Below, experts and NBC Select staff share their recommendations for the best dog shampoos. Each of the following are made from a dog-specific formula and have gentle and moisturizing ingredients, based on our experts’ guidance.
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Below, experts share their recommendations for the best dog shampoos. Each of the following are made from a dog-specific formula and have gentle and moisturizing ingredients, based on expert guidance. I also included options that our NBC Select staff uses on their own dogs.
This hypoallergenic dog shampoo is an NBC Select Pet Awards winner and a favorite of Jun Takama, CEO and founder of DOGMA, a dog daycare and grooming service based in New York City. It has oatmeal and aloe vera, making it a great option for dogs of all coat types, says Takama. You can use this shampoo straight out of the bottle (a little goes a long way) or dilute it with water — the brand recommends mixing the shampoo with water in a separate container at a 10:1 dilution ratio (water to product) for the 16-ounce option.
I use this shampoo on my 6-year-old havanese and bichon frise mix, Bella, because it’s gentle on her sensitive skin and has a pleasant vanilla and almond scent that isn’t overpowering. Her fur also feels fluffier and softer after using this shampoo compared to others I’ve tried in the past. Since Bella has long, curly hair, I pair this with Eartbath’s Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner to keep her fur soft and tangle-free.
Duoxo’s range of shampoos, including the brand’s antibacterial and odor-control formulas, are a favorite among our experts. “The Douxo brand products help protect the skin barrier and help soothe any skin conditions based on veterinary exam and diagnosis,” says Mayhew. The brand targets skin conditions like dryness, itchiness and flakiness. This soothing option is a great choice for dogs with sensitive, allergy-prone skin, according to the veterinarians I spoke to. It has a 0.75% concentration of ophytrium, a natural ingredient that helps strengthen the skin barrier, according to the brand. The brand recommends using one pump for every four pounds your dog weighs and gently massaging the shampoo onto the skin.
This Burt’s Bees dog shampoo has colloidal oatmeal, which is gentle and a great ingredient to relieve dry, itchy skin, says Takama. Former NBC Select social commerce editor Sadhana Daruvuri uses this shampoo on her 2-year-old maltese and poodle mix, Bandit. “His fur always feels extra soft after I use it,” she says. I also use this shampoo on Bella when she’s extra itchy since it soothes irritation — it’s gentle, leaves her fur hydrated and fluffy, and makes her smell great (with a subtle honey scent).
This shampoo is a favorite of Dr. Zay Satchu, a board-certified veterinarian and the co-founder and chief veterinary officer of Bond Vet, because it doesn’t have harmful ingredients like parabens (which are chemicals typically used as artificial preservatives), sulfates or artificial fragrances. It’s especially great for long-haired and curly coat breeds because it has a combination of panthenol and aloe leaf juice to soothe dry skin, detangles hair and leaves your dog’s coat hydrated and soft, according to the brand.
Though this is on the pricier side, this shampoo from Ouai (one of my favorite hair care brands) has aloe vera and panthenol to soothe and hydrate skin, according to the brand. It’s great for long-haired dogs since it’s meant to add shine and soften hair. The scent is a combination of lemon, rose, jasmine and white musk. The shampoo is also highly rated, with a 4.7-star average rating from over 1,200 reviews on Amazon
When former NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez found out her favorite hair care brand made shampoos for dogs, she knew her 8-year-old pitbull Baylor’s coat would look better than ever. “She has sensitive skin and her coat can sometimes feel more on the drier side, so I’m always really cautious about the products we use,” she says. “This option has been great — it’s gentle and soothing thanks to the oatmeal, and it leaves her hair feeling 10 times softer and more moisturized.” Paul Mitchell has a soothing pet line that also includes a conditioner and no-rinse shampoo, which Alvarez uses on Baylor when she doesn’t have time for a full bath.
This shampoo from expert favorite Earthbath has a gentle soap-free formula that’s specifically made for puppies over six weeks of age, according to the brand. It has aloe vera, antioxidants like vitamin E and plant-derived coconut-based cleansers to soothe delicate skin and relieve any itchiness, according to the brand. It’s free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, alcohol and synthetic dyes, which experts say can irritate your dog’s skin, and it also has a small amount of cherry essence for fragrance. Similar to the original Earthbath shampoo, the brand recommends a 10:1 dilution ratio.
This all-in-one shampoo and conditioner combo has a coconut and mango scent, which is great for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors. “Baylor loves being outside, so sometimes she gets dirty and brings that outside odor inside our house,” says Alvarez. To solve both problems, she uses this shampoo from Raw Sugar Living. “The applicator makes it so easy to wash her coat because it has these soft bristles that help us massage it all over. Once we rinse it off, her coat feels softer, looks brighter and shinier (way less dull) and she smells incredible — a subtle fruity yet clean scent,” she says.
