Every dog and its owner is different, but something that unites us all is the dreaded bath time. We like our pups to be clean, especially after a muddy walk, but each dog needs shampoo to suit them specifically.
Some of you may have puppies who aren’t used to being washed, a dog with sensitive skin or maybe your furry friend has a really thick coat that gets matted by its dog collar. We aren’t all groomers, so you’re not alone if you’re stuck on how to handle your unique pooch’s shampoo selection.
With so many to choose from and so many categories, it can be hard to know what’s best for your dog. Luckily, WhatsTheBest is here to help. We’ve done the hard work for you and found the best dog shampoos for whatever man’s (or woman's) best friend needs.
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The best dog shampoos:
1. Watermans Luxury Pet Shampoo 250ml

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This vegan pet shampoo from Watermans ticks a lot of boxes, and is a great price for what you get. Tested by humans (and not on animals), this vegan shampoo has anti-fur fall technology, contains a whole host of wonderful ingredients to soothe your dog's skin and leaves their fur looking silky, shiny and smelling great. A premium formula, it's pH balanced, helps to prevent fleas, is sulphate-free and is suitable for dogs with sensitive skin.
Pros: Vegan, kind to skin and smells amazing
Cons: A more expensive option
Tried and tested, Jade Moscrop, Deputy Commercial Content Editor: "I've used Watermans human shampoo on my own hair, so I was expecting big things from its pet range. This shampoo smells divine, a little goes a long way and it left my Alaskan Malamute's fur feeling wonderfully soft and knot-free. I love that it contains ingredients to soothe itchy skin and I think he's been malting less since we started using it. Love it!"
2. HOWND Yup You Stink Natural Shampoo
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For the dog who likes to play dirty. With its 'grime-busting' formula and conditioning ingredients, this shampoo will give your dog a really deep clean after an active day. It's suitable for all breeds.
Pros: Controls odour and is gentle on skin.
Cons: For the full effect, it needs to be massaged into the coat so it might not work for wriggly dogs that can't be held during bath time.
Review: "This shampoo will last, you only need to use a little to wash your pooch. It will leave your pooches hair soft to touch and looking glossy. The smell is gorgeous, the sort of aroma you'd be happy to have on yourself. There is also a matching Body Mist spray to use between baths to keep that just groomed look, feel and smell."
3. I Heart Pet Head Dirty Talk Shampoo
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This will freshen and deodorise your dog's coat, leaving it fuller and shiny. It's effective at giving a thorough clean but is gentle on your pup's skin.
Pros: We just love the fresh and fruity scent.
Cons: This might not be the choice for owners looking for an intensive clean after a long walk, and it's a more expensive option.Review: "I used this for the second time on my dog a couple of days ago, and both times, it left him smelling lovely and so so soft! It's been a week, and he's still just as soft as the day I used it. He also seemed quite happy with it, and it didn't irritate his skin, so all happy paws from us! Smells super nice, fast delivery and good value for money, you get a lot from the product!"
4. HOWND Playful Pup Conditioning Shampoo
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This is specially formulated for puppies and is pH balanced. It contains argan oil, aloe and pro-vitamin B5 to protect and moisturise your young pup's fur.
Pros: It's nice and gentle for young dogs.
Cons: Not suitable for older dogs.
Review: "Delightful shampoo. As a professional groomer who has just had the joy of getting a pup, I know the importance of using natural ingredients on any of your pets, but it seems more important when they're puppies. This lathered beautifully, and when dry, she smelt lovely, and everyone who has met her had commented on how soft she is. Very glad I went with my instinct and purchased from Hownd again."
5. ExmaRrd Deep Cleansing Shampoo
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Sometimes dogs can get dry, scaly and very itchy skin which isn't pleasant. This shampoo has a triple action formula that combats this and deeply cleanses.
Pros: Leaves your dog's coat in beautiful condition.
Cons: Won't be a good choice for dogs with an oilier coat.
Review: "This a great product and a good price. It is the only dog shampoo that I have found that really stops dry and flakey skin. Would highly recommend to buy."
6. Herbal Dog Co. Dog and Puppy Flea Repellent Shampoo
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With a mix of pampering and protection, this shampoo uses natural ingredients to repel nasties like fleas. It's suitable for all breeds and ages, too.
Pros: It combines soothing chamomile and lavender with neem oil, which is a natural insect repellent.
Cons: If you and your pooch are sensitive to herbal smells, you might not get along with this one, and it's a more expensive option.Review: "This really works. Instant relief for my dog. Great to keep on top of the situation. A much better choice than the pipettes you can buy."
7. Animology Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo
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Sometimes dogs get fleas and ticks, although we know it's a nightmare. This will help wash them out and condition the coat.
Pros: It's easily rinsed and will reduce irritation.
Cons: Can't be used for regular washes.
Review: "Wow - this has got to be the best shampoo I've ever used. We watched the fleas ping off and down the drain - I don't know what's in this stuff but, the fleas hate it. Both dogs coats are shiny and clean."
