Our furry friends sure know how to get dirty – whether they’re digging in the backyard, jumping in the nearest puddle, or exploring the muddiest corner of the woods. This is especially true of puppies, who are experiencing the world for the very first time. With so many new sights, scents, and scenes to explore, it’s no surprise when puppies track their messy pawprints through the house.
As any new pet parent knows, taking care of a puppy comes with a lot of responsibility, including establishing routines for meal time, play time, and of course – bath time. For those new to pet ownership, bathing is an important op-paw-tunity to bond with your pup while making them feel relaxed and secure. The best way to do so? With puppy-approved products that are gentle, soothing, and above all, safe.
We’ve compiled the best puppy shampoos for your new best friend, based on the following factors:
- Natural ingredients
- Exceptional moisturizing and cleansing properties
- No artificial colors, dyes, or harsh chemicals
- Veterinarian-recommended
- Tear-free
- pH balanced formulas
Similar to human babies, fur babies require more sensitive and gentle products when it comes to cleansing. Puppy shampoos tend to be gentler to protect young coats and skin, with tearless formulas that won’t irritate their sensitive eyes. Natural ingredients are also a priority to help cleanse, soothe, detangle, and protect shiny coats without damaging their skin.
Yet, with so many products to choose from, it can be difficult to know what to buy. Put your puppy fur-st with a shampoo that works best for their needs at this stage of life, with help from our list of the most effective, pawsome products on the market.
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Burt’s Bees Shampoo for Puppies
Burt’s Bees two-in-one shampoo and conditioner is a mild, pH balanced formula that nourishes, strengthens, brightens, and exfoliates your pup’s hair – so they can look and feel their best. Free of fragrances, sulfates, colorants, and other harsh chemicals, this product soothes and softens your puppy’s coat with all-natural products, including buttermilk and linseed oil. As a sustainably sourced product that is also cruelty-free, you can rest assured that your puppy’s grooming doesn’t come at the expense of other animals.
CHI Tearless Puppy Shampoo
Price: $24.58
CHI’s formula is designed to cleanse and protect delicate skin and coats, with a tearless solution that won’t sting or irritate your pup’s eyes. For puppies experiencing bathtime for the first time, this is especially important because your dog likely won’t be sitting still. The ingredients are simple and natural: water, mild cleansing agents, silk protein, soy, protein, milk protein, aloe vera, honey, chamomile extract, vitamin E, panethnol, minerals, and light fragrance. Sulfate and paraben free, this shampoo is ideal for cleansing and moisturizing. One pet parent’s response says it all: “This product makes bathing my little guy a dream.”
Paws & Pals Oatmeal Shampoo
Price: $15.95
This nourishing formula, recommended by veterinarians, consists of a unique blend of oils, extracts, and vitamins to help clean, deodorize, and soften your fur baby’s skin. The primary ingredient, oatmeal, helps soothe itchy or dry skin, and also relieve symptoms of allergies and hot spots. Rosemary and shea butter unleash their smoothing, moisturizing effects to leave your pup feeling clean, smooth, and odorless. Paws & Pals also ensures their product is tearless and soap-free, so you and your best friend can enjoy bath time without worrying about irritation or inflammation.
Pet Pro Tip: When shopping for products for your puppy, make sure to also help protect your fur baby with best-in-class puppy insurance plans for accidents & illnesses.
Veterinary Formula Solutions Puppy Love Shampoo
Price: $8.47
Veterinary Formula Solutions’ pH balanced shampoo is specifically designed for puppies in their first year of life. Mild enough for puppies over six weeks, this tearless product will not sting or irritate eyes and is gentle enough for frequent use – even on extra delicate skin. It also won’t wash away topical spot-on flea or tick treatments. Sulfate and DEA free, you can expect a consistently soft and fluffy coat for your new best friend with a light scent similar to baby powder.
Earthbath Ultra-mild Puppy Shampoo
Price: $21.99
Earthbath’s ultra-mild puppy shampoo is a unique three-in-one formula with a gentle cleanser, conditioner, and detangler. Free of parabens, dyes, soaps, phthalates, and alcohol, this natural product cleans your pup using plant-derived, coconut-based cleansers as well as aloe vera and vitamin E. Non-toxic, pH balanced, and gentle, this shampoo leaves your pup’s coat soft and plush with a light cherry fragrance.
Pure and Natural Pet Puppy Shampoo
Price: $10.99
Pure and Natural Pet’s puppy formula blends organic lavender oil, calendula oil, and oatmeal extract to cleanse and moisturize your puppy’s sensitive skin. Soap, dye, and agent foaming free, this gentle formula won’t dry out your puppy’s skin or affect flea or tick treatments. It is recommended for best fur friends 12 weeks or older.
Kin + Kind Charcoal Natural Shampoo
Price: $14.99
This vet-formulated charcoal shampoo is ideal for smelly pups with sensitive skin – the MO of most puppies. One of the main ingredients, activated charcoal, works to deep clean your furry friend’s coat while delivering long-lasting hydration. Coconut and olive oil refresh skin and brighten both white and multi-colored dogs. Even if your pup has a chance encounter with a skunk, this shampoo can help eliminate odor with help from essential oils like Ho Wood and Patchouli.
Rocco & Roxie Calm Sensitive Shampoo
Price: $16.97
Tender puppy skin requires the most gentle care – and that’s why Rocco & Roxie have created a shampoo free of alcohols, parabens, phosphates, dyes, and artificial colors. Instead, aloe vera extract, rosemary, and chamomile combine to create the ulti-mutt hypoallergenic formula for young puppy skin and coats. Try their Soothe and Shine products from the same line to relieve itchy skin or boost your pup’s shine when they transition out of puppyhood.
Arm & Hammer Tearless Puppy Shampoo
Price: $5.69
Eliminate the stress of bathtime for your fur baby with Arm & Hammer’s tearless product made from all natural ingredients. This veterinarian-recommended formula is pH balanced, gentle, and paraben and sulfate free. Infused with baking soda, this product naturally deodorizes your pet while simultaneously cleansing.
BioSilk Puppy Tearless Shampoo
Price: $9.66
Gentle enough for puppies eight weeks and older, BioSilk’s tearless shampoo reinforces the strength of your pup’s fur with gentle cleansing. It cleans, softens, and conditions puppy coats using silk proteins that protect against heat and moisturize their coats for unparalleled shine.
With so many puppy shampoos to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the best one for your best friend. Feel free to try out a few different brands, and see which one your pup prefers – but be sure to prioritize natural, pH balanced formulas that are sensitive to your pup’s delicate skin. As your dog grows older, explore other great shampoo options for their next stage in life.
