Whether you have an indoor puppy or a rambunctious outdoor puppy, the one thing that remains constant in your life is that they will need baths. Puppies are super curious, which means they get into all manner of things, which usually result in baths being needed. Bathing your puppy not only keeps him clean and smelling great, but it’s also good for his skin, coat, and overall health.
If you’re unsure what the best shampoo is for your wiggling puppy friend, we’ll give you reviews of our top 10 picks below, as well as a guide for choosing the best puppy shampoo to meet your needs afterward.
A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2022
The 10 Best Puppy Shampoos
1. Earthbath Ultra-Mild Wild Cherry Puppy Shampoo – Best Overall
Recommended Age:
Puppy
Scent:
Wild Cherry
Features:
Soap-free, Tearless, Cruelty-free
In our opinion, the best overall puppy shampoo is Earthbath Ultra-Mild Wild Cherry Puppy Shampoo. It’s cruelty-free and contains no dyes, parabens, or sulfates. Puppies are adorable and fun to watch, but they get into all kinds of things when running around the yard. This shampoo is gentle and contains organic aloe vera, so it doesn’t irritate your puppy’s skin. The wild cherry smell is pleasant and lasts for days.
However, some pet owners reported that the smell was too strong for them, so you might want to dilute it before using it. Nevertheless, if your puppy tends to get into messes that leave him dirty, then this gentle shampoo is our top choice to bathe him with.
Pros
Cruelty-free
Contains no dyes, parabens, or sulfates
Contains organic aloe vera
Cons
The smell is too strong for some pet owners
2. Burt’s Bees Puppy 2-in-1 Shampoo – Best Value
Recommended Age:
All ages
Scent:
Light honey
Features:
Cruelty-free
Our choice of the best puppy shampoo for the money is Burt’s Bees Puppy 2-in-1 Shampoo. It’s a shampoo that fits any budget, but is still cruelty-free, contains no artificial colors, fragrances, or sulfates that could irritate your puppy’s skin. Featuring buttermilk, this shampoo is perfect for conditioning your pet’s skin and coat.
The shampoo smells great and is a combination shampoo and conditioner, so your squirming puppy doesn’t have to sit still for very long. It is difficult to lather, however, and many pet owners reported the shampoo as being too watery. Nevertheless, the light honey scent hangs around for days, so if you’re looking for something to clean and make your puppy smell great at a good price, this is it.
Pros
Affordable
Cruelty-free with no artificial colors, fragrances, and sulfates
Smells great
Cons
Difficult to lather
Some pet owners reported it as too watery
3. Isle Of Dogs Tearless Puppy Shampoo – Premium Choice
Recommended Age:
Puppy
Scent:
Cotton/Orchard
Features:
Tearless
At number three on our list is our premium choice, The Isle of Dog’s Tearless Puppy Shampoo. This shampoo is sulfate and paraben-free, as well as being made with only the gentlest of cleaning agents. If your puppy has sensitive eyes, then this tearless formula will help with that. It also has a fresh scent that lasts for days. It’s easy to use and recommended for puppies of all ages.
Some users reported that they didn’t like the scent of the shampoo, and others reported the shampoo as not being tear-free as advertised, so be careful not to get it in your puppy’s eyes, just to be on the safe side.
Pros
Sulfate and paraben-free
The fresh scent lasts for days
Easy to use
Cons
Some users didn’t like the scent
Some owners reported that the shampoo isn’t tearless
4. Oster Oatmeal Essentials Gentle Puppy Shampoo-Best for Puppies
Recommended Age:
Puppy
Scent:
Baby Powder
Features:
Oatmeal
If you want your puppy to smell like a baby, then our number four choice of Oster Oatmeal Essentials Gentle Puppy Shampoo will do just that. It has a nice baby powder scent that lingers for days. It also contains oatmeal extracts that cleanse and soothe your puppy’s skin. This shampoo is recommended for puppies eight weeks and over to get the best results.
The only negative we saw with this puppy shampoo is that it isn’t tear-free, so you need to be super careful not to get it in your puppy’s eyes when bathing him. All-in-all, this is a shampoo that will leave your puppy’s skin and coat looking shiny and silky for weeks to come.
