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Quick Access To The Best Shampoos For Australian Shepherds ?
| Editors Pick | Brand |
| Best Overall | Burt’s Bees Shampoo For Dogs |
| Best Runner Up | Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo |
| Best Budget | Oster Oatmeal Essentials Shed Control Dog Shampoo |
| Best Under $10 | PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Shampoo |
| Best Shampoo For An Aussie Puppy | Buddy Wash |
What are the best dog shampoo products available for an australian shepherd, you ask? Well you’re in luck because we had our research team take a look at all the shampoos available right now (there are a lot of them) and narrow down a list to just 12 of the best for an australian shepherd.
If you’re in a pinch for time and want a simple list of the best shampoos you’ve definitely come to the right place.
Below we chose a variety of great shampoo products that offer various excellent features that would suit an australian shepherd beautifully.
We know people have different preferences when it comes to smell and ingredients, as well as because different pups have different needs when it comes to the shampoo.
We’re confident that after taking a look at our list you’re going to be able to find one that is just right for your pup and you’ll be that much closer to having them squeaky clean again.
Enough chit chat though! Let’s go ahead and dive into our best overall shampoo pick for an australian shepherd.
Table of Contents
Top 12 Best Dog Shampoos For Australian Shepherds
Best Overall: Burt’s Bees Shampoo For Dogs
Our pick for the best shampoo for australian shepherds is Burt’s Bees Shampoo For Dogs. With the natural soothing that comes from honey, Burt’s Bees has been a favorite choice brand of humans for years.
But did you know they also make products that can quickly become a favorite for your pup?
This all natural oatmeal-based shampoo is no exception and definitely a favorite among the doggo community. Of course, one of the main ingredients is honey, along with colloidal oatmeal & beeswax which all help nourish sensitive skin.
Honey has soothing properties that helps add shine to your doggo’s coat and helps enhance their skin. Keep your pupster clean while keeping them protected from pests as the shampoo won’t wash away any topical flea or tick treatments they have.
Reviews from our source of testers shared that they loved the smell and that it was perfect for their dog’s sensitive skin and didn’t dry out their coat.
The majority of complaints came from people being dissatisfied with the size of the bottle. If your doggo is on the bigger size and you really want to try out this shampoo it might be a good idea to grab 2 bottles.
Key Features:
- No sulfates or colorants
- pH Balanced to prevent dry skin
- Colloidal oat flour and honey moisturizes and prevents itchiness
Best Runner Up: Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo
Our pick for best runner up shampoo for an australian shepherd is the Earthbath Dog Shampoo. This shampoo is great for general purpose washing as well as for those who have allergies or skin sensitivities.
This shampoo offers a totally natural and soothing experience that is safe for your dog and smells great.
It’s formulated so that it soothes dry, itchy skin and provides relief while deodorizing. It adds moisture back into your dog’s skin while you shampoo without causing irritation.
Getting rid of irritations during bath time means it’s that much easier for you to get the job done with minimal struggle.
Another great feature about this shampoo is that it won’t wash away any of the flea treatment that has been topically applied.
Reviews from testers shared that the shampoo was great for skin allergies and helped cure their dogs itch.
One has been a groomer for over 20 years and has been using this shampoo for 10+ years because of it’s lovely scent and hypo-allergenic qualities.
Some testers found that the shampoo didn’t help their dogs itchy skin so it appears the shampoo isn’t affective 100% of the time but does for the vast majority.
Key Features:
- Gentle cleansing 100% biodegradable
- Vanilla and almond scent
- Paraben and phosphate-free
Best Budget: Oster Oatmeal Essentials Shed Control Dog Shampoo
Oster Oatmeal Essentials Shed Control Dog Shampoo is our pick for the best budget shampoo for an australian shepherd.
This shampoo is made with oatmeal, vitamin B5 and safflower lipids. These ingredients help enhance your pup’s coat by using essential fatty acids. Plant lipids are compared to healthy fats but for hair.
They help strengthen the roots of your dog’s fur as well as their skin which produces an overall healthier coat.
The shampoo is considerably gentle on your dog’s skin as it doesn’t include any harsh or harmful chemicals in it’s ingredients. It’s also made in the USA and won’t remove any topical flea treatment which is a nice bonus.
