Bath Time Bliss: Soothing and Effective Shampoos for Dogs

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To ensure your beloved pooch stays happy, fresh, and irresistibly cuddly, we've sniffed out and rounded up 10 of our favourite dog shampoos available in the UK for 2025.

Want a happy, healthy, and great smelling dog? Of course you do!

While professional grooming is amazing, a fantastic dog shampoo at home is your secret weapon for those quick clean-ups and in-between pamper sessions.

We're talking more than just a shiny coat – the right shampoo can transform your pup's skin health, tackle dryness, itchiness, dandruff, and even help shoo away fleas.

Picking the perfect one can feel like a puzzle, but relax! There's no one-size-fits-all, because every dog is a unique superstar.

We've sniffed out the 10 best shampoos, focusing on gentle ingredients, and we'll even tell you which coat types they're best for, how they smell, if they need diluting, and how easy they are to rinse. Get ready for some serious sudsy success!

⏰ UPDATE : JULY 2025 Following some recent tests, we've updated our review to include the new Douxo Spa shampoo range as our top pick

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Our Picks of the Best Dog Shampoo

1. Best Shampoo Range for Most Dogs

Douxo Spa

2. Best Value Dog Shampoo.

Bugalugs

3. Best Natural Shampoo Range

Herbal Dog Co.

4. Best Sensitive Dog Grooming Range

Pet Head 

5. Best Coat Specific Shampoo Range

Earth Rated

6. Best Conditioning Shampoo for Dogs -

Dot Dot Pet

7. Best Shampoo for Puppies

WildWash

8. Best Flea Shampoo

The Healthy Dog Co.

9. Best Shampoo for White Dogs

Wahl

10. Best Luxury Shampoo & Conditioner

STHLM DogSpa

How to Choose the Best Dog Shampoo

Top Tips for Bathing your Pooch

FAQs

Our Picks of the Best Dog Shampoo for 2025

1. Best Shampoo Range for Most Dogs

Douxo Spa

Specification

Coat Type - All types

Scent - Signature coco-vanilla

Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

 + Developed by veterinary dermatology experts

 + Skin-friendly formulas

 + Our favourite scent

 + Detangling spray available

 + Conditioner & Leave on Mousse available

Reasons to Avoid

 - Pricier than some

We'll admit it – we had our preconceived ideas.

Given Douxo's background as a range developed by veterinary dermatologists, we figured it would be super functional and scientifically sound, but perhaps a bit light on the gorgeous scents and indulgent extras you often find in today's dog grooming products.

Spoiler alert: we were pleasantly surprised!

Whilst the packaging is not the most eye-catching (it does have that Nivea sun cream look), the product itself not only performs perfectly but the scent would be at home in any upmarket Spa.

Douxo NEW Spa collection features their signature coco-vanilla scent, which is is absolutely divine. It's warm and bright and reminded us of essential oils as opposed to something more artificial. Your dog will smell utterly delicious!

Douxo Spa boasts a pH-balanced, ultra-safe collection designed with your pup's well-being in mind. Each shampoo is crafted with 97% naturally sourced ingredients, ensuring a gentle cleanse without harsh chemicals. The result? Hydrated skin and a beautifully soft, shiny coat.

Their lineup includes:

• Odour Control

• Hydrating

• Shed Control

• Puppy

• Itch-soothing

• Detangling

While we honestly loved every single product we tried, the Odour Control Shampoo was a real standout for us.

It's not just about masking smells; this shampoo actively works to eliminate unpleasant odours and even neutralises excess oil that contributes to those "doggy" smells.

Paired with their Ultra Safe Ear Cleaner, it seriously tackled any lingering whiff of dog. Trust us, it's a game-changer!

We were also impressed by their money-saving bundles, like their Odour Control Bundle. You get the shampoo, wipes and a mousse to use 'in between' shampoos saving money on buying the products individually.

If you have particular issues you are concerned about then take a look at Douxo's original range. Douxo S3 includes a collection of products offering targeted solutions for skin issues.

Our Verdict - Developed by veterinary dermatology experts, a collection which is 97% natural and smells great, following our tests, we think that this is the dog grooming range to beat.

