When raising a puppy, you’ll quickly realize that they get into all sorts of things, whether it be the open (or sometimes closed) garbage can or they also tend to roll around either their poop or another dog’s poop – don’t ask, it’s a weird dog thing – this can usually mean that you can almost always find an excuse to bath your dog.
Given that you’ll be bathing your little monster so much, you’ll want to find the right shampoo for it, meaning that you’ll need to find one that’s pH-balanced and tearless. Regularly bathing your pup will help it to become used to bathing and it won’t be so much trouble as an adult!
Here are our top 7 best puppy shampoos to keep your pup clean and as happy as can be in the bathtub.
Best Puppy Shampoos – At A Glance
- Best Overall: Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo
- Best Natural: Pro Pet Works Organic All Natural Plant Based
- Best Budget: Burt’s Bees for Puppies Natural Tearless
- Best Smelling: Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner
- Best Unscented: 4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo
- Best Waterless: Spruce Waterless Pet Wash
- Best Shampoo and Conditioner: Honest Paws Dog Shampoo Conditioner
Best Overall: Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo
Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo
Buy Now Disclaimer – This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What Scent Is It?
Rocco & Roxie shampoos come in three different scents: calm, soothe and shine. These three shampoos can be used interchangeably, depending on your puppy’s mood, or the desired effect on their coat.
Is It Hypoallergenic?
Yes, this particular shampoo is hypoallergenic, making it perfect for dogs with sensitivities to chemicals.
Is It Tearless?
Yes! Rocco & Roxie’s shampoo is tearless, making it the perfect washing companion for pups, who tend to move around and thrash around, increasing the likelihood that they’ll get shampoo in their eyes.
What Ingredients Does It Have?
Purified water, gentle surfactant blend (with coconut-based cleanser), glycerin, aloe vera extract, chamomile, rosemary, stabilizer, honey extract.
Is It a Good Option for Sensitive Skin?
Given the lack of chemical components found within this shampoo, and the lack of skin irritants like parabens, phosphates, dyes or alcohols, this makes the Rocco & Roxie Shampoo one of the best choices for puppies with sensitive skin.
Best Natural: Pro Pet Works Organic All Natural Plant Based
Pro Pet Works Organic All Natural Plant Based
Buy Now Disclaimer – This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What Scent Is It?
The Pro Pet Works Organic shampoo comes in just a single scent: it’s sort of a mixture of their all-natural ingredients, but most prominently featured are a hint of oat and aloe vera. After all, its primary ingredient is aloe vera gel. This leaves with a gel-based texture, rather than a traditional soapy texture.
Is it Hypoallergenic?
It’s unclear based on the listing whether or not this shampoo is “hypoallergenic” – it is not advertised as such. However, based on its organic status, we can surmise that it’s probably safe for allergenic dogs.
Is it Tearless?
Yes, the Pro Pet Works Organic shampoo is tearless. Being organic, none of the components is particularly harmful to puppies and you shouldn’t panic if they get it in their eyes, just gently wash it out and carry on.
What Ingredients Does It Have?
Deionized water, surfactant blend derived from natural derivatives (coconut shampoo base), organic aloe vera extract, organic almond oil, hydrolyzed oat proteins, Vitamins A, D, E & B12, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, wheat germ glycerides, blend of cherry botanical extracts, EGDA (conditioner), EDTA (aids ingredients in blending), proprietary blend of coat and skin conditioners and moisturizers.
Is It a Good Option for Sensitive Skin?
If your puppy has sensitive skin, then there’s perhaps no better shampoo for them than the Pro Pet Works Organic. Being an organic shampoo, you can rest assured that it’s made with as few irritants as possible!
Best Budget: Burt’s Bees for Puppies Natural Tearless
Burt’s Bees for Puppies Natural Tearless
Buy Now Disclaimer – This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What Scent Is It?
While the scent of this shampoo isn’t directly listed on the Amazon page, it is made with buttermilk and linseed oil so that you can expect a smooth, light-scented product.
Is it Hypoallergenic?
As it’s made with ingredients such as Shea butter, the Burt’s Bees for Puppies shampoo is hypoallergenic!
Is it Tearless?
Yes, the Burt’s Bees puppy shampoo is tearless.
What Ingredients Does It Have?
Water, Coco Betaine, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Honey, Beeswax, Colloidal Oatmeal, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Oil, Buttermilk Powder, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.
Is It a Good Option for Sensitive Skin?
Despite the chemical components contained within, this product remains a good option for those with puppies that have sensitive skin, though remember: it’s a budget shampoo. It therefore might not be of the same quality as those of a higher price.
Best Smelling: Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner
Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner
Buy Now Disclaimer – This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What Scent Is It?
The best-smelling had better have a nice scent, right? Well, this Earthbath product comes in a Wild Cherry scent.
Is it Hypoallergenic?
While not being strictly listed as a hypoallergenic shampoo, this shampoo is pH balanced and is made with natural and organic ingredients.
Is it Tearless?
Yes, the Earthbath is a tearless shampoo, as well as being the best-smelling!
What Ingredients Does It Have?
Purified water, renewable plant-derived and coconut-based cleansers, gentle conditioner & detangler, organic aloe vera, vitamins A, B, D, & E, glycerin, botanical fragrance of wild cherry, preservative.
Is It a Good Option for Sensitive Skin?
Given its lack of chemicals, it’s a good option for sensitive skin, despite not being listed as “hypoallergenic.”
Best Unscented: 4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo
4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo
Buy Now Disclaimer – This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What Scent Is It?
