Best Shampoo for a Yorkie [5 Best Shampoos for Yorkshire Terriers]

Yorkies have been a beloved and popular breed since their origins in the English countryside. They are smart, affectionate, and lively, and their small size and hypoallergenic coat make them a favorite breed for urban owners. Their most sought-after and defining characteristic is their long, silky coat.

They are a long-haired breed whose coat is soft and shiny, appearing more like human hair than dog hair. Consequently, they require a lot of grooming and bathing to ensure their coat remains clean, tangle-free, and lustrous. 

Here, we will look at the best shampoo for a Yorkie, and we will give you a thorough buying guide that explains what to look for when you purchase a dog shampoo.  

Our Top 5 Picks for Yorkie Shampoos (Easily Available)

1. Best Overall: 4-Legger Certified Organic Hypoallergenic All-Natural Aloe Dog Shampoo

4-Legger is a brand with a cause. They ensure that all ingredients in their products are natural, sustainable, and USDA certified organic. Made with a slew of beneficial and nicely smelling essential oils and extracts, plus aloe vera for sensitive skin, 4-Legger Aloe dog shampoo is the safest, non-toxic product on our list.

Since the product is highly concentrated, you only need to mix a small amount with water to create a nice lather and an effective clean. Thus, one bottle of 4-legger can last a lot longer than you think, especially for small pups like Yorkies. If you have any other furry pets, you can also use 4-legger Shampoo to wash them.

Why we love it:

• Fragrance-free
• Biodegradable and eco-friendly
• USDA Organic 
• All-natural ingredients
• Safe for puppies and other pets
• Shampoos and Conditions

Cons 

• Thin, oily consistency 
• Might have to use more than the recommended amount to clean sufficiently

2. Best for Sensitive Skin: Zesty Paws Oatmeal Anti-Itch Shampoo for Dogs featuring Aloe Vera & Vitamin E

If your Yorkie has sensitive skin, prone to itching, then Zesty Paws Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is the best cure and preventative measure. Not only does the anti-itch oatmeal formula soothe and fortify the skin, but the Vitamin E and Aloe Vera also moisturize skin. 

Most dogs scratch or bite themselves due to dry skin, so the anti-itch, moisturizing formula alleviates itching and keeps skin hydrated to prevent further irritation. Oatmeal is an age-old skin relief remedy that works as well on dogs as it does on humans.

The vitamin E content also helps dogs’ coats stay shiny and soft, and combined with a pleasant vanilla bean odor, makes your Yorkie’s coat irresistible to caresses and cuddles.

Why we love it:

• Deep thorough clean
• Cures itchy and dry skin

Cons

• You’ll need to purchase a conditioner apart

3. Best Odor Eliminator: Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner

While many dog shampoos seek to cover odors with overpowering synthetic perfumes, Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control formula seeks to eliminate the odor by using a pH neutralizing agent along with an odor-neutralizing formula.

In addition to neutralizing wet-dog odors, Nature’s Miracle also adds a lavender oil scent that is pleasant and natural.

Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control also has aloe vera, keratin, and vitamin B5 to fortify and provide shine for the dog’s coat and moisturize the dog’s skin. We like that it is a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner product, which will save you money and time. 

Why we love it

• Eliminates odor without overpowering shampoo smell
• Lavender scented

Cons

• Takes a lot of shampoo to get a thorough clean comapred with other concentrates

4. Best Smelling: Vermont Soap Pet Magic Dog Shampoo

Vermont Soap Pet Magic dog shampoo has every possible tasty smelling oil and extracts including olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oils, rosemary extract, and many more.

This shampoo is rich in essential oils and aloe vera, which makes it a great shampoo for sensitive and dry skin. 

There are no harsh chemicals that can make dog allergies flare up, and all ingredients are USDA certified organic. Another key ingredient is baking soda, which helps absorb any unwanted odors. Vermont Soap has every angle covered, from luster and shine to skin sensitivity and odor absorption, and the best part is how wonderful your Yorkie will smell for days after his bath.

