Bathing your pet is probably not your favorite task as a dog owner, and your pet probably fights you every step of the way. This can be especially frustrating when you have one that loves to get dirty, which makes getting a deep-cleansing dog shampoo essential so that you can, hopefully, space out bath times by ensuring the coat stays clean for as long as possible.
Our guide covers everything you need to know to pick the right shampoo for your pet. You needn’t bathe your pup often. Every 1 to 3 months is sufficient, depending on the dog breed, and unless your dog makes it necessary by rolling it something they shouldn’t. Below, we’ve included reviews of our favorite products to help you pick the best one for your dog and their activity level, coat, and skin health.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024
The 10 Best Deep Cleansing Dog Shampoos
1. Hepper Deep Clean Shampoo – Best Overall
Feature(s):
Deodorizing, safe for both dogs and cats
Fragrance:
Original
Available sizes:
8 ounces
The Hepper Deep Clean Shampoo lives up to its name with a product that gets your pup clean from nose to tail. It’s deep-cleansing and deodorizing, giving it an added value. You can also use it on the family cat to get the most out of your purchase. It’s made in the United States, and the shampoo has a strong initial scent that soon dissipates. The formula is also pH-balanced and free from parabens, soap, DEA, sulfates, alcohols, and synthetic dyes. All these features make it our pick for the best overall deep-cleansing dog shampoo.
Pros
USA-made
PH-balanced formula
Safe on both dogs and cats
Affordable
Free from soaps, parabens, DEA, sulfates, alcohols, and synthetic dyes
2. TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo – Best Overall
Feature(s):
Deodorizing, soap-free
Fragrance:
Papaya, coconut
Available sizes:
20 ounces, 1 gallon, 2.5 gallons, 2-pack of 2.5 gallons
The scent of TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo will transport you to an island paradise. The luxurious lather will get your dog clean while giving you a spa treatment for your hands. You’ll both smell fantastic! This product both freshens and conditions the coat. Plus, it uses aloe extract to help hydrate the skin and coat, as well as coconut to gently clean the skin while removing dirt and bacteria.
The shampoo is free from soaps, dyes, and parabens, so it won’t dry out your pup’s skin. The product comes in various sizes for pet owners and groomers alike, so if you fall in love with it, you can buy bigger batches to save some money, making it the best deep-cleansing dog shampoo for the money. With that said, the scent doesn’t seem to last too long after using it.
Pros
Luxurious lather
Pleasant smell
Contains aloe and coconut for a clean, smooth coat and skin
No soaps, dyes, or parabens
Various sizes to choose from
Cons
Scent doesn’t last very long
3. Nature’s Specialties High Concentrate Shampoo for Dirty Dogs – Premium Choice
Feature(s):
Potent cleansing power
Fragrance:
Fresh scent
Available sizes:
32 ounces
Nature’s Specialties High Concentrate Shampoo for Dirty Dogs is appropriately named for the results you’ll get from using this product. It comes in a concentrated form, which makes it a valuable purchase if you must bathe your pup often. Otherwise, it might be overkill for a single pet.
The shampoo contains soothing ingredients like aloe to moisturize and soften your pup’s skin. It is scented but not in an overt way. It is said to easily cut through grease without stripping the skin and coat from natural oils, and it eliminates dirt and grime in one application. However, you have to remember that this is very potent, so you must be sure to follow the directions carefully or else it could be irritating to dogs with sensitive skin.
Pros
Concentrated form
Strips dirt and grime without drying out coat
Eliminates dirt and grime in one application
Not an overly powerful scent
Cons
Might be too harsh on sensitive skin
4. Smith & Burton Puppy 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo
Feature(s):
Soothing ingredients
Fragrance:
Licorice, chamomile
Available sizes:
4 ounces
The Smith & Burton Puppy 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo delivers the goods on several fronts. It has a delicate floral scent and is an excellent choice for young pups without being too perfumy. It is a deep-cleansing shampoo, although it is not tearless, so avoid getting it in your pup’s ears and eyes to prevent irritation.
