Owning a Goldendoodle means that you have to take extra care of their fur. One question that many Doodle owners have is, what is the best Goldendoodle shampoo? After all, dog shampoo is all made the same, right? But, all shampoo is not the same. If you research some of the largest shampoo brands, you will also find countless lawsuits to follow. Today we will talk about what to look for in your dog shampoo and a few recommendations.
What Makes A Shampoo Good?
When choosing a shampoo for your Goldendoodle, you will want to choose one with quality ingredients. Goldendoodles have sensitive skin and can be more prone to things like hot spots and allergies. You will know what shampoo is the right fit for you if:
- Your dog has no allergic reactions
- Easily rinses off
- Doesn’t cause build-up or dandruff
- Conditions as it cleans
- And makes your dog look it’s best
Each Doodle has unique skin and coat, so not every Doodle will have the same results to products. Some owners have to sample a few brands to see which brands work best for their dogs. But ideally, dog shampoos should avoid harsh ingredients and be nourishing. But the average person doesn’t know much about these harsh ingredients and why they are wrong.
Chemicals To Avoid
Everything contains chemicals, so it’s impossible to avoid all chemicals. But, some chemicals will do your Goldendoodle more harm than good.
Artificial Fragrance
For some owners, this might be more of a “use at your own risk” caution. The artificial fragrance has many origins. Dogs that suffer from skin allergies and sensitivities are more likely to react to these because of their unknown source. Should you notice that your dog seems to break out a lot after a bath, you might want to check your shampoo labels. If artificial fragrance is high on the list, you might want to discontinue use.
Formaldehyde
We all know all the harmful side effects of formaldehyde. But many pet companies still add it to their products under a new name. Look for labels like:
- Phenol-Formaldehyde
- Oxymethylene
- Methylaldehyde Quaternium-7 -15 -31 or -61
- Oxomethane Formalin
- Diazolidinyl urea
These ingredients are labeled as a preservative, so they are lower on the list. They can cause skin irritations and estrogen-induced cancer. It is best to avoid these if at all possible.
Itchy M’s
There are a couple of common preservatives in cheaper dog shampoos called Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone. These ingredients are known to cause irritation, redness, and blisters in severe cases. These cheap preservers might not cause an issue at first, but they build-up on the skin over time and create a reaction.
Isopropyl Alcohol 40
This ingredient is a quick evaporating ingredient meant to speed up drying time. But, in the evaporating process, it is also drying out the hair shaft from all moisture. Your Goldendoodle will feel dry and might develop dandruff. Over time this ingredient can also create brittle hair that breaks and doesn’t curl.
Sulfates
Sulfates are harsh cleaning agents. These cleaners are great for dogs that are very dirty and greasy, but they are also harmful. They can create dry, damaged hair and dandruff as well. If your dog suffers from any skin allergies, sulfates will make them even worse. Using a sulfate-free shampoo is best for most Goldendoodles. But if you have to use a more reliable cleaner, always follow with a conditioner to keep your Doodle’s skin protected.
Best Goldendoodle Shampoo
Now that we have talked about ingredients in your shampoo, we can now make some great recommendations. Below are the top dog shampoos that will solve every problem that you could run into.
Wahl 4-in-1 Calming Shampoo
One of the best Goldendoodle shampoos on the market is from Wahl. This shampoo is for conditioning, as well as deep cleaning. It contains a sulfate derived from coconut oil that is more nourishing than synthetic sulfates. It also has a pleasant smell and cleaner ingredients than most on the market. We also love that this shampoo is very concentrated, so a little can go a long way.
Natural Dog Shampoo with Colloidal Oatmeal
This Natural Dog Shampoo with Colloidal Oatmeal is excellent for dogs with itchy skin and dandruff. This product is made from 100% natural and plant-based ingredients that are gentle yet effective for your dog. Owners rave that this shampoo smells amazing and relieves the itchiest of skin. Even if your Goldendoodle doesn’t suffer from dandruff, this shampoo will work its wonders to provide a soft coat.
