Cleaning your mucky pup at the end of an outdoor adventure isn’t always the easiest of jobs, which is why it’s important to have the best dog shampoos for cleaning them up in your dog grooming products kit. Of course, bathing isn’t an activity that has to be saved after your dog has rolled in something dirty and smelly. It’s important to give your pup a wash regularly to prevent a build-up of dirt and debris forming and skin conditions from developing.
Just like human hair, dog fur comes in all different styles, lengths and thicknesses. That's why choosing the best dog shampoos to clean your pooch is just as important as using the right dog grooming scissors for trimming their hair type. You can get shampoos for dogs that are made specifically for light or dark-coloured coats to ensure they’re looking their absolute best as well as shampoos that will help you tackle the tangles on curly-haired pooches.
Best dog shampoos at a glance:
• Best overall dog shampoo: Animology Fox Poo Deodorising Shampoo – view on Amazon UK
• Best dog shampoo for itchy skin: ExmaRrd Deep Cleansing Shampoo – view on Pets At Home
• Best dog shampoo for puppies: Mikki Puppy Shampoo – view on Amazon UK
There are other reasons to bathe your pooch regularly with the best dog shampoos. If you’re battling with fleas and ticks, you can get dog flea shampoos to help get rid of the pesky pests and help prevent them from coming back again. If your dog is prone to itchy skin or has skin sensitivities, regularly bathing them with a sensitive shampoo can help to calm down their skin and provide them with some soothing relief.
We know that not every dog is a fan of being bathed, but with the best dog shampoos for the job and plenty of encouragement and rewards, you can make bath time an enjoyable experience for both you and your pooch. You can take a look at our top picks for shampoos for dogs below.
Best dog shampoos
Best overall dog shampoo
AmazonOur top pick for dog shampoos is the Animology Fox Poo Deodorising Shampoo. If your dog loves to roll around in mud or manages to come in wreaking of nasty odours, then this shampoo is an absolute blessing. It breaks down dirt and oily substances and removes bad odours that your pup might have picked up on their adventures.
Customer review: "This is worth every penny. If you have a dog who loves to roll, buy this stuff, you won't regret it."
Pros
- Deodorising to help remove bad odours, including fox poo
- Breakdowns dirt and oily substances
Cons
- Some reviewers expected it to lather up more
Best dog shampoo for itchy skin
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
If your dog has dry, scaly and or very itchy skin then this ExmaRrd Deep Cleansing Shampoo offers a triple-action formula that aids any sensitivities and deeply cleanses their coat. As it's a concentrated shampoo, you'll need to add 20 to 30ml to an equal volume of water before massaging into your dog's coat.
Customer review: "I would totally recommend this my dog always scratches after her bath or when she been to the groomer so when I washed her in this I expect her to scratch but not one scratch I will now only ever buy this."
Pros
- Leaves the coat in beautiful condition
- Gentle on skin
Cons
- Doesn't smell as nice compared to other shampoos
Best dog shampoo for puppies
AmazonA puppy's skin is super sensitive when they're young so making sure you've got a shampoo that will be kind to their skin is important. The Mikki Puppy Shampoo has a gentle and mild formulation that's perfect for pups. It was a beautiful passion fruit and peach scent that will leave your puppy's coat soft and smelling deliciously fruity.
Customer review: "Washed puppy and scent has stayed for all most a week"
Pros
- Gentle formula
- Fruity scent
Cons
- Avoid getting it in your pup's eyes as it can irritate them
Best dog flea shampoo
Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
With a mix of pampering and protection, this pH balanced, deep cleaning and soothing Animology Flea and Tick Dog Shampoo will help wash those nasties out while conditioning your pooch's coat. Ridding of both fleas and ticks using neem and tea tree oil, the formula is both natural and vegan and great for pups with sensitive skin, too.
Customer review: "Having seen reviews saying the fleas were jumping off other reviewers' dogs, I thought, ooh wow, got to try this, so I showered my pooch. My pooch is happy now and not itching HURRAY, so I must give top marks. The smell is quite a medium-strength eucalyptus kind of scent. My poochy didn't mind it at all."
