wahl, this one is designed to smooth and detangle your pup’s coat and sports a pleasant scent of lavender and coconut. | Buy On Amazon | $8.99 |
Best Deshedding Shampoo For Dogs
While everyone loves their pup, most could do without the extra fur that gets shed everywhere. Deshedding shampoo in conjunction with regular brushing will significantly reduce the amount of fur your pup sheds. We strongly recommend it to anyone who owns dogs with long or thick coats.
| Brand | Description | Price |
FURMINATOR DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo | By smoothing out and nourishing your pup’s fur, this shampoo will help to reduce shedding, leading to a fuller coat and a cleaner house! | Buy On Chewy | $14.99 |
ULTRA COLLECTION Sugarcane Island Odor Control & Deshedding Dog Shampoo | This shampoo is designed to provide your pup with a thorough cleaning without stripping their fur of its natural oils, keeping it fresh, clean, and strong. | Buy On Chewy | $10.99 |
Shed-X Shed Control Shampoo for Dogs | Shed-X Shed Control uses a combination of vitamins, proteins, and oatmeal to promote healthy skin and fur, reducing shedding! | Buy On Amazon | $12.99 |
Best Dog Shampoo For Odor
Let’s face it: no matter how clean you keep your pup, the little guy isn’t going to smell like roses. While some odor is to be expected, if your dog suffers from excessive odor, you may want to consider a dog shampoo designed specifically for combatting odor.
| Brand | Description | Price |
Arm & Hammer Super Deodorizing Dog Shampoo | With its special odor-fighting baking soda formula, Arm & Hammer’s dog shampoo gets rid of any unpleasant smells on your pup and replaces them with the fresh scent of kiwi. | Buy On Amazon | $5.69 |
Nature’s Specialty Smelly Pet Shampoo | This shampoo fights the strongest and most persistent odors as well as leaving your pup’s coat fresh and shiny! | Buy On Amazon | $17.91 |
PetAg Fresh N’ Clean Scented Dog Shampoo | PetAg’s high-quality formula controls odor with its clean scent, and promotes healthy fur with aloe vera and vitamin E! | Buy On Amazon | $19.79 |
Best Dog Shampoo For Sensitive Skin
Like humans, it’s possible for dogs to have sensitive skin that reacts poorly to many shampoos. If your dog’s skin seems to be dry or irritated no matter how well you take care of them, their skin may just not interact well with the shampoo you’re using! Fortunately, there are many dog shampoos available for dogs with sensitive skin, allowing you to keep your pup squeaky clean without any harsh chemicals!
| Brand | Description | Price |
BARKLOGIC Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Tangerine Dog Shampoo | This shampoo’s plant-based formula can be used on even the most sensitive of skin, and helps remedy the issue by moisturizing! | Buy On Chewy | $12.95 |
Honest Paws Dog Shampoo and Conditioner | This shampoo does a bit of everything, cleaning, conditioning, moisturizing, and detangling your pup’s fur without using any harsh ingredients! | Buy On Amazon | $16.99 |
Burt’s Bees for Dogs Itch Soothing Shampoo | Soothing your dog’s skin with honeysuckle, this shampoo treats sensitive skin and softens fur. | Buy On Amazon | $11.99 |
Best Dry Shampoo For Dogs
With your busy schedule, there’s not always time for you to give your dog a full bath. If you find yourself in need of a quick solution, dry shampoo is the best dog shampoo you can buy! There’s no need for soaking, rinsing, or coaxing your pup into the tub; just apply the dry shampoo evenly to your pup’s coat and go about your day!
| Brand | Description | Price |
Paw Choice Dog Shampoo | This dry dog shampoo is a cinch to use, allowing you to bathe your pup in minutes with a sweet, fruity scent! | Buy On Amazon | $14.13 |
Wahl Pet Friendly Waterless No Rinse Shampoo | Similar to Wahl’s standard lavender shampoo, this shampoo provides the same great scent in a matter of minutes! | Buy On Amazon | $7.99 |
Bodhi Dog Waterless Lavender Dry Shampoo | With a soft, pleasant scent, this hypoallergenic dry shampoo is perfect for freshening your dog up until the next bath. | Buy On Amazon | $13.99 |
Best Medicated Dog Shampoo For Skin Allergies
If your dog suffers from skin allergies, regular dog shampoo isn’t going to cut it. Chances are, you’ll want to go with a medicated shampoo designed to relieve any irritation caused by their allergies, as well as help alleviate some of the symptoms. If you’re unsure whether or not medicated shampoo is right for your pup, feel free to consult your vet!
| Brand | Description | Price |
CuraseB Medicated Shampoo for Dogs | This shampoo is formulated to fight infections, allergies, and anything else that may be bothering your pup’s skin! | Buy On Amazon | $20.99 |
TropiClean OxyMed Medicated Anti-Itch Shampoo for Dogs | This shampoo will work to reduce skin irritation, as well as combat skin conditions such as eczema in your pup! | Buy On Amazon | $15.99 |
TropiClean Medicated Oatmeal & Tea Tree Dog Shampoo | Another shampoo from TropiClean, this one is designed to treat, moisturize, and exfoliate your pup’s irritated skin. | Buy On Amazon | $13.99 |
Best Whitening Shampoo For Dogs
Though there’s nothing wrong with your dog playing outside and rolling around in the dirt, if they have a white coat, all that grime will stain their fur. Fortunately, there are certain shampoos that will help keep your dog’s coat in pristine condition, maintaining their beautiful and striking white fur. While we recommend against using this for dogs without white fur, this is the perfect shampoo for any and all white dogs!
| Brand | Description | Price |
Lillian Ruff Berry Blue Face and Body Shampoo Set for Dogs | This shampoo comes with a pleasant blueberry scent and works to whiten your pup’s coat while moisturizing their skin. | Buy On Amazon | $34.95 |
Healthy Breeds Bright Whitening Dog Shampoo | With an exotic pina-colada scent, this shampoo works to promote and maintain the luster and color of your pup’s coat. | Buy On Amazon | $11.99 |
BioSilk Therapy Whitening Dog Shampoo | This shampoo is perfect for thoroughly cleaning your pup’s coat, leaving it bright and shiny! | Buy On Amazon | $6.75 |
Best Oatmeal Shampoo For Dogs
Though most wouldn’t expect it, oatmeal is an excellent add-in to dog shampoo, and helps to keep their skin and fur healthy! A great oatmeal shampoo will keep your pup’s fur shiny and their skin healthy, making for a happy dog and a happy owner alike!
| Brand | Description | Price |
Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs | Using oat protein and aloe, this shampoo helps to moisturize and soothe your pup’s skin, leaving it healthier than ever! | Buy On Amazon | $8.19 |
Pet Oatmeal Anti-Itch Shampoo and Conditioner | This shampoo uses oatmeal, aloe vera, and baking soda, which work together to soothe your pup’s skin and keep them smelling fresh! | Buy On Amazon | $24.99 |
Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo | This shampoo from Zesty Paws uses aloe and oatmeal to clean and soothe your pup’s fur and skin and has a pleasant scent of vanilla beans. | Buy On Chewy | $13.97 |
Hopefully, this guide to the best dog shampoo has been helpful! However, if your dog is still suffering from itchy skin, try a few of these at-home itchy skin remedies.