9 Best Dog Shampoos in 2026, Recommended by Vets
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All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.
Whether your dog loves taking a bath or needs tasty treats to help make grooming more enjoyable, you’ll need one of the best dog shampoos to get them fresh and clean.
There are plenty of benefits to bathing your dog regularly: clean and shiny fur, a healthy skin barrier and pH, and relief from itchiness and shedding. Then, of course, there's that fresh post-bath smell—great for them and for you.
When you're looking for the best dog shampoo, our panel of vets advises prioritizing simple, well-researched ingredients and formulations designed specifically for dog skin. Here are the picks they recommend and why.
What To Consider When Selecting the Best Dog Shampoo
When shopping for the best shampoos for dogs, our vets recommend prioritizing a safe, effective formula, and your dog's individual needs, including their age and any specific skin or coat concerns. Consider the following:
Brand Reputation
When shopping for the best dog shampoo, choose one made by a trusted brand backed by experience and research. Reputable brands invest in development, and they research the most effective and safe ingredients for different conditions.
Pet parents need to trust that the dog shampoo’s ingredients are effective, high quality, safe, and targeted to their pet’s issues.
Species Appropriateness
Be sure your shampoo is formulated specifically for dogs. Good dog shampoos contain safe ingredients created specifically for their skin barrier, coat, and skin's pH balance.
Shampoos designed for humans, cats, or other species may cause adverse reactions in dogs, including hives, itchiness, redness, or other irritation.
Age Appropriateness
The best shampoo for an adult dog may not be the best option for a puppy. Why? Dogs' skin and coats change as they get older and are especially delicate during the puppy stage. Puppies and senior dogs may benefit from gentler formulas, and some medicated shampoos have age restrictions, so always check the label.
Targeted Ingredients
The best shampoo for your dog should be formulated to address the conditions that affect them the most. For example, if your dog struggles with itchy skin, choose a shampoo with ingredients that may help soothe that particular issue, like oats or ceramides.
If you’re unsure about which ingredients are best for certain concerns, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
Personal (And Dog) Preference
The best dog shampoo is one you'll actually use. Keep attributes like the following in mind as you make your selection:
- Scented vs. unscented (or lightly scented)
- Low or full lather
- Ease of rinsing
- Application type (spray, foam, bar, liquid)
How We Selected the Best Dog Shampoos
This list of the best dog shampoos was meticulously curated by a panel of veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD. They were asked to choose the best dog shampoos in their honest opinion, across multiple categories based on the following:
- Brand reputation
- Science-backed research
- Age appropriateness
- Species appropriateness
- Targeted ingredients
- Price
Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of vets and animal health experts. Manufacturers and vendors cannot buy placement in Vet Verified content, or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products.
Our sole goal with this program is to provide pet parents with the information they need to make the best decision for their pets.
Dog Shampoo FAQs
Can I use human shampoo on dogs?
No. Do not use human shampoo or other species-specific shampoos—such as cat shampoo—on your dog. Dogs have different pH balance, skin, and coat requirements than humans or other animals do, and ingredients meant for humans could cause slight to severe reactions, such as hives, redness, or swelling.
Do dogs need conditioner?
Not all dogs need a conditioner. However, dogs with certain skin or coat types—such as those with dry and sensitive skin or those with long hair—might benefit from a good conditioner to smooth, moisturize, and detangle.
How often should I use dog shampoo on dogs?
Use a gentle, safe dog shampoo every time you bathe your dog. Frequency of bathing will depend on the season, breed, coat type, and need.
Read the dog shampoo’s directions to see whether it’s recommended for daily use or for less frequent use. This varies between shampoos.
Can dog-specific shampoo be used on cats?
No. Dog and cat skin have many differences, including pH levels and the types of healthy organisms that live on the skin. Because of these differences, shampoos made specifically for dogs or specifically for cats should only be used on the species indicated on the label. That said, there are several shampoos that are safe for both dogs and cats.