To help you navigate through the maze of options, we’ve compiled a list of the six best smelling dog shampoos for 2023. We understand that bathing your dog can be a tricky task, and the scent of the shampoo may not always last as long as you’d like. That’s why we’ve carefully selected these products based on their effectiveness and long-lasting scent.
Whether you have a rambunctious puppy or a mature hound, our buyer’s guide is designed to help you choose the best dog shampoo to keep your furry companion looking and smelling great. So, sit back, relax, and let us take the hassle out of choosing the right shampoo for your pup.
How Do You Choose the Best Smelling Shampoo?
While you want something that smells amazing, you should also consider a few other factors. Is the shampoo natural? Does it contain any chemicals? Could it be that the scent is too strong for your pet?
These are just a few of the things you should pay attention to when you’re buying the best-smelling shampoo.
All Natural
It might be hard to believe that something like shampoo can be made from entirely natural ingredients. Luckily, it can.
When we say a product is all-natural, we mean it doesn’t feature any harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients that could harm your pet. Allergens can also be considered harsh, artificial, and all-the-way harmful, so make sure to check for them as well.
You have to be cautious when it comes to this because some brands tend to label the product as all-natural while that might not be the truth. Take some time to turn the bottle and read the ingredients.
Whatever is in the bottle should be stated there, so you can easily see if it’s indeed all-natural.
Cruelty-free
Choosing cruelty-free products is an important step we should take towards a better environment and world as a whole. However, it may seem logical to some to test dog shampoo on animals, but it’s not.
It’s not ethical either since animals are often put at risk this way.
Luckily, more manufacturers are considerate and animal-friendly giving up on such testing, so you shouldn’t have a problem with finding cruelty-free shampoos, some of which we’ve included in our list above.
Fresh scent
If you’re looking for a best-smelling shampoo, you obviously want something that smells nice and for a long time. Though scent has the main role in here, you have to consider it carefully.
The first thing you should note is that animals have a sense of smell that is more refined than ours. They find scents more intense than we do which is why some fragrances might be too strong for their respiratory system.
Choose only the ones that are naturally scented with citrus, lavender, or other natural ingredients. Again, check the label at the back of the bottle to see the ingredients and whether the scent is natural or not.
Are you looking for more options than just shampoos that are best smelling?
Then visit our here: Best Dog Shampoo and Conditioners
Ingredients and Fragrances to Avoid
Many products on the market are just toxins and chemicals with a pleasant scent to trick you into thinking they’re natural.
Flip the bottle and check the list of ingredients to see what the shampoo is made of. Here are just a few of those you should avoid:
Artificial colors – who hasn’t been attracted to shampoo because of its lovely bright color?
Though it looks like a subtle tint of a natural ingredient, it’s probably just artificial coloring. These are trouble-makers and can actually cause many forms of cancers.
A few to avoid are FD&C, Yellow 5, or D&C.
Fragrances – it’s what makes the shampoo smell great, isn’t it?
Though this is true, you should make sure that the aroma comes from natural ingredients, plants, and essential oils. If not, avoid it.
Even if it does smell natural and you can’t sense any chemicals in it, your dog might actually sense them. Read the ingredients list to avoid fragrances that could cause allergic reactions.
Mineral oil – how can something called mineral oil not be good for your pup?
Well, this is the industry sneaking something bad as something good. The craziest thing is that you could probably find it in some of your own skincare products.
It’s a byproduct of distilled gasoline made from crude oil. It coats your pet’s skin and prevents it from releasing its own oils.
Benefits of Bathing your Pet
The most significant benefit of bathing your pup is keeping its fur and skin clean. Bathing helps with when they get dirty when they interact with other dogs, or simply when you want them to smell nice.
Plus, if your pet is trained to like it, it’s a nice way to bond and have fun. Now, some pooches like this while others don’t and sometimes there’s not much you can do.
However, all dogs will feel much better after a soak, even those that didn’t like the process as much.
