The 8 Best Dog Shampoos of 2022

Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe is the best overall pick

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more aboutour process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Best Dog Shampoos

The Spruce Pets / Chloe Jeong

What’sdoggy bath timelike at your house? For some pet owners, it’s a fun bonding experience. For others, everyone ends up soaked and nobody’s happy. Having the right shampoo can make things easier when the goal is a clean pet that doesn’t smell like wet dog.

“I like shampoos that dilute easily, clean well and not leave behind any residue, and that are as natural as possible as well as affordable,” says Kim Flatley, professional dog groomer and owner of St. Louis-basedFitness with Fido.

We looked for the best dog shampoos. Here's what we found:

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo

5
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo

Amazon

Size:16 ounces |Scent:Unscented |Usage:For puppies and dogs, 6 weeks and up

What We Like
  • No parabens, sulfates, phthalates

  • No fragrance

What We Don't Like
  • Watery formula

  • Some people prefer scented

There are so many different formulas and scents that there’s sure to be an Earthbath shampoo perfect for you and your dog. Our top pick, the Oatmeal and Aloe formula, is a good place to start. It’s fragrance-free with colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera to moisturize dry, itchy skin. Like all Earthbath products, it’s made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, gluten and synthetic dyes. All items are cruelty-free and made in the United States.

Ask Earthbath fans and so many of them will have a favorite shampoo ranging from deodorizing to hot spot relief, shed control to conditioning. Natural scents include mango, peppermint, vanilla, and lavender. There’s also a popular vanilla and almond version of this oatmeal and aloe shampoo if you want something with a little scent.

Earthbath products are guaranteed so if you aren’t happy with the bath time results, they’ll refund your money.

Best Natural/Organic

4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoo

5
4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoo

Amazon

Size:16 ounces |Scent:Lemongrass and rosemary scent |Usage:Puppies and adults

What We Like
  • USDA-certified organic

  • Foams well

  • Leaves hair soft

What We Don't Like
  • Very watery

  • Some users did not like smell

“Looking for natural and organic is always the best way to go,” says professional groomer Youngker. “When products are certified organic, they don’t contain ingredients that can damage a dog’s skin.”

There are nine USDA-certified organic shampoos in the 4-Legger line, with an array of ingredients including oatmeal and lavender for dry and itchy skin, peppermint and eucalyptus for conditioning, and an unscented version with aloe vera for sensitive skin.This popular choice features aloe vera, lemongrass, and coconut oil for moisturizing.

All 4-Legger products are USDA certified organic and free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors and fragrances, or harmful preservatives. Shampoos are made in the United States and have a money-back guarantee. They’re vegan and cruelty-free.

Groomer Pro Tips
  • Groomer Kim Flatley suggests diluting shampoo in a cup before using it to help spread it around your pup and helping it later more easily.
  • Use lukewarm water, says Groomer Dana Youngker. “Nothing you’d take a hot shower in,” she says. “If you wouldn’t bathe your baby in it, do not bathe your dog in it.”

Best for Sensitive and Dry Skin

Rocco & Roxie Calm Sensitive Shampoo

5
Rocco & Roxie Calm Sensitive Shampoo

Amazon

Size:16 or 32 ounces |Scent:Coconut and honey scent |Usage:Puppies and adult dogs

What We Like
  • No parabens, phthalates, or other additives

  • Mild scent

  • Leaves very shiny fur

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn’t lather well

  • Very thick and hard to get out of bottle

This gentle formula has aloe vera extract for moisturizing and soothing skin and chamomile for calming and cleansing. Rosemary helps protect and promote healthy skin growth.This shampoo is targeted toward dogs and puppies with sensitive skin and has a mild coconut and honey fragrance.

This formula is free of paraben, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde, artificial colors, dyes, and other additives. They’re pH balanced so they’re safe and comfortable for a dog’s skin.

Best for Odor

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

Walmart

Size:16 ounces |Scent:Lavender and mint scent |Usage:Puppies and adult dogs

What We Like
  • Lathers easily

  • Not tested on animals

  • Includes conditioner

What We Don't Like
  • Scent may be overpowering for some people

  • Very thick and hard to get out of the bottle

This two-in-one conditioning shampoo has a soothing lavender and mint scent created by a mix of essential oils and essences including chamomile, sage, and rosemary extract. The fresh fragrance should help erase the wet dog smell that brought you and your pup to the bathtub in the first place.

The product is soap-free and alcohol-free and is built on a coconut base. It lathers well and is easy to rinse out, leaving a smooth coat behind. Buddy Wash is made in the United States and hasn’t been tested on animals. It’s safe for use on people in case bath time is tough and it’s just easier to wash your pup in the shower with you!

Best for Shedding

Furminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo

Furminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo

Amazon

Size:16 ounces |Scent:Papaya scent |Usage:小狗狗超过6周大

What We Like
  • Very moisturizing

  • Enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

  • No parabens or chemical dyes

What We Don't Like
  • Added fragrance that may be too strong

  • Has to sit for 5-10 minutes

Depending on your dog’s coat and the time of year, you might feel like you live in a perpetual cloud of dog hair. If you have a heavy shedder, the secret is “brush your dog more, not bathe your dog more,” says Youngker.

But this FURminator DeShedding shampoo from a company that makes the popular deshedding tools may be able to help at bath time. It has a mix of natural ingredients to promote healthy skin, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from cranberry, sunflower, and safflower seed oils, as well as aloe vera and vitamin E.