Pros
Nice baby powder scent
Cleans and soothes skin
Contains oatmeal extracts
5. 4-Legger Organic, Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo
Check Price on Chewy
Recommended Age:
Adult
Scent:
Lemongrass and aloe
Features:
Cruelty-free, Hypoallergenic
Number five on our list goes to 4-Legger Organic, Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo. While it’s not strictly a puppy shampoo, it is organic, cruelty-free, and hypoallergenic. It has a very pleasant lemongrass and aloe scent and contains no harmful additives. The formula is gentle enough for puppies and is certified by the USDA as an organic shampoo. This shampoo lathers easily into a rich lather that will clean your puppy in no time.
Some pet owners reported the shampoo as being extremely watery and the smell being horrible.
Pros
Organic, certified by the USDA
Lathers well
Contains no harmful additives
Cons
Extremely watery
Some pet owners reported the smell as being horrible
Number six on the list goes to Tropiclean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut Puppy & Kitten Shampoo. This shampoo is PH-balanced and extremely gentle on your puppy’s skin. In addition, it features a light tropical scent that isn’t overwhelming but lingers for days. There are some pet owners who didn’t care for the scent, however.
The shampoo is soap-free and dye-free but has been reported to dry out some dogs’ skin.
If you’re a fan of coconut, tropical scents, then this cruelty-free shampoo with oatmeal included is a great choice for you and your puppy. This shampoo is also recommended for kittens, so if you have both, you can save money as well.
Pros
PH-balanced and extremely gentle
Features a light tropical scent
Soap-free, dye-free
Cons
May dry out dog’s skin
Some pet owners didn’t like the scent
7. Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo for All Dogs & Puppies
Recommended Age:
All ages
Scent:
Chamomile and rosemary
Features:
Hypo-allergenic, Oatmeal
Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies is at number seven on the list for its light, fresh scent and the fact that it contains no artificial chemicals or fragrances to mess with your puppy’s sensitive skin. It’s a conditioning shampoo recommended for puppies and dogs and is hypoallergenic and a no-tears formula. If your puppy suffers from dry, itchy skin, then this calming shampoo can help.
The only drawback we saw with this puppy shampoo is that it’s super thick and hard to get out of the bottle. Of course, when you have a wiggling puppy to contend with, that’s a little hard to handle.
Pros
No-tears, Hypoallergenic
Light, fresh scent
Contains no artificial chemicals or fragrances
Cons
Thick and hard to get out of the bottle
8. The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash
Recommended Age:
All ages
Scent:
Varies (3 scents)
Features:
Oatmeal, Cruelty-free
If you have a puppy that doesn’t like to be bathed often, then our number eight pick of The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash could be for you. It’s recommended for dogs of all ages, contains oatmeal, and is cruelty-free. It’s a plant-based product; it’s a no-rinse moisturizing shampoo that comes in three different all-natural oil scents.
Some users say that the shampoo doesn’t work if your puppy is extremely dirty, and there’s no unscented version of this waterless shampoo available, so if you don’t like scents, then this might not be the right choice for you. However, if you like light smells and your puppy is difficult to bathe, this is a great alternative.
Pros
Plant-based
Cruelty-free
Features 3 natural oil scents
Cons
No unscented version is available
Doesn’t work if your puppy is extremely dirty
9. Honest Paws 5-in-1 Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner
Recommended Age:
All ages
Scent:
Fresh scent
Features:
All natural, Plant-based
Our number nine spot is reserved for Honest Paws 5-in-1 Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner. This shampoo is a shampoo conditioner, and detangles moisturizes, and deodorizes your furry friend. If you can’t get your puppy to sit still for all the above, then this is the right choice for you. It’s certified by the USDA as a organic shampoo, is plant-based, and is sulfate-free. In addition, it contains oatmeal and aloe to combat itchy, dry, sensitive skin and works for puppies with allergies.
The only drawback we found with this 5-in-1 shampoo is that it doesn’t lather very well, so you have to put a little extra work into getting your puppy clean. This shampoo is recommended for puppies 12 weeks of age and up.
Pros
Certified organic by the USDA
Contains aloe and oatmeal
Plant-based and sulfate-free
10. Pure and Natural Pet- Tearless and Calming Puppy Natural Shampoo
Recommended Age:
Puppy
Scent:
Lavender
Features:
Tearless, For sensitive skin
Finally on our list is number 10’s Pure and Natural Pet-Tearless and Calming Puppy Natural Shampoo. Recommended for puppies ages 12 weeks and up, this shampoo is easy to use, gentle and features mostly organic ingredients. In addition, it’s tearless for sensitive skin and contains no dyes, chemicals, or other harsh ingredients that could irritate your puppy’s skin.
