10 Best Deep Cleansing Dog Shampoos in 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

Whether you have a Springer that loves to swim in muddy puddles or a Dachshund that rolls in fox poop, there will be times when a quick wipe-down won’t be enough to get rid of smells and stains. The best deep-cleansing dog shampoos get down to the base of the coat and they remove dirt, grease, and unwanted odors.

To enjoy the best clean, you will usually need to use a wet shampoo, and it might need two passes, but the shampoo doesn’t have to be harsh. Some of the best products are suitable for sensitive skin and noses while still getting the job done.

Below are reviews of the 10 best deep cleansing shampoos for dogs of all ages and messes of all types.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo	Made with natural ingredients Colloidal oatmeal is good for sensitive skin Natural aloe and cucumber scent	CHECK PRICE
Budget Buy		Arm & Hammer Super Deodorizing Dog Shampoo	Inexpensive Mild kiwi scent Free from parabens, dyes, and harsh ingredients	CHECK PRICE
		MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo For Dogs & Cats	Lemongrass and lavender scent Can help fight dandruff Helps combat infections	CHECK PRICE
Best for Puppies		CHI Tearless Puppy Shampoo	Free from parabens and sulfates Tearless formula is sensitive for puppies Pleasant natural aroma	CHECK PRICE
		Buddy Wash Original Lavender	Uses natural ingredients Mild natural scent Conditions, as well as cleans	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Deep Cleansing Dog Shampoos

1. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo – Best Overall

Most dogs do a reasonable job of cleaning themselves, but they do need a helping hand on occasion. Whether they have a buildup of dust, dirt, and debris, or yours tends to roll in wildlife excrement, self-grooming won’t be enough to get the job done. But bathing your dog too often can dry the coat and exacerbate skin irritation. Choosing something that cleans without causing dryness and damage is important.

Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is a water-based shampoo that includes natural ingredients like colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is oatmeal that has been ground down to a fine powder. It can be used to treat conditions like dermatitis, and its use in sensitive shampoos not only helps prevent sensitive skin but can work to alleviate sensitivity, too.

The shampoo has a natural aloe and cucumber scent, which is better than the smell of a dirty dog, but it is a very strong smell that might prove too much for some dogs and their owners. Most owners will appreciate the natural scent, though, and this, combined with how well the shampoo cleans, makes it our choice as the best available deep-cleansing dog shampoo.

Disclaimer: At PangoVet, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

2. Arm & Hammer Super Deodorizing Dog Shampoo – Budget Buy

If your dog is the type that needs regular baths, not only do you need something sensitive to prevent dry skin and coat damage, but you need an affordable shampoo.

Arm & Hammer Super Deodorizing Dog Shampoo is the best deep cleansing dog shampoo for the money because it is a lot more affordable than most, does a decent job of cleaning, and has a natural aroma, although the kiwi scent doesn’t last long once bathtime is over and the shampoo isn’t the best coat conditioner, which means it isn’t the best option for dogs with long coats that are difficult to manage.

The super deodorizing pet shampoo is a water-based shampoo that uses coconut and sodium bicarbonate to clean the coat. It is free from parabens, dyes, and other harsh ingredients, so is a good option for pets with sensitive skin.

3. MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo For Dogs & Cats

No matter how much a dog’s coat smells, if your dog is prone to sensitive skin because of dermatitis, allergies, or a negative reaction to shampoo, cleaning can be very difficult.

MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo is formulated for pets with allergies and for those with bacterial and fungal infections. It is designed to help combat dandruff, ringworm, and other problems, making it especially suitable if you struggle to bathe your dog because of allergic reactions or because it causes skin sensitivities.

The MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo is an expensive shampoo but is a good option for dogs with skin issues and infections. It also has a mild lavender and lemongrass scent, providing a pleasant experience for the whole family.

4. CHI Tearless Puppy Shampoo – Best for Puppies

Puppies can get really dirty really quickly. They explore everything they see and are naturally closer to the ground than adult dogs. They’ve also yet to learn how to properly groom themselves, and toilet accidents are commonplace. But, they’re also more sensitive to chemicals and even strong natural cleaners, compared to adult dogs.

Choosing a puppy shampoo that is sensitive and designed for regular use can prove very beneficial to puppies and their owners.

CHI Tearless Shampoo has a sensitive formula that won’t cause irritation of the eyes, although you should still take care when shampooing and bathing the face. It conditions the coat to leave it smooth and silky, and it prevents frizz. The natural ingredients leave a pleasant aloe vera, honey, and chamomile smell behind and CHI shampoo is free from parabens and sulfates.

The bottle is a little expensive and while the smell is pleasant, it doesn’t last long after the bath.

5. Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is completely soap-free and made from natural ingredients including sage and aloe vera. It is a coconut-based shampoo and, as well as cleaning, it also contains conditioner to help prevent frizz and matting, while leaving the coat smooth and silky.

The bottle does a good job of cleaning, without using harsh chemicals, and it is inexpensive, especially when bought in a large one-gallon bottle.

The scent is on the mild side, which some owners will prefer, and while it does a reasonable job of conditioning, using a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner doesn’t provide as good a conditioning result as using separates.

6. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal With Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey Dog Shampoo

Burt’s Bees Oatmeal with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey Dog Shampoo is filled with natural ingredients including oatmeal and oat flour. These, along with honey, help soothe and moisturize dry skin, which can reduce the itchiness caused by eczema and other skin conditions. Green tea extract encourages hair growth, which is useful for dogs that have skin conditions because it can help encourage growth from bald patches.

The shampoo is really inexpensive, but it is thin which means you need more of the shampoo to get a decent lather for a good clean. It also makes it easier to rinse off, however, and the natural scent is pleasant.

7. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo is a moisturizing shampoo thanks to the oatmeal ingredient. Aloe helps soothe itchy skin and can prevent further flakiness, while almond and vanilla give a pleasant smell. The shampoo is reasonably priced and also comes in a 1-gallon bottle, which helps reduce the cost and ensure you don’t run out.

The ingredients are free from parabens and phosphates, however the shampoo does have a strong initial smell. The aroma wears off a little after a relatively short time, and this leaves a more pleasant and manageable smell, however, but it lathers up well and has a good consistency that is easy to apply to your dog. It is suitable for puppies aged over 6 weeks, too.

8. TropiClean Luxury 2-In-1 Papaya & Coconut Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

TropiClean Luxury 2-In-1 Papaya & Coconut Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is coconut-based, cleaning the coat while also conditioning it so your dog’s fur is smooth and silky after bathing. It lathers up well and contains natural ingredients aimed at reducing itchiness and sensitivity, while the natural papaya and coconut extracts also help promote a natural scent.

The bottle is a little larger than most which, when combined with the modest price, means that it is an affordable shampoo option.

But the conditioning could be more effective and while the aroma smells great immediately after the bath, it does disappear quickly, so it might not be the best option for those dogs that have a strong doggy odor.

9. PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Shampoo Itchy Skin Relief Supplement For Dogs

PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Shampoo Itchy Skin Relief Supplement For Dogs contains 2% chlorhexidine and 1% ketoconazole, which help fight bacterial and fungal infections. It can help relieve itchy skin and even facilitate the healing process for bad rashes and wounds.

The shampoo has a natural cucumber and melon scent, but it is an expensive bottle of shampoo that is designed primarily to assist in skin conditions, rather than clean, so while it is good for relief and recovery, there are potentially better cleaning and conditioning options available.

10. Nature’s Miracle Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

Nature’s Miracle Oatmeal Dog Shampoo contains oatmeal, which acts as a barrier over the dog’s skin and coat, preventing moisture from escaping and therefore moisturizing. As well as colloidal oatmeal, the formulation also contains calendula, aloe vera, panthenol, and keratin, and the formula is water-based so it won’t leave sticky residue or hardened hair behind.

The pistachio cream aroma is quite mild and disappears quickly. The shampoo is really cheap, but it is thin and difficult to build up into a lather, so you do end up using a lot of the shampoo to get the desired results.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Deep Cleansing Dog Shampoo

Bathing and cleaning your dog is an important part of pet care. Although some dogs do a good job of keeping themselves relatively clean, and dogs with dry hair rarely need baths except in emergencies, there are those dogs that have a natural doggy scent as well as those that like to roll and splash in everything they see.

Whether yours is a roller or a natural stinker, you need a good quality shampoo: one that cleans well but that is also sensitive. Human shampoo isn’t appropriate for use on dogs, so you will need to invest in a decent dog shampoo.

Sensitive Formula

Dogs have a more neutral skin pH value compared to humans. Ideally, the pH value of the shampoo used should match, or be close to, the pH of your dog’s skin. While people have a slightly acidic skin pH value of around 5.5, dogs have a neutral skin with a value of approximately 6.8.

This means that human shampoo is too acidic for dogs, and using it can cause rashes, itching, and other sensitive skin issues. When looking for dog shampoo, choose one that has an appropriate pH value matching that of your dog’s skin, and also look for those products that use natural and sensitive ingredients.

Ideally, the shampoo should be free from parabens, phthalates, and other chemicals that can cause redness and itching.

Cleaning Power

As well as choosing a shampoo that is sensitive and won’t cause skin or coat conditions, it is important that the shampoo cleans. Water-based and coconut-based shampoos are common. These offer sensitivity to the neutral skin of dogs, but water is not an effective cleanser, so it is generally down to the other ingredients to do the hard work.

One common ingredient found in dog shampoo is colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal acts as an exfoliant, so it scrubs dirt molecules and grime off the coat. It also traps moisture in the skin and hair, moisturizing them. This means that it helps leave the skin comfortable and the coat looking smooth and slick.

Coconut works similarly, although coconut oil can leave some greasy marks behind and may increase the frequency at which you need to bathe your dog.

Aroma

Wet dogs smell bad. This smell is caused because organic compounds including sweat, urine, and feces are agitated and as they get wet, they let out bad smells. So, the wet dog smell really is a bad smell and one that most owners loathe for good reason.

Choosing a shampoo that gets rid of ground in the dirt helps to get rid of some of these smells, but choosing a shampoo that gives your dog a pleasant aroma will help mask the smell even further.

