Best smelling dog shampoo for odor

Dogs are not known for smelling good. In fact, the stereotype is that they smell quite bad.  Why? Well, just observe them: dogs are wonderful creatures but they are quite dirty. They love rolling around in mud or playing with trash. Their natural smell is not attractive to humans. If not controlled, it can have a lasting effect on your clothing and furniture. Therefore, it’s often necessary to bathe them regularly with a quality shampoo. Some shampoos are specifically designed to counteract bad odor.

Some dog owners do not put much thought into the shampoo they use to bathe their dog. Often, they use brands designed for humans. This is a short sighted decision as dog shampoo is designed to work with the biological makeup of dogs.  It can soothe their skin, control bacteria and yes, neutralize odors. Human shampoo is optimized for human and may be detrimental to the health of your hound.

If you use a bad shampoo (or one not designed for dogs), your dog might emerge clean but smelling bad.

There are other benefits as well to using a high quality dog shampoo.

Some dog shampoos use natural ingredients (such as botanical extracts and essential oils) to be calming. Not only do these smell good but they also relax your dog. This is especially true of lavender. (A purple flowering plant).

It’s also fun and enjoyable to bathe your dog and make him or her smell good and get rid of the unpleasant natural dog smell. Rather then being a chore, it will be something you look forward to.

It can also repel pests. There are natural ingredients that some shampoos that ward off unwanted insects and such. Rosemary and lemongrass in particular. They smell wonderful and repel mosquitos (which both humans and dogs despise!)

Best smelling dog shampoo

PetHonesty Antibacterial & Fungus Treatment Shampoo 16 oz. w/Ketoconazole & Aloe

This treatment shampoo is approved by none other than the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). It has veterinary strength to remove odor and has Chlorhexidine (2%) and Ketoconazole (1%). It has additional benefits, including healing skin infections, wounds, stop scratching and getting rid of rashes. 

The scent is quite pleasant with a light cucumber melon smell that will eliminate bad odors. 

It comes in a 16 oz bottle with a pump, which is quite convenient and easy to use. 4-6 pumps is recommended.

Aloe is also in the formula. It can also be used for cats. 

So what are some of the ingredients used?

Ketoconazole helps with bacteria and yeast conditions and encourages a healthier coat and skin. Chlorhexidine Stops skin infections and lessens follicular inflammation. Aloe Vera is a soothing agent and helps with itchiness, redness and irritation.

What’s great about this shampoo is that it treats many health issues. So it will always be handy and you won’t have to buy another medication if your dog develops something.

Buddy’s Best Natural Dog Shampoo and Conditioner for Sensitive Skin, Two in One Dog Shampoo

This shampoo is quite different from PetHonesty in that it’s 100% all natural. Chemicals can sometimes damage or dry out the skin of dogs, so this one is hypoallergenic and made of all natural ingredients. It is also soap and alcohol free. Your dog’s fur will start dirty and faint and go to silky and soft. It has biotin to improve skin and fur health (particularly if he or she suffers from brittle hair, loss of hair or scaly skin.

This shampoo is made in the US, has vegan ingredients and is cruelty free so no animals were harmed in the production of this product. 

There is also a satisfaction guarantee. There are some subpar products available online that do not work. You don’t have to worry about this with Buddy’s Best.

It comes in two scents: Coconut Vanilla Bean and Ripe Melon.

HONEYDEW Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Pure Lavender Essential Oils – No Tear Shampoo for Dry Itchy Skin Relief – Pet Odor Eliminator – Grooming Shampoo

This shampoo is colloidal (meaning  it is a mixture in which one substance is suspended in another substance.) and made partially with oatmeal. It’s hypoallergenic and made for dogs and puppies with sensitive skin. It’s quite soothing for flaky dry skin with natural ingredients like jojoba. It is clinical strength and protects against skin irritation. 

So you might have heard of Jojoba Oil, but does it exactly do? It is a lightweight moisturizer that will make hour hound’s coat silky and healthy looking. Other moisturizers are often heavy and weigh down the fur.

Colloidal Oatmeal is a form of oats that moisturizes and soothes skin to make it smooth. It has hydrating and detoxing properties that get rid of things like dirt, oil and other impurities. Oats are made of lipids which are humectants that keep n moisture, which makes this perfect for dogs with dry and irritated skin.

Lavender is added to calm your dog. This botanical has been used since ancient times for medicinal uses. Lavender is a flower that has a homeopathic effect making your dog easier to bathe and control odor. Unpleasant smells are eliminated and your dog will smell fresh again. Not only that, but it helps treat dry, itchy and irritate skin. 

This shampoo is recommended by many veterinarians and is manufactured in the United States in a state-of-the-art facility and exceeds all GMP standards. It restores essential oils while providing protection against skin irritants. It is also tear free, sulfate free, paragon free and cruelty free.