Using a best-smelling shampoo will be rewarding for both your and the pooch as all bad odor is eliminated.
Another benefit has to do with you and your family. If you keep your canine in the house, it’s essential to maintain its fur clean to avoid possible health issues the dirt can cause to people.
A dirty dog in the home results in a messy house, too, and that’s something you definitely want to avoid.
Alternatives
Bathing is by far the best way to keep your pup clean and smelling fresh. However, in some cases, you can’t bathe the dog as often as you want like if you’re treating a certain skin irritation or disease.
For example, shampoos that battle ticks should be used every two weeks, so even if your dog no longer smells of lavender, you shouldn’t rush to bathe him/her again.
What can you do? As we mentioned earlier, you can turn to wet wipes and water/vinegar solution.
These are the two most impactful ways of keeping the coat smelling fresh until the next time you clean them. You can choose pet wipes, but even those made for babies are a good alternative.
Also, we know the bathing process takes quite some time and effort. If you don’t always feel like going through the hassle of battling with a wet dog, you can opt for a dry shampoo from time to time.
Although this isn’t a permanent solution and isn’t as effective as regular shampoo, it’s a good and quick alternative.
However, if you’re using a special shampoo to treat certain skin problems, it’s best you consult with your vet if it’s okay to use any alternatives in between the bathing sections.
The 6 Best Smelling Dog Shampoos
Pro Pet Works Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo + Conditioner
This USA-made shampoo + conditioner combination is best for allergy prone dogs. So, you should try it out if your pup is allergic to grass, fleas, and certain foods.
It’s PH balanced and specially made for sensitive skin. The product features no alcohol, added colors, sulfates, fragrance, or harsh chemicals.
In other words, it’s made of entirely natural ingredients like almond oil and aloe vera and vitamins D, E, and A. It’s soothing and therapeutic so that it won’t cause any itching or irritation.
This one won’t irritate your pet’s nose and eyes, so the washing them are fun and enjoyable. It’s easy to brush through and will make your dog smell of cherry for days.
Another thing worth noting is that it’s cruelty-free and doesn’t contain any animal byproduct. The bottle it comes in is biodegradable and made of recycled materials.
The shampoo is safe to use on cats and rabbits, too.
Pros:
- Organic ingredients
- Doesn’t irritate eyes and nose
- Cruelty-free and eco-friendly
Cons:
- The scent might be too strong for some
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Honeydew Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies
This one is all natural and suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. It’s ideal for dogs that often have itchy and irritated skin.
The product is made of colloidal oatmeal which soothes and calms flaky skin. At the same time, it also works as a deodorant and leaves the fur smelling fresh.
It’s an organic treatment with conditioning effects that features no sulfates and chemicals.
The HoneyDew is among the best solutions for dogs who like rolling in dirt and muddy puddles. It includes Provitamin B5 and Jojoba oil to battle skin irritation and helps detangle fur.
You’ll find it easy to brush and rinse, leaving the hair smooth, clean, and scented. Also, it’s made in the USA and comes in a BPA-free and eco-friendly bottle.
Pros:
- Reduces irritation
- Makes the hair fluffy
- Smells fresh
Cons:
- Only 8oz
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Alpha Dog Series White Shampoo and Conditioner
If your pet has dry skin, dandruff, sensitive skin or any ailments, this might be a good option to try. It’s pH balanced, and doesn’t dry or irritate the skin furthermore.
It’s a shampoo and deep conditioner in one product which saves you some time spent when washing them. For this reason, it’s especially convenient for dogs who don’t like getting wet as much.
This one is made from aloe vera and natural extracts of different veggies and fruits. The combination cleans even the dirtiest hairs leaving the bright, smooth and soft.
On top of that, the hound will smell fresh and clean for as long as two weeks. Another great thing about it is that it doesn’t irritate the eyes and nose.
We all know how hard it is to avoid those areas especially if your pet wiggles all the time. You can freely use this one without fearing it will hurt your pet.