Choose natural scents, rather than chemical-based perfumes, because these are less likely to cause irritation and rashes. Some common natural aromas include aloe, cucumber, mint, and honey, but there is a great variety for owners to choose from.

Lather

Surfactants are the compounds in shampoo and soap that cause lather when it is applied or rubbed on the hands. These surfactants are typically some form of chemical compound, rather than a natural ingredient, and they can include sulfates and sulfonates which are believed to irritate.

Natural surfactants may not lather up as well, but they are unlikely to cause itchiness and flaky skin. Lather is important because it helps to easily spread the cleansing agents through your dog’s coat and down the full length of their hair. But lather doesn’t have to be very bubbly to be effective.

Try lathering the soap up in your hands before applying the shampoo. You can always apply a second coat of the shampoo before thoroughly rinsing and then drying your dog.

Cost

The cost of dog shampoo can vary, and an expensive shampoo doesn’t necessarily mean it has the best cleansing properties. Conversely, cheap shampoos are not necessarily ineffective.

As well as considering the cost and the size of the bottle of shampoo, remember that some, especially thinner shampoos, require more coats and will demand that you use more shampoo, so buying these thin, inexpensive shampoos, can ultimately work out more expensive than buying a thicker, better quality dog shampoo.

The 5 Tips for Bathing Your Dog

Some dogs love nothing more than a warm, soapy bath. Others cower and hide at the first sight of water. If your dog is of the reluctant persuasion, there are some tips and steps you can take that will help make the process easier.

1. Be Prepared

Have everything ready before you even start running the water. And, if your dog is likely to recognize the shampoo bottle and the dog towel, try to get it ready without them noticing.

Having your supplies ready before you start will make the process go a lot more smoothly and means you won’t be left groping around for the sponge while holding your dog in the bath with one hand.

2. Brush First

You should brush your dog before you start showering or bathing. Mats and tangles retain water and are more difficult to clean. Brush first to get rid of difficult areas of fur.

3. Check the Temperature

The water should be warm, but not hot. If it is too hot, it can cause injury and will put your dog off getting in the bath again in the future. Similarly, if it’s too cold it will be difficult to persuade your dog to get in.

4. Rinse Thoroughly

If soap or shampoo are left to dry on the skin, they can cause irritation, even if they are formulated from natural and sensitive ingredients. Once you’ve washed your dog’s coat, make sure you rinse properly to remove all soap residue before drying them off.

5. Reward And Praise

Don’t be shy when it comes to positive reinforcement during the bathing process. When they sit calmly and let you wash them, give them lots of verbal praise. And when the ordeal is finished, provide a high-value treat or two in recognition of their cooperation. It will leave a more pleasant memory of bathing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Dogs Use Human Shampoo?

Dog and human skin are very different, and shampoos are specifically formulated for use on the respective species. Human shampoo is too acidic for dogs and it can irritate the skin as well as, potentially, damage the coat.

Therefore, while baby shampoo might be ok for one use, in an emergency, you should not use standard human shampoo and you should avoid using baby shampoo regularly.

How Often Should You Shampoo a Dog?

You should bathe your dog when they need it, but avoid bathing more often than once a month. Some dogs don’t need bathing this often, it all depends on how dirty they get and the type of coat they have.

Dogs with oily coats, like Golden Retrievers, may need more frequent baths. Especially if yours is a Golden Retriever that likes to jump in any body of water and roll around in mud.

Can I Wash My Dog with Just Water?

Water won’t break down dirt and dust, or lift it as effectively from your dog’s coat as using a good-quality shampoo. However, if you don’t have dog shampoo on hand, and it is an emergency, using water alone is a better option than using human shampoo.

How We Determined This List of Deep Cleansing Dog Shampoos

All the deep cleansing dog shampoos reviewed in this article were chosen by our writers, editors, and team of experienced veterinary professionals to ensure that they are safe and meet the care needs of your pet. When choosing which deep cleansing dog shampoos to feature, we took into account brand reputation, personal and hands-on experience, reviews from other customers, and of course, feedback from our beloved pets, to make sure to bring you only the best of the best. We at PangoVet want to give you only the best products to choose from in our reviews, to ensure that they meet your pets’ needs for optimal health and well-being.

Why Trust PangoVet?

We are a team of experienced veterinarians, writers, and editors who are pet owners ourselves, so we understand how important your pets and the products they use and consume are to you. Whether you are caring for a furry, scaly, or feathered friend, we make sure that you have honest and unbiased reviews of the top deep cleansing dog shampoos on the market, so you can make an informed decision.

Conclusion

Some dogs attract dirt and muck. They’re the dogs that typically need regular washing or bathing, and to get the cleanest results, they will need a good quality shampoo. Above, you can find reviews of the best deep cleansing shampoos for dogs, as well as a guide to choosing the best shampoo.

Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is the best overall shampoo thanks to its natural formula, including the colloidal oatmeal that washes and moisturizes. Arm & Hammer Super Deodorizing Dog Shampoo is a good-quality, inexpensive alternative but its pleasant kiwi scent doesn’t last long.

Featured Image Credit: Bohdan Malitskiy, Shutterstock