If you have the energy to wrestle your furry friend into the tub for a proper bath, these organic dog shampoos are the cleanest around.
Table of Contents
- Dermagic Organic Shampoo Bars for Dogs
- Dr. Harvey’s Organic Hypoallergenic Herbal Shampoo for Dogs (and cats)
- Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
- Cloud Star Pet Buddy Wash 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner for Dogs
- Only Natural Pet Pure & Clean Gentle Grooming Shampoo
- Balance 4 Dogs Botanical Hair & Fur Organic Shampoo
- Earthbath Totally Natural Pet Care Dog & Cat Shampoo
My now ten-year-old dog has always hated baths and the sheer chaos that ensues means I haven’t braved the ordeal in years. Thank goodness for the ocean and rain.
That said, researching the best dog shampoos and conditioners does have me reconsidering my approach. So, once I am able to get the twelve extra pairs of hands needed to make bath time possible, these are the shampoos I’ll be employing. Many are made with certified organic ingredients, all are free from nasty chemicals, and they’re all far more eco-friendly and pup-friendly than conventional shampoos you’re likely to find at the pet store.
Even better, these are all available at Only Natural Pet, the first pet food and treat company in North America to become a Certified B Corporation!
Quick note: I’ve given a lot of 5-leaf scores in this round-up. This is a reflection of the ‘clean’ ingredients lists for these products, meaning they’re safe for pups and for the environment. With the exception of Dermagic, which is by far the most eco-friendly of the bunch, the 5-leaf scores are not granted on the basis of the companies’ records on recycled packaging and so forth as there’s a lot to do in this sector on that front!
Dermagic Organic Shampoo Bars for Dogs
Highlights: The best dog shampoo bar with organic ingredients, no harsh chemicals, a great smell, and eco-friendly packaging.
$11.99 for 3.5 oz.
Dermagic make a variety of organic shampoo bars for dogs, and these bars are super easy to use even for the wriggliest of pups. Great lather action, no harsh chemicals, meaning no sulfates, and easy to rinse, shampoo soap bars are a great choice if an anxious or exuberant pup has led to a serious shampoo spill in the past.
One 3.5 oz bar shampoo will easily outlast a 16 oz liquid shampoo, and like shampoo bars for humans, these Dermagic Organic Shampoo Bars for dogs help cut down on emissions and plastic.
Dermagic make the bars in the Pacific Northwest using certified organic ingredients. And they plant a tree for every 10 bars sold!
Options include:
- Peppermint & Tea Tree Oil
- Skin Rescue
- Flea Bar (with diatomaceous earth)
- Sensitive Skin
- Chamomile and Sage.
The bars have a range of ingredients, most of which are certified organic and all of which are natural and safe.
The typical base ingredients include: Saponified coconut,* Olive,* Castor,* Sunflower,* Jojoba,* and Rice Bran Oils,* Cocoa Butter,* Essential Oil. (* denotes Certified Organic ingredient). Some of the bars contain aloe vera to help soothe skin irritation.
To use, douse your dog with water, lather up, then rinse right away. Dermagic recommend limiting bath time to no more than twice a month.
Dr. Harvey’s Organic Hypoallergenic Herbal Shampoo for Dogs (and cats)
Highlights: Puppy-safe organic shampoo with no synthetic ingredients and suitable for cats and dogs, especially if prone to allergy or with sensitive skin.
$17.99 for 16 oz
Dr. Harvey’s herbal shampoo is perfect for super sensitive canines and cats. It is eco-friendly and safe for waterways with no detergents, sulfates, synthetic preservatives or fragrances, or other harsh chemicals. All of the company’s skincare products are made with human-grade ingredients and feature organic herbs while being free from SLS, DEA, and parabens. This shampoo is suitable for outdoor use, is made in the USA, and is not tested on animals.
To use, shake the bottle, wet your pup with warm water, and then apply a generous amount of the shampoo. Massage into your dog’s fur, avoiding eyes and ears (do their head last as doing it first will just make them shake and cause a giant mess). Rinse with cool, clear water.
Ingredients – Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Aloe Vera, Vegetable Glycerine, Organic Chamomile Extract, Organic Stinging Nettles Extract, Organic Sage Extract, Organic Calendula Extract, Organic Hops Extract, St. John’s Wort Extract, Horsetail Extract, Lavender Oil, Organic Rosemary Extract
Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
Highlights: Year-round natural shampoo offering a safe, effective way to deter fleas and ticks, even for puppies and kittens.
$14.99 for 13 oz.
Only Natural Pet’s EasyDefense Flea & Tick Shampoo uses the power of geraniol and peppermint extracts to keep pesky fleas and ticks at bay. The oils bind with your dog or cat’s fur to help provide protection between baths.
There are no synthetic pesticides, DEET, pyrethrins, or SLS/SLES in this shampoo, just natural ingredients that support a shiny, healthy coat and protection from ticks and fleas.
This shampoo is made in France, and can be used on pets four months and older. To use, douse your dog or cat and apply the shampoo down their back. Massage it all over their fur, paws included (good luck!). Avoid, eyes, nose, inside the ears and other sensitive areas. Leave for two minutes, then add water and lather again. Rinse until water runs clear.
