The Best Puppy Shampoos

If your puppy is like most, they probably get pretty dirty during playtime. The last thing you want is a hyper little puppy running through your living room after playing outside and tracking muddy paw prints all over the carpet. Luckily, puppy shampoo is here to save the day. Puppy shampoo is specifically engineered to clean your dog's coat and skin without using harsh formulas that might sting in the bath. There are a thousand and one different types of puppy shampoo these days, so take a look at our list of the best puppy shampoos on the market to help you decide which is the right one for you and your dog.

Burt’s Bees For Dogs Itch Soothing Shampoo and Spray

Clean and serene

This ultra-soft spray-based puppy shampoo can help combat dry itchy skin and soften your puppy's coat.
Best Overall

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Incessant itching can cause a whole host of problems for you and your new puppy. With this puppy shampoo and spray from Burt’s Bees, you can finally get your dog’s hind legs to cut out all the racket. This puppy shampoo’s formula boasts a balanced array of naturally moisturizing ingredients such as oatmeal, avocado, lavender, and honey.

Pros:

  • This pick from Burt’s Bees is exceptionally convenient because you can use the spray function outside of the bath at any time.
  • If you have a puppy who suffers from hives due to seasonal allergies, Burt’s Bees puppy shampoo can provide them some relief from symptoms.

Cons:

  • There’s a lot to love about this puppy shampoo, but some dogs have been known to have minor allergic reactions to the honeysuckle present in the ingredients list.

Bio-Groom Fluffy Puppy No Tears Shampoo

Soft and gentle

This impressive puppy shampoo can give your pup a thorough cleaning without stripping its coat of important natural oils.
Best For Sensitive Skin

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Your puppy’s skin will be quite sensitive for the first few months of its young life. It’s best to clean them with a puppy shampoo product that’s delicate enough not to cause your beloved pup any pain. That’s where Bio-Groom’s Fluffy Puppy shampoo comes in. With a “no tears” formula that’s soft on the skin and the eyes, this puppy shampoo will serve you and your puppy well for many cleanings to come.

Pros:

  • If you’re a fan of the smell of baby powder, Bio-Groom’s softly scented puppy shampoo will be a big hit in your household.
  • Luckily, this formula also doubles as a puppy conditioner that will keep your puppy’s coat soft and smooth for weeks to come.

Cons:

  • While the ultra-fresh scent is nice while it lasts, we do wish it had a bit more longevity.

Bugalugs Oatmeal and Aloe Vera Puppy Shampoo Concentrate

Doggie's delight

Get more bang for your buck with this aromatic oatmeal-based puppy shampoo concentrate.
Best Value

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Puppy shampoo concentrates are an excellent way to make the bottle last longer and get more mileage for your dollar. This oatmeal and aloe vera-based puppy shampoo concentrate from Bugalugs is one of the most effective on the market. Bugalugs’ puppy shampoo concentrate is pH balanced and soft on sensitive skin. Not to mention, this formula is 100% vegan.

Pros:

  • The lime and coconut fragrance is absolutely delightful and the aroma lasts a lot longer than plenty of comparable puppy shampoo concentrates.
  • Bugalugs’ puppy shampoo lathers up nicely to reach every inch of your dog’s coat.

Cons:

  • To make things easier during bath time, we wish Bugalugs would switch over to a nozzle dispenser instead of a screw-off cap.

Pet Care Sciences Tearless Puppy Shampoo

Say goodbye to itching

This puppy shampoo boasts a meticulously crafted formula that does wonders against dry, crackly skin.
Best for Itching

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The last thing you want is to make your puppy’s eyes tear up during bath time. Thankfully, Pet Care Sciences has perfected the art of making a 100% tearless puppy shampoo. This puppy shampoo concentrate is naturally derived from coconut oil and free of harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and phosphates. What’s more, this puppy shampoo will leave your puppy’s coat soft enough to easily remove tangles and matting.

Pros:

  • This is the rare puppy shampoo that manages to be aromatic and supremely fragrant without being too overpowering.
  • Not only does this formula help with softening your puppy’s coat, but it can also do wonders for incessant scratching.

Cons:

  • We’re huge fans of this puppy shampoo for the low cost and effectiveness, but we do wish it lathered up a bit more heavily in the bath.

Wahl Gentle Formula Puppy Shampoo Concentrate

Stay fresh

This exceptionally gentle and delightfully fragrant puppy shampoo is free of irritating ingredients such as alcohol and parabens.
Best Scent

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If you’re looking for a naturally derived puppy shampoo concentrate that is chock full of highly moisturizing ingredients, Wahl’s Gentle Formula puppy shampoo is the pick for you. This cost-effective puppy shampoo concentrate uses high amounts of coconut-derived sodding agents that help you get more bang for your buck.

Pros:

  • Wahl’s puppy shampoo lathers densely and rinses out quickly.
  • This is a well-balanced formula that can tackle both moisturizing your puppy’s skin and softening their coat.

Cons:

  • The moisturizing capabilities are nothing to scoff at, but we wish this product had a bit of a stronger aroma.

Our Tips and Tricks

The smartest thing to do when looking for a puppy shampoo is to tailor your search for your puppy’s specific needs. The best, most expensive, and fragrant puppy shampoo on the market might not serve your puppy’s needs as well as a cheaper one that is engineered for your puppy’s particular issues. For instance, if your puppy is a frequent scratcher, it’s best to look for an anti-itch puppy shampoo like the one offered by Burt’s Bees. The moisturizing ingredients present will help your puppy feel more comfortable and less likely to scratch themselves silly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use adult dog shampoo on my puppy?

It will surely get the job done, but it might be a little too harsh for them and cause skin issues or tearing eyes. It’s much better to purchase puppy formula to avoid any issues like this arising.

What is a puppy shampoo concentrate?

Puppy shampoo concentrate is essentially a super-potent version of puppy shampoo. The concentrate is meant to be mixed with a specific amount of water before application to your puppy’s coat.

About the Author

With extensive experience as a professional dog handler, Nick wants to help owners choose the best possible products for their pooches. Since dogs show their humans such unconditional love, Nick believes it's only fair that we give it right back to them -- and who wouldn't want to? He has had dogs since elementary school himself, so you can trust him to have the best advice on canine care.

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