There weren’t any real negative comments from our source of testers for this shampoo.
Most people shared that they loved the smell, how little shampoo was needed to use to wash their dog’s body, the softness of their coat and the reduction in shedding.
Overall people were considerably happy with this shampoo.
Key Features:
- Repairs and enhances fur
- Contains no dyes, alcohol or parabens making it gentle on skin
- Made in the USA
Best Under $10: PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Shampoo
In a pinch but don’t want to sacrifice quality? The PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Shampoo has your stinky friends back. Turn bathing and grooming time into a soothing bonding moment between you and your cuddly pup.
A bonus to this shampoo is if your dog is experiencing any sort of skin issue, this shampoo will help provide relief as well as heal the problem area. It helps support the natural healing of fungal, yeast, or bacterial skin issues.
Itchiness can come from a wide range of things and this shampoo provides relief to a majority of irritations.
This specially formulated shampoo is infused with Rooibos Tea extract to provide gentle, soothing relief to the skin and hair.
The shampoo uses a mild, soap-free formula that doesn’t contain harmful parabens or dyes. It’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin. It also adds antioxidants to fight inflammation.
Key Features:
- Prevents and soothes skin irritation
- Supports natural healing for fungal, yeast, and bacterial growth
- Moisturizes with olive oil, glycerin, and Vitamin E
Best Shampoo For An Aussie Puppy: Buddy Wash
Buddy Wash Shampoo is a great shampoo pick for an aussie puppy. Keep their coat as healthy as you can without needing to use any harsh cleansers.
This shampoo is packed with natural and healthy ingredients. It offers a two-in-one conditioning shampoo that is made with aloe vera, sage, rosemary, green tea, and chamomile to help soothe itchy skin.
All of these ingredients are considerably gentle on their skin while providing relief to any problem areas and help speed up healing.
It also comes equipped with a natural deodorizer to help with that ‘dog’ smell. Cuddle time is important but much more enjoyable when they aren’t as smelly!
The fresh lavender and mint scent are pleasant to your nose as well. It’s formulated with a coconut base liquid that makes it completely alcohol-free as well as a wheat protein that acts as a natural deodorizer.
Reviews from testers are very positive. Many people shared how they loved the smell and how gentle it was on their pups skin. Some have been users of the shampoo for years.
The common complaint was simply not enjoying the scent the shampoo leaves. Since smell is very subjective and more people enjoyed it than not, we felt this shampoo was well worth putting on our list.
Key Features:
- Gentle for puppies
- Made with pure botanical extracts
- Natural deodorizer
Other Top-Rated Picks
4-Legger USDA Certified Organic Dog Shampoo
If organic products are important for you and your australian shepherd, the 4-Legger USDA Certified Organic Dog Shampoo could be a great option for you. While many of the shampoos on our list are natural, this is the only one that is focused on being organic.
This shampoo is also hypoallergenic and is made with completely natural ingredients like, organic coconut oil, organic lemongrass essential oil, and aloe vera.
The shampoo is known in the industry and used by veterinarians as well as holistic groomers to provide relief to dry, itchy or sensitive doggo skin.
Considering this shampoo is USDA certified you can be confident that what you’re buying is actually organic. The company that makes this shampoo is so confident that you’ll love it, they offer a 30-day money back guarantee.
You can use it, bring it to your vet or groomer to get their opinions and if you decide not to use the product you can get a 100% refund.
Key Features:
- USDA certified as truly organic shampoo
- Hypoallergenic
- 30-Day money back guarantee
Healthy Breeds Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo
When it comes to a complete cleaning, the Healthy Breeds Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo is a great option for a hypoallergenic dog shampoo.
It’s also soap free! By not having any soaps or alcohols used it helps restore natural moisture to your dogs skin and coat.
The pH levels in this shampoo are balanced perfectly for dogs which means it’s well suited for their sensitive skin. pH is just a sciency way of saying acidity and dog shampoo needs to be less acidic to be safe for their skin.
This hypoallergenic shampoo is also made in the USA in a federally regulated facility. No need to worry about whether best practices are being used where this shampoo is made.
