I miss my dog’s puppy phase; the excitement of him understanding commands, his playful nature, his sweet little everything, why do they grow up so fast? 😭.

However, messy was his middle name and being an indoor dog, I had to bathe him regularly.

I realized that some shampoos made his skin itchy, while others relaxed him and left him with a fantastic scent.

And in this blog post, I’ll be sharing all my favorite puppy shampoos with you to ensure you and your puppy don’t go through any ugly ordeals with awful shampoos.

The Best Puppy Shampoos

I know how cautious you have to be when handling your furry friend, so it’s only fair I explain how I came up with my list.

Here you go.

I’ve used many of these shampoos on my dog, and a few that I haven’t used were either recommended by certified vets or other pet parents.

Now that you know my secret formula let’s get to the recommendations.

1. 5-in-1 Puppy Shampoo

The 5-in-1 puppy shampoo from Pet Care Sciences had to be my first recommendation for one reason; it’s 96% naturally derived.

I discovered this shampoo after being frustrated by several shampoos in the market that irritated my pup’s skin.

This shampoo is great for puppies that are prone to allergies or simply have sensitive skin. It’s free from phosphate, parabens, sulfate, DEA, or MEA.

The main ingredients of the puppy shampoo are oatmeal, aloe vera, coconut, and water.

Another interesting property of this shampoo is the conditioning and moisturizing properties of the shampoo. It leaves your puppy’s skin fuller, plush, and vibrant. The sweet coconut scent is also amazing for the smelly doggies as it leaves them with a sweet smell & ready for cuddles.

What we like

• It has a sweet coconut scent
• It’s derived from oatmeal so it maintains the moisture balance on your puppy’s skin.
• It rinses easily, which is a huge bonus for dogs with dense fur like goldens
• It has great consistency on your hand

What we didn’t like

• With some dogs, you may need conditioner to detangle and soften the fur

Check out the price of 5-in-1 puppy shampoo on Amazon.

2. Burt’s Bees for Dogs 2 in 1 Tearless Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

I honestly gave the Burt bees shampoo a chance for the same reason every new dog parent does: It’s POPULARITY.

Seriously.

It has 17k+ ratings on Amazon.

Luckily, it’s worth the hype, thanks to its puppy-friendly ingredient list. Plus, it doubles as a conditioner too, which is a huge bonus.

The shampoo is hypoallergic; it is made from all-natural products and is free from sulfates, fragrances, colorants, and other harsh chemicals.

Its ingredients include buttermilk which softens and soothes your baby’s fur. Another ingredient worth a mention is the linseed, which deeply conditions your dog’s coat.

Another great feature of the Burt Bees shampoo is that it’s doesn’t sting your puppy’s eye. However, although the shampoo is tearless, it’s still essential to prevent it from getting into the puppy’s eye to avoid any discomfort.

What we like

• It’s safe for puppies with sensitive skin
• It doesn’t contain sulfate or any other harsh chemicals
• It’s pocket-friendly
• It leaves your dog’s fur smooth and fluffy

What we didn’t like

• It has no scent at all; when they say it’s unscented, they’re not kidding
• It doesn’t lather quickly compared to shampoos with sulfates

Check out the price of the Burt Bees tearless dog shampoo on Amazon. 

3. CHI Tearless Puppy Shampoo

I first learned about this shampoo from my friend. I snuggled his Havanese puppy, and WOW saying he smelt soooo good is an understatement.

At first, I thought it was a type of dog spray because it smelt just like cologne, but it turns out the little lad had just had a bath.

I later researched this shampoo and read multiple reviews, and the sweet scent is definitely the highest selling point of CHI puppy shampoo.

But is that all it is?

Absolutely not. It has a great ingredient list that adds nutrients to your puppy’s fur. Some of the ingredients include soy protein, milk protein, honey, silk protein, chamomile extract, just to mention a few.

It’s also tearless, which is always a bonus in a puppy shampoo because we all know how jumpy they can be.