Pros
- Kills fleas and ticks on contact
- Soothing with natural ingredients
Cons
- One reviewer felt the shampoo didn't deodorise for long
Best sensitive dog shampoo
AmazonThe Mikki Sensitive Skin Dog Shampoo is a great choice if your pooch has skin sensitivity or is prone to itching. It has a mild formula that is designed to be non-irritating as it contains an extract of Aloe Vera, which is known for its soothing properties. As it's fragranced with aloe and bamboo, your dog will be smelling squeaky clean in no time when you use this shampoo.
Customer review: "One of my dogs has very sensitive skin, the littlest thing can bring out hot spots and rashes, but since ive been using this, and telling my groomer to also use this, we have had no problems at all. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Contains Aloe Vera extract to soothe sensitive skin
- Mild, non-irritating formula
Cons
- One customer reviewer found it to be watery
Best antibacterial dog shampoo
AmazonAnother great option for dogs prone to skin sensitivities, the Bugalugs Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin is packed full of ingredients to soothe your dog's stressed skin. Antibacterial, antifungal and perfectly PH balanced, the tea tree and oatmeal formula will relax and treat a dog with cracked skin to provide them with some calming relief.
Customer review: "Arrived quickly, we used it straight away and my dog felt better and less itchy immediately. It’s a big bottle so plenty for future use."
Pros
- Great to use on dogs with cracked skin
- Big bottle so will last a while compared to others
Cons
- Some reviewers didn't like the scent
Best dog shampoo for curly fur
AmazonIf your dog is a curly-coated breed, you will know that their fur can turn out full of tangles. However, the ingredients in the Animology Curly Coat Shampoo will detangle it completely. It's enriched with conditioners, oatmeal and shea butter to make light work of those difficult-to-remove knots to make grooming easier on both you and your pooch.
Customer review: "I've used a lot 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 it."
Pros
- The combination of oatmeal and shea butter will leave your pooch's mane super soft
- Mild yet deep cleaning formula
Cons
- Doesn't work as well on dogs with a straight coat
Best dog shampoo for light-coloured coats
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
If your pup has got a white or light-coloured coat, you'll know how susceptible it is to staining. This blueberry-scented Groom Room Brightening Shampoo is made especially to cleanse and polish pups with white coats so they'll stay brighter for longer. This shampoo deep cleans, deodorises and has an easy to rinse formula.
Customer 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."
Pros
- Enhances a light coat's colour and helps with staining
- Deeply cleans and deodorises fur
Cons
- Won't have the same effects on dark coloured coats
Best dog shampoo for dark-coloured coats
AmazonIf your pooch has dark or greasy fur, this pH balanced Wildwash Dog Shampoo For Dark Coats will give your darker coloured dog lush, shiny fur. It's a very concentrated formula - the 300ml bottle is equivalent to 10 litres when diluted. Giving at least 10 washes for a big dog and 20 washes for a small dog.
Customer review: "Worked a dream on my elderly greasy Border Terrier. Would highly recommend."
Pros
- Made using natural ingredients with no harsh chemicals
- Helps to prevent excess shedding and hair loss
Cons
- It's not advised for dogs with dry skin
Best dog shampoo for after muddy walks
AmazonThis HOWND Yup You Stink Dog Shampoo for Smelly Dogs is for properly messy pups! If your dog needs a grime-busting wash, then this two-in-one shampoo and conditioner formula will give your pooch the deep clean it needs. With added Eucalyptus, Cedarwood and Argan Oil, it's designed to keep your dog smelling fresh.
Review: "I was recommended HOWND by my dog's groomer, who also uses their various products. My dog is long-haired and double-coated, so he is washed daily and groomed monthly. HOWND products have never given his skin a nasty reaction; they always smell gorgeous, the formulas are perfect and do exactly as they say on the boy home, plus they have minimal packaging."