The 4Legger Organic shampoo is unscented, meaning there are no artificial scents infused into the ingredients, though the bottle does state that one of the versions of the shampoo is aloe vera, lemongrass & coconut oil. Though the unscented version simply contains water, aloe vera and coconut oil.
Is it Hypoallergenic?
Three of the four available 4Legger shampoos are listed as “hypoallergenic: these are the Lemongrass, Lavender and Unscented flavours. The other, Cedar/Peppermint isn’t listed as being “hypoallergenic”.
Is it Tearless?
The 4Legger isn’t listed as being a “tearless” shampoo for your pup, though given its organic nature and lack of chemical components that may irritate the eyes, we can safely say that it’s tearless.
What Ingredients Does It Have?
Saponified Organic Oils of Coconut, Olive, & Jojoba Natural Essential Oil Blend of Rosemary, Lemongrass, Rosemary Extract, Organic Aloe Vera.
Is It a Good Option for Sensitive Skin?
Given the organic nature of the 4Legger shampoo, it’s a good fit for sensitive skin, particularly its hypoallergenic flavours.
Best Waterless: Spruce Waterless Pet Wash
Spruce Waterless Pet Wash
Buy Now Disclaimer – This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What Scent Is It?
There are three possible scents for this shampoo, it comes in “Fresh”, “Oatmeal” or “Lavender”.
Is it Hypoallergenic?
Yes, this water-free shampoo is perfect for hypoallergenic dogs. Given that it’s water-free, it comes in a spray bottle, making it perfect for daily spraying onto your new pup to keep their coats clean.
Is it Tearless?
The Spruce Waterless shampoo isn’t listed as being a “tearless” shampoo, therefore it’s probably to avoid your dog’s eyes when washing with this shampoo.
What Ingredients Does It Have?
Water, Protease, Lipase, Amylase, Cocobetaine, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol.
Is It a Good Option for Sensitive Skin?
Though perhaps there are better water-necessary options out there, for everyday bathing without water, you’re not going to find a better waterless shampoo for sensitive skin than this one from The Spruce.
Best Shampoo and Conditioner: Honest Paws Dog Shampoo Conditioner
Honest Paws Dog Shampoo Conditioner
Buy Now Disclaimer – This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you.
What Scent Is It?
While the actual scent isn’t listed on the ad itself, user reviews below dictate the presence of a citrusy scent. So beware of this if you’re allergic to citrus fruits.
Is it Hypoallergenic?
While not listed as being a “hypoallergenic” shampoo, this particular shampoo is made with all-natural ingredients and doesn’t contain any MEA, DEA, sulfates or parabens.
Is it Tearless?
Again, the Honest Paws ad does not contain “tearless” in its product description, so it might be best to avoid the dog’s eyes when washing, though, given its natural ingredient make-up, it is unlikely to cause any significant damage or pain to your pup, should the shampoo run astray.
What Ingredients Does It Have?
Water, Plant-based surfactants derived from coconut and palm, Oatmeal & aloe extract, Fragrance, Preservative
Is It a Good Option for Sensitive Skin?
Yes, the Honest Paws Shampoo is a great option for sensitive skin and given that it performs many functions simultaneously, it may help with calming the sensitivity of your dog’s skin for some time.
Our Favorite Puppy Shampoo
Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo
Buy Now Disclaimer – This website uses affiliate links and gets a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Despite all of the great shampoos on this list, our best pick is the Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo, it’s a great shampoo for a dog of any age and can help abate symptoms of skin problems like itchiness and helps soften your dog’s fur. One of the best overall dog shampoos.
Things To Look For in a Puppy Shampoo
When buying shampoo for your puppy, there are a few things to consider first, you’ll want to make sure that you thoroughly review any products and ask your vet if you’re uncertain before you buy.
Age Range
While you might not think of it, there is such a thing as ‘too soon, when it comes to bathing your pets. The American Kennel Club recommends waiting until after three months to bathe your puppy for the first time.
Gentle Ingredients for Puppies
It can seem a no-brainer that puppies are more prone to sensitivity to ingredients in, well, everything, just like babies – but you must find the right shampoos that are listed specifically for puppies. No harsh chemicals and if possible, organic shampoos tend to work best.
Tearless
One of the critical things to look for in a puppy shampoo is that it is tearless. Tearless shampoos are required by law – and it is beneficial for marketing – to state that they’re tearless. If you’re looking for puppy shampoo, make sure you buy a tearless one – it should say right on the bottle. If it doesn’t, avoid it. We at germanshepherdsadvisor are always buying tearless shampoos for our dog – remember that stinging sensation whenever you get shampoo in your eyes? Yes? You don’t want to inflict that on the puppy that trusts you with its life.
pH Balance
pH Balance is the measurement of the amount of acid/base that is found in a water compound. pH-balanced shampoos will offer far better results than those without, as they are built to maintain a chemical balance between the amount of acid and base within them, which means less potential harm to your puppy’s skin and coat.
The pH balance of any given shampoo is critical for a dog’s skin health. An imbalance of acids and bases on a dog’s skin can create a whole host of skin problems from infections to bacterial and parasitic growth and viral infections. The levels of pH in a dog’s skin need to be balanced to provide proper protection against these things.
Final Thoughts
All told, regardless of what type of shampoo you’re looking for to bathe your puppy, consider all of the factors that go into it – its chemical, its pH levels, and more. Bath time won’t necessarily be ‘fun’ for your puppy the first couple of times, but the more used to bathing it gets as a puppy, the less work it’ll be as a fully-grown adult dog.