Your dog might consider being forced to bath as the ultimate act of betrayal, but cleaning your canine is a necessary evil.
Although dogs are better at self-cleaning and don’t require regular washing, they can get smelly and flea ridden. Just like us, they also need a shampoo treatment and a little bit of pampering too.
Choosing the right dog shampoo could be tricky with the sensitive nature of a dog's skin, so many options out there and various skin conditions.
That's why we’ve reviewed top 7 dog shampoos in this article as well as outlining what to look for in an ideal one, saving you time and money.
In a hurry? Here is the top 3:
Our Top Picks
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Best Dog Shampoos
Before we fill you in on what features to look for in an ideal shampoo for your dog, we present you the best ones individually reviewed:
If your dog could talk, he'd tell you the smellier the musk, the better. We're sure, you'd disagree.
Groom Professional Baby Free Shampoo is a deodorising shampoo that removes the rank odours your pet loves for a heavenly, baby powder scent that lasts for days.
And the good news is that our four-legged testers tolerate the aroma.
Besides smelling great, this best dog shampoo is popular among its users because it's formulated using natural ingredients like aloe vera.
Although aloe vera is exceptionally mild, the so-called wonder plant cleans deeply while nourishing the coat and skin. You won't have to rely on a conditioner to keep your pet's coat soft, plush and shiny when using this product!
Groom Professional is acceptable to use on dogs experiencing sensitive skin or bad dandruff, but first, check in with your veterinarian if the condition is severe.
One downside is the flawed bottle design, which is a screw top. A plunge dispenser may be more user-friendly when handling a wriggly and wet pup who doesn't want a bath.
Features
- Professional dog shampoo
- Available in 250ml, 450ml, one litre & four litres
- Baby powder scented
- Contains aloe vera which acts as a natural hair conditioner
What we liked
- Lovely and mild baby powder scent
- Contains natural cleansers
Didn't like
- Bottle design could be better
This product produced by SynergyLabs has proven to be extremely effective in treating Seborrhea.
This condition and other associated infections and diseases leave the skin dry, flaky, and itchy, causing our pets significant discomfort.
This medicated shampoo contains non-toxic compounds like coal tar and micronized sulfur, which quickly heals the skin with minimal side effects.
Unlike other medicated shampoos that release strong odours, this product emits a pleasant oatmeal smell.
Expect to pay a great deal in the early days of treatment. The shampoo is expensive and requires a generous and regular application to work efficiently.
However, the price is worthwhile knowing that the product relieves your pet’s suffering and clears up various issues.
One downside, which isn’t unique to only this medicated shampoo alone, is that you should only rinse it out after 10 minutes for healing to take effect.
For an impatient, wet dog slathered in soap who hates being bathed, this may feel like forever.
Features
- Anti-parasitic, anti-seborrheic medicated dog shampoo
- Effective against fungal & bacterial skin infections
- Contains coal tar, salicylic acid & micronized sulfur
- Paraben, Dye, and Soap free
What we liked
- Treats various severe skin conditions
- Smells great
- Hydrates skin and promotes healing
Didn't like
- Need to leave on pet for 10 mins
C&G Pets is an effective hypoallergenic, all-natural shampoo designed for pets with sensitivities or allergies that affect the skin.
Bath your pet using this product, and you may see relief from itching and overall skin recovery within days of using it.
Only essential oils, vitamins and minerals make up the ingredient’s list.
Because zero additives or harsh chemicals are included to the formula, adverse reactions, although experienced, are rare.
Considering the formula is created using natural ingredients only, the product has a mild scent with whiffs of oatmeal and lavender detected.
Its lack of smell is beneficial for dogs with their pre-existing conditions exacerbated by using deodorised animal shampoo.
However, if you need to remove a terrible scent from a canine who’s rolled around in manure, this shampoo might not leave him smelling wholly fresh and clean.
One minor downside is that the item doesn’t lather well.
If you own a long-haired pooch, you’ll need to apply more of the liquid, and regularly, to properly treat chronic conditions.
