Keep Your Pup Clean With The Best Dog Shampoo
Dog shampoos are a must-have for every dog owner. Pet owners are used to seeing their pets roll in the mud and soil their bodies. Dog owners are not exempted from this trend. Dogs are agile animals that are constantly sprinting around the home. Unfortunately, the result of their exertions is usually a dirty coat with a foul odor. Dog shampoos are formulated to keep a dog’s fur clean. Not only that, but they also help to prevent coat shedding, dry skin and eliminate harmful parasites like ticks and fleas from a dog’s coat. There are many dog shampoos in the market today, and you will find out that not all of them will give you the desired result. As you read on, you will find a list of the top dog shampoos in 2024. Our experts have carefully vetted these products for their authenticity and quality.
Buyer's Guide: Dog Shampoo
As a dog owner, you want your dog to be as comfortable as possible. Thus, your canine’s health should be of utmost importance to you. Taking care of a dog’s coat is an essential aspect of dog care that should be taken seriously. Dog shampoos help in this regard. They are designed for the specific coat needs of dogs.
As you have seen from our review of the best dog shampoos, there are many quality shampoos to choose from. Thus, settling for one out of the quality products on display could be a little bit difficult. This buying guide leads you through the buying process. Next, it details the peculiarities of dog shampoos and the things to look out for when buying one. The final section of the guide answers frequently asked questions about dog shampoos and general dog care.
What is the difference between human shampoo and dog shampoo?
You are probably thinking of using your shampoo on your dog’s coat. Hold that thought for a second. You are not the only pet owner that has thought of this. Unfortunately, it is a bad idea. The chemical composition of human and dog skins is different. Humans have a pH that ranges between 5.2 and 6.2, while dogs have a pH that ranges between 5.5 and 7.5. Human shampoos are designed to suit the acidic nature of the human skin, while dog shampoos cater to the alkaline nature of their skin.
Using human shampoo on dogs will upset the chemical balance of their skin. The imbalance leaves them susceptible to various skin infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Thus, human shampoos should only be applied to human hair, and dog shampoos should be used for cleaning a dog’s coat.
Important Considerations
To ensure that you get the most suitable shampoo for your dog, you have to consider certain factors. These factors will ensure that you get the shampoo that meets the needs of your dog.
Skin condition
The first factor you should consider when buying a shampoo is the condition of your dog’s skin. Is your dog suffering from flea and tick infestation? Does your dog have itchy skin, or is it constantly shedding its fur? Once you have identified the dog’s skin condition, you can then proceed to choose a shampoo that addresses these skin conditions.
You should not just buy any random shampoo hoping that it works. There are specific shampoos formulated to handle each of the skin conditions mentioned and many others.
Scent
You may have a dog without any skin condition. However, you don’t seem to like the foul odor that emanates from your pet’s body. The odor may not even be bad, but you are looking to be more intentional with the dog’s smell. Then, you should consider the shampoo’s scent before buying one.
You will find out that there are many deodorizing dog shampoos to choose from. This abundance gives you the freedom to choose your desired scent. However, it would help if you also looked out for a shampoo with a long-lasting scent.
Age
Dog shampoos usually come with age recommendations. The age recommendation indicates the suitability of the product for a particular age range. Therefore, you should check to ensure that the shampoo is ideal for your dog’s age. To avoid adverse effects, you should only buy a shampoo recommended for use on dogs within your dog’s age range. When in doubt, you can opt for a shampoo that has no age restriction.
Tangles
There are times where you notice that your dog’s coat keeps getting tangled no matter how well you groom it. You may have tried different brands of shampoo to no effect. When this happens, you are advised to get a separate conditioner for your dog. This may sound like an extra cost. However, with two in one shampoo, you can clean your canine’s coat and get the fur detangled too. They save you the cost of buying a separate conditioner.
Coat type
Dogs have different coat types; hence your dog’s coat type should also be considered when buying a shampoo. Dogs with long coats need a shampoo that is strong enough to reach their skin. Dogs with short coats only need mild shampoo that cleans their fur.
Versatility
If you have more than one type of pet, you may have to buy different shampoos for each of them. Getting a shampoo for each of them is not exactly a budget-friendly choice when you can get a versatile dog shampoo that is compatible with the skin of your other pets. For example, there are dog shampoos that you can use on your cats and horses.
How much does dog shampoo cost?
The price of a dog shampoo usually depends on the ingredients used to formulate it. Another factor that affects the price is the quantity. Averagely, dog shampoos cost between $4 and $40. The quantity is often proportional to the price.
