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When you choose your own shampoo, it’s not — or shouldn’t be — without considering factors like hair type and skin sensitivity. The same is true when shopping for a dog shampoo, according to the experts we spoke with. From delicate skin to high-shed coats, every dog has unique needs that, along with the purpose of any bath, should inform your search for a shampoo, explains veterinarian Dr. Liz Bales. “Is your goal to wash off the mud they just rolled in? Do they have a bacterial infection you need to control? Are they itchy? Do they have fleas? Do they smell bad? All these problems require different shampoos,” Bales says. In speaking to her and four other vets and groomers, we heard from many that it’s hard to name one shampoo as the best for all dogs in all situations. But depending on the needs of your dog and what you’re hoping to get from bath time — whether a healthier coat, a better smell, or less itching — they do have recommendations for everyday shampoos and stronger, medicated options to treat more serious conditions.
As a general rule, Dr. Jamie Richardson, the medical chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary, says you should look for shampoos with ingredients known to be sensitive on skin to minimize any unwanted irritation. According to her, such ingredients include aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal, avocado oil, marshmallow root, and coconut oil. Richardson warns to steer clear of shampoos that are too heavily scented because “dogs have much more sensitive noses than humans.” Bales adds that the effectiveness of any shampoo hinges on using proper bathing techniques, reminding dog owners not to just squirt a product onto a dog’s hair or fur. “Would you just dump shampoo right onto your scalp? No, you put it in your hands first. The same consideration should be used for your dog,” she says, because most shampoos, especially medicated ones, also tend to be highly concentrated. The experts note to rinse off all shampoo thoroughly after a bath, ensuring there are no leftover suds, before drying a dog off all over — including “the ears and any skin folds to avoid infections,” says Richardson. Read on for the nine shampoos our experts recommend, which include formulas for everyday cleansing, freshening up coats, treating itchy skin, and more. While none of the shampoos require a prescription, it’s always a good idea to consult with your vet before trying a new one to ensure it won’t lead to any unwanted surprises.
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While Earthbath isn’t exactly expensive, Burt’s Bees is even cheaper and contains just-as-good ingredients that veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Liff, the medical director at Pure Paws Vet Care in New York City, calls “fairly clean.” (Burt’s Bees claims the product is 99.7 percent natural.) The shampoo’s nonirritating formula consists of beeswax, honey, and colloidal-oat flour, which work together to calm skin while gently cleansing it and leaving behind a pleasant oatmeal scent.
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As Richardson notes, heavily scented shampoos can be too potent for dogs because of their superior sense of smell. Schechter says Aesop’s shampoo has a light enough scent that’s still perceptible, recommending it to anyone who wants a “higher-end product with an amazing finish.” The mild formula contains ingredients like lemon rind and tea-tree leaf, which give the shampoo its fragrance while also calming skin as the product cleanses dirt and grime. Those looking for an all-natural shampoo should know this isn’t: It contains sodium laureth sulfate, a common chemical detergent used for its foaming properties. Strategist newsletter editor Mia Leimkuhler uses this on her miniature schnauzer, Reggie, telling us it keeps him clean and smelling very nice. (Leimkuhler occasionally uses the shampoo on herself, too: “Incidentally, it also works really well as a human bodywash,” she says.)
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Richardson explains that this dog shampoo from Ouai has “aloe vera for moisture and conditioning” skin along with a lot of ingredients that promote a healthy coat, including “hydrolyzed vegetable protein to help improve fur strength and elasticity to fight breakage, and rambutan-seed extract to help protect fur from pollution while hydrating the skin underneath.” She’s also impressed by what it doesn’t include: gluten, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, which are all known irritants to pets and humans. The formula will not only help clean a dog’s coat and keep it healthy, but also adds a nice shine that makes Fido look freshly groomed.
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It’s important to consult your vet before incorporating any topical product into your dog’s routine, but especially so before trying any of the medicated shampoos on our list. Richardson says this shampoo is “my favorite product for pets diagnosed with allergic skin conditions or simply those that have sensitive, dry, and mildly itchy skin,” while Schechter notes that “it really helps soothe irritated skin during allergy season.” Among its ingredients is ophytrium, which the vets say helps restore and improve the skin barrier. This, they explain, will make a dog’s skin less prone to irritation, preventing problems such as bacterial infections or excessive itching from occurring. While it has a subtle cocoa and vanilla fragrance, the shampoo is hypoallergenic, so it shouldn’t irritate a dog’s skin or nose.
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Liff told us about this medicated shampoo that is actually a bit stronger than the ones from Douxo and Virbac because it has two active ingredients: chlorhexidine gluconate, an antiseptic, and miconazole nitrate, which treats fungal infections. (Neither is a stranger to humans: Chlorhexidine gluconate is found in some mouthwashes and miconazole nitrate is used to clear up things like athlete’s foot.) She recommends it for dogs with fungal infections or severe bacterial infections that won’t seem to go away or haven’t been treated for a long period of time. Liff describes the texture as “a bit thicker than a regular shampoo,” but ensures it still rinses off easily, adding that this offers “lasting benefits, even after it is rinsed off the skin,” including helping to keep dogs less itchy for longer periods of time. Because it is stronger than the others, you again should talk to your vet about proper dosage before you use it (or if you even need it at all).