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A good bath with a high-quality dog shampoo helps keep a dog's skin and coat clean, healthy, and moisturized. Dog shampoos are not one-size-fits-all, though. There are whitening shampoos for dogs with white fur, shampoos that are formulated to kill fleas and ticks, and ones that cater specifically to a puppy's sensitive skin.
As a veterinarian, I understand that a dog's skin and coat are windows into a dog's health. Many factors, such as environmental allergies, can make a dog's skin itchy, dry, and irritated. Systemic health conditions like malnutrition can cause a dog's hair to become dry, brittle, and possibly fall out. Regular bathing, a healthy diet, and routine preventive care play an important role in a dog's overall health and well-being.
With so many types of dog shampoos, it can be challenging to decide which one is best for your dog. To help you narrow down your choices, I researched 14 dog shampoos and evaluated them using multiple criteria, including ingredients, ease of use, and purpose, like flea and tick prevention.
For additional insight on dog shampoos, I interviewed Karen Todd-Jenkins, a relief veterinarian in Trenton, New Jersey, and Cherese Sullivan, a relief veterinarian in Houston, Texas.
Individual dogs can have specific bathing needs, so work with your veterinarian to determine how often you should bathe your dog and what type of shampoo you can use to keep your dog's skin and coat healthy.
Once you know what's best for your dog, you can sign up for Amazon's Subscribe and Save. When you set up automatic deliveries, you can save up to 15% on a variety of pet products.
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Best dog shampoo overall: Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Pet Shampoo, $14.99 on Amazon Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Pet Shampoo is an organic, all-natural, hypoallergenic shampoo that soothes and moisturizes the skin without causing any additional irritation.
Best flea shampoo for dogs: Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies, $29.99 on Amazon Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies works quickly to kill fleas and ticks for up to 10 days.
Best dry shampoo for dogs: Begley's Natural No-Rinse Waterless Pet Shampoo, $10.99 on Amazon Begley's Natural No-Rinse Waterless Pet Shampoo provides a thorough waterless clean with natural ingredients.
Best shampoo for puppies: Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo, $14.99 on Amazon Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo is a gentle, tear-free shampoo that contains natural and organic ingredients for cleaning puppies and detangling their coats.
Best whitening shampoo for dogs: Chris Christensen White on White Shampoo for Pets, $21.99 on Amazon Chris Christensen White on White Shampoo for Pets is gently formulated to whiten and brighten a dog's coat.
Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Pet Shampoo is an organic, all-natural, hypoallergenic shampoo that soothes and moisturizes the skin without causing any additional irritation.
Pros: All-natural and organic ingredients, soothes and moisturizes the skin, does not wash away topical flea and tick treatments, lathers well and rinses easily, free of soap and synthetic fragrances, 100% biodegradable, safe for puppies at least 6 weeks of age
Cons: Might not be effective if a lot of dirt is present
The ideal dog shampoo will do more than just clean your dog and make them smell good; it will also restore moisture to their skin and leave their fur feeling soft. Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Pet Shampoo does all of these things, while also being gently formulated and safe for puppies at least 6 weeks of age, making it our top overall choice.
The shampoo is especially useful for dogs with sensitive skin. Skin conditions like environmental allergies to dust and pollen can make a dog's skin itchy and extra-sensitive. Other substances, such as synthetic fragrances, can also irritate a dog's skin and cause persistent itchiness. Dogs with sensitive skin need a shampoo that is hypoallergenic, meaning it is free of ingredients that could irritate the skin.
The colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera in this shampoo relieve itchiness and restore the skin's moisture. It is free of ingredients like soap and synthetic fragrances that could cause further skin irritation or allergy flare-ups. Its fragrance is from natural vanilla and almond oils.
The shampoo is 100% biodegradable, cruelty-free, and will not wash off topical flea and tick treatments.
Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies works quickly to kill fleas and ticks for up to 10 days.
