10 Best Dog Shampoos for Odor Control in 2024 — Reviews and Top Picks

We gain so much as dog parents—wonderful company, plenty of laughs, and unconditional love. But one thing that we all have to deal with is that famous doggy odor, and some breeds are more pungent than others!

Finding the right shampoo can give us temporary relief, but there are so many varieties out there, how can you figure out which one to choose?

We know that your time is precious, so we researched on your behalf and found 10 dog shampoos that should help with odor control. We hope that these reviews will lead to you having a sweeter-smelling pup!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets	Works well for smelly dogs Fresh scent lasts over 24 hours Paraben, sulfate, soap, DEA, dye, and alcohol free	Check Price
Budget Buy		Wags & Wiggles Freshen Very Berry Deodorizing Dog Shampoo	Affordable Pleasant berry scent Deodorizes well	Check Price
		Skout’s Honor Dog of the Woods Probiotic Dog Shampoo & Conditioner	Uses probiotics to support healthy skin Uses avocado oil and omega-3s Sulfate and paraben free	Check Price
Best for Puppies		Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Puppy Shampoo	Tearless for puppies Two-in-one shampoo and conditioner Light, fresh scent of “cotton breeze”	Check Price
		Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo/Conditioner and Spritz	Two-in-one shampoo Spritzer/conditioner for in-between baths Spritzer can help deodorize	Check Price

The 10 Best Dog Shampoos for Odor Control

The best overall dog shampoo for odor control is Hepper’s Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets. It says it all in the title—smelly pets! The fresh scent lasts over 24 hours and should even work to de-skunk your dog if the unthinkable happens.

It is paraben, sulfate, soap, DEA, dye, and alcohol-free and is pH balanced and gentle on your dog’s skin and coat. Plus, it’s made in the U.S.!

The only issue with this shampoo is the cost, as it’s pricier than many other dog shampoos.

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!

The best dog shampoo for odor control for the money is Wags & Wiggles Freshen Very Berry Deodorizing Dog Shampoo. It has a pleasant berry scent formulated to leave your pup smelling fresh.

It contains tea tree and safflower oil to condition and deodorize the coat, and it’s pH balanced. It’s also DEA, SLS, and paraben-free.

Unfortunately, the scent doesn’t last long, and the bottle design, while cute, isn’t practical and tends to tip over easily.

Skout’s Honor Dog of the Woods Probiotic Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is a premium choice pick. It’s unique because it uses probiotics to ensure that healthy bacteria thrive on your dog’s coat, which can help retain healthy skin and be less of an odor issue.

It’s made with healthy avocado oil and omega-3s, and it’s sulfate and paraben-free and cruelty-free. It’s also both a shampoo and conditioner, so expect a clean and soft coat.

However, beyond its being a bit more expensive than the others, the only other problem is that the scent was relatively strong, which some dog owners will appreciate while others might dislike it.

Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner is great for puppies! It’s a two-in-one tearless shampoo and conditioner that will leave your puppy soft, and it has a “cotton breeze” scent to neutralize odors.

It contains aloe vera, panthenol, and keratin for sensitive skin, provides shine and moisture, and doesn’t contain sulfates, parabens, or dyes.

But the scent doesn’t last long enough for some dog owners, and it seems fairly inconsistent with lathering up enough.

With Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo/Conditioner and Spritzer, you get a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner and a spritzer that also acts as a conditioner. These products should leave your dog smelling amazing and with a soft coat.

The spray works in between baths and contains aloe vera, lavender, mint, and wheat protein. The shampoo is soap-free and lathers quite well.

But the scent of this product can be hit or miss—some dog owners (and dogs) might like it, while others might find it too strong. Additionally, some dogs might experience dry skin.

Earthbath Deodorizing Rosemary Dog & Cat Shampoo is soap-free and provides a long-lasting scent of rosemary. It is also coconut-based and contains aloe vera and vitamins A, B, D, and E, all of which contribute to a moisturized coat.

It’s gentle enough not to wash away topical flea treatments and is phosphate and paraben-free. It’s also completely biodegradable! The main problem is the scent—some dog owners will not like it!