This hydrating all-in-one shampoo and conditioner comes recommended by Rona, who says it moisturizes all coat types using ingredients like hydrolyzed keratin and vegetable proteins. The brand recommends diluting the product at a ratio of 16 parts water to one part shampoo.
Though Doglyness’ line of shampoos and conditioners are on the pricier side, they cleanse and condition your pup’s coat better than other options on the market, says Rona, who uses the brand in her dog grooming studio. The brand’s Immortelle Rejuvenating Shampoo has a combination of natural, plant-based ingredients, including aloe and glycerin, to cleanse your dog’s hair, according to the brand. Doglyness recommends a dilution ratio of up to one part product to 25 parts water.
This dry shampoo is a rinse-free spray that’s hypoallergenic, so it won’t cause allergies or irritation on your dog’s sensitive skin, according to the brand. Daruvuri sprays this on Bandit to keep him smelling fresh in between baths (she usually bathes him every three to four weeks). To apply, hold the nozzle 3-5 inches away from the dog’s coat and spray it in a sweeping motion starting at the neck and working toward the tail. You can purchase one bottle or bundle two or three bottles for a discounted price, and you can subscribe to receive automatic shipments of the product every four, six or eight weeks on Wild One’s site.
When shopping for the right shampoo for your dog, our groomers and veterinarians recommend keeping in mind factors like ingredients, your dog’s coat type and any skin concerns.
Dogs have a variety of coat textures, including short, long, curly, wiry or double coats. “Each texture has different needs, and using the right shampoo can help enhance the coat’s natural beauty and texture,” says Satchu. Below are some examples of coat types and textures, and what shampoo to use for each.
You should always use shampoos specifically formulated for dogs because human-grade formulas are more likely to cause skin irritation, says Satchu. Generally, look for ingredients like aloe vera or colloidal oatmeal (consisting of finely ground oats), which are gentle, hydrating and have soothing properties, according to our experts. Tea tree oil can also be an excellent nourishing and moisturizing ingredient for your dog’s coat, says Takama (though keep in mind that pure, undiluted tea tree oil is not suitable for pets).
Dog shampoos shouldn’t contain any harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, or artificial fragrances, which are more likely to irritate the skin, says Satchu. And, because dogs have extremely sensitive noses, you should also avoid heavy fragrances in their shampoo, according to Rona.
Some breeds, like bulldogs and shar peis, are more prone to skin sensitivities and allergies, according to Satchu. These breeds will benefit from hypoallergenic oatmeal- or aloe vera-based shampoos that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin. If your dog has skin irritation, infections or inflammation, you should talk to your veterinarian for a medicated shampoo recommendation, according to Mayhew.
Experts recommend bathing your dog at least once every three months , but many breeds may require more frequent baths depending on how much time they spend outdoors or any skin or coat problems they might have, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t bathe your dog more than twice a month because you may strip their coat of natural protective oils, according to our experts.
”Dogs should rarely be bathed unless they are very dirty and the dirt cannot be brushed out,” says Mayhew. “Frequent baths can upset the pH balance, disrupt the protective skin barrier and dry out the skin and coat causing chronic inflammation.”
Our experts share a few tips for successfully bathing your dog at home and keeping their coats clean and healthy — including what to do before, during and after shampooing.
Brush your dog before and after bathing. Matting in your dog’s coat can trap shampoo, which might cause rashes and sores if it’s not thoroughly rinsed out, experts say. For long-coated breeds specifically, you should always brush your dog before bathing to prevent matting, according to Mayhew. However, “if your pet is matted, there is no shampoo that will save the coat — a professional groomer dematting or shaving are the only options,” she says.
Thoroughly rinse off any residual shampoo from your dog’s coat. “We recommend rinsing three full times with clean water after lathering and a fourth time with cool water to help the skin and relieve any itching,” says Mayhew.
After shampooing, use a cream rinse or conditioner. A common misconception is that people don’t need to condition their dog’s coat, says Rona. But they’re actually important: Conditioners formulated for dogs will help prevent tangles and help keep the coat from collecting dirt, especially on long-coated breeds, says Mayhew.
Avoid using human shampoo or other products not intended for dogs because they can disrupt their natural pH, according to experts. “These can [also] strip their coat of natural oils and cause skin irritation,” says Satchu.
Use a detangling spray after bathing , especially if your dog has a long or thick coat that gets easily tangled.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered pet topics, including dog food, treats and dental chews, for four years. For this article, I spoke to veterinarians, veterinary technicians and dog groomers about how to shop for the best dog shampoo, and the best ones to shop. I also compiled shampoos NBC Select use for their own dogs.
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