The 8 Best Dog Shampoos of 2021

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What’s doggy bath time like at your house? For some pet owners, it’s a fun bonding experience. For others, everyone ends up soaked and nobody’s happy. Having the right shampoo can make things easier when the goal is a clean pet that doesn’t smell like wet dog.

“I like shampoos that dilute easily, clean well and not leave behind any residue, and that are as natural as possible as well as affordable,” says Kim Flatley, professional dog groomer and owner of St. Louis-based Fitness with Fido.

Dana Youngker, a groomer at Petworking & Co in Cumming, Georgia, outside of Atlanta, looks for natural ingredients in her shampoos, choosing organic when possible. When shampooing, she says get your dog nice and wet first, then start from the head and work your way down, being sure to get everywhere including paw pads and private areas, rinsing from the head down so all the dirty water doesn’t flow into clean areas.

We looked for the best dog shampoos that used the most natural ingredients with the fewest additives while still doing an excellent job getting pets clean. Here's what we found:

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo at Chewy

A popular unscented formula that's moisturizing and works well for all dogs.

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Best Natural/Organic:

4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoo at Chewy

This USDA-certified organic shampoo foams well and leaves dogs' hair soft.

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Best for Sensitive and Dry Skin:

Rocco & Roxie Calm Sensitive Skin at Amazon

If your dog has sensitive skin, consider this gentle formula with aloe vera for moisturizing and soothing skin.

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Best for Odor:

Buddy Wash Lavender & Mint Shampoo & Conditioner at Chewy

Two-in-one shampoo and conditioner with mild lavender scent.

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Best for Shedding:

Furminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo at Chewy

A deshedding shampoo that includes omega-3s and natural oils to promote healthy skin and help with shedding.

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Best Waterless:

The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash in Lavender at Amazon

Our spray is a quick fix for when your dog just needs some freshening up.

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Best Flea Shampoo:

Richard's Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo at Chewy

Use essential oils instead of harsh chemicals to kill fleas with this gentle formula.

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Best for Puppies:

Pure and Natural Pet Fragrance Free Hypoallergenic Organic Shampoo at Amazon

Gentle hypoallergenic, this USDA-certified organic shampoo is safe for puppies.

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for in Dog Shampoos
Why Trust The Spruce Pets

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Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Usage: For puppies and dogs, 6 weeks and up

What We Like

No parabens, sulfates, phthalates
No fragrance

What We Don't Like

Watery formula
Some people prefer scented

There are so many different formulas and scents that there’s sure to be an Earthbath shampoo perfect for you and your dog. The Oatmeal and Aloe is a good place to start. It’s fragrance-free with colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera to moisturize dry, itchy skin. Like all Earthbath products, it’s made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, gluten and synthetic dyes. All items are cruelty-free and made in the United States.

Ask Earthbath fans and so many of them will have a favorite shampoo ranging from deodorizing to hot spot relief, shed control to conditioning. Natural scents include mango, peppermint, vanilla, and lavender. There’s also a popular vanilla and almond version of this oatmeal and aloe shampoo if you want something with a little scent.

Earthbath products are guaranteed so if you aren’t happy with the bath time results, they’ll refund your money.

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Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Lemongrass and rosemary scent | Usage: Puppies and adults

What We Like

USDA-certified organic
Foams well
Leaves hair soft

What We Don't Like

Very watery
Some users did not like smell

“Looking for natural and organic is always the best way to go,” says professional groomer Youngker. “When products are certified organic, they don’t contain ingredients that can damage a dog’s skin.”

There are nine USDA-certified organic shampoos in the 4-Legger line, with an array of ingredients including oatmeal and lavender for dry and itchy skin, peppermint and eucalyptus for conditioning, and an unscented version with aloe vera for sensitive skin. This popular choice features aloe vera, lemongrass, and coconut oil for moisturizing.

All 4-Legger products are USDA certified organic and free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors and fragrances, or harmful preservatives. Shampoos are made in the United States and have a money-back guarantee. They’re vegan and cruelty-free.

Groomer Pro Tips

Groomer Kim Flatley suggests diluting shampoo in a cup before using it to help spread it around your pup and helping it later more easily.
Use lukewarm water, says Groomer Dana Youngker. “Nothing you’d take a hot shower in,” she says. “If you wouldn’t bathe your baby in it, do not bathe your dog in it.”

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Size: 16 or 32 ounces | Scent: Coconut and honey scent | Usage: Puppies and adult dogs

What We Like

No parabens, phthalates, or other additives
Mild scent
Leaves very shiny fur

What We Don't Like

Doesn’t lather well
Very thick and hard to get out of bottle

This gentle formula has aloe vera extract for moisturizing and soothing skin and chamomile for calming and cleansing. Rosemary helps protect and promote healthy skin growth. This shampoo is targeted toward dogs and puppies with sensitive skin and has a mild coconut and honey fragrance.

This formula is free of paraben, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde, artificial colors, dyes, and other additives. They’re pH balanced so they’re safe and comfortable for a dog’s skin.

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

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Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Lavender and mint scent | Usage: Puppies and adult dogs

What We Like

Lathers easily
Not tested on animals
Includes conditioner

What We Don't Like

Scent may be overpowering for some people
Very thick and hard to get out of the bottle

This two-in-one conditioning shampoo has a soothing lavender and mint scent created by a mix of essential oils and essences including chamomile, sage, and rosemary extract. The fresh fragrance should help erase the wet dog smell that brought you and your pup to the bathtub in the first place.

The product is soap-free and alcohol-free and is built on a coconut base. It lathers well and is easy to rinse out, leaving a smooth coat behind. Buddy Wash is made in the United States and hasn’t been tested on animals. It’s safe for use on people in case bath time is tough and it’s just easier to wash your pup in the shower with you!

