Best Puppy Shampoo

Your puppy likely spends much of its day playing, chewing, and exploring the world around them.  With all of this action, your pup likely gets quite dirty throughout the week. Bathing your young dog is an essential part of keeping both you and your pet happy and healthy.  Hence, it is always important to keep the best puppy shampoo at hand.

What should I look for in a Puppy Shampoo?

You want to select a puppy shampoo that has a neutral pH.  This means that the shampoo would have a pH of 7, which is the same as your puppy’s skin.  This helps protect both your pup’s skin and fur.  

Next, you want to think about fragrance.  Some puppy shampoos have ingredients that simply neutralize the odors of your puppy.  Other shampoos contain added fragrance to enhance the clean smell of your pup after a bath.  These added fragrances may work fine for your pup but pay close attention if it begins to irritate your dog’s skin.  

Also, you may want to consider the country of origin.  The USA, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have more strict quality control and safety guidelines than some other countries.  

Finally, if your pup has white or light fur, you may want to consider a color-specific option.  Some shampoos are specially formulated to not stain the coat of white dogs. 

What’s the Best Shampoo for Puppies? 

When choosing a shampoo for your puppy, be sure to find one that fits your budget, and your pet’s specific needs. 

Many puppies can use any dog shampoos on the market.

However, there are other puppies that need a special formulation due to some medical conditions.

Our Top Pick

Topping our list on the best puppy shampoo is the Earthbath All Natural Puppy Shampoo. It is an overall great pick for your puppy. 

This shampoo is made in the USA and is a tear-free formula for your young dog.  This pH-balanced formula contains ingredients that would suit your pet’s skin. It does not contain any harmful chemicals.  

The cherry scent will leave your pup smelling clean.  The 16 oz. bottle runs for $9.50 on Amazon, making this Earthbath Puppy Shampoo a rather cost-effective option. 

Runner Up

This Pet Oatmeal Anti-Itch Shampoo is also a great recommendation.  This anti-itch formula has natural oatmeal, baking soda, and aloe vera, and coconut as its ingredients, among others. These soothing ingredients make this shampoo a great choice if your puppy has sensitive skin or is itching a lot.  

It is one of the best puppy shampoo for dry skin. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal treatment to enhance the skin and coat health of our young pups. 

This product is made in the USA and is detergent-free and alcohol-free.  With its oatmeal cookie scent, your dog will feel clean, soothed, and smell clean.  

Also Great

Burt’s Bees makes a 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner that is tearless for all dogs of various ages and puppies too.  The natural ingredients list contains buttermilk which helps soothe your pup’s skin and linseed oil which will also condition their skin underneath.  This shampoo is fragrance-free and also does not contain any harsh chemicals. 

Also Great

Natural Dog Shampoo with Colloidal Oatmeal is safe to use with your dogs and puppies.  The primarily natural ingredients list contains oatmeal and lavender which helps soothe your puppy’s itchy and dry skin.  The manufacturer feels so confident that you will love this shampoo. If you do not, the company offers a 100% money-back guarantee. 

Also Great

TropiClean Gentle Coconut Puppy Shampoo is perfect for our pets with sensitive skin.  Made with the highest quality and naturally derived ingredients, it soothes and cleanses your young pups thoroughly.  The pH-balanced formula is also paraben-, dye-, and soap-free, making it safe for your young pet’s skin and coat.

When can I bathe my New Puppy?

Your veterinarian will likely suggest a time for you to first bathe your young dog.  Most puppy shampoos are appropriate for puppies over 12 weeks of age.

Introducing baths to your young pup will be a fun experience and a great bonding time with your pup. When the time is right and with the best puppy shampoo, bath time would not be a struggle.  

Now that he had his first bath, how often should you bathe a puppy?

As a general rule, you should bathe your puppy once a month. However, this rule comes with an exception.

When your puppy loves staying outside and rolling on the grass or, worse, mud, then bathing him more often would be alright. Just make sure that you use a mild shampoo that would work gently on his skin and coat.

Is it OK to use Baby Shampoo on a Puppy?

Although it seems like using human or baby shampoo on your dog’s coat wouldn’t be an issue, it is not always safe, especially for young puppies. 

Many human shampoos can strip your dog’s fur of necessary oils and may also contain additives that irritate their skin.

It is important to purchase puppy shampoo that is formulated to not harm your pup’s skin and coat.  

Baths will be an important part of keeping your young puppy clean and healthy.  Choosing the right puppy shampoo will help make this time safe for your dog.

Consider a shampoo designed specifically for puppies, with a neutral pH level, and natural ingredients for a safe and soothing bath time.