If you’re planning to supply your salon with the best professional dog grooming shampoo on the market, you’re exactly where you need to be! We’ve selected eight of the top dog shampoos for you to choose from!
Additionally, we’ve shared some tips on picking a professional dog shampoo to soothe the dog’s bathing experience and make your clients happy!
What Shampoo Do Dog Groomers Use?
Have you ever wondered how dog groomers manage to do their job perfectly regardless of the dog’s coat type and length? If so, we’re here to tell you their secret and to help you find the best professional dog grooming shampoo! If you’re already a dog groomer, you definitely know what this is all about!
Dog groomers consider several factors when buying shampoos: ingredients, scent, targeted purpose, and type of shampoo.
Our Top Professional Dog Shampoo
Upon researching and testing 8 of the best dog shampoos on the market, we’ve decided that our top professional dog shampoo is the OUAI Fur Bébé Pet Shampoo! It has a unique formula that cleans, moisturizes, hydrates, and strengthens the dog’s coat. It is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Moreover, it’s vegan and cruelty-free.
This natural dog shampoo has a pleasant smell of a lemon-rose combination and is suitable for all dog and cat breeds!
How to Select a Dog Shampoo for Your Salon
If you’re looking to add some dog shampoos to your salon’s supply or just trying to find the best dog shampoo that would help you bathe your pup at home, there are several things you should ponder on before picking an item.
If you have the possibility, try to avoid buying cheap dog shampoos because they can cause severe adverse reactions. This can lead to unhappy dogs and clients.
Then, we recommended avoiding dog grooming shampoos that contain soap because soap dries the pup’s coat and skin. Moreover, it can leave residue and encourage dandruff.
The next rule is to avoid buying products that contain chemical elements. Turn to them only if your pup has serious health issues that you can’t treat by natural means and require medication.
Another thing you can do to make your clients happy is to choose a dog grooming shampoo with a sensitive skin formula. Even if the pup you’re bathing doesn’t have sensitive skin, it will benefit from the natural formula of the shampoo. These products often include avocado oil, colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, coconut oil, or marshmallow root.
You’ll also want to avoid buying shampoo that has a strong scent because dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell.
Here are two other essential things to check before buying a grooming shampoo for dogs.
Targeted Purpose
The product’s purpose is one of the most important things to consider while choosing the best professional dog grooming shampoo.
Do you need a shampoo that would reduce skin irritation? Do you need a shampoo for dry skin? Do you need a shampoo that would prevent infections? Do you need a regular shampoo that leaves the coat smooth and silky? Moreover, what kind of scent do you want the shampoo to have?
While these may not seem as important at first thought, they’re everything! Using a shampoo that suits a dog’s skin and coat makes miracles!
Another thing to ponder on is what types of coats you usually groom. For example, a detangling shampoo will do best for coats prone to mats. Some top dog shampoos can even help with excessive shedding!
Type of Shampoo
Just like human shampoos, dog shampoos are of numerous types. If you’re choosing a product for your salon, you should decide whether you have the possibility to choose natural shampoos that are free of chemical and synthetic ingredients.
Since dogs have much more sensitive skin than people, shampoos that contain toxic ingredients may harm their skin, coat, and even internal organs.
Moreover, there are medicinal shampoos, meaning shampoos that have active ingredients designed to treat specific skin diseases or infections. However, some of these shampoos are best upon a vet’s recommendation.
The Best Professional Dog Grooming Shampoos
- OUAI Fur Bébé Pet Shampoo – Best overall
- Earthbath All Natural Shampoo – Best runner-up
- Pride and Groom The Shedder – Best oil shampoo
- Burt’s Bees for Dogs Oatmeal Dog Shampoo – Best oatmeal
- SPA by TropiClean Comfort Shampoo for Pets – Best for anxious dogs
- Douxo S3 Calm Shampoo – Best medicinal
- Virbac Epi-Soothe Pet Shampoo For Dogs, Cats & Horses – Best for allergic dermatitis
- Strawfield Pets Chlorhexidine Shampoo for Dogs, Cats – Best infections treatment
Reviewing Our Top Dog Shampoo Picks
OUAI Fur Bébé Pet Shampoo – Best Overall
Amazon choice award in Dog Shampoos by OUAI
General Description
If you’re looking for a vegan, cruelty-free, parabens- and sulfate-free product, OUAI Fur Bébé Pet Shampoo may be a perfect choice! It’s the best overall in our guide and Amazon’s Choice in Dog Shampoos by OUAI!
