Best Moisturizing Dog Shampoo: 7 Top Picks
Published on May 10, 2022
If you want to give your dog a shiny, healthy coat that looks like they just stepped out of the grooming salon, it might be time to invest in a bottle of moisturizing dog shampoo.
These hydrating dog shampoos contain beneficial ingredients that help soothe your pup’s skin and lock moisture into their coat, leaving them soft, shiny, and of course, clean as a whistle.
Whether your dog has been itching more than usual or their coat could just use a little TLC, the best moisturizing dog shampoos can help. Here’s what you need to know about when and how to use these specialty cleansers, as well as several groomer-approved product recommendations to add to your dog’s routine.
Our Top Moisturizing Dog Shampoo Picks
- Best Overall Dog Moisturizing Shampoo: Richard’s Organics Moisturizing Shampoo
- Best Moisturizing Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin: Nootie Warm Vanilla Cookie Pet Shampoo
- Best Moisturizing Shampoo for Long Haired Dogs: CHI Deep Moisture Dog Shampoo
- Best Natural Moisturizing Dog Shampoo: Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo
- Most Luxurious Moisturizing Dog Shampoo: iGroom Argan & Vitamin E Moisturizing Dog Shampoo
- Best Affordable Moisturizing Dog Shampoo: Veterinary Formula Solutions Ultra Oatmeal Moisturizing Shampoo for Dogs
- Best Waterless Moisturizing Shampoo for Dogs: Burt’s Bees for Dogs Hydrating Waterless Shampoo
Do Dogs Need Moisturizing Shampoo?
In the same way that not every person needs to use hair conditioner, not every dog needs a moisturizing shampoo. If your dog has a short coat and healthy skin, they’d likely do just fine with a regular shampoo for dogs. However, there are certain dog breeds and skin conditions that often benefit from added moisture.
“Dogs with long hair, or ‘drop coats,’ benefit from moisturizing shampoo as it can help with detangling,” explains Dawn Roper, head groomer at The Dog Stop. Dog breeds that have drop coats include Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzu, and Afghans.
You may also want to consider a moisturizing wash if your dog has skin problems. “Many dogs experience allergies that cause dry, itchy, or flaky skin, and a moisturizing shampoo can help alleviate those symptoms,” says Roper. Some dogs experience dry skin year-round, while others might only have this issue in the colder winter months, so you can always adjust their bathing routine accordingly.
7 Best Moisturizing Dog Shampoos
With these benefits in mind, the following are some of the top moisturizing dog shampoos to help hydrate your dog’s coat and skin, including several dog shampoos for dry skin.
In addition to expert recommendations, these products were chosen thanks to their beneficial ingredients, ease of use, and overall value.
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Best Overall Dog Moisturizing Shampoo
Our Pick: Richard’s Organics Moisturizing Shampoo
This vet-recommended moisturizing dog shampoo grabbed our top spot for a few reasons. We love that it contains a nourishing blend of ingredients like oatmeal, echinacea and sweet almond oil to help bring moisture back into dry, itchy skin while also soothing and cleansing. Plus, it works beyond the bath by creating a protective film that hinders water loss and helps preserve the epidermal barrier. At under $12 a bottle, we think this is an all-around great choice for you and your pup.
Highlights
- Relieves, moisturizes, and cleanses dry, itchy skin
- Provides additional protection against moisture loss
- pH balanced
- Free from parabens, dyes, and soap
- Won’t wash away flea and tick treatments
- Great price point
Things to Consider:
- Not for use on puppies/kittens under 6 weeks
Best Moisturizing Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
Our Pick: Nootie Warm Vanilla Cookie Pet Shampoo
Recommended by our expert, this shampoo is available in a variety of formulas, but the Warm Vanilla Cookie option is ideal if moisturizing is your top priority. (Plus, who doesn’t love the scent of a warm cookie?!) The shampoo contains vitamin E and almond oil, and its formula is designed to promote a softer coat and healthier skin—you’ll likely notice an improvement even after just one wash! The long-lasting fragrance will have your dog smelling good enough to eat, and while the shampoo is packed with beneficial ingredients, it doesn’t have any of the bad stuff—we’re talking soap, parabens, or harsh chemicals. Plus, the brand offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t like the product, so really, what do you have to lose? (Besides a stinky dog!)