What’s great is that this shampoo has a 100% money-back guarantee. 

Wahl Odor Control Shampoo for Dogs & Pets – Eucalyptus & Spearmint Animal Deodorizer for Cleaning & Freshening – 24 Oz

First, the facts. This shampoo is made in the USA and thus has great quality control and meets high safety standards. It is pH balanced, alcohol free, paraben free, PEG-80 free. It is particularly useful for conditioning the skin, for deep cleaning and getting rid of bad odors. It is eucalyptus and spearmint scented. 

It generates a thick lather which is easy to rinse off, which is great to clean and deodorize your pet. 

The shampoo has a coconut derived sodding agent. This means you don’t have to use as much material as other shampoos to wash your dog. 

The family that founded Wahl had a dog named Cooper, who was a golden doodle who had severe allergies. This is why the shampoo was specifically designed to be allergy friendly. It comes in a 24 oz size and is concentrated that provides 70% more baths than other brands.

Wahl is a brand favored by professionals such as vets and groomers. It has over a 50 year history. 

John Paul Pet Tearless Odor Absorbing Shampoo, Clean and Fresh Low PH Formula for Puppies, Dogs, Kittens and Cats

This  shampoo made of botanical shampoos is designed to safely and gently clean dogs and puppies without irritating eyes. It is especially effective in neutralizing odor (and often absorbing it.)  It does this with a low PH level and uses mild cleansers and acid neutralizers to avoid irritation. 

For conditioning, there is aloe, oatmeal and chamomile. It is concentrated and requires less product per wash than other brands. Part of the sales of this shampoo is donated to recognized animal organizations.

There is a gentle almond scent.

Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo

This shampoo is good for people who really care about the environment. It’s all natural, cruelty free and importantly for some, 100% bio degradable. This means it will break down in nature and the chemicals will not accumulate and harm the environment.

There is no soap in the shampoo and has a scent of vanilla and almond.

It is important to note that you should avoid contact with the eyes (some dog shampoos are the opposite, are tear free and have no issue with contact with the eyes. 

It will deodorize safely, pH balanced and effectively. However, the shampoo also promotes healing, re-moisturizes, and can be used to treat dry skin and skin irritations.

Aloe and oatmeal are often suggested by veterinarians to fight skin irritation, help healing and moisturize dry skin. 

Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Puppy Shampoo

This shampoo is 100% natural and organic. There are no preservatives or chemicals. It is hypoallergenic and easy to rinse. And of course, cruelty free.

What sets this shampoo apart from competitors is that it has an ingredient called Betonite clay. It has been used for centuries for its natural healing properties. It binds with pathogens such as bacteria, toxins, fungus and heavy metals and removes them from the skin. Betonite clay comes from volcanic ash in the American West.

Many dogs have skin allergies. This shampoo uses argon oil, which helps with bacteria and fungus. Not only that, but it moisturizes, conditions and fights skin irritations and flaking. 

Shea butter and Aloe Vera are additional ingredients that also soothe and moisturize the skin and make the dog hair silky and shiny.

Dogs clean and groom themselves by licking. Therefore, its necessary to make sure that you are using products with safe ingredients. This shampoo uses essential oils as the scent maker, not fake perfumes. 

Vetiver is a antiseptic with the scent of the out doors. 

It is made in the USA.

The maker is Fieldworks Supply Company. Who are they? They’re based in Portland, Oregon and make skincare products for both people and pets. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in an odor control but good smelling dog shampoo?

Probably the biggest choice you will need to make is if you want a chemical formula versus an all-natural one. This is purely personal preference. Some would argue the chemical one would b more effective but some people want to give an all natural treatment to their Petes.

Additionally, look at concentrations. Some shampoos are highly concentrated and thus require less material per wash. So while it might be more expensive than competing brands, the total cost would be less since you get more washes.

How do I know what scent to get?

This is obviously personal preference, but it is understandable that you might not be familiar with the smells. You can try going to the shampoo section of your groceries store (or wherever you buy shampoo) and smell things like eucalyptus, lavender and spearmint. Although the smell might vary a little you’ll get a get a general idea of how it smells. Additionally, a lot of these dog shampoos come with a 100% money back guarantee. So if you buy one and don’t like the smell, you can simply return it.

How important is price?

In general, you get what you pay for. Also, since you typically don’t need to use dog shampoo that much it’s not going to be a big cost over a year. A bottle will last you a long time.

Besides neutralizing odor, what else do these dog shampoos do?

That really depends on the dog shampoo, but it can also do things such as encourage good skin, prevent itchiness and red skin and improve fur health. So there are a lot of ancillary benefits to a good shampoo.

Could I use human shampoo for a dog?

This is not recommended. It could cause irritation and adversely impact the health of your dog.