Compare: Best Shampoos for Dogs in 2024
Pet Health Pros Dog Shampoo
– Best Overall
The Pet Health Pros Dog Shampoo is a veterinarian-grade solution to help eliminate skin-related problems in both cats and dogs. Its balanced combination of ketoconazole and chlorhexidine is proven to fight against allergies, itchy skin, hot spots, and ringworm. This shampoo is great for animals with sensitive skin. Its gentle formula includes aloe vera to soothe, nourish, and protect the skin from further damage.
- Fights against allergies
- Eliminates skin-related problems
- Pleasant melon scent
- Not a lot of customer reviews
Arm & Hammer Dog Shampoo
– Fights Odors
The Arm & Hammer dog shampoo offers dog owners and groomers the chance to eliminate the bad odor emanating from their pet. With this shampoo, you can bid farewell to your dog’s stinking coat. The shampoo’s baking soda particles dissolve easily to reach deeper into your dog’s coat to absorb the odor.
- It is suitable for all dogs irrespective of age
- It is available in different sizes
- It is not ideal for dogs with dry skin
Wahl Dog Shampoo
– Best Oatmeal Formula
When you notice that your dog is suffering from itchy and dry skin, it is time to buy the Wahl dog shampoo. The shampoo’s oatmeal formula means your dog will have a soothing feel whenever the shampoo is applied to its coat. In addition, the shampoo moisturizes dry skin and provides relief to itching. It makes a rich lather because it contains more surfactants.
- The shampoo is highly concentrated
- The shampoo has a pleasant smell
- It rinses off easily
- The scent does not last.
Burt’s Bees Dog Shampoo
– Honorable Mention
The Burt’s Bee dog shampoo provides value for money spent with its 2 in 1 composition. When you buy this product, you get a shampoo and conditioner in one pack. The shampoo’s buttermilk composition softens and soothes a dog’s coat on application. Linseed oil conditions the coat for a healthy-looking dog.
- The shampoo saves money
- It is easy on the eyes
- The shampoo rinses off easily
- The shampoo has no scent
Tropiclean Dog Shampoo
– Also Consider
When your dog’s coat shedding becomes worrisome, it is time to buy the Tropiclean dog shampoo. Made of naturally derived ingredients, the shampoo exfoliates and moisturizes the dog’s coat to control shedding. The shampoo washes deep under the coat to leave the dog’s fur and skin healthy.
- The shampoo can be applied to cats too
- The shampoo is available in different sizes
- It has a rich lather
- The bottle is flimsy
The Honeydew dog shampoo refreshes and moisturizes a dog’s body. Its colloidal oatmeal ingredient helps dogs to stay hydrated and prevent scaly, itchy skin. It also contains essential lavender oil that has a soothing effect on dogs. The shampoo cleans up your dog and removes foul smells.
- It can be used on small and big dogs
- The shampoo is made of natural ingredients
- It is available in only one size
The Hylyt dog shampoo is a versatile product with hypoallergenic properties. With this shampoo, your dog is less likely to develop an allergic reaction after use. The shampoo keeps your dog clean without doing any harm to its natural protective cover. It retains humectants for skin moisturization and contains fatty acid that helps the dog keep essential oils needed for healthy fur.
- The shampoo can be used on cats too
- It is gentle and hypoallergenic
- The shampoo is available in two sizes
- The shampoo is expensive
The Curaseb dog shampoo is a quality shampoo for dogs. It contains 4 % chlorhexidine gluconate. Chlorhexidine gluconate is known to be anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. The shampoo’s anti-fungal and anti-bacterial property makes it suitable for the treatment of skin infections like yeast.
Also, the shampoo cleans well and removes odor from the coat.
- The shampoo can be used on cats and horses
- It is available in two sizes
- It rinses off easily
- The shampoo is pricey
People Also Asked
A: Poorly formulated shampoo can harm your dog. Thus, you should avoid shampoos that have ingredients like paraben, phthalate, and isopropyl alcohol.
A: You can bathe your dog as often as necessary. The frequency varies across different dogs and different dog owners. You should clean your dog with shampoo at least once a month. If you have a dog with a skin condition that requires frequent shampooing, you could bathe it once or twice a week.
A: If ingested in small quantities, shampoo is not fatal to dogs. However, you should call your vet if you notice any discomfort.
A: This may be due to the poor quality of the shampoo used to bathe the dog. If the foul smell persists after changing shampoos, you should call a vet to check for any underlying skin condition.