Pros: Free of pyrethrin, kills fleas quickly, soothes irritated skin, lathers well, safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age
Cons: May stop working sooner than expected, scent may fade quickly
Flea and tick prevention comes with the territory of dog ownership. Although flea and tick preventives, such as topical spot-on treatments, are the primary and most effective form of prevention, flea and tick shampoos can provide additional protection from these tiny pests.
Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies earned the top spot for flea and tick shampoos. Importantly, it is free of pyrethrin, a synthetic insecticide that is commonly found in flea and tick shampoos. "Pyrethrin-based flea shampoos should be avoided because pyrethrin can be toxic to puppies and small dogs," says Sullivan.
Instead of pyrethrin, this shampoo has the synthetic insecticide permethrin, which quickly and effectively kills fleas and ticks, including deer ticks. It also contains piperonyl butoxide, which enhances permethrin's flea- and tick-killing abilities.
This formula includes oatmeal to soothe skin that's become red and irritated from the near-constant scratching from flea and tick bites. It is safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age.
The shampoo should be left on for at least five minutes to work most effectively. It lathers well, so a little goes a long way.
Flea and tick shampoos are medicated shampoos and should be used only when directed by a veterinarian. Skin conditions often have similar symptoms, like irritated skin. So, what looks like a flea problem might be something else, such as a yeast infection. "I normally discourage using a medicated shampoo unless we know what we're treating," says Todd-Jenkins.
Begley's Natural No-Rinse Waterless Pet Shampoo provides a thorough waterless clean with natural ingredients.
Pros: Natural ingredients, distributes quickly across the skin and coat, does not leave a residue, 100% biodegradable, cruelty-free
Cons: Sprayer may break, scent is short-lived
There are times when a full dog bath isn't convenient or practical. Begley's Natural No-Rinse Waterless Pet Shampoo is an easy-to-apply, lightly scented shampoo that cleans and deodorizes without drying the skin.
This shampoo for puppies and adult dogs contains a proprietary natural enzyme blend that provides a deep clean by removing the residues of protein, fat, and starch from a dog's fur and skin. It also contains naturally occurring biosurfactants, which are produced by microbes and give an extra boost to the shampoo's cleaning power.
It is available in four different natural, essential oil-based fragrances: lavender, citrus, oatmeal mango, and tea tree. The ingredients are biodegradable, making it a safe choice for dogs and the environment.
The shampoo distributes quickly and easily across a dog's skin and coat and doesn't leave any product residue after it's wiped off with a towel. For the face, the manufacturer recommends spraying the shampoo on a damp cloth first and then gently rubbing the face, being careful to avoid a dog's eyes.
"Waterless shampoos are often helpful in specific situations, such as after surgery when a dog's incision site has to stay dry," says Sullivan. Dogs that suffer from incontinence or don't like being bathed can also benefit from the quick cleans that a waterless shampoo provides. Waterless shampoos are a good solution when there's a long time between grooming appointments.
Be mindful that waterless shampoos might not provide the same level of cleaning that a bath can provide. Bathing a dog with water and shampoo does a superior job of mechanically removing dirt and debris from the fur, says Todd-Jenkins.
Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo is a gentle, tear-free shampoo that contains natural and organic ingredients for cleaning puppies and detangling their coats.
Pros: Tear-free formula, natural and organic ingredients, does not wash away topical flea and tick treatments, free of soap, lathers and rinses well, safe for puppies at least 6 weeks of age
Cons: Cherry scent may be off-putting
Unlike other puppy shampoos that we considered that contained synthetic ingredients, Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo uses natural and organic ingredients to clean, condition, and detangle, making it our top choice for puppy shampoos.
A puppy's skin is more sensitive than an adult dog's skin. Because of this, puppy shampoos are formulated to be extra-gentle while still being effective at cleaning and moisturizing the skin and coat. This shampoo contains ingredients such as aloe vera and various vitamins to moisturize and nourish a puppy's skin and coat.
The shampoo is safe for puppies at least 6 weeks of age and does not wash off topical flea and tick treatments. For the first few weeks of life, puppies have trouble regulating their body temperature, so they can get cold easily. Because of this, it is recommended that puppies not be bathed until they are at least 6 to 8 weeks old, after they're better at regulating their body temperature.
Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo lathers well and rinses easily, which helps if you have a squirmy puppy that doesn't like to hold still for a long bath. The gentle, tear-free formula will not sting a puppy's eyes, but it's a good idea to take extra care to avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth when bathing a dog.
Chris Christensen White on White Shampoo for Pets is gently formulated to whiten and brighten a dog's coat.
Pros: Free of bleaching ingredients, gentle formula does not irritate the skin, lathers and rinses easily, light scent, can be used on all coat colors, lasts up to 4 weeks
Cons: May leave a purple tint on the fur if not used properly, puppies may not sit still for the 10 minutes that the product must stay on
Dogs with white fur need more than just a regular shampoo. They need a shampoo that also removes discoloring stains (e.g., urine and food stains) that are more obvious on white coats.
Chris Christensen White on White Shampoo for Pets whitens and brightens a dog's fur for four weeks without relying on harsh chemicals like bleaching agents. It also removes yellow stains and provides a deep clean. As a bonus, the shampoo can be used on dogs with any coat color to increase the fur's luster.
Whitening shampoos are primarily classified as bluing, enzymatic, or clarifying. Bluing shampoos, also called optical brighteners, contain blue or purple color enhancers that absorb and reflect light to hide stains. Enzymatic shampoos break down proteins that cause discoloration. Clarifying shampoos strip dirt from the hair cuticles.
This shampoo has a purple color that provides the optical brightening effect. It should be left on for up to 10 minutes; if left on for longer, it may leave a slight purple tint on the fur.
Although the shampoo's formula is gentle, the manufacturer recommends testing the shampoo in a small skin area if a dog has allergies. It is safe for use in puppies at least 16 weeks of age and adult dogs.
We consulted with two veterinarians to learn more about dog shampoos. They did not provide specific product recommendations but did lend their clinical expertise regarding how dog shampoos can be used for different purposes, such as soothing itchy skin or whitening the fur.
We also researched how dog shampoos work. For example, we studied the common insecticides — permethrin and pyrethrin — found in flea and tick dog shampoos.
Here are the selection criteria that we used to evaluate shampoos:
Deciding on a dog shampoo can be challenging, so pet parents like yourself commonly have questions about the shampoos and dog skin conditions.
The short answer is no. The skin has a pH, which indicates how acidic something is: the lower the pH, the more acidic. The pH of human skin is approximately 5, while canine skin pH is slightly higher (5.5 to 7.5), meaning that human skin is more acidic than canine skin.
Shampoo for human skin is too acidic for a dog's skin and could irritate a dog's eyes. "In general, I advise pet owners to use pet-specific shampoos whenever possible," says Todd-Jenkins.
Dog shampoos can work well at managing various skin conditions in dogs, but they are not a cure-all for skin problems. Skin conditions often need veterinary care to be adequately controlled and treated. Here are some indications for when you should take your dog to your vet for skin issues:
The earlier that you can take your dog to the veterinarian, the better, notes Sullivan. "Early intervention leads to quicker recovery, comfort, and, often, less expense," she says.
That depends on various factors, such as your dog's skin and coat health. For example, if your dog has dry and itchy skin from environmental allergies, a shampoo for sensitive skin would be a good choice. If you live in an area with abundant fleas and ticks, a flea and tick shampoo could accompany your dog's flea and tick preventative. Puppies need specific puppy shampoo that is formulated for their extra-sensitive skin.
Your veterinarian can help you determine the type of shampoo that would be best for your dog.
Bathing is part of the overall grooming process, which includes regular brushing and nail trims. But why is bathing so important? Bathing has many benefits, which our experts pointed out:
Bathing your dog also allows you to check for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, explains Todd-Jenkins. Bath time also gets a dog used to being touched, promoting a strong human-animal bond, she adds.
Whether you're new to dog baths or have been bathing your dog for a while, there are some bathing do's and don'ts that are good to keep in mind, according to our experts.
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