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As a childless woman in her 30s with two dogs, my priorities are centered around my pups, Miso and Ritz. And with two fur bébés, there is double the opportunity for stinky puppies, especially in the summer. Over the years, I’ve tried a number of dog shampoos and found hits and misses. I’ve been determined to find the very best.
That said, “the best” dog shampoo depends on what your dog needs. So I had a few friends test out dog shampoos on their pups to see which ones the whole family liked most. These six shampoos for dogs (some with built-in conditioners) worked well for all different types of fur and budgets — including one that requires no actual scrub-a-dub-dub time!
The Testers
Miso, a 12-pound white and tan long-haired chihuahua mix who sheds a lot
Ritz, a 12-pound white and tan short-haired chihuahua mix who sheds a little
Winnie, a 23-pound black pug mix who sheds a lot
Joey, a 63-pound lab-terrier mix breed who sheds a lot
The Methodology
Some dog shampoos we tested are brands that I had already tried and loved with my pups. Others were recommended by friends. Each dog got a patch test to make sure it wouldn’t make them itchy, then a full bath.
Dog moms and dads filled out a quick survey about how the shampoo smelled, lathered, rinsed out, and how long the pup seemed to stay clean and smell good. No flea and tick shampoos or de-skunking shampoos were tested, as no dogs (thankfully) dealt with those issues. These are all just great, everyday-bath shampoo options.
The Results
For Sensitive Skin Sweeties: Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo, Fragrance Free
If you don’t often bathe your dog at home — whether because they don’t need it or you go to a groomer — it’s best to start with something as neutral as possible. This hypo-allergenic dog shampoo is fragrance-free and great for testing out what your pup’s skin is like and if it will react to new products or specific ingredients.
A cutie named Joey tested out this shampoo, and her dad Tyler said that he has gotten this brand before because of its minimal ingredients. (The short list includes: purified water, renewable plant-derived and coconut-based cleansers, organic aloe vera, vitamins A, B, D, & E, panthenol, and preservative.) They loved how well it lathered and easily rinsed out. In terms of smell, there is a baby powder scent-that-isn’t-a-fragrance during and after the bath, but it doesn’t linger.
For Super Stinky Pups: Skout’s Honor Probiotic Shampoo & Conditioner: Dog of the Woods
Probiotics aren’t just for gut health — the topical probiotics in Skout’s Honor shampoo and conditioner combo can help pups who suffer from itching, odor, dry skin, dandruff, hot spots, and excessive shedding. It uses argan and coconut oils for softness as well as other natural ingredients, and each bottle helps feed a dog in need.
Winnie, a cute black pug, is known for hating baths and trying to escape, but according to his mom, Alicia, “It was truly the most calm he’s ever been in the bath.” She wondered if he found the scent calming and soothing. Alicia loved washing him with this shampoo because it sudsed up nicely and rinsed out just as easily, leaving a “really appealing scent of fig, lemon, and cedar” behind and a soft, shiny coat.
For Extra Soft Fur: CHI For Dogs Gentle 2-in-1 Shampoo-and-Conditioner
This combination shampoo-and-conditioner has been my pup Miso’s signature scent for a few years. It is somehow slightly fruity but not sweet, a little floral in the jasmine family, and has a touch of amber or wood that makes it musky but not overpowering.
Miso has long hair that often gets dry, but after a bath with this pH-balanced, extra-moisturizing product — which includes silk and soy proteins to help strengthen hair, plus oatmeal and aloe vera for softening — she’s cuddly soft and smells incredible for weeks. Sometimes with a two-in-one option, there isn’t enough lather, but I’ve found that it lathers even better than standalone shampoos, almost like a foaming soap consistency, and rinses out pretty quickly.
For Extra-Pampered Pooches: South Bark Blueberry Facial
Despite being called a “facial,” this ultra-concentrated shampoo can be used on your dog’s whole body. It’s a great shampoo for dogs with white fur who need a little extra brightening, but it won’t mess up the coats of other-colored dogs. The scent is a mixture of blueberry and clove, which seemed to make my hyperactive dog Ritz a little more calm and relaxed during her bath.
I tried this brand two different ways: First I diluted a capful into a sink full of water (the label said to use a 16:1 ratio) for gently washing. Then I tried some straight-up lathered between my hands to scrub at places where Ritz was a little dirtier, like her paws and belly after walking in the rain. It had a great consistency and lather, rinsed out clean, and don’t worry — the blue color won’t show up on your pup’s fur or skin! There is also a spray-on “cologne” in a matching scent for in-between baths. The brand says it lasts for weeks, but I found it only holds its scent for a few days at most. The silky-softness of her fur, however, lasted much longer than that!
For Budget-Conscious Pawrents: Burt's Bees Oatmeal Dog Shampoo Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey
The drugstore brand that I will always turn to is Burt’s Bees. It was the first dog shampoo I bought and used regularly on my first pup, Marshall, because it fit my budget. The gentleness of the ingredients (colloidal oat flour and honey) is already a win, but the scent makes it even better. It’s subtle yet soothing, making bathtime aromatherapy for you and your dog.
The lather is excellent and rinses out easily, and though the consistency is a bit thinner than some other dog shampoos I’ve tried, it doesn’t feel like it’s watered down or that you have to use a ton of product to get your pup clean. They also make a version specifically for puppies.
For Between-Bath Refreshes: TrueBlue FRefresh in a Flash Cleansing Spray
What dry shampoo is to humans, cleansing spray is to dogs. That’s right: This tearless spray doesn’t need water and uses all-natural ingredients, like organic grapefruit and chamomile, for cleaning without drying your pup’s skin and making your furry friend’s coat shine. (It is also free of detergents, alcohol, parabens, and phosphates and was developed with vets and botanists.)
I have used this a few times on Miso and I’m always surprised that it feels like she just had a bath, especially if I spray, towel off gently, and then brush her. It can be used just to spray and leave on, rubbed in, or brushed through, depending on how dirty your pup is. The best bath for dogs is no bath (if you’re asking the dog), so this is definitely my most-used product out of all of these shampoos.
PHOTO CREDIT:
Photographer: Paul Quitoriano
Model: Klein Blue
Art Direction: Sarah Ceniceros Gomez
