The Best Dog Shampoos

Use a shampoo made for dogs, not your own. Our top pick is the earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Itch Relief Shampoo (Fragrance Free), a soap-free, pH-balanced formula for dry, itchy or sensitive skin. Below are four more picks for deep cleaning, dry skin and sensitive skin.

Our picks at a glance

• Best overall: earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Itch Relief Shampoo - Fragrance Free
• Best for deep cleaning: TropiClean Berry + Coconut Deep Cleansing Shampoo
• Best for all coat lengths: Groomer’s Best Extra Gentle Soothing Oatmeal Shampoo
• Best for dry skin: Wahl Dog Shampoo - Oatmeal Formula
• Best for sensitive skin: Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo

The best dog shampoos

Best overallPhoto: earthbath

Dog shampoos

earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Itch Relief Shampoo - Fragrance Free

Best for: Dogs with dry, itchy or sensitive skin

It uses colloidal oatmeal (finely ground oats) and organic aloe vera, and the maker says it is soap-free and pH-balanced. It has no added fragrance, which suits dogs that react to scents. The maker says it is for pets over 6 weeks old. Skip it if you want a shampoo that leaves a smell behind.

• Pro: Colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera
• Pro: Soap-free, pH-balanced and fragrance-free
• Pro: Won't interfere with topical flea treatments, per the maker
• Con: Fragrance-free, so it won't leave a scent
• Con: A shampoo can't treat the cause of itching

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Best for deep cleaningPhoto: TropiClean

Dog shampoos

TropiClean Berry + Coconut Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Best for: Muddy or smelly dogs with healthy skin

This is a pH-balanced shampoo with a mild coconut cleanser and a rich lather. It also has colloidal oatmeal, aloe juice and vitamin E. The maker says to massage it in for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse fully. It is scented, so skip it for a dog that is sensitive to fragrance.

• Pro: Mild coconut cleanser with colloidal oatmeal, aloe juice and vitamin E
• Pro: pH-balanced with a rich lather
• Pro: Made in the USA
• Con: Scented, so not ideal for dogs sensitive to fragrance
• Con: Not a medicated shampoo

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Best for all coat lengthsPhoto: Hartz

Dog shampoos

Groomer's Best Extra Gentle Soothing Oatmeal Shampoo

Best for: Itchy dogs with short, long or mixed coats

Hartz made this for dogs with itchy, irritated skin and says it suits all hair lengths. It is free of sulfates, parabens and alcohol, and it is pH-balanced. The maker says to check with a vet if the skin is swollen or scabbed. It has a buttermilk scent, so it may not suit scent-sensitive dogs.

• Pro: Free of sulfates, parabens and alcohol
• Pro: pH-balanced
• Pro: Flip-top bottle that dispenses with the cap facing down
• Con: Has a buttermilk scent
• Con: Maker says to ask a vet first if skin is swollen or scabbed

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Best for dry skinPhoto: Wahl USA

Dog shampoos

Wahl Dog Shampoo - Oatmeal Formula

Best for: Dogs with dry, itchy skin

Wahl combines oatmeal, coconut, lime, aloe and lemon verbena. It is pH-balanced, alcohol-free, paraben-free and PEG-80-free. The maker says it rinses off easily without residue. It is a scented, everyday shampoo, not a treatment for skin disease.

• Pro: Oatmeal, coconut, lime, aloe and lemon verbena
• Pro: pH-balanced, alcohol-free, paraben-free and PEG-80-free
• Pro: Rich lather that rinses off easily
• Con: Scented
• Con: Not made for treating skin conditions

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Best for sensitive skinPhoto: Vet's Best

Dog shampoos

Vet's Best Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo

Best for: Dogs with sensitive or flaky skin

This gentle mix of aloe vera, provitamin B5, allantoin and vitamin E is made for dry, flaky and sensitive skin. It is paraben-free and sulfate-free, and the maker says it can be used as often as needed. It is for dogs 12 weeks and older, so skip it for younger puppies.

• Pro: Aloe vera, provitamin B5, allantoin and vitamin E
• Pro: Paraben-free and sulfate-free
• Pro: For dogs 12 weeks and older
• Con: Only one size listed (16 oz)
• Con: Not for dogs under 12 weeks

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How to choose a dog shampoo

Use a shampoo made for dogs

The AKC says to avoid human shampoo. Its pH won’t be right for a dog, and it can irritate the skin. Look for a label that says it is made for dogs.

Match the shampoo to the coat

The AKC notes that single-coated dogs, like Greyhounds, may need baths less often. Double-coated dogs, like Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, need a shampoo that reaches through the thick undercoat to the skin.

Look at the ingredients

The AKC suggests soap-free shampoos that soothe and hydrate the skin and coat. It lists aloe vera, oatmeal, vitamin E and coconut oil as helpful ingredients. It also says to avoid artificial fragrances, parabens and dyes, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. If your dog is sensitive, a fragrance-free formula is an easy place to start.

Know when to ask your vet

The AKC says vets recommend medicated shampoos for specific needs, such as itching, fungus or bacteria. If your dog scratches a lot or has sore skin, talk to your vet before picking a shampoo yourself.

Safety tips

• Read the label for age limits. The picks above list different minimum ages, from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. Hartz says its shampoo is for dogs of all ages.
• Keep shampoo out of eyes and mouth. Wahl’s label says to avoid contact with the eyes and mouth.
• Rinse well. The AKC says to rinse again even when you think all the suds are gone.
• Check flea treatments. Some makers say their shampoo won’t wash off topical flea products. Read the label before bath day.
• Call your vet about skin problems. Swollen, scabbed or very itchy skin needs a vet visit, not just a new shampoo.