Dog coats come in many different colors, densities, lengths and textures, which means that if you are looking for the *perfect* shampoo for your pooch, you may be inundated with a lot of different choices. And to add to that, we’re not just washing the hair of a dog when we shampoo, we are also cleansing their skin, which makes this equation even more important to get right, especially if your pet has any skin issues.
To make this search easier for you, we are going to break down the major categories of different types of shampoos that are available for dogs. But before we go any further, let’s answer the most common questions about shampoo first:
Choosing the Right Shampoo for your Dog
Why shouldn’t I use human-grade shampoo on my dog?
Humans and dogs have different pH levels (pH measuring acidity levels), with humans typically having more acidic skin than dogs. Shampoo chemists formulate product specifically for each species so that the results are optimized for the needs of that particular species.
But don’t panic if you are in a bind and you need to use human-grade shampoo to quickly wash a spot on Fluffy. Your shampoo is definitely a better choice than any household detergent (please don’t ever!). However, when you’re looking for the perfect shampoo to provide optimal results for your pet, choosing shampoo designed specifically for dogs is the right way to go.
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?
Conditioner plays a very important role in completing the bathing and shampooing process. In addition to replenishing the coat with moisturizing elements like essential fatty acids and oils, conditioner seals the cuticle of the coat and helps to repair any damage to the hair shaft. Always remember to pair your shampoo with an appropriate conditioner. We’ve made sure to give you some options of a perfect conditioner pairing with every category of shampoo.
Color Enhancing Shampoo
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
Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo
Texturizing Shampoo
Deep-Cleaning Shampoo
Clarifying Shampoo
De-Shedding Shampoo
Parasite Treatment Shampoo (Flea and Tick Shampoo)
Deodorizing Shampoo
Repairing Shampoo
Medicated 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.
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]
For our sensitive babies, we need to take extra precautions when choosing the right products. 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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.]
Before speaking about parasite treatment shampoos, it’s important to first remind everyone to speak with a veterinarian about safe preventative treatments. Parasites are not just icky things that can bite your dog (and you!), they also can carry much more serious diseases. Once you’ve taken all the steps to keep your pet and yourself safe from any pesky parasites in the long term, we can speak about parasite-treatment prevention shampoos for the short term.
If you see that your pet may have a temporary infestation due to being at the wrong place at the wrong time (we won’t discuss it, it will be like Vegas), a parasite treatment shampoo is your best bet in getting rid of any buggers living on your dog. Maybe your dog played in the wrong park on the wrong side of town? Maybe you had an acquaintance visit with their dog who isn’t as diligent in using preventatives, and now you may have fleas in your home and on your dog. Yup, let’s get them in the bath and use some Flea and Tick Shampoo so you can keep cuddling.
[Here’s a great line of products to deal with an array of parasite problems: Bio-Groom parasite suite of products]
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.]
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.]
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?
You probably have a lot to think about now that you know all of the options for choosing that perfect shampoo pairing! But don’t worry; stay with brand names you know and trust, nail down which category of shampoo you need, do your research within that category, and then get ready to get soapy! Your pet will love you for it – in the long run!