Bathing your dog is not just about cleanliness and appearance. It is about maintaining your dog’s physical and health and appearance. Most TV shows and movies always depict bathing as an easy and joy-filled experience. Unfortunately, this is not always the case especially when the dog was not introduced to bathing at a tender age and when you don’t use the best dog shampoo. If you are going to bath your dog, then you have to do it right.
What can you do to make bathing of your dog friendlier?
i)Start young
If you have just gotten yourself a puppy, you need to start bathing her as soon as possible. By so doing, you will be preparing her to have a positive experience towards bathing and you can be sure not to have trouble later.
ii)Attaching bathing to something positive
You can use treats and other forms of affection to make your dog enjoy bath time. If you are bathing them for the first time then you can get her to hop into an empty tub and just spend time while you give her treats. You can then add warm water to the tub. You need to repeat this actions until the dog can come to the bath tub even when it is not offered any treats.
iii)Be careful with the ears
Just like us, dogs hate when water get into their ears. It is so uncomfortable and it has been known to cause health related problems. If your dog is king enough to let you stuff cotton balls to its ears, it would be great. If that is not possible then do your best to avoid spraying water directly to the ears.
iv)Bath the dog from the neck down
Apart from the ears, you would want to keep shampoo and water off your dog’s eyes and mouth. You can do this by using a bowl or a sprayer to wet your dog. The sprayer should be specifically designed for bathing dogs. If you would want to wash your dog’s face, then use a damp washcloth.
v)Use the right shampoo
To make bath time more pleasant for your canine friend, you should choose the right shampoo. As much as may want to share your backyard, couch and your living room with your dog, you never share with her your shampoo. While human shampoo may give your amazing results, most of them contain chemicals that may not ogre well with your pet’s sensitive skin.
Fortunately, there are thousands of brands of dog shampoo that are specifically made to work well with dogs. Dog shampoo is important because it not only cleanses you dog’s coat from insects and germs but also adds vitamins and nutrients to keep brighter and healthier.
You may think that any dog shampoo you buy will fit all situations. However, it is not a walk in the park. Choose poorly and the results would be disastrous, choose wisely and your dog will have a bright and shiny coat weeks after bathing.
Having consider this, another question comes into mind:
How do you Choose the Best Dog Shampoo?
To help you to choose the best dog shampoo, you need to consider the following factors:
a)Your Dog’s Skin Type
For a dog with dry, flaky or dry skin, a moisturizing shampoo is a great choice. In most cases scented shampoos increases the irritation as they contain chemicals. Shampoos with natural ingredients such as honey, Vitamin E and oatmeal are milder on the skin as compared to shampoos with synthetic ingredients. You should not always conclude that the dog’s skin ailments is caused by shampoo, it advisable to consult a veterinarian for treatment.
b)Age of your dog
There are shampoos that are specifically designed for puppies while others are designed for mature dogs. Puppy shampoos are gentler and does contains minimal or chemical that may cause irritation to the skin or the eyes.
c)Your Dog’s Coat Type
For dogs with bright-colored coat, you should go for shampoos with brighteners. For white-colored coats, whiteners are perfect as it prevents yellowing of the cot and boosts luster. If your dog’s coat is easily tangled, you may want to go for a shampoo-conditioner to make more maintainable and moisturized.
d)Ticks and Fleas
There are some dog shampoo that kill and fend off ticks, fleas and other parasites. However, these shampoos offer short-term solution and it is important to use them only to supplement other tick and flea control products.
e)Ingredients used to make Shampoo
Not all dog shampoos have the same ingredients and some may contain chemicals that may irritate or even harm your dog. While shopping, you should been keen to check the ingredients used on the shampoo. These ingredients are usually listed on the side of the bottle. Go for shampoos with natural fragrance like lavender, citrus, eucalyptus, and chamomile. Artificial fragrance tend to irritate the skin and the eyes. Ingredients like Aloe Vera, oatmeal, vitamins are great for dog’s skin. If you are sure of the best dog shampoo then it is advisable to ask from a specialist.
