We Found the 7 Best Dog Shampoos: Reviewed

Written by Judie Sigdel
Updated: February 16, 2023
©

Advertisement


This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to educate about the world's species.

We love to cuddle with our furry friends. However, cuddle time can become unbearable when they have an unpleasant smell or their fur is tangled. That’s why your dog requires a cleaning and grooming routine using a dog shampoo to keep them clean and healthy.

The best thing about a dog shampoo is that it’s specially formulated and safe for use on a dog’s skin and coat without causing irritation. Dog shampoos also help keep your dog’s coat free of tangles and mates making maintenance easy between grooming sessions. This is especially true for dogs with a longer coat, like poodles. A dog like a Doberman pinscher will probably need less washing.

There is a wide range of dog shampoos on the market, not all will be great for your dog as they’re made differently. Some are specially formulated for dry skin, some for relieving itchy and irritated skin, for oily skin, and some for dealing with dogs’ dandruff, allergies, and awful wet dog odors.

That’s why it’s crucial to ensure you choose the best one for your dog based on its unique skin needs. And to help you narrow down your options, we’re going to look at some of the best dog shampoos and important factors to consider when shopping to ensure you get the ideal one for your furry friend.

Plus, we’ve updated our best dog shampoo list for 2022 by adding a seventh highly-rated dog shampoo that’s hypoallergenic and organic.

  1. WAHL Dry Skin and Itch Relief Shampoo
    • Oatmeal pet shampoo is pH balanced, alcohol free, paraben free, PEG-80 free
    • Formulated for moisturizing dry skin & providing itch relief
    • Coconut lime verbena scent
    • Suitable for dogs with skin allergies


    Check Amazon
  2. Isle of Dogs Deep Cleaning Shampoo
    • Gentle shampoo gives your dog a deep cleaning, removing dirt, grime, and odor
    • Sulfate & paraben free, suitable for all coat types
    • Red berries and champagne fragrance to neutralize odors
    • Promotes clean, shiny, healthy coat
    • 16 fluid ounces
    Check Amazon
  3. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo and Conditioner
    • Oatmeal and Almond shampoo & conditioner with Vanilla and Almond fragrance
    • Combats skin irritation, moisturizing dry, sensitive skin
    • Contains no soap, gluten, DEA, parabens, synthetic dyes, sulfates, or phthalates
    Check Amazon
  4. TropiClean Papaya & Coconut Luxury 2-in-1 Dog & Cat Shampoo
    • Contains mild coconut cleanser, soap free and paraben free
    • Cleans dog's coat while gently conditioning coat for easy brushing
    • Conditions with papaya, kiwi, mango, pomegranate, yucca, chamomile, and aloe extracts

    

    Check Amazon
  5. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo
    • Formulated from high-quality natural ingredients
    • The gentle formula nourishes dry, itchy skin
    • No artificial fragrance added
    • For dogs with sensitive skin
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  6. Honeydew Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
    • Colloidal Oatmeal dog shampoo to soothe dry skin
    • Lavender scented deodorizer to leave your pet smelling fresh
    • Great for dogs with sensitive skin
    Check Amazon
  7. 4Legger Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo
    • Shampoo contains soothing aloe vera and lemongrass
    • No detergents, petrochemicals, or other harmful ingredients
    • Helps with dry, flaky skin and relieves itching
    • Coconut and lemongrass scent
    Check Amazon

The Top Picks for the Best Dog Shampoos: Ranked

#1. Best Overall: WAHL Dry Skin and Itch Relief Shampoo

The WAHL Dry and Itchy Skin Dog Shampoo earns our #1 ranking for the overall best dog shampoo for all hair types.

The WAHL Dry and Itchy Skin Dog Shampoo is specially designed to clean and moisturize dry and itchy skin using oatmeal and coconut lime verbena, promising 70% more bath than other shampoos. WAHL has been manufacturing products for vets and dog groomers for over 50 years, so they are widely recognized as being a brand you can trust.

One of the standout features of this shampoo is that it’s of 100% plant-derived ingredients. Its natural oatmeal formula gently cleanses and moisturizes a dog’s dry skin. It also provides relief from skin irritation and itchiness.

This dog shampoo is also pH balanced and doesn’t contain alcohol and parabens, letting you safely clean your dog without exposing them to dangerous chemicals. This makes it one of the best shampoos for sensitive skin.

Apart from leaving your dog’s coat and skin clean and healthy, this shampoo also ensures your dog has a pleasant smell after bath thanks to its coconut lime verbena scent. This will eliminate any gross wet-dog odor, leaving your canine-friend smelling great.

The dog shampoo comes in a 64-ounce bottle and is highly concentrated, allowing for more baths before reordering. This product is formulated to lather up thickly, allowing you to gently cleanse and soothe your dog’s itchy skin without using a lot of shampoo.

Ingredients

  • Water
  • Coconut cleansers
  • Soy cleansers
  • Coconut fatty acids
  • Sugar cleanser
  • Vegetable cleanser
  • Aloe
  • Oatmeal extract

Pros and Cons of WAHL Dry Skin and Itch Relief Shampoo

ProsCons
This pH-balanced product is formulated from 100% plant-derived ingredients like oatmeal and coconut cleansers to soothe and moisturize your pup’s skin and coat.The product comes in a 64-ounce bottle, which may be too much for people with small dogs or those who don’t bathe their dogs frequently.
It provides relief from itchy, irritated skin.
It’s one of the best shampoos for sensitive skin because it’s free from dangerous chemicals like alcohol and parabens.
A little bit of this product produces a thick lather to gently and effectively cleanse your dog’s skin and coat.
This dog shampoo is highly concentrated, so you won’t have to repurchase it as frequently.
Best Overall
WAHL Dry Skin and Itch Relief Shampoo
  • Oatmeal pet shampoo is pH balanced, alcohol free, paraben free, PEG-80 free
  • Formulated for moisturizing dry skin & providing itch relief
  • Coconut lime verbena scent
  • Suitable for dogs with skin allergies


Check Amazon

2. Best Deep Cleaning: Isle of Dogs Everyday Deep Cleaning Shampoo

Isle of Dogs Everyday Shampoo is our pick for the best deep cleaning dog shampoo.

You need more than a regular shampoo to clean out strong smells and stubborn dirt on your dog’s coat. If you’re looking for a shampoo that can handle dirt, grime, and debris, the Isle of Dogs Everyday Deep Cleaning Shampoo is our recommendation.

It is paraben and sulfate-free, making it a safe and chemical-free shampoo for use on any type of dog coat. Therefore, it won’t cause any irritation to your dog’s delicate skin. This shampoo contains a dose of vitamins A, D, and E, and other moisturizing ingredients, to leave your dog’s coat looking clean, fresh, and shiny without any sticky residue.

What’s more? This dog shampoo contains natural odor neutralizers and the brand’s signature fragrance of red berries and champagne. This means it will neutralize any strong odor and leave your dog with a pleasant smell.

Please note that not everyone loves the fragrance of this shampoo. The scent is strong immediately after a bath, but it fades away quickly.

Ingredients

  • Purified water,
  • Sodium C-14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
  • Lauramide MEA
  • Decyl Glucoside
  • Lauryl Glucoside
  • Glyceryl Oleate
  • Cocoamidopropyl Betaine
  • PEG 6000 Disterate Glycerin
  • Polyquaternium 7
  • Polyaorbate 20
  • Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
  • Vitamins A and D
  • Vitamin E
  • Nonoxynol 10
  • Citric Acid
  • Fragrance
  • DMDM Hydantoin

Pros and Cons of Isle of Dogs Everyday Deep Cleaning Shampoo

ProsCons
This dog shampoo is our choice for gently yet efficiently removing tough dirt and grime from your dog’s skin and coat.Some people find this product’s red berries and champagne fragrance to be overwhelming.
The formula is free from chemicals, including parabens and sulfates.
Vitamins A, D, E, and other moisturizing ingredients will leave your dog’s coat clean and shiny and free of sticky residue.
This product is fragranced with the company’s proprietary red berries and champagne fragrance, which will fade quickly after bathing your dog.
Best Deep Cleaning
Isle of Dogs Deep Cleaning Shampoo
  • Gentle shampoo gives your dog a deep cleaning, removing dirt, grime, and odor
  • Sulfate & paraben free, suitable for all coat types
  • Red berries and champagne fragrance to neutralize odors
  • Promotes clean, shiny, healthy coat
  • 16 fluid ounces
Check Amazon

3. Best Dog Shampoo and Conditioner: Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo and Conditioner

If your furry friend has dry and itchy skin, you need to use a shampoo for sensitive skin such as the Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Natural Pet Shampoo.

This hypoallergenic dog shampoo is formulated with natural ingredients including colloidal oatmeal and aloe, which help relieve itching as well as moisturize and soften your dog’s dry and brittle skin and coat. It also helps combat dandruff, skin allergies, and bacterial dermatitis, which often causes itchiness. It is the best dog shampoo for pups with sensitive skin.

It’s worth noting that in 2003, FDA categorized colloidal oatmeal as a skin protectant. It packs useful fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins that soothe and soften skin.

The Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Natural Pet Shampoo is chemical-free and doesn’t contain phosphate, paraben, gluten, DEA, synthetic dyes, perfumes, and soap, making it safe for sensitive skin.

The dog shampoo has a pleasant fragrance of organic almond and vanilla, leaving your dog smelling clean and fresh without being overwhelming. The shampoo lathers very well, allowing you to effectively clean and detangle dogs with long and dirty coats.

Please note that you can only use this shampoo on dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens older than six weeks.

Ingredients

  • Purified water
  • 3% colloidal oatmeal
  • Plant-derived and coconut-based cleansers
  • Aloe vera
  • Vitamins A, B, D, and E
  • Glycerin
  • Allantoin
  • Food-grade extracts of vanilla and almond
  • Natural preservatives

Pros and Cons of Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo and Conditioner

ProsCons
This shampoo and conditioner duo is specially formulated for sensitive skin and includes colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, vitamins A, B, D, and E, and glycerin for their moisturizing, skin-soothing, coat-softening properties.You should not use these products on puppies or kittens under six weeks old.
The formula is chemical-free so you don’t need to worry about DEA, phosphates, parabens, glutens, synthetic dyes, or perfumes.
It’s soap-free, too.
This dog shampoo lathers well for effective cleaning and the matching conditioner gently detangles long coats.
Both products are fragranced with food-grade vanilla and almond extracts.
Best Shampoo and Conditioner
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Oatmeal and Almond shampoo & conditioner with Vanilla and Almond fragrance
  • Combats skin irritation, moisturizing dry, sensitive skin
  • Contains no soap, gluten, DEA, parabens, synthetic dyes, sulfates, or phthalates
Check Amazon

4. Best 2-in-1 Shampoo/Conditioner: TropiClean Papaya & Coconut Luxury 2-in-1 Dog & Cat Shampoo

If you are looking for a hypoallergenic shampoo that is great for pets with allergies or sensitive skin this is our recommendation.

The TropiClean 2-in-1 is a combination of pet shampoo and conditioner that not only cleanses and moisturizes the skin but also leaves the coat looking great. The combo also helps you use less time to bathe your dog as you shampoo and conditions the dog’s coat once.

This pet shampoo and conditioner stands out for its natural formulation that contains naturally derived ingredients that include colloidal oatmeal, coconut oil, and sodium chloride (table salt).

The natural formulation allows you to gently but effectively cleanse, moisturize, and condition the coat and skin of your furry friend. The shampoo is pH balanced and doesn’t contain dyes or paraben, so it’s safe for use on your dog as well as cats of at least 12 weeks old.

Another highlight of the TropiClean Papaya & Coconut Luxury 2-in-1 Dog & Cat Shampoo is its long-lasting sweet scent that comes from the papaya and coconut ingredients. This keeps your dog fluffy and smelling lovely for cuddles.

It is also one of the best dog shampoos for sensitive skin, making it a great solution for bathing pets with dry and itchy skin. This 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner comes in a 20-ounce bottle and provides a nice thick, rich lather for a nice, soothing bath.

There are also 1-gallon, 2.5-gallon, and 20-gallon sizes.

Ingredients

  • Purified water
  • Mild coconut cleanser
  • Sodium chloride
  • Colloidal oatmeal
  • Aloe extract
  • Hydrolyzed wheat protein
  • A botanical blend of (mango extract, kiwi extract, yucca extract, chamomile extract, pomegranate extract, and papaya extract)
  • Vitamin E, fragrance, and preservative

Pros and Cons of TropiClean Papaya & Coconut Luxury 2-in-1 Dog & Cat Shampoo

ProsCons
This 2-in-1 dog shampoo is hypoallergenic, so it’s perfect for dogs with dry, itchy, sensitive skin.This products should not be used on puppies or kittens under 12 weeks old.
The time-saving formula cleanses and moisturizes your dog’s skin and coat in one step.
Its gentle, pH-balanced formula contains naturally derived ingredients, including colloidal oatmeal, coconut oil, and table salt.
This product have a natural, long-lasting sweet fragrance that comes from it’s papaya and coconut ingredients.
It’s available in 20-ounce, 1-gallon, 2.5 gallon, and 20-gallon sizes.
Best 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
TropiClean Papaya & Coconut Luxury 2-in-1 Dog & Cat Shampoo
  • Contains mild coconut cleanser, soap free and paraben free
  • Cleans dog's coat while gently conditioning coat for easy brushing
  • Conditions with papaya, kiwi, mango, pomegranate, yucca, chamomile, and aloe extracts



Check Amazon

5. Best Mild Tear Dog Shampoo: Burt’s Bees Natural Shampoo

If you’re looking for a powerful-yet-gentle all-natural dog shampoo for your furry friend, your best choice is the Burt’s Bees Natural Shampoo.

This shampoo’s natural formula includes colloidal oatmeal and beeswax to gently clean, moisturize and nourish pet’s sensitive skin. It also contains honey and shea butter, which moisturizes your dog’s skin and gives the coat a lovely shine. This protects your dog’s delicate skin while giving the fur a healthy and radiant shine.

The natural formula is pH balanced and is free of harsh and harmful chemicals such as parabens, colorants, dyes, or phthalates. This makes it a safe shampoo for use on dogs of all stages. Therefore, if your dog has sensitive skin or seasonal allergies, this is one of the safest options for them.

While this shampoo doesn’t have artificial fragrances, it will leave your dog with a nice scent from the natural ingredients. The Burt’s Bees Natural Shampoo comes in a 16-ounce fluid bottle and is concentrated, allowing for multiple baths. It lathers up quickly and rinses out easily, so you’ll only need a small amount to give your dog a nice, soothing bath.

It’s also available in 32-ounce and 1-gallon containers.

Ingredients

  • Water
  • Colloidal oat flour
  • Honey
  • Beeswax
  • Coco Betaine
  • Coco-Glucoside
  • Glyceryl Oleate
  • Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
  • Glycerin Xanthan Gum
  • Green Tea extract
  • Potassium Sorbate
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • Decyl Glucoside
  • Citric Acid

Pros and Cons of Burt’s Bees Natural Shampoo

ProsCons
If you’re looking for a deep-cleaning-yet-gentle dog shampoo, this all-natural choice is for you.None
This pH-balanced formula includes colloidal oatmeal and beeswax to gently clean and moisturize your dog’s sensitive skin while moisturizing its coat with honey and shea butter for a healthy shine.
It’s free from harmful chemicals such as colors, dyes, parabens, and phthalates.
This dog shampoo’s pleasant scent comes from its all-natural ingredients, not artificial fragrances.
The concentrated formula lathers quickly and rinses easily.
You can safely use it on dogs of all ages.
It’s available in 16-ounce, 32-ounce, and 1-gallon sizes.
Best Budget
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo
  • Formulated from high-quality natural ingredients
  • The gentle formula nourishes dry, itchy skin
  • No artificial fragrance added
  • For dogs with sensitive skin
Check Chewy Check Amazon

6. Best Smelling: Honeydew Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

Get rid of unpleasant odors and keep your dog smelling clean and fresh with the best smelling dog shampoo: Honeydew Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. This shampoo is formulated with a healthy dose of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, to enhance your dog’s skin and fur and overall health.

This shampoo is gentle and hypoallergenic, making it great for dogs with sensitive skin. It contains lavender essential oil and colloidal oatmeal, which clean and groom your dog’s coat and soften their fur. The oatmeal ingredient not only helps protect the skin but also soothes and calms your dog’s irritated skin.

Lavender is also known to have a calming and comforting effect on dogs, which can help make bath time a relaxing and enjoyable experience for your dog. The deodorizing properties of lavender oil help neutralize unpleasant odors your dog may have, leaving them smelling fresh and clean for cuddles.

Additionally, this product is cruelty-free and tear-free and contains no parabens and sulfates, so it won’t cause any skin irritation or irritate your dog’s eyes. This dog shampoo lathers well and comes in an 8-ounce bottle, allowing for multiple baths for your dog and puppy.

