If you’re new to the dog shampoo game, you’re probably overwhelmed by choice. With hundreds of shampoo brands to choose from, it’s hard to know what’s right for your dog.
Regular bathing keeps your dog’s skin moisturized and their coats clean and soft. But some dogs have specific needs, and that’s where things get tricky.
With PetSmart’s product selection of trusted brands, you’re guaranteed to find the right fit. Have a look at our picks for 10 best dog shampoos available at PetSmart.
Our best overall choice for a dog shampoo at PetSmart is the Only Natural Pet Hydrating Dog Shampoo. It uses a blend of natural ingredients, such as aloe, hemp, rosemary, and mint as substitutes for harsh chemicals that can sometimes dry out your dog’s skin.
While this shampoo is pH balanced for dogs, it’s made with ingredients that are safe enough for humans. The non-toxic formula has no added dyes or perfumes.
This product gently cleans and nourishes coats with omegas 3 and 6 for softness and shine.
The natural oils in this shampoo give it a pleasant scent, but unfortunately, it doesn’t last long after the bath is over.
Pros
All-natural formula
Made with human-grade ingredients
Includes aloe and oatmeal to hydrate skin
Cons
The scent is not long-lasting
2. Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo — Best Value
The shea butter and honey in Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo work to soften and moisturize skin while leaving the coat shiny. The formula is made up of 97% all-natural ingredients, making this the best dog shampoo at PetSmart for the money. There are no colorants, added fragrances, or sulfates in this product. It is pH balanced for dogs that suffer from dry, itchy skin.
The scent that this shampoo leaves behind is light and mild. The shampoo itself is thin and runs out of the bottle quickly, though, which can wind up wasting the product if you’re not prepared for that. Due to the honey in the ingredients, this doesn’t lather like most other shampoos. It won’t create the expected suds as you work it through your dog’s coat.
Pros
Natural ingredients
Formulated for dogs with dry skin
Light scent
Cons
Thin consistency
Doesn’t lather
3. True Earth Mineral Spa Dog Shampoo — Premium Choice
True Earth Mineral Spa Dog Shampoo is a natural bentonite shampoo. The cherry blossom scent combines with fruit and other flowers for a soft and pleasant fragrance.
This shampoo can offer relief to dogs with dry or itchy skin due to ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin B5, and olive oil.
After applying a generous amount of shampoo to your dog’s back, work the lather into your dog’s skin and coat. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes before rinsing to see optimal results. The scent is reported to be long-lasting. It even eliminates the wet dog smell after the bath is done.
Pros
Pleasant scent
Relieves dogs’ dry and itchy skin
Cons
Expensive for the size of the bottle
4. Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo — Best for Puppies
Puppies need extra special care. Their skin and coats are too sensitive to withstand harsh chemicals. Shampoo formulated just for what your puppy needs is necessary, and Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo delivers.
Suitable for puppies over 6 weeks old, this formula is tearless and gentle. It combines vitamins with aloe and cherry essence for soft coats and a baby-fresh scent. It leaves coats shiny, healthy, and smelling great.
If possible, leave the lather on your slippery wet puppy for 90 seconds to allow the shampoo to work best. Rinse well and your pup is ready to roll.
The scent isn’t strong, so it doesn’t last for a long time. It smells good while it’s being used but fades too quickly for those wanting a long-lasting scent.
The nourishing formula in Hempz Petz Herbal Deshedding Shampoo will restore and hydrate your dog’s dry skin. The citrus and raspberry fragrance smells delicious and lasts for days. There are no dyes or parabens added to the ingredients, so you know it’s safe and gentle on dogs’ coats.
The deshedding properties in this shampoo make dead, brittle hair fall out easier while you bathe your dog. That means there may be a large amount of hair lost during the bath and drying process, but in the following days, you should see a decrease in shedding. The result is a shiny, soft, great-smelling coat.
The Top Paw Hydrating Chamomile Dog Shampoo is gentle on your dog’s skin. This shampoo is exclusively at PetSmart and combines chamomile with vitamins and nutrients for skin and coat health.
The shampoo should be massaged into the skin and coat and left for 5 minutes before rinsing. If desired, you can repeat the process.
The formula is free from all parabens, sulfates, and artificial colors. It has a pleasant fragrance to keep your dog smelling fresh and clean. It’s safe for frequent use.
Dogs over 50 pounds may require a large amount of shampoo or a repeated wash to get them thoroughly clean.
Pros
Gentle formula
Affordable price
Made with specially formulated vitamins and minerals for coat health
Fresh scent
Cons
Lather may need to be repeated for a thorough clean
The CHI Oatmeal Dog Shampoo hydrates dogs’ skin while cleaning and softening their coats. Like the products developed for CHI’s human lines, this formula uses ionic technology to seal and smooth each hair cuticle. The result is a silky, luxurious coat.
This is pH balanced for adult dogs and puppies over 8 weeks old. This shampoo is a gentle and effective cleanser, removing dirt and built-up oils without stripping the skin of its moisture.