What we like

• It has a tearless formula
• It’s gentle and works well with delicate puppies
• It has a sweet scent
• It moisturizes your puppy’s coat

What we don’t like

• It’s a little costly compared to other shampoos like Burt Bees

Check out the price of CHI Tearless Puppy Shampoo on Amazon.

4. Pet Pleasant Lavender Oatmeal Pet Shampoo

Unlike most puppy shampoo that you can only use after 12 weeks, this shampoo is very mild, and it’s even safe for 6-week puppies.

The Honeydew dog shampoo is hypoallergic, and it does well for pet owners who want to go all-natural. And pet parents who have delicate fur babies.

That said, observe how your pup reacts after using this shampoo because some puppies don’t react very well to essential oils. If your dog suffers from allergies or has extremely sensitive skin, kindly check our other recommendations.

However, the shampoo is vet recommended, and it smells amazing. If your dog isn’t out rolling in the grass, the scent will last for days; one amazon user says it lasts for a month.

Besides the good scent, the shampoo has ingredients such as jojoba oil and keratin lavender glycerin that leave your puppy’s skin refreshed and moisturized.

What we like

• It has a sweet scent so you can say bye to the ‘wet dog odor.’
• It’s hypoallergic
• It leaves your pups skin shinny and fluffy
• It doesn’t sting your puppy’s eyes

What we didn’t like

• Not all dogs react well to essential oils

Check out the price of the Honeydew Lavender Oatmeal Pet Shampoo on Amazon.

 5. Wahl Gentle Puppy Shampoo for Puppies

I was overwhelmed by the positive responses I got in a golden retriever FB group when I asked about the Wahl shampoo.

And the amazon reviews just gave me the confidence to make the purchase.

One of the best things about this shampoo is that it works wells for all dog breeds.

There have been no complaints of irritation or itchiness so far, which is a good sign. The shampoo contains aloe vera and cornflower extracts that gently cleanse your dog’s dirt and any other environmental residue, restoring your pup’s shiny coat.

It also makes bath time easier because it lathers easily and also rinses out fast. If your puppy is the wiggly type, you don’t have to worry because the shampoo is tearless.

Lastly, it has a light sweet scent that’s just enough to eliminate the wet dog odor.

What we like

• It has a sweet scent that’s not overwhelming
• It removes all the dirt on your pup’s coat, leaving it shiny
• It’s suitable for sensitive dogs
• It leaves your dog’s fur tangle-free

What we didn’t like

• Nothing significant

Check the price of the Wahl Gentle Puppy Shampoo on Amazon. 

6. Paws & Pals Oatmeal Shampoo

Where are my vegan pet lovers at? What if I told you that you don’t have to give up your vegan and organic lifestyle when it comes to how you bathe your dog?

Pretty cool. Right?

Well, this is achievable with the Paws & pals oatmeal shampoo. And no, your furry friend won’t be missing out on anything.

As the name suggests, the shampoo contains oatmeal which will help relieve your dog any dryness, itchiness, and any other skin discomfort.

It also contains other ingredients, such as aloe vera, which helps heal and hydrate your pup’s skin and coat.

Lastly, like any other puppy shampoo on this list, it’s a tearless shampoo, and it leaves them smelling good.

What we like

• It’s vegan and organic
• It leaves your pup’s coat shiny
• It hydrates and moisturizes your puppy’s coat
• It’s great for sensitive dogs
• It heals your pup’s skin in case they’re suffering from irritation or itchiness

What we didn’t like

• Some pet parents don’t like the scent.

Check the price of the Paws & Pals Oatmeal Shampoo on Amazon. 

 7. Perfect Coat Puppy Shampoo

I thought I was really good at writing reviews until one amazon user outdid me. She says that after using the perfect coat puppy shampoo, your puppy transforms into a puppy child thanks to its scent 🤣🤣.

I thought that was a little salesy, but I’m here to confirm her review. The baby powder scent is strong, and it lasts for a while.

Besides the fantastic scent, the shampoo also has great ingredients like jojoba and keratin oils that moisturize and restore the shine on your pup’s coat.

