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Finding the best dog shampoo for your furry friend doesn’t have to be a fuss. We’ve compiled a list of the greatest brands to ensure that your quest for canine cleanliness is as easy as possible.

We use only the safest and gentlest shampoos on our pets. And we’d like to share our findings with you so that you can, too. Whether you need to combat fleas, eliminate odor, or reduce shedding, we have just the solution.

But first, here are a couple of our favorites. Out of all the top 10 entries we ranked, these two led the pack in value and effectiveness.

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When it comes to the best shampoo overall, Earthbath came out on top. Their Oatmeal & Aloe line is perfect for pups with sensitive skin. It is very gentle in getting your pet’s coat clean, and it smells great, too.

If you prefer the organic approach to keeping your hound healthy, you should give Paws & Pals’ Argan Shampoo a look. It’s easy on both skin and fur, working to reduce itching while leaving your canine comfy and clean.

Top 10 Best Dog Shampoos

We have plenty more in store, so scroll on down to get the scoop and simplify your shampoo shopping needs.


1. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo Review - Best Overall

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  • Mild scent
  • Effective
  • Gentle
  • Safe
  • Thick formula
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Earthbath deserves an award for this shampoo. It is so gentle on dogs, working to cut down on allergies while reducing – or even eliminating – itching.

Thanks to its oatmeal and aloe formula, pets are left feeling relieved and relaxed. This soothing solution works wonders on pups that scratch. Our West Highland white terrier used to dig into his skin something awful. But after a good bathing with Earthbath, it’s all but gone!

This is the kind of shampoo we all should be using on our pawed pals. If you’ve been pulling out your own hair trying to find the best shampoo for theirs, Earthbath has one of the safest solutions available. It’s effective, safe, and works quickly.

Features

  • 100% biodegradable
  • PH-balanced
  • 16 ounces
  • Soap-free

Ease of Use

This shampoo is quite thick, with some users reporting that it was too potent and caused burning. If this happens, you may want to dilute it before applying it directly to your dog.


2. Paws & Pals Argan Shampoo Review - Best Organic Shampoo

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  • Gentle formula
  • Light scent
  • Affordable
  • All-natural
  • Too much can dry out skin
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Paws & Pals’ Argan shampoo is a very safe and effective formula. If your dog has sensitive skin that is easily irritated by baths, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what Argan brings to the table.

That’s because the ingredients used are organic, making it gentle and safe to use. And since it’s made with shea butter, your pet’s skin is left feeling soft and silky.

Everything in Argan is all-natural, so you needn’t worry about it negatively affecting your dog in any way. We love the chemical-free formula of this one.

It leaves your pet smelling great, too. And it’s so gentle that it won’t bother their nose, either during or after bathing.

Features

  • All-natural ingredients
  • Shea butter formula
  • 15 ounces
  • Soap-free

Ease of Use

Simply apply Argan shampoo all over your dog for a safe and effective bath. The soap-free formula won’t irritate their skin or fur. Your pup will be left with a clean and glossy coat that smells wonderful.

Just be cautious that you don’t use too much. We noticed that it tends to dry out skin when large quantities are applied.


3. Adams Flea and Tick Shampoo Review - Best for Fleas

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  • Powerful formula
  • Pleasant scent
  • Affordable
  • Effective
  • May require several baths
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Trouble with ticks and fleas? This is an issue nearly every pet owner will have to deal with at some point in their life. It can be a grueling battle, to say the least. At times, these pesky parasites can seem impossible to get rid of.

Adams wants to make sure this problem is combated as quickly and painlessly as possible. Their shampoo is highly-effective, even to the point of killing any eggs left behind. Anything living on your dog will be eliminated, but you’ll want to take steps to ensure they are out of your home, as well.

We like working with this formula, as it develops a nice, rich lather and covers our pup really well. Plus, it smells great. But it’s not so potent that it will bother your pet.

Features

  • Kills fleas, ticks, lice, and eggs
  • Safe for dogs and puppies
  • Deodorizes
  • 12 ounces

Ease of Use

To get the most out of this shampoo, first get your dog thoroughly wet. Rub the shampoo in really well, then leave it in for 5 to 30 minutes, depending on severity. Then just rinse it out and you are good to go. As an added tip, you might want to wrap a towel around your hound to keep them from trying to taste the formula.