Active Ingredients
Geraniol 0.9%
Peppermint Oil 0.2%
Inert Ingredients – Soap (from Potassium Olivate and Laurus Nobilis Fruit Oil Soap and Potassium Cocoate Soap), Water, Wheat Oil 98.9%
Cloud Star Pet Buddy Wash 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner for Dogs
Highlights: Available in Lavender & Mint, or Green Tea & Bergamot, Cloud Star Pet Buddy Shampoo and Conditioner is a 2-in-1 soap-free solution to give your dog the full spa treatment.
$10.49 for 16 oz.
Cloud Star Buddy Wash Pet Shampoo is made in the USA from natural ingredients including botanical extracts. This soap-free shampoo and conditioner is a great 2-in-1 that saves you time and helps sooth, heal, and moisturize your pup’s coat.
There’s no harsh alcohols or other chemicals in this formula, just a pH balances treatment perfect for sensitive souls/skin. It is safe for puppies, comes in recyclable packaging, and features wheat protein extract as a natural deodorizing agent.
Ingredients: Coconut shampoo base, aloe vera gel, essence of lavender, essence of mint, chamomile extract, sage extract, nettles extract, rosemary extract, wheat protein extract (natural deodorizing agent), tea tree oil, vitamin E, vitamin C.
Only Natural Pet Pure & Clean Gentle Grooming Shampoo
Highlights: All-natural, plant-based dog shampoo with colloidal oatmeal and jojoba and no harsh chemicals from a certified B Corp.
$12.99 for 12 oz.
Only Natural Pet Pure & Clean Grooming Shampoo is made with natural ingredients that are human-grade and plant-based. This formula includes essential botanical oils, is pH balanced, and is detergent-free, meaning it is also tear-free and won’t interfere with flea and tick treatments.
You won’t find any sulfates, parabens, phosphates, DEA, or synthetic perfumes in this formula, but you will find green tea and mandarin orange essential oil scent, so your pup smells fantastic and ready to snuggle (once they’re dry). This formula is also certified Cruelty-Free by Caring Consumer and is made in the USA.
To use, douse your dog with warm water, apply the shampoo and gently massage from head to tail. Rinse thoroughly.
INGREDIENTS – Filtered Water, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate (from coconut and sunflower oil), Colloidal Oatmeal, Glycerin, Kelp Serum, Aloe Vera Gel, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Xanthan Gum (thickener), Rosemary Oil (preservative), blend of Mandarin and Green Tea Essential Oils
Balance 4 Dogs Botanical Hair & Fur Organic Shampoo
Highlights: These five varieties of vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, organic shampoo are suitable for pups, cats, and humans! Free from detergents, sulfates, and parabens, they instead contain USDA certified organic ingredients to keep fur/hair shiny and sleek.
$16.49 for 8 oz.
Made in the USA, Balance organic dog shampoo contains essential oils and other ingredients that are certified USDA Organic. These include aloe vera juice, saponified oils of olive and cocoa, and botanical oils. All ingredients are natural and biodegradable.
To use, wet hair/fur and lather in a few pumps of shampoo. Let the lather sit on the hair for a minute before rinsing well.
Available as: Escape (Cedarwood Blend), Exhale (Peppermint Blend), Pause (Lavender Blend), Rejuvenate (Sweet Orange Blend), and Restore (Aloe Blend).
Ingredients (Escape, Exhale, Pause, Rejuvenate): Aloe Vera juice, suponofied oils of olive and cocoa, and a blend of botanical essential oils.
Ingredients (Restore): Aloe juice, coconut oil, potassium hydroxide, xanthan gum, Acacia powder, sunflower oil, rosemary extract, tocopherol, rice bran extract, olive oil, jojoba oil.
Earthbath Totally Natural Pet Care Dog & Cat Shampoo
Highlights: Safe for puppies after 6 weeks, this soap-free shampoo is made with 100% biodegradable and natural ingredients and is gentle and effective.
$13.49 for 16 oz.
Earthbath Shampoos are made in the USA and include a variety of ingredients tailored to your dog’s particular needs. Whether you’re looking to soothe irritated skin, restore shine, bring out the lightness of your dog’s coat, or just get your pup clean from a seriously muddy adventure, these shampoos are a great choice. They’re free from harsh chemicals and are available as:
Ingredients:
- Eucalyptus & Peppermint Shampoo – Purified water, renewable coconut-based cleansers, eucalyptus & peppermint essences, olive oil squalene (natural preservative)
- Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo – Purified water, extra-mild renewable coconut- based cleansers, aloe vera, xanthan gum, olive oil squalene (natural preservative)
- Light Color Coat Brightener Shampoo – Purified water, renewable coconut-based cleansers, optical brighteners, essence of lavender, olive oil squalene (natural preservative)
- Mango Tango Shampoo & Conditioner in One – Purified water, renewable coconut-based cleansers, gentle-conditioning agent, aloe vera, mango essence, olive oil squalene (natural preservative)
- Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo – Purified water, renewable coconut-based cleansers, colloidal oatmeal (3%), aloe vera, almond and vanilla essences, olive oil squalene (natural preservative)
- Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Vera Shampoo – Purified water, renewable coconut-based cleansers, aloe vera, xanthan gum, melaleuca oil (tea tree), olive oil squalene (natural preservative)