Have you been looking for the best pet shampoo for your furry friend? In this review, we highlight the best dog shampoo that will keep your pooch shiny and clean.
Introduction
Let's be honest, dogs deserve the title ‘Man's Best Friend.' When we're feeling distressed, they try to cheer us up; and when we fall ill, they lay beside us. When we get back from work in the evening, they greet us so cheerfully as if we were loved ones returning from the Second World War.
As they give us their best, we too need to treat them like the angels that they are. That entails feeding them, providing them with proper shelter, and bathing them regularly. On that note, many pet owners make the mistake of using human shampoo to clean their dogs. Whether they do this to save on cost or just don't know about the existence of dog shampoos—doing so is unjust and wrong. The pet industry is flooded with shampoos formulated to be gentle on your mutt’s skin.
Using shampoo for humans will strip the dog’s coat of essential oils, which will affect the way it looks. Though it is possible to make homemade dog shampoo like oatmeal dog shampoo, it is best to leave it to the experts, who provide the exact ingredients and natural oils needed to keep their coats shiny and healthy.
At a Glance: Our Choices for the Top 5 Dog Shampoos
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*Note: The links in the table above, as well as several links in the remainder of the article below, will take you to over to Chewy.com where you can find out more information about the products, such as current prices and customer reviews.
Reviews of the Best Dog Shampoo
The top-rated dog shampoos on the market are:
Isle of Dogs Puppy Shampoo
Our Rating
We gave this puppy shampoo formula a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Review
In case you don’t already know, your pup’s skin is way more sensitive than that of the average adult dog. For this reason, you should select a formula efficient enough for a deep clean but mild enough not to irritate his skin. Isle of Dogs was designed with this concept in mind. It constitutes gentle cleansers, which are safe to use on your puppy.
Since this pet shampoo has a tearless formula, it has been approved as a face wash. It means that you don’t have to worry about the product irritating your mutt’s eyes. The Isle of Dogs Puppy Shampoo also leaves behind an orchid fragrance. Customers report that this shampoo keeps their puppies smelling nicely for weeks.
Pros
- Contains no sulfates or parabens
- Mild for a pup’s skin
- Lathers well for deep cleaning
Cons
- The orchid fragrance may be overpowering for some puppies
Our Rating
Review
Dry skin is one of the leading culprits for itching in dogs. The dogs living in areas of low humidity are the most prone to having dry skin. To combat this condition, you should invest in a quality moisturizing shampoo such as the Pet Head for Dry Skin.
This shampoo is made using a unique rehydrating formula—an effective treatment for your dog’s dry and flaky skin. It helps to moisturize and revitalize every inch of your mutt’s skin. The shampoo also boasts of strawberry scent, which provides not only a fragranced bathing experience but also a nutrient-rich one.
Pros
- Suitable for eliminating flakes and rehydrating your dog’s skin
- Relieves dryness and restores natural shine
- Well-selected ingredients for skin nourishment
Cons
- Scent only lasts for a day or two
Our Rating
Review
For those times that your dog decides to go full swing and roll in a pool of animal excrement or something worse, the ordinary shampoos just won’t cut the mustard. It is, therefore, advisable to have a heavy-duty shampoo such as the Veterinary Triple Strength Formula.
As the name suggests, this shampoo has thrice the number active cleansers of its competitors. It is efficient in dealing with the smelliest and dirtiest pets. The shampoo boasts having a unique ‘Dirt Repel’ formula.
The added ingredients that include Aloe Vera and Shea are beneficial in restoring moisture to your dog’s skin and coat while still preserving his natural oils.
Pros
- Effective on dirty dogs
- Excellent moisturizer
- Lathers easily
Cons
- The fragrance does not last a long time
Our Rating
Review
A flea infestation is one of the worst nightmares for any dog owner. Aside from making your dog irritable, these fleas can worm their way into your bedding, furniture, and upholstery. Your best bet at eliminating these pesky creatures is to invest in a high-quality dog shampoo for fleas such as the Ovitrol Plus Flea & Tick.
This shampoo is designed to destroy adult fleas instantly upon contact. It is also efficient in interrupting their life cycle at the pre-adult phases. This way, you do not have to worry about the reemergence of a new generation.
This pleasant-smelling shampoo is also great for moisturizing your dog’s skin while staving off scales and dandruff.
Pros
- 98% of the ingredients are natural
- Provides up to 28 days of flea control
- Can kill ticks, lice, and fleas
- Pleasant subtle scent
Cons
- Is not as effective in preventing a re-infestation
Our Rating
Review
Like any human, dogs also fall prey to seasonal allergies. Some pooches also have excessively sensitive skin. The best dog shampoo for these pets ought to be gentle and hypoallergenic such as Vet’s Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo. Throughout its lifetime, Vet’s Best has been devoted to making all-natural pet grooming products and this shampoo is no exception. It has natural ingredients that include Aloe Vera and vitamin E. These elements will not only help with relieving allergies but also moisturizing dry and brittle coats.
Pros
- Suitable for cleaning and moisturizing your mutt’s skin
- Features a tearless soap-free formula
- Works for dogs with sensitive skin and seasonal allergies
Cons
- The scent might be too strong for some dogs
Why Should You Use Dog Shampoo?
It is sometimes tempting to substitute human shampoo for the dog shampoo, mainly when you did not realize that the latter run out in time. While the occasional improvisation may not affect your dog significantly, it’s always advisable to use shampoos specifically formulated for your pooch.
Primarily, there are two reasons to keep off the human shampoo:
Skin pH levels
First, human shampoo is designed to be slightly acidic so it can clean the skin, which has a pH of about 5.5. In contrast, the skin pH of dogs is alkaline. Ideally, this means that using the acidic human shampoos on dogs will only cause their skin mantle to break. It then makes them susceptible to a variety of bacteria and parasites. Given these facts, we advise pet owners to stick to dog shampoos.
Sensitive Skin
Another aspect to consider is the sensitivity of your mutt’s skin. It’s because their skin has only three to five layers. Conversely, human skin consists of ten to 15 layers and subsequently can tolerate more battering from harsh shampoos. If you use your ordinary shampoo to bathe your dog on multiple occasions, he will end up with dry, itchy skin.
I know that you may want to take a shortcut and just share your shampoo with him. But, if you do this, you will only end up putting him at a risk of bacteria, parasites, and dry skin.
For a more detailed review of the Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo, check out this video:
Conclusion
As explained in our review, it’s advisable to use only dog shampoos for your dog. Using other products will make your dog irritable and vulnerable to bacteria. For the best outcome, consider the dog shampoos that we have reviewed. Aside from nourishing their skin, these products will keep your dog looking clean and smelling fresh.
Want more reviews? Read our post on anti-itch shampoos.