4. Pro Pet Works All-Natural Organic Oatmeal Review - Best for Sensitive Dogs

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  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Fights away itches
  • No chemical smell
  • Soothing
  • A bit pricey
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Pro Pet Works delivers a fragrance-free formula that is great for combating itchy skin. Made with organic ingredients, the All-Natural Organic Oatmeal shampoo works to calm your dog. Plus, it’s great for cutting down on allergies.

Does your pup have trouble with scented shampoos? Then this is likely going to be your best bet. There are no added fragrances; only what comes from the natural ingredients. But what we really like about it is that it doesn’t leave behind that nasty ‘wet dog’ smell after bathing.

We soon noticed that itching vanished shortly after using this product, and our dog couldn’t be happier. It’s such a gentle and safe formula to use. It eliminates bad odors and thoroughly cleans away dirt and filth.

Features

  • Harsh chemical-free
  • Hypoallergenic
  • PH-balanced
  • 17 ounces

Ease of Use

Just dilute a small amount of shampoo into warm water. Soon, you’ll have lots of suds and rich lather to work with. Only a very light scent of the organic ingredients is left on your dog. It won’t bother them, but it will delight you.


5. Wahl 4-In-1 Calming Pet Shampoo Review - Best for Tangles

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  • Fights allergies
  • Smells nice
  • Affordable
  • Effective
  • May irritate certain breeds
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Does your dog suffer from messy, tangled fur? Then you need to give Wahl’s 4-in-1 shampoo some serious consideration. This stuff is absolutely incredible in what it can do for your hound’s hair.

The lavender chamomile formula works to detangle hair. And it leaves your favorite companion smelling wonderful. It also helps to calm them down, so you might want to give this a look if your pet is a bit too feisty come bath time.

Another big plus is that you don’t have to use a whole lot of the shampoo. Just a small amount goes a long way to work out those pesky tangles.

Features

  • Paraben-free
  • PH-balanced
  • Alcohol-free
  • 24 ounces

Ease of Use

You don’t need to use very much shampoo at all. Just a small amount and lots of warm water will have your canine feeling fine.


6. Aromatherapy Pet Spa in a Box Review - Best for Pampered Pets

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  • Large quantities
  • Lovely aroma
  • Soothing
  • Safe
  • Expensive
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It will cost you a bit more, but this kit is well worth it. It has everything you need to pamper your pup and leave them feeling calmed and relaxed.

But the real prize of the set is the De-stress lavender and chamomile aromatherapy shampoo. This stuff works like a charm for anxious pets. Not only that, it leaves coats looking shiny and vibrant.

Added bonuses are a detangle formula and finishing spray. You even get a candle to make bath time more enjoyable! If you like for your dog to have only the best, this is about as good as it gets.

Features

  • No harsh chemicals
  • Vitamin-enriched
  • 3.25 pounds
  • Therapeutic

Ease of Use

Lather up the De-stress shampoo for a sudsy bath. You get plenty of formulas to work with. Your dog’s fur is left glossy and smelling fabulous.


7. FURminator Deshedding Shampoo Review - Best for Shedding

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  • Nice, natural scent
  • Very effective
  • Healthy
  • Expensive
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Are you tired of sweeping up after your shedding hound? FURminator has the ultimate solution to your troubles. Their Deshedding Shampoo works like magic in reducing pet hair and dander from accumulating.

This awesome formula is enriched with fatty acids to help bring out your dog’s natural luster and shine. Coats are left looking silky smooth and glossy thanks to the safe and effective ingredients FURminator uses in their shampoo.

And it not only fights shedding, it makes hair healthier, more vibrant, and stronger. This all-natural formula is safe to use and it smells great, too.

Even professional groomers agree that this stuff is a miracle worker. Many of them turn to FURminator to keep their customer’s pets looking and feeling healthy.

Features

  • Natural ingredients
  • Vitamin-enriched
  • Monthly use
  • 1 gallon

Ease of Use

To get the best results, work the formula in for a couple of minutes. Develop a rich lather from nose to tail and keep massaging. Then let it sit for anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. After time is up, make doubly sure that you rinse everything completely.