Here are the Top 10 Best Dog Shampoo in 2022 Reviews selected using the above factors:
Contents
- 10. Natural Rapport Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
- 9. De-stress Lavender & Chamomile Aromatherapy Shampoo
- 8. Lovely Fresh Dog Shampoo
- 7. Bubbas Groovy Bath Ultra Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
- 6. Particular Paws Dry Shampoo for Dogs
- 5. SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Triple Strength Dirty Dog Shampoo
- 4. Earthbath All Natural Mango Tango Shampoo and Conditioner
- 3. Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo With Aloe Vera
- 2. 4-Legger Certified Organic All Natural Dog Shampoo
- 1. Oxgord Organic Oatmeal Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
10. Natural Rapport Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
Opening our list is the Rapport Dog shampoo which is a 5-in-1 combo which cleans, conditions, deodorizes, moisturizes and detangles. It has a clean set which offsets the “wet-dog” smell. All the ingredients in this shampoo are all natural. The shampoo leathers easily and is easy to rinse off saving time. The results of using it is a soft, smooth, healthy skin and coat. It is soapless and gentle on sensitive skin. All the ingredients are eco-friendly.
Pros
i)It is an all-in-one solution for bathing dogs
ii)It is made of natural ingredients
iii)It is soapless hence has no tear effect
Cons
i)It lacks fragrance
9. De-stress Lavender & Chamomile Aromatherapy Shampoo
De-Stress Shampoo is a totally natural and 100 percent bio-degradable ingredients. It is a cleaner and conditioner. The shampoo is gentle, effective and totally safe to use. It has Aromatherapy benefits which ensures that unpleasant dog smell does not remain after bathing. The Oatmeal and Aloe Vera extracts rehydrates dry skin thus preventing skin irritation. Lavender oil helps in fighting many species of bacteria including those resistant to antibiotics. Chamomile on the other hand is useful against dermatitis. The shampoo also has Vitamin E which prevents aging.
Pros
i)Lathes easily saving your time
ii)Has herbal extracts which has healing properties
iii)Made of natural ingredients
Cons
i)Not strong on tough stains
8. Lovely Fresh Dog Shampoo
Lovely Fresh Dog Shampoo is a quick and effective remedy against an itchy skin and scratching. It has a thick consistency which has a cooling effect getting you dog in the mood to take a bath. The formula promotes healthy skin and leaves the dog with a shiny coat which is free from doggy smell and any other unpleasant odor. The shampoo is versatile and can be used for all breeds and skin types. It is made of natural ingredients free from any harsh chemicals.
Pros
i)Quick relieve against scratching and itching
ii)Versatile and can be used on all breeds
iii)Eliminates unpleasant odor
Cons
i)Takes time to lather
7. Bubbas Groovy Bath Ultra Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Bubbas Groovy is purely made of organic ingredients which leaves the coat of your pet soft, shiny and healthy. The shampoo contains Vitamins that conditions the coat and oatmeal which is a known relieve against itching caused dry skin and fleas. This is a multi-purpose shampoo as you can use it with any pet; either young or mature. It is free from any harsh chemicals that are usually found in some shampoo formulations. Being soapless, it does not interfere with the functioning of creams and ointments. It completely removes any unpleasant smell.
Pros
i)It is made of natural organic ingredients
ii)It is versatile in that you can use it for any pet
Cons
i)The shampoo lacks any natural fragrance
6. Particular Paws Dry Shampoo for Dogs
Particular Paws Dry Shampoo is a waterless formulation that allows you to clean your dog without using any water. It is a great convenient for people who are always on the go and want to keep their pets clean. You just apply the shampoo on the coat, massage to a lather and use a towel to dry it off. If your dog is not a fan of getting wet then you now have a solution. Serenity shampoo can be virtually used on any dog breed and even other pets. It ingredients are natural and free from any harsh detergents.