The key is to wet your dog’s skin well, leave it on for 5 or 10 minutes, and then ideally follow up with the brand’s conditioner (view on PetSmart)。应该有丛生的头发在浴缸里,then even more when you finish up with a brush or Furminator rake (view on PetSmart)。

Best Waterless

The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash in Oatmeal

The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash in Oatmeal

Amazon

Size:17 ounces |Scent:Fresh fruity scent |Usage:Adult dogs

What We Like
  • Cruelty-free

  • Plant-based with no parabens, phthalates, or dyes

  • Three scents from natural oils

What We Don't Like
  • No unscented option

  • Won’t help with very dirty dogs

Sometimes you don’t have time to give your dog the full spa experience or your pup just needs a little freshening up. Ourwaterless pet washmakes the whole experience so much easier on you and your pup.

Featuring a plant-based, pH-balanced formula, The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash has no parabens, phthalates, or dyes, and it’s Leaping Bunny certified. To use, shake the bottle, spray your dog’s coat well, wait for one minute, and then use a soft, clean cloth to wipe them down. It cleans, conditions, and moisturizes, while removing dirt and other debris.

It comes in three scents—lavender (with clary sage), oatmeal (with fresh mango), and fresh (neroli, apple, and orchid)—made with natural essential oils.

Best Flea Shampoo

Richard's Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo

Richards Organics

Petco

Size:12 ounces |Scent:Cinnamon, clove, peppermint scent |Usage:For puppies and dogs at least 12 weeks

What We Like
  • Paraben, dye, and soap free

  • Inexpensive

  • Has vitamin E, lecithin, and lanolin to soothe itchy skin

What We Don't Like
  • Strong Christmas-y smell

Flea shampoos often have harsh chemicals that can irritate your pet’s skin and trigger a reaction. Even those with safer, natural essential oils onlykill the fleasthat are on your pet. Because your house and yard still have the pests, your dog will quickly get reinfected, so it’s important to have another effective means offlea controllike monthly chewables or spot-on treatments prescribed by your vet.

That said, this is a good way to rid your pup of resident fleas. It doesn’t have parabens, dyes, or soap, and it’s gentle so it won’t wash away topical flea and tick treatments. It has vitamin E, lanolin, and other moisturizers to help soothe irritated skin. Instead of added fragrance, the scent comes from cinnamon, clove, cedar, peppermint, and rosemary oils.

Best for Puppies

Pure and Natural Pet Fragrance Free Hypoallergenic Organic Shampoo

Pure and Natural Pet Organic Shampoo

Amazon

Size:16 ounces |Scent:Unscented |Usage:Puppies and adult dogs

What We Like
  • USDA-certified organic

  • Unscented

  • Left coat very silky

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn’t lather easily

  • Some people prefer scent

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.

Because it’s pH-balanced for a dog’s coat, it won’t strip your puppy of necessary oils. It moisturizes and soothes itchiness, while leaving fur shiny and soft.

Final Verdict

Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloeis the best overall pick. It has no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or other additives and comes in unscented or a vanilla and almond version if you want a mild scent. Another great choice is4-Legger Aloe Vera, Lemongrass & Organic Coconut Dog Shampoo. It's USDA-certified organic, lathers well, rinses easily, and leaves fur soft and silky.

What to Consider When Shopping for Dog Shampoos

Dana Youngker groomer atPetworking & Coin Cumming, Georgia, outside of Atlanta, looks for natural ingredients in her shampoos, choosing organic when possible. When shampooing, she says get your dog nice and wet first, then start from the head and work your way down, being sure to get everywhere including paw pads and private areas, rinsing from the head down so all the dirty water doesn’t flow into clean areas.

Ingredients

It’s not enough to look for a product that is “natural.” If you want a product that is truly gentle and won’t cause health problems, look at the ingredients. “A lot of dog shampoos have parabens, mineral oils, sulfates, phthalates and those can cause skin issues and other health issues and be extremely harmful to dogs,” Youngker says.

Also, be sure to look for essential oils instead of artificial fragrances. Avoid added dyes and artificial coloring of any sort.

Breed

Your dog’s breed and coat type might influence the type of shampoo you use andhow often you wash your pet. Some dogs, likeLabrador retrievers, for example, have more naturally greasy coats to help them repel water. Groomers advise skipping shampoos with built-in conditioners for those dogs. Washing them too often can also cause them to make too much natural oil in their skin.

Brushing before a bath can be even more important than the type of shampoo you choose, says Flatley. It helps remove and loosen mats for long hair dogs or loose hair for shedding dogs. “Then for bathing, really scrub and scrub some more then rinse and when you think you're done rinse again to not leave any shampoo behind,” she suggests.

Lifestage

A lot of brands might say puppy safe or puppy gentle, but the key is to check the ingredients, says Youngker. “Always read the labels. Make sure there are no damaging ingredients. Stick to something gentle and natural.”

Most shampoos are safefor puppiesover eight weeks old and all adult dogs, although you might notice that medicated shampoos and those targeted toward fleas aren’t recommended until puppies are a little older. When in doubt, always ask your vet before using a product.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

To find the best dog shampoos, we tested a range of products on our own pets and also consulted with professional groomers about what to look for when shopping, and interviewed dog owners about their favorite products.

这篇文章在研究和写的Mary Jo DiLonardowho has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than three dozen puppies and is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products to use on them.

Article Sources
The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our2022欧宝娱乐苹果下载 to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Cerrato, S.et al.Effects Of Essential Oils And Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids On Canine Skin Equivalents: Skin Lipid Assessment And Morphological Evaluation.Journal Of Veterinary Medicine, vol 2013, 2013, pp. 1-9.Hindawi Limited, doi:10.1155/2013/231526