Do you enjoy giving your furry friend a bath? Some pet owners find it to be a great bonding experience, while others end up drenched and unhappy. However, choosing the right dog shampoo can make the process easier and result in a clean pet that doesn’t have that wet dog smell. Kim Flatley, a professional dog groomer and owner of Fitness with Fido in St. Louis, recommends shampoos that are easily diluted, clean effectively without leaving any residue, are affordable, and made with natural ingredients. Our top pick is Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe shampoo, which is fragrance-free, creates a luxurious lather, and contains organic aloe vera and finely ground oatmeal for a nourishing skin treatment.
Honest Paws – Top Dog – Best Overall Dog Shampoo
Advantages:
– The 5-in-1 formula provides comprehensive care for your dog in one wash.
– The shampoo is made with a plant-based formula.
– Suitable for all breeds and ages of dogs over 12 weeks old.
Features:
The Honest Paws 5-in-1 Dog Wash is not just any ordinary dog shampoo. It not only cleans your dog’s coat effectively but also offers multiple benefits. Firstly, the gentle yet effective formula cleans your dog’s skin and coat. Secondly, the conditioning element smooths and detangles your dog’s fur, making brushing and petting easier. Thirdly, the shampoo deodorizes your dog, getting rid of any unpleasant odors they may have picked up. Fourthly, the shampoo moisturizes your dog’s skin with natural ingredients such as aloe vera extract, making it suitable for dogs with sensitive or dry skin. Lastly, the detangler feature helps long-haired breeds maintain their coat without any fuss.
Discounts and Deals:
Honest Paws offers a 15% discount for automatic refill orders, making it easier for dog owners to maintain their pet’s hygiene. Additionally, the Honest Paws Flea Market rewards program allows customers to accumulate points with every purchase and redeem them for various products or discounts.
Why it’s a Top Dog Shampoo:
The Honest Paws 5-in-1 Dog Wash stands out as one of the best dog shampoos on the market due to its comprehensive care for dogs, plant-based formula, and added benefits without any synthetic additives. It covers all aspects of a dog’s hygiene needs, making it a winning choice for dog owners.
Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Pet Shampoo
Benefits: Made with all-natural and organic ingredients, provides skin soothing and moisturizing benefits, does not interfere with topical flea and tick treatments, lathers well and rinses easily, free of synthetic fragrances and soap, 100% biodegradable, safe for puppies that are at least 6 weeks old.
Drawbacks: May not be effective in removing excessive dirt.
The perfect dog shampoo should not only cleanse your furry friend but also nourish their skin and leave their coat feeling soft. Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Pet Shampoo does all of this and more, making it our top choice overall. Its gentle formula is safe for puppies that are at least 6 weeks old, and it is particularly beneficial for dogs with sensitive skin.
Dogs with allergies to environmental factors, such as dust and pollen, can experience itchy and sensitive skin. Synthetic fragrances can also cause skin irritation, which is why a hypoallergenic shampoo is necessary. This shampoo is free of soap and synthetic fragrances and contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera, which soothe itchiness and restore moisture to the skin, making it an ideal option for dogs with sensitive skin.
The shampoo is scented with natural vanilla and almond oils and is 100% biodegradable and cruelty-free. It will not interfere with topical flea and tick treatments, making it a safe and effective option for pet owners. The only drawback is that it may not be effective in removing excessive dirt.
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hypoallergenic Shampoo
Who Can Use It:
This pet shampoo is suitable for all dogs, regardless of breed or age, including puppies. Its gentle yet effective formula makes it a great choice for pet owners who prioritize their furry friend’s well-being.
Who Should Avoid It:
Those who prefer scented formulas may not find this shampoo to their liking.
The Veterinary Formula Clinical Care dog shampoo is a top pick for pet owners. Its coconut-based cleansers provide a thorough clean, while vitamin E and allantoin work to soothe, moisturize, and condition your dog’s skin and coat.
This mild and hypoallergenic formula is pH-balanced and unscented, minimizing the risk of skin and eye irritation. It is also free of dyes, sulfates, and parabens, making it a safe choice for your pet.
This versatile pet shampoo can be used on dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, including puppies. It is even safe to use on cats. Additionally, it will not interfere with any topical flea or tick treatments your pet may be receiving.
At the time of publishing, the price for this shampoo is $10 for a 16-ounce bottle. Its unscented formula makes it a great option for those who don’t mind skipping the fragrance.
