Best Dog Shampoos

Hypoallergenic vs oatmeal vs medicated dog shampoo: what's the difference?

These three labels sound similar on the shelf, but they mean different things, and only one of them is a treatment.

Itchy, red, flaky or smelly skin, or hot spots, are a reason to see your vet before buying anything.

For a dog with sensitive skin, the practical checklist is short: made for dogs ^[1], no added fragrance ^[1][2], and easy to rinse out completely ^[1]. The earthbath on this page is the fragrance-free option. Wahl's "calming" formula is scented with lavender and chamomile, so skip it if you are avoiding fragrance.

Can you wash a dog with human shampoo?

Not as a habit. VCA's vets say dog skin differs from human skin in thickness and pH, and that human shampoo, including baby shampoo, is far too harsh for dogs ^[1]. The ASPCA takes a softer line: human shampoos aren't toxic to dogs, but they may contain fragrances or other ingredients that irritate ^[2].

So a single wash with a mild human shampoo in an emergency isn't a poisoning risk, but it is not a substitute. Baby shampoo is no exception: VCA names it specifically as too harsh ^[1].

No dog shampoo? What you can use at home

• Brush first. VCA says to brush burrs and tangles out before bathing, because tangles can become impossible to remove after a bath ^[1]. Brushing alone removes a lot of loose dirt and hair.
• Rinse with lukewarm water only. The ASPCA suggests about 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm water in the tub ^[2][3]. For mud and dust, plain water often does the job until you can buy dog shampoo.
• Skip home remedies on the skin. Don't put concentrated essential oils such as tea tree oil on your dog; see the ingredients section below.
• Dry thoroughly afterward, as the ASPCA advises ^[2][3].

How often should you bathe a dog?

There is no single schedule, and our sources don't agree on one. Match it to the coat and to how dirty your dog gets:

When a dog is dirty or smells, bathe it. Otherwise, less is usually fine.

Use warm, not hot, water; VCA says warm water is more comfortable and helps shampoo clean better ^[1]. Rinse until the water runs clear, because VCA says shampoo must be thoroughly rinsed out ^[1] and the ASPCA says dirt sticks to leftover soap ^[2]. VCA also suggests following with a conditioning product to restore moisture ^[1]; the Wahl and PAWFUME build that in.

Bath day is a good time for a nail check too; see how to trim dog nails at home.

Is dog shampoo safe for cats?

Don't use it on cats, and never use a dog flea shampoo or spot-on that contains permethrin anywhere near one. The ASPCA says permethrin products are safe for dogs but can cause severe tremors and seizures in cats ^[7]. A study of 286 cat poisonings reported to the UK's Veterinary Poisons Information Service found that 96.9% of cats exposed to permethrin spot-ons labeled for dogs showed signs of poisoning and 10.5% died; some cats were poisoned through contact with a recently treated dog ^[6]. Cats appear to break permethrin down slowly ^[6].

Even a plain dog shampoo isn't made for cats; for a cat's coat, brushing does most of the work (see cat brushes for shedding). VCA's vets say to use only shampoo made for cats on a cat, ideally a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free one, and note that most healthy adult cats rarely need a bath ^[11].

If your cat has had contact with a dog flea product and is twitching, trembling or drooling, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control right away. In that study, signs usually appeared within about 3 hours but could be delayed up to 72 hours ^[6].

Dog shampoo ingredients to avoid

• Concentrated tea tree oil (melaleuca). An analysis of 443 dogs and cats reported to ASPCA Animal Poison Control found that 100% tea tree oil, mostly applied to the skin on purpose, caused drooling, lethargy, weakness, wobbliness and tremors within 2 to 12 hours, lasting up to 3 days ^[8]. The ASPCA says as few as seven or eight drops of concentrated oil may cause problems ^[10]. That research is on undiluted oil, not on shampoos that list it as one ingredient, but in our view it makes sense to leave tea tree products off a cat household's shelf.
• Essential oils in homes with cats. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are more sensitive to essential oils because they lack the enzyme glucuronyl transferase, and that grooming adds to their exposure; it says concentrated oils should never be applied directly to pets ^[13]. A cat that grooms a freshly washed dog can be exposed too.
• Permethrin, in any home with a cat ^[7].
• Added fragrance, if your dog's skin is sensitive. The ASPCA warns fragrances may irritate ^[2], and VCA recommends shampoos without added perfume for routine use ^[1].
• Human shampoo, including baby shampoo, for regular baths ^[1].

Signs to watch for after a bath with a new product include unsteadiness, unusual tiredness, drooling or vomiting ^[10][13]. Rinse your dog with plenty of water and call your vet if they appear.

Does dog shampoo expire?

It can go bad, even without a date on the bottle. For human cosmetics, the FDA says no U.S. law requires a specific shelf life and leaves that to the manufacturer, while drugs must carry expiration dates ^[14]. We found no separate rule for pet shampoos, so treat a dated medicated shampoo's date as firm and use your senses for the rest.

• Signs it's past it: the FDA lists separation of water and oil, and changes in color, texture or smell, as signs a product has degraded ^[14].
• Store it well: the FDA says heat speeds the breakdown of preservatives and microbial growth, and that damp spaces like bathrooms help microbes grow ^[14]. Keep the cap closed and don't leave it in a hot car.