3 Best Smelling Dog Shampoos for your Fido – No More Stinky Smell!

Does your doggo love to explore the outdoors? If so, your furry buddy will always go home stinky and filled with muck. When this happens, you need the best smelling dog shampoo handy. From a smelly doggo, you can make your pooch smell and look good again.

DOG
SHAMPOO
BRANDEXPERT
RATING
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Earthbath All Natural
Pet Shampoo
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Honeydew Colloidal
Oatmeal Shampoo
with Lavender Oil
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Wahl Pet-Friendly No-
Rinse Lavender and
Chamomile Shampoo
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Instead of taking chances on cheap pet shampoos or DIY concoctions, you can try any of these three shampoos we handpicked personally. Also, this is doggo approved to be good on the skin and coat.

What makes my dog smell bad?

“What is that smell?” If you often say this line whenever your dog jumps for a cuddle, then you probably need to look for the cause.

Dogs tend to develop a bad odor when they stay outdoors for long. This is due to the mud, dirt, and other elements that stick to their fur. And if your pooch has a thick coat, then the bad smell could be much worse. Still, this type of dog odor is easy to remove through bathing and the use of the best smelling dog shampoo.

However, if your doggo’s stinky smell doesn’t go away after a bathe, your pooch could have skin problems. Fungal infections in the skin will cause irritations and a lingering odor.

A lot of things can cause skin problems among dogs…

Such skin problems could be due to external factors like the current shampoo you’re using on them or other substances they got in contact with. However, it could also be due to some health conditions. Dogs with intense skin allergies will develop rashes which could get inflamed and wounded in the process of incessant scratching.

For these conditions, the best smelling dog shampoo may not be the ideal solution. A veterinarian will recommend a medicated shampoo as well as a general check-up for the doggo.

Why can’t I just use human shampoo?

Remember that there’s a specific dog shampoo for every need. As much as using your human shampoo for dogs is economical, it’s not a safe decision. Human shampoos are designed for human hair. This means that it may include ingredients that could be potentially harmful to canines.

Even if your shampoo makes your hair soft and silky, this wouldn’t be the case with dogs. The biggest harm here is that pet owners use human shampoo for their dogs since they love the smell.

You may end damaging your dog’s coat or even sending them to a veterinarian. Also, anything with a very strong scent will be dangerous for your pooch.

Benefits of a dog shampoo

A dedicated dog shampoo is important for a lot of reasons. First of all, dog shampoos are formulated for canines. This means that the ingredients are intended to address the coat condition of different dogs.

Moreover, the best smelling dog shampoo can be used to repel ticks and fleas. It will also keep the skin and coat of your dog well-nourished due to the natural ingredients found in the shampoo.

Additional benefits…

Most of all, if your dog has a specific skin condition, dog shampoos are the best remedy. A veterinarian can recommend either a medicated type or one with natural ingredients depending on your dogs’ condition.

Aside from this, the following are the other benefits of the best smelling dog shampoo:

*It keeps the normal pH level of your dog’s skin
*It keeps germs and bacteria away
*Dog shampoos provide easy lather for various coats
*It removes deep-seated dirt and smell
*It helps medicate various skin problems

Waterless dog shampoo, anyone?

For some dog owners, the trend is the so-called waterless dog shampoos. It’s called as such as it can be sprayed directly to the dog’s skin without the need to rinse it with water.

Also called dry shampoo, this product is used to remove odor and dirt from a dog’s coat without a need for a full bath. This comes handy if your dog becomes dirty a day after grooming.

To apply a waterless dog shampoo, you spray it on the coat and massage the dog’s fur gently. Others will use a comb to spread the dry shampoo evenly.

However, you should note that waterless dog shampoos have its limitations. It’s only for short-term use and not a replacement for an actual bath. Using waterless dog shampoos for too long will cause your pooch’s coat to mat and develop a bad odor.

In the end, you’d still have to bathe your doggo.

Remember: smell isn’t everything!

Before we dive into the commercial options, you should remember that smell isn’t everything when it comes to dog shampoos. Aside from how it smells, you should also look into its formula and other characteristics.

At all cost, never sacrifice the shampoo quality for the smell. Take note that your dog won’t appreciate it if it smells good or not. In fact, the smell of these shampoos is intended for humans so they would find their dogs cuddle-worthy.

Some dog shampoos don’t have a special smell, but it works well in treating skin irritations. Also, some shampoos are all smell and no benefit. In short, you have to get the right balance of odor and cleaning abilities.

How to choose the best smelling dog shampoo

By now, you’re probably asking a lot of questions about how to choose the best smelling dog shampoo. So before you skip to our three options below, make sure that you have considered the following points first:

*Read the ingredients

This is the most important part of all. Always read what’s on the bottle before putting your money on it, let alone using it on your dog. The shampoo’s ingredients will reveal a lot about its quality and safety for pets.

First of all, rule out any abrasive and artificial chemicals. If the shampoo is reeking with surfactants, parabens, and solvents, look for another option.

Also, consider what your dog needs. If your pooch has itchy and dry skin, look for a shampoo with Aloe vera and oatmeal. Most oatmeal-based shampoo formulas are safe and effective in treating almost any skin irritations.

If your dog’s coat tends to stain a lot, look for natural cleaners like herb extracts and essential oils. Never consider getting one with bleach and peroxide as these two chemicals will damage the doggo’s coat permanently.

*How about a medicated shampoo?