Buying Options

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2. Best Value Dog Shampoo

Bugalugs

Specification

Coat Type - All

Scent - Long Lasting

Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

+ Amazing smell

+ Great general shampoo

+ Range shampoos

+ Great value

Reasons to Avoid

- Doesn't cater for specific skin issues

- Needs a bit of work to lather

We rate Bugalugs Baby Fresh the best value dog shampoo and it's ideal if your dog loves to roll around in the mud or splash in stinky puddles.

In testing we fell in love with the totally gorgeous baby powder scent (which lasts for several days) plus it comes in an easy-to-apply pump bottle so less waste.

Made in the UK, it's PH balanced, vegan and made with water from the Lake District. Gentle enough for you to use once a week to cater for some seriously muddy dog walks. It works particularly well on double coats.

The truth is that this is a great all-round shampoo if your dog doesn't have any specific needs or allergies. It's ideal for long hair and promotes healthy coats.

It's worth pointing out that we found that it does take some work to get the shampoo to lather, but don't be tricked into adding more, a little really does go a long way and Bugalugs recommend diluting their concentrated shampoo before use.

The only slight flaw we found was that Bugalugs did appear to take longer to rinse out than some of the other shampoos. This could be an important factor if you have an anxious dog and want a super quick rinse.

Available in two different sizes so you can try it out without investing too much with the 500ml bottle or save money by bulk buying a 5L bottle. The Bugalugs collection includes conditioners, sprays & wipes.

Buying Options

View on Amazon

View on Pets at Home

You might be interested ........ Bugalugs also offer a range of wipes including our top pick ear wipes which feature in our popular article - Best Dog Wipes : Paws and Perfection

3. Best Natural Shampoo Range

Herbal Dog Co.

Specification

 Coat Type - Options for all types

 Scent - Long lasting

 Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

 + Wide selection of options

 + Easy to rinse

 + Gorgeous scent

 + Matching dry shampoos and colognes are available

Reasons to Avoid

 - If you need a flea shampoo

If you haven't come across the Herbal Dog Co., they're a UK-based company that focus on producing natural health and grooming products for dogs. Their extensive range includes shampoos, lotions, colognes, dry shampoos and natural health supplements.

Vegan and cruelty free, all Herbal Dog Co.'s range is handmade right here in the UK using top quality natural oils and extracts

Their shampoo range includes deshedding, harmony, coconut, itchy dog, cherry drop, raspberry & vanilla, orange & bergamot to name a few. Trust us when we say they smell good enough to eat!

For me (and for most people, I suspect), rinsing dog shampoo is a drag. But this stuff? In testing it rinsed like a dream! Bath time was way faster, and Freddie our Cockapoo smelled amazing afterwards.

So, we tried out The Herbal Dog Co.'s De Shed Kit – you get a 250ml shampoo and a Zoom Groom brush.

They suggest brushing first, which totally works for getting rid of loose hair and dirt. Then you use the shampoo straight up – no diluting which we loved!

We found that it cleaned really well, got rid of those funky smells, and left Freddie's coat super soft and smelling like fresh lemons.

We must mention that we applaud The Herbal Dog Co.'s use of PCR plastic bottles, a responsible and sustainable choice that helps minimise plastic waste entering our oceans.

If you're looking for the complete grooming experience, coordinating dry shampoos and colognes are available, so you can layer up that gorgeous scent.

Buying Options

View on Herbal Dog Co.

View on Amazon

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4. Best Sensitive Dog Grooming Range

Pet Head

Specification

  Coat Type - A range for all coats

  Scent - Amazing

  Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

  + Part of a pampering grooming range

  + Conditioners, sprays, foams, wipes & paw butters also available

  + Easy to lather and rinse

  + Several fruity fragrances to choose from

Reasons to Avoid

  - Not the cheapest

Whatever your dog's grooming needs take a closer look at Pet Head. They offer an array of products all cleverly crafted with natural oils and extracts. Their ranges include :-

🫧 Furtastic - Moisturising to detangle long coats

🫧 Mucky Pup - Kind and gentle, perfect for puppies’ young and delicate skin

🫧 Ditch the Dirt - A deodorising range suitable for all dogs

🫧 Quick Fix - An easy range that makes cleaning more enjoyable for all

🫧 Sensitive Soul - A soothing range full of nourishing ingredients for dogs with delicate skin

From shampoos and conditioners to paw balms, soft foams, sprays and even wipes, we love that you can layer the scent by using a several products from the same range. Plus importantly, all their grooming products are suitable for all dog coat types.

