Are you in search of the best dog shampoo? Dog shampoo is essential as it keeps your furry friend clean and helps eliminate any potential parasites. For this test, we examined five dog shampoos and incorporated expert opinions to provide you with valuable insights.

Our Top Picks

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Buying Guide

After an extensive play session in the park or at the dog park, your dog may bring a lot of dirt into the house. During certain seasons, they may also pick up ticks, fleas, and other pests, which can be unpleasant for you or your entire family.

Your dog should not pose a health hazard, and they should be able to lie back on the sofa without any worries. This is where dog shampoo comes in.

Dog shampoos help eliminate bad odors, impart shine to the coat, and provide protection against parasites. Moreover, some medical shampoos even help alleviate skin inflammations.

Therefore, our mission was to find the best dog shampoo. We evaluated these shampoos based on their effectiveness, ability to combat parasites, odor control, and ingredients.

A warm bath alone may not be sufficient to clean your furry friend’s coat after a walk in the fresh air. During springtime, most dogs cannot resist splashing through puddles and ponds.

For some dogs, the inclination is so strong that they may even roll in dirt or manure. In such cases, you cannot afford to skip using a shampoo.

The use of a specific shampoo for dogs is necessary because human and canine skin differ in composition. Human skin has a pH level between 5.5 and 5.8, while the pH level for dogs ranges from 6 to 8.7.

Choosing the right shampoo is crucial; otherwise, it may damage the skin’s natural protective barrier over time and reduce its water-repellent properties.

Dog shampoo is no longer just a grooming product used in dog salons. Depending on the formulation, dog shampoo can address issues like parasites, itching, or inflamed skin. Generally, it helps combat unpleasant odors and dirt.

Nowadays, there are even specialized dog shampoos tailored to specific breeds, coat lengths, and colors. Additionally, there are combined shampoo and conditioner products available.

Similar to humans, using a good shampoo is essential to visually enhance the coat. Shampoos aim to achieve a shinier and more manageable coat. However, an increasing number of dog owners are opting for medical dog shampoos, as many of these products help alleviate itching.

It’s advisable to clean your dog with a moisturizing shampoo every two weeks. Learn more about what to consider when choosing a dog shampoo here:

1. Uses of Shampoo

There are dog breeds that need to be bathed with shampoo at regular intervals.

The Poodle is well known for requiring intensive grooming. Similarly, the Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Shih Tzu also require constant care.

A dog shampoo should not be used for humans. Likewise, a shampoo for humans is not suitable for dogs.

You should consider this point when making a purchase. After all, you don’t want your dog’s skin to dry out and cause itching.

Use the shampoo when your dog has been romping around in nature, rolling in mud and dirt. Then their fur is very dirty. Otherwise, shampoo is necessary when the fur smells bad.

Itching

Sometimes your dog may develop itching, which can be very uncomfortable for them. They start scratching themselves.

If the itching is too severe, your dog may even injure themselves. A dog shampoo has the ability to alleviate itching, which is pleasant for your beloved pet.

Furthermore, it facilitates better combability when the fur is matted. Finally, the shampoo provides a shinier coat and protects against some parasites.

Of course, not every dog shampoo is suitable for every situation.

Before making a purchase, consider whether you only want to use the shampoo for basic cleaning or if it should be used to relieve discomfort.

A good tip: Reduce the areas of application to the essentials. Too much shampoo can be counterproductive and introduce new chemicals that are harmful to your dog’s health.

Additionally, you should not clean your dog more than every two weeks. Even normal dog shampoo can be burdensome for them with excessive use.

2. Types of Dog Shampoo

In the following, we would like to go into more detail about the different types of dog shampoos. They are classified into classic, medicinal, and protective shampoo:

Classic Shampoo:

Classic shampoo is predominantly found on the market. It provides cleanliness and easier grooming for sensitive and normal skin types.

It has a normal scent and improves combability. Additionally, this shampoo is suitable for every type of fur, whether short, long, rough, light, or dark.

A positive aspect of these products is that they have a neutral and gentle scent and are free of additives. On the other hand, there are dogs that react with itching.

Medicinal Shampoo:

If your dog has skin problems, medicinal shampoo can help. It heals inflammations and relieves itching. It is suitable for every fur type and sensitive skin. This product also reduces itching. Additionally, it supports the regeneration process of the skin. However, it cannot replace a veterinarian.

Protective Shampoo:

This shampoo contains a protective preparation that protects against parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites. The product is suitable for every fur type and normal skin type. The advantage is that this product combines shampoo and flea repellent. However, it irritates the dog’s skin more than classic shampoos.

3. Things to Consider When Buying

Combatting Matting

The best dog shampoo has a neutral scent and produces only a small amount of foam.

In comparison to human hair, dogs have a diverse coat. There are dogs with long or short fur, dogs with a lot or little undercoat, and dogs with firm or soft topcoat.

Consider what grooming product you want to use for your dog. Naturally, you should have a good understanding of your dog’s skin condition.

Do you have no problems with matting while brushing? Or does your dog have a lot of undercoat? Then you can choose any shampoo.

It is also not necessary to opt for specific offerings for dogs with dark or long fur.

Fine, Long Hair

If your dog has very fine or long fur, matting is inevitable. In this case, you should use long-haired dog shampoo.

This product facilitates better combing and untangles the coat.

Does your dog have a specific fur color? Then you don’t need to resort to shampoos designed for dark fur or the like.

➡ This is merely a marketing strategy to sell more products.

However, if your dog has white fur, it often tends to yellowing due to saliva. The coat can even discolor from sunlight. Products for white fur counteract such discolorations.

If there is too much undercoat, you should use a proper dog brush. Have you thoroughly brushed your dog?

Then we recommend washing out the rest of the loose hair with a classic grooming product. You don’t need a special shampoo for this purpose.

Shampoos Specifically for Puppies

Not only the fur type is crucial for the health of the dog’s skin. Like humans, dogs can have sensitive and quickly drying skin.

Therefore, several types of grooming products for dogs have emerged on the market.

For normal skin, a shampoo with re-fattening properties is suitable. For sensitive skin, Aloe Vera dog shampoo is suitable.

Does your dog have itchy skin? Then you should use anti-parasite shampoo or mite shampoo. Finally, there are oatmeal and puppy shampoos for puppies.

Our recommendation is to buy regular dog shampoo unless your dog is scratching or biting.

If he scratches more after bathing, then shampoo for sensitive skin is the right choice.

If your dog shows signs of redness on the skin, we recommend dog shampoo for itchy skin.

At the same time, take your dog to a veterinarian. Make sure there are no parasites on the skin.

Furthermore, you should wash puppies with a special grooming product. This is because their skin is more sensitive.

Natural Oils as Healthy Ingredients

Dog grooming products come in various price categories. The difference usually lies in natural ingredients without artificial colors and fragrances.

Here is an overview of healthy ingredients and their special properties:

In addition to dog shampoo, you can add natural supplements like coconut oil or black seed oil to your dog’s food. However, you must dose the supplements depending on the size of your dog.

It is also important to buy an odorless shampoo for your dog. While we humans love it when shampoo produces a pleasant scent, dogs’ noses are much more sensitive. The scent clings to the dog’s fur, making it impossible for them to escape.

This is naturally very uncomfortable for your furry friend. Therefore, make sure that the grooming product does not contain any additional fragrance.

Many manufacturers offer dog shampoo with a neutral scent. However, there is a problem: if your dog is dirty and has rolled in mud, the smell cannot simply be removed with shampoo. For this purpose, we recommend using tomato juice or diluted tomato paste.

Rub it into the fur, then rinse off the dog. This will remove all odors.

Detailed Product Reviews

🥇 Top Recommendation

This shampoo is suitable for naturally healthy dogs. It is very skin-friendly and has a moisturizing and soothing effect. It prevents itching and supports your dog’s immune system in fighting parasites. The shampoo has a pleasant scent and does not contain any additional fragrances.

Furthermore, the dog shampoo is made from oatmeal and essential tea tree oil. This makes the dog’s fur shiny and easy to comb. The shampoo has a re-fattening property. It provides excellent care for the dog.

Best Value Recommendation

If you are looking for a mild shampoo for your dog that removes all traces of an extensive mud bath and instead leaves a shiny coat and a pleasant, natural scent of coconut and lime, then the dog shampoo from Wahl is just right for you.

The shampoo’s formula is specially designed for the animals’ skin and contains only natural surfactants, making it suitable for all dog breeds and improving coat manageability with a pH value of 6.9.

The Wahl dog shampoo does not contain any animal ingredients, PEGs, silicones, mineral oils, paraffins, or artificial colorants.

Using the shampoo is easy: simply comb the fur well and moisten with lukewarm water, apply a small amount of shampoo to the back, massage in from there, leave on briefly, and rinse thoroughly.

