Proper pet hygiene helps to keep your dog healthy. Unlike humans, your dog doesn’t have to take a bath frequently, especially if he’s still a puppy. However, it is still important that you get the best puppy shampoo for your pet to make sure that you don’t use the wrong product which could only cause a lot of problems for your dog. Choosing the right dog shampoo is something that you must not take lightly.
Fortunately, there’s a wide range of choices available on the market, each formulated for different purposes. This guide will help you choose the best shampoo for puppies based on your pet’s needs.
Top Picks
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How to Choose the Best Puppy Shampoo
A lot of factors must be considered when choosing the best puppy shampoo and conditioner. You must consider your dog’s skin condition, age, and type of coat, among others. Here are some things you must look out for when choosing your dog’s shampoo:
Skin condition
A moisturizing shampoo is the best choice if your dog has flaky, dry, or itchy skin. The best puppy shampoos for dry skin are those that contain natural ingredients like honey, vitamin E, and oatmeal. Try not to get scented shampoos – they usually contain chemicals that could irritate your dog’s skin. In case your dog’s skin condition gets worse, consult your vet for additional treatment.
Age
If you own a puppy, be sure to get shampoos specially made for younger dogs. They are usually more gentle, with some even having no-tear formulas to prevent the eyes from getting irritated.
Fleas and ticks
There are various flea and tick product options on the market that help kill parasites on your pet. However, do note that they can only provide short-term protection. The best flea shampoo for puppies must only be used to supplement other measures to prevent or get rid of fleas and ticks.
Odor
Adventurous dogs who find their way into the garbage or other smelly substances need to bathe with a deodorizing shampoo. The best-smelling puppy shampoo doesn’t necessarily deodorize. Therefore, you must find products that eliminate unpleasant odors instead of just covering them up.
Color, shine, and tangles
For dogs with light-colored fur, there are many shampoos that contain brighteners to prevent their coats from fading or yellowing. For luster, nourishing shampoos are packed with proteins, vitamins, and minerals that help restore the healthy shine of your dog’s dull coat. For tangles, getting a good conditioner will help moisturize a dry coat that gets tangled easily.
Convenience
If you and your dog are usually on the go or if your dog is the type who doesn’t want to get wet, dry shampoos are also available. However, do note that this is only a temporary fix and it is still best that you wash them every once in a while.
Ingredients to Avoid
When choosing a shampoo for your dog, be sure to check the ingredients list and be mindful of ingredients that could harm your pet. Some of them include:
- Dyes or colorants – they may lead to allergic reactions, with some even containing carcinogens and other harmful ingredients which cause cancer or other health problems.
- Artificial fragrances – these scents are made of chemicals which are linked to nausea, headaches, and allergies.
- Parabens – these are used as preservatives and are shown to be linked to cancer.
- Sulfate – they can cause irritation on the skin, mouth, and upper digestive tract.
11 Best Puppy Shampoos
PetPleasant Natural Dog Shampoo with Colloidal Oatmeal
Gentle & Effective Puppy Shampoo Enhanced With Natural Goodness
Pet Pleasant have formulated a beautifully scented natural dog shampoo designed to clean and soothe sensitive skinned puppers. Using high-quality ingredients, the product is incredibly gentle and soothing, so you’ve no need to worry about exacerbating an existing skin irritation.
The shampoo contains a great mix of active ingredients designed to clean and cleanse the skin, lathering away nasty lingering odors. Colloidal oatmeal, which is finely ground oatmeal, is added to be hypoallergenic, nourishing and moisturizing for dry and irritated skin. Jojoba also enhances the calming effect of the shampoo on inflamed, itchy skin whilst adding shine to your pooch’s coat.
Customers will love the beautiful scent and extra calming effects of the shampoo from the addition of lavender essential oils. This star ingredient is particularly helpful for bathing puppies, who can be a bit of a handful during bath time.
Why We Like It:
- Extremely gentle
- Includes calming lavender
- Actively calms irritated skin
- Contributes to a shiny and soft coat
What We Don’t Like:
- Scent does not last a very long time
- Scent may not be as strong overall as some customers prefer
Wahl Gentle Puppy Shampoo
A Gentle Formula Fit for Puppies
This gentle puppy shampoo is plant-derived, allowing you to wash your pet without having to worry about causing any irritations or drying out sensitive skin. It is made of aloe vera, cornflower, and other ingredients which are approved and safe for pets.
Aloe vera is popularly known for its soothing and softening benefits. With this, your dog can have a smooth and healthy skin without being exposed to harmful chemicals.