We tested their popular Sensitive Soul range. Whilst it's mild and hypo-allergenic it combines oatmeal, coconut and marula oil, some proven powerful natural ingredients to clean your dogs coat.

We love that you simply lather into your dogs coat to remove dirt and grease, rinse and you're left with a soft shiny coat with an amazing, long-lasting fragrance of coconut with marula oil.

The hydrating paw balm is thick, creamy and seriously smells good enough to eat.

The truth is that the Pet Head products are designed to be used on their own or combined to create a spa like grooming session for your dog. Oh! and we adored the bone-shaped dispensing cap.

Buying Options

View on Pets at Home

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If you're interested we also tested the Pet Head Quick Fix Wipes for our new article - Best Dog Wipes : Paws and Perfection

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5. Best Coat Specific Shampoo Range

Earth Rated

Specification

  Coat Type - Specific shampoo for each coat type

  Scent - Mild

  Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

  + Part of a grooming range

  + Bottle designed to apply shampoo deep into coat

  + Sprays & wipes available

  + Easy to lather and rinse

Reasons to Avoid

  - If you need a specific flea

Earth Rated offers a range of thoughtfully designed products, including poop bags, bio-based wipes, and poop bag dispensers. Their popular range has been extended over the years and they now offer a range of dog shampoos, sprays and wipes.

You can select from 3 coat-specific shampoos which are all formulated to offer clean, hydrate and moisturise in one wash :-

🫧 Short Coat

🫧 Curly Coat

🫧 Double Coat

Designed so there is no need for extra conditioner so you can enjoy a quicker and easier grooming routine. Big tick for me !

We tested their curly coat shampoo to see if it would deal with the everyday dog walking mud and help to untangle a Cockapoos coat.

Let's talk about their deep clean nozzle. This was a first for us! Instead of squirting the shampoo into your hands or on top of your dogs coat, the nozzle is designed to apply the shampoo deep into your dog's coat nearer the skin.

No more squirting too much shampoo! This clever nozzle let me apply just the right amount, exactly where I need it ( I always squirt too much on my dog's back then desperately try to move it around)

Lathering was a breeze, the nozzle definitely helped get right into the thick curly coat. Plus, it will save money on shampoo as you waste less. It's a win-win!

Which brings me onto the smell. The white tea and basil scent was very mild and pleasant, certainly not as strong as Bugalugs. Plus if you need a speedy freshen up, Earth Rated also offer a Refreshing Mist in white tea & basil too - Perfect for between shampoos.

Buying Options

View Shampoos on Amazon

View Refreshing Mist on Amazon

You might be interested ....Earth Rated Wipes feature in our review - Best Dog Wipes : Paws and Perfection

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6. Best Conditioning Shampoo for Dogs

Dot Dot Pet

Specification

 Coat Type - A range for each coat type

 Scent - Signature Shine Bright scent

 Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

 + Mild calming scent

 + Moisturising

 + Neofresh® Technology to eliminate odours

 + Easy to use bottle

Reasons to Avoid

-  Not the cheapest

Dot Dot Pet, an award-winning company, excels in crafting products that enhance dog well-being, from their calming shampoos to their multivitamin supplements.

Their conditioning shampoo range stands out, offering five specialised formulas tailored to different coat types: Curly, Long, Double, Short, and Puppy.

The shampoos feature their mild Shine Bright scent, ensuring a calm bath, and Neofresh® Technology effectively eliminates even the toughest odours.

The Oatmeal formula gently cleanses, hydrates, and soothes your dog’s skin, making it the perfect choice for dogs with sensitive skin.

