What Is The Best Smelling Dog Shampoo? (Updated 2019)

As much as you love your dog, there’s no doubt that sometimes they downright stink! I know when my dog smells, it is time for a bath immediately. There is no reason for me to put up with that!

Unfortunately, not all shampoos are able to get rid of the smell. Some simply mask the smell with artificial fragrances, and the end result is even worse than where you started!

The best smelling dog shampoo not only gives your dog a fresh scent but will also have odor fighting power that erases the origin of the smell. Let’s take a look.

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How To Choose The Right Dog Shampoo

When it’s time to clean your dog, you want to make sure you choose a great smelling dog shampoo that will get them clean and leave them happy!

There are hundreds of dog shampoos available, however, so how can you choose the right one? When you’re looking for the best smelling dog shampoo that will end stinky dogs, there are a few key things that you need to look for.

The Right pH Level

One of the reasons that dog’s smell is because the pH level of their coat and skin is out of balance due to dirt, bacteria, and more.

The shampoo you use on your dog should help to restore their pH level. Look for a shampoo that has a pH around 7 in most cases.

Has A Good Scent

It’s always nice when the shampoo itself smells good and leaves behind a gentle scent that is not too overwhelming!

While this luxury is more for dog owners than for the dogs themselves, choosing a dog shampoo that has a scent you like is important when you’re trying to improve how your dog smells. This scent will usually hold on for a few days, so it’s a great idea to choose a scent that you like.

Make sure that you choose products that have natural scents, including (but not limited to):

These natural scents will not bother your dog’s nose or respiratory system, and they can even help to repel bugs!

Eliminates Odors

Not only does the shampoo itself need to leave behind a great smell, but it also needs to eliminate the stink that your dog’s coat is carrying! Just covering up the smell is not enough to make a big improvement.

Look for shampoos that have ingredients which will absorb odors and then carry them off of your dog’s coat. You want to make sure that the shampoo is taking the odor off of your dog, not just masking it. Aromatherapy shampoos are a great choice!

Doesn’t Cause Skin Sensitivity

Another important thing to check out is whether or not the shampoo that you are considering has caused sensitive dog skin to be inflamed or itchy.

Every dog is different, but some ingredients can cause irritation that will make your dog scratch so much that it might actually hurt them!

Looking for all-natural formulas with good reviews is a great way to ensure that you don’t accidentally irritate your dog’s skin. You should also make sure the shampoo is free from common allergens such as phthalate, paraben, and alcohol.

Final Note About Washing Your Dog

Remember that your dog does not need to be shampooed every time that they are washed!

You should only wash most dogs with shampoo once per month. Between these shampoo treatments, you can simply wash your dog with warm water to carry away dirt and other things that have gotten on to them.

If you wash them more often than that, you will strip natural, beneficial oils away from their skin!

Here’s a quick video on how to wash your dog at home:

Top 5 Best Smelling Dog Shampoo

1. Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo

Via Amazon.com

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One of the best smelling dog shampoos out there is the Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo from Earthbath. This shampoo is all-natural and cruelty-free, which I love! I think that my favorite thing about this shampoo, however, is the almond and vanilla scent. It’s not too overwhelmin but does a great job at eliminating odors and leaving a nice scent behind.

Pros
Soap-freeAll natural Nice vanilla & almond scent Oatmeal absorbs odors Aloe soothes skin NO: DEA, parabens, phosphates, synthetic dyes, or perfumes Biodegradable

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Cons
Allergic reactions in some dogs with very sensitive skin Doesn’t prevent dandruff Shampoo scent is very faint, not strong enough for some owners

2. Aromatherapy Shampoo & Conditioner For Pets Dog Shampoo

Via Amazon.com

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This is another great shampoo for dogs that has oatmeal and aloe vera as a base formula. The oatmeal removes odors, and the aloe vera soothes the skin! I love that this has a very strong lavender and chamomile scent which can help de-stress you and your dog! Plus, this dog shampoo is pH balanced!

Pros
Oatmeal helps to remove any odors Lavender and chamomile are soothing scents pH balanced Dye-free 100% biodegradable and earth friendly Paraben-free & Dye-free

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Cons
Not tear-free Not for sensitive skin Have to use a lot of product Smell wears off quickly

3. Dog Shampoo - Premium All Natural Grooming 3-in-1 Formula With Oatmeal and Neem

Via Amazon.com

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Next up is an awesome 3-in-1 formula from I Love My Dog! This shampoo is formulated with oatmeal and neem. Neem is a tree that has antifungal and insect-fighting properties, so this is a great thing to use on dirty dogs! The oatmeal also helps to absorb any smells.

My favorite thing about this shampoo is how long the smell lasts after using it! The nice smell lingers, leaving your dog fresh for days to come - no matter what they get into!

Pros
Long-lasting smell Shampoo/conditioner combo product Natural insect repellent (neem) in the product Lathers easily Removes odor easily Leaves no residue

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Cons
Strong, lasting scent may bother some dogs Shampoo can expire Orange scent isn’t for everyone Sensitive dogs may be bothered by this shampoo

4. Cloud Star Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo + Conditioner - Lavender and Mint

Via Amazon.com

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The next shampoo we should discuss is a very popular one! The Lavender And Mint 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner combination from Buddy Wash is known to have a great scent. The combination of lavender and mint is a very natural, lasting smell that dog owners love - especially in comparison to their smelly dogs before washing!

Pros
Soothing smell that is not too overwhelming Alcohol free Coconut-based formula moisturizes the dog’s skin Leaