The best dog shampoo for your pup depends on their <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds">breed</a>, fur type, and skin type. You’ll also want to consider your dog’s age and if they have any ailments or medical conditions like <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/food-allergies-vs-seasonal-allergies-dogs">allergies</a>, fleas, fungal infections, or itchy skin.

When looking for the best canine shampoo, consider the goal for your pup. Is your dog extra stinky because they were playing in the mud? Are you looking for a solution to <a href="https://be.chewy.com/reduce-dog-hair-shedding/" target="_blank">help with shedding</a>? All of this will matter when choosing the best dog shampoo for your dog.

Remember, if any dog shampoo gets into your dog’s eyes, rinse their eyes with water immediately.

Whichever dog shampoo you choose should have simple and safe ingredients with the right pH balance. We’ve consulted our panel of vets to find out which dog shampoo brands they recommend and why. Here’s what we found.

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Douxo® S3 CARE Ultra-Gentle Protecting Dog & Cat Shampoo, 6.7-oz bottle

An all-in-one solution for skin protection, soft fur, and detangling. 

If your pup is battling a colony of <a href="https://www.petmd.com/general-health/flea-infestation">fleas</a> or got stuck with some <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/faq-about-tick-bites-dogs">ticks</a> on a hike, pet parents can turn to this shampoo from Advantage®. It’s formulated to kill these pests on contact and help prevent <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/lyme-disease-dogs">Lyme disease</a>, <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/dry-flaky-skin-dogs">dry skin</a>, and more.

Keep in mind that this flea and tick shampoo should be used with a medication <a href="http://www.petmd.com/dog/vet-verified/best-flea-tick-medications-for-dogs">prescribed by your vet</a> to treat an active flea infestation; the shampoo won’t rid the infestation alone. This product lathers up well, is unscented, and is safe for dogs and puppies over 12 weeks old.

You’ll need to put the shampoo on your dog and let it sit for five minutes before washing it off. One of our vets says the wait time could be an issue for dogs that can’t sit still, but it’s necessary to kill the fleas and ticks.

It is important to note that this shampoo is <a href="https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/poisoning/neurological/flea-and-tick-medicine-poisoning-cats">not safe to use on cats</a>, so you’ll want to keep your dog away from any cat present in your home until they have been fully washed and dried.&nbsp;

Advantage® Flea & Tick Treatment Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies, 8-oz bottle

A good dog shampoo to tackle active fleas and ticks on dogs of any age.

The best dog shampoo for sensitive skin should have simple ingredients, including those with soothing properties. Virbac®’s dog shampoo is a natural, oat-derived product that is free of soap and works to soothe and cleanse dry skin.

This shampoo is made with technology that physically disrupts the colonization of certain microorganisms, like yeast and bacteria, from sticking to the skin. It’s also formulated to help the ingredients continually seep into the skin and fur long after application.

According to our vets, Virbac is a reputable veterinary brand that they commonly use in their clinics. One vet mentioned, “I also like that it’s manufactured using <a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/facts-about-current-good-manufacturing-practice-cgmp#:~:text=CGMP%20refers%20to%20the%20Current,of%20manufacturing%20processes%20and%20facilities" target="_blank">Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP)</a> based on pharma standards, so pet parents know the shampoo is safe and effective.”

cGMP is an FDA program designed to ensure that manufacturers adhere to strict quality control standards in their product manufacturing.

Virbac® Epi-Soothe Shampoo, 8-oz bottle

Simple ingredients that stop yeast and bacteria in their tracks.

The best shampoo for stinky dogs will help treat underlying conditions that cause odor, such as <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_dermatophytosis">ringworm</a>, <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/yeast-infections-dogs#:~:text=While%20yeast%20infections%20in%20dogs,lethargy%2C%20necessitating%20prompt%20veterinary%20care.">yeast infections</a>, <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/identifying-and-treating-fungal-infections-dogs#:~:text=Ringworm%20is%20a%20common%20fungal,and%20misshapen%20or%20brittle%20nails.">fungal infections</a>, and <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/bacterial-infection-streptococcus-dogs#:~:text=Treatment%20of%20Streptococcus%20Bacterial%20Infection%20in%20Dogs&amp;text=Potential%20treatments%20include%3A,will%20choose%20an%20appropriate%20medication.">bacterial infections</a>. This shampoo’s active ingredients (miconazole, chlorhexidine, and trizEDTA®) help treat these conditions and are formulated to fight against dandruff, fungus, and other infections.

It also contains ceramides, which help repair, restore, and moisturize dry skin. Our vets say that it’s safe to use on a pup of almost any age, several times a week, and even daily if needed.

According to one of our vets, this is the best dog shampoo for odor because it treats the underlying conditions and helps restore the normal skin barrier.

MiconaHex+Triz® Shampoo for Dogs & Cats, 8-oz bottle

An over-the-counter medicated formula that treats underlying odor causes, like fungus and yeast.

Even though puppies have that intoxicating new puppy smell, they need baths, too.

The best puppy shampoo took home top prize for “best in show” and is now making a reappearance as the best shampoo for puppies.

The formula removes excess flaky skin, and oils while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier.

Since puppies are new to the world, their skin can use all the help it can get to stay moisturized, strong and healthy. Puppies can be sensitive, though, so our vets like that this shampoo doesn’t have harsh ingredients like parabens, sulfates, soap, and dyes.

