The Best Dog Shampoos2024 Review
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The Best Dog Shampoos
Editor’s Choice
GROOM PROFESSIONAL Dog Shampoo
- Best all-rounder shampoo
- Cleans and nourishes
- Excellent value
Also Good
Cooper and Gracie Flea Shampoo
- Best anti-flea shampoo
- All-natural ingredients
- Protects and soothes
In Depth Reviews of Our Recommended Shampoos
GROOM PROFESSIONAL Dog Shampoo review
Features
- Best all-rounder shampoo
- Cleans and nourishes
- Excellent value
The GROOM PROFESSIONAL Baby Fresh Shampoo 1 Litre is 1 of the best dog shampoos on the market, designed to clean deeply without irritating your dog’s skin. High-quality ingredients along with natural cleansers work to remove dirt and odour from your dog’s coat and skin. Aloe Vera combined with other soothing ingredients work to nourish and protect your dog’s coat and skin and reduce dandruff.
I have used this shampoo with my dogs for years and highly recommend it. It’s deep cleaning and I find it leaves my dog’s coats shiny and soft. The baby fresh scent leaves their coat smelling beautiful for days (or until they get muddy again).
Perhaps best of all, this shampoo is excellent value for money, especially when buying a bigger bottle. You can buy a 1 or 4 litre bottle for an amazingly low price. I can personally attest to the 1 litre bottle being a bargain and lasting for months at a time.
Pros
- Most owners said this shampoo left their dog’s coat shiny, soft, and well-conditioned
- Many said this was their favourite dog shampoo and they wouldn’t use anything else on their pup
- Owners found this shampoo removed nasty odours and left their dog smelling of baby powder
- Many said the pleasant smell lasted for days and even weeks at a time
- Excellent value for money, especially when purchasing larger bottles that last for long periods
- Owners said this shampoo lathered up well and was easy to use
- Many owners of dogs with sensitive skin said this shampoo was kind and gentle on their dog’s skin, mentioning it didn’t cause irritation like other shampoos they’d tried
Cons
- Some owners didn’t like the chemical ingredients in this shampoo, stating they would prefer all-natural ingredients
- Some felt the baby powder smell was overpowering or unpleasant
- Some owners stated the shampoo didn’t leave their dog’s coat in the condition they expected
- Some found the baby powder smell didn’t last as long as they had hoped
- Some owners found this shampoo didn’t agree with their dog’s sensitive skin and caused irritation
Pro Pooch Dog Shampoo review
Features
- Best shampoo for itchy skin
- Cleanses and moisturises
- Natural, soothing ingredients
If you’re looking for the best dog shampoo for itchy skin, the Pro Pooch Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is an excellent choice. Formulated with high-quality natural ingredients and no harsh chemicals, this shampoo is designed to cleanse, moisturise, and soothe dry, itchy skin. It’s hypoallergenic and PH balanced to ensure your pup is getting the best quality possible.
I use this shampoo with my chihuahua who has struggled with sensitive skin and dandruff. I’ve found it soothes her skin, gets rid of her dandruff completely and leaves her coat in great condition. It even leaves her smelling nice and fresh.
This shampoo comes at a very affordable price and is available in larger sizes to increase your value for money. Since it can be used neat or diluted, and you only need a small amount, I found it lasts a long time.
Pros
- Many owners found this product was highly effective at treating and preventing fleas
- Soothes skin irritations related to biting pests, which owners found made their dog more comfortable
- Leaves a nice, natural smell afterwards which many owners enjoyed
- Owners found they needed to need use only a little bit of this product to get a good lather and produce results, making it great value
- Owners loved that the ingredients were all-natural, feeling it was a gentler solution than chemical treatments for fleas
- Nourishes as well as cleans, with owners finding this shampoo left their dog’s coat in lovely condition
Cons
- Some owners found this shampoo didn’t treat their dog’s fleas as well as they had hoped
- Some owners found this didn’t help their dog’s skin irritation, with some finding it didn’t agree with their dog’s skin and caused a reaction
- Some found the shampoo didn’t lather up as well as others they had tried
- Some felt this product wasn’t as high-quality as they expected
Cooper and Gracie Flea Shampoo review
Features
- Best anti-flea shampoo
- All-natural ingredients
- Protects and soothes
The Cooper and Gracie Flea Shampoo For Dogs 500ml is 1 of the best anti-flea dog shampoos, made with high-quality, all-natural ingredients to treat and protect your dog from fleas and other biting pests. Their formula also works to moisturise and soothe cracked, itchy, and irritated skin occurring as the result of biting pests. It’s hypoallergenic, PH-balanced, and non-toxic to ensure your dog is getting the best quality possible.
I’ve used many products from this brand and trust their formulas completely. I found this shampoo very effective and loved that it was a more natural solution to flea protection. It comes at an affordable price and is available in larger bottles for even better value for money.
Pros
- Many owners found this product was highly effective at treating and preventing fleas
- Soothes skin irritations related to biting pests, which owners found made their dog more comfortable
- Leaves a nice, natural smell afterwards which many owners enjoyed
- Owners found they needed to need use only a little bit of this product to get a good lather and produce results, making it great value
- Nourishes as well as cleans, with owners finding this shampoo left their dog’s coat in lovely condition
- Owners loved that the ingredients were all-natural, feeling it was a gentler solution than chemical treatments for fleas
Cons
- Some owners found this shampoo didn’t treat their dog’s fleas as well as they had hoped
- Some owners found this didn’t help their dog’s skin irritation, with some finding it didn’t agree with their dog’s skin and caused a reaction
- Some found the shampoo didn’t lather up as well as others they had tried
- Some felt this product wasn’t as high-quality as they expected
Wahl Dog Shampoo review
Features
- Best white dog shampoo
- Enhances white and light coats
- Quality, natural ingredients
If you have a dog with a white or light coat, the Wahl Dog Shampoo Diamond White Shampoo is a great choice. It’s designed to remove dirt and stains while enhancing your pup’s natural light coat. Containing high-quality and natural ingredients, this shampoo is designed to be gentle yet effective.
It’s free from toxins and larger bottles can be diluted to be even more gentle on your dog’s skin (as well as making the bottle last longer). I found this shampoo left my dog’s coat shiny and soft, while also leaving a lovely smell. It comes at a very low price, making it good value for money.
Pros
- Many owners stated that they loved this shampoo, finding it did a great job of cleaning their dog
- Owners generally felt shampoo left their dog’s coat in good condition and enhanced their light colour
- Some stated that they liked the smell afterwards, which was pleasant but not overpowering
- Several owners found this product gentle on their dog’s skin, stating it didn’t cause irritation
- Many felt the shampoo was great value given its quality and low price
Cons
- Some felt the shampoo wasn’t good value given the small size of the bottle
- Some found it didn’t enhance their dog’s white coat as much as they expected
- Some stated they didn’t like the scent of this shampoo, wishing it left a stronger, more pleasant smell
- Some owners felt it didn’t clean their dog as well as they would have liked
Animology Puppy Shampoo review
Features
- Best puppy shampoo
- Gentle for puppy’s skin and coat
- Light, pleasant scent
If you have a puppy, the Animology Puppy Love Mild Dog Shampoo 250ml is an excellent choice, suitable for use from 6 weeks old. It’s mild and PH balanced to ensure it’s gentle on your puppy’s delicate skin and coat. Its deep cleaning formula works to remove dirt after all those puppy adventures, keeping them nice and clean.
Conditioning ingredients keep your puppy’s coat soft and in great condition. I liked the light, baby powder scent of this shampoo, which was pleasant but not too harsh. It comes at a reasonable price, which I feel is good value.
Pros
- Most owners said that this shampoo was very mild and gentle on their puppy’s skin, causing no irritation
- Many said this shampoo was a bargain given its quality and low price
- Owners found this shampoo tackled dirt and odour well, leaving their puppy clean and smelling nice
- Smell is gentle and not overpowering, which many owners were pleased with
- Many said this left their puppy’s coat feeling conditioned and soft
- Owners generally felt this shampoo was high quality and were pleased with their purchase
Cons
- Some found the shampoo didn’t lather up as well as they hoped
- Doesn’t leave a strong fragrance, with some owners stating they would have preferred a stronger, lasting smell
- Some owners found the product wasn’t as high-quality as they expected
Animology Deodorising Dog Shampoo review
Features
- Best dog deodorising shampoo
- Formula to tackle strong odours
- High-quality ingredients
If you have a particularly mucky pup, the Animology, Fox Poo Deodorising Dog Shampoo 250ml can help to tackle that stinky coat. Its special formula is deep cleaning and deodorising, designed to tackle the strongest lingering odours, including fox poo! If your dog loves to roll in all sorts (like mine), then this shampoo might be the 1 for you.
High-quality, conditioning ingredients are included to help keep your dog’s coat healthy and soft. I found this shampoo very effective at removing dirt and odour, and it left my dog smelling fresh. This shampoo comes at a very reasonable price.
Pros
- Many owners of dogs who regularly roll in smelly things found this shampoo helped to get their dog clean and removed the nasty odour
- Owners found this shampoo left their dog’s coat in a nice, shiny condition
- Many said the scent was pleasant but not overpowering, which they liked
- Owners generally felt this shampoo was high-quality and good value
- Many said this shampoo lathers well and was easy to use
Cons
- Some found this shampoo didn’t lather as well as others they had tried
- Doesn’t have a strong scent, with some owners wishing the scent was stronger and lasted longer
- Some owners found this didn’t get rid of 100% of the smell as they had hoped
- Some stated they didn’t feel this was more deodorising than their dog’s regular shampoo
Pro Pooch Dry Dog Shampoo review
Features
- Best dry dog shampoo
- Great solution between baths
- Cleanses and deodorises
If you’re looking for something to tackle dirt and odour between baths, the Pro Pooch Dry Shampoo For Dogs (200 ml) is the perfect choice. The waterless quick-drying mousse formula can be massaged into your dog’s coat with no rinsing required. It’s designed to remove dirt and deodorise your dog’s coat, freshening up your dog on the go or when you don’t have time to bathe them.
The formula contains all-natural ingredients with no hidden nasties to give your dog the best quality. I have an active springer spaniel who attracts all sorts of mud and dirt on walks and found this helped to tackle dirt between baths. I felt it was practical and loved that it even nourished and conditioned her skin and coat.
It doesn’t leave a film on your dog’s coat after use (especially when you brush through your dog’s coat afterwards), as with some other dry shampoos for dogs I’d tried. It comes at an affordable price, and you don’t need to use much each time, which makes it last for a while.
Pros
- Owners loved that this shampoo contains only natural ingredients with no harsh chemicals
- Many found that this helped to clean their dog’s coat and remove odours
- Many said it doesn’t leave a residue or greasy feeling as with some other dry dog shampoos they’d tried
- Owners generally found this product really useful on the go and between baths
- Many said this conditioned their dog’s coat and left it soft and shiny
- Owners stated that this dry shampoo left a pleasant smell that isn’t overpowering
Cons
- Although minimal, some owners did find this shampoo left a residue on their dog’s coat
- Isn’t enough to clean off your dog if they get covered in mud, but rather for a light cleaning between baths
- Some felt this product wasn’t up to the standard of other products they’d tried from the same brand
- Some owners stated that they didn’t like the smell of this shampoo
Little Beast Grooming Shampoo review
Features
- Best dog shampoo bar
- All-natural and eco-friendly
- Cleanses and nourishes
If you’re looking for the best dog shampoo bar, the Little Beast Organic Pet Grooming Shampoo Bar is a fantastic choice. This shampoo bar is organic and all-natural, with no toxins or harsh ingredients. It can be used all over your dog’s body (except their eyes, of course) just like a liquid shampoo.
It’s designed to clean and nourish your dog’s coat and skin naturally. It even protects against fleas and ticks. I loved that this shampoo bar was eco-friendly and sustainable. I found this product was very effective and perfect for travelling.
This shampoo bar even comes at a very low price, making it excellent value.
Pros
- Owners found the bar easy to use, stating it slid over their dog’s coat easily and lathered up well
- Many said this shampoo bar nourished their dog’s coat and left it in great condition
- Several owners said this bar is easier to use than a liquid shampoo and more convenient
- Many said this shampoo bar lasted a long time, which they felt was good value
- Leaves a gentle, pleasant scent, which many owners said they enjoyed
- Owners loved that the bar was organic and made from natural ingredients, with some stating they felt it was gentle on their dog’s sensitive or irritated skin
Cons
- Some owners felt the shampoo bar wasn’t as effective as their regular liquid shampoo
- Some stated the natural scent wasn’t strong enough and would have preferred a stronger scent during and after bathing
- Some stated it didn’t condition their dog’s coat as well as they had hoped
Furminator De-Shedding Dog Shampoo review
Features
- Best de-shedding shampoo
- Conditions and nourishes
- Works to reduce excess shedding
If you’re on the hunt for the best de-shedding dog shampoo, the Furminator DE shedding Shampoo 490 ml is a good choice. It’s formulated to treat and condition your dog’s coat to reduce excessive shedding. It’s non-drying and hypoallergenic to ensure your dog is getting high-quality ingredients.
The formula targets the hair shafts to make them healthier and more nourished. I found this shampoo effective when combined with regular brushing. It comes at an affordable price.
Pros
- Many said this helped to loosen and get rid of fur that was ready to shed
- Many owners found this shampoo helped to reduce shedding between baths
- Owners said the shampoo lathers well and deeply cleans their dog’s coat
- Many mentioned they liked the pleasant smell of this shampoo
- Helps to condition and nourish coat, with owners saying they felt it left their dog’s coat shiny and soft
Cons
- Some owners didn’t notice any difference in how much their dog sheds, so felt this shampoo wasn’t effective
- Some didn’t like the smell of this shampoo, feeling their dog didn’t smell as clean and fresh as they would have liked
- Some felt this shampoo wasn’t as high-quality as they would have expected
Dog Shampoo Buyer’s Guide
Things to Look for in a Dog Shampoo
It’s a good idea to keep the following in mind to help you choose the best dog shampoo for your needs:
Suitable for Your Dog’s Life Stage
While most dog shampoos will be suitable for all dogs, some might not be suitable for puppies. Always check the description to ensure the shampoo is suitable for your dog’s age.
Fit for Purpose
Such a wide range of shampoos are available with different purposes, for example, flea shampoo, deodorising shampoo, shampoo for sensitive skin, and so on. Take your time to choose the right fit for your dog. You should also keep their coat type in mind to help you make the best choice.
High-Quality Ingredients
Choosing a shampoo made from high-quality ingredients ensures your pup is getting the best. Many shampoos will feature natural ingredients with few or no chemicals or toxins, which are preferable as they are safer for your pup.
Shampoos with specific purposes, for example, flea shampoos or shampoos to tackle odour, may have ingredients that are not natural to make them more effective. Some shampoos may have a mix of natural and non-natural ingredients. Take your time to think about what you prefer.
Value for Money
Of course, it’s important you get value for money. As well as price, look at the size of the bottle. It’s also crucial to consider how much of the shampoo you will use each time: you might only need a small amount of 1 shampoo, compared to a few pumps of another. Check out the reviews as well as the description for guidance.
Dog Bathing Tips
Even if they hate it (mine certainly do), all dogs need to get bathed sometimes! Here are some tips to make bath time a little less stressful:
- Get them used to baths: Try to get your dog used to baths early on once they’ve settled in with you, so they understand it’s a regular occurrence. Make it as positive an experience as possible so they learn it’s nothing to be afraid of.
- Walk them first: Tiring out your dog before they take a bath will get rid of excess energy, put them in a good mood, and help them to be less anxious. If you’re like me, your dog might be getting bathed after a muddy walk anyway!
- Have everything ready: Get everything to hand to make bath time easier for you and quicker for your pup. The last thing you need is to be trying to find the shampoo or a towel while wrestling with a wet, grumpy pooch.
- Always check the water temperature: Make sure the water isn’t too hot or too cold to ensure your dog is comfortable and safe.
- Talk to them: I think most of us chat to our dogs (even if we don’t admit it), but talking to them while they’re in the bath is important to help keep them calm. Figure out what works for your dog: some might prefer a quiet, calming tone, while others may prefer a more excited tone to praise them. It’s all about keeping their focus on you and letting them know everything is ok.
- Provide plenty of treats: You can give them treats before, during, and after their bath to build up that positive association.
- Protect their eyes and ears: Just like us, it’s important your dog doesn’t get shampoo in their eyes or ears, as this can cause irritation.
- Rinse thoroughly: It’s vital to rinse your dog properly, as leaving any shampoo in their coat can cause skin irritation.
- Dry them carefully: Dry your dog with a towel or dog robe to get the excess water off their coat. Make sure the house isn’t too cold while the rest of their fur dries to stop them getting too chilly.
Dog Shampoo FAQ
How often do dogs need to be bathed?
Unless you’re treating a medical condition, most healthy dogs only need to be bathed when they get muddy or smelly. Bathing your dog too much can strip their coat and skin of natural, healthy oils which can cause irritation. If in doubt, once every 2 to 3 months is enough unless they’re dirty.
Can you use human shampoo on a dog?
No, human shampoo isn’t safe for dogs. The ingredients aren’t designed for them and may irritate their skin or make them unwell.
At what age can you start bathing a puppy?
You can bathe a puppy at 6-8 weeks old if needed, but it’s better to wait longer if possible as they can get too cold when wet. Choose a puppy-safe shampoo for their delicate skin and make it a positive experience for them.
Conclusion
Bathing your dog is a necessary part of being a dog owner. Choosing the best dog shampoo leaves our dog’s coat in tip-top condition and smelling fresh, all ready for snuggle time!
The Best Dog Shampoos
Editor’s Choice
GROOM PROFESSIONAL Dog Shampoo
- Best all-rounder shampoo
- Cleans and nourishes
- Excellent value
Also Good
Cooper and Gracie Flea Shampoo
- Best anti-flea shampoo
- All-natural ingredients
- Protects and soothes