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For some types of dog coats, conditioner is low priority—it’s an unnecessary extra step in an already chaotic bathing process. But for others, especially pups with long hair or double coats, it’s a key part of keeping tangling, matting, and even shedding to a minimum.
We consulted certified fear-free master groomer Katlin Primrose, of Primpaws Grooming Academy, for advice on conditioning your dog’s coat at home. Katlin tells us that choosing a good conditioner depends on a few factors, including:
- Coat type
- Coat density
- Regular environment
According to Katlin, for many breeds, a light conditioner can meet your dog’s needs. However, if your dog has a long coat or a double coat, you may want to explore heavier conditioners that provide deep moisturizing. And, when looking at ingredients, make sure that the product you choose lists out the specific ingredients—avoid any conditioner that claims to have a “proprietary recipe” that’s not on the bottle.
With Katlin’s help, we’ve rounded up our favorites, plus some tips on how dog conditioners work and how to use them effectively.
Best for Dogs with Allergies: Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner
Katlin Primrose highly recommends Earthbath products as some of the best conditioners for dogs. This brand uses gentle ingredients, including oatmeal and aloe, that moisturize while helping to manage tangly coats without the use of harsh chemicals, making it great for dogs with sensitive skin.
This pH-balanced conditioner contains no soap, dyes, parabens, sulfates, thalates, or alcohol, and is made in a cruelty-free environment. It is safe for dogs six weeks and older. We especially like its pleasant vanilla and almond scent.
What we like about it:
- Concentrated, longer-lasting formula made with sensitive skin in mind
- Gentle ingredients such as oatmeal, aloe vera, organic shea butter, and wheat germ oil
- Helps with detangling
Best for Double Coats: FURminator DeShedding Dog Conditioner
If you’re using a product that is specifically designed to help a double-coated dog shed excess hair, Katlin warns that the shedding process does not end when the bath does: “You will find your dog shedding excessively for 24 hours after their deshedding bath.” This is because deshedding products loosen a lot of hair, and it may take time for the dog to complete post-bath shedding.
A de-shedding dog conditioner can help expedite the process, and FURminator’s formula in particular is designed to help release loose undercoat hair during bath time. It contains no parabens or dyes, and it tries to moderate the post-bath “wet dog” smell (though we find with most double-coated dogs, that’s a tall order).
Key Features:
- Free of artificial colors and chemical dyes, a gentle and safe option for pets
- Works to keep pet hair detangled and shiny
- Can be used with other FURminator products to maintain low overall shedding of your pet’s hair
Best for Puppy Coats: Burt’s Bees for Dogs Oatmeal Conditioner
This Burt’s Bees conditioner for dogs is made with gentle, skin-friendly ingredients including oatmeal, honey, beeswax, and green tea extract. It softens, soothes, and moisturizes your dog’s skin and coat. The formula is both gentle and tearless, which makes it a good option for long-haired or double-coated puppies.
We also like it for puppies because it’s suitable for frequent use—and puppies frequently need baths. Katlin recommends that you condition your dog’s coat when you wash it, and only condition in between baths if you notice that your dog’s coat is brittle or lacks its usual shine.
Key Features
- Formulated with gentle ingredients that won’t irritate sensitive skin
- pH balanced and safe to use on both adult dogs and puppies
- Cruelty-free and free of fragrances, sulfates, colorants, and harsh chemicals
Best for Longer Coats: BioSilk for Dogs Detangling Conditioner
If your dog has a longer coat, a thick detangling conditioner like this Biosilk formula can help you to work through any snarls. Don’t be intimidated by its consistency—Katlin notes that longer coats can require a heavier conditioner.
Like most conditioners recommended by top groomers, BioSilk for Dogs Detangling Conditioner contains no parabens or sulfates. This formula is specially pH balanced for dogs and uses vitamins to restore moisture to your dog’s coat.
What we like about it:
- Works to detangle matted or knotted fur
- Creates silky soft coats
- Made without parabens or sulfates
Best for Dry or Brittle Coats: Ultra Oatmeal Moisturizing Conditioner for Dogs
While most dogs only need to be conditioned with their baths, some coats may require conditioning in between. Katlin notes that if your dog’s coat appears dry or brittle, you may need to add in an extra conditioning—or consider switching products.