It has a special formula with ingredients to help maintain the dog’s coat smooth and healthy.
The aloe vera will moisturize and condition the fur.
The rambutan seed extract is a natural antioxidant that will protect the coat from pollution and will hydrate the skin underneath. However, although this extract is extremely useful for skin and hair, it may be toxic if ingested, so you should keep an eye on your furry friend while washing it!
The panthenol will soften the fur and leave it shiny.
Last but not least, the hydrolyzed vegetable protein will strengthen the fur and provide it with elasticity.
Moreover, the product has a mild, pleasant fragrance, a combination of lemon, rose, jasmine sambac, and white musk. Some users said that the scent lasted for several days, and they loved it!
Besides, you’ll be able to use the product on cats, too!
Brand: OUAI
Scent: Lemon, rose
Benefits: Cleansing, moisturizing, hydrating
Item form: Liquid
Liquid volume: 16 fl. oz. (473 ml)
Recommended uses: Moisturizing
Material type free: Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates; cruelty-free; vegan
Target Species: All dog and cat breeds
Key features: A unique formula, vegan, pleasant smell
Pros:
- Unique formula that moisturizes, strengthens, softens, and protects the fur from pollution
- Pleasant smell
- Suitable for all dog and cat breeds
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- The scent might be a bit too strong for very sensitive dogs
Earthbath All Natural Shampoo – Best Runner-Up
Amazon choice award in Dog Shampoos by Earthbath
General Description
The Earthbath Oatmeal 3% Aloe shampoo has a special formula for pets with dry, itchy skin. But this doesn’t mean you can’t use it on other pups; hence it’s the best runner-up in our 8-product guide and Amazon’s Choice in Dog Shampoos by Earthbath!
The organic aloe and oatmeal (3%) help with irritation, remoisturize the skin, and encourage healing.
Besides organic aloe and oatmeal, this product contains purified water, renewable plant-derived, and coconut-based cleansers, glycerin, allantoin, food-grade extracts of vanilla and almond, vitamins A, B, D, E, and natural preservatives.
These ingredients leave the coat clean and soft. The pup will smell pleasant, having a vanilla-like scent.
One thing to consider is that you’ll only be able to use it on dogs over six weeks.
Brand: Earthbath Store
Variants in range: 2 pack, vanilla
Scent: Heavenly-scented
Benefits: Perfect for dogs with dry, itchy skin; promotes healing and re-moisturizes sensitive, dry skin.
Item form: Liquid
Liquid volume: 16 fl. oz. (473 ml)
Recommended uses: Dogs with dry, itching, and irritated skin
Material type free: Free of soap, gluten, DEA, parabens, synthetic dyes or perfumes, SLS/SLES, phthalates, enzymes; animal cruelty-free
Key features: Cruelty-free, plant-based, ultra-concentrated
Pros:
- Helps with dry, irritated skin
- Promotes healing
- Cruelty-free
- Non-toxic formula
- Pleasant vanilla-like scent
Cons:
- Not suitable for dogs that are allergic to oats
Pride and Groom The Shedder – Best Oil Shampoo
General Description
This PRIDE AND GROOM dog shampoo features a special formula for dogs with fur. It’s the best oil shampoo on the market, as it contains niaouli oil, flaxseed oil, calendula oil, jojoba seed oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, marshmallow root, and vitamin E.
Since it’s free of parabens, silicones, sulfates, toxins, dyes, and gluten, you won’t have to worry about harming your dog’s coat and skin. All the ingredients have a score of 1 according to the Environmental Working Group scores, which equals High Safety.
You’ll find it very easy to rinse the shampoo. The mild scent lasts for hours, and you and your pup will love it! Moreover, it leaves the dog’s fur soft and silky to the touch.
Moreover, the PRIDE AND GROOM store features multiple variations of this shampoo for dogs: the non-shedder version designed for dogs with hair, the sensitive version for delicate dogs and puppies, and the final coat variation, which is a softening conditioner.
