As a mixed breed, a Goldendoodle can take after either of their parents when it comes to their personalities. Where their grooming requirements are concerned, they tend to take after their Poodle parent. While their coats are hypoallergenic, the dense and curly fur can capture dirt and tangle easily.
Too many baths can cause dry skin, though, and while your Goldendoodle will be clean, their sensitive skin can suffer. Finding a shampoo gentle on sensitive skin is important to keep them clean and comfortable. These reviews cover the best shampoos for Goldendoodles to help you find the best option for your dog’s needs.
Finding the right shampoo for your Goldendoodle is vital, especially when considering that skin conditions are relatively common in their parent breeds, the Poodle and Golden Retriever. Some of the best dog shampoos on the market include colloidal oatmeal in their ingredients list because it has antioxidant and inflammatory properties to help with irritation, dryness, and flaking. Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is our best overall shampoo choice for Goldendoodles because it will leave your dog feeling like it’s had a real spa experience.
A dog’s pH level is more neutral than a human’s, and you have to be careful when picking the right shampoo. Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is gentle, using natural ingredients like aloe vera, which will soothe and nourish your dog’s skin. There aren’t any hidden, nasty surprises like synthetic dyes, soap, gluten, sulfates, phthalates, or DEA that will irritate your Goldendoodle’s skin.
It isn’t the least expensive shampoo on the market, but investing in your dog’s health is always worth it. Not only will it keep your dog happier and healthier, but you can also use it on your other pets.
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Sold in 16- or 32-ounce bottles, Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo & Conditioner is our choice for the best shampoo for Goldendoodles for the money. Goldendoodles with sensitive skin that love playtime in the yard, no matter the weather, will benefit from this soap-free and deodorizing formula.
Nature’s Miracle is designed to soothe dry and irritated skin without affecting topical flea and tick treatments. The oatmeal contained in the recipe helps hydrate and heal damaged skin while cleaning your dog’s fur.
This two-in-one shampoo and conditioner contains a honey sage scent that may be too strong for dog owners with sensitivities to smell.
If you’re happy spending a little more on your Goldendoodle, the Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo is slightly more expensive than some other options on this list, but it’s formulated by veterinarians and is designed to soothe sensitive skin and leave your mucky dog smelling clean.
The natural ingredients—oatmeal, d-limonene, and tea tree oil—work to heal and alleviate itching from both allergies and sensitive skin. It also leaves flea and tick treatments alone so your dog remains safe from pests.
While this shampoo can be used on puppies, it’s unsuitable for dogs less than 12 weeks old. Some owners have also reported that their dogs had moderate to severe allergic reactions to this product.
Formulated with younger dogs in mind, Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo is the best shampoo for Goldendoodle puppies. It’s pH balanced to make it perfectly suited for canines of all ages and 97% natural to avoid drying out their skin.
Buttermilk and honey help soothe, soften, and moisturize sensitive skin to reduce redness and dandruff. The natural ingredients also support the growth of healthy hair and don’t interfere with flea and tick treatments. Burt’s Bees uses a tearless formula to make bath time more comfortable for your puppy.
Unlike some other products, this one doesn’t contain any fragrances. While it is soft on sensitive noses, some doggy owners have mentioned that it doesn’t help make the puppy smell clean. It also has a watery consistency that some people find difficult to use.
For Goldendoodles with particularly sensitive skin, the John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Shampoo is designed to remove dirt without drying out the skin. The formula contains both oatmeal and aloe vera to help heal the damage caused by dryness and moisturize to protect against future issues. It also contains sweet almond oil to condition your dog’s fur.
With a cruelty-free production, John Paul Pet is also safe for multi-pet households so your cat can benefit from the relief from sensitive skin too. It can even be used on horses.
While the almond scent is designed to keep your Goldendoodle smelling clean and fresh, some users dislike the strong smell. This shampoo also doesn’t soften fur and can leave your dog’s coat feeling coarse.