Pros:
- Long-lasting fresh smell
- Natural ingredients
- Doesn’t irritate
Cons:
- Not for puppies
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Curaseb Chlorhexidine 4% Shampoo for Dogs & Cats
This isn’t a regular pet shampoo because it features Chlorhexidine 4% that helps eliminate and prevent microorganisms and bacteria that cause disease. Its antiseptic ingredients treat skin problems in horses, cats, and dogs.
By eliminating bacteria, the shampoo also removes the musty smell from your pet’s coat. The product smells like fresh blueberries, and the scent is released each time you pet the dog.
It’s a gentle formula that deep-cleans the coat while soothing the skin. In the end, fur is smooth, soft and fluffy for weeks until the next soak.
This one is free of soap and parabens, featuring only natural ingredients that calm the skin and smell like berries.
Pros:
- Long-lasting scent
- Ideal to fight bacteria
- Makes the fur fluffy
Cons:
- A bit drying
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Particular Paws Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
If you have a dog and a cat, this is another shampoo that you might like. It’s specially made for the itchy and dry skin of pets that suffer from skin conditions such as alopecia, hives, dandruff, pruritus, dryness, etc.
Its gentle formula made of aloe vera and oatmeal helps soothe the irritated skin while cleansing the coat, too. Depending on the thickness of the fur, the shampoo can provide instant relief.
This one helps restore the health of all hairs giving it back its shine and softness. It doesn’t take away any natural oils but helps the skin recover and retain its natural oils.
The best thing is that it’s completely free of toxins and harsh chemicals. It contains shea butter, aloe vera, chamomile, honey extract, rosemary, and oatmeal which are all natural ingredients.
It’s made in the USA and is approved by vets all over the world.
Pros:
- Clean and fresh scent
- Helps with skin conditions
- Thick texture
- Easy to rinse
Cons:
- The scent might be too strong
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Miracle Coat Dog Shampoo
If you and your pets live a quick and on-the-go lifestyle, then this could be the best choice for you. It’s a quick way to clean your canine’s fur without the hassle and struggle of rinsing.
This one is a no-rinse shampoo, and you can get it in different sizes, too. Smaller bottles come with a noiseless sprayer that makes the application even easier.
Overall, it’s a pharmaceutical grade shampoo that cleans all coats while making them shiny and soft. All the natural ingredients help to sooth the skin and calm any irritation that’s going on.
You’ll notice a clean and fresh scent after each use that’s not too overpowering. It’s the kind of smell your canine has after a groomer’s appointment.
However, the smell does go away after a few days.
Pros:
- Easy application
- No rinsing
- Natural ingredients
Cons:
- The scent goes away quickly
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FAQ
Can we use human shampoo?
Using a human shampoo on a dog is something most people have done at least once. Maybe you didn’t know something like a dog shampoo existed or you forgot to buy a bottle after you ran out the old one.
This isn’t something that could permanently hurt your dog, but you should still avoid doing it. The reason is that our skin is very different from our pet’s skin, so the products we use cannot be the same either.
Simply put, if you wouldn’t use a dog shampoo to wash your hair, you shouldn’t use a human shampoo to wash your dog’s fur.
Where can I buy these specialized shampoos?
The best place where you could buy best smelling dog shampoos is Amazon. Not only it has a wide range of products you can choose from, but most of them also come in different sizes.
Another benefit of buying these products from Amazon is customer feedback. Pet owners turn to Amazon to tell you about their experience with the particular shampoo helping you decide whether or not it’s the right thing for you.
Plus, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home and actually go to a store for it.
Final Thoughts
Dogs are loyal companions and everyone who has ever owned one probably feels the same way. They love us with the most unconditional love, and for that, we should cherish them.
It’s important we look after our pets from the food we give them to the baths and care we provide. And what better way to enjoy their cleaning than with a best-smelling shampoo made especially for dogs.
We tried to make our list as versatile as possible so that every pet owner can find a product that fits their pooch the best.