Brand: PRIDE AND GROOM
Variants in range: The final coat, the final coat (2-pack), the non-shedder (2-pack), the sensitive one, the sensitive one (2-pack), the shedder, the shedder (2-pack)
Scent: Long-lasting fresh signature scent
Benefits: Hydrating, soothing, moisturizing, cleansing, nourishing
Item form: Liquid
Liquid volume: 32 fl. oz. (946 ml)
Recommended uses: For dogs with fur
Material type free: Parabens, silicones, sulfates, toxins, gluten, dyes
Target Species: Akita, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky, Corgi, Beagle, Chow Chow, Pomeranian, Pyrenees, Shetland Sheepdog, Sheepdog, Golden Retriever, Border Collie, German Shepherd
Key features: Natural product, pleasant scent, cone-shaped dispenser
Pros:
- Natural, non-toxic ingredients
- Comes in multiple formulas
- Pleasant scent
- Leaves the fur soft and silky to the touch
- Easy to rinse
Cons:
- Might be a bit watery
- Might be too small for large white dogs that require frequent bathing
Burt’s Bees for Dogs Oatmeal Dog Shampoo – Best Oatmeal
General Description
The Burt’s Bees for Dogs Dog Shampoo contains natural ingredients and is free from colorants, artificial fragrances, and sulfates, making it the best oatmeal shampoo out there! Its ingredients are skin-moisturizing colloidal oat flour, lavender, avocado, honey, and nourishing green tea extract. It has a balanced pH, making it suitable for all dog breeds.
The product has a special formula that helps dogs with irritated and itchy skin, but you can also use it on other dogs! They’ll love it because they’ll have clean and soft skin afterward!
Besides, the store provides multiple product variations. For example, if you’re trying this product for the first time, you can buy one bottle to see if it’s good for your store. Then, if you like it, you can buy a 2-pack, a 6-pack, or even a 24-pack, which makes it perfect for a grooming salon! Moreover, the price is extremely affordable.
Brand: Burt’s Bees Store
Variants in range: 4 oz – 2 pack (118 ml); 4 oz – 24 pack (118 ml); 4 oz – 1 pack (118 ml); 16 oz – 1 pack (473 ml); 16 oz – 2 pack (473 ml); 16 oz – 6 pack (473 ml); 32 oz – 1 pack (946 ml); 128 oz – 1 pack (3.8 l)
Scent: Fragrance-free
Benefits: Moisturizes skin, nourishes the coat
Item form: Liquid
Liquid volume: 16 fl. oz (473 ml)
Recommended uses: Itchy skin
Material type free: No sulfates, no fragrances, no colorants, cruelty-free
Target Species: All dogs and puppies
Key features: Natural ingredients, suitable for all dog breeds, well-packed to avoid leaking during shipping
Pros:
- Reduces dandruff
- Moisturizes skin
- Helps with itchy skin
- Leaves the coat smooth
- Non-toxic
- Cruelty-free
- Well-packed to avoid leaking
Cons:
- Might be unsuitable for dogs allergic to oats
- Might be too small for large, long-haired dogs
- Might not be as concentrated as other products on the market
SPA by TropiClean Comfort Shampoo for Pets – Best for Anxious Dogs
General Description
If dogs that do not like bathing visit your salon regularly, this SPA by TropiClean Comfort Shampoo for Pets may be the best for anxious dogs!
First, it has special ingredients and vitamins that provide the coat with everything it needs to stay silky and smooth.
Then, the lavender and the hydrolyzed oatmeal combination will help the pet relax and enjoy the process. It literally functions as an aromatherapy product!
Besides, it has a pleasant kiwi scent, just enough to avoid a wet dog smell. The product is soap-free. You can also use it on cats, which makes it a 2-in-1 shampoo! It could easily become the best professional dog grooming shampoo because many professional groomers love using it!
Brand: TropiClean Store
Variants in range: 1 gallon (3.78 l); 16 fl. oz. (473 ml); Comfort, For Him, Fresh, Pure, Renew, White Coat variations
Scent: Succulent scent of kiwi
Benefits: Soothes and nourishes the skin and coat; calms anxious pets
Item form: Liquid
Liquid volume: 16 fl. oz. (473 ml)
Material type free: Soap-free
Key features: Aromatherapy ingredients; calms anxious pets; a pleasant smell that lasts long
Pros:
- Pleasant fragrance
- Special formula designed to relax pets
- Soothes and nourishes skin and coat
- Soap-free
Cons:
- Might not be free of parabens, sulfates, and other chemicals
- Might require a larger amount of shampoo for enough lathering
Douxo S3 Calm Shampoo – Best Medicinal
General Description
Having a shampoo for dogs specially designed for dogs with allergic dermatitis in your salon is definitely a good idea. This Douxo S3 Calm Shampoo is the best medicinal product in our guide. It comes from a top non-prescription topical brand! Veterinary dermatologists have already tested this product and recommend using it on dogs and cats!