Why We Like It:
- No-tears formulation
- PEG-80 free, so there is a lesser risk of skin allergies
What We Don’t Like:
- Doesn’t lather very well
Earthbath Natural Ultra Mild Puppy Shampoo
Tearless Formula with a Nice Cherry Scent
If you are looking for a mild-scented shampoo for your dog, then this product by Earthbath is the perfect choice for you. It features a delicious scent of wild cherry which is great for dogs who play a lot and get smelly. It also has the right pH balance to ensure that your dog is perfectly clean and healthy.
This product keeps your dog’s coat shiny and is gentle on a puppy’s sensitive skin. However, do take note that every dog is different, and if you are not sure about how your dog reacts to scented products, try testing the shampoo on a small area first.
Why We Like It:
- 100% biodegradable
- Cruelty-free
- Mild cherry scent
What We Don’t Like:
- Might cause allergic reactions to dogs with very sensitive skin
PET CARE Sciences Natural Puppy Shampoo
Natural Formulation Made of Coconut and Palm Oil
Getting cheap and synthetic shampoos may seem like a good idea at first, but it can lead to dryness and cause allergies on your puppy’s skin. Luckily, Pet Care Sciences’ entry on this list was designed to combat these skin problems. This naturally derived formulation contains aloe, oatmeal, and real coconut oil, making it a natural and safe option for keeping your dog clean.
Additionally, it is sulfate and paraben-free and has no harsh chemicals that could harm your dog. It also has a sweet, fruity scent to keep your pup smelling nice all day long.
Why We Like It:
- Keeps the dog’s coat soft and shiny
- Gentle on puppy’s skin
- No unnecessary and harmful chemicals
What We Don’t Like:
- The smell might be a bit too strong for some
Burt’s Bees All Natural 2-in-1 No Tears Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner
A Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner in One
This puppy shampoo by Burt’s Bees is made of natural ingredients that help to keep your pup’s coat soft without risks of allergies, rashes, and other discomforts. It also has soothing benefits since it contains linseed oil and buttermilk.
As it’s free of any colorants, sulfates, fragrances, petroleum, and other harsh chemicals, this shampoo is perfect for puppies and adult dogs who have sensitive skin.
Why We Like It:
- pH balance fit for dogs of all ages
- Bottles are made with recycled plastic
- All-natural ingredients
What We Don’t Like:
- Doesn’t have a scent
4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoo
The Ideal Formulation for Dry, Itchy, and Sensitive Skin
This hypoallergenic puppy shampoo contains aloe and lemongrass and is a USDA certified organic pet wash. It is sulfate, paraben, and detergent-free, making it a safe choice especially for bathing puppies.
Its moisturizing benefits are perfect for any dog’s skin type, whether they have normal, dry, itchy, sensitive, or allergy-prone skin. The lemongrass helps prevent fleas while the other ingredients keep your dog clean without stripping off any natural oils from his coat.
Why We Like It:
- Non-toxic
- No artificial or synthetic ingredients
- Easy to lather and rinse
What We Don’t Like:
- Some customers complained about its rather thin consistency
Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
A Natural Remedy for Sensitive Skin
This mild, soap-free pet wash from Vet’s Best helps relieve itching on your dog’s sensitive skin while keeping his coats smooth. It comes with hypoallergenic properties and is made of pet-safe ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E. These ingredients help moisturize dry, brittle coats and relieve your pet of any skin discomfort. You can use it as often as needed to get rid of allergens without the risks of drying your dog’s skin.
Why We Like It:
- Moisturizing, itch relief treatment
- Works well with other skin and coat treatments such as tick and flea control products
- Made of organic ingredients
What We Don’t Like:
- Some find it to be very watery
Oster Oatmeal Essentials Natural Shampoo
An Oatmeal Formulation with a Lasting Scent
As a natural and safe ingredient, oatmeal helps prevent allergies, soothes the skin, and keeps it soft and elastic. This pet wash from Oster is made with oatmeal extract, rosemary leaf extract, wheat protein, and other ingredients that can keep your adventurous and playful puppy clean.
It contains no unnatural dyes, parabens, or alcohol that could damage your dog’s skin and coat and affect his health. Aside from that, it has the scent of baby powder to keep your dog smelling fresh.
Why We Like It:
- No irritants or harmful ingredients
- Helps maintain skin elasticity and shine
- pH-balanced for puppies and adult dogs
What We Don’t Like:
- Comes with a baby powder smell to it which some owners don’t like
Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Puppy/Pet Shampoo and Conditioner
Totally Natural, Soap Free Pupper Shampoo & Conditioner
If you are a conscious consumer who prefers to purchase all-natural products for their pets, you might like this Pro Pet Works puppy shampoo and conditioner. It’s made with high-quality ingredients designed to cleanse, soothe and nourish your dog’s skin and coat leaving them comfortable and smelling great.
