Those who own a pet know that dogs are just like part of the family. You want them to feel loved and cared for, in exchange for all those moments of joy they bring. There is a reason why the dog is considered a man’s best friend, and why people grieve so much when their companions pass away.
Having a dog is a huge responsibility, and it’s not just limited to feeding them. Dogs need exercise, they need to spend time outside, they need to be vaccinated, and they need to be cleaned. If you are not sure how to choose the right kind of shampoo for your dog, we’re here with a little bit of info on that matter.
5 Best Natural Shampoo for Dogs Comparisons
| IMAGE | BRAND | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Earthbath |
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Check The Price |
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Vet's Best |
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Check The Price |
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4Legger |
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Check The Price |
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Friends Forever |
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Check The Price |
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Burt's Bees |
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Check The Price |
Important Buying Considerations
If anyone has ever considered that a dog is just a dog and can be washed with just about anything that contains soap, they couldn’t be farther away from the truth. Choosing a shampoo for a dog requires identifying certain needs and traits that are different from one dog to the next. The process of buying such a shampoo is just as complex as buying one for a human, and here are the things that must be taken into account before making a purchasing decision.
Knowing your dog’s needs
When you have to buy a shampoo for yourself, you always take into account the needs of your scalp and hair. That means that you should do the same for your dog. This is a two-step process: because you have to know what your dog needs, and then identify the list of ingredients that can help you reach that goal.
For example, your dog may need a moisturizing shampoo because they have long hairs that look dull and brittle. Other dogs have itchy skin, in which case you need a shampoo that’s designed for sensitive dog skin. OR maybe your dog has an oily coat, in which case you can’t use a conditioning shampoo. Here’s some information that might help:
- If your dog has itchy or dry skin, you want a shampoo that contains aloe vera. Aloe vera is an extremely healthy ingredient. Since it’s based on high water content, it can moisturize the dog’s hair and skin. Plus, it has antimicrobial properties, which makes it good for irritated skin.
- Oatmeal-based dog shampoos are great for all types of skin.
- If your dog’s coat has an odor problem, you might want to look into shampoos that are scented. But these shampoos can have either artificial or natural scents, and it’s very important to choose the right one. Those that contain artificial fragrances are more likely to irritate the dog’s skin, while those that are natural have a combination of fruit, flower, and herb extract which smell divine, in the right combination.
- If your dog requires spot cleaning or you’re pressed for time and have to cleanse the dog fast, you can use a dry shampoo. There are plenty of powder-based cleaners out there that will remove the dirt from your dog’s coat without you having to give them a full-on bath.
- You want to be really careful with shampoos that contain peroxide or bleach, even if they promise to cleanse dirt and stains from the dog’s fur, as they can permanently damage the dog’s coat.
Part of knowing what your dog needs are knowing what they don’t need. That means that you should know if your dog has sensitive skin or any allergies, in which case you have to double your attention in regard to the ingredients list of a specific shampoo.
Essentially, the idea is to never use a dog shampoo with ingredients that you wouldn’t have in your human shampoo. For example, ingredients like sulfates or solvents can cause an allergic reaction even for dogs. Furthermore, there are even natural ingredients that could trigger a skin reaction because their essence is very strong, like a tea tree or birch.
To make sure that you’re using a product that your dog can handle, do a patch test over a period of 24 hours. This will show you if the dog has a skin sensitivity or an allergic reaction to the ingredients inside a product.
Learning about medicated shampoo
There are cases where dogs have severe skin problems, in which case a natural shampoo won’t work. Plants are great, but they don’t always do miracles. In that case, your dog might need a medicated shampoo, and you should know what that means.
Medicated shampoos are good for dogs that have persistent skin problems. Consider the following fact: some shampoos are good for fighting off ticks, but they may not be able to prevent them from reappearing, so you need to find suitable replacements.
Medicated shampoos are not indicated for pups younger than four months, are pregnant, or are too old. Also, it’s important that you choose a medicated shampoo that is specifically for dogs. When you’re looking to buy shampoo for a problem such as ticks, you will need to take the weight and size of the dog into consideration as well.