This Veterinary Formula Solutions is a good choice. It’s pH balanced and formulated with natural oatmeal, shea butter, and jojoba ingredients to hydrate moisturize your dog’s skin and coat. It’s safe to use with topical solutions (such as flea medication), and it has a surprisingly long-lasting raspberry tea and pomegranate scent.
Key Features
- Hydrates pet hair with colloidal oatmeal and jojoba oil
- Won’t wash away topical flea or tick medicine
- Contains fragrance extenders to keep dogs smelling clean and fresh long after bath time
Best for Volume: Isle of Dogs Violet & Sea Mist Lush Coating Conditioner
If your dog breed is one that sports a coat that begs for volume, this conditioner may help you to achieve the boost you’re looking for. This protein-based conditioner is formulated to give your dog a full and textured coat. It will not flatten your dog’s coat and works to remove dead hair and reduce overall shedding. This formula has a pleasant scent and is safe for both puppies and adult dogs.
What we like about it:
- Protein-based conditioner with keratin amino acids that helps restore fullness and shine to a dog’s coat
- Helps release loose undercoat hair
- Has a rich lather with a floral violet and sea mist scent
To Consider:
- This formula uses alcohol and may not be appropriate for dogs with sensitive skin
Best for Thick Coats: K9 Competition Aloe Vera Conditioner
K9 Competition is another of Kalin Primrose’s favorite brands for grooming products. The manufacturers developed this product for dogs who need to shine, quite literally, in competition. It’s a heavier conditioner that emphasizes a balance of moisture and volume—plus a short dry time. It’s also relatively gentle and safe for all types of coats, including puppy coats.
If your dog has long fur and sometimes suffers from static electricity, this product also works to reduce that potential bathing side-effect.
Key Features:
- Great for thick coats that crave moisture
- Fast-drying
- Gentle enough for puppies and frequent use
Best for Sensitive Skin: Lillian Ruff Dog Oatmeal Conditioner
This lavender and coconut scented formula hydrates, soothes, and softens your dog’s skin and coat. Formulated to detangle and demat, this conditioner is free of dye, sulfate, gluten, and parabens. It’s tear-free and gentle enough for puppies (and older dogs), as well as safe for all skin types—which makes it a popular choice for soothing allergies and irritated skin. We like that it’s made in the USA in a cruelty-free environment.
Key Features:
- Cruelty-free vegan formula with ingredients such as oatmeal and aloe restores moisture and helps relieve dry skin
- Safe for puppies and older dogs
- Can help soothe allergies and irritated skin
How To Use Dog Conditioners
When it comes to conditioners for dogs, Katlin notes that all breeds can benefit from coat and skin conditioning—though the type of conditioner that’s best will vary depending on the thickness, texture, and length of your dog’s coat. Dog with thick coats typically get the most mileage out of a thick conditioner that emphasizes moisture, while pups with shorter or less dense fur will want a lighter conditioner to avoid residue or flattening.
How often to condition
According to Katlin, the frequency with which you condition your dog’s coat depends on their hair type and their environment and habits: “For most pet owners I would recommend to condition during their regular bath schedule, and if you notice their coat seems dry or broken, try a different conditioner or use conditioner more often.”
Sometimes, you may need to try a few different conditioners and schedules to see what works best for your dog. For example, if you are trying to assist with shed control, you might swap out conditioners during the high-shed seasons (usually spring and fall) to aid in shedding while their coats are in this phase.
Ingredients to consider
As far as ingredients go, veterinarian Dr. Sabrina Kong explains that dogs typically respond best to natural ingredients for moisturizing, such as aloe vera, shea butter, and oatmeal. Each of these has qualities that soothe and hydrate skin and coats. Artificial dyes and fragrances can irritate your dog’s skin.
Additionally, always be sure to thoroughly rinse your dog’s coat after a conditioning, as if conditioner remains on their skin and fur it can lead to build-up and skin irritation.
How We Chose
We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and an interview with Master Groomer Katlin Primrose, who runs a cooperative-care grooming service that asks animals to be a willing participant in experiences. Cooperative care grooming allows for pets to “opt out” of experiences that are stressful (the blow dryer, for example) using a non-aggressive cue and emphasizes building a pet’s self confidence in a low-stress environment.
We prioritized natural and safe ingredients that were developed in cruelty-free environments. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.