For dogs with intense rashes and open skin wounds, a veterinarian can recommend the ideal medicated shampoo. Medicated shampoos have pyrethroids that help remove ticks and fleas that are possibly causing an infection.

In addition, avoid medicated dog shampoos with OPs or carbamates as these are harmful to canines.

For added safety, avoid using medicated shampoos for pregnant dogs or puppies under four months old. If in doubt, you should always seek the vet’s opinion.

*Get one with the right pH level

A dog’s skin pH is very sensitive. A mild fluctuation can lead to irritations and other potential problems. Depending on the breed and health condition, the ideal pH level for a dog’s skin can be anywhere between 2.2 and 7.5.

If you are to purchase the best smelling dog shampoo, make sure that it has a gentle formula that will retain the healthy pH level of your pet’s skin.

*Be aware of your dog’s allergies

Each dog has a unique sensitivities, which will affect how you should choose the right shampoo for them. Usually, dogs develop allergic reactions to shampoos with too many artificial ingredients. So as much as possible, go natural for your choice of dog shampoo.

Also, some dogs tend to react harshly on some essential oils. However, you can only find out about this once you have tried it on their quote.

*Dogs have different skin types

Just like humans, dogs have different skin types. Dogs can also have normal or oily skin, so make sure that you choose a shampoo that works for their condition.

Again, if you don’t know which one to choose, you can always seek the help of your doggo’s veterinarian.

*Be careful on the scent

This part is very crucial, especially that we’re looking for the best smelling dog shampoo. Make sure that the shampoo is naturally scented with berries, oils, and herb extracts. Other than that, it could be dangerous for your doggo.

For canines, you shouldn’t get a shampoo with a very intense scent. Since they have a very strong sense of smell (much so for scent hounds!), the shampoo odor could cause irritations.

*Look for FDA approval

To guarantee that the dog shampoo is safe for pets, the FDA reviews and approves the said products. With that, try to look for FDA-approved dog shampoos to assure its quality and formula.

*Consider the container type

Lastly, check the container of the shampoo. This isn’t a big purchasing factor, but you wouldn’t want the shampoo to arrive with spills all over.

The most common is a spray pump container. However, for oatmeal concentrates, it’s typical to find it on pour bottles.

Top 3 Best Smelling Dog Shampoo Options

OUR TOP PICK: Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo
best smelling dog shampoo

Product Name: Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo

Product Description: Our top recommendation is the Earthbath All Natural Shampoo. This is made of 3% colloidal oatmeal, plant-based cleansers, aloe vera, and vitamins A, B, D, and E. It even has natural extracts of almond and vanilla for a safe and nice smelling rinse. This shampoo is effective in relieving itching. Aside from that, it’s also cruelty-free and soap-free. Aside from its gentle cleansing power, this shampoo will also leave your dog smelling fresh.

Offer price: 18

Currency: usd

Availability: InStock

  • Formula Quality
  • Scent
  • Cleaning
  • Value for Money
Overall
4.9

Summary

Also, if you have a doggo with very sensitive skin, this shampoo will give them a soothing effect. This shampoo lathers well, but make sure that you won’t make contact with the dog’s eyes.

The only thing we noticed is that this shampoo requires further rinsing as it tends to have this oily after-wash. Nevertheless, it’s not a big deal and it always turns out good for the dog’s skin.

Pros

✔️All-natural ingredients

✔️Cruelty and soap-free

✔️Relieves itching

Cons

❌Tends to have a mild oily after-wash feel

RUNNERS-UP

Honeydew Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo with Lavender Oil

best smelling dog shampoo

Another option that we recommend is the Honeydew Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo with Lavender Oil. This one has oatmeal, jojoba extracts, and lavender extracts to make your dog’s coat smooth and clean.

This Honeydew shampoo doesn’t have a very strong smell, so your dog is safe during and after the bath. We also like that it comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. If you and your dog aren’t happy with the product, you can send the used bottle back to get a full refund.

Moreover, this is free of parabens and sulfates. In addition, this is a cruelty and tear-free shampoo that suits dogs that love to wiggle during bath time.

PROS
✔️Tear-free shampoo
✔️Made with natural extracts
✔️100% money-back guarantee
CONS
❌The bottle is so stiff it’s hard to squeeze the shampoo out (not a deal-breaker)

Wahl Pet-Friendly No-Rinse Lavender and Chamomile Shampoo

For those who are looking for the best dry shampoo, the Wahl No-Rinse Lavender and Chamomile Shampoo is what we recommend. Due to its natural ingredients, this shampoo has a balanced pH. Also, it doesn’t have alcohol, paraben, and PEG-80 substances.

If your pooch got dirty after a bath, you could simply apply this foamy shampoo. Just massage it on the doggo’s coat and dry it using a towel and a brush.

This dry shampoo is allergen-free for your peace of mind, not to mention its natural lavender scent. In fact, its scent is calming, which will help an anxious dog.

PROS
✔️Allergen-free
✔️No-rinse needed
✔️Balanced pH level
CONS
.
❌This is not a replacement for actual baths

Wrapping Up

If you’re looking for the best smelling dog shampoo, you should also consider its ingredients and overall formula. In the end, your dog needs a nourishing shampoo that will keep its coat smooth, shiny, and clean-smelling.

As much as intensely fragrant shampoos are tempting, you should always prioritize the welfare of your pet. And that starts by choosing the products based on their needs and not on your personal preferences.

What do you think of these options? Let us know below in the comment section!

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