Golden Retrievers are dirt magnets. They love to play in the muck and are naturally attracted to water. This has even earned them the nickname “swamp collies.” Golden Retrievers don’t need to be bathed too frequently as this can strip the natural oils from their coat, but a bath is essential when they are really smelly. It may also help reduce shedding.
Depending on your dog, you will want something tough on dirt but gentle on its skin and leaves its trademark golden coat looking lustrous. By choosing the best dog shampoo for your Golden Retriever, you can achieve all this and maybe even make bath time more enjoyable.
Table of Contents
Overview Of The Best Picks
Are you in a HURRY?
Wait, and have a look at this table! I hope that this would save a lot of time. You can be assured; we only choose the Best Dog Shampoo For Golden Retrievers.
Last update on 2024-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You can scroll down to the next section for a detailed review of each of these shampoos with specifications and pros/cons.
Things To Look For Before You Get The Best Dog Shampoo For Golden Retrievers
Natural Ingredients
These can be plant-based, like lavender and oatmeal, or animal-derived like buttermilk and beeswax. Often these are kinder to your dog than artificial chemicals. Look for aloe vera to hydrate, colloidal oats to soothe itching, almond oil to moisturize, and argan oil for a healthy coat.
For Sensitive Skin “Hypoallergenic”
“Hypoallergenic” ingredients contain fewer know allergens, meaning if your dog has common allergies, then use them with this label.
Puppy Shampoo
Soothing, gentle ingredients that won’t irritate the puppy’s delicate skin. Look for colloidal oats, coconut oil, and chamomile.
Avoid Artificial Fragrance & Cheap Ingredients
Suppose the shampoo label lists ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient without qualifying the specific ingredient. In that case, it could be used to disguise a harmful ingredient such as phthalates, which are known hormone disrupters in dogs.
Other artificial ingredients that are harmful include parabens preservatives, Mea/Cocamide Dea, sulfates, and mineral oils, forming an impenetrable barrier over the skin, preventing toxins from escaping. You can read more here about the ‘shampoo ingredients to avoid.’
pH Balance
The pH level of skin refers to how acidic it is. Dog’s skin has a pH level of between 5.5 – 7.2, making it closer to neutral than human skin, which is more acidic with a pH of 5.5. Look for a shampoo that’s formulated as close to p.H 7.0 as possible.
2 In 1 Shampoo
This will contain ingredients that cleanse your dog’s skin, like oatmeal and coconut oil, and conditioners like vitamin E or argan oil for a glossy coat. 2 in 1 shampoo removes dirt and grime and helps maintain soft, tangle-free fur.
Deodorizers And Moisturizers
Deodorizing shampoos remove the dirt and grime that contribute to a smelly dog, and they also contain ingredients like lavender essential oil to keep your dog smelling fresh and clean.
Moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera keep your dog’s skin hydrated, while plant-based oils (such as argan, jojoba, or almond) lock in moisture for healthy skin and a lustrous coat.
5 Best Dog Shampoo For Golden Retrievers In 2022
1. (For Smelly Golden Retrievers) Cleansing Dog Shampoo for Smelly Dogs
- Dog Oatmeal Shampoo - Try our popular dog shampoo formulas handcrafted to cleanse and...
- Deodorizing Dog Shampoo - You can trust our dog body wash and oatmeal shampoo for dogs for...
Last update on 2024-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cleansing Dog Shampoo for Smelly Dogs with Lavender Oatmeal is the best solution for smelly Golden Retrievers. The shampoo contains lavender essential oil for a fresh, clean fragrance and colloidal oatmeal, a natural emollient, to soothe the skin, ensuring your dog will emerge Jojoba oil also helps to nourish and condition your Golden’s coat.
Pros
- This shampoo contains natural ingredients.
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Recyclable materials
Cons
- Some dogs may be sensitive to the formula.
- The clean smell doesn’t last more than a day or two after bathing.
- May, in rare cases, cause excessive shedding.
2. (Premium Dog Shampoo) Pet Oatmeal Anti-Itch Shampoo & Conditioner In One
- Soothing Dog Shampoo and Conditioner - Our Oatmeal shampoo for dogs is also anti itch dog...
- Vet Recommended Dog Products - Our oatmeal and coconut shampoo sooths discomfort and...
Last update on 2024-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pet Oatmeal Anti Itch has a hypoallergenic formula that contains only natural ingredients, including oatmeal (to give it an ‘oatmeal cookie’ scent), aloe vera, baking soda, and coconut.