The shampoo has a lovely lavender scent that works to calm your puppy at bath time and lingers for days. In addition, this gentle formula will prevent itching and leave your puppy’s coat soft and shiny.
The shampoo is a little difficult to work into a lather, so be prepared to work for it.
Pros
Contains no dyes or chemicals
Gentle and easy to use
Features organic ingredients
Cons
Hard to work into a lather
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve read our top 10 reviews of what we think are the 10 best puppy shampoos for 2021, you might be wondering how to choose the right shampoo for your furry little friend. We’ll talk a bit about not only how to choose but also the benefits of using puppy shampoos as well in the sections below.
What Should You Look for in a Puppy Shampoo?
When it comes to choosing the best puppy shampoo, there are a few things you should look for during your search. We’ll talk about those things below.
The Ingredient List
When choosing a puppy shampoo, the first thing you should look at is the list of ingredients the shampoo contains, especially if your puppy has super sensitive skin. You want all-natural ingredients that won’t irritate your puppy’s skin, such as oatmeal and aloe vera. In addition, natural scents, such as coconut, tropical scents, and other light scents are best. Make sure to also avoid any artificial dyes, chemicals, and fragrances if at all possible.
Lifestage
Your puppy’s skin is still delicate, sensitive, and growing, so you want a shampoo that helps with that. Choose a shampoo that’s intended for puppies or a shampoo that works for all ages. If you’re unsure of which shampoo would be best for your puppy’s life stage, your vet can give you some recommendations.
Image Credit: liilxliil, Pixabay
Tear-Free
Most puppy shampoos will profess to be tearless or tear-free, but that doesn’t mean that they truly are. While you want to look for a tearless shampoo, it’s still best to try and keep the shampoo out of your puppies’ eyes, just to be on the safe side. Tearless shampoo in no way means that it’s safe to just pour the shampoo over your puppy’s head, and let it drip into his eyes, so don’t do it.
Look for a Pleasant Scent
As a pet owner, you already know that puppies can get into everything, especially things that make them smell horrible. That’s why it’s best to look for a shampoo that has a pleasant scent and some deodorizing qualities as well.
These are a few of the things you should look for when choosing the best shampoo for your puppy. Did you know there were benefits to using puppy shampoos? If you didn’t, we’ll tell you a few of them in our next section.
What Are the Benefits of Using Puppy Shampoo?
There are many benefits to using a puppy shampoo on your furry friend, from maintaining hygiene to promoting a healthy coat. There’s also the pleasant scent your puppy will have when he’s snuggling on the couch beside you after a long day of playing in the yard.
While many pet owners think it’s okay to use human shampoo on their pets, whether they’re puppies, dogs, kittens, or cats, it’s not a good idea. Human shampoo is formulated and contains ingredients for human hair and scalps. The ingredients in your human shampoo can irritate and hurt your pet’s skin, not to mention their eyes.
It’s best to use a proper puppy shampoo on your puppy for the best results. There are many benefits to using puppy shampoo over dog shampoo. The biggest is that some dog shampoos contain ingredients that could harm your puppy, especially when they’re tiny. Even puppy shampoos have an age recommendation for when they can be used on a puppy.
If you’re unsure of which puppy shampoo to use, please contact your vet or a reputable groomer for a recommendation.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our reviews and guide of the top 10 best puppy shampoos for 2021. Our overall pick goes to Earthbath Ultra-Mild Wild Cherry Puppy Shampoo for being organic and suitable for puppies of all ages. Number two on our list goes to Burt’s Bees Puppy 2-in-1 Shampoo for its affordability and cruelty-free, natural formula. Finally, our premium choice goes to Isle of Dog’s Tearless Puppy Shampoo for its fresh scent and ease of use.
Between our top 10 and the guide we’ve given you on choosing the best puppy shampoo, you should be able to choose the right shampoo to help keep your puppy’s coat healthy, shiny, and silky for many years to come.
Featured Image Credit: Kasefoto, Shutterstock
Nicole is the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese cat and Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts’ knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.
