The 6 Best Dog Shampoos in 2024
If you’ve spent any considerable time around dogs, you know just how dirty they can get. Whether they’re romping around cow dung or wandering off in search of adventure, getting constantly dirty is just part of a dog’s life.
When situations with dirt and grime just aren’t avoidable, it quickly becomes important to give your pup a bath every now and then. The appropriate shampoo can fight persistent inflammatory skin conditions and keep potentially expensive illnesses at bay too.
We’ve made a list of some of the top dog shampoos on the market this year. Let’s check them out!
Our Top List
Last update on 2024-10-09 at 16:42 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Pro Pet Works Organic Oatmeal Shampoo
Chock full of vitamin E and aloe vera, the highly moisturizing Pro Pet shampoo is vet-recommended for dogs with sensitive skin and allergies. The pH balanced formula works well on inflamed, itchy skin, and is specially recommended for dogs with flea bites.
Consumers appreciate that the all natural formula contains no alcohols, sulphates, added colors, fragrances, or harsh chemicals. The organic aloe vera and gentle almond oils won’t irritate your dogs’ skin and are fragrance free to reduce smell irritation.
For several days after cleaning, your dog will spell fresh and clean. The deodorizing shampoo makes your dog easy to brush and keeps their coat shiny.
Takeaways
- Free of irritating ingredients
- Formulated for dogs with itchy, dry, inflamed, and sensitive skin
- Features aloe vera and vitamin E for moisture boost
2. Douxo Chlorhexidine Climbazole Shampoo
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Formulated with an antiseptic foaming solution, the Duoxo shampoo contains a blend of gentle yet effective anti-bacterials. In addition to protecting the skin from irritation and loss of moisture, this shampoo is specifically meant to target cutaneous disorders associated with pyoderma.
Essentially, pyoderma refers to any dog skin condition that features pus. The moisturizing solution works by depositing a lipoprotein film directly on the surface of the skin, resulting in long-lasting protection against cuts and bacterial infection.
Additionally, Duoxo is well-regarded for its anti-fungal properties. Before opting for this shampoo, you may want to first consult with a vet to see if it is right for your dog.
Takeaways
- Has both antifungal and protective properties that fight fungus and protects against infection
- Meant for dogs with wide range of pyodermic skin conditions
- Moisturizing, gentle solution is easy on dog’s fur and skin
3. Honeydew Colloidal Shampoo
The Honeydew shampoo is a gentle, lavender-infused shampoo that’s certified hypoallergenic, in addition to being extremely soothing for dry and flaky skin. Through using all natural ingredients like jojoba, the clinical strength shampoo effectively cleans while fighting against all sources of irritation.
The homeopathic, extra calming solution uses a diluted lavender solution to both remove odor and keep your pup smelling clean for days. In addition to lavender, the shampoo uses a healthy amount of colloidal oatmeal that’s known for detoxing and hydrating.
In particular, the colloidal oatmeal is known for adding moisture through its lipid, fatty composition. When paired with the jojoba, the final result is a fur coat that’s soft to the touch and super shiny.
Takeaways
- Certified hypoallergenic
- Light lavender-infused solution leaves dog smelling great for days
- Keeps dogs’ coat shiny, soft and clean through oatmeal and jojoba oil formula
4. Veterinary Formula Solutions Puppy Love
Though it may not be appropriate for all dogs, the high-strength Veterinary Formula shampoo contains coal tar, salicylic acid, and micronized sulfur to gently treat your dogs’ skin condition. Through relieving mange and bacterial infections, the shampoo is able to effectively nip parasitic intrusions and foreign invaders from the skin.
The fast acting shampoo is able to relive a huge host of distinct conditions, including: inflamed scalp, greasy skin, red rashes, bald spots, itches associated with dermatitis, seborrhea, and bacterial infections.
Proven safe to treat fungal and bacterial infections, this shampoo is preferred among veterinarians and is often proscribed for mangy mutts. The shampoo also effectively addresses the persistent pH imbalances that lead to recurring infections and poor skin conditions.
Takeaways
- Can treat huge range of distinct skin conditions
- Recommended by veterinarians all over the US
- Gentle yet effective formula is hypoallergenic
5. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo
Formulated with oatmeal and aloe, the Earthbath pet shampoo is made from one hundred percent biodegradable and pet-safe ingredients. The soap-free and naturally fragranced shampoo is safe and gentle enough for frequent washes.
The solution is gentle enough for any dog regardless of their current skin condition. Whether your dog’s skin is greasy or dry, the solution will result in a shiny, healthy, and moisturized coat that smells great for days.
In particular, the pH balanced shampoo help to address minor dry skin, itchiness, and skin inflammation in dogs. However, users should keep in mind that the shampoo isn’t meant to address diagnosed infections, fleas, or other specific conditions.