This anti-fungal and anti-bacterial shampoo also helps prevent shedding and yeast infections, so it is the ideal solution to keep your dog smelling and feeling great. It is vet-approved and gentle enough for your Golden.
Pros
- Soothes dry, itchy skin immediately to give instant relief.
- Enhances shine and condition of coat.
- A Percentage of the sale goes to a dog charity.
Cons
- Doesn’t lather up enough for some.
- The sweet oatmeal cookie scent isn’t for everyone.
- It may not be effective against itching in every case.
3. (Best Veterinary Dog Shampoo) Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo
- GENTLE SOOTHING – Helps promote a healthy skin and coat free of flaky, dry, or overly...
- FAST ACTING – Works fast with powerful ingredients that help shed dry skin and hydrate...
Last update on 2024-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This gentle yet effective medicated shampoo works fast to relieve and treat parasitic, bacterial, and fungal skin infections that can cause misery for your Golden.
It contains coal tar, salicylic acid, and micronized sulfur to fight fungal and bacterial infections, treat the scaly, greasy patches caused by seborrhea and relieve mange and other parasitic infections. Colloidal oatmeal and allantoin soothe and moisturize skin.
The pH-balanced formula is soap and paraben-free, making it suitable for pups from 12 weeks and dogs with sensitive skin. This means that your beloved pooch can safely find instant relief from rashes, inflammation, greasy skin, and more.
Pros
- Effective at dealing with doggy dandruff.
- Positive results can be immediate.
- Using the medicated shampoo can save costly trips to the vet.
Cons
- The formula is not strong enough to deal with some persistent yeast infections.
- The smell and consistency can be off-putting to more sensitive noses.
- Some dogs won’t like waiting for the ten minutes it takes for the ingredients to work.
4. (Best Flea Shampoo For Golden Retrievers) Pro Pet Works All Natural Organic 5 In One Oatmeal Pet Shampoo + Conditioner
- ✅【All Natural Plant-Based Patented Formula for Your Furry Friend】Discover our...
- ✅【Premium Pet Care for Your Dog Wellness - Made in USA】This professional pet shampoo...
Last update on 2024-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This natural, organic formula contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera, almond oil, and oatmeal and is safe for daily use, which means it’s perfect if you need to keep your Golden looking its best.
This hardworking shampoo is suitable for sensitive, itchy, and dry skin with its hypo-allergenic formula. It cleans, deodorizes, and detangles, leaving you with a fresh-smelling soft-coated Golden, you will want to cuddle even more.
Pros
- Lathers up well – a little goes a long way – yet rinses easily.
- Suitable for dogs with sensitive skin or hot spots.
- Helps loosen up the undercoat for easier grooming.
Cons
- Doesn’t have a very pleasing fragrance.
- May cause itching in some sensitive dogs.
5. (Best Shampoo For Golden Retriever Puppies) Burt’s Bees Dog Shampoo for Puppies, 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner
- Did You Know Dog Skin Differs from Human's - Dogs' skin is less acidic, so human shampoos...
- No. 1 Pet Grooming Brand in the USA - Trusted by millions, Burt's Bees for Pets offers...
Last update on 2024-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you think that nature is friendly for your Golden puppy, then Burt’s Bees Dog Shampoo for Puppies is the best way to gently cleanse and condition your little bundle of fluff.
With natural buttermilk to soothe the skin and linseed oil to condition, the 2 in 1 no-tears formula will make baths a time of fun and bonding for you and your playful pup.
Expect a light lather due to the all-natural ingredients, including beeswax and oatmeal in this pH-balanced formula which will soothe delicate puppy skin and keep their fur nice and soft. It contains no artificial ingredients to irritate the skin. It’s also sulfate, colorant, and fragrance-free, and suitable to use alongside topical flea treatments.
Pros
- The mild, no-tears formula is suitable for puppies.
- Sulfate-free so it won’t strip your puppy’s fur of its natural oils, keeping it healthy.
- Dogs with sensitive noses will appreciate the scent-free formula.
Cons
- May dry the skin on some sensitive dogs.
- The formula is a bit thin for some dog owner’s taste.
- It might not be enough if your dog has thick or long fur.
Types Of Dog Shampoo
Medicated Dog Shampoos
They are formulated to help with specific medical complaints. They may be any bacterial, ant-fungal, or antiseborrheic (they treat dog dandruff). The active ingredients deal with the issue, and they may have other ingredients such as moisturizers to soothe the symptoms.