Pro Pet Works All Natural Organic Oatmeal Pet Shampoo Plus Conditioner
If you are looking for a shampoo that will nourish your Goldendoodle’s hair and prevent dandruff, this is it! The Pro Pet Work Oatmeal Pet Wash nourishes the skin and hair for a healthy look. Your Doodle will have locks that you can’t stop running your hands through. It is also fantastic at preventing itchy skin and dandruff thanks to the calming effects of oatmeal and aloe. Your dog will thank you for this shampoo.
Bodhi Dog Premium Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner
If your Goldendoodle likes to get messy, that could mean more baths than average. For that, we recommend the Premium Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner by Bodhi Dog. This shampoo has extra conditioning powers and yet is powerful enough to cut through any grime that your dog has gotten into. It smells incredible and will make your Doodle pleasant to be around again.
Bodhi Dog Waterless Shampoo
Also by Bodhi Dog is their new waterless shampoo. This spray is 100% alcohol-free and can help your Goldendoodle last between washes. It deodorizes and helps keep dog’s coats soft and manageable. You can use this to freshen up every week or as a spot cleaner.
TropiClean Whitening Shampoo
Sometimes white Doodles need a little extra help getting their fur bright white. For this, we recommend TropiClean Whitening Shampoo. Not only does it smell delicious, but it also has naturally derived ingredients. The unique formula will help your white dog look her best again.
Burt’s Bees Puppy 2-in-1 Tearless Shampoo & Conditioner
Puppies need a special formula shampoo, and for that, we recommend Burt’s Bees. This formula is extra gentle for the pup, who is still learning about grooming himself. The tearless formula won’t burn or irritate eyes. And since this is a 2-in-1 shampoo, it will leave your puppy feeling soft and easily brushed.
Dog Whisperer Tick & Flea Dog Shampoo
At some point in dog ownership, you will encounter fleas and ticks. They seem impossible to get rid of, and you might feel bad about all the chemicals you are using on and around your Doodle. A great alternative to flea shampoo is Tick & Flea Dog Shampoo by Dog Whisperer. This shampoo uses essential oils to kill fleas, larvae, and eggs. It smells fantastic and doesn’t include any harsh ingredients, so you won’t have to worry about chemical overkill.
Advantage Shampoo Flea and Tick Treatment
For fleas that seem never to go away, we recommend using a trusted brand like Advantage Flea And Tick Shampoo to kill and repel. This shampoo is highly effective, and you will generally see results after the first wash. But, a word of caution with this shampoo. It is very drying to the skin, so you will need to follow it with an excellent conditioner to prevent dry skin and dandruff.
Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner
An even greater conditioner should follow the best Goldendoodle shampoo. For that, we recommend Earthbath’s Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner. This conditioner will help detangle your Doodle and leave their hair silky. It can also be a great way to treat and prevent dandruff and itchy skin. We also love the natural ingredients of the company and the fantastic smell.
How Often Should You Bathe A Goldendoodle?
This answer to this question much depends on your lifestyle and dog. Doodles are known to have very delicate skin. They are not washed as often as other dogs because they naturally produce oils to protect their skin.
Overwashing your Doodle could lead to dull, lifeless hair and even balding patches. But by no means are you not to wash your dog if they are filthy.
If your Goldendoodle is very active, they may need more baths than others. A dog that only gets out for a brisk walk once a day won’t be as dirty as one that goes swimming daily. Most groomers will tell you to bathe your dog as needed.
And only you will know when it is time that your Goldendoodle absolutely needs a bath. Your nose will lead the way here!
The general rule of thumb for Doodles is to bathe them at least every three months. But you don’t want to wash them more than once a month unless necessary. Most of the shampoos on this list are very gentle.
So if your dog rolls in the mud every week, you should be fine washing each time. Should you notice that your dog is getting dry skin, that is the sign that you are washing them too much.
Now You Know
Now you know all there is to know about the best Goldendoodle shampoo. Which brand is your favorite, and why?
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