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Furminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo

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Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Papaya scent | Usage: For puppies and dogs over 6 weeks old

What We Like

Very moisturizing
Enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
No parabens or chemical dyes

What We Don't Like

Added fragrance that may be too strong
Has to sit for 5-10 minutes

Depending on your dog’s coat and the time of year, you might feel like you live in a perpetual cloud of dog hair. If you have a heavy shedder, the secret is “brush your dog more, not bathe your dog more,” says Youngker.

But this FURminator DeShedding shampoo from a company that makes the popular deshedding tools may be able to help at bath time. It has a mix of natural ingredients to promote healthy skin, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from cranberry, sunflower, and safflower seed oils, as well as aloe vera and vitamin E.

The key is to wet your dog’s skin well, leave it on for 5 or 10 minutes, and then ideally follow up with the brand’s conditioner (view on PetSmart). There should be clumps of hair in the tub and then even more when you finish up with a brush or Furminator rake (view on PetSmart).

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Size: 17 ounces | Scent: Fresh fruity scent | Usage: Adult dogs

What We Like

Cruelty-free
Plant-based with no parabens, phthalates, or dyes
Three scents from natural oils

What We Don't Like

No unscented option
Won’t help with very dirty dogs

Sometimes you don’t have time to give your dog the full spa experience or your pup just needs a little freshening up. Our waterless pet wash makes the whole experience so much easier on you and your pup.

Featuring a plant-based, pH-balanced formula, The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash has no parabens, phthalates, or dyes, and it’s Leaping Bunny certified. To use, shake the bottle, spray your dog’s coat well, wait for one minute, and then use a soft, clean cloth to wipe them down. It cleans, conditions, and moisturizes, while removing dirt and other debris.

It comes in three scents—lavender (with clary sage), oatmeal (with fresh mango), and fresh (neroli, apple, and orchid)—made with natural essential oils.

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Size: 12 ounces | Scent: Cinnamon, clove, peppermint scent | Usage: For puppies and dogs at least 12 weeks

What We Like

Paraben, dye, and soap free
Inexpensive
Has vitamin E, lecithin, and lanolin to soothe itchy skin

What We Don't Like

Strong Christmas-y smell

Flea shampoos often have harsh chemicals that can irritate your pet’s skin and trigger a reaction. Even those with safer, natural essential oils only kill the fleas that are on your pet. Because your house and yard still have the pests, your dog will quickly get reinfected, so it’s important to have another effective means of flea control like monthly chewables or spot-on treatments prescribed by your vet.

That said, this is a good way to rid your pup of resident fleas. It doesn’t have parabens, dyes, or soap, and it’s gentle so it won’t wash away topical flea and tick treatments. It has vitamin E, lanolin, and other moisturizers to help soothe irritated skin. Instead of added fragrance, the scent comes from cinnamon, clove, cedar, peppermint, and rosemary oils.

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Size: 16 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Usage: Puppies and adult dogs

What We Like

USDA-certified organic
Unscented
Left coat very silky

What We Don't Like

Doesn’t lather easily
Some people prefer scent

Pure and Natural makes several USDA-certified organic pet shampoos and conditioners that have no parabens, sulfates, chemicals, formaldehyde, or other harmful chemicals. The company makes a specific puppy shampoo that is all natural, but we like this gentle hypoallergenic formula. It has no artificial fragrances or dyes, no preservatives or additives and the simple ingredients include organic aloe water, organic castile soap, and organic calendula and jojoba oils.

Because it’s pH-balanced for a dog’s coat, it won’t strip your puppy of necessary oils. It moisturizes and soothes itchiness, while leaving fur shiny and soft.

The 7 Best Puppy Shampoos of 2021

Final Verdict

Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe is the best overall pick (view at Amazon). It has no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or other additives and comes in unscented or a vanilla and almond version if you want a mild scent. Another great choice is 4-Legger Aloe Vera, Lemongrass & Organic Coconut Dog Shampoo (view at Amazon). It's USDA-certified organic, lathers well, rinses easily, and leaves fur soft and silky.

Ingredients

It’s not enough to look for a product that is “natural.” If you want a product that is truly gentle and won’t cause health problems, look at the ingredients. “A lot of dog shampoos have parabens, mineral oils, sulfates, phthalates and those can cause skin issues and other health issues and be extremely harmful to dogs,” Youngker says.

Also, be sure to look for essential oils instead of artificial fragrances. Avoid added dyes and artificial coloring of any sort.

Breed

Your dog’s breed and coat type might influence the type of shampoo you use and how often you wash your pet. Some dogs, like Labrador retrievers, for example, have more naturally greasy coats to help them repel water. Groomers advise skipping shampoos with built-in conditioners for those dogs. Washing them too often can also cause them to make too much natural oil in their skin.

Brushing before a bath can be even more important than the type of shampoo you choose, says Flatley. It helps remove and loosen mats for long hair dogs or loose hair for shedding dogs. “Then for bathing, really scrub and scrub some more then rinse and when you think you're done rinse again to not leave any shampoo behind,” she suggests.

Lifestage

A lot of brands might say puppy safe or puppy gentle, but the key is to check the ingredients, says Youngker. “Always read the labels. Make sure there are no damaging ingredients. Stick to something gentle and natural.”

Most shampoos are safe for puppies over eight weeks old and all adult dogs, although you might notice that medicated shampoos and those targeted toward fleas aren’t recommended until puppies are a little older. When in doubt, always ask your vet before using a product.

To find the best dog shampoos, we tested a range of products on our own pets and also consulted with professional groomers about what to look for when shopping, and interviewed dog owners about their favorite products.

This article was researched and written by Mary Jo DiLonardo who has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than three dozen puppies and is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products to use on them.

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