The 7 best dog shampoos of 2024, per veterinarians
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Much like human shampoos and conditioners, the best shampoo for your dog may take some trial and error. Maybe your dog has fine hair, or perhaps your canine is dealing with fleas — there are handful of specially formulated shampoos to pick up for the breed you’re caring for.
“I generally like dog shampoos to be sensitive, specifically designed for dogs and [with] a small number of ingredients,” Rory Cowlam — aka ‘Rory the Vet’ — small animal veterinary surgeon, told the New York Post. “Aloe vera or oatmeal are generally two ingredients I like so see in generic shampoos. If the shampoo is medicated to control bacterial or fungal infection, then the ideal ingredient here is chlorhexidine.”
Ahead, Rory the Vet hand-picked 7 dog shampoos for many concerns your dog may be experiencing — from environmental allergies to itchy skin. With each option, we carefully outlined the ingredients and best practices when it comes to watching your best friend.
“It’s important to recognize why you are bathing your dog,” Rory the Vet offers.”Is it because they get filthy out on walks? Is it because they have sore and itchy skin? Is it because they have dandruff? Is it because they have fleas? Each of these situations requires a different approach.” The general categories of shampoo are soothing, neutral and medicated, and one of those used in the appropriate way will be ideal for any sort of skin issue your dog may have, he tells The Post.
Along with the best dog crates and dog food brands we rounded up, you’ll be pampering your pup to the best of your ability. Rory the Vet also shared his expertise in the in-depth FAQ section up next.
Click to go straight to our winners of the best dog shampoos by category:
An FAQ on Dog Shampoos
Ahead, Rory the Vet details what to look for in a quality dog shampoo based on specific concerns, hair length and more.
What’s the best dog shampoo for shedding?
According to Rory the Vet — in reality — if a dog is going to shed, then a shampoo is unlikely to help.
“I would usually use an oatmeal base as this will help with the skin’s condition and make sure to brush and groom regularly,” he adds. “Over-shampooing is not the way forward here as it will dry out the skin and coat and lead to even more shedding.”
Rory the Vet also recommends shedding tools such as FURminators as they remove a lot of dead hairs.
What’s the best dog shampoo for fleas?
Ah, fleas — unwanted and sometimes unmanageable. The most important piece of advice? If your dog has fleas, do not use a shampoo designed to kill them.
“Flea shampoos are generally poor at controlling flea infestations as over 90% of the issue is actually in the environment and not on your dog,” Rory the Vet explains. “I would suggest a sensitive shampoo with ingredients to help soothe irritated skin such as tea tree or aloe.”
Of course, speak to your vet for effective flea product.
What’s the best dog shampoo for puppies?
The short answer: no shampoo. “Puppies have very sensitive skin and fine hair which means they often do not need bathing,” Rory the Vet notes. “I know puppies can get messy, especially around their bottom and their mouths, so I usually advise targeted bathing with just water.”
More, if you need to use a shampoo, then a very sensitive option is best and make sure to remove all the shampoo after bathing and dry the skin well.
What’s the best hypoallergenic dog shampoo?
Contrary to popular belief, hypoallergenic shampoo is not a thing.
“If your dog has allergies it is important for you to be aware that anything may worsen their skin so there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach here,” Rory the Vet says. “I usually start with a veterinary shampoo specifically designed for allergies such as Virbac Allermyl and then see what your dog’s response to it is.”
Keep in mind that if your dog has environmental allergies (I.e. not dietary), then regular bathing once a week is generally best.
Best Dog Shampoos
Best overall: Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo
With more than 6,000 positive reviews on Amazon, the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo is a wonderful add-to-cart purchase, especially because it contains ingredients Rory the Vet recommends.
“This is a good regular shampoo with natural and soothing ingredients,” he adds. Even better, it comes in a fragrance-free option (available at Chewy) in addition to its top-rated Vanilla & Almond scent.
Pros
- Highly rated and reviewed
- Natural ingredients
- Low price point
Cons
- Mild scent not ideal for super stinky pups
Best budget: Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo
The Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo is one of the most accessible dog shampoos on the market and is just shy of $15. Because it’s an emollient oatmeal shampoo, it’s great for dry skin. It’s also well-rated for softness, scent and value for your money.
“This is good for itchy and red skin, too,” Rory the Vet adds.
Pros
- Low price point
- Great for routine cleanings
- Great for dry skin
Cons
- Scent not long-lasting
Best for allergies: Virbac Allermyl Shampoo
According to Rory the Vet, this is his go-to shampoo for dogs with environmental allergies. “It’s formulated to help improve the skin condition and prevent allergy flare ups,” he adds.
What’s more, this particular shampoo was specially designed with soothing in mind, thanks to its unique micro-emulsified formulation that combines ingredients that help maintain the skin barrier, like a Skin Lipid Complex combination.
Pros
- Great for treating occasional allergy flare ups
- Balances skin pH
Cons
- Over $30 price point
Best for dermatitis: PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Shampoo
The PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Shampoo is Rory the Vet’s go-to medicated shampoo for dogs with sores, hot spots or dermatitis. “It controls both yeast and bacterial burden,” he adds.
Additionally, it’s backed by nearly 6,000 dog caregivers on Amazon and is especially recommended for rashes. It has a light cucumber melon scent that helps combat smelly skin issues, too.
Pros
- Highly rated and reviewed
- Medicated for effective treatment
Cons
- Over $20 price point
Best for bacterial growth: Dechra Malaseb Shampoo
The Dechra Malaseb Shampoo is beneficial for dogs who itch and itch and itch. Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic that works to help treat bacterial skin infections, while miconazole nitrate is an ingredient that helps treat fungal infections. Together, they help reduce any discomfort your dog may be facing.
“It’s a great shampoo for controlling yeast growth in dogs prone to it such as those swimming regularly or those with folds where yeasts can fester,” Rory the Vet adds.
Pros
- Uses antiseptics to fight dermal infection
- Great for dogs with skin folds
Cons
- Over $35 price point
Best for dry skin: Be:Calm All-Natural Dog Shampoo Bar (2-Pack)
“The Be:Calm All-Natural Dog Shampoo Bar is eco-friendly [and formulated with] gentle ingredients,” Rory the Vet notes. Made with goats milk and lavender, rest assured that your dog will be doused with premium-quality ingredients like chamomile and other botanicals, too, to help deeply moisturize their skin and coat.
Even better, it’s gentle, 100% vegan and helps eliminate dog odor, thanks to its essential oils blend.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- 100% vegan
- Low price point
Cons
- Bar formula can be hard to handle
Best for shedding: FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo
“If a deshedding shampoo was going to work, it would be from these guys!” Rory the Vet says. The FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo won’t tackle shedding issues for good, but it’s a key player during your dog’s bathtime. It’s BPA-free, formulated without parabens or dyes and boasts OdorCapture 360 Technology to help remove that unwanted wet dog smell.
Pros
- BPA, dye, and paraben-free
- Odor-killing
- Low price point
Cons
- Not as effective on super furry dogs
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