Importance of a Good Dog Shampoo
So, you’re trying to find the best dog shampoo for your pet. Every pet owner wants their dog happy and comfortable. It also helps when your dog smells good too!
The best dog shampoos don’t just make your dog smell nice, they also soothe skin and help encourage a healthy coat. If you don’t wash your dog with a good shampoo, it can cause irritation, itching, redness, and discoloration.
Conversely, a good dog shampoo does the opposite! It soothes your dog’s itchy skin while also removing dirt and bacteria. With the best dog shampoo for your pet, you can prevent a number of skin ailments and help increase your dog’s quality of life.
Five Best Dog Shampoos
Throughout my years as a certified dog trainer, I have seen and used a wide variety of dog shampoos. I have used that experience to create an all-encompassing guide to the best dog shampoos on the market.
Each of these products have a certain scenario or feature that sets them apart from the rest: ingredients, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog shampoo is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, and more.
Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog shampoos available!
All-Around Favorite Dog Shampoo
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Review Highlights:
“… When I saw the simplicity of the ingredients I was skeptical but will for my very sensitive dog. One deep wash with 5 in 1 and she is a new dog. It removes allergens, it feeds and protects her skin and her coat is soft … I will continue to use this! Worth every penny. …”
“… The result was great. His coat was shinier than normal, no tangles, clean smelling and soft. I would definitely recommend this product and will be using it in the future …”
“… Used the shampoo for the first time on our [dog] and she smelled great, had no dandruff, and her coat was super soft. Really happy with the 5-in-1 shampoo and it saved the extra step of applying conditioner …”
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This product is a really great all-around shampoo. It provides five different benefits in a single bottle. If you’re looking for a general dog shampoo to use on your dog that will keep their fur and skin healthy, this is your pick.
Feature Highlights:
- Washes, conditions, deodorizes, moisturizes, and detangles your dog’s coat and skin.
- Professional formula with quality ingredients.
- Derived from natural ingredients and oils.
- Offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
This shampoo covers all the bases. Instead of specializing in a single category, you can cover all your potential needs in a single shampoo. It contains gentle, high-quality ingredients to keep your dog’s coat and skin moisturized, clean, and smelling nice.
If you are looking for versatility, this shampoo is your pick. It provides you with a full spectrum of coverage while still using quality ingredients that won’t harm your pet. Overall, this is a great product for most pets. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, Shih-Tzus, Goldes Doodles, Terriers, and more.
Best All-Natural Dog Shampoo
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Review Highlights:
“… Best shampoo out there for dogs with allergies hands down! It lathers up very nicely and cleanses his coat throughly without overdrying or leaving any residue. You will NOT be disappointed …”
“… [My dog’s] white fur is whiter than ever and he’s much softer and fluffier than before. He also has wavy hair that’s prone to tangles and is a challenge to comb through & this did wonders for that too. I can’t recommend it enough. …”
“… Not only do the dogs smell better out of the bath, they continue to smell better for days afterwards. I’m the first to call snake oil on products that sound too good to be true but this stuff is for real. It’s awesome! …”
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If you’re looking for all-natural safe ingredients for your pet, Earthbath is the way to go. Not only is it safe for your dog and their skin, but it is also safe for the planet too! It is 100% all-natural and it is fully biodegradable.
Feature Highlights:
- Cruelty-free and biodegradable product that you can feel good about buying.
- Made without irritating soaps.
- Smells nice and is also gentle on skin.
This product uses organic oatmeal and aloe vera to soothe any dryness or itchy skin your dog has. It is derived using only natural ingredients. You can also breathe easy knowing that this product is pH balanced and completely safe for your dog, their coat, and their skin.
Veterinarians recommend this shampoo to their clients with itchy skin, dryness, irritation, and other skin ailments. You can rely on this product to ease your dog’s skin using only natural and safe ingredients that are safe for the environment. Recommended for: Shih-Tzu, Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and even cats.
