10 Best Dog Shampoos in 2022 (Wahl, Honeydew, and More)

So, what makes a good dog shampoo? Well, it depends on your dog – how big they are, how much fur they have, and what habits they have.

The first step is to think about what you want your dog shampoo to do for dog. Do you want to eradicate as many fleas as possible or simply keep your dog’s fur looking healthy and groomed? In this section, we’ll talk about some common types of shampoo that will help you target you dog’s specific needs. 

General-purpose shampoos get rid of dirt, wash away odor, and add a gleam to your dog’s coat. Compared to other kinds of shampoo, they are pretty affordable. But–don’t forget–they’re made for pups that have healthy skin. If your dog has a condition, steer clear.

Also, many products are formulated with conditioning ingredients to keep your dog's fur soft and knot-free. So consider them if your dog has particularly thick or dry fur. 

Just like the name says: natural shampoos veer away from any chemical ingredients that could irritate your dog’s skin such as parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and artificial fragrances. Instead, they take advantage of nature’s bounty. 

They’re sweet and cool on irritated skin but won’t go after bacteria as aggressively as medicated shampoo. So if your pup has an infection or skin disease, they might actually aggravate the situation.

Most natural shampoos harvest the power of oatmeal. It’s nutritious and can soothe itching as well as relieve allergy symptoms. So opt for a natural formula infused with this ingredient if your dog struggles with itching and scratching.

But keep in mind that oatmeal is technically a grain. So if your dog is allergic to grain, oatmeal can actually trigger allergic reactions.

Aloe vera is another ingredient that can do wonders for your dog's skin! Renowned for its healing and moisturizing properties, it can alleviate itching while keeping your dog's coat healthy and shiny. 

Medicated shampoo is composed mostly of medicinal ingredients and is often used to treat a specific skin condition of your pup. Some products are antiparasitic and designed to battle pesky fleas and ticks, while some are antibacterial to help sterilize greasy-skinned dogs.

So, if you decide to get a medicated shampoo, read the bottle and see if the formula targets the exact condition your pup has. However, the medicinal ingredients might be quite harsh for your dog’s skin, so you should use medicated shampoo sparingly. After your dog’s skin condition has improved, switch over to a regular shampoo.

Also, before purchasing a medicated shampoo, consult with your vet to make sure that it’s truly suitable for your pup. Remember that customer reviews are your best friend as well. Don’t get anything that fellow dog lovers say is irritating or aggravating.

Depending on the breed and other factors such as where they live or spend most of their time, the skin of your dog could be either oily or dry. So, make sure to pick a shampoo that is suitable for her skin.

Air conditioning and heaters can take out a lot of moisture from the air. So your dog is likely to have dry skin if exposed to indoor heating systems all the time. Also, during the cold winter months with low humidity, your dog's skin tends to become drier. 

On the other hand, larger breeds–like Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers–secrete more oil. Hounds and other large canines were often bred for hunting, rescues, and dashes through the icy tundra, so they need the oil to protect them from dirt, rain, and snow.

But if your dog isn’t going to be fording any rivers, then the excess oil won’t just smell. It will actually cause outbreaks. Mitigate this with shampoo meant to calm and treat oily skin. 

Also, avoid comedogenic ingredients like mineral oil and almond oil. They are ultra-moisturizing but might leave your dog's oily skin feeling even greasier. Instead, choose lightweight moisturizers like aloe vera. 

Compared to adult dogs, puppies have more delicate and sensitive skin and require a gentler shampoo. Medicated and antibacterial shampoos are usually not recommended for puppies since they have a strong formula that might actually cause skin irritation. 

If you're worried about any kind of skin issues that your puppy might have, we suggest consulting a vet before purchasing a medicated or antibacterial product. Generally, you should go for a shampoo labeled as "puppy-safe" since it's formulated specifically with puppies in mind. 

There are some products that might work for both puppies and adult dogs. But make sure that your puppy fits into the age range stated on the bottle. 

Get something you can use up in half a year. Shampoos expire, just like anything else, and after six months, your medicated and antibacterial shampoos just aren’t going to be the same. And you probably don’t wash your dog every day, either. Keep that in mind before lugging a huge thing of shampoo all the way home, too.

Now, let’s look at 10 of our favorite dog shampoos. We've picked them based on their shampoo type, ingredients, as well as reviewer satisfaction. So sit down next to your pup, glance through the rest of the article one last time, and get choosing.

Step one, brush your dog before throwing them into the tub. Work through their tangles, pick out leaves and twigs, and dislodge chunks of dirt first, and the shampooing will go much smoother. Then, run lukewarm water over your dog until the coat is saturated.

After you’ve turned off the faucet, give them a once over to make sure there is no residue. Left-over suds could irritate their skin and cause all sorts of diseases, so rinse everything from your dog's coat.

Now, you’ve got to dry your dog off. Get out as much water as you can with a towel, and finish off with a blow dryer. Some of our furry friends hate dryers but remember: if you leave them damp, there is a chance all sorts of microorganisms will start breeding. 

Just make sure the nozzle is always a few inches away, and the dryer is constantly in motion, so you don’t burn your pup.

There are many products that can leave your dog looking sharp and well-groomed. Need some suggestions? Check out our articles! 

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