Highlights:
- Improves skin and coat with just one wash.
- Long-lasting scent.
- Safe to use with topical flea/tick medications.
- Made in the USA.
Things to Consider:
- Only suitable for dogs over 8 weeks.
- Some reviewers aren’t keen on the scent.
Best Moisturizing Shampoo for Long Haired Dogs
Our Pick: CHI Deep Moisture Dog Shampoo
If your dog’s hair tends to get frizzy (something we can all relate to), you can get them looking dog-show ready with the help of this deeply moisturizing cleanser. The formula is made with super-hydrating and soothing ingredients like oatmeal, coconut oil, and avocado oil, and it helps to seal hair cuticles, leaving their hair soft and silky without weighing it down. Think of it as a blow dry for your pooch! The formula is particularly useful in the dry winter months, as the oatmeal helps to relieve dry, flakey skin, and of course, there are no parabens or other drying ingredients sulfates in the formula. Only the best for your best friend!
Highlights
- Made with oatmeal, coconut oil, and avocado oil
- Reduces frizz for a smooth coat
- pH balanced for dogs
- Gallon-sized bottles include pump
- Safe to use with topical flea/tick medications
Things to Consider
- You should avoid getting the shampoo in your dog’s eyes
- Scent not listed
- Only suitable for dogs over 8 weeks
Best Natural Moisturizing Dog Shampoo
Our Pick: Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo
If you like to keep things natural, you’ll love this soothing shampoo. Just take a peek at its ingredients, and you’ll see it’s made with all easy-to-pronounce natural ingredients including shea butter, chamomile, rosemary, aloe vera, and more. The formula is rich in vitamins A and F, and it will nourish your dog’s skin and hair while sealing in moisture and soothing dryness and irritation. Oh, and you won’t find any drying ingredients on that list—the shampoo is free from mineral oil, phthalates, isopropyl alcohol, formaldehyde, and parabens. Because your good boy (or good girl) deserves a cleanser that’s good for them.
Highlights
- Relieves itchy skin
- Includes hydrating natural ingredients
- Free from drying ingredients
- Money-back guarantee
Things to Consider:
- Doesn’t lather as much as other shampoos
- Scent not listed
Most Luxurious Moisturizing Dog Shampoo
Our Pick: iGroom Argan & Vitamin E Moisturizing Dog Shampoo
Your pooch will feel like they’re being pampered at a high-end salon with this moisturizing shampoo—it might even be fancier than your own hair cleanser. The luxurious formula is made from pampering ingredients like argan oil and vitamin E, and it works up into a creamy lather as you massage it into your dog’s coat. Once they’re sufficiently sudsed up, the shampoo rinses out easily and leaves no residue behind, helping you to get fussy dogs out of the bath faster. In addition to nourishing your dog’s hair and coat, it also protects their hair from the sun’s UV rays—like sunscreen for your pup! The shampoo is pH balanced, making it gentle on sensitive skin, and it contains no sulfates, parabens, or phthalates.
Highlights
- Contains argan oil and vitamin E
- Light Verbena Mint scent
- Provides UV sun protection
- pH balanced
- Easy to rinse
- Safe to use with topical flea/tick medications
Things to Consider
- Brand website recommends dilution, but it’s unclear if that’s only for 1-gallon containers.
Best Affordable Moisturizing Dog Shampoo
Our Pick: Veterinary Formula Solutions Ultra Oatmeal Moisturizing Shampoo for Dogs
Your dog will smell as fresh as the summer breeze after a bath with this fruity shampoo. The moisture-rich formula has a long-lasting raspberry and pomegranate scent that comes from real fruit extracts, and it works as good as it smells thanks to beneficial ingredients like glycerin, natural colloidal oatmeal, and jojoba oil. The cleanser will get your pup squeaky clean while moisturizing their skin, leave their coat soft, shiny, and oh-so petable. Plus, the pH balanced formula is gentle enough for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies, and it contains added antioxidants to protect their fur between baths.