In short, you could be spending more than you anticipated.
Features
- Vanilla scented dog shampoo with inbuilt conditioner
- Contains a blend of essential vitamins, oils, and compounds
- Soothes and relieves itchy skin
- Paraben Free
What we liked
- Hypoallergenic
- Heals, repairs, calms, and moisturises skin
- Cruelty free
Didn't like
- Doesn’t lather well
Use Wahl Dog Shampoo if your pet is on track to winning the award for the dirtiest dog in the neighbourhood.
The shampoo, consisting of ingredients like cucumber and passionfruit, smells pleasantly tropical. It’s strong enough to remove lingering wet dog stenches from your home.
Besides eliminating bad smells, the shampoo is tough on stains and grease and can untangle matted hair caused by trapped debris.
The product is hugely budget friendly as the liquid solution must be diluted in water before being applied to animals.
Although the target audience is dog owners, the product can also be used on various other domestic and farmyard animals, notably horses and cats.
Doubts have been raised regarding the product’s colour enhancing qualities.
Your dog’s fur will gleam brightly after a thorough cleaning but don’t expect a fully transformed appearance.
Features
- Pre-mixed dog shampoo available in different varieties
- Choose between 250ml, 500ml, or five litres
- Leaves coats bright, vibrant and silky
What we liked
- Can be used on various domesticated animals
- Contains colour enhancing properties
- Budget-friendly
Didn't like
- Colour enhancing properties not 100% guaranteed
Is your dog's constant scratching and chewing a never-ending issue?
If you've tried several products with varying degrees of success, this product could be the golden ticket to your pup's health and happiness.
Key ingredients such as D-limonene and oatmeal have a healing effect on dry, damaged and inflamed skin brought on by allergies and skin problems.
Although primarily used to treat, manage and soothe itching, the shampoo nourishes and deeply cleans coats, leaving your pet silky smooth and dirt free.
You can also apply it as frequently as you need without harming your dog or further drying out the skin.
The user-friendly bottle features a handy pump spray, convenient if you're treating a dog that doesn't want a bath and struggles to get free.
Although the soap's smell has been described as herbal spa, when it's more of a medicinal scent.
Features
- Allergy itch relief shampoo
- Contains natural ingredients such as oatmeal, D-Limonene, neem oil, tea tree oil, aloe vera and more
- Moisturizes skin and coat
What we liked
- Great for dry, damaged and inflamed skin
- User-friendly bottle
Didn't like
- Medicinal scent
Animalogy’s Fox Poo shampoo is well named because it can eliminate disgusting smells from your animal’s fur coat, including the unmistakable odour of fox faeces.
Use this shampoo for emergencies, like when your poop obsessed canine finds fresh cow dung or something rotten to roll around in.
The balanced Ph of this product means it’s safe to use on animals, including pets with susceptible skin. It gently removes all traces of an intense aroma in one wash.
If you can still faintly detect the smell after washing your dog, you might find it considerably better than before. A second bath should remove the stink entirely.
This is an excellent value for money product since a little bit goes a long way to mask noxious stenches.
And unless your puppy is skilled at finding rotten and gross things, you won’t have to use it frequently.
Features
- Deodorising dog shampoo for bad smells
- Choose from 250ml, two x 250ml, or five litres
What we liked
- Eliminates all traces of bad smells
- Excellent value for money product
Didn't like
- May require a second wash to remove the stink completely
Have you tried all the prescribed creams and homoeopathic remedies to resolve the source of your pet’s scratching?
Pro Pooch Oatmeal dog shampoo could be the solution that soothes discomfort and heals your pet’s allergy or condition.
Pro Pooch shampoos mainly consist of natural ingredients such as oatmeal, aloe vera extracts and various essential vitamins and minerals that restore, nourish and soothe the skin.
Because it’s hypoallergenic, the shampoo is fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about potential side effects if your pet usually reacts to heavily scented soap usually.
Although the aroma is very mild, it will still remove that whiffy, wet dog pong from your dog’s coat and leave it smelling fresh and clean.
