Combat Odor With These 15 Best Smelling Dog Shampoos

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Sweat-soaked socks, garbage from the neighbor’s trashcan, and anything dead or decaying seem to have an irresistible appeal to dogs. Thankfully, your nose isn’t strong enough to smell every detail the way your dog can, but it is strong enough to smell your dog after they’ve taken a good long roll in it. That’s where you’ll want a bottle or two of the best smelling dog shampoos on hand to help.

As we’ve found, there’s a dog shampoo for every need, many with heavenly scents that might tempt you to bathe your dog more often than they actually need it. The problem with some of these shampoos, however, is that many are made with artificial fragrance and other chemical ingredients that could harm your dog’s sensitive skin.

For your dog’s health and safety, choose a shampoo made with pet-safe ingredients. We’re particularly fond of formulas that feature all-natural ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals, dyes, and additives. We’ve rounded up some of the best natural-based options, including many with organic ingredients. Check them out!

The 15 Best Smelling Dog Shampoos

Wahl 100% Natural Pet Shampoo

With an affordable price and a powerful oatmeal formula that relieves super-itchy skin, this great-smelling shampoo is a steal. It is pH balanced for your dog’s sensitive skin and completely free from alcohol, paraben, and artificial ingredients. Plus, the addition of coconut, lime, aloe, and lemon verbena gives your canine’s coat an incredibly fresh scent without the use of artificial fragrance.

4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo

This 100% all-natural dog shampoo with aloe and lemongrass works up the best smelling amazing lather to get your pet extra clean. Detergent-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free, the formula is completely safe, non-toxic, and made by a small family-owned company in the U.S. Over 700 happy customers love this product and you and your dog will too!

WashBar Natural Dog Shampoo Bar

For an eco-friendly best smelling pet shampoo option, look no further than this two-pack of lemon-scented shampoo bars that are packaged without a plastic bottle. Some pet owners also find that the shampoo bars are also easier to apply to their dog’s fur than a liquid shampoo.

Pro Pet Works Organic Oatmeal Pet Shampoo and Conditioner

This hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner combo is another great choice for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies. Among the soothing ingredients it contains are oatmeal, almond oil, and aloe vera.

Burt’s Bees All-Natural Tearless Shampoo for Dogs

If you’re looking for a gentle puppy shampoo that soothes and softens your pup’s coat, look no further. Made with all-natural ingredients and pH balanced for your puppy’s sensitive skin, this formula will leave your pup feeling and smelling fresh. Plus, it is completely free from sulfates, colorants, and fragrances.

Vermont Soap Pet Shampoo

Vermont Soap Organics was the first USDA certified organic pet shampoo. It is made from organic coconut, olive, and jojoba oils with organic aloe vera and essential oils. Its mild formula gently cleanses your dog’s coat and soothes dry skin, leaving your pup smelling lemony fresh. It may be a bit on the pricier side, but fans of the shampoo swear by it and so will you!

Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo

This shampoo is easily one of the best-smelling dog shampoo formulas out there. It’s formulated to relieve dry, itchy skin, and it’s 100% biodegradable and cruelty-free. With a light vanilla and almond scent that lingers after the bath, your dog will be left smelling fresh while enjoying the soothing and moisturizing benefits of oatmeal and aloe.

Buddy Wash Original Lavender and Mint Shampoo

This Buddy Wash dog shampoo features a pleasant lavender mint smell that comes from natural botanical extracts, not artificial fragrances, and it is formulated to moisturize, revitalize, and cleanse your dog’s coat.

Pet Pleasant Lavender Oatmeal Pet Shampoo

Featuring moisturizing colloidal oatmeal as a main ingredient, this dog shampoo is formulated specifically for pets with sensitive skin and will smell great to you. It is hypoallergenic and all-natural, providing gentle relief from dryness, itching, and irritation. The clinical-strength formula is enhanced with lavender essential oil to calm your dog while leaving behind a pleasant scent.

Pets Are Kids Too Premium Pet Oatmeal Shampoo

If you’re looking for the best smelling dog shampoo that does it all, look no further. This shampoo and conditioner two-in-one formula relieves itching, prevents allergies, hydrates the skin, and removes odor to leave your dog feeling and smelling his best. It is made with natural ingredients in an organic oatmeal-, baking soda-, and aloe vera-based formula that’s perfect for dogs with sensitive skin.

Pawtitas Organic Orange Blossom and Bergamot Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner

Has your dog’s fur lost its luster? This brightening two-in-one oatmeal pet shampoo and conditioner can help restore your dog’s coat. Made with organic ingredients, this dog shampoo also smells lovely, with notes of orange blossom and bergamot.

Rocco & Roxie Oatmeal Shampoo

Available in three powerful formulas, Rocco & Roxie oatmeal suds cleanse and calm your dog’s dry, irritated, and itchy skin. This dog shampoo is made with nature’s best smelling and effective ingredients, including calming oat extract, rich shea butter, and soothing aloe vera to leave your dog’s coat looking its best. It is safe and natural, completely free from drying alcohol, parabens, and artificial fragrances.

Richard’s Organics Deodorizing Dog Shampoo

To combat strong odors, you need a powerful deodorizing dog shampoo that also smells great. This formula features baking soda, zinc, rosemary extract, aloe vera, and lavender oil to remove even the toughest odors naturally and effectively. It even combats the bacteria and fungus in your pet’s skin that can contribute to odors. This organic formula will leave your dog’s coat clean, moisturized, and fresh.

Lillian Ruff Oatmeal Pet Shampoo and Conditioner

This pet shampoo and conditioner combo is just what you need to soothe and cleanse your dog’s skin in a great smelling formula. It calms dry, irritated, and itchy skin through the use of natural moisturizers like oatmeal and coconut, plus it rehydrates and protects your dog’s skin and coat to restore its natural luster, smoothness, and shine. Because it’s made with lavender and coconut oil, it also helps repel fleas and ticks as well.

Fluppets Certified Organic Pet Shampoo

Made from certified organic oils and other all-natural ingredients, this dog shampoo is a great-smelling safe, natural, and non-toxic way to cleanse and nourish your dog’s skin and coat. It comes in a highly concentrated formula and is designed specifically for pets with sensitive skin, including puppies. This certified organic shampoo is completely free from parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrance but will leave your pooch smelling fresh.

Tips for Tear-Free Bathing

Even if you choose the best smelling (to you) dog shampoo made with safe, all-natural ingredients, you still need to keep it out of your dog’s eyes. In fact, you should keep your dog’s entire head dry when bathing them. Even shampoo made with gentle ingredients can irritate their eyes, and getting your dog’s ears wet puts them at risk for an ear infection—damp ears are the ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

When bathing your dog, keep their head dry until the end of the bath. After rinsing all of the soap residue from their coat, wet a washcloth and use it to clean your dog’s face. Don’t forget to give those tear stains a little bit of extra attention and check out a dog-friendly ear cleaning solution for icky ears.

For more information on giving your dog a bath, check out our handy guide.

Further Reading

• 8 Best Whitening Dog Shampoos to Keep Your Pup’s Coat Sparkling
• 11 Dog Conditioners to Keep Your Pet’s Coat Shiny
• The 7 Best Dog Shampoos for Skin Allergies