For Sensitive Skin

If you have a dog with sensitive, dry, or itchy skin, or suffers from seasonal allergies, then this dog shampoo with essential lavender oil and oatmeal is perfect for you.

This dog shampoo contains special essential oils which have excellent anti-itch properties and provide immediate relief. They are gentle enough to be suitable even for sensitive puppies.

Lavender is also very useful for improving your dog’s mental state as it can help reduce stress and calm your dog physically and mentally.

This dog shampoo is made from high-quality essential oils that are gentle enough for sensitive skin and neutralize unwanted odors from your dog’s skin and fur.

Oatmeal contains starch and sugars known for their water-binding properties, which bind moisture and form a protective barrier that prevents further moisture loss. The soap bars are easy to use and apply.

Ultra-Gentle Alternative

The shampoo is a natural cleanser. Moisturizer, conditioner, deodorizer, and detangling aids are all in one. It cleanses, moisturizes, and detangles. It replenishes the skin’s natural moisture. The product leaves a show-dog shine with every use. It is extremely mild and gentle. The shampoo is tough on dirt and grime. The unique formulation soothes itchy, dry skin. It has a citrus scent. It lathers gently and rinses quickly. Your pet has smoother, healthier skin and fur. It is soap-free and gentle enough for sensitive skin.

For Especially Itchy Skin

Created by dermatologists and veterinarians. Approved by dog groomers. The dog shampoo is for sensitive and itchy skin. It eliminates dog odor. It has specially formulated, medicinal ingredients. They work in harmony with your dog’s skin. The product removes unwanted impurities.

Vet’s Best shampoo soothes upon contact with the skin and keeps your dog from scratching. For fast relief of dry, itchy, irritated, swollen, raw, or sore-covered skin. Results are seen after just 2 to 3 washes.

The product promotes healthy, balanced skin and soft, silky, radiant fur.

Conclusion

Your dog is more than just a pet – they are your loyal companion, your best friend, and an important part of your family. To ensure they always feel comfortable and stay healthy, you should give them regular grooming with the right dog shampoo.

It not only helps keep unpleasant odors and dirt away from them but also ensures their fur stays shiny, easy to comb, and retains its natural protective coat.

And for skin problems or itching, medicinal dog shampoos can be a great help. Nowadays, there are dog shampoos for all needs: for specific breeds and fur types, with different scents, and even with conditioner.

And the best part? Bathing together strengthens the bond and provides a happy and relaxed time together. So give your dog the best and enjoy the shared feel-good time during bath time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which manufacturers are there?

Here is a list of manufacturers and brands for dog shampoos:

Showering or Bathing?

The best way to wash your dog is to shower them. Simply set the shower to lukewarm water.

Lukewarm water is much more comfortable for your pet than water that is too hot or too cold.

Now lightly wet your dog. Then set the showerhead aside and grab the dog shampoo.

Next, lather your dog’s fur and rinse it off for about 10 minutes.

In general, dogs don’t enjoy being washed. Even if you want to shower your dog, they probably won’t like it. However, with targeted training, you can ensure that grooming becomes easier for them later on.

Bathing your dog in the bathtub has no effect. Therefore, showering is preferable for grooming.

What effects does natural dog shampoo have?

It is often said that dog shampoo without chemical additives is healthier. However, we can’t quite agree with this statement.

Instead, it depends on the allergic reactions on your dog’s skin. When the shampoo contains more natural than chemical ingredients.

The best examples of irritating natural ingredients are lemongrass, grapefruit, lavender oil, peppermint, rose, and sage.

This doesn’t mean that natural ingredients are negative. You should always look for formulations suitable for sensitive skin when making a purchase.

For example, a shampoo with aloe vera or green tea is natural and nourishing. The dog’s skin is not irritated when using such grooming products.

What should I consider when buying?

Generally, when buying a dog grooming product, less is more. You shouldn’t overdo the grooming. Dogs really don’t like being washed.

Furthermore, excessive consumption can affect your dog’s coat.

When buying, you should know the length and color of the fur. Whether your dog has flaky or dry skin.

Whether your dog suffers from allergies, has a pest infestation, or has sensitive or delicate skin.

It is good to know if the chosen product has a re-fattening effect. Otherwise, the dog’s fur cannot properly repel rainwater.

What follows is that moisture penetrates the dog’s fur and your dog starts to feel cold.

Has there been a test by Consumer Reports?

Consumer Reports has not conducted a test for dog shampoos yet. There is no information available about it in the English-speaking region.