Best Dog Shampoo

What to look for in dog shampoos

There are a number of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best shampoo for your dog.

Effectiveness

When choosing a shampoo for your dog, you would want a product that is effective. A shampoo labelled hypoallergenic should not trigger your dog's allergies. Detangling products should be able to condition your dog's coat, allowing you to loosen any knots and tangles. Shampoos formulated for sensitive skin should be gentle but still do a good job at cleaning your pet's skin and coat.

It can be a matter of trial and error as what works for one dog may not necessarily work as well for others, but the best shampoo for your dog is one that's effective at addressing their specific skin concerns.

Do flea shampoos work?

On the subject of effectiveness, do flea or tick shampoos work? There are a number of shampoos and rinses that are labelled for helping relieve heavy flea infestations or short term prevention or removal of ticks. However, these do not provide long lasting protection or coverage by themselves; they may do a quick knockdown of external parasites but without a more effective and long-lasting parasite prevention product, your dog may unfortunately still contract fleas and ticks. Tick paralysis is a potentially fatal condition so it is highly recommended to keep your dogs on a regular, effective flea and tick product to ensure they are well-protected. Find out more in our article on Which Flea and Worming Product Your Dog Needs.

Suitability

Dogs can have different grooming needs depending on a variety of factors.

Breed and coat type are some of the main ones to consider. Curly-coated or long-haired dogs may require more regular grooming while some breeds are more wash-and-wear, requiring only minimal grooming like bathing and brushing.

Age can be another factor; puppies tend to have more sensitive and delicate skin while some senior dogs may have dry or flaky skin, which may be associated with certain health conditions, which are also a whole other story. It's important to choose a shampoo that's suitable for your dog's specific grooming needs and/or appropriate for any skin and coat-related concerns.

Fragrance

Just like human shampoos, dog shampoos come in a variety of different scents and fragrances. Some shampoos may only have a mild, clean scent, while others can have your dog smelling strongly like a garden in bloom for days.

Some dogs may also be sensitive to very strong fragrances which is why many dog shampoos may only contain very minimal fragrance or just a few natural, scented essential oils. It's important to note that humans may also have certain sensitivities to fragrances, so it's important to keep this in mind when choosing a shampoo for your dog.

Cost

We all love a product that's great value for money, and this is true even for dog shampoo! Consider shampoos with bottle sizes appropriate for your dog's size. Certain formulations lather more easily than others, so even a small amount can go a long way.

In addition to this, you would also best factor in how often your dog would actually need to bathe. Short-haired breeds can get away with bathing only every 1-3 months, while dogs with medium to long coats may need a bath every few weeks. Playful, active dogs who like to get down and dirty outdoors may also require more regular washing. Certain skin conditions may also mean your dog would need to be bathed twice a week.