While enjoying its lovely pina colada smell you can rest assured your dog skin is safe after a bath with healthy breeds shampoo.
*If the australian shepherd style of the shampoo doesn’t show up right away simply click on a healthy breed shampoo bottle you see and change the style to australian shepherd*
Key Features:
- Hypoallergenic
- Made in the USA
- Provides relief for itchy, scaling and sensitive skin
Fresh Pet Shampoo
This premium oatmeal shampoo has a formula designed to get your pup squeaky clean as well as help soothe dry, irritated skin.
The Fresh Pet Shampoo is vet-backed and also comes with a lifetime warranty. Now that’s going above and beyond! If at any time you feel this shampoo wasn’t worth it, simply reach out to the manufacturer to get a full refund.
That’s the kind of confidence we like to see in a top dog shampoo.
The shampoo works with your dog’s natural pH balance to nourish their skin leaving their skin and coat silky smooth. It leaves behind a shiny, bright, soft, and smooth coat with a fresh scent that lasts for weeks. A nice feature is that the ingredients are all natural..
Key Features:
- Gently formulated pH balance
- Fresh scent for weeks
- Comprehensive anti-itch formula
Heel Dog Shampoo
A great shampoo for itchy skin, odor as well as a plethora of other things is definitely Heel. It uses argan oil, shea butter, and aloe vera to help soothe dry, irritated skin while providing a deep cleaning & lovely natural deodorizer.
A unique feature about this shampoo is it’s made with bentonite clay. For those who haven’t heard of bentonite clay, it’s been used for centuries for its natural healing abilities!
For any skin irritations that your dog may be going through, this shampoo can help them get back to 100% lickety-split!
The shampoo is formulated to restore natural oils in your dog’s skin as well as bring moisture back to dry areas. It’s also made in the USA.
An interesting note is they claim to make the shampoo in small batches to make sure each bottle is made the highest quality!
Key Features:
- Hypoallergenic
- Made in the USA
- Moisturizes and reduces odor
FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo
The FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo is here to rescue your furniture and clothes from australian shepherd fur. Tackle shedding issues at the root by starting with caring for your dog’s skin hygiene.
This shampoo works to help your dog release their undercoat during bath time. This means there is less loss of hair in between baths, which should cut down on excessive shedding.
Which also means less frequent cleanups around the house (yay!).
It’s gentle and formulated to help your dog’s coat shine with ingredients like Omega-3, Omega-6, chamomile, and aloe vera. All of these help keep your dog’s skin young and healthy.
Don’t worry about harsh chemicals like parabens or chemicals, this shampoo contains nothing that is unnatural.
Key Features:
- Reduces shedding
- Enriched with Omega-3 and Omega-6
- Paraben and chemical free
Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo
For an extra stinky australian shepherd, a shampoo superhero is on the way. Don’t let an unwanted stench stand between you and cuddle time with your pup when a shampoo has been designed to tackle and control even the toughest odors.
The Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo neutralizes and deodorizes the strongest of odors. Say good-bye to that pesky dog smell and hello to fresh scented cuddles!
After bath time with this shampoo you’re left with a clean pup and a honey sage scent. It will also help soothe any skin irritations they may have.
An added benefit is that it will help control static as well. Not only will your dog smell better, but their fur will smooth out nicer when it’s time for a brushing.
Key Features:
- Eliminate static electricity
- Controls heavy odors
- Hair stays cleaner longer
Dechra Miconahex + Triz Shampoo
The Dechra Miconahex + Triz Shampoo is designed to make their fur look shiny and healthy while also tackling what lies underneath, their skin.
Dry skin causes more trouble than just irritation for your pup. Sometimes, there is a bigger issue such as a yeast infection, fungus, ringworm, or other bacterial skin infections that need to be treated and soothed.
This shampoos formula works to repair and restore many skin irritations that your dog could be experiencing.
If your dog’s skin is irritated, chances are their coat won’t be at its best either. Also, if it’s left for too long they may hurt themselves through excessive itching or biting trying to provide themselves with relief.
This dog shampoo is formulated specifically for dry skin, dandruff, and other skin issues. It contains ceramides to moisturize and repair dry and damaged skin, quickly.
