There are many brands and even more types of shampoos than one can possibly research in one sitting. Not to mention, conditioners. As a groomer, I’ve only worked with a couple brands and researched many more on my own. My main focus is that the shampoo is safe for the delicate chemistry of a dog’s hair and skin and the second is that it is environmentally safe. Many of the products listed are available on Amazon or Chewy.
What the professionals use
These are more expensive options, but you only use a tiny bit with 6-8 cups of water, depending on the ratio. These shampoos last 6-7 months, even with all of the dogs we groom. I anticipate, if you have one or two pups, that either option above will last you a year or two at least. Also, these shampoos are so beneficial and hydrating that conditioners aren’t needed.
Kelco - Filthy Animal or Puppy Tears - Groomer grade 50:1 dilution
Filthy Animal a naturally derived shampoo made with aloe vera, comfrey, vitamin A and E, chamomile and other excellent oils and extracts. They don’t contain harsh detergents or soaps and cleans the fur of oil, dirt, and sweat. It is a great product to get out funky smells while still being gentle.
Puppy Tears is hypoallergenic and a very gentle cleanser, leaving them smelling like they took a trip to the tropics. It is best used on puppies, dogs with sensitive skin, and elderly dogs.
Bark 2 Basics - Honey Almond - Groomer grade 15:1 dilution
This is another gentle shampoo that is best for pups 8 weeks or older. It is made in the USA and is created with natural cleansers, tree gum preservatives, with honey and almond fragrances. This is best for those with dry skin. It also smells amazing on Yorkshire Terriers and it leaves the fur silky soft and smooth.
Budget Friendly options
These shampoos are more budget-friendly, yet still natural and safe for your fur baby. They are also available at most stores that sell pet products.
Papaya and Coconut Luxury has a wonderful tropical scent and works as a de-tangler as well. They also have a wide selection of different scents. This particular product contains wheat proteins, colloidal oatmeal, papaya, kiwi, mango, pomegranate, yucca, chamomile, and aloe extracts.
Burt’s Bees Hydrating Shampoo is infused with coconut oil, colloidal oatmeal, honey, and other natural ingredients. Other people have noted that dry, flaky skin isn’t an issue anymore. There are other types of shampoos/scents to choose from in the Burt’s Bees line as well.
Keleb’s Shampoo bar - Lavender Oatmeal (Made in Israel)
Biodegradable, eco-friendly, plastic-free, and safe for your pup’s fur, what’s not to like? Wet the fur thoroughly, then rub the bar all over, it will lather easily. Then set aside the bar and work in the shampoo with your fingers, avoiding the eyes and insides of the ears. Then rinse and you’re all done. There are natural cleansers, lavender oil, olive oil, shea butter, calendula flower extract and so many more great ingredients. It leaves a gentle lavender scent and soft fur. This product is easier to use on short haired breeds. I tried it on longer hair and while it still does a great job, it was harder to work up a lather and more difficult to get out of the hair.
There are other shampoo bars available from other brands, but be careful with the ingredients. Tea tree oil is especially toxic to dogs and the other two kinds I’ve found, have it in their ingredients list. I have an article on toxic ingredients/foods/plants.
Dry Shampoos
Burt’s Bees has a nice dry shampoo that hydrates as well as cleans. It is pH balanced and sulfate free. There is a trace of eucalyptus oil, but it is only a small amount. As always avoid their eyes and ears.
We use Bark 2 Basics In Between Wash Waterless Shampoo and it does a great job. It’s hypoallergenic, eco-friendly. It foams up like a shampoo and you brush it through the coat until dry. Alternatively, you can dry them with the hair dryer as well, if you go a little overboard with the product.
Additionally, dry shampoo can be used to clean up gunk at the corners of their eyes. Just put a little of the product onto a cotton swab and carefully soak, if it’s hard, or wipe off, if it's soft. You can use a flea comb to clean the gunk off as well.
I recommend washing your hands and arms after using any of these shampoos. Just like human shampoo can’t be used on dogs, it’s the same in reverse and can lead to skin irritation, discoloration (more of a risk for groomers), or rashes depending on your sensitivity.
Always brush their hair or fur after a bath to avoid tangles and creating mats, especially behind the ears, under the armpits, and rear legs.
Thanks for reading and happy washing!
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