Categories: Paw Prints

Best Pet Shampoos for Every Life Stage

Labrador retriever is taking a shower at home.

By Katie Parr, Groomer’s Choice Marketing Manager

With so many brands and varieties of pet shampoos to choose from, how do you pick the best one for each client’s dog? The next time you are restocking your dog shampoo supplies, consider adding these Groomer’s Choice top picks. Note: Even though we divide these shampoos into three life stages, they can be used on dogs of all ages, 8 weeks and older—even the puppy shampoo. Let us know what you think by leaving a review at groomerschoice.com.

Puppy Shampoos

Bark2Basics Baby Bark Shampoo: A puppy’s coat is not the same as a fully grown dog’s, so it makes sense why you would want to find a shampoo designed with puppies in mind. Typically, puppies have a single layer of soft, fluffy fur, unlike their older counterparts with thicker, stiffer hair. This mild formula from Bark2Basics carefully cleanses puppy coats while gently restoring shine. The light, baby-powder scent is quite pleasant and makes for a refreshing bath time option for your puppy. Comes in 1-gallon and 16-oz. sizes, a dilutes 16:1 (Note: This shampoo is not a tear-free product.)

Petology Puppy Faces Shampoo: Petology is known for its commitment to mild, sulfate-free formulas. Puppy Faces is enriched with essential oils and hydrating ingredients to nourish a puppy’s skin and coat. This naturally derived, tear-free product is also formulated to help soothe skin irritation while simultaneously cleansing your pup. Finished with a light baby powder fragrance, this product comes in 1-gallon and 8-oz. sizes, and dilutes 16:1.

BatherBox Hypo Shampoo: When a client brings in their brand-new puppy for their first groom, they might not know right away if he will have an allergic reaction to specific ingredients. In those cases, we recommend BatherBox Hypo Shampoo. This fragrance-free, sulfate-free shampoo from the BatherBox brand minimizes the chance of skin irritation for pets with sensitive skin. Use this shampoo for a puppy’s first bath, after eight weeks of age. In addition, this product was designed for the BatherBox Bathing System, so if you already have one, it can easily be connected to your existing setup. Comes in 1-gallon size only. These shampoos are highly concentrated and can be diluted to your desired specifications.

Adult Shampoos

The Coat Handler Deshedding Shampoo: Luxury and functionality combine in our top pick for adult pets. This shampoo does excellent work in loosening dogs’ undercoats. This shampoo is infused with vitamin E and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to assist in strengthening hair roots and cut down on future shedding, when used regularly. Plus, you can’t beat the value (dilutes at 32:1) as well as the lovely coconut fragrance. Comes in 16-oz., 1-gallon and 5-gallon sizes.

Green Groom Odor Eliminator Shampoo: This fresh-scented shampoo from the groomer-trusted Green Groom line uses a proprietary odor eliminator that cuts odors fast. This shampoo smells like a fresh load of laundry blowing in a crisp, mountain breeze. The best part is that it simultaneously cleans, conditions, and enriches the skin and coat, making it highly recommended for adult dogs. Comes in 1-gallon, 16-oz. and 5-gallon sizes. Dilutes 32:1.

Petology Sensitive Therapeutic Shampoo: This mild shampoo has a long-lasting fragrance and contains vitamins, essential oils and natural cleansers. Petology already has a strong following in the grooming, veterinarian and boarding industries, so why not see for yourself why this shampoo is a top choice among professionals. Available in 1-gallon and 16-oz. sizes, the shampoo dilutes 16:1.

Senior Shampoos

Bark2Basics Senior Bark Shampoo: Menthol, along with aloe vera and plant-based cleansers, make up this refreshing product formulated especially for mature dogs. This product comes in a gallon and 16-oz. size and dilutes 16:1.

Bark2Basics One Step Silky Shampoo: Simplicity and functionality, all in one bath. Standing in a tub for a long time could be uncomfortable for senior dogs, so a product that cleans and conditions at the same time is incredibly beneficial to both dogs and groomers. This fortifying shampoo + conditioner has a floral scent and works great as a detangling product. Available in 16-oz., 1-gallon, and 5-gallon sizes, the shampoo dilutes 16:1.

Green Groom Lavender Chamomile Aromatherapy Shampoo: This aromatherapy shampoo’s lavender provides calming properties during bathing, while the chamomile helps brighten coats of all colors. For a spa-like experience, this is our go-to recommendation for older dogs. Only available in a 1-gallon size, the shampoo dilutes 32:1.