Pros
- Controls odour
- Gentle on skin
Cons
- For the full effect, it needs to be massaged into the coat so it might not work for dogs that move a lot
Best luxury dog shampoo
LOOKFANTASTICwww.lookfantastic.com
You may be familiar with the range of Ouai shampoos for humans, but did you know they've also got a formula designed for your fur baby too? Designed to cleanse and hydrate your pooch's fur, it's enriched with nourishing ingredients and it smells divine as it's infused with notes of Italian lemon, iris, white musk, lily, jasmine sambac and Turkish rose.
Customer review: "I honestly was sceptical for a few days wondering if I should get this, I have tried so many different brands and different shampoos. I have my dog groomed every 3 months or so too. I have to say. I have never had my dog so fluffy, so soft, smelling so nice. Her fur is light and shiny. She's a golden retriever and normally nothing tames her fur. I strongly recommend this!!"
Pros
- Nourishing ingredients
- Free from gluten, parabens, phthalates, SLS and SLES.
Cons
- Packaging is very similar to the regular range so it may be easy to mix up the two if you also use Ouai products
Best natural dog shampoo
AmazonLast but by no means least on our list of the best dog shampoos, we have the Faith In Nature Natural Coconut Dog Shampoo. If you're looking for a vegan and cruelty-free shampoo to use on your pooch, this one is made with 99 Percent natural origin ingredients and a 100 Percent natural fragrance. It's formulated with vitamin E for a healthy, shiny coat and it's PH balanced to be gentle on your dog's skin.
Customer review: "I used this for the first time after an unfortunate encounter with some horse poo. It smells lovely, but not too overpowering and left my Labrador feeling silky like he was fresh from the groomers! You only need a small amount to get a lather on too. Great product"
Pros
- Vegan Society Approved
- Has detangling properties
Cons
- As it's designed for curly coats and knots, straight coats may not feel the full benefits of this product
FAQs
What is the best dog shampoo?
For nourishing and keeping your dog smelling fresh, Animology Fox Poo Deodorising Shampoo gets our paw of approval. This shampoo does it all, plus it's great value for money. It's a UK-produced product that's easy to rinse, deodorising and deep-cleaning. Your dog's coat will benefit from Pro-vitamin B5 and a built-in conditioner. It's a pH-balanced formula so chances of skin irritation are slim. Also, Animology Fox Poo is 100 per cent vegan.
How often should you bathe a dog?
How often you should bathe your dog varies from breed to breed. Generally, it is recommended that you wash your dog every two to three months but some dogs may need to be bathed every four weeks. Wendy Weinand, manager of 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 any conditions."
Wendy also says regularly bathing is important because it removes dirt and debris from your dog's skin while helping to prevent skin conditions from developing, including clogged pores, itchiness, dry skin or oily skin, "When pets are dirty, their skin doesn't 'breathe' correctly, and they can end up with some issues that may require veterinary care to fix."
Petco recommends that double-coated breeds are bathed once every month or two months, depending on whether they are shedding. They also say that short-haired breeds may only need a wash every three months but require brushing weekly while long-coated dogs need a bath every two to three months and regular brushing to get out those tough tangles and knots.
However often you give your pooch a wash, you'll want to make sure you dry them off with a good-quality dog towel every time as it will stop them from getting cold, as well as prevent them from shaking water everywhere.
Can you wash a dog with normal shampoo?
You may be thinking to yourself that you can just use your shampoo to give your dog a good scrub clean, but it's generally not advisable. Human shampoos are designed for our skin's pH levels and needs, which are vastly different to your dogs. Using your own shampoo to wash your mutt can disrupt the natural balance of their skin and coat. Plus, human shampoos contain fragrances and chemicals that can be harmful to dogs when ingested or absorbed through their skin.
Our pooches have more sensitive skin and different hair types compared to us humans, so using a human shampoo to wash your dog can cause dryness, irritation, itchiness and allergic reactions. That's why it's best to use a specially formulated dog shampoo that can give their fur all the necessary care it needs, ensuring that pamper sessions are an enjoyable experience for your hound.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.