This is crucial, as the shampoo can cause skin irritation when left in. But once washed clean, your dog will look, feel, and smell terrific. And best of all, less shedding!


8. Wahl Gentle Puppy Review - Best for Puppies

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  • Great for puppies
  • Lovely scent
  • Affordable
  • Effective
  • May irritate certain breeds
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Wahl makes our list once again, this time with a formula that’s packed with puppy love. If you’re looking for a safe shampoo for your puppy that smells great, Wahl delivers the goods. This formula is made using all-natural ingredients, so it won’t irritate your little pal’s sensitive skin.

We really appreciated the gentleness of this shampoo. It’s called ‘Gentle Puppy’ for a reason. By using aloe and cornflower, you know you’re getting a soothing solution that works. It is both alcohol-free and pH-balanced; perfectly safe for your pup.

It’s also highly-effective in eliminating allergens, so your little dog won’t itch after getting a bath. The smell is very pleasant, too, and won’t leave behind that ‘wet dog’ odor.

Features

  • Alcohol-free formula
  • 100% natural
  • PH-balanced
  • 24 ounces

Ease of Use

When using Wahl Gentle Puppy shampoo, be sure that you use very little. Just a small amount of this formula goes a long way. You’ll have plenty of lather to work with, and it won’t cause irritation.

Some puppies may require that you dilute the shampoo first. Those with really sensitive skin may have a reaction if you use too much. And always be sure that you rinse off any and all suds to prevent itching and burning.


9. Fresh 'n Clean Scented Shampoo Review - Best Scent

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  • Gentle formula
  • Long-lasting
  • Fresh scent
  • Effective
  • Some may not like the scent
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If you’re looking for a shampoo that is sure to leave your smelly dog as fresh as roses, this is the one you want. If you’ve been suffering with your pet’s foul odor, it’s time to break free from the stench.

Fresh ‘n Clean works like a charm in eliminating funk. One of our dogs is a right rancid beast. We didn’t think anything could penetrate his walking dead waft. But after a couple of baths in this shampoo, he was finally smelling, well, fresh and clean.

This stuff is infused with aloe and vitamin E, so it’s gentle on skin and fur. And it helps to make hair healthier. But the big kicker here is that the scent stays around for up to 2 weeks after bathing.

Features

  • Protein-infused
  • 32 ounces
  • Vitamin E
  • Aloe

Ease of Use

Bathing your dog in Fresh ‘n Clean shampoo will give you tons of suds to work with. This is a nice plus, but it also means you’ll have to rinse extra-well. If you leave any shampoo in, you run this risk of causing skin irritation.


10. Miracle Coat Spray-On Review - Easiest to Use

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  • Easy to use
  • Effective
  • Safe
  • Fast
  • Doesn’t get as clean as bathing
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Does your dog fight you every time you try to bathe them? Have they just gotten too big to handle? Then you should give Miracle Coat a look.

This formula works without water. That’s right, just spray it on their coat and walk away. There’s no rinsing required, either. If you’re looking for the easiest and fastest way to clean your canine, it doesn’t get much better than this.

It’s a tad pricey compared to some other shampoos. But when you consider no longer having to wrestle your dog, it’s worth every penny.

Features

  • Quiet spray nozzle
  • Natural formula
  • 32 ounces
  • No rinsing

Ease of Use

Just a quick spray-down is all it takes. There’s no need to lather it up after application. Best of all, you don’t have to fight with rinsing down your dog. No need for towels, and no need for drying. This is as convenient as it gets. And it’s safe to use on all types of coats.


Dog Shampoo Buyer’s Guide

Dog shampoos are an important tool in every dog lover’s arsenal. They keep your best friend clean and smelling lovely. Some dog shampoos can combat various ailments, the others can revitalize your pet’s coat.

The biggest problem is finding a good dog shampoo. There are way too many products on the market, and not all of them are a good choice.

We decided to help you out by learning more about shampoos for dogs and presenting you with the unbiased information. We’ve researched the topic for a long time, so you don’t have to.

