The 13 Best Puppy Shampoos That Are as Gentle as They Are So Fresh and So Clean
You love your new pup dearly, but some of her favorite activities leave her smelling…not so nice. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 13 of the best puppy shampoos that are gentle enough to use on your newest family member, but strong enough to wash away that, well, dog smell. From aromatherapy-infused options to veterinarian picks, here are the best puppy shampoos for your four-legged bebé.
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1. Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo
Best for Soothing Your Puppy's Skin
Good for your dog and good for your pockets, this $6 pick is the ultimate gentle cleanser. It’s made with buttermilk, which helps soothe and softens skin; honey, which helps regulate and retain moisture in hair and contains no sulfates or colorants. If your pup is on any tick or flea treatments, don’t worry, this tearless shampoo doesn’t wash them off. (Just make sure you thoroughly read bathing instructions on the treatment packaging).
2. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog and Cat Shampoo
Best for Multiple Pets
For people with multiple pets in the home, you don’t have to worry about doling out cash for both your kitty and your puppy because this shampoo is good for both. This fragrance-free option is perfect for pups with extra-sensitive noses and are prone to allergies. It’s formulated with oatmeal and aloe to heal and soothe dry, scratched skin while also neutralizing any odors.
3. Oster Oatmeal Essentials Shampoo
Best for Relaxing Your Pup
Your doggo deserves to feel like they’re at the spa every time they get a bath and Oster’s Oatmeal Essentials is the perfect choice for that. Not only does it have oatmeal which is raved about for its soothing abilities, but it also has natural wheat protein and some rosemary extracts that will leave that coat nice and shiny and your pup feeling relaxed after a bath.
4. Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo for All Dogs and Puppies
Best for Pups with Dermal Conditions
Baby your baby with this gentle shampoo made specifically for tender new puppy skin or dogs with sensitive dermal conditions. It’s made with aloe vera extract, which smoothes the cuticle surface and seals in moisture for the skin and coat; restorative rosemary, to stimulate follicle growth; and gentle chamomile which eases those bothersome skin conditions.
5. Honest Paws 5-in-1 Dog Wash
Best Plant-Based Formula
Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s plant-based, this formula from Honest Paws takes care of all the five cleansing components necessary in making sure your little Fido is squeaky clean—as long as they’re twelve weeks or older. It cleans, deodorizes, conditions, detangles coat and moisturizes your pup’s skin just as well as any other brand on the market. It’s also eco-friendly—with 98 percent of its ingredients derived from a natural source like coconut and palm. Though this is a clean formula, it is not tearless, so avoid the eye area when lathering your best bud.
6. TropiClean Spa Comfort Shampoo for Dogs & Cats
Best Aromatherapy Formula
Another option to pamper your pet with, this shampoo offers a dose of aromatherapy with every wash. It contains oatmeal to soothe any pesky skin conditions, kiwi and essential vitamins that leave the skin and coat silky smooth, and lavender which comforts and calms your pet. This soap-free formula also won’t wash away any tick or flea treatments.
7. Nature’s Miracle Puppy Shampoo
Best for Neutralizing Odors
Between all the rustling at the dog park and squirrel chasing in your backyard, it’s easy for your four-legged friend to get a little stinky. Thankfully, this four-in-one solution does double duty to make sure your puppy doesn’t make you retch during cuddles. Not only does it scour and condition their coats thoroughly, but it also neutralizes a wide variety of odors and deodorizes their coat so you can cuddle and nuzzle them with no problem.
8. Arm & Hammer Tearless Puppy Shampoo
Best Tearless Shampoo
Arm & Hammer’s baking soda does wonders for scrubbing down our appliances—refrigerators, toasters, microwaves, even washing machines—so it’s only right that their puppy shampoo does wonders for our baby canines as well. This tearless pick is veterinarian formulated with all natural ingredients that include coconut water, jojoba oil extract and oat protein extract, that work together to leave your dog’s coat smoother, fuller and glossier.
9. Crazy Dog Baby Dog Shampoo
Best for Puppies With Big Furs
Hey, German Shepherd and Keeshond owners, this one’s for you. Crazy Dog’s Baby Dog Shampoo boasts a special ingredient, pro-vitamin B5, which promotes and supports a manageable coat and adds supple shine to your pal’s massive fur. This gentle non-stinging formula also contains wheat protein to nourish that hair and a baby fresh scent for long-lasting odor control.
10. CHI Tearless Puppy Shampoo
Best for Strengthening Coat
Made with strengthening proteins—silk, soy and milk—as well as aloe vera, honey, chamomile extract, this shampoo is perfect for puppies as young as eight weeks old. It’s made with CHI’s ionic technology, which is helpful in sealing the hair cuticle and reducing frizz resulting in a silky, tangle-free coat.
11. Veterinary Formula Solutions Puppy Love Shampoo
Best Veterinary Formula
This formula is perfectly pH balanced for puppies, especially those in their first year. It’s sulfate free, tearless and cleanses without drying your buddy’s delicate skin.
12. Arava Dead Sea Pet Spa Flea & Ticks Botanical Puppy Shampoo
Best for Repelling Ticks and Fleas
You love your new partner-in-crime, and guess what? So do pesky fleas and ticks. Keep those irritating parasites off your dog with this shampoo from Arava Dead Sea Pet Spa, which features all natural active ingredients—geranium, peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, clove, thyme, among others—to help repel and prevent pests.
13. Perfect Coat Pampered Puppy Shampoo
Best Easy Rinse Formula
Featuring keratin, jojoba oils and milk protein, this nifty pick conditions your pup’s coat while the long-lasting baby powder fragrance leaves your puppy smelling fresh and clean. It’s made with Perfect Coat’s easy rinse formula, which prevents shampoo solids from settling into your dog’s coat during lather and easily washes away during rinsing, so those with furrier dogs don’t have to be at it all day.
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