Otherwise, the product softens your pet’s coat, leaving it feeling smooth. It does the same for your pet’s skin. It truly feels like a spa experience for your pooch!
Pros
Long-lasting scent
Softening properties
Gentle for puppies
2-in-1
Cons
Not tearless, so avoid contact with the eyes and ears
5. Isle of Dogs Deep Cleaning Shampoo
Feature(s):
Gentle formula
Fragrance:
Strawberry
Available sizes:
16 ounces
The Isle of Dogs Deep Cleaning Shampoo smells amazing of strawberries and champagne, although some may think it’s too faint. Can you ask for a more spa-like experience for your dog? It’s long-lasting, which makes it an excellent value for the price. You can dilute it to extend its usefulness. It’s also safe on all coat types, making it a great choice for any dog. Everyone can enjoy its benefits! The shampoo is also USA-made, which we always like to see.
Pros
USA-made
Pleasant scent
Safe on all coat types
Dilutable
Cons
Scent is a bit too mild for some
6. Hartz Groomer’s Best Professionals Deep Cleanse Dog Shampoo
Feature(s):
Absorbs toxins on skin and coat
Fragrance:
Fresh water lily
Available sizes:
18 ounces
This Hartz Groomer’s Best Professionals Deep Cleanse with Olive Oil & Fresh Water Lily Scent Dog Shampoo is a great bang for your buck. Better yet, it uses activated charcoal which is said to absorb toxins and odors, as well as olive oil to keep your pet’s skin and fur smooth, silky, and hydrated. It also has a pleasant scent that most people love. It is free from dyes, parabens, sulfates, and alcohol, meaning it is gentle on your pet. However, there have been some reviews stating that their dogs reacted negatively to this product, so always make sure to keep a close eye on your pet after using any new product, not just shampoo.
Pros
Activated charcoal to absorb toxins and odors
Olive oil to keep the coat and skin soft
Affordable
No dyes, parabens, sulfates, or alcohol
Cons
Isolated cases of negative reactions
7. PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Scented Dog Shampoo
Feature(s):
Soothing ingredients
Fragrance:
Classic fresh scent
Available sizes:
18 ounces, 32 ounces, 1 gallon
The name of PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Scented Dog Shampoo tells you everything you need to know about this product. It gets the job done with a pleasant, long-lasting scent. Thanks to the vitamin E and aloe vera, it cleans your pup while moisturizing their skin. While you can use it on adults, the manufacturer recommends using the puppy formula for the little ones and avoiding eye contact.
PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Scented Dog Shampoo brightens your dog’s coat and rinses easily, making it a convenient choice for reluctant bathers. However, you should follow up with a conditioner, especially for pups with medium to long coats.
Pros
Soap-free
Soothing ingredients
USA-made
Long-lasting scent
Cons
Best to use with conditioner
8. Arm & Hammer Ultra Fresh Deep Cleansing Dog Shampoo
Feature(s):
Deep cleaning
Fragrance:
Mint and eucalyptus
Available sizes:
24 ounces
The Arm & Hammer Ultra Fresh Deep Cleansing with Charcoal & Rosemary Value Size Dog Shampoo makes bathing easier and relieves the itchiness of your dog’s coat by using natural ingredients, such as charcoal and rosemary. It contains baking soda to easily combat nasty odors. With that said, reviews state that this shampoo isn’t all that moisturizing, and the scent doesn’t last all that long. However, you really can’t beat the affordable price.
Pros
Relieves itchiness
Baking soda combats bad odors
Affordable
Cons
Isn’t moisturizing
Scent doesn’t last long
9. Burt’s Bees Care Plus+ Deep Cleansing Dog Shampoo
Feature(s):
Concentrated formula
Fragrance:
Sweet honey-almond scent
Available sizes:
16 ounces
Burt’s Bees Care Plus+ Deep Cleansing Charcoal & Coconut Oil Dog Shampoo is another great choice if you want to give your pooch a deep clean. It contains both charcoal and coconut oil. The charcoal naturally pulls toxins and impurities out of the skin and coat, while the coconut oil helps to replenish moisture. It is also said to remove stains and brighten coats, especially for white dogs. Sadly, it doesn’t have a very strong scent, but it still seems to get the job done. Plus, the consistency is pretty watery, and it only comes in one size.
