Choosing the right shampoo for your dog’s coat and skin can feel overwhelming with so many options. Dog coats come in many colors, densities, lengths, and textures. On top of that, we’re not just washing a dog’s hair when shampooing. We are also cleansing their skin. This makes picking the right shampoo even more important, especially if your pet has skin issues.

To make this search easier, we will break down the major shampoo categories available for dogs. But before we go any further, let’s answer some of the most common questions.

Why shouldn’t I use human-grade shampoo on my dog?

Dogs and humans have different skin pH levels. Human skin is more acidic than a dog’s, so human shampoos are not ideal for pets. Shampoo formulas are designed to match each species’ skin needs.

If you’re in a bind and need to clean a small area on your dog, human shampoo is a better choice than household detergent (never use that!). However, choosing the right shampoo for your dogs ensures the best results for their coat and skin.

What if my dog has skin issues (itchy, dry, flaky, oily, irritated)?

Dogs can have a variety of skin problems due to many factors. Always consult with your veterinarian, as some skin issues can be an indicator of allergies or more serious health problems that you want to treat as early as possible.  Many issues are simply environmental and/or diet-related and can be addressed by adding appropriate supplements and finding the proper grooming routine.  

For severe skin issues, your veterinarian may prescribe frequent baths with a medicated shampoo in addition to other oral or injected medication. But if your pet has gotten the “all clear” from anything serious by your veterinarian, and you are dealing with basic environmental dryness, flakiness, or dandruff, read on, as we will cover over-the-counter shampoo formulations that are designed to help with these types of skin problems.

Is this really that complicated?  Can’t I just use a basic dog shampoo?

Worry not, most dogs do wonderfully with a general dog shampoo intended for gentle cleansing. Specialty shampoo is usually for those owners who are either addressing a particular need (such as a skin issue), or a particular want (such as a particular fragrance or coat enhancer). For basic bathing requirements for dogs with healthy skin and an uncomplicated coat, you should do fine with an all-purpose, general doggie shampoo. Examples of Basic shampoos – Envirogroom, Bio-Groom, Nature’s Specialties, others

Do I have to use conditioner, or is shampoo alone enough?

Yes! Conditioner plays a key role in a proper grooming routine. It restores moisture, seals the hair cuticle, and repairs damage. Using a conditioner after shampooing helps maintain a soft, healthy coat.

Types of Dog Shampoo

 Now that we know a little more about the basics of dog shampoo, let’s look at some common categories available to us.

General Purpose Dog Shampoo

As its name suggests, our GP or AP (all-purpose) shampoo is designed to address the basic cleansing of the skin and coat. A properly formulated GP shampoo from a reputable brand will ensure that the coat is cleansed without over stripping or drying the coat or skin. Choosing the right shampoo for your dogs means selecting a quality product from a reputable brand.

Perfect Conditioning Match:  Finish with a GP conditioner that complements the shampoo.

Examples of a perfect GP Match?  Look at:

  Natures Specialties Plum Silky Shampoo + Conditioner

Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo

For our sensitive babies, we need to take extra precautions when choosing the right shampoo for your dogs. Fortunately, many reputable brands make hypoallergenic formulations to keep it extra gentle. Are you giving up any cleansing power by using hypoallergenic shampoo?  Not if you are using the right products and being thorough in your bathing technique.

Need sensitive suds and the right conditioner?  Check this match out!:

Envirogroom Gentle Clean + Bio-Groom Oh So Gentle Hypoallergenic conditioner

Color Enhancing Shampoo

In terms of color-enhancing shampoo, do not panic, we are not talking about using dyes or any types of coloring!  Color enhancing shampoos usually use something called optical brighteners, and rely on natural ingredients, such as blueberries, to make a coat appear whiter or otherwise enhance the coat color.  Color enhancing shampoos typically come in White and Black enhancing (with these two often accomplished by one product), as well as Red/Brown enhancing.

Looking to make your pet’s coat pop (safely and naturally)?  Here are some tried and true couples for White or Black dogs:  Dirty Dog Whitening Shampoo + Envirogroom Berry Silk Conditioner. Need something for our Brown and Reds?  Here’s a pairing to watch!: 

Bio-Groom Bronze Lustre Shampoo + Envirogroom Berry Silk Conditioner.

Texturizing Shampoo

Some coats, such as our Wire-Haired dogs, need specialized shampoo to make sure that their coats retain their unique structure – (read:  we don’t want to over-soften a coat that should be stiff or coarse as per breed standards.)  We also have dogs that need more body and texture for their particular type of coat. Whatever your need, there’s a texturizing shampoo out there for you.

One of our favorite pairings? 

Bio-Groom Extra-body Texturizing Shampoo + Crown Royale Conditioning Spray

Deep-Cleaning Shampoo

Sometimes our pets get into a bit of an extra mess, and we need a little more shampooing muscle to get the job done!  Fortunately, we’ve got some great manufacturers who produce effective deep-cleaning shampoos that are gentle on the skin.

Voted most popular couple, because they work!: 

Envirogroom Deep Clean Shampoo + Envirogroom Berry Silk Conditioner.

