Best Waterless Dog Shampoo (2024 Update)

There is no replacement for a bath with good old-fashioned water and soap to clean your dog and leave the coat smelling fresh with a nice sheen. However, sometimes that bath refuses to happen.

Your dog may hate the water, you may not be able to take the time out of your busy schedule, the dog’s size might make the bath an epic chore, or some combination of these three.

Waterless dog shampoo comes to the rescue when your dog needs to smell better, and you have to push a real bath to a later date. 

Keep reading to see the best waterless shampoos we found for our dogs.

What Is Waterless Dog Shampoo?

Waterless dog shampoo works a bit like deodorant does for humans. Deodorants do not eliminate the need for showering, but they allow us to smell good between showers.

You can damage your dog’s skin and coat by over-washing, but the dog needs a bath sometimes. Waterless dog shampoo allows you to extend the time between baths by absorbing excess oil from the skin.

While you have to make the time and put forth the effort to give your dog real baths from time to time, you will be surprised how good some waterless shampoos are at replacing a wet bath.

Which Chemicals Create Problems in Waterless Shampoos?

Several chemicals might lead to problems, but the number one culprit is SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). You will often only see the word “sulfate” written on a label.

Studies have mostly looked at how sulfates interact with humans in dermal tests. You can often expect the same kinds of interactions to occur with dogs, especially sensitive breeds. 

When we get a rash, we can often figure out the source and stop the problem. With dogs, we just see scratching and have to figure out what happened, and we may have difficulty spotting a rash.

The next two common culprits often only say “fragrance” and “dye” in the list of ingredients. Like with human skin, fragrances and dyes are notorious for causing dry, itchy skin.

Getting a company to explain what “fragrance” means will be a challenge. The best thing to do with anything that comes into contact with your dog is to look for natural ingredients. Fortunately, companies must include the list of ingredients, so avoid products with lengthy ingredients that raise red flags.

Sometimes you have to let trial and error play out and decide if a product works for you. For example, I discovered that sulfates are not always bad. Knowledgeable companies that invest in quality R&D can find which cosurfactants combine well with sulfates and mitigate skin irritation.

The bad thing about skin irritation is the itchiness. The good news is when you remove the irritant, the problem usually clears up quickly. An all-natural waterless shampoo could still contain an ingredient your pet reacts poorly to, so trial and error is always a factor.

Best Types of Waterless Dog Shampoos

Many people will make decisions based on the texture and scent a waterless dog shampoo leaves behind. What people think of the smell and the product is mostly subjective.

However, animal health is not subjective, it’s best to avoid products containing harmful chemicals such as sulfates. Here are my favorite waterless dog shampoos with natural ingredients such as oatmeal, coconut, and aloe.

Mighty Mutt Waterless Foam Shampoo

The proof is in the pudding, so the saying goes. Everyone pays attention to whether or not products have non-irritating, non-toxic chemicals these days. Almost all waterless shampoos talk a big game about being natural, non-allergenic, and non-irritating, but then you look at the ingredients, and there is a long list of things you cannot pronounce.

Here are the ingredients for Mighty Mutt: Water, Polysorbate 20, Vegetable Glycerin, and Natural Fragrance. When I saw that there are only four ingredients, I believed this company when they said that this shampoo has no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or dyes.

There are also plenty of people who have sensitive skin. Products that might irritate a dog’s skin, can do the same with their owners. Mighty Mutt makes a light enough shampoo that an accident will not even bother the eyes.

You can still easily wipe away dirt and leave your dog smelling nice.

Pros

• No residue.
• No harmful chemicals.
• Good for nervous, water-hating dogs.

Cons

• Pricey.
• Better for soft hypoallergenic hair.
• Not well-suited to coarse hair.

Wahl Waterless No-Rinse Shampoo

In the waterless shampoo market, competing with pH-balanced, alcohol-free, paraben-free, PEG-80-free, and having natural plant-based ingredients is a tall order.

As an added benefit, all you have to do is put a dab in the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and bond with your dog while you give a good rubdown. My dog thinks I am just giving affection while I clean him.

