The 5 best dog shampoos of 2023, according to experts

Best overall: Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Pet Shampoo

Pros: Natural ingredients, soothes and moisturizes skin, does not wash away topical flea and tick treatments, lathers well and rinses easily, free of synthetic fragrances, safe for puppies at least 6 weeks of age

Cons: May not be effective for removing large amounts of dirt

Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Pet Shampoo restores moisture to a dog's skin and leaves their fur feeling soft. It's gently formulated and safe for puppies at least 6 weeks of age, making it our top choice for the best dog shampoos.

The shampoo is especially beneficial for dogs with sensitive skin. Dogs with sensitive skin need a hypoallergenic shampoo, free of ingredients that could irritate the skin. Skin conditions like environmental allergies to dust and pollen can make a dog's skin itchy and extra sensitive. Other substances, such as synthetic fragrances, can also irritate a dog's skin and cause persistent itchiness.

With ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera, the shampoo relieves itchiness and restores the skin's moisture. It is free of ingredients like soap and synthetic fragrances that could cause additional skin irritation or allergy flare-ups. Its fragrance is from natural vanilla and almond oils.

The shampoo is 100% biodegradable, cruelty-free, and will not wash off topical flea and tick treatments.

Best for fleas: Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo with Precor

Pros: Kills all life stages of fleas plus adult ticks and lice on contact, soothes irritated skin, light coconut scent

Cons: Not safe for dogs under 12 weeks old; contains pyrethrins, which are toxic and even fatal to cats

Although the best flea treatments for dogs are preventive medicines like spot-ons, shampoos can provide additional protection from these tiny pests. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo with Precor earned the top spot in our guide to the best flea and tick shampoo for dogs. It kills flea eggs and larvae, adult fleas, ticks, and lice for up to 28 days.

This shampoo contains the insecticides pyrethrins and S-methoprene. Pyrethrins are synthetic insecticides commonly found in flea and tick shampoos. It kills insects by disrupting their nervous system. S-methoprene is an insect growth regulator that prevents flea eggs from reaching adulthood. Because pyrethrins are highly toxic to cats, we recommend Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo for households with felines. It is a shorter-acting shampoo that does not kill lice.

This formula includes oatmeal to soothe skin that's become red and irritated from scratching. It is safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age. The shampoo should be left on for at least five minutes to work most effectively. If your dog has a heavy flea infestation, the manufacturer recommends washing your pup with it every seven to 10 days.

Keep in mind that flea and tick shampoos should be used only when directed by a veterinarian. Skin conditions often have similar symptoms, like redness and irritation, and what looks like a flea problem might be something else, such as a yeast infection. "I normally discourage using a medicated shampoo unless we know what we're treating," says Dr. Karen Todd-Jenkins, a relief veterinarian in Trenton, New Jersey.

Best dry shampoo: Begley's Waterless Pet Shampoo

Pros: Natural ingredients, distributes quickly across the skin and coat, does not leave a residue, 100% biodegradable, cruelty-free

Cons: Sprayer may break, scent is short-lived

There are times when a full bath with one of the best dog shampoos isn't convenient or practical. Begley's Waterless Pet Shampoo is an easy-to-apply, lightly scented shampoo that cleans and deodorizes without drying the skin.

This shampoo for puppies and adult dogs contains a proprietary natural enzyme blend that provides a deep clean by removing the residues of protein, fat, and starch from a dog's fur and skin. It also contains naturally occurring biosurfactants, which are produced by microbes and boost the shampoo's cleaning power.

It is available in four natural, essential oil-based fragrances: lavender, citrus, oatmeal mango, and tea tree. The ingredients are biodegradable, making it a safe choice for dogs and the environment.

The shampoo distributes quickly and easily across a dog's skin and coat and doesn't leave any residue after it's wiped off with a towel. For the face, the manufacturer recommends spraying the shampoo on a damp cloth first and then gently rubbing the face, carefully avoiding a dog's eyes.

"Waterless shampoos are often helpful in specific situations, such as after surgery when a dog's incision site has to stay dry," says Dr. Cherese Sullivan, a relief veterinarian in Houston, Texas. Dogs that suffer from incontinence or don't like being bathed can also benefit from the quick cleaning provided by a waterless shampoo. These shampoos are also a good option when there's a long time between grooming appointments.

Be mindful that waterless shampoos might not provide the same level of cleaning that a bath with one of the best dog shampoos can provide. Todd-Jenkins says that bathing a dog with water and shampoo does a superior job of mechanically removing dirt and debris from the fur.

Best for puppies: Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo

Pros: Tear-free formula, natural and organic ingredients, does not wash away topical flea and tick treatments, free of soap, lathers and rinses well, safe for puppies at least 6 weeks of age

Cons: Cherry scent may be off-putting

Unlike other puppy shampoos we considered that contained synthetic ingredients, Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo uses natural ingredients to clean, condition, and detangle, making it our top choice among the best dog shampoos for puppies.

A puppy's skin is more sensitive than an adult dog's skin. Because of this, puppy shampoos are formulated to be extra-gentle while still being effective at cleaning and moisturizing the skin and coat. This shampoo contains ingredients such as aloe vera and various vitamins to moisturize and nourish a puppy's skin and coat.