Highlights
- Affordable price point compared to some other dog shampoos
- Rich in antioxidants
- pH balanced for sensitive skin
- Long-lasting fruity fragrance
- Safe to use with topical flea/tick medications
- Made in the USA
Things to Consider:
- Contains artificial colors
- Only suitable for adult dogs
- Shampoo should be left on your dog’s coat for several minutes
Best Waterless Moisturizing Shampoo for Dogs
Our Pick: Burt’s Bees for Dogs Hydrating Waterless Shampoo
For those days you don’t have time to give your dog a full bath but still want to moisturize and freshen their coat, try this hydrating waterless shampoo. (It’s also an easier option for dogs who put up a fuss at bathtime.) All you have to do is spray it over your dog from head to tail, then brush the formula into their coat and towel dry. The formula gently cleanses while moisturizing their skin and coat with coconut oil, and it doesn’t contain any added fragrances, making it a top choice for pups with sensitive skin or allergies. So next time your dog has muddy paws or is smelling a little stinky, give them a quick spray and call it a day.
Highlights
- Waterless formula is easy to use
- Great for spot cleaning between baths
- Coconut oil moisturizes skin and coat
- pH balanced
- Made in the USA
Things to Consider:
- You should avoid getting the shampoo in your dog’s eyes
- Very faint fragrance
- Won’t clean as deeply as regular shampoo and bathing
Moisturizing Dog Shampoo Buyers Guide
What to Look For in a Moisturizing Dog Shampoo
As you look at different shampoos for dogs, there are several factors you’ll want to consider, the most important being its ingredients. Follow these guidelines to select the best product for your pet.
Moisturizing Ingredients: The ingredients list is the first place you should look when shopping for good dog shampoo, as there are certain stand-out ingredients that will benefit your furry friend’s coat. “Glycerin is a soothing ingredient, and aloe, coconut oil, almond oils, vitamins A, D, and E are great for skin and coat,” says Roper.
Oatmeal is a common ingredient in moisturizing shampoo, but experts recommend looking for a specific type of it: “Look specifically for colloidal oatmeal,” says Helen Schaefer, groomer at Heart + Paw. “This means that the oatmeal is small enough to be suspended throughout the shampoo, and that it is not a lesser ingredient such as oat flour, which does not have the same therapeutic benefits.”
Avoid Drying Ingredients: While you’re reviewing that ingredient list, there are a few big no-nos that you’ll want to avoid. Tea tree oil, isopropyl alcohol, and sulfates can all dry out your dog’s skin, so you’ll want to pass on products that contain these ingredients.
Application Method: You’ll also want to read over the application instructions as you shop for a moisturizing dog shampoo. Most products require you to wet your dog and massage the shampoo into their coat, but some may have additional steps, such as letting the shampoo soak in for several minutes. These products might not be the best option for dogs who dislike baths. Instead, you might want to opt for a waterless shampoo, which can just be brushed into their coat.
Medication Interactions: If you use topical flea and tick medication on your dog, it’s important to check whether shampoo will wash off the medicine. Many formulas are free from soap, so they’ll leave the medication on your dog’s skin, but others might strip away that crucial protection from biting parasites.
When Not to Use a Moisturizing Dog Shampoo
There are certain instances when a hydrating dog shampoo might not be the best choice for your dog. “Consider the pet’s coat, and avoid a moisture-rich shampoo if it’s prone to oil or yeast,” says Roper.
If your dog already has an oily coat, there’s no need to add additional moisture into the mix. Additionally, if your pup has a diagnosed skin condition, you’ll want to check in with your veterinarian before using a new shampoo on them.
Tips for Using a Moisturizing Dog Shampoo
Ready to try out your new moisturizing shampoo? Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle, and rinse out the shampoo thoroughly so it doesn’t leave any residue behind. If the formula needs to sit on your dog for several minutes, consider using a lick mat with some peanut butter to keep them occupied as the shampoo works its magic. For the best results, you may also want to pair the shampoo with a complementary conditioner. “Make sure to use a high-quality conditioner that includes highly absorbent substances like silk proteins, essential oils like argan, hemp or sunflower, and shea butter,” recommends Schaefer. Many brands have conditioning products that can be paired with their moisturizing shampoos.