Pros
Removes toxins
Moisturizes skin
Brightens coat
Cons
Watery consistency
Very mild smell
10. Wags & Wiggles Soothe Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Feature(s):
Anti-inflammatory properties
Fragrance:
Vanilla
Available sizes:
16 ounces
Wags & Wiggles Soothe Oatmeal Dog Shampoo takes deep cleansing to the next level. Your pup will enjoy the benefits of moisturizing and softening from the oatmeal. It will soothe your pet’s skin with its anti-inflammatory properties. The shampoo is economically priced, especially considering its size. You can use it on your dog even if you’re applying flea and tick products on your pup. You can apply it on puppies, although it’s not tearless. The results are excellent, giving your dog a spa day experience. However, since you can’t flip the bottle on either end, some reviews state this has slowed down bath time.
Pros
Affordably priced
Compatible with other topical products
Soothing ingredients
Cons
Not tearless
Strong smell
Bottle design limits how quickly you can work
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Deep-Cleansing Dog Shampoo
You’ll likely notice the broad spectrum of choices with dog shampoos. Many manufacturers produce specialized products for specific needs, such as skin conditions, detangling, and deodorizing. Many tick off several boxes, whether or not these functions appear in their names. The good news is an array of choices to take care of just about any issue you face with your pet. We suggest keeping these secondary uses in mind when shopping.
Some pet owners bathe their dogs too frequently because they don’t like how they smell. The manufacturers have responded with pleasant-smelling shampoos with long-lasting scents to appeal to people and their sensitive noses. You’ll find many other benefits if you look under the hood. Many features are deal-breakers, making the label worth a look.
Things to consider include the following:
Grooming features
Ingredients
Fragrance
Value for the money
Grooming Features
Grooming features cover the extras you get from a deep-cleansing shampoo. It capitalizes on the hassle of bathing a dog. If you can get more than one thing done with a single bath, you’ll save time, money, and inconvenience. That’s an excellent selling point for pet owners. Many products target the animal’s experience with soothing ingredients for itchy or irritated skin.
Others handle health issues, such as fleas and ticks, while giving your pup a deep clean. You’ll also find products that are tearless, medicated, or whitening. Some are soap-free and deodorizing. Others specialize in varying coats and textures for optimal deep cleansing. We recommend checking out everything a shampoo offers to help you choose the best one for your dog.
Ingredients
You’ll see many chemically sounding ingredients on the label. It’s the nature of the product. Don’t let them scare you off a particular deep-cleansing dog shampoo. Remember that marketers often glam on this element to sway buyers. Likewise, don’t immediately shun shampoos with preservatives. However, there are certain natural ingredients that are ideal for dogs, such as aloe and oatmeal, so look for those when you shop.
Image Credit: sixninepixels, Shutterstock
Fragrance
The fragrance or scent of a product often supersedes other features. How your dog smells after their bath is the dealmaker. Our research revealed more scented products than unscented ones. You are bathing your dog for a reason. However, much of this is about preference. If you can find a scent from natural ingredients, like mint, that is often ideal, but people have different preferences for what they like.
Value for the Money
Many deep-cleansing dog shampoos offer added value with the extra features and the versatility of the products. For example, you can use some on cats or other pets, and being able to use them on other animals in your household adds value. Manufacturers often highlight this feature to attract buyers.
Other traits include the concentration of the shampoo so that a little goes a long way. Remember that you shouldn’t bathe your pup too often. Smaller bottle sizes are more desirable than larger ones if you only have one pet. Consider how you plan to use the product when comparison shopping.
Conclusion
After researching our reviews, we found that Hepper Deep Clean Shampoo was the best overall option for our list. We liked its effectiveness in getting our pets squeaky clean. Meanwhile, saving money is also important, so for the best bang for your buck, we recommend the TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo. However, all of these deep-cleaning products could be a winner; it just depends on what you’re looking for regarding your pet specifically!
Featured Image Credit: andriano.cz, Shutterstock