Clarifying Shampoo

We just spoke about some Deep Clean options, but *clarifying* shampoos take cleaning to an extra level. These shampoos are not intended for regular use, but instead for situations where a pet may have extra buildup that requires deep down occasional cleansing.  Remember to follow up with intensive conditioning!

Who’s our clarifying couple? 

Nature’s Specialties Barkling Cider Shampoo + Artero Detox Mud Mask

De-Shedding Shampoo

For our extra sheddy double-coated pets, we can use a de-shedding shampoo, along with a conditioning treatment, blow out, and brush to encourage dead, stuck coat to release and be free!  How is this done?  De-shedding shampoos infuse the coat with moisturizing ingredients to give stuck coat a little lubrication to help it get unstuck.  But there’s no magic trick here; without the proper elbow-grease, technique, and tools to help in the process, you won’t be getting the full benefit of a de-shedding treatment. 

And depending on the lifecycle of the coat on your particular pet, starting a de-shedding process may actually encourage more shedding for a period of time as the dead undercoat releases.  Always remember to brush as much as possible to control the sheding, and remember that it is 100% natural for a double-coated breed to shed (and no, cutting the coat is not only a no-no, it also won’t help).  We just have to find ways to manage it the best we can (and we absolutely can!). 

Best in Show Power Couples?  It’s a toss up!: 

Envirogroom Deshedding Shampoo + Solution, or Bio-Groom Deshedding Shampoo + Cond.

Parasite Treatment Shampoo (Flea and Tick Shampoo)

Before discussing parasite treatment shampoos, it’s crucial to consult a veterinarian about safe preventative treatments. Parasites aren’t just annoying pests that bite your dog (and you!); they can also carry serious diseases. Once you’ve taken steps to protect your pet long-term, we can focus on parasite-treatment shampoos for short-term relief.

When choosing what shampoo is best for dogs, especially for parasite control, select one that effectively removes fleas and ticks while remaining gentle on your pet’s skin. If your dog has a temporary infestation from being in the wrong place at the wrong time (we won’t discuss it—it’s like Vegas), a parasite treatment shampoo is your best solution. Maybe your dog played in the wrong park, or a visiting pet brought in fleas. Either way, it’s time for a bath with Flea and Tick Shampoo to get rid of those pests and keep cuddling.

Here’s a great line of products to tackle parasite problems: Bio-Groom parasite suite of products.

Deodorizing Shampoo

Deodorizing shampoos come in many levels of power to deal with a wide array of situations.  Your dog may have just had an encounter with a skunk that did not go in his favor (so sorry!), OR you want your dog to smell pretty every day, just because.  Either way, your pet can benefit from a deodorizing shampoo!  For our poor pups that get skunked, there are some products formulated to tackle this problem. [Deskunk Shampoo/Solution].  But for our pets who just need a little bit of fragrance, there are a ton of options to suit every olfactory palette.

If you’re looking for a fresh, pleasant smell in a great shampoo product, take a look at Espree Rainforest Shampoo.  As for conditioners, the Envirogroom Berry Silk smells like a fresh walk in a berry farm, while the Zymox Conditioner is not only wonderful for the skin, but also smells like the most divine version of baby powder.

Repairing Shampoo

Sometimes a dog’s coat needs extra attention due to dryness, breakage, or hair-loss.  In most cases, skin health reflects coat health, so this category requires a special focus that goes beyond regular shampoo requirements.  The most progressive folks we’ve found in the industry that address many coat repairing and restoring needs with natural solutions are at Iv Ssn Bernard.  But be prepared to do some research – these treatments are complex and require a customized treatment plan.

Check out Iv San Bernard’s website here.  We’ve had great success with treating some cases of canine alopecia using the Mineral H shampoo with the PEK orange treatment mask.

Medicated Shampoo

Groomers should always (I mean always) tread lightly whenever in the domain of medical advice or treatments.  Veterinarians should always be consulted before any home remedies for any serious skin issues.  Fortunately, most dogs with minor skin issues can often benefit from the use of an over-the-counter medicated shampoo.  These shampoos are usually anti-microbial, and deal with an array of possible skin ailments, such as fungus, bacteria and yeast.  Many instances of doggie dandruff can be addressed with a good, medicated shampoo.  And always remember to use conditioner after your medicated baths to keep the skin moisturized and the coat healthy.

Make sure you find *the right one* when choosing a medicated shampoo by researching their properties.  Some of the ones that are tried and true are:  Vetoquinol Universal Medicated Shampoo, Duoxo Medicated Shampoo, Zymox Shampoo + Zymox Conditioner or Bio-Groom Oh So Gentle Hypoallergenic Conditioner.

So which shampoo is right for your pup?

Choosing the right shampoo for your dogs ensures their coat and skin stay healthy. With so many options, focus on your dog’s specific needs. Whether it’s a simple cleanse or targeted skin care, the right shampoo makes a difference.

Still unsure what shampoo is best for dogs? Let us know, and we’ll help find the best match for you!

#petgroomingpost