Its ingredients make it perfect for enhancing the repair of the dog’s skin ecosystem. You’ll see the results as soon as seven days after first use. Besides this, it helps detangle the fur and leave it smooth and shiny. This makes it suitable for dogs with coats prone to developing knots, such as Labradoodles.
Although the manufacturer says it’s primarily for pets with skin problems, healthy pets will also benefit from it!
The manufacturer says that one pump will be enough for every 4 pounds (1.81 kg), and you’ll need to massage it until it reaches the skin. If the fur is thick, you can double the amount of mousse.
Brand: Duoxo
Benefits: Relief from itching and inflamed skin discomfort
Item form: Mousse
Liquid volume: 16.9 fl. oz. (500 ml)
Recommended uses: Dogs with allergic dermatitis and irritated skin
Material type free: Free from soaps, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, colorants, and nanoparticles
Target Species: Dogs and cats
Key features: Scientifically tested by veterinary dermatologists
Pros:
- Scientifically tested by veterinary dermatologists
- Suitable for dogs and cats with allergic dermatitis and itching skin
- Free from soap and chemical substances
- Helps detangle fur
Cons:
- Might have a slightly medicinal scent
Virbac Epi-Soothe Pet Shampoo for Dogs, Cats & Horses – Best for Allergic Dermatitis
Amazon choice award in Cat Shampoos by Virbac
General Description
Having at hand the best shampoo for allergic dermatitis or itchy, dry, and sensitive skin is always a good idea! The Virbac Epi-Soothe Pet Shampoo is multi-purpose, as you can use it on dogs, cats, and even horses! Moreover, it’s Amazon’s Choice in Cat Shampoos by Virbac!
This soap-free shampoo disrupts microorganism colonization on the skin, thus reducing bacterial and yeast adhesion. Moreover, it contains spherulites that enhance continuous ingredient release into the skin that helps protect it.
On the other hand, this product contains lauramide DEA, cocamidopropyl betaine, and other synthetic or chemical ingredients that may irritate the skin.
Brand: Virbac
Variants in range: 8 fl. oz. (237 ml); 16 fl. oz. (473 ml)
Benefits: Reduces bacterial and yeast adhesion, soothes dry and sensitive skin, suitable for pets with dermatitis
Item form: Cream
Liquid volume: 16 fl. oz. (437 ml)
Recommended uses: Irritated skin, dermatitis, dry and sensitive skin
Material type free: Soap-free
Target Species: Dogs, cats, and horses
Key features: Alleviates allergic dermatitis symptoms
Pros:
- Helps animals with allergic dermatitis
- Prevents bacterial infections
- Soap-free
- Soothes dry and sensitive skin
- Suitable for dogs, cats, and horses
Cons:
- Contains chemicals and synthetic ingredients
Strawfield Pets Chlorhexidine Shampoo for Dogs, Cats – Best Infection Treatment
Amazon choice accolade: Amazon’s Choice in Dog Shampoos by Strawfield Pets Store
General Description
You’ll definitely want this product in your salon! This Strawfield Pets shampoo is the best infection treatment for dogs, cats, and horses. It’s also Amazon’s Choice in Dog Shampoos by Strawfield Pets Store!
It contains Chlorhexidine Gluconate as an active ingredient, which makes it suitable for treating yeast infections, bacterial infections, fungal infections, dermatitis, acne, superficial wounds, pyoderma, and ringworm. It’s an antiseptic shampoo that helps reduce skin inflammation and itching.
To enhance the effect of this shampoo, you can use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin.
Moreover, you can rest assured that this product is of high quality because all shampoos come from USA federally inspected facilities that feature up-to-date technology.
Brand: Strawfield Pets Store
Scent: Lavender Rain
Benefits: Helps calm and soothe itchy and irritated skin
Item form: Liquid
Liquid volume: 16 fl. oz. (473 ml)
Recommended uses: Dermatitis, canine and feline acne, pyoderma
Material type free: Soap-free
Target Species: Dogs, cats, and horses
Key features: Antiseptic shampoo; comes from federally inspected facilities.
Pros:
- Treats all kinds of infections
- Suitable for dogs, cats, and horses
- Helps alleviate skin inflammation and itching
- Soap-free
Cons:
- Doesn’t lather much
- Better to use at the vet’s recommendation
A Final Word
As you’ve already noticed, choosing a dog grooming shampoo is no easy task. You should consider many things before picking a product because dogs are prone to skin problems. Using a suitable shampoo is the key to healthy coats and skins!
If you still haven’t chosen a grooming dog shampoo, check out our top pick, the OUAI Fur Bébé Pet Shampoo!