Sensitive skinned pets will benefit from the lack of harsh ingredients in the product. It has no alcohol, sulfites, colorings, parabens, chemicals or fragrance. Instead it is packed full of organic, nourishing products like aloe vera, almond oil and essential oils. This not only cleanses dry and flaky skin, but locks the moisture in for more comfort after bathing. The dog’s coat is also softer, shinier and smells wonderful following use of the shampoo.
Customers will love that the product is not only cruelty free, but it is also 100% biodegradable and made from recycled materials too.
Why We Like It:
- Cruelty free and eco-friendly
- Free from nasties
- Full of organic, natural ingredients
- Sensitive & soothing
What We Don’t Like:
- May not be as effective at odor removal as some pets need
- Texture is thick and might be tricky to spread
Pets Are Kids Too Oatmeal Anti-Itch Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner
An All-Natural and Hypoallergenic Formulation
Made with organic oatmeal, aloe vera, coconut, and baking soda, this pet shampoo helps provide an instant soothing and itch relief. These natural ingredients also maintain your pooch’s soft and shiny coat.
This puppy shampoo will give your dog a mild, oatmeal cookie scent. It has no parabens, alcohol, and other harmful ingredients, so you are sure that your dog is safe when you use it.
Why We Like It:
- Comes with an anti-itch formulation
- Leaves your dog smelling great
- Includes plant-derived ingredients
What We Don’t Like:
- Some customers complained about the itching on their dog not going away
Pet Pleasant Honeydew Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
An All-Natural and Anti-Itch Oatmeal Shampoo
An all-natural shampoo for puppies and adult dogs, this product by Pet Pleasant provides relief for your dog’s irritated and itchy skin. It contains oatmeal to help soothe flaky and dry skin. It also doubles as an effective and safe deodorizer.
If your dog has sensitive skin, this shampoo is a great choice to remove odor and keep him clean, moisturized, and healthy. It also contains other ingredients such as provitamin B5, jojoba oil, and other conditioning agents that help get rid of tangles, combat irritation, and keep your dog’s coat soft and smooth.
Why We Like It:
- No sulfate and parabens
- Tear-free
- Nourishing ingredients
What We Don’t Like:
- The scent can only last for a short time
FAQs
Q: What is a dog shampoo?
A: Dogs, especially puppies, are playful and adventurous. Aside from playing with their puppy toys, they often tend to wander off and end up in dirty places; therefore, you’re going to have to give them a bath to prevent them from catching any diseases. However, using bath water, a dog brush, and a vacuum for pet hair isn’t enough to protect your pet from germs. This is where dog shampoos enter the picture.
Just like humans, dogs must use certain products to maintain their hygiene. Dog shampoos help clean your pet’s coat by removing germs, fleas, ticks, and other unwanted materials. They also have vitamins and nutrients to keep your dog’s fur moisturized and shiny. If your dog is facing certain skin problems or infections, there are also shampoos available that target these issues.
Q: Can I use human shampoo on my dog?
A: Definitely no. You shouldn’t use human shampoos on dogs. After all, human skin and pet skin have different pH levels, with humans having a pH of 5.5 to 5.6 and pets with a more neutral pH level of around 6.2 to 7.4. Human shampoos were made specifically for more sweat glands and acidic skin. These products can be really harsh on pet skin since they don’t have sweat glands and are thinner than human skin. They can also affect the acidity of your dog’s skin, making him vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Conclusion
Whatever needs your dog may have, there are various product options readily available on the market. When it comes to choosing a shampoo for your dog, if there is one thing you mustn’t do, it’s picking cheap and synthetic shampoos over good quality ones.
The rule of thumb is to try to choose those products with natural ingredients, especially those made of oatmeal, aloe, citrus extracts, vitamins, and other natural ingredients. Be sure to always check the ingredients list before buying any products for your dog. To be safe, it is best that you consult your veterinarian for product recommendations depending on your dog’s needs.
2 Replies to “The Best Puppy Shampoos in 2022”
How do you know these products are tested properly?
Hi Fran,
We don’t. There are currently no mandatory regulations for pet products in the U.S.
For some products, like treats, you may encounter “USDA/FDA approved”, but it’s still a rarity.
All is left is to rely on the brand reputation and reviews of other users. Also, if the product is “Made in the USA”, it improves the chances that the product was properly tested.