However, one user said that it caused itchiness on her dogs, so it’s best to avoid the shampoo if you have an extremely sensitive pup.

What we like

• It has a fantastic baby scent
• It’s enriched with great ingredients such as keratin, jojoba oil, and aloe vera
• It’s very mild and gentle

What we didn’t like

• The packaging. Many buyers complained about receiving leaking packages
• If you don’t like fragrance, the baby powder scent may be a little overwhelming for you.

Check out the price of the perfect coat puppy shampoo on Amazon.  

8. Arava Flea & Tick Control Puppy Shampoo

I realized that most of my recommendations favor indoor dogs, so I decided to end the list with the Arava Flea & Tick control shampoo.

Unfortunately, fleas and ticks seem to love our pups as much as we do. This can cause your puppy irritation, and the pests may even end up infesting your home.

Luckily, this shampoo can save you from all this trouble while keeping your pet safe. Unlike other flea control products that are made with harsh chemicals, this shampoo is made from botanical ingredients. They include rosemary, lemongrass, cinnamon, thyme, clover, and citronella.

Also, this shampoo has a sweet scent, which is a big bonus.

What we like

• It’s made of botanical ingredients
• It’s mild and safe for puppies
• It has a sweet scent
• It leaves your pup’s fur clean and refreshed

What we didn’t like

• If your home is already heavily invested, the shampoo might not help.

Check the price of the Arava Flea & Tick control dog and puppy shampoo on Amazon. 

Best Puppy Shampoos Buyer’s Guide

What if you didn’t find a perfect fit for your pup on my shampoo list?

Don’t stress it; this section will help you understand exactly what to look for in a puppy shampoo.

Here are the factors to consider when buying your furry friend’s shampoo.

Fragrance

Most pet parents prefer shampoos with a good scent as it helps get rid of the wet dog odor.

If this is your case, go for shampoos with natural fragrances like lavender, rose, chamomile, and eucalyptus. I recommend natural fragrances as they’re a safer choice than synthetic fragrances, and they’re equally effective.

On the other hand, if you don’t like scents, you can always go for unscented shampoos like Burt Bee’s puppy shampoo.

pH Level

Pay attention because this is the same reason you can’t use human shampoo on your puppy.

A dog’s pH level is more alkaline than the human body; this means their shampoo should have a pH level of 2.

In addition, a puppy’s skin is even more alkaline than a mature dog, so a high pH could upset their pH level.

While choosing your shampoo, confirm the manufacturer mentions the pH level is safe for puppies. If it isn’t in the description, email them or consult with your vet.

The Ingredient List

Sure, most puppy shampoos will get the job done. However, some contain skin protectives such as vitamin E, oatmeal, or aloe vera. These ingredients keep your pup’s skin moisturized, hydrated, and healthy.

It’s always a good idea to go for a shampoo with these extra ingredients.

Artificial Ingredients

Unfortunately, not all shampoos are pup-friendly. Some contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your pup’s skin and cause itchiness.

Also, some chemicals get rid of the pup’s natural oils, which can cause dryness on your dog’s skin. If possible, always go for a shampoo with natural ingredients, especially if you wash your puppy regularly.

Some of the chemical ingredients to look out for include parabens, phthalates, nitrosamines, isothiazolinones, and formaldehyde.

Your Pup’s Health

Every puppy is different, so you need to consider what works for your puppy before buying any shampoo.

For example, some puppies are allergic to essential oils and will experience itchiness after using shampoos with oils, while others will have zero reactions.

If you have a very sensitive dog, consult your vet on what shampoo is best for them.

Best Puppy Shampoo (Final thoughts)

If you’re anything like me, your pet is your world and family, and you want to see them happy all the time.

One way to do this is to get the right shampoo to ensure they enjoy their baths and don’t experience irritation afterward.

I hope my suggestions and my guide gave you an idea of what’s best for your furry friend.

If this was helpful, remember to share this blog with other pet parents.

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