Types of Dog Shampoos

The market offers plenty of different dog shampoos. Some of them are used to fight against parasites, while the others detangle your dog’s fur. Before you can purchase a good dog shampoo, you need to familiarize yourself with the different types of shampoos.

Cleaning & Protection Shampoos

As the name implies, these dog shampoos are used to clean your pet and provide it with protection.

  • Anti-flea & tick: Fleas and ticks are a problem, but not without a solution. Anti-flea and anti-tick shampoos do wonder at combating nasty skin parasites. Some of them could irritate the skin of your dog. So, make sure to consult your vet before purchasing an anti-flea/tick shampoo.
  • Conditioners: Some dogs have fur that gets tangled in a matter of moments. Luckily, dog conditioners make the coat soft, and thus easier to brush. If your buddy has problems with tangled fur, think about purchasing a conditioner.
  • Natural: Natural shampoos aren’t necessarily created to combat a parasite or a certain condition. Most of them are used to give healthy baths to your dogs. If your dog has sensitive skin, then you should think about getting a natural shampoo for dogs.
  • Deodorizers: Some dogs have a tendency to smell bad. They might enjoy rummaging through garbage, or they got so dirty that they smell awful. Deodorizers are a great choice if you want to make your pet smell lovely again.
  • Whitening: Whitening shampoos, most of the time, serve cosmetic purposes. If you need a way to enhance your pet’s coat before a dog show, a whitening shampoo might do the trick.
  • Puppy: Puppies have more tender skin than adult dogs. So, bathing them with a “normal” dog shampoo might do more harm than good. Our advice is to buy a specialized puppy shampoo that doesn’t irritate their eyes and skin.

Medicated Shampoos

If you notice that your best bud has greasy fur or scratches a lot, then a problem may be present. Medicated shampoos are supposed to help you combat a certain health problem. But, before you buy a medicated shampoo, please consult your vet.

  • Anti-itching: Some dogs have a tendency to scratch and bite an itchy area until it bleeds. If you want to help your dog, then think about getting an anti-itching shampoo. Before you purchase an anti-itching shampoo, take your dog to a vet, because the problem could be greater than you think.
  • Anti-parasitic: Anti-parasitic shampoos are similar to anti-flea shampoos. The difference is that fleas aren’t the only parasite they combat. If your dog suffers from a parasitic infestation, an anti-parasitic shampoo might help.
  • Anti-seborrheic: Some dogs have skin problems that cause them to develop dandruff. If you notice that your pal has dandruff, an anti-seborrheic shampoo could be helpful.
  • Anti-fungal: If you notice a fungal infection on your dog, don’t worry. Anti-fungal shampoos are created to combat fungus. But, before you apply an anti-fungal shampoo, visit your vet. They will explain how the fungal infection appeared in the first place.
  • Hypoallergenic: Hypoallergenic shampoos are the best choice for dogs with sensitive skin and fur. If you want to avoid problems that come with shampoos loaded with chemicals, a hypoallergenic shampoo might be what your dog needs.

Healthy Shampoo Ingredients

Not all the dog shampoos are created equal. There are a couple of ingredients that have proven their usefulness in treating dog fur and skin. Before you can purchase a dog shampoo that your buddy will love, you need to know which ingredients to look for.

Aloe vera and almond oil are good at preventing dryness and itching. Oatmeal is another useful ingredient. It deals well with skin irritation and dryness.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a good ingredient that keeps your dog’s fur shiny and healthy. Vitamin E helps to soothe dry skin, while coconut oil combats itching.

Besides the mentioned ingredients, you could also search for shampoos containing vitamin A, olive oil, and lime.

Ingredients You Should Avoid

Unfortunately, many dog shampoos contain certain ingredients that you should avoid. Most of those ingredients can cause allergies, but some can cause greater problems.

First of all, avoid artificial colors and artificial fragrances. There are so many lovely natural fragrances out there, that you don’t need to risk your dog’s health with artificial ones.

It is important to avoid sulfates like ammonium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate. They cause more harm than good.

Paraben preservatives, like butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben are known for being stored in the body. They can cause reproductive issues, and in the worst cases – cancer.

While there are more ingredients that you should avoid, they are too numerous to mention. If you want to be sure that you are getting a healthy shampoo for your dog, go for an all-natural shampoo.