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Last updated: 14 Nov 2024
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The Best Dog Dry Shampoo For Your Fur Babies

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By Amber Rival
Published 20 Apr 2022
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5 Best Dog Dry Shampoos in Detail
  • 1 Mighty Mutt Dog Dry Shampoo
  • 2 Burt’s Bees Dog Hydrating Shampoo
  • 3 Arm & Hammer Dog Shampoo
  • 4 Tropi-Clean Waterless Dog Shampoo
  • 5 Begley’s Waterless Dog Dry Shampoo

5 Best Dog Dry Shampoos in Detail

1

Mighty Mutt Dog Dry Shampoo

– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP

With such fantastic customer reviews, it only makes sense that The Mighty Mutt Dog Dry Shampoo is our number one choice! It has an ingenious water-less cleaning foam made of four all-natural ingredients to give a gentle cleanse to your dirty mutt. Moreover, it’s free of all toxic chemicals that could potentially harm your pup. Finally, it allows for fuss-free bath times due to its no-rinse formula, which results in an odor-free and clean coat for your dogs. Lassy vibes, anyone?

A natural fresh scent, coupled with a tearless, hypoallergenic formula, zaps away any odors on your mutt. The pH-balanced solution has especially been formulated to be super gentle and mild on your dog’s skin. So, with a bit of scrubby-dub-dub, your doggy will smell fresh in no time!

Pros
  • All-natural ingredients
  • The water-less formula is super convenient
  • Beneficial for dogs that are anxious around water
Cons
  • Fragrance could be longer-lasting
2

Burt’s Bees Dog Hydrating Shampoo

– Most Hydrating
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THE SCOOP

The ideal dog shampoo should do more than clean your dog’s fur; it should also add moisture to it, and the Burt’s Bees Dog Hydrating Shampoo does precisely that! It is infused with rich coconut oil, which hydrates and keeps your mutt’s skin supple and soft. In addition, it has a specific vet-recommended formula free of all intoxicants that will put your mind at ease. So your pup can lick its fur as much as it wants without you worrying about it ingesting harmful chemicals.

Moreover, the pH-balanced, gentle formula will have your dog’s tail wagging in no time! There are no artificial fragrances added that might irritate you or your furry friend. And lastly, this dog dry shampoo is cruelty-free. Animal lovers rejoice!

Pros
  • It doesn’t contain any harmful sulfates, colorants, or added scents 
  • Infused with coconut oil for added moisture
Cons
  • Does require a bit of water before lathering
3

Arm & Hammer Dog Shampoo

– Best Odor Eliminating
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THE SCOOP

The Arm & Hammer Dog Dry Shampoo has a specially formulated waterless no-rinse formula which eliminates the need for a full-fledged water bath. It’s a handy solution for in-between baths at home, without all the drama. The suitable signature baking soda formula effectively eliminates the nastiest of dog odors, leaving behind a pleasant light juniper scent so you can spray and let your dog be on its way!

This dry dog shampoo is infused with cactus water and citrus, which soothes and moisturizes your dog’s coat gently. Moreover, its carefully balanced pH solution ensures non-irritant, especially useful for sensitive skin. In just 2-3 pumps, the foam is massaged gently on your pup from the back of its ears to its tail, carefully avoiding the eyes.

Pros
  • Light juniper fragrance 
  • Baking soda enhanced formula
Cons
  • The bottle could have a better seal to prevent leakage
4

Tropi-Clean Waterless Dog Shampoo

– Best Scent
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THE SCOOP

Imagine your dog runs up to you and smells like a tropical paradise. Amazing, no? Well, thanks to the Tropi-Clean Waterless Dog Shampoo, this can be a reality! Its refreshing berry and coconut smell will make your pup smell like a dream. Couch snuggle time! 

Moreover, this dog dry shampoo is infused with all-natural ingredients such as white plum, cucumber, and oatmeal, which helps keep your dog’s skin soft and hydrated while they remove grime and dirt. Its no-rinse formula takes the convenience factor up a notch, allowing you to clean up after a muddy session at the park quickly. Happy pup, happy you!  

Pros
  • Safe all-natural ingredients 
  • Fresh, berry scent
  • The waterless and no-rinse formula allows convenient clean up anywhere and anytime
Cons
  • Product may not be so suitable for dogs below 12 weeks of age
5

Begley’s Waterless Dog Dry Shampoo

– Best Plant Based Option
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THE SCOOP

If your dogs have been creating a fuss during clean-up, Begley’s Waterless Dog Dry Shampoo is the solution to your woes! A unique no-rinse solution allows for quick pick-me-up cleaning sessions in-between visits to the professional groomer. This delightful concoction is sprayed directly on your pup or on a damp cloth which is then gently wiped all over.

The best part is that this dog dry shampoo is created using plant-based ingredients with no harmful additives for your canine friend. The natural essential oils effectively deodorize your pet, leaving a pleasant lavender scent behind. Moreover, proprietary enzyme blend zaps its way through the dirt and muck so that your pup looks salon-fresh after each cleanup session.

Pros
  • All-natural, plant-derived ingredients with no additives or harmful chemicals 
  • Phenomenal price to performance ratio
Cons
  • Some dogs may be scared of spray nozzle

Best Dog Dry Shampoos Buying Guide

Before you make a purchase, we’ve compiled a handy buyer’s guide to help you know what to look for when in the market for a dog dry shampoo.