8. Herbal Dog Co. Rosemary Deep Clean Natural Antibacterial Shampoo
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This will keep your dog super clean and smelling fresh. It also adds a beautiful shine to the coat. Sometimes it's the peace of mind knowing your dog is sanitarily cleaned that can make all the difference.
Pros: It smells amazing and is made organically.
Cons: It can cause irritation if it gets into your dog's inner ear, and it's a more expensive option.Review: "Lovely fresh-scented shampoo. It makes the coat quicker to dry & very soft. Using in conjunction with the other Herbal Dog Co. Yeast products, working well so far."
9. Animology Fox Poo Deodorising Shampoo
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This shampoo is a godsend for dogs who like to roll around in the mud and other gross things. It breaks down dirt and oily substances and removes bad odours your dog might have picked up.
Pros: It's easy and quick to rinse, which is very helpful when you're washing out some pretty nasty stuff. It's also amazing value.
Cons: A rare occurrence, but there aren't any with this fantastic product.
Review: "Having a dog who will roll in most things smelly, I look for a product which really does 'do what it says on the tin' I tried several other products which claimed to get rid of the smelliest of smells, but the dog just smelt of flowers AND poo! Animology Fox Poo shampoo doesn't just mask the noxious odour but rids the coat of the substance that caused the smell in the first place. The residual smell after bathing is mild and pleasant. My dog is short-haired and I haven't tried it on a long-haired pooch!
10. Animology Curly Coat Shampoo
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Curly coated breeds are lovely but they are prone to tangles, unfortunately. The ingredients in this shampoo will detangle as it deeply cleans your dog's fur.
Pros: We just love the use of oatmeal and shea butter extract so the coat is left super soft.
Cons: If you have other breeds in your household, they might not benefit as much from this.
Review: "I've used alot of dog shampoos and never found the right one until now, best shampoo ever for curly coat my dogs so shiny and soft and smells beautiful, definitely recommend."
11. Pets at Home Shed Control Shampoo
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Every dog owner knows that our furry friends shed a little, but sometimes it happens too often or gets out of control. This mildly scented shampoo reduces shedding and moulting by strengthening your dog's coat.
Pros: Contains extra conditioner to make the coat nice and healthy.
Cons: Not suitable for hypoallergenic dogs.
Review: "This shampoo is go good. My pup was shedding badly. Literally, after one wash, it's done the trick. Really nice smell afterwards, too. Follow the instructions and works a treat."
12. Groom Room Brightening Blueberry Shampoo
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This shampoo is made specifically to clean and brighten pups with white coats. The blueberry scent is also a bonus.
Pros: This doesn't just enhance the coat's colour; it deeply cleans and deodorises. It's also made in collaboration with professional groomers, which is very reassuring.
Cons: This won't work on the majority of dog breeds.
Review: "This shampoo is amazing. My dog has a lot of white in her coat, and it gets dirty quickly. This shampoo does exactly what it says. Her cost is so white and very soft, and she smells nice too. Great product."
13. Wildwash Dog Shampoo For Dark Coats
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This ethically made shampoo is perfect for dark or greasy coats and is pH balanced for the skin. Your darker coloured pooch will have gorgeous, shiny fur after you use this on them.
Pros: It's vet approved and has no nasties or harsh chemicals included.
Cons: It's not recommended for dogs with dry skin and is an expensive option.Review: "Worked a dream on my elderly greasy Border Terrier. Would highly recommend."
14. Groomers Choca-doodle Chocolate Delight
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We had to include this yummy smelling shampoo. What owner doesn't secretly want a two-in-one conditioning shampoo for their dog that smells like a sweet treat?
Pros: Detangles and makes the coat easier to brush.
Cons: Specifically formulated for poodle crosses so not suitable for all breeds. R
eview: "Not a strong chocolatey smell which I am pleased with! The shampoo leaves my Cockapoo"s coat shiny and glorious! Less tangles as well! I am extremely impressed with this shampoo."
Related: The best dog drying coats
We love our dogs but sometimes a full wash doesn’t fit into our busy schedules. There’s no need to worry, though, as there are some great dog dry shampoo options to tide you over until the next bath time. Here are a couple of our favourites:
Best dog dry shampoos:
1. Espree Perfect Calm Lavender Waterless Bath Shampoo
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Made with organic aloe vera, this will remove dirt and smells from your pup's coat.
Pros: It's made to soothe anxiety so is a great alternative for dogs who aren't keen on getting wet.
Cons: Won't help with tangled fur or deeply embedded mud.
2. Pets at Home deodorising no rinse shampoo for puppies
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This is gentle for your puppy but also ultra-hygienic as it directly tackles germs.
Pros: Leaves a long-lasting fresh smell.
Cons: It's only for puppies and doesn't tackle tangles.
How often should you bathe a dog?
It is recommended that you bathe your dog every four weeks. However, the frequency of washing your pet may be different for each dog.
Wendy Weinand, manager, pet services grooming education for Petco, says that it is best to wash your dog every four weeks. “This will help to keep their skin and coat clean and keep their natural oils spread out to help condition,” she says.
Eve Miller is a Commercial Content Writer for WhatsTheBest with a love for writing, film, and beauty.
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