According to one of our vets, “I recommend this product for puppies because it is suitable for all fur types, is safe for regular use, is hypoallergenic, detangles fur, and is free of soaps, sulfates, parabens, dyes, and nanoparticles.”

A gentle formula that helps puppies build a strong natural skin barrier.

The best shampoo for <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/why-my-dog-itching-so-much">dogs with itchy skin</a> contains soothing and moisturizing ingredients and helps the skin produce and maintain moisture. This particular shampoo for dry dog skin works to increase the amount of water the outer layer of the skin can absorb, which helps promote healthy skin regrowth.

According to our vets, “Dogs with <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/contact-dermatitis">allergic dermatitis</a> or dry skin have lower levels of ceramide (lipids or “good fats”) on their skin, so their skin is more likely to be dry, and this also makes them more prone to itching from <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/food-allergies-vs-seasonal-allergies-dogs">exposure to allergens</a>.”

This dog shampoo for dry skin is soap-free because soap can cause skin drying. The shampoo contains benzoyl peroxide, which has antimicrobial properties that can decrease the amount of unwanted bacteria on your pet’s skin.

The other notable ingredient is salicylic acid, which can provide antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic benefits. Keep in mind that our vets say this shampoo should not be used on severely irritated skin.

One of our vets wants pet parents to know that “To receive full benefits, it should be used two to three times per week or as directed by your veterinarian.

Contact time is also important for any of these shampoos. This shampoo should stay on the skin for five to 10 minutes, and the bottle should be shaken up before each use to get an even distribution of the ingredients.”

DermaBenSs® Shampoo for Dogs, Cats & Horses, 12-oz bottle

Moisturizing dog shampoo that helps the skin absorb more water for healthy regrowth. 

The best de-shedding shampoo for dogs will help stop itching, which can cause your dog to shed. This soap-free, oatmeal-based shampoo works to soothe dry, itchy skin without stripping out the natural oils.

By calming the skin, this apple-scented shampoo for dogs helps reduce the urge to scratch, so those hairs stay in place.

This shampoo is formulated with ceramides to increase moisture and essential fatty acids that help moisture bond to the skin. According to one of our vets, “Dogs with skin allergies <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/skin/excessive-shedding-in-dogs">tend to shed more</a>, so by soothing the skin and strengthening the skin barrier, pet parents should see less shedding from their pup.”

DermAllay® Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs, Cats & Horses, 12-oz bottle

A soothing and moisturizing shampoo that curbs a dog’s urge to scratch.

The best medicated shampoo for dogs will help treat bacterial and fungal infections that can cause skin issues and odor. This shampoo is a cleansing, antiseptic, and antifungal formula that helps treat skin-related conditions associated with bacteria and fungus.

KetoChlor® works by stopping microorganisms on the skin, like yeast and bacteria, from setting up shop and causing itchiness and damage. KetoChlor also contains ketoconazole, an antifungal that kills yeast and fungus, and chlorhexidine, an antibacterial that kills bacteria so your pup’s infection can resolve.

It also promotes a healthier skin barrier and is safe to use on your pup several times a week, even daily if needed. According to one of our vets, “Medicated shampoos are good at knocking back the yeast and bacteria on the surface of the skin, which may help prevent future <a href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/skin-infections-dogs">skin infections</a>, but it may not be enough on its own to treat active skin infections.”

Another vet notes, “This is the best medicated dog shampoo because it contains chlorhexidine, which is in a slightly higher concentration than most other medicated shampoos, and ketoconazole. Ketoconazole is also more effective when combined with chlorhexidine.”

Our vets say that depending on the severity, using a medicated shampoo on dogs may be all that they need to eliminate the bacteria and yeast from their skin.

If the infection is bad enough, medicated shampoos should be used with oral medications, antibiotics, and antifungals to treat the infection both internally and externally. Always chat with your veterinarian if your dog is showing signs of a skin infection.

KetoChlor® Medicated Shampoo for Dogs & Cats, 8-oz bottle

An over-the-counter medicated shampoo that helps treat skin infections, from fungus and bacteria. 

The 7 Best Dog Shampoos in 2024, Recommended by Vets

The product reviews in this article are compiled from feedback provided by a panel of veterinarians that are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD. 
 
Veterinarians are asked to provide honest reviews of the products based on their knowledge and practical experience and review information published by the manufacturer. The opinions expressed are their own and not reflective of Chewy. Manufacturers cannot pay to be included in Vet Verified, and product reviews are never made available to manufacturers before publication. Similarly, the veterinary review panel does not receive any external compensation of any type for their review. Product links are to Chewy’s website where the product can be purchased.

The best dog shampoo for your pup depends on their breed, fur type, and skin type. You’ll also want to consider your dog’s age and if they have any ailments or medical conditions like allergies, fleas, fungal infections, or itchy skin. When looking for the best canine shampoo, consider the goal for your pup. Is your dog extra stinky because they were playing in the mud? Are you looking for a solution to help with shedding? All of this will matter when choosing the best dog shampoo for your dog. Remember, if any dog shampoo gets into your dog’s eyes, rinse their eyes with water immediately. Whichever dog shampoo you choose should have simple and safe ingredients with the right pH balance. We’ve consulted our panel of vets to find out which dog shampoo brands they recommend and why. Here’s what we found.

Learn about the best dog shampoos ranked by our expert veterinary panel, including which shampoos for dogs help manage dry skin, dog allergies, or an active flea infestation.

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