What shampoo should I use to bathe my dog?

If your dog does not have allergies or is prone to skin infections, you can use a pretty basic shampoo. I typically look for something that does not have a fragrance. It may be nice for our dogs to smell like apples and lavender, but they probably don't want to smell that way, and smell is pretty important to dogs. I like an aloe and oatmeal shampoo in most situations, but a medicated shampoo can be beneficial for dogs with skin issues or chronic problems.

It depends on the situation. In general, my favorite shampoo for general cleansing purposes is an oatmeal shampoo. Realize we see a lot of dogs with allergies. I like the oatmeal because it does have a little bit of an anti-itch benefit. It's not potent, and it's not going to linger for days and days by any means. It's going to provide very short-term relief for itching. But an oatmeal shampoo, which we offer and have available at our clinics, is an aloe and oatmeal shampoo. The aloe, of course, is a skin moisturizer. So they're getting the moisturizer from the aloe and a bit of an anti-itch benefit from the oatmeal. That makes a great combination. If your dog has skin issues, it really depends on the skin issues. We see many dogs with bacterial and/or yeast infections, and we have a medicated shampoo for those situations. Again, it depends on the purpose, but my general go-to all-purpose shampoo is an aloe and oatmeal shampoo. I really like that combination.

Use general dog bathing shampoos and conditioners made specifically for dogs. Avoid using human shampoos or baby shampoos as they are not pH balanced for dogs. You can find a variety of good shampoos and conditioners at pet stores or online.

We recommend using any oatmeal-based shampoo. Get your dog wet, apply the shampoo, lather them up, and rinse them off, ensuring there's no shampoo left. Make sure you clean between the toes, both the front and back side, under the carriage, and around the face. Avoid the eyes and use a washcloth to clean around the face.