Takeaways
- pH balanced solution is safe to use on dog regardless of their skin condition
- Oatmeal and aloe vera ingredients help to moisturize dry, itchy, and inflamed skin conditions
- Safely and naturally deodorizes dog
6. Curaseb Antifungal & Antibacterial Shampoo
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Designed to eliminate yeast, bacteria, and fungus, the Curaseb antifungal shampoo is an all-in-one solution that combat a broad spectrum of skin conditions that affect both dogs and cats.
According to the manufacturers, the Curaseb solution is very effective for pyoderma, ringworm, fungal, and bacterial infections. This veterinary-recommended solution can immediately eliminate musty, persistent odors while leaving behind a pleasant smell on the fur.
Additionally, the Curaseb team is so confident in the product that they offer a one hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. Even if you return the bottle completely empty, the team is committed to provide you with a money back guarantee.
The high quality, safe solution contains virtually the same ingredients as more expensive name brand solutions.
Takeaways
- Able to treat a huge variety of distinct fungal and bacterial skin conditions
- Gentle solution is perfect for regular use to prevent against future conditions
- Generous warranty provided through manufacturer
For dogs with minor dry skin, itchiness, and inflammation, there’s no getting better than the Pro Pet Works solution. Loved by thousands of customers from around the world, the Pro Pet shampoo uses only vet-recommended ingredients that are specially formulated for pets with persistent allergies and health conditions.
Safe for regular use, the Pro Pet shampoo is therapeutic and tough on the underlying causes of dryness. The unique solution will leave your pet with soft, shiny, and easy-to-brush fur.
On top of deodorizing your animal, the shampoo won’t irritate your dog’s eyes, nose, or skin during or after bathing. The one hundred percent biodegradable solution is non-toxic, non-alcoholic, and perfect for pets with a wide range of skin types.
Buying Guide
Selecting the best shampoo isn’t just a matter of getting the most popular product at the pet store. Instead, you need to develop a keen awareness of your dogs’ needs, the ingredients used, and what product will best work for your household.
As of late, many ineffective and potentially unsafe shampoos have littered the market. Purely to boost the profit margin, some malicious manufacturers pepper their products with cheap and untested ingredients.
For your dogs’ sake, you need to be a responsible, curious, and well-researched consumer. Below, we’ve outlined some ingredients and materials that you should look out for.
Identify Your Dog’s Needs
Every day is unique in his or her own way. Before you buy shampoo, make sure that you dog doesn’t have any special skin conditions that require more specialized treatment.
The easiest way to check for skin conditions is to bring your pup to the vet for a skin analysis. Brush through their fur to check for any thinning spots, red sores, or rashes that develop on the dog’s belly.
Alternatively, keep an eye out for your dogs’ behavior. If they are persistently scratching or biting an area, they may suffer from an itchy skin condition that’ll need a much more gentle shampoo treatment.
For itchy and dry skin, moisturizing vitamin E, aloe, and honey-infused shampoos can provide significant relief. Typically, “conditioning” shampoos are meant for dogs with aggravated skin.
If you’re not sure, your best bet is to opt for an oatmeal-based shampoo, which is effective for dogs with virtually any skin type. Although oatmeals ‘poos don’t as efficiently target dirt, they are gentle enough for most dogs.
Pay Attention to Ingredients
There are many ingredients that you should avoid. Over time, some ingredients may irritate or worsen existing skin conditions. Paradoxically, the wrong ingredients may even interfere with your dog’s ability to effectively self clean.
Avoid any product with a high amount of solvents, parabens, and surfactants. These harsh chemicals are known to cause allergic reactions in some dogs, in addition to drying out and irritating the skin.
Artificial colors, fragrances, alcohols and preservatives are all linked to inflammation, fur loss, and worsened skin.
That said, even “natural” ingredients can be bad for your dog. Essential oils, like tea tree, birch, or lavender, carry adverse side effects. Keep in mind that your dog’s nose is much more sensitive than your own and may be bothered by fragrance and artificial smells.
Maintain the Right pH Balance
Believe it or not, dogs’ skin is very sensitive to even the slightest shifts in pH balance.
For those who are unaware, pH balance simply refers to the levels of acids and bases in a solution. Poor pH balance is associated with inflammation, odor, itchiness, and protection against bad bacteria.
Any shampoo you select should range from 2.2 to 7.5 pH. Almost every manufacturer publishes the pH value of its shampoo products. When it doubt, you should reach out and ask.
Be Aware of Allergies
It’s not uncommon for dogs to carry specific allergies. If your dog is allergic to any of the ingredients listed on the shampoo, you shouldn’t use it on their sensitive skin.
We recommend that you first conduct a patch test on your dog and wait twenty four hours to see if a reaction occurs. If not, the shampoo is likely safe to use.
Alternatively, it’s also possible for a vet to perform a more in depth skin allergy test that compares multiple common shampoo ingredients in a controlled setting.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!