Best Dry Shampoo for Dogs [2023 Review]

Best Dry Shampoo for Dogs [2023 Review]

Author WDF Staff

01.03.2021.

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Some dogs love water and everything related to it. Others hate it and will do anything to get out of bathing. Luckily, there are different dry shampoos for dogs that can help you fix that problem. You will avoid dragging your dog to the bathroom or a dog bath, but you will still manage to clean them. Plus, constantly bathing your dog with traditional shampoo can be counterproductive.

What to look for in dry dog shampoo?

There are three different forms of waterless dog shampoos: gels, powders, and sprays. They all work on the same principle; you get the dry dog shampoo and massage it into your dog’s coat all the way to their skin. You wait a few moments (depending on what the manufacturer recommends) and brush or rub-down the residue. Some waterless dog shampoos just stay in your dog’s coat and remain there.

Here are the most important things you should look for in a dry shampoo for dogs;

Mind the meds

If your dog has issues with ticks, mites, or fleas, you should be careful which dry dog shampoo you choose. You probably put some sort of topical flea medicine on your dog’s coat, and you don’t want to end up getting a dry shampoo for dogs that will interfere in the medicine’s effect. Plus, there are plenty of dry shampoos with a lavender scent, and lavender is a natural flea repellent.

If you want to pick the best shampoo for regular bath time, check out this article - Best dog shampoos.

Scent

One of the key things when choosing a dry dog shampoo is the scent. It is vital you and your dog enjoy the scent of the dry dog shampoo. Otherwise, your dog can end up rolling in mud or any other stinky thing they can find.

Sensitive skin

Some dogs can have sensitive skin, and they need to use mild shampoos that won’t upset and cause skin irritations. Luckily, many dry shampoos for dogs use natural ingredients and soothing things like aloe vera. Make sure you read the ingredient list, so you can be sure nothing will cause issues to your dog.

Here is a list of our favorite dry shampoos for dogs.

Wahl Waterless Shampoo for Dogs

When it comes to the best choice of dry shampoo for dogs, the Wahl Waterless Shampoo for Dogs is the best there is. This US-made product comes in two possible scents - chamomile and lavender, and lime verbena and coconut. Its foamy formula is super effective in blocking unpleasant doggy odors. It is an ideal dry dog shampoo to use in between regular baths. This shampoo contains a special conditioner that will ensure your dog’s coat is moist and shiny. Wahl is a top recommendation that dog owners seem to love.

Pros
  • Smells great
  • Natural ingredients
Cons
  • Some owners reported this dry shampoo didn’t clear the unpleasant doggy odor.

Paw Choice Dry Dog Shampoo

Some dog owners seemed to have issues with the Nr.1 on our list - it just didn’t work for their dogs. Those owners went for the second-best choice, which is Paw Choice Dry Dog Shampoo. This dry dog shampoo has an incredibly mild formula that comes from coconuts, so you can be sure it will not cause any skin issues or inflammations. The unique Paw Choice formula kills the bacteria causing bad dog odor and replaces it with a pleasant pomegranate mango scent.

Pros
  • Effective
  • Deodorizes cleanses, and conditions the fur
  • Kills bacteria
Cons
  • Some owners reported too intense pomegranate smell.

Here are some other tools you can use for grooming your dog - Shedding season must-haves.

Vet Recommended Waterless Dog Shampoo

Vet recommended is the brand’s name, don’t mistake it for an actual veterinarian endorsement. However, when it comes to waterless dog shampoos, Vet Recommended Waterless Dog Shampoo is actually a pretty good choice, and it is actually recommended by a number of veterinarians. One of the most significant advantages of this product is that it can be used alongside topical flea medication. It will not diminish the medication’s effectiveness and is entirely safe to use. Plus, they offer a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.

Pros
  • Can be used with flea medication
  • Recommended by vets
  • Apple-scented
Cons
  • Most issues are related to the scent
  • Some owners reported receiving damaged pumps

Bodhi Dog Waterless Dog Shampoo

For households with multiple pets, the Bodhi Dog Waterless Dog Shampoo is an excellent choice. This dry shampoo for dogs and cats is mild. Unlike other products, it has vegan-friendly ingredients that are ethically sourced. This dry dog shampoo formula doesn’t contain alcohol but manages to neutralize bacteria responsible for bad smell. The Bodhi Dog dry shampoo comes in lemongrass and lavender scent. Not only does it smell nice, but it also repels parasites like ticks and fleas.

Pros
  • Smells nice
  • Natural ingredients
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Owners of white dogs reported that it didn’t really make their dogs look cleaner.

Pawstruck Dry Shampoo for Dogs

The Pawstruck Dry Shampoo for Dogs is our favorite dry shampoo in a spray form. It has a refreshing citrus scent and is safe to use on dogs and cats. It is a fantastic spray-on dry dog shampoo compatible with different coats, furs, and skins. Like all other products on this list, Pawstruck has a formula that kills bacteria responsible for the bad odor. However, this dry shampoo for dogs has soothing properties, and it will help promote skin health.

Pros
  • For dogs and cats
  • Smells nice
  • Anti-inflammation properties
  • Vegan-friendly
Cons
  • Most problems are related to delivery issues
  • Some owners reported a too weak scent

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