Best Value Dog Shampoo
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Review Highlights:
“… finally found a shampoo that doesn’t irritate my dog’s very sensitive skin!! Not only does it not cause redness or itching, it cleans his fur, lathers great, and rinses really easy …”
“… I love this shampoo! My dog was really itchy. No more incessant itching or biting. She’s calm and happy and so now I am too. Happy dog, happy life:)) …”
“… I wanted a pet shampoo that doesn’t contain perfumes and other dangerous ingredients. There was no soap residue left on my dogs and it rinsed out easily. Their hair felt softer than I expected …”
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One of my biggest pet peeves as a dog trainer is “value” products that damage your pet with their sub-par ingredients. Shampoos tend to be huge in this issue, as the “cheap” brands often contain dyes and perfumes to give your dog the appearance of cleanliness. However, Burt’s Bees gives you quality at an affordable price.
Feature Highlights:
- Soothes dry, itchy skin and softens coat.
- Made with beeswax, oatmeal, and honey for soothing itchy skin.
- Safe for both adult dogs and puppies.
This shampoo provides you a safe and natural way to wash your dog without breaking the bank. With Burt’s Bees, your pet doesn’t have to suffer any dyes, perfumes, harsh chemicals, or colorants. Your pet’s skin will thank you for the treatment, and you will get the most bang for your buck!
Using this product is something you can feel good about. Not only does this shampoo contain 97% natural ingredients, but it is also pH balanced for the utmost care with your pet’s skin. As if that wasn’t enough, they also use recycled materials for their bottles! Recommended for: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Golden Doodles, Pitbulls, and more.
Best Shampoo for Smelly Dogs
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Review Highlights:
“… I have a golden retriever. We bathe him with this shampoo and he smells fresh for days. Plus, he has had no skin irritation from using it and he is bathed every 1 to 2 weeks due to his daily adventures in the dirt, mud, and water …”
“… I bought this for [my dog]. This soap did a perfect job tidying her up, removing any trace of dirt (especially in her white accents) and leaving her coat soft and smelling fresh….. until she manages to mess it up again! …”
“… This stuff is the best! Our dog gets smelly fast… Her fur is still soft and we haven’t had any of the matting issues we normally do. To top it off this stuff has a great price. I’m definitely putting this on the regular buy list. …”
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If you have a supremely stinky dog, Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control has your back! It uses neutralizers and deodorizers to effectively remove that stinky smell in even the most active of dogs.
Feature Highlights:
- Reduces tough odors using neutralizers and deodorizers.
- Made with oatmeal to help soothe and relieve dry skin.
- Made without soaps, parabens, dyes, or other irritants.
It is difficult to find a dog shampoo that can effectively remove tough odors. Some dogs are simply stinkier than others! If you suffer a smelly dog, this shampoo can help combat that without using harsh chemicals and parabens.
Not only is this product safe for your dog’s skin, but it also uses natural ingredients to soothe itchy skin and moisturize. It also uses a refreshing honey sage scent to keep your dog smelling fresh and clean. Recommended for: Beagles, Maltese, Shih-Tzus, French Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, and more!
Best Shampoo for Irritation
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Review Highlights:
“… My poor dog has so many skin issues. This shampoo works … I have seen an amazing improvement in him… this is the only thing ive found to work …”
“… HELPED MY DOGS ITCHY AND RED SKIN! I noticed instantly when I bathed him with this, his skin looked 500% better. No longer red, I noticed he stopped itching as much… it is WORTH IT because my sweet little pit mix is feeling better …”
“… IF YOU HAVE A DOG WITH MANGE THIS IS THE PRODUCT YOU NEED!!! DONT SPEND A FORTUNE ON ANY OTHER PRODUCT OUT THERE! 5 STARS ANY TYPE OF MANGE IT TREATS! …”
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If your dog has itchy and irritated skin, sometimes you need to bring out the big guns. This product provides your dog with an effective medicated formula that treats a number of skin ailments.
Feature Highlights:
- Relieves irritation from dandruff, mange, fungal infections, and bacterial infections.
- Works fast to relieve itching and irritation on your dog.
- Recommended by veterinarians to relieve itchy skin, uses only veterinary-grade ingredients.
This product uses medical-grade ingredients to treat even the worst skin irritation, hot spots, dandruff, mange, fungal infections, and more. If you have struggled with irritation and itching, this product is the choice for you.
Veterinary Formula uses only gentle ingredients to help cleanse and heal your dog’s skin. You can use this product to relieve hot spots, rashes, waxy/oily skin, dandruff, mange, dermatitis, and a wide variety of other skin conditions. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, Shih-Tzus, Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, and more.
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