The formula has a thick consistency. If you have dogs with long or curly hair, you may have to dilute this product with a little bit of water to make it easier to work into their coat. The skin-softening ingredients can help relieve flaky, dry, or itchy skin.
The Pet Head Sensitive Soul Dog Shampoo has a gentle fragrance of coconut, tropical fruit, and vanilla. The natural oils and coconut work to clean dogs’ skin and coats and leave them smelling fresh. Anti-inflammatory agents like oatmeal and calendula extract work to soothe irritated, inflamed, and rough skin. Marula oil gives coats a moisturized, glistening shine.
The bottle seems to be the biggest issue with this product. The cap must be unscrewed and removed to be able to pour out the shampoo. This can be difficult to do when you need both hands to bathe your dog. It’s not as easy to use as products with a flip-top or pump dispenser.
Pros
Made with oatmeal and natural oils
Soothes skin with anti-inflammatory ingredients
Cons
Difficult to open and use during bath
9. TropiClean Awapuhi & Coconut Whitening Dog Shampoo
TropiClean Awapuhi & Coconut Whitening Dog Shampoo is made with awapuhi extract, which is wild ginger extract. This ingredient has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can decrease inflammation and prevent skin damage from free radicals.
The whitening formula not only keeps dogs’ coats whiter but also enhances and brightens all colors. The ingredients are all-natural, either used in their raw form or adapted from naturally occurring plants. There are no added dyes or bleaches to worry about. This is safe to use on dogs or cats over 12 weeks old, which is helpful if you have a multi-pet household.
This shampoo leaves your dog smelling sweet, like coconut. Best of all, the ingredients are cruelty-free.
The products may be too thick to rinse smoothly from dog coats that are long or curly, though. There are reports of matting in long-haired dogs. Test a small portion of your dog’s coat first to see the effects.
Pros
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Whitens and brightens coats
Coconut scent
Cons
May be too thick for dogs with long or curly coats
10. FURminator Deshedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo
Aloe, vitamin E, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, oat protein
As the maker of a popular deshedding tool, FURminator has created a line of hair care, bathing, and hygiene pet products with shedding solutions. The FURminator Deshedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo reduces shedding while cleaning and nourishing coats. This shampoo is safe to use on dogs and cats over 6 weeks old.
The shampoo works by reducing the undercoat. It helps dead hair fall out easier during bath time so less will fall out around your house. Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids work to keep coats and skin healthy.
After lathering, this product should stay on between 5 and 10 minutes to reach its full potential. This can be a long time when you have a disagreeable dog in the tub. If your dog dislikes baths, using this shampoo for a shorter time will be okay, but the deshedding effects may not be as prominent.
Pros
Deshedding agents
Nourishes skin
Can be used on dogs and cats
Cons
Needs 5–10 minutes to work properly
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Dog Shampoo at PetSmart
How do you know which shampoo will be the best for your pup? Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your selections.
Dog Shampoo Safety
Avoid any potentially harmful ingredients. The shampoo should specifically say that it is safe for dogs or all pets so you know it’s pH balanced and won’t harm your dog’s skin or coat.
Consider how often you’ll be using the shampoo. Does your dog need a bath every few weeks or every few months? Choosing a large bottle may last a long time and be cost-effective. Small bottles may work well, but if they only last for a couple of baths, you’ll be replacing them often, spending more money.
Some shampoos expire after a certain amount of time, though. If you don’t use the bottle often, check to see if it has an expiration date printed on the label.
Image Credit: 135pixels, Shutterstock
Multipurpose Dog Shampoo
Depending on your dog’s various needs, you may be able to find a shampoo that will meet them all. If your dog has itchy skin but also needs deodorizing, a shampoo that is designed to moisturize and has a great scent will save you money and time.
Your Dog’s Coat
Not all shampoos work for every coat. If your dog has long hair that tends to get tangled easily, certain shampoos include detangling properties to help fight against this. Dogs with short, oily coats may need a shampoo that offers a deeper clean.
Can I Use My Shampoo on My Dog?
Human shampoos are pH balanced for human use. They are also more acidic than shampoos that are pH balanced for dogs.
Using human shampoo on dogs can cause negative effects and disrupt the balance of their skin. In some cases, it can even cause infections. Only shampoo formulated specifically for dogs should ever be used on them.
It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're looking for the perfect pet shampoo. The Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo products are a great place to start because of their all-natural, pet-safe formula that is pH balanced for your pet's skin. Made with soothing ingredients like oatmeal and aloe vera, these shampoos are also free of phthalates, sulfates, dyes, and soaps. Both options will leave your pet clean, moisturized, and smelling like a day at the spa!
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right option for your pet’s next bath!
At Pet Keen, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Conclusion
Out of all the dog shampoos sold at PetSmart, our best overall choice is Only Natural Pet Hydrating Dog Shampoo. This formula is all-natural and uses human-grade ingredients to clean and hydrate your dog’s skin and coat. For the best value, we like Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo. It’s made with shea butter and honey and aims to help dogs with dry skin issues. We hope that our reviews have helped you choose the right shampoo for your dog’s needs.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