Keep your pup clean and safe from infection with this lovely shampoo pick.
Key Features:
- Restores dry, damaged skin
- Fights dandruff
- Medicated to treat fungal and bacterial skin infections
Tips On Effectively Bathing Your Australian Shepherd
First and foremost, before even getting them in the tub there are a few things that should be done.
First, let the water run to get the temperature to a comfortable temperature. Not too hot, not too cold, but just right (who remembers where that’s from? Haha).
Think of the temperature you’d wash a baby in. Warm enough so they aren’t shivering but not too hot where it would be uncomfortable.
Second, give them a good brushing! You’ll want to make sure you get rid of any tangles or matted areas before getting them in the tub.
This is because it becomes even more difficult to get rid of these after they are damp. So brushing them after their bath will be more work than if you had done it before.
The last point isn’t required but definitely recommended.
Tire them out! Take them for a nice long walk or a run in the park to help them get rid of their pent up energy. This will make it so they have less energy to be a pain in the bum during their bath which makes your job as the bather, just a little bit easier.
Now let’s look at tips for during the bath.
Not every dog enjoys bath time, so be prepared for a possible struggle. Go ahead and grab three towels:
- Put one towel on the floor beside the tub to prevent slipping and for when it’s time to get out.
- Keep your dog from shaking water everywhere and drenching you by draping the second towel over the wet dog between rinses.
- Use the third towel for drying. If your doggo is an adult, you may want to use an extra-large towel or have a fourth towel nearby.
Follow these helpful tips for the easiest and best way to wash your dog:
- Make sure the shampoo you’re using is pH formulated for your dog and not for humans.
- Stock a bathing station with shampoo, towels, and everything else you may use during the bath.
- *Optional* Place a piece of cotton in each of your dog’s ears to keep water from getting in.
- Brush your dog before the bath to work out mats and tangles before water mats it down worse.
- Put a piece of steel wool in the drain hole to catch excess dog hair before it clogs your drain.
- If your dog tends to wiggle too much or dart away, use their leash.
- Let the water run to get warm but not too hot. Think of a temperature that you’d wash a baby in, warm enough so they aren’t freezing but not too hot where it’s uncomfortable.
- Wet your dog thoroughly, all the way down to the skin.
- Begin shampooing starting at their neck and gently work your way down their entire dog body including the tail and paws.
- Lather up suds around the base of the dog’s skull to keep fleas or ticks from running into the ears.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly. (very important that you’ve rinsed all the shampoo off)
- Move your doggo out of the tub and onto the towel you’ve placed on the floor to dry them off completely. Using a hair dryer designed for dogs is optional but can be a big help.
- Clean up by unplugging the drain and taking out the cotton from your dog’s ears.
And voila! You have a clean, lovely smelling pooch again!
FAQ
What’s The Best Brush For An Australian Shepherd?
Since australian shepherds have a long thick coat, it’s best to use a slicker brush and pay close attention to detangling/dematting their fur.
We looked at over 30 different slicker brushes and felt the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is a great option for a low maintenance brushing.
In total we analyzed over 100 different brushes and narrowed a list down to the best 28 brushes that you can check out here if you want to see more options.
Do Australian Shepherds Need Conditioner?
Put simply, no. It’s obviously an added bonus because it helps make their coat just that much more soft and cuddly. But, by no means do they need to use a conditioner.
If you’d like to condition your pup a great option would be the Warren London Hydrating Butter.
This leave-in conditioner doesn’t leave your dog oily like some leave-in conditioners do while helping nourish dry skin and leaving a lovely scent. Not to mention making them as soft as a cloud!
Final Thoughts
That concludes our list of the best shampoo for australian shepherd. We hope you’ve found it useful and made your search for a great shampoo for your pup a little bit easier.
We’re confident that if you choose any of the shampoos we’ve listed above your doggo will be tail waggin’ happy after they’re squeaky clean.
Happy bathing!
Other posts you might be interested in:
Top 8 Best Beds for Australian Shepherds | Features and Benefits
12 Best Harnesses for Australian Shepherds
Top 10 Best Dog Brushes For Australian Shepherds – A Definitive Guide