Best Dog Shampoo for Odor

Your dog has a problem, an odor problem and some people can not stand to have a smelly dog, that wet dog smell for most people is just unbearable. Let’s not mince words – your best friend stinks, which is why in this guide we are going to introduce you to the best dog shampoo for odor.

Hopefully, by the end of this review, your dog will be smelling fresh and that wet dog smell will be a thing of the past.

Our dogs can get their noses into some messy situations, and when they do regular dog shampoo doesn’t always cut it so to keep your dog smelling great, sometimes you need a dog shampoo.

Sometimes people just don’t like that natural dog smell, and although we can’t completely get rid of their natural smell, we can give it a good go with some great dog shampoos designed especially with odor control in mind.

So we have provided you with our top five picks below, and we’ve also picked a winner at the end!

Best Dog Shampoo for Odor: Solutions for Odor Control

Before we get too far into our discussion, we should probably make sure that giving our dog a bath will actually resolve the problem.

There are many potential causes of dog odor, and even the best-rated dog shampoo for odor won’t help if the source of the problem is related to a health issue.

Try to pinpoint the exact cause of the odor.

Sometimes a Bath Won’t Help…

Flatulence is obviously a problem that isn’t going to be helped by a bath.

A little passed gas now and then isn’t cause for concern, but if you’re noticing an unusual frequency, you may want to look for an underlying cause. It may indicate a health problem or the need for a change in diet.

Impacted or infected anal glands may also be a cause of the persistent odor.

If you suspect that this may be a problem, consult a veterinary professional. Don’t take matters into your own hands.

Check for bad breath. Chronic canine halitosis could be a sign that your doggie needs some dental care, but it might also indicate a serious health problem.

Yeast and bacterial infections, particularly on the paw pads and ears can be another source of bad odors and are best treated with a combination of targeted cleaning and diet.

A skin infection may cause odor, and whilst a shampoo might help, it may not treat the underlying cause.

A skin infection will also present with inflammation and possibly hair loss in the affected area.

But Sometimes it Will!

If the bad odor seems to be an “all over” problem, or if it is something new, it could mean your best friend rolled in something he/she shouldn’t have or is just otherwise dirty.

If that’s the case, then a bath is definitely in order.

It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that your four-legged friend might need to bathe—how many days can you go without a shower before you start smelling a little funky?

Just remember, your dog’s bathing needs aren’t going to be the same as yours.

Experts recommend bathing your dog, at a minimum, once every three months – but not more than once every other week. Bathing him/her too often can cause dryness and irritation, and will strip away natural oils that promote a healthy coat.

Several factors will determine the bathing frequency.

Long-haired dogs will probably need a shampoo more often than short-haired dogs. Outdoor dogs will naturally get dirtier—and smellier—than those who stay inside most of the time.

Why You Need a Shampoo Designed Just for Dogs

Most shampoos work by breaking up the naturally occurring oils in the hair and on the skin, where dirt, grime, and smelly bacteria tend to collect. The resulting lather binds to these oils and carries them away when we rinse.

Many formulas include a fragrance, and some also have ingredients that moisturize to promote hair health.

Humans and dogs have different needs when it comes to shampoo. Our hair and skin are not the same.

Healthy human skin has a pH of about 5.5, which is slightly acidic, while dog skin ranges from 6.5 to 7.5.

Put simply, a human shampoo product will dry out a dog’s skin, and that might actually cause an odor problem to worsen.

A generic pet shampoo may well be safe to be used on dogs but its always better to opt for a well designed dog shampoo over a pet shampoo and avoid any potential harsh chemicals that could cause issues like dry skin or irritated skin.

How the Best Odor-Control Shampoos for Dogs Work

Dog shampoos for odor control work by first killing the smell-causing bacteria on hair and skin and breaking up the oil residue. Then they add something to make your dog smell fresh and clean.

Coconut oil and oatmeal are natural cleansing ingredients found in many products. Oatmeal is a common ingredient in soaps for both humans and animals and is believed to promote skin health.

Some believe that the carbohydrates in oatmeal-based shampoos may “feed” yeast organisms present on a dog’s skin, worsening an existing skin condition. However, there is little evidence to support this claim.

Generally, an oatmeal shampoo will be quite soothing for a dog and will reduce irritation to the skin. But if an oatmeal shampoo is not for you then an aloe vera based shampoo could be the way to go.

Aloe vera is a great ingredient to look out for, especially organic natural aloe vera as it is great for the skin for both human and dog alike.

Some shampoos contain salicylic acid, which acts as an antibacterial, and strips away dry, crusty skin, which can cause itchiness. If no skin condition is present, you probably won’t need a medicated shampoo.

Many shampoos are infused with herbal extracts and oils such as lavender, tea tree oil, vanilla, rosemary.

These primarily serve as fragrance, though some have additional beneficial properties.

Tea tree oil is also sometimes recommended as an alternative to salicylic acid in the treatment of skin conditions, but it is not as effective.

Tea tree oil may be used as a fragrance, but concentration should not exceed 1%.

What Does “Paraben Free” Mean and Why is This Important?

You’ll see the words “Paraben free” on a lot of products. Parabens are a class of preservatives that have been widely used in cosmetic products for many years, and which may accelerate the growth of some types of cancer.

While they are considered safe for use by the FDA, many people choose to avoid products containing them for themselves and their four-legged friends. My advice would be to do some research and then make an informed decision yourself before using any shampoo with controversial ingredients or suspected harsh chemicals.

Recap

These are all great products, and the specific needs of your pet are going to be a more critical factor in determining your choice.

However, on the basis of effectiveness in eliminating and controlling odor, and overall value, the best dog shampoo for odor, in our opinion is Pet Head Dirty Talk Deodorizing Shampoo.

Dirty Talk seems to consistently conquer the worst odor problems and will have your dog smelling fresh.

To us, Dirty Talk is one of the best smelling dog shampoos for odor.

Bottom line, if your best friend has an odor problem, it’s your problem too, and ignoring it won’t make it go away.

Check out all the products on this list and read the reviews, paying attention to what works best for dogs like yours—breed, size, activity level, allergies, and existing skin conditions.

If you’ve had an experience with any of these products that you want to share or have a suggestion that didn’t make the list, be sure to share!