Another great shampoo for Goldendoodles is the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo. Free from soap, parabens, and phosphates, Earthbath is 100% biodegradable and formulated for sensitive skin. For families with felines, this option is also safe for cats over 6 weeks old.
The mix of oatmeal and aloe helps moisturize and heal dry, itchy, and damaged skin, while the vanilla and almond scent keeps your Goldendoodle smelling fresh. It also doesn’t wash off the effects of topical flea treatments, making sure your dog stays protected.
While some people enjoy the vanilla and almond scent, the fragrance can be too strong for some dogs and owners.
The Zesty Paws Itch Soother Shampoo is suitable for all breeds and fur types, whether they have long, short, straight, or wiry hair. While it can be difficult to find a shampoo specifically designed for Goldendoodles, this option covers all the possibilities when it comes to your dog’s fur type.
Since Goldendoodles are prone to sensitive skin, Zesty Paws uses oatmeal and aloe vera to help keep their fur hydrated to reduce the irritation caused by itchy, dry skin. The included vitamin E also helps support your dog’s skin and coat health, while the vanilla bean extract keeps them smelling clean.
Despite being formulated to soothe sensitive skin, this Zesty Paws shampoo isn’t hypoallergenic. Some users have mentioned that it doesn’t lather easily and has a lingering, fish-oil odor.
Pros
Moisturizes dry skin
Oatmeal and aloe vera
Vitamin E supports healthy skin
Suitable for all breeds and fur types
Vanilla bean extract
Gentle on sensitive skin
Cons
Not hypoallergenic
Doesn’t lather
Smells like fish oil
8. Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
Whether you have a full-grown Goldendoodle or an energetic puppy, the Buddy Wash Shampoo & Conditioner is designed to be gentle on sensitive skin. It uses aloe vera and a coconut-based formula to alleviate discomfort caused by regular bathing. Since it’s a two-in-one bottle of both shampoo and conditioner, you don’t have to worry about buying separate bottles for all of your dog grooming needs.
This formula doesn’t use soap, making it suitable for more frequent washes when your Goldendoodle is in the mood for mischief. As a cruelty-free option, it’s also not tested on animals.
The recipe contains lavender and mint extracts to make bathing more fun and relaxing; however, some sensitive noses — both human and canine — can find the fragrance overpowering. It also doesn’t repel fleas, despite the lavender content.
With no moisturizing qualities, it’s not one of the gentlest options for sensitive skin and can cause dandruff for some dogs.
This hypoallergenic formulation is designed for itchy, dry and sensitive skins. It is gentle enough to be used regularly and safe to use with topical flea preparations. It is pH balanced to be suitable for dog’s skin and is soap free.
It has a great pina colada scent and will leave your doodles coat clean, smooth and manageable. A little goes a long way and the shampoo rinses away cleanly leaving no residue. The emollients attract water to the coat and skin helping to moisturize and the oatmeal and aloe vera are soothing.
This is a vitamin rich shampoo that contains a range of natural ingredients such as coconut and almond oil for skin and coat health.
Some owners reported the fragrance didn’t last very long but that it was very nice.
Pros
Conditions skin and fur
Lathers well
Hypoallergenic formulation
Cons
Smell doesn’t last long
Not recommended for puppies less than 16 weeks
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Shampoo for Goldendoodles
To buy the best shampoo for your Goldendoodle, you need to keep in mind a few things that will help keep your canine comfortable.
What Should I Look for in a Shampoo for Goldendoodles?
With their thick curls, Goldendoodles are prone to picking up all sorts of dirt, debris, and pests like fleas and ticks. Like most Poodle breeds, they don’t shed much, but they still require a great deal of maintenance when it comes to their fur health.
Few shampoos are made with a specific breed in mind. Many focus on fur type or shedding. This can make it more difficult to find a brand suitable for your Goldendoodle. To make sure you choose the right one, here are a few suggestions.