What did we think in testing ? This bottle design is a game-changer!

Especially if your dog gets nervous during baths. You can just squeeze it with one hand, and keep petting them with the other. It's so thoughtful! The specially designed lid also stops you wasting any shampoo too.

We loved the scent too. Milder than many it didn't cause a lot of rubbing on the carpet and sofa after the bath. Easy to rinse, it was a definite thumbs up from us.

Buying Options

View on Dot Dot Pet

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You might be interested..... Dot Dot Pet also sell a coordinating range of bamboo dog towels. Super soft, quick-drying, warm, cosy their an ideal partner at bath time.

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7. Best Shampoo for Puppies

WildWash

Specification

 Coat Type - All types

 Scent - Subtle

 Dilute - Yes

Reasons to Buy

 + Mild for puppy coats

 + Easy to rinse

 + All natural

Reasons to Avoid

 - Needs diluting before use

 - Unscented

If you've recently welcomed a puppy to your family and are searching for a suitable shampoo, we recommend WildWash Sensitive Shampoo for itchy, allergy skin and puppies. Specifically formulated with your little fluff-ball in mind.

We love that WildWash have formulated their puppy shampoo to give a light lather and rinse easily. This is essential for a puppy shampoo as keeping the little wrigglers in one place can be tricky.

Puppies have delicate and often more sensitive skin than adult dogs, so they need a much milder shampoo. This simple shampoo is also fragrance free and pH balanced to avoid any adverse reactions.

All the WildWash products are natural and their puppy shampoo has a low-irritant formula enriched with aloe vera and evening primrose oils for their mild cleansing properties.

The shampoo is concentrated so you'll need to dilute it before use. Simple add a couple of pumps to a jug of warm water and mix well before use.

If you're interested, WildWash also offer a 1 Litre mixing bottle to make their shampoo even easier to use. Available in 300ml bottles from an extensive range of products including Pro-Detangle spray for matted fur.

WildWash suggest leaving the shampoo on your puppy's coat for 5 minutes to help the essential oils work their wonders.

Buying Options

View on Pets at Home

View on WildWash

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8. Best Flea Shampoo

The Healthy Dog Co.

Specification

 Coat Type - All

 Scent - Subtle

 Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

 + Natural flea shampoo

 + No harsh chemicals

 + Soothes flea bites too

Reasons to Avoid

 - If fleas aren't an issue

If your dog is prone to fleas then this is definitely the shampoo for you.

These shampoos from the Healthy Dog Company aim to work at naturally and safely to remove fleas and insects and also keep your dog's coat glossy.

With a natural lemongrass scent,it also helps soothe flea bites and stop your dog itching.

Their natural flea dog shampoo has some amazing reviews from customers with dogs prone to fleas and itching.

It's worth noting though, that because it is natural, it is quite a watery consistency and doesn't produce a lot of lather easily.

But don't be tempted to add more and more shampoo, it's designed to give a light lather and rinses really easily so great for dogs that want you to keep that bathing routine super quick.

The Healthy Dog Company also offer a Spot-on flea treatment and a household spray.

Buying Options

View on Amazon

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9. Best Shampoo for White Dogs

Wahl

Specification

  Coat Type - White coats

  Scent - Subtle

  Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

  + Ideal for white coats

  + Ideal for tear-stains

  + Great value

Reasons to Avoid

  - Hardly any scent

There are lots of shampoos available on the market that are enhanced with ingredients to make your white or pale pooch’s coat gleam. These purple shampoos work in a similar way to our human purple shampoos for blonde highlights!

If you are looking for a whitening shampoo for your pale coloured dog, we would recommend Diamond White by Wahl.

Crafted by a globally known company, it's designed to enhance lighter coloured coats and it also removes any staining from mud or tears. Featuring white enhancers which aim to boost the natural pigmentation of your dog's coat.

Plus, it helps to moisturises and leaves fur soft to touch. This shampoo smells faintly of apples and pears.

If you're interested Wahl Diamond White can be used on dogs with multi-coloured coats as it won't lighten black or brown fur.