Pros
i)Convenient since you don’t need any water
ii)Can be used to bath specific dirt spots
iii)It is made of natural ingredients
Cons
i)It does not help in keeping away fleas and ticks
ii)Cleaning is not thorough like regular shampoos.
5. SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Triple Strength Dirty Dog Shampoo
SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula is a ‘heavy duty’ shampoo due to its renowned action of cleaning dirty dogs. It has great deodorizing qualities which in turn reduces itching. The main ingredients include Vitamin E, Tetrasodium, fragrances, Shea Butter and Aloe Vera. All these ingredients combined together have a healing, nourishing and moisturizing effect.
Pros
i)Has extra cleaning effect and can be used on dogs which likes burrowing.
ii)It lathes easily and easy to rinse off
iii)Has a refreshing, subtle scent
Cons
i)The scent does not stick for long
ii)Has some chemical additives which makes it not suitable for hypersensitive dogs
4. Earthbath All Natural Mango Tango Shampoo and Conditioner
Earthbath All Natural Mango Tango is a 2-in-1 shampoo cum conditioner. This shampoo not only leaves you dog’s bright but also smelling nice. The major ingredients include Aloe Vera and Oatmeal extracts which are both known to offer protection from itchiness, moisturizes the skin and promotes quick healing. The Almond and Vanilla Oils are the natural fragrances added to make your pet have a great smell. The fragrance is mild and will not make your dog uncomfortable. This shampoo is free from any chemicals that are known to cause problems for dogs. It is free from enzymes, parabens, soap, perfume and soap.
Pros
i)It has a mild fragrance
ii)It is a shampoo cum conditioner
iii)Made of natural ingredients and easy to rinse it off
Cons
i)It is not suitable for dogs with sensitive skin
3. Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo With Aloe Vera
Vet’s Shampoo is a special formulation for dogs with hyper-sensitive skin. If your dog has a history of suffering allergies then this is a great choice for you. The shampoo also helps to lock in moisture in the coat therefore making it soft and subtle thanks to its Vitamin E and Aloe Vera ingredients. It has a no-tear formulation and Panthenol which helps in thickening of the fur and giving it a radiant glow. It also has Allantoiin which treats seboorhea and eliminates dandruff.
Pros
i)Can be used for dogs with allergic conditions
ii)Can be used side by side with tick and flea treatments
iii)Lessens hair shedding
Cons
i)Needs extra work to make it into a soapy lather
ii)Lacks any scent since it is hypoallergenic
2. 4-Legger Certified Organic All Natural Dog Shampoo
4-Legger is a purely organic dog shampoo that has amazing moisturizing capabilities. It is extremely subtle and therefore perfect for dogs with extra sensitive skin. The shampoo is one of the few dog shampoos with organic certification. It is therefore safe as it is made of natural organic ingredients. The coconut and jojoba oil extracts moisturizes the coat and the skin while Aloe Vera soothes and alleviates itchy and dry skin. Lemongrass and rosemary oil keeps the fleas away. The shampoo is free from any parabens and artificial fragrances.
Pros
i)It is hypoallergenic thus perfect for dogs with sensitive skin.
ii)Has natural moisturizers which rejuvenates the coat and skin
iii)Can be used for all skin types as it is gentle on skin
Cons
i)It has a lighter density and you can end pouring more than you need.
1. Oxgord Organic Oatmeal Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
This is one of the best dog shampoo in the market. This can be mainly attributed to the 100 percent natural ingredients used to make it. This dog shampoo has Aloe Vera as an ingredient, hence soothes dry and itchy skin. Shea butter helps in moisturizing and smoothening brittle hair. It has no soap component hence tear free. Oxgord Shampoo can be practically used on any pet, either young or mature. Being this versatile, you don’t have to choose different shampoos even if you have different dog breeds.
Pros
i)Made of 100% natural ingredients
ii)Sooths dogs with dry and itchy skin
iii)Easy to lather up and rinse hence more convenient
Cons
i)It is more costly compared to average cost of shampoos
ii)Lacks any fragrance