Sensitive Skin
This breed’s tendency to get mucky in all manner of situations leads to more than a few necessary bath times. Unfortunately, while frequent baths can leave dogs smelling fresher for longer, they can also strip the natural oils from their fur. Due to this, Goldendoodles are prone to dry skin.
If you’re not sure where to start looking, try hypoallergenic shampoos. They’ll be gentler on your Goldendoodle’s fur and skin and still clean away dirt. Hypoallergenic shampoos are also less likely to contain allergens that your dog can react to.
Moisturizer
It’s recommended to only bathe dogs when and if they need it. For your Goldendoodle, this can be anywhere from rarely or every other week if they’re in a particularly rambunctious and playful mood. All these baths could dry out their skin, leaving itchy redness and unpleasant cracks.
When you’re searching for a new dog shampoo, pay particular attention to options that moisturize your dog’s skin. Sensitive skin shampoos are good to help promote healing, but on their own, they might not be good enough to combat dried flakiness.
Oatmeal & Aloe Vera
Two of the best ingredients in shampoo for Goldendoodles are oatmeal and aloe vera. Coconut oil is another good one. You’ll find them in most popular hypoallergenic shampoos, even if they’re not all in a blend together. When it comes to sensitive skin, for both our dogs and ourselves, these ingredients can soothe, nourish, and moisturize damaged skin.
Image Credit: anetapics, Shutterstock
Strong but Gentle
In general, Goldendoodles have thick fur, especially if you don’t have them trimmed often. While a big fluffy coat can look adorable, it also requires more care. You will need a brush large enough to handle the bulk, and the strength of their shampoo matters too.
Sensitive skin shampoos are designed to be gentle. They ease the damage caused by bathing by reducing the number of irritants that come into contact with your dog’s skin. For your Goldendoodle, you want to find an option that is strong enough to clean their fur and moisturize their skin without causing further damage.
It can be a tough balance to reach, but once you’ve found the right shampoo, your dog will thank you.
Can I Use Human Shampoo on my Goldendoodle?
If you don’t bathe your dog that often, having dog shampoo on hand at all times can be difficult. It might get misplaced, shoved into the back of a cupboard, or forgotten about, including when you need it. For this reason, it can be easy to reach for the human shampoo sitting in your shower.
Unfortunately, humans and dogs have different requirements when it comes to shampoo. Our shampoo’s pH balance is much too acidic for our dogs and can cause damage to the health of their coat and skin.
Also, human shampoo just isn’t designed for animals. Some of the ingredients could cause allergic reactions. When it comes to the health of our best friends, it’s much safer to wait until you can buy a specialized doggy shampoo, even if it means putting up with a stinky pooch for a few days.
How Often Should I Bathe My Goldendoodle?
For most dog breeds, bathing should be limited to when they need it. Once a month is usually what’s recommended as the most frequent bathing schedule. If your Goldendoodle tends to stay relatively clean, you might not have to bathe them often at all, especially if you groom them regularly.
Too many baths in a short period can irritate their sensitive skin. Even if you have a great moisturizing shampoo, your Goldendoodle will still suffer from dry flakiness. They’ll be itchy and uncomfortable.
Fortunately for us and our wallets, we don’t need the services of a professional groomer to keep our dogs brushed. While it can be recommended to seek professional help for particular haircuts, daily brushing sessions can be handled at home. Sometimes, all you need to keep the dirt out of your Goldendoodle’s fur—and to reduce matting—is a good brush.
When in doubt, leave shampooing your Goldendoodle to moments when the dirt, grime, and smell can’t be battled with the usual daily brushing session.
Image Credit: April Walker, Unsplash
Final Thoughts
Where your Goldendoodle is concerned, the best shampoos are gentle and use natural ingredients. Our best recommendation is the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo, which uses a blend of oatmeal and aloe vera to heal and moisturize your dog’s skin. The Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo & Conditioner is an affordable, two-in-one alternative that can keep your Goldendoodle clean and smelling fresh.
We hope that these reviews helped you to find the best shampoo for your sensitive Goldendoodle.
Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.