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey Shampoo
Product: Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey Shampoo
Size: 16 fluid ounces
Scent: Oatmeal and honey
Target: Adult dogs with skin irritations
Price: $6.59
Make bath time enjoyable for you and your furry friend with Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey Shampoo. This gentle cleanser is specially formulated with colloidal oat flour and honey to nourish your dog’s skin and coat, leaving it shiny and moisturized.
If your dog suffers from eczema or other skin irritations, this shampoo can help. The colloidal oat flour relieves itching, while honey helps to retain moisture in your dog’s coat. Additionally, the shampoo contains green tea extract to promote hair growth and strengthen hair follicles.
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey Shampoo is pH balanced to soothe the skin and prevent flakes, redness, and other irritations. It’s made in the USA and free from harmful parabens, fragrances, and other chemicals.
WAHL Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo for Dogs
The WAHL brand’s 50 years of experience in product-making is reflected in their shampoo, which boasts three essential ingredients: coconut oil, lime, and verbena. This formula is designed to keep your dog’s coat well-moisturized and prevent dryness. It creates a rich lather that thoroughly cleans your dog with only a small amount, while being pH balanced and free of alcohol and parabens. The scent is light and refreshing.
Pros of this shampoo include its premium-quality ingredients, pleasant scent, highly moisturizing formula, and cost-efficiency. One bottle contains 24 oz, providing more product than other brands.
The only con is that it comes in only one bottle size. Nonetheless, dog owners appreciate how effective this shampoo is at washing their dogs and maintaining their coats’ health, without breaking the bank.
What else pet parents should consider
Knowing which ingredients to avoid makes it easier to find the best shampoo for your furry friend. However, there are other considerations to keep in mind that only you, as their owner, can determine. These include:
1. Age: Just like humans, dogs have different life stages that require different products. Puppies have sensitive skin that can be easily irritated by adult dog shampoo, so it’s important to choose a product that’s age-appropriate.
2. Coat type: Your dog’s breed will determine their coat type, which can range from short fur with an undercoat that sheds to long hair that requires a conditioner or detangler. Even if you’re not sure about your dog’s breed, observing and brushing their coat can give you important clues.
3. Skin type: Different breeds can have varying skin types, with some prone to dry and itchy skin while others may be more oily. Choosing the wrong shampoo can worsen any existing skin problems, so it’s important to select a product that suits your dog’s skin type.
4. Medical conditions: If your dog has a diagnosed skin condition, your veterinarian may have prescribed a medicated shampoo to help alleviate the symptoms. It’s best to follow their recommendations when it comes to washing your dog. If you suspect your dog may have an underlying condition, make an appointment with your vet for a checkup.
FAQs
Can I use human shampoo on a dog?
For the short-term, yes. You can use human shampoo on a dog once or twice. It isn’t going to hurt them unless they have very sensitive skin or a particular skin condition that reacts negatively to human shampoo. For the large majority of dogs, human shampoo will not hurt them, however.
With that said, you do not want to use human shampoo for an extended period. Once or twice is okay. However, human shampoo just isn’t formulated for dogs. It is too acidic for the pH level of a dog’s skin to create problems over time. We recommend purchasing a dog shampoo as soon as possible. But, if you catch yourself in a rut and need to use human shampoo, go ahead.
How often should I bathe my dog?
This answer varies and depends on many different factors. On the one hand, some dog breeds need to be bathed more often than others. You may be able to get away with only bathing some dogs once a year, but others may need to be bathed every week. Some dog breeds have self-cleaning coats or do an excellent job of keeping themselves clean. Some dogs are so clean that they are likened to cats, which means you’ll probably never have to bathe them.
Another factor to keep in mind is how dirty your dog gets daily. If your dog spends most time inside, they probably aren’t going to roll in too much dirty or get fallen leaves stuck in their coat. At the same time, if your dog romps through the woods, they will probably get dirty more often.
Take these considerations into account when deciding when to bathe your dog. In general, if your dog looks or feels dirty, they probably need a bath!
Is dog shampoo bad for my dog?
There is some misinformation out there that says dog shampoo is bad for dogs. Some people encourage bathing your dog with human shampoo instead, or even using something like coconut oil. However, there are several problems with this. As we have discussed, human shampoo is the wrong pH for dogs. This can damage their skin over time. Furthermore, any “at home” shampoo you create probably isn’t the right pH either.
In general, dog shampoos are the way to go. However, not all dog shampoos are suitable for dogs, despite how they are advertised. Various ingredients are somewhat common in dog shampoos that are not very good for our canines. Fragrances, artificial color, and mineral oil are an example of these low-quality ingredients. For this reason, it is essential to do your research and choose a good shampoo – not just a subpar one.