Afterward, you can leave the dog to dry or continue the affection with a towel. This shampoo is perfect for dogs that commonly react to allergens.

Pros

• Best allergen-free choice.
• Quickly apply and wipe off.
• Nice tropical smell.

Cons

• Not sulfate-free.
• Strong scent.

Nootie Waterless Shampoo Wipes

Nootie started in the USA as a small family business that loved dogs but grew tired of what they felt pets needed and what companies offered.

One of the great things about waterless shampoo wipes is the way you can use them. When my dog comes in from a walk and wants to get on the couch or my bed, I quickly wipe the paws and keep everything clean.

For owners who have concerns about chemicals, especially with allergies, Nootie is another brand that thinks about your needs. These wipes have no parabens, no SLS, harsh chemicals, or dyes.

Beneficial and soothing additives are aloe and oatmeal for healthy skin.

Pros

• Good after walks or when traveling.
• Good smell.
• Non-irritating for skin.

Cons

• Need too many wipes for large dogs.
• Too thin for total body use.
• Soapy residue.

Arm & Hammer Ultra Fresh Waterless Shampoo

True to the classic baking soda appeal, Arm & Hammer advertises this shampoo more as a deodorizer than a cleanser. The label says “for pet odor elimination” and “deodorizing foam for dogs.” So you know exactly what to expect.

I noticed a few negative comments from people who said their dog hates baths, and this shampoo did not “help.” However, Arm & Hammer advertises that their waterless shampoo freshens a dog’s coat between baths. People who have dogs that are difficult to bathe, need a different solution than this shampoo.

Customers who understand the product they bought say that odors get neutralized, the coat gets a fresh sheen, and the dog does not show signs of irritation.

Pros

• Budget-friendly.
• Neutralizes odors.
• Natural ingredients.

Cons

• Some mystery chemicals added.
• Sensitive skin might react poorly.

Paw Choice Foaming Mousse Waterless Shampoo

The good thing about this waterless shampoo from Paw Choice is the elimination of odors. People with dogs that like to roll on dead things in the grass say that the product neutralizes odors.

The bad thing is that Paw Choice markets this product as shampoo. As I tested these waterless shampoos, I noticed that they mostly neutralize odors, so the word shampoo is a bit false in every case.

Paw Choice chose its ingredients well and avoided SLS, alcohol, and parabens. The coconut-derived moisturizers are good for fur and skin. The ingredients list is fairly short and does not contain a list of weird additives no one can pronounce.

Pros

• Neutralizes odor instead of piling on new smells.
• Sulfate-free.
• Mousse lathers well and is long-lasting.

Cons

• Some people do not like the scent.
• Strong long-lasting scent.

Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo

Burt’s Bees is a great waterless shampoo for anyone who is looking for one of the most chemical-free products on the market that will not irritate the skin. The downside is that the combination of all-natural products does not produce a long-lasting scent.

I did not have issues with the bottle leaking, but some people have. The problem is persistent enough that people have taken the top off or switched to a spray bottle. Apart from these issues, dog owners of all types are happy with the product.

Pros

• Good for all dogs.
• No harsh chemicals.

Cons

• Very mild scent.
• Damp fur.

Bio-Groom Waterless Bath

Bio-groom is one of the original players on the market for all-natural ingredients with a 50-year track record and remains family-owned. None of their products contain harsh chemicals, parabens, allergens, dyes, or artificial thickeners.

I liked the pH-balanced spray-on application. The formula works well whether coming in from a walk or keeping the dog clean between baths.

Pros

• Chemical-free.
• Large-volume 1-gallon available.
• Long-lasting scent.

Cons

• Does not eliminate oil.

Final Thoughts

If your dog has ever needed a spot or full cleaning, but you could not give a real bath, waterless shampoos can save the day. Dogs can get dirty a million ways, and sometimes you cannot go through the hassle of a full bath.

Finding the right product might require a process of trial and error. Once you find the best waterless shampoo for your dog, you will not have to stress about paws on the bed or couch again.