Some medicated shampoos can be used to treat eczema or dermatitis, like the ones that contain miconazole and hydrocortisone. It is always a good idea to consult with the vet if your dog has any skin problems, as they will know what is the best-medicated shampoo that your dog could benefit from.
Top 5 Natural Shampoos for Dogs Reviews
Natural shampoos are always preferred to ones that are made with chemicals because there are plenty of dogs with sensitive skin. Aside from particular situations where a medicated shampoo is the best choice, natural shampoos have plenty of antimicrobial and cleansing ingredients and are 100% safe to be used on your doggo.
Before we move onto the product reviews, we noticed that many people claim that some of these shampoos aren’t natural because of ingredients such as Sodium Laureth sulfate (which is actually extracted from coconut). Just to get it out of the way: “natural” products have ingredients that are based on flower/herb/plant extracts and that are not carcinogenic. And what’s good for us isn’t always good for dogs, and is often different than natural shampoos for cats, even. So, what is the best natural shampoo for dogs? Let’s find out!
Earthbath
- Product quantity: 16 oz.
- Key ingredients: oatmeal, organic aloe vera
Earthbath has a series of dog shampoos that are a regular hit amongst pet owners. This particular one features a combination of oatmeal and aloe vera, with each ingredient serving a very noble purpose in keeping your dog clean and happy.
You can expect to get a product that will leave the dog’s coat soft and shiny, in a formula that’s pH balanced and doesn’t contain any soap. The fact that the product has aloe vera in it means it can be used on dry and irritated skin, as this is an ingredient that promotes healing and helps retain moisture.
While this particular all natural shampoo has a nice vanilla scent, you can opt for those who have other fragrances, like peppermint, sweet orange, wild cherry, lavender, or tea tree. There is even an unscented version. You can buy a single bottle of shampoo or opt for packs of two or six bottles if you want to stock up on the product and buy it at a better price per unit.
Who Should Purchase This?
Pet owners that want a product that other pet owners recommend have to look into the Earthbath line of all-natural shampoo for dogs. Plus, you have many scents to choose from and it comes at a really convenient price.
Pros:
- Different scent choices.
- Moisturizing properties.
- A hit with pet owners.
- Good for skin allergies.
- Good against odors.
Cons:
- Doesn’t detangle fur.
Vet’s Best
- Product quantity: 16 oz.
- Key ingredients: neem seed oil, vitamin E, aloe vera leaf juice
Vet’s Best has developed a product that’s designed for dogs who have itchy skin and allergies and could use some soothing ingredients that will calm irritated skin and make them feel happy and playful again.
The product is based on a multitude of natural ingredients, each with a specific role. Chamomile has been used for centuries as a healing and calming plant, and it’s also an ingredient used to make this shampoo. It provides protection against free radicals and soothes irritated skin. Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent, which is great for allergies and cleaning the skin and the hair. Oatmeal is one of the best ingredients for a dog’s shampoo because it moisturizes the skin, and neem oil is high in vitamin E and fatty acids.
The shampoo has to be used on the dog’s wet coat, making sure that you evenly distribute it and massage the doggo for about five minutes before rinsing. This also helps deep clean for odor.
Who Should Purchase This?
Aside from being extremely efficient in calming down irritated, dry itchy skin for flea bites or ticks as well as canine dermatitis, Vet’s Best shampoo is also incredibly inexpensive, making it one of the best and most affordable natural shampoos for puppy and dogs.
Pros:
- Fresh smell.
- Removes odors.
- Good for dog allergies.
- Good for irritated skin.
- Easy to rinse.
- Good for flaky skin.
Cons:
- May require two consecutive washes.
4Legger
- Product quantity: 16 oz.
- Key ingredients: rosemary extract, organic aloe vera, coconut oil
This shampoo is a combination of all things natural. Without any sulfate, detergents, or any other synthetic ingredients, this cruelty-free and vegan formula is perfect for dog owners who want something that’s 100 percent natural.