Bear in mind that despite the bottle being very small and seemingly expensive for its size, only a tiny amount of the liquid solution is mixed with water per wash.
Features
- Hypoallergenic
- Contains aloe vera extracts, wheat proteins, and Pro Vitamin B5
- Heals, soothes & relieves itching
- Leaves coats smooth, silky & shiny
- Manufactured in the UK
- Allergen free and vegan friendly
What we liked
- Removes whiffy, wet dog pong
- Soothes discomfort and reduces allergies
Didn't like
- Doesn't lather up very well
Guide To Buying Dog Shampoos
Unlike humans, dogs don’t need to be regularly washed.
As surprising as this may be, our mud-rolling, poo-loving dogs are better at self-grooming than we are.
With that being said, if too much time lapses between washes, your dog won’t just stink out your home, but he or she could be at risk for contracting a nasty infection or become the nesting ground for a host of disease-causing parasites.
Read on to find out which shampoo is best to use on your smelly puppy!
Types Of Shampoos
There are just as many dog shampoos as there are human ones that serve different functions.
Some do little more than deodorise your pet's fur while others are prescribed to treat dermatitis, mange and other skin conditions and disorders.
Puppy Shampoos
Puppy shampoos are extra mild to clean a young dog’s ultra-sensitive fur and skin and should be used until your canine is approximately two months old.
Never use shampoos designed for an older pup on new-borns or puppies who aren’t older than a few weeks old.
Regular Dog Shampoo
Regular shampoo will clean your dog and remove his doggy smell.
It’s budget-friendly and can be bought at your local supermarket and pet store.
One downside to using this shampoo is that there aren’t extra benefits. To kill bacteria or soothe irritated skin, you’ll require a specialised product.
Hypoallergenic
Our canine friends commonly experience allergies and sensitive skin.
A hypoallergenic shampoo will combat skin issues by excluding fragrances and harsh chemicals from the ingredient’s list.
Flea shampoo
Summertime brings out fleas and ticks, which means it’s time to lather on the flea shampoo.
Anti-flea shampoo can be used to treat and prevent flea infestations. It’s also useful in removing lice.
The shampoos don’t smell great and are expensive but are a must for tick-season.
Medicated shampoo
Where hypoallergenic treatments have no effect, use medicated shampoo to treat severe skin conditions.
Only use this product if you have veterinary approval and a confirmed diagnosis.
Colour shampoo
Colour shampoos enhance the brightness of white or lightly-coloured pooches.
They’re mainly used for aesthetic purposes on show dogs and shouldn’t be applied to pets with sensitive skin.
What Are The Features Of A Good Quality Shampoo?
If you’ve been using human shampoo on a canine, stop immediately. Shampoos suitable for us are too harsh for our pets.
Instead, look for pet shampoos with these necessary features and essential benefits.
Check the PH level
A pH level measures the level of acidity of substances. Lower value numbers have a higher acidic content, while higher value figures are either neutral or alkaline based.
The pH level of a dog’s skin ranges between 7 and 7.5, which is more neutral than ours.
For this reason, shampoos for canines are uniquely formulated to be alkaline.
In other words, dog shampoos must be extremely mild to protect our furry friends’ sensitive skins, the equivalent of which would be baby shampoo for human newborns.
Know what ingredients are included in the formula
The first prize is to find a shampoo consisting of all-natural ingredients.
If you can’t afford these products, examine the ingredients listed on the back of the bottle of a potential shampoo.
No harsh or toxic chemicals should be used, including fragrances, artificial colours, alcohol, parabens or anything containing animal by-products.
If no ingredients are listed or only partially listed, move on to the next product.
You should know what is included to make safe and informed decisions for your dog’s welfare.
Lathers well
To meticulously clean your pet, you’ll need to massage the liquid into your hound’s fur.
If the shampoo doesn’t lather well, fully eradicating dirt and odour may require more effort.