Why we love it:

• Smells wonderful
• USDA Certified 
• Chemical-free, plant-based formula

Cons:

• Some reports of eye inflammation – a calm Yorkie should be fine

5. Best Budget-Friendly: Wahl 4-in-1 Shampoo

The Wahl 4-in-1 Shampoo is the best bang for your buck, as it comes in a large 24-oz bottle that is cheaper than most 16 oz bottle shampoos. They claim that their alcohol and paraben-free, balanced pH formula will clean, condition, moisturize and detangle your Yorkie’s coat. 

Wahl Shampoo is a great product for long-haired dogs with its conditioning and detangling formula. This shampoo has a great lather, and a little bit goes a long way. 

Manufacturers also use lavender extract to instill a pleasant but not overpowering scent. 

Why we love it:

• Big bottle
• Good lather
• Shampoos and Conditions
• Nice lavender scent

Cons: 

• Can cause skin irritation (some reviews claim this – I use this specific shampoo all the time with no issues for my dog max)

Yorkie Shampoo Buying Guide

Like most of us, we’re sure you have a strong opinion about your favorite shampoo brand, whether it’s due to fragrance or the way your hair feels after a shower.

However, when buying shampoo for your Yorkie, you will want to consider multiple important factors. We’ll go over each factor in detail to give you the best buying guide for your Yorkie’s shampoo. 

Shampoo Formula

You should look for a product that has a two-in-one Shampoo and Conditioner formula for your Yorkie because Yorkies are a long-haired breed that is more susceptible to matting and tangling. Buying a shampoo and conditioner combo will save you money and be enough to prevent tangling.

That said, owning a Yorkie requires daily brushing and grooming sessions to maintain the silky and soft coat we all love about them.

Skin Sensitivity

Yorkies require a lot of grooming and bathing due to their long, human-like hair. Bathing a dog often does increase the risk for skin irritation, and Yorkies often suffer from dry, itchy skin.

There are plenty of dog shampoo brands that use ingredients specifically for sensitive skin. We recommend looking out for shampoos labeled “for sensitive skin” to evade discomfort from consistent baths.

Bottle Size

Logically, if you’re satisfied with a certain shampoo product that fits the criteria for your Yorkie’s coat, then you should look for the largest bottle possible to save you multiple trips to the pet store. Yorkies need consistent baths, so if you buy small bottles, you’re likely to run out quickly. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Yorkie Shampoos

How often do I bathe my Yorkie?

Yorkies need a bath a lot more than most breeds due to their long hair. Some clubs recommend weekly baths – this is often far too frequent for the health of your Yorkies coat.

However, it also depends on you and your Yorkie’s lifestyle. If your pets spend a lot of time outside in muddy areas or playing with other furry friends, then you might want to wash them more often. (Same goes for trips to the beach).

Can I use human shampoo on my Yorkie?

There’s a reason that animal testing for human shampoo products is a source of contention within the animal rights community. Human shampoos are not safe to use on Yorkies, period. While baby shampoo formulas may be less of a threat, we still advise you to buy shampoos made for dogs.

How do I wash my Yorkie?

Some Yorkies are more cooperative than others, but by following the below instructions, it should be a relatively painless process for you and your Yorkie:

• Use a dog brush to dry brush your Yorkie before starting to bathe him. That way you’ll get rid of excess hair, dirt, and dust particles.
• Wet your dog thoroughly with a hose or showerhead.
• Apply the dog shampoo gently, starting from the top of the head down the back to the tail, then under the neck to the belly, legs, and paws. Ensure there’s a good lather, but you don’t need to excessively scrub. Also, ensure you don’t get shampoo in your pup’s eyes.
• Wash the shampoo off as thoroughly as possible with water. 
• Use a large towel to dry off your Yorkie as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Otherwise, you and your surroundings will be drenched from your dog shaking himself off.
• Once dry, run the brush through your Yorkie’s hair one more time to make sure it dries without tangling or matting.