Benefits of Buying a Dog Dry Shampoo

Let’s take a look at the pawsome benefits of dog dry shampoos, shall we?

Time-saving

The time that it takes to take your fur baby to the professional groom can all be saved by keeping a bottle of dog dry shampoo in your pet care arsenal. They are perfect for in-between cleaning sessions since it’s practically impossible to take your buddy to the professional groomer all the time.

Most of the formulas are rinse-free which further adds more convenience as it saves even more time since you don’t have to wait to dry your dog’s hair.

Helps keep timid pets clean

Generally, dogs, especially senior ones, are really anxious by nature, and they tend to get iffy and agitated on their trips down to the groomer. A bottle of dog dry shampoo helps reduce the number of visits you require to the groomer as it does a decent job of quickly eliminating odor and removing dirt that might’ve accumulated on your dog.

This means that the added anxiety and stress that your dog goes through can be avoided.

Things to Consider Before Buying Dog Dry Shampoos

Now that you know how beneficial dog dry shampoos are, here are a few things to consider before you go about buying one:

Say no to harmful additives

It would be best if you made it a point to scan through the ingredient list, looking out for potential irritants and allergens. Dogs tend to lick their fur as a self-grooming process, so the product needs to be safe for ingestion in case some of it remains on your puppy’s fur. So, take your time to research the ingredient list thoroughly to ensure the safety of your beloved pup.

Scent

Dog dry shampoos usually come in a range of scents. It all depends on your preference because if your dog comes back home smelling like it crossed paths with a skunk, a stronger scent is what you will require.

Meanwhile, it’s possible that due to some allergies or sensitivities to smell, you may want to look for a lighter scented dry dog shampoo. So, do make it a point to browse through the product key to ensure you purchase a shampoo to your liking. After all, that’s how your buddy is going to smell while sleeping next to you!

Moisturizing ingredients

Dog dry shampoos usually have a pH-balanced hypoallergenic formula infused with hydrating factors that ensure a mild and non-irritant formula for your dog’s skin. So, you should definitely keep a lookout for certain key ingredients, such as coconut oil or plant-based derivatives that will help soothe and moisturize your canine’s skin.

What Are the Different Types of Dog Dry Shampoos

Since these shampoos are made for dogs, it’s necessary that you are aware that there are three different types of dog dry shampoos:

  • Foam-Based Dog Dry Shampoos
  • Spray-Type Dog Dry Shampoos

The difference between the two is in their composition and the technique with which they are dispensed. Let’s take a brief look at them and assess their differences:

Foam-based dog dry shampoos

Foam-based dog dry shampoos dispense as foam lathered on your pup. You simply pump out the foam and give your doggo a nice clean with it.

Spray-type dog dry shampoos

These dog dry shampoo formulas come in a spray bottle sprayed directly onto your furry buddy. However, some dogs are terrified of having things sprayed on them so make sure that your pup won’t run away with its tail between its legs at the first sign of a spray gun.

How to Use a Dog Dry Shampoo

The exact steps vary across every brand, so we’ve created a basic guideline for you to follow:

Step 1: Read the manufacturer’s manual

Please make sure that you read the manufacturer’s manual thoroughly. It will usually guide you to do a patch test which will help you see if your dog’s skin is reacting to the product.

Step 2: Groom your pet

Take a shedding brush and brush your pet’s fur thoroughly. This will help eliminate any loose fur and debris before applying the product. Also, you can trim your dog’s fur if it has long hair. If the fur reaches the ground, it defies the entire purpose of the cleaning process.

Step 3: Apply dry shampoo

Gently apply the dry shampoo all over your dog’s fur, ensuring that you avoid the eye region. Do not apply an excess since, with waterless shampoos, less is more. Wait for a few minutes for any active ingredients to do their work.

Step 4: Brush extensively

Use a towel or a cloth to remove the excess dry shampoo. Finish it off by brushing your dog gently for a refined fresh look.

People Also Asked

Q: What is the best dog dry shampoo?

A: The Mighty Mutt Dog Dry Shampoo cleans, deodorizers, and zaps away any grime on your doggy best friend. It ranks the highest on our list due to the numerous benefits it imparts, such as an all-natural ingredient list along with an anti-itch, hypoallergenic formula that keeps your fur baby happy and woofing! 

Q: What is a dog dry shampoo?

A: Dog dry shampoo is a cleansing product for dogs that do not require water rinsing for cleaning. These shampoos are also known as waterless or no-rinse shampoos. Their primary function is to deodorize the smell while eliminating dirt by absorbing excess sebum from your pet's fur. To some extent, they also remove dirt from your pet's fur. The mechanism for this is that absorbent chemicals bind to the dirt particles, which effectively removes the dirt from their fur when you brush them after the cleanup session. 

Q: Are dog dry shampoos suitable for dogs?

A: Dog dry shampoos are generally safe for dogs since they use all-natural ingredients instead of traditional formulas used for grooming. We recommend reading the ingredient list, which should ideally include certified organic ingredients. 

Contributors

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Amber Rival
Former Dog Kennel General Manager
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