Can be diluted
Although not necessary, having a shampoo that mixes with water is cost-effective, especially for products that you must use often, such as medicated shampoos.
A mildly pleasant or neutral smell
Some people love to use heavily scented shower gels and soaps. Although a dog shampoo can smell nice, it shouldn’t be massively deodorised.
The exceptions are medicated shampoos, which can be potent.
Tips on How To Get Your Pet Bath-Ready
While some pets can’t resist splashing in a puddle, others can’t stand being wet.
If your dog forms part of the latter group, here are a few tips to make bath time better for you and your water phobic furry pal.
Doggie bathing tips
- Go on a walk before bath time. Your tired dog will have less energy to resist being cleaned.
- Make sure the water temperature is tepid. Too hot or cold will be unpleasant for your pup.
- Use treats as favourable reinforcement. Change your dog’s mindset toward bath time by giving him treats for keeping still and other good behaviours.
FAQs
Yes, they're uniquely formulated for our pet’s fur and skin. However, not every brand and product is the same. So be picky when it comes to the brand and ingredients.
Groomers typically use regular shampoos, sometimes deodorised, that clean, detangle and condition pet’s skin.
Pets with specific skin conditions shouldn’t be sent to a general groomer.
Shampoos that are specifically formulated for puppies. Puppies should never use dog shampoo because they have ultra-sensitive fur and skin.
Most if not all shampoos are designed to prevent a nasty array of disease and infections thanks to their antibacterial properties.
Yes, if it's designed for it and the best products to use are anti-flea, which helps to remove most parasitic infestations.
Final Verdict
Picking today's favourite is challenging because we've reviewed different products for various uses.
As far as regular dog shampoos go, Wahl Dog Shampoo has caught our eye. It cleans deeply and nourishes the skin and is a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive brands.
Pro Pooch Oatmeal is our top hypoallergenic product for today. It's gentle on dogs' skins and canines that are prone to allergies. Its use of only natural ingredients gives owners confidence in the product.
If you're looking for a specialised product that targets itching, you could try SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula for impressive results.
If your disgusting mutt has rolled around in something dead or smelly again, Animology Fox Poo is one of the best products on the market that removes the worst kinds of smells.
Haven't decided yet? Here is our top 7:
Our Top Picks
- This popular dog shampoo is a familiar face in many-a-salon thanks to its...
- The baby powder scent is a favourite of many and is especially popular when...
- Known for getting rid of puppy odours, this dog shampoo is great for pups...
- GENTLE HEALING – Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and...
- FAST ACTING – This medicated dog shampoo works fast to relieve symptoms...
- VETERINARY RECOMMENDED – This paraben, dye & soap free pet shampoo will...
- ✔CRUELTY FREE NATURAL SHAMPOO FOR DOGS: We use only the Highest Quality...
- ✔PUPPY SAFE ESSENTIAL OILS: Used By Leading Professional Dog Groomers,...
- ✔VITAMIN E RICH NON TOXIC NON IRRITANT FORMULA: No More Worries About...
- SUITABLE FOR ALL ANIMALS - Wahl Diamond White Shampoo has been carefully...
- NATURAL FORMULA - Based on natural ingredients including Aloe Vera for...
- BRIGHTENS COATS - A carefully balanced formula that will enhance,...
- RELIEF FOR ITCHY SKIN - Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo is a...
- EFFECTIVE AND PLEASING - Washes away allergens, relieves itchy skin, and...
- NATURAL REMEDY - We use a veterinarian formulated blend of essential oils...
- Effectively removes faeces and bad odours
- Our pH balanced puppy shampoo is cleverly formulated to help soothe and...
- Crafted from a combination of natural cleansers, including colloidal...
- With a market leading dilution ratio of 33:1, our oatmeal dog shampoo also...
So, which is your favourite?
If you already have chosen the best one for a pam-pawing session for your dog, let us know in the comments section below.
Sharing is caring
Go on then, share this article with your friends to inspire them! That stinky pug of your friend's deserves a smooth bath and pleasant odour too.
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