Buying Options

View on Amazon

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10. Best Luxury Shampoo & Conditioner

STHLM Dog Spa

Specification

 Coat Type - Sensitive

 Scent - No

 Dilute - No

Reasons to Buy

 + Create that dog spa at home

 + Use as often as you need

 + Fragrance free

 + Free from 'nasties'

Reasons to Avoid

 - Pricier than most

If your dog suffers with sensitive and dry skin then we think you'll love the Sensitive Shampoo and Conditioner Duo from the utterly gorgeous DogSpa range at STHLM.

Created in Stockholm, Sweden (hence the brand name), this Nordic grooming range looks and feels properly premium. Perfect for the modern dog lover from the minimalist bottle design to the one-touch pump, you'll love having them in the bathroom.

But it's not just the looks ! Both the shampoo and conditioner are perfume free which is ideal for sensitive skin and they're also free from parabens, gluten and silicone.

100% vegan and pH balanced for dog's skin, they're blended with aloe vera and vitamin E which are known for their natural yet powerful soothing properties.

Used together, the shampoo is great at rebalancing their skin's moisture levels gently whilst the high quality smoothing conditioner is exceptionally mild yet luxurious to create that home spa feel.

Seriously, they look and feel better than my own shampoo and conditioner !

Thought we'd mention that STHLM Dog Spa also offer a Hydrating Shampoo and Softening Conditioner

Buying Options

View on STHLM DogSpa

How to Choose the Best Dog Shampoo

If you're struggling to find the best dog shampoo for your pampered pooch, here are a few points to consider :

Problem Skin

If your dog suffers with dry or itchy skin, they're sensitive or prone to allergies, take a look at the natural dog shampoos which avoid adding harsh chemicals and ensure their shampoos are pH balanced for dogs.

Type of Coat

A Labrador coat is very different from a poodle's coat and they need to be treated as such. Some shampoos have been specifically formulated with coat types in mind.

Colour of Coat

Very pale or white coats can always benefit from a specifically formulated whitening shampoo. These shampoos are great at removing tear stains and can keep that pale fur shining bright.

Foam

Everyone loves lots of foam as it makes us feel our dogs are super clean. However, the more foam created, the more time it takes to rinse.

Reduced foam shampoos are aimed at making the whole process quicker which might be perfect if your dog hates bathing.

Top Tips for Bathing your Pooch

Here's Smart Bark's top tips on bathing your pooch :-

✅ Brush before bathing

✅ Don't be tempted to add more shampoo. Some dog shampoos are designed for limited foam so they are easier to rinse. This allows for speedy bath times and reduces the chance of any shampoo remaining on your dog after the bath

✅ Check if the shampoo needs diluting. If so, prepare ahead of your dog's bath with a jug or better still a water bottle (easy to shake and mix)

✅ Always leave the shampoo on your dog's coat for a few minutes before rinsing. This enables the ingredients and essential oils time to clean and moisturise your dog's coat

✅ Don't rush the rinse. Shampoo residue can cause itching and skin irritation

If your dog really hates baths, consider investing in a LickiMat Splash. This bowl shaped lick mat with a suction plate to stick to your bath or tiles.

Add some Pets Purest dog-friendly Peanut Butter and bingo a perfectly behaved and distracted dog whilst you shampoo!

Take a look at our review of lick mats and how they can help - Best Lick Mats for Dogs

FAQs

Can I use human shampoo on my dog?

Human shampoo won't necessarily harm your dog as a one-off but they're not formulated at the same pH level as human shampoos. Long term they will be too harsh for your dog's skin and can cause itching and rashes.

How often should you wash your dog?

Generally, most dogs only need to be bathed about once a month. Dogs are much better left without being washed as they have sensitive skin and cleaning them too often can dry their skin and irritate their skin. Obviously use you own judgement, if they start to smell, it's time for a bath.

How often should I bathe my puppy?

Puppies are no different from adult dogs. Where possible try to bath once a month with a gentle puppy shampoo. In between monthly baths, simply wash their paws or mud off with water or hypoallergenic dog wipes.

We hope this review helps you make an informed decision about your dog's shampoo

Happy bathing from the Smart Bark team!