This shampoo is USDA certified, made with a blend of coconut, jojoba, and olive oil, but also with ingredients such as aloe vera (for cleansing and moisturizing), rosemary extract (which acts as a natural preservative) or lemongrass oil (which, in combination with rosemary extract, can help with flaky skin and prevent dryness).
It is a product designed for dogs of all ages, even for those who have a skin condition and can’t stand any products that might contain chemicals or irritants. It is a highly concentrated shampoo, and because of its formula, there are chances that the colors of the shampoo will vary from one bottle to another. You can trust that this product will help with inflamed, red, and itchy skin and that it will cleanse the dog’s fur and skin of environmental toxins.
Who Should Purchase This?
4Legger’s shampoo is the dream of every organic product lover: it doesn’t contain any plant/flower derivatives and comes with only the most natural ingredients. It is a great product for sensitive skin in dogs with allergies that can’t stand any potentially toxic ingredients.
Pros:
- Washes off easy.
- Good for itchy skin.
- Natural scent.
- Good for dry skin.
- Soft and silky fur.
Cons:
- Watery consistency.
- Strong lemongrass scent.
Friends Forever
- Product quantity: 16 oz.
- Key ingredients: flaxseed oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil
Today’s heavily underrated product comes from Friends Forever. It is a gentle dog shampoo that’s made from essential oils and botanical extracts that will help keep a dog’s skin and fur clean, with a nice scent.
The product is made from a combination of organic coconut oil, aloe vera, and oatmeal, which can help cleanse and soothe the skin, removing dryness and pushing it to obtain extra moisture. It is a naturally hypoallergenic shampoo that can be used on both dogs and cats, although cats don’t really need that many washes compared to a doggo.
The dog’s coat will be left smelling fresh, thanks to the light green apple scent. And if you still don’t trust the product, you should know that the owner of this brand has a French bulldog that approves it!
Who Should Purchase This?
You know that we like to choose one product that we feel should deserve more praise, and label it as being our “editor’s choice” for the day. The Friends Forever dog shampoo has all the ingredients needed to become a best-seller, so if you’ve tried other stuff and it didn’t work, you should give this product a chance.
Pros:
- Good for itches.
- Makes a lot of foam.
- Easy to rinse.
- Good for dry spots.
- Soft and shiny coat.
Cons:
- Scent is not very powerful for smell control.
Burt’s Bees
- Product quantity: 16 oz.
- Key ingredients: linseed oil, buttermilk powder, beeswax
The last product on our list comes from Burt’s Bees, and it’s a natural dog shampoo that doubles as a conditioner. It is made with 97 percent natural ingredients and doesn’t contain any petroleum, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or SLS.
The ingredients for this product are remarkable: buttermilk is there to make sure the skin is soothed during and after wash, while linseed oil will prevent the dog’s coat from ending all tangled up. It is a formula recommended by veterinarians that steer clear of any harsh chemicals that might irritate the dog’s skin. It also comes with a balanced pH, which makes it safe to use even on puppies.
Important note: Since there are always chances of product leaking during transportation, the 18 oz bottle actually contains only 16 oz of liquid, in order to minimize damage caused by extreme temperatures or pressure changes.
Who Should Purchase This?
Burt’s Bees makes natural products, so you can rest assured that there’s nothing sketchy about the ingredients list here. If you’re looking for a product that acts both a shampoo and conditioner (which helps detangle fur), this is one is worth your money.
Pros:
- Good for frequent baths.
- Unscented.
- Doesn’t irritate eyes.
- Detangles fur.
- Good for allergies.
Cons:
- Not very concentrates.
Bottom Line
Aside from making an all-natural shampoo, these options are the safest. But if you did want to try a DIY recipe, click here for a tried a tested one! Before buying a shampoo for your dog, always take into consideration what are your animal’s current needs. Treat the matter seriously and judge the products as if you were buying a shampoo for your personal use. Avoid products that contain questionable chemicals and always make sure that if your dog has sensitive skin, you buy a shampoo that’s good for them.
The post Best Natural Shampoo for Dogs appeared first on Better Mind Body Soul.
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