If your dog is experiencing allergies, dermatitis, rashes, or spots due to bacteria, fungus, or parasites, these shampoos will help deal with the problem.
Flea Shampoo
Flea shampoos are medicated shampoos formulated specifically to deal with fleas, a common problem for dog owners. They contain chemicals that kill fleas, their larvae, and eggs.
Suggested – Best Flea And Tick Prevention For Golden Retriever
Hypoallergenic Shampoo
These will be free from ingredients known to cause allergic reactions in dogs. This could be but is not limited to artificial ingredients. These shampoos tend to be mild and suitable for dogs with sensitive skin.
Soothing Shampoo
Itchiness is common in dogs and can bring your relentless dog misery from the itching sensation and then the red, raw skin that comes from persistent scratching. Soothing ingredients include buttermilk, almond oil, aloe vera, and oatmeal.
General Shampoo
For dogs who don’t need a special shampoo for sensitive skin, skin complaints, color correction, or deodorizing, there are standard shampoos that seek to cater to the vast majority of dogs. These come in different fragrances, but generally, they contain similar ingredients.
Puppy Shampoo
A puppy’s delicate system is still developing, so they need an extremely gentle formula for their regular bath. It has to be mild enough not to irritate their skin or eyes if they wriggle, yet effective in cleansing their fur as even the smallest Golden pups can be muck magnets. Most puppy shampoos are fragrance-free, no that the scent does not irritate their nose or throat.
Deodorizing Shampoo
Smelly dogs are unpleasant for their owner and other humans in the vicinity. Dogs can be stinky due to lifestyle, medical conditions, or sometimes you need to freshen up your Golden Retriever when it rolls in something it shouldn’t have.
A deodorizing shampoo will clean your Golden’s thick coat thoroughly to release any dirt and grime and will leave a fresh, clean fragrance.
2 In 1 Shampoo
If you want to save time in the bath, then a formula that cleanses and conditions your dog means that you only have to use one product.
Color Correction Shampoo
There are various types of dog shampoos on the market to brighten up different colors of fur.
If you show your Golden Retriever, you want it to look its best. Over time, the light, bright golden color of your Golden Retriever can become stained. A shampoo with stain removers and added whiteners will bring the brightness back to your Golden’s coat.
Tricks To Make Your Golden Retriever’s Bath Time Easier & Neater
Making bath time easier for your Golden Retriever is all in preparation. Make sure you have everything you need to hand before you start.
Brush your Golden before bath time to remove dirt, grime, and loose hair from its coat.
It is a good idea to use a minimum of three towels. Place the first one to use on the bottom of the tub (if you don’t have an anti-slip mat) for your dog to stand on. The second one is to cover your dog between rinses so that it doesn’t shake itself getting you soaked. The third towel is for drying off your Golden.
Ensure you have something in the drain to collect your dog’s fur, like a piece of wire wool.
Run the bath and gently lead your dog to the tub. Goldie’s love water, so they should enjoy their bath, but you want to make sure that bath time is fun, so take your time, give lots of praise, and a few treats won’t go amiss either with a reluctant bather.
Once in the tub, ensure that your Golden’s thick coat is saturated with water and it is soaked to the skin. Apply shampoo and start to work into a lather from the neck downwards along his body to his tail and toes.
Once you have shampooed your dog, open the drain to let the water out, removing any fur caught in your steel wool trap. Then rinse your dog thoroughly until the water goes clear.
Take time to towel dry your Golden thoroughly. Remember that a damp dog can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If you like, you can use a hairdryer in the coolest setting to speed things up.
FAQ
Do Golden Retrievers Need A Regular Bath?
If you brush your Golden Retriever regularly to remove loose hair and distribute the oils through its fur, you shouldn’t have to bathe it too frequently unless you show your dog or it has rolled in something smelly.
How Often Should I Bath My Golden Retriever?
It depends on when they need it. Some may only need a bath a few times a year, but if your Golden gets very dirty or smelly, you will need to bathe it more often.
Can I Use Human Shampoo On My Golden Retriever?
No, not only will human shampoo strip the natural oils from its coat, it could irritate its skin. A dog’s skin has a pH balance of between 6.5 and 7.5, so it is more neutral than a human’s, which is more acidic and irritating to a dog’s skin.
Conclusion
The best dog shampoo for Golden Retrievers depends on its age, skin sensitivities, and any issues it may have. If you show your Golden, you will also want to consider how to help it look its best.
Once you have identified your dog’s specific needs, you can choose from one of the practical solutions available to keep your Golden clean, healthy, soft to the touch, and smelling great.