Nature’s Miracle Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is made with colloidal oatmeal, which is known for its moisturizing properties. It also contains aloe vera, keratin, panthenol, and coconut water, all of which should help keep the skin from drying out.

This is a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner product that should keep the coat soft, and it has a pleasant scent of pistachio cream.

However, some dog owners report that the scent doesn’t do enough to eliminate that dog smell, and some dogs might end up with dry and flaky skin.

Top Performance Fresh Pet Shampoo for Dogs & Cats is a gentle shampoo safe for puppies over 6 weeks of age. It’s been designed to deodorize your dog’s coat, leaving a fresh scent that should last for weeks, and it matches the natural pH of your dog’s skin.

While it isn’t a two-in-one, it is gentle enough to cleanse and condition the coat and should prevent tangles. The issues are that some might find that the scent isn’t quite as strong as anticipated, and it contains an ingredient that will likely irritate the dog’s skin if not washed off adequately.

FURminator Deshedding Dog Shampoo gives you both a deodorizing and de-shedding shampoo. It works by moisturizing the skin and coat, making them healthier and less likely to shed.

It has omega fatty acids, which help keep the coat soft, and a deodorizer to combat smelly odors. Plus, it doesn’t contain dyes or parabens.

However, it contains fragrance, which might not be suitable for dogs with sensitive skin and allergies, and it doesn’t help all dogs with the shedding. For some dogs, it makes the shedding worse.

Frisco Oatmeal Dog & Cat Shampoo uses oatmeal to soothe your dog’s skin. Along with chamomile and aloe vera, it helps hydrate and nourish the skin and should work well if your dog has dry and itchy skin. It also has a nice almond scent.

While the almond scent can be pleasant, it doesn’t seem to last for more than a day or two. Additionally, it seems to have a bit of trouble lathering up, and it is pricey.

Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Dog Shampoo for Odor Control

By now, you’ve probably picked out a few favorite dog shampoos, but before you buy anything, take a quick look at this guide, as we go over a few tips that might make your decision easier.

Source of the Odor

Before you think about switching your dog’s current shampoo, you should ensure that the bad odor is from your dog’s coat and not a health condition.

Skin problems, dental issues, and ear infections can lead to a smelly dog, as can a bad diet. If you believe that your dog is stinkier than usual, make an appointment with your vet.

Scent

The most essential aspect of shopping for a deodorizing shampoo is the scent. Some shampoos seem to have a scent that lasts for a while, while others don’t last long at all.

Unfortunately, fragrance preference is subjective—not all dog owners will love every scent available. It’s also important to consider that the stronger the odor, the more likely it’s an artificial/chemical fragrance that might not be good for your dog’s coat. Your dog’s sensitive nose might not appreciate it either.

You’ll want to aim for a shampoo designed to eliminate and not cover your dog’s odor.

Ingredients

The shampoo that you choose should have one of these ingredients listed in order for it to be the most effective.

Dog Breed

How smelly a dog is depends on the breed. Hounds tend to be among the smelliest because they have oily skin. For example, Beagles are definitely on the stinky dog list!

Other breeds, like St. Bernards, tend to slobber, which can lead to stinky faces and necks, and many flat-faced breeds, like Pugs, can also become smelly due to their facial folds.

Dogs with long ears, like Bloodhounds and Cocker Spaniels, can be prone to smelly ear infections (and Bloodhounds also have oily skin and facial folds, making them a triple threat!).

Finally, we have the Boxer, which is infamous for their gas emissions!

Conclusion

Our favorite deodorizing shampoo is Hepper’s Deep Clean Pet Shampoo because it’s been formulated specifically for smelly pets without parabens, soaps, artificial dyes, or alcohol. Wags and Wiggles Freshen Deodorizing Dog Shampoo is affordable and contains tea tree and safflower oil to condition and deodorize the coat.

Finally, Skout’s Honor Dog of the Woods Probiotic Dog Shampoo and Conditioner is a premium choice with its unique use of probiotics to encourage healthy skin. It’s also great for being a shampoo and conditioner in one.

We hope that these reviews of these deodorizing dog shampoos have helped you find the perfect one that will keep your pup’s coat soft and healthy and be kind to your olfactory system!

Featured Image Credit: Unofficial Kodak Moments, Shutterstock