The shampoo is safe for puppies at least 6 weeks of age and does not wash off topical flea and tick treatments. For the first few weeks of life, puppies have trouble regulating their body temperature, so they can get cold easily. Because of this, it is recommended that puppies not be bathed until they are at least 6 to 8 weeks old when they're better at regulating their body temperature.

Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo lathers well and rinses easily, which helps if you have a squirmy puppy that doesn't like to hold still for a long bath. The gentle, tear-free formula will not sting a puppy's eyes, but it's a good idea to take extra care to avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth when bathing a dog.

Best whitening: Chris Christensen White on White Whitening Treatment Shampoo

Pros: Free of bleaching ingredients, gentle formula does not irritate the skin, lathers and rinses easily, light scent, can be used on all coat colors, lasts up to 4 weeks

Cons: May leave a purple tint on the fur if not used properly, puppies may not sit still for the 10 minutes that the product must stay on

Dogs with white fur need more than just regular shampoo. They need a shampoo that also removes discoloring stains, like urine and food, that are more obvious on white coats.

Chris Christensen White on White Shampoo for Pets whitens and brightens a dog's fur for four weeks without relying on harsh chemicals like bleaching agents. It also removes yellow stains and provides a deep clean. As a bonus, the shampoo can be used on dogs with any coat color to increase the fur's luster.

Whitening shampoos are primarily classified as bluing, enzymatic, or clarifying. Bluing shampoos, also called optical brighteners, contain blue or purple color enhancers that absorb and reflect light to hide stains. Enzymatic shampoos break down proteins that cause discoloration. Clarifying shampoos strip dirt from the hair cuticles.

This shampoo has a purple color that provides an optical brightening effect. It should be left on for up to 10 minutes; if left on longer, it may leave a slight purple tint on the fur.

Although the shampoo's formula is gentle, the manufacturer recommends testing the shampoo in a small skin area if a dog has allergies. It is safe for puppies at least 16 weeks of age and adult dogs.

What to look for in a dog shampoo

When you're shopping for a dog shampoo, there are several things to keep in mind.

• Ingredients: Look for shampoos that contain 100%, or nearly 100%, natural ingredients. These ingredients are less likely to cause irritation.
• Age and safety for puppies: Make sure the shampoo you use is labeled for your dog's age. If a recommended age isn't clearly stated on the label, we recommend contacting the manufacturer for the information.
• Scent: Natural, light fragrances are best. This ensures both you and your dog aren't put off by powerful scents.
• Purpose: Shampoos are formulated for specific needs. A simple cleansing and moisturizing shampoo, like our top pick, is suitable for most dogs. But if you're looking to prevent and treat fleas, brighten your dog's white coat, or treat a particular skin condition, the shampoo should be labeled for that use. If your dog has a skin condition, it's best to check with your veterinarian before choosing a shampoo; for certain conditions, they may recommend one of the best medicated shampoos for dogs.

How we selected the best dog shampoos

We consulted with two veterinarians to learn more about dog shampoos. While they didn't provide specific recommendations, they shared their clinical expertise regarding how dog shampoos can be used for different purposes. We also researched how dog shampoos work.

Here are the selection criteria that we used to evaluate the best dog shampoos:

• Ingredients: We analyzed the ingredients list of each shampoo to identify natural and synthetic ingredients. Preference was given to shampoos that contained natural ingredients that are gentle on a dog's skin.
• Age: Except for puppy shampoos, shampoos were rated higher if they were safe for puppies and adult dogs. They were rated lower if they were for use only in adult dogs or did not specify an age group or life stage on the product label.
• Ease of use: We read customer reviews to determine how convenient it was to use the shampoos. For example, more preference was given to shampoos that lathered and rinsed out well than those that lathered poorly.
• Scent: Shampoos with light, long-lasting scents were rated more highly than shampoos with an off-putting or short-lived scent.
• Purpose: Shampoos that delivered on their claims, according to customer reviews, were rated more highly than those that were not as effective as promised.
• Safety for puppies: Preference was given to shampoos that were safe for puppies over those that were only for adult dogs or did not indicate safety for puppies on the product label.

Dog shampoo FAQs

Can I use human shampoo on a dog?

The short answer is no. The skin has a pH, which indicates how acidic something is: the lower the pH, the more acidic. The pH of human skin is approximately 5, while canine skin pH is slightly higher (5.5 to 7.5), meaning that human skin is more acidic than canine skin. Shampoo for human skin is too acidic for a dog's skin and could irritate a dog's eyes. "In general, I advise pet owners to use pet-specific shampoos whenever possible," says Todd-Jenkins.

What is the best type of shampoo for my dog?

That depends on various factors, such as your dog's skin and coat health. For example, if your dog has dry and itchy skin from environmental allergies, a shampoo for sensitive skin would be a good choice. If you live in an area with abundant fleas and ticks, a flea and tick shampoo could accompany your dog's flea and tick preventive. Puppies need specific puppy shampoo that is formulated for their extra-sensitive skin. Your veterinarian can help you determine the type of shampoo that would be best for your dog.