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Top 9 Best Dog Shampoos of 2021 (Reviews & Smart Guide)

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to maintain your pet’s hygiene. A big part of this is giving your dog baths. What do you use to bathe your dog? Specialized dog shampoo. Here are the top 9 best dog shampoos of 2021! 

Contributing Factors to Picking a Dog Shampoo

The parallels between the needs of humans and dogs when it comes to shampoo are really surprising. You are more like your dog than you thought! A lot of the same things that apply to picking a shampoo for your own hair, fit the process for picking the right product for your dog, as well.

When you’re looking to choose the best shampoo for your furry friend, take a moment to consider the following things:

• Your dog’s age: there are often specific shampoos that are made for puppies and adult dogs.
• The color of your dog’s coat: your dog might need a specific type of shampoo if they have lighter fur.
• Knots and tangles: if your dog’s fur tends to get knotted or matted easily, using a special shampoo might help.
• The shine of your dog’s fur: sometimes a nutrient-packed shampoo is needed to restore your dog’s natural shine.
• Smell: sometimes your dog’s fur may start smelling unpleasantly.
• The condition of your dog’s skin: is your dog’s skin particularly dry with dander?
• Fleas or Ticks: special shampoos are needed to help deal with bugs in your dog’s coat.

Examining these factors in relation to your dog will give you a path on which to start your search for the right shampoo.

SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo

SynergyLabs offers a great dog care product in the form of their special medicated shampoo. This medicated shampoo has been proven to have beneficial results when used on dogs with skin parasites or irritations.

Due to its special formula the shampoo manages to soothe inflamed scalp, clean greasy hair and diminish rashes. Unlike other dog shampoos the SynergyLabs does not use soap or paraben dye.

Price Range: Low

Earthbath All Natural Shampoo

Earthbath is one of the most popular brands available, selling mostly due to its natural formula and efficiency. It uses all-natural ingredients and it is completely soap fre, helping to protect your dog’s skin and preventing various conditions such as irritation or dry skin. This Earthbath All Natural Shampoo is bio-degradable and it is completely safe to use.

Price Range: Low

This is one of the most effective organic pet shampoos for your loyal companion. Oxgord Organic Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner is a quality shampoo for your dog. It is a 100% vegan Pet Wash Shampoo and is an all natural and organic shampoo.

A tear free soap less formula turns bath time into playtime. Its tear free formula is the result of natural oils and extracts that do not irritate or inflame your dogs eyes or nose, ensuring that bath time is a fun and playful experience for you both, although the makers do not guarantee a splash free experience.

Price Range: Low

FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo, 16-Ounce

If you have a big dog, you know they love to shed — and you’d much rather have that shedding be minimized by keeping your dog’s hair healthy. This shampoo is loaded with the nutrients that your dog’s coat needs to stay lush, which means they’ll shed less.

You can use this shampoo as frequently as once per month, which is far more frequently than other dog shampoos. Between the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in this shampoo, your dog’s coat will be noticeably more shiny.

Likewise, the papaya leaf extract and calendula extract are clinically proven to make your dog’s skin more healthy. This means that they won’t have dandruff or any other issues with their hair so long as you make sure they don’t have any ticks.

Find Your Dog The Best Dog Bed here

Cloud Star’s Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint 2 in 1 Shampoo + Conditioner – 16 ounce

Cloud Star’s dog wash shampoo offers great value for the money. This inexpensive shampoo is perfectly fit for owners who have a dog with sensitive skin.

Being an all-natural product, this shampoo protects the skin and helps cure common skin conditions. It has a special formula using coconut oil, vitamin E and various herb extracts, making it safe and efficient.

Price Range: Low

Maple Holistics Vanilla Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

This Maple Holistics dog shampoo is one of the most popular animal care products due to its scent, ingredients and efficiency. It is made only with natural ingredients, making it bio-degradable and safe for your dog.

After just one application, this shampoo will be able to remove most germs and bacteria. Since it also serves as a conditioner, it works to leave the hair silky and smooth.

Price Range: Low

Fresh’n Clean Scented Dog Shampoo

Fresh’n Clean is a popular brand among dog owners. They have affordable products that do not irritate the dog’s skin and which do not cause chemical reactions.

Their shampoo has a long lasting scent as well as antistatic agents which leave your dog’s fur manageable. Using a special formula, the shampoo is able to protect your dog’s skin and maintain its health while removing grease and dust from the fur.

Price Range: Low

Lovely Fresh Dog Shampoo

Lovely Fresh offers a premium shampoo made of the finest ingredients extracted from oatmeal and neem. The formula has soothing and moisturizing effect while still being able to sanitize the skin and remove common germs and bacteria.

