The 11 BEST Dog Shampoo Choices (2025 Update)
Pet parents often ensure they keep their dogs in the best health and cheer possible. To do this, they provide a wholesome and nutritious diet, regular exercise, mental stimulation, and grooming.
However, they tend to overlook the importance of a good bath. A thorough bath with the right products helps maintain a healthy coat, contributing to the dog’s overall health.
As dog experts writing for millions of dog owners every year, we get asked all the time about which specific products are best. It is normal to want to find budget-friendly products but ALSO look after your dog’s coat like a pro. Below we detail 9 commercial and 2 DIY options in detail. Just want the best? Here are the best dog shampoos for 2023.
A good bath does not just clean dirt; it also moisturizes the skin, making it healthy. Also, like human shampoos, different doggy shampoos are available on the market, formulated for special needs.
These include shampoos to get rid of ticks and fleas, whitening shampoos for white-furred dogs, and shampoos for puppies with sensitive skin.
Keep reading this article to know what to look for when buying a dog shampoo and our top 11 picks.
Things To Consider When Buying A Dog Shampoo
Not all shampoos are alike, and the one best for your dog will depend on several factors.
Let’s take a look at them below:
Puppyhood
If you have a puppy, it is better to have a shampoo specifically designed for them. The best dog shampoos are not just gentle on the fur and skin, many are also made with a no-tear formula, so they are gentle on the eyes too.
Breed
Different dog breeds have different grooming needs. The Kennel Clubs suggest shampoos formulated for specific breeds to make grooming easier and keep your pup in good health.
Coat Type
Grooming needs like brushing and bathing differ for varying coat types. While a single-coated dog will have fewer grooming needs, a double-coated dog will need more intensive grooming.
Skin Conditions
If your dog has skin issues like dry, flaky, or itchy skin, you will need to opt for hypoallergenic or moisturizing shampoos available on the market. Use shampoos with natural ingredients and avoid the ones with chemicals. However, consult a veterinarian if your dog’s sensitivity seems to worsen despite all the precautionary measures.
Fleas And Ticks
If your dog has flea and tick issues, you can supplement your other preventive measures with flea and tick shampoo. Although shampoo alone cannot help eliminate these pests, you can use it in conjugation to help effectively remove them.
Shampoo Ingredients
Many shampoos have harsh ingredients like dyes, parabens, and alcohol. They can affect the skin and lead to dehydration, itching, and other skin conditions. It is always better to use shampoos with natural ingredients like honey, aloe, and oatmeal.
Odor
Dogs can find their way to the nastiest stuff, making it unpleasant to be around them. So it is important to use deodorizing shampoos. However, ensure you avoid synthetic odors as they may cause allergic reactions.
Shine
A lustrous coat is pretty and also a sign of a healthy dog. Often, a poor diet or health condition can take a toll on the dog’s coat. Choose a nourishing shampoo packed with proteins, minerals, and vitamins to nourish your dog’s coat.
Color
If you have a white or light-colored dog, you might want to try specialty shampoos designed for whitening and brightening. These shampoos help prevent the coat from yellowing and add shine and luster.
Tangles
If your dog’s hair gets easily tangled, consider shampoo and conditioner for frizzy and dry hair. Try moisturizing shampoos that will restore moisture and conditioners. These will aid in detangling and help replenish natural oils.
11 Best Dog Shampoos
To help you choose the best shampoo for your fur baby, we have compiled a list of market-available and homemade shampoos that will clean and soothe your pet’s skin and coat.
Market-Available Shampoos
1. Buddy Wash
This 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner comes in various scents like lavender and mint, rosemary and mint, and green tea and bergamot. So you can choose the scent that you are most comfortable with.
The two best qualities of the shampoo are that it is alcohol and soap-free. So you do not have to worry about dehydrating your dog’s skin. The shampoo is very gentle, with a coconut base, so you can use it on dogs with sensitive skin.
The shampoo lathers up easily, is easy to wash off, and leaves the fur soft and silky.
The shampoo-conditioner formula contains aloe vera, essential oils, botanical extracts, and other ingredients that make bathing a soothing and relaxing experience for the dog. Certainly one of the best dog shampoos available.
2. 4-Legger Dog Shampoo
This USDA-certified organic dog shampoo is made using natural ingredients. The shampoo is prepared in small batches and does not use chemicals.
With ingredients like coconut oil, lemongrass, and aloe vera, the shampoo soothes irritated skin, deep cleans, and imparts a pleasant smell. It also contains organic oils that make the fur healthy and is perfect for dry and flaky skin.
The shampoo is ideal for both white-furred dogs and dogs with colored coats. It brightens white furs and adds shine to colored coats.
Besides relieving skin issues, the shampoo also gets rid of the wet dog smell.
3. Sentry Flea And Tick Shampoo
If you are unable to free your dog of nasty pests, try the Sentry flea and tick shampoo. You can use this shampoo on dogs over 12 months of age. This product’s conditioning formula makes it ideal for dogs with skin sensitivities.
The shampoo has oatmeal and not only cleans but also conditions and deodorizes the dog’s coat. It is also pH-balancing, so you do not have to worry about itchy skin.
It is a tried-and-true formula that gets rid of ticks and fleas in under 10 days, including the ones that cause Lyme disease.
One notable feature of the shampoo is the soothing Hawaiian ginger fragrance that most dog parents love.
4. Pure And Natural Pet
The dog shampoo is organic and hypoallergenic and USDA-certified. The natural shampoo has no additives or preservatives and is free of chemicals, chemical foaming agents, and dyes.
It has ingredients like aloe water, jojoba oils, calendula, and organic Castile soap that soothes irritated skin and is gentle and safe for your dog’s skin. It is great for dogs with seasonal allergies and is also perfect for puppies.
The shampoo is pH balanced and free from formaldehyde, sulfate, and paraben. It is ideal for puppies and dogs with allergies or itchiness. The shampoo moisturizes the skin, does not strip it of its natural oils, and soothes irritated skin, all while making the fur soft and shiny.
5. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo For Dogs
The shampoo is great for dogs with sensitive skin and is reasonably priced. The shampoo is gentle with natural ingredients like beeswax and colloidal oatmeal that clean, nourish, and moisturize the dog’s skin and leave a pleasant oatmeal scent. However, it does not cover the doggy smell.
The shampoo also has honey that moisturizes the skin and makes the fur soft and silky. It is pH balanced and retains the skin’s natural oils. The shampoo does not contain any harsh chemicals and does not wash away topical flea and tick treatments.
It is ideal for dogs with minor skin problems like eczema.
6. Earthbath Oatmeal And Aloe Pet Shampoo
Another shampoo that is perfect for dogs with sensitive skin, it is made from natural ingredients. It is hypoallergenic and addresses itchy, flaky, and dry skin. It will take care of all minor skin issues like brittle and dry coat and skin, bacterial dermatitis, dandruff, and skin allergies.
It is one of the best shampoos for dogs with sensitivities and puppies.
The shampoo is pH-balanced, soap-free, and chemical free. So, you can be sure you are not subjecting your dog to synthetic dyes, paraben, perfume, DEA, gluten, and phosphates.
Its ingredients, like oatmeal, aloe, vanilla, and almond, will soothe the skin and moisturize it to make it more supple. The shampoo lathers well, is easy to wash off, and imparts a refreshing smell that does not overwhelm.
7. Furminator deShedding Shampoo
The shampoo is very moisturizing, and its natural ingredients promote a healthy coat and skin and reduce shedding. It has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from sunflower, safflower seed oils, and cranberry. It also contains vitamin E, proteins, and aloe vera. All these ingredients make the shampoo non-irritating and hypoallergenic.
The non-drying formulation keeps the skin moisturized and supple. The key is to apply the shampoo and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. After you wash your dog, you will notice tufts of hair in the bathtub, and later when you brush the coat, the remaining dead hair will also come loose.
You can complement the shampoo with the company’s conditioner for better results.
8. Begley’s Waterless Pet Shampoo
If a full bath is not possible or the dog is averse to bathing, this no-rinse waterless shampoo is perfect. Made from natural ingredients, the shampoo is safe to use and readily biodegradable.
It does not contain harsh chemicals like parabens, caustic, formaldehyde chlorine, phosphates, or other synthetic ingredients that are bad for the skin.
The shampoo cleans and deodorizes and, at the same time, moisturizes the skin. It won’t cause any allergic reactions or skin irritation, either.
Spray the shampoo on the dog’s coat and wipe it with a damp cloth. The shampoo has enzymes and biosurfactants that work on proteins, starch, and fats.
The shampoo comes in 4 amazing scents—citrus, lavender, tea tree, and oatmeal mango. So, you can decide on the one that suits your taste. The shampoo is beneficial when a dog has undergone surgery, and the treated area has to be kept dry.
Dog Shampoo Substitutes
If you ever run out of dog shampoo or do not trust the market products, here are 3 alternatives to help you clean your dog thoroughly and more naturally.
9. Dish Soap
You might wonder how a product that is designed to eliminate grease can be gentle for your pup. However, the age-old technique is used because it is not harsh on animals. It is why wildlife rescue organizations use dish soap to clean up after spills and other disasters.
However, opt for dish soaps that are designed to “not harm hands,” like Dawn. Also, do not use concentrated soap. Dilute it with water and white vinegar, ideally using ¼ cup soap, ½ cup white vinegar, and 2 cups water.
Apply the solution to your dog’s coat and lather it gently. Wash off thoroughly. It is a safe shampoo; however, avoid getting it in the eyes, nose, and mouth.
10. Baking Soda
Another pantry ingredient that you can use to clean your dog is baking soda. It will wash away dirt and grime and remove the bad doggy odors, leaving the coat smelling fresh.
You can use it as a dry shampoo and rub it over your dog’s coat, or create a shampoo with oatmeal. To prepare the shampoo, you will need 1⁄2 cup baking soda, 1 cup raw ground oatmeal, and 4 cups of water. Apply the mixture to the coat and gently work it until it spreads all over the skin.
Rinse it off with clean water.
11. Cornstarch
As already mentioned, baking soda is an excellent dry shampoo. However, there is one more alternative—cornstarch.
Just sprinkle it on the dog’s coat until you have a ghost version of your dog. Now, brush thoroughly so it spreads evenly and the excess comes off.
Conclusion
Bathing is an important part of your defense arsenal against illnesses, foul odors, and fleas and ticks on your dog. Regular bathing is necessary to keep your dog in optimal health.
But what if it does more harm than good? With the market flooded with chemical products, you need to be cautious when buying products for your fur baby.
We hope this list of 11 best dog shampoos will help you keep your dog clean without causing any side effects.