Ingredients

  • Water,
  • ColloidalOatmeal (Avena Sativa) Flour
  • Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract
  • Lavender (Lavandula Officinalis) Oil
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine
  • Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
  • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
  • Sodium Lauryl Glucoside Carboxylate
  • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
  • Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
  • Sodium PCA,
  • Lauryl Glucoside
  • Acrylates Copolymer
  • Coco-glucoside
  • Glyceryl Oleate
  • Caprylhydroxamic Acid
  • Glyceryl Caprylate
  • Glycerin
  • D-Panthenol
  • Botanical Keratin (Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rice Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, And L-proline)
  • Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Oil
  • Fragrance

Pros and Cons of Honeydew Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

ProsCons
Keep your dog smelling fresh and clean with the fragrance of honeydew.The manufacturer only offers 8-ounce bottles, so you may need to replenish this product more frequently.
This product is formulated with colloidal oatmeal, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to clean, soothe, calm, moisturize, and condition your dog’s skin and coat.
It includes lavender essential oil, which is calming and comforting to dogs and effectively neutralizes unpleasant odors leaving them smelling fresh and clean.
Bath time will be more pleasant since this product is tear-free. Plus it’s cruelty-free and contains no parabens or sulfates that could irritate your dog’s skin or eyes.
This dog shampoo lathers well and comes in an 8-ounce bottle.
Best Smelling
Honeydew Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
  • Colloidal Oatmeal dog shampoo to soothe dry skin
  • Lavender scented deodorizer to leave your pet smelling fresh
  • Great for dogs with sensitive skin
Check Amazon

7. Hypoallergenic: 4Legger Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo

This USDA Certified Organic dog shampoo provides odor control, itch relief, and non-irritating allergen-free ingredients.

Lemongrass provides a pleasant scent to keep your dog smelling nice and fresh. Meanwhile, soothing aloe and natural coconut oil ease itchiness and dry skin without bothering allergy-prone dogs or pet parents.

Free of detergents and petrochemicals, the holistic formula naturally brightens the coat and whitens white fur while being totally safe for senior dogs, cats, and even the youngest puppies.

Dogs and people with sensitivities will also appreciate that this dog shampoo is sulfate-free, cruelty-free, vegan, sustainably sourced, biodegradable, and USA-made.

Ingredients

  • Saponified organic coconut oil
  • Saponified organic olive oil
  • Saponified organic jojoba oil
  • Organic lemongrass essential oil
  • Rosemary essential oil
  • Organic aloe vera
  • Rosemary extract

Pros and Cons of 4Legger Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo

ProsCons
This hypoallergenic dog shampoo is USDA Certified Organic and provides itch relief as well as odor control.None
It includes soothing ingredients such as aloe vera and coconut oil, which will sooth your dog’s itchiness without triggering their allergies — or yours.
This product is free from detergents, sulfates, petrochemicals and is fragranced with lemongrass and rosemary for a clean, pleasant, natural scent.
This holistic shampoo will brighten your dog’s coat and whiten white fur.
You can take comfort in the fact that this product is biodegradable, cruelty-free, vegan, sustainably sourced, and made in the US.
This dog shampoo is safe for dogs and cats of all ages.
Best Hypoallergenic
4Legger Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo
  • Shampoo contains soothing aloe vera and lemongrass
  • No detergents, petrochemicals, or other harmful ingredients
  • Helps with dry, flaky skin and relieves itching
  • Coconut and lemongrass scent
Check Amazon

What Should I Look for When Buying a Dog Shampoo?

Not all dog shampoos are not created equal. Some contain ingredients that may end up irritating your dog’s coat and skin. Hence, there are several factors you should consider to make sure you’re buying the best dog shampoo for the unique skin needs of your dog. Some of the main things to consider include:

  • Skin condition: The first thing to consider is your dog’s skin condition. For instance, if your dog has dry or itchy skin, we recommend choosing a moisturizing shampoo without artificial fragrances and chemicals that may cause further skin irritation. Also, consider shampoos with natural ingredients like oatmeal, vitamins, and honey that can help relieve itchy skin and promote healing.
  • Fleas and ticks: If your dog is infested by ticks and fleas, you may want to choose a shampoo that’s designed to combat these parasites and protect your dog’s skin and coat.
  • Age: It’s important that you consider the age of your dog when choosing a dog shampoo. For instance, for a puppy, opt for a shampoo that’s specially formulated for use on their delicate skins. Typically, a puppy shampoo and conditioner is uniquely designed to be gentler and tear-free, so it won’t irritate your puppy’s eyes while bathing.
  • Odor: If your dog has a strong odor, it’s best to get a deodorizing shampoo to neutralize any unpleasant odor they may have picked out there. The best smelling dog shampoo not only eliminates unpleasant dog odors but also leaves your dog with a nice smell that’s not overwhelming.
  • Shine and tangles: If your dog has a dull and lusterless coat and skin, you should look for a shampoo with vitamins, proteins, and minerals to nourish and restore the healthy shine. Also, if your dog’s coat easily tangles or is dry, you may want to consider a dog shampoo and conditioner to moisturize and replenish natural oils, which helps in detangling stubborn tangles and frizzy locks.
  • Convenience: To make bath time hassle-free and more convenient, choose a shampoo that comes with the shampoo and conditioner combined or a waterless shampoo that allows you to clean your dog easily while on the go. The dry shampoo also comes handy especially if your dog is averse to water.

Our Criteria and Experience: How We Chose the Best

To compile our list of the dog shampoos we recommend as the best, we consulted reviews from veterinarians who have expert knowledge on what ingredients work best with a dog’s coat and skin. Factors to consider are how these shampoos will interact with different types of dog coats, and which will work best against certain conditions (like fleas, dry skin, or sensitive skin). Below are our criteria:

  • Ingredients: We chose the dog shampoos that had quality natural ingredients, such as colloidal oatmeal, coconut, almond, aloe vera, lemongrass, and more. We also sought the products that are hypoallergenic, paraben and sulfate free and free of soap and other chemicals that irritate dogs.
  • Scent: We went for shampoos that have fresh, pleasant scents that are not too overpowering, and would not bother either the pets or their owners.
  • Goal: What is the main goal in the bath you give your dog? To kill fleas and ticks? To condition a curly or stiff coat? To bathe a puppy, an adult, or a senior dog? These are factors we took into consideration when making our choices.
  • Ease of use: Ultimately, we recommended shampoos that lather well, clean your pooch as thoroughly as possible, and meet your needs as the one doing the bathing.

7 Best Dog Shampoos: Summary

Choosing the best dog shampoo for your furry friend can ensure you keep their skin clean, fresh, and healthy at all times. All the dog shampoos listed in this review are safe for use on dogs’ skin and coat. However, you need to make sure you choose one that has the right ingredients to best meet the specific skin needs of your dog. This product review and ranking will help you make

Up Next, Discover More Health and Grooming Products for Your Dog:

About the Author

My passion is writing about animals. I’ve published articles on pet parrots, birds, and small animal care and reviews about pet food and products. I have an ever-evolving aviary and menagerie that has included cockatiels, parakeets, conures, European starlings, a chukar partridge, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I’m also the author of Faith without Labels: a Guide to Eclectic Spirituality.

We Found the 7 Best Dog Shampoos: Reviewed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Can I use human shampoo on a dog?

No, it’s not advisable to use human shampoo on a dog. This is because human shampoo is specially formulated for use on human skin and hair. And since human skin has a different pH than that of a dog, means that human shampoo may end up disrupting the balance of your dog’s skin. Also, the ingredients contained in human shampoo may wash away the natural moisture and oil on your dog’s skin, leaving it dry.

How often should dogs get shampooed?

How often dogs should get shampooed will depend on several factors that include dog’s coat type, skin sensitivity, skin conditions, and how fast they get smelly or dirty. If your dog has healthy and normal skin and coat, shampooing them once in a month will be enough. This is because getting them shampooed too frequently could end up washing out the natural oils that maintain their skin and coat healthy.

However, if your dog has allergies, sensitive skin, or other skin issues, they should get shampooed more often such once or twice a week. However, it’s best to consult your veterinarian to help establish a bathing schedule that will work best for your dog’s unique skin needs.

Can I use dish soap to wash my dog?

No. It’s not recommended to use dish soaps that are not approved and safety tested for use on animals. Dish soaps are especially designed for grease and oil removal so using them to bath your dog can strip the natural oils that help protect and nourish their skin. This leaves your dog’s skin and coat dry and unhealthy.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.