Due to the ingredients used, this shampoo does not cause chemical reactions that lead to irritated skin. It also protects the fur, leaving it healthy and flowing.

Price Range: Medium

Oster Oatmeal Naturals

The Oster is an affordable dog shampoo that uses rather popular natural ingredients. With its oatmeal extract and added vitamin B5, this shampoo is able to protect the dog’s skin from chemical reactions, clean it, and remove rashes.

Being a natural product, this shampoo is completely dye free, alcohol free and phosphate free. It comes in an 18 ounce bottle with a mango peach scent and it is made in the US.

Price Range: Price Range: Low

Sogeval Douxo 30 Count Chlorhexidine 3-Percent PS Pads

Sogeval Douxo Chlorhexidine 3 Percent PS Pads are medicated pads that provide topical management of pyoderma and Malassezia. They can be used for the antiseptic cleaning of inter digital areas, chin acne lesions and nasal/lip and other fold pyodermas.

Price Range: Low

Standard vs. Medicated Shampoos: Which Does My Dog Need?

As I’m sure you’re aware from visits to the veterinarian, there are a wide array of dog shampoos. They fall into two main categories — those that are medicated and those that are not. Just as you would visit the doctor if you thought you needed any form of medication, your dog should visit the vet if you feel that they may need medicated shampoo.

Standard dog shampoos are designed to maintain your dog’s skin and fur, however, they are not formulated to aid in the healing of any medical issue. If you notice something about your dog’s skin or fur that looks as if it may need medical attention, it is your duty to get them examined.

Medicated shampoos are generally prescribed by your vet so you will need to bring your dog so that the vet can assess the issue and prescribe the proper medicated shampoo.

Types of Medicated Shampoos

If your dog does indeed require the use of a medicated shampoo, there are many different varieties that your vet may choose to prescribe. There’s not need to feel worried or intimidated about the fact that your dog needs medicated shampoo.

The idea of ‘medication’ sometimes implies sickness, but many medicated shampoos are designed to treat certain conditions that while not serious, will not be managed well with standard shampoos.

Here are some types of medicated shampoos that your vet may prescribe:

• Salicylic Acid Shampoo: these shampoos are antifungal and will help to relieve itching, but are milder than similar options which is good if your dog has more sensitive skin.
• Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoos: shampoos with benzoyl peroxide are used to treat skin conditions which directly affect the hair follicles. These shampoos stain so be careful with your linens when using them!
• Tar and Coal Shampoos: these shampoos work especially well for conditions that cause itching and flaking of your dog’s skin.
• Antimicrobial/Antifungal Shampoos: if your dog’s skin condition is the result of an infection, this is the choice that your vet is likely to make. These shampoos are also used to treat cases of ringworm.
• Selenium Sulphide Shampoos: if your dog has developed a skin condition in which the flaking has become very thick, these shampoos may be your vet’s choice, as they are even stronger than tar and coal shampoos.

Knowing the uses of different medicated shampoos will help to ease your mind a bit when you take your dog to the vet. If your vet tells you that your dog needs a medicated shampoo, it doesn’t mean that your dog is in danger, it simply means that there is a specific formula to help them.

Standard Use Shampoo Types

If your dog is not in need of a medicated shampoo, then you will find a large selection of standard shampoos to choose from. Remember the factors we talked about before, like age and color of your dog’s coat. Many dog shampoos specify factors which they target. This can often help you to make your decision about which shampoo to use on your dog’s skin and fur.

General purpose shampoos are the most common type and simply clean your dog’s skin and fur thoroughly and properly. You will be able to choose between many different scents for general purpose shampoos. Many of them are also formulated with specific ingredients that are meant to enhance your dog’s skin in some way, such as by moisturizing it.

If your dog has especially sensitive skin, then you might want to try using aloe vera shampoo. These shampoos are created to soothe and cool irritated skin. Using this type of shampoo regularly on your dog with sensitive skin can help to manage any discomfort they experience from everyday occurrences.

Do you have a black dog? If so, then black shampoo is what you want. You can also use it on your lighter colored dog, as it provides the benefit of bringing a strong shine to their coat of fur. Remember, if you’re still in the puppy phase with your sidekick, make sure to use shampoos designed specifically for puppies, as they will be gentler and won’t sting your little one’s eyes!

Making the Choice

All of the products reviewed above have something valuable to offer. Regardless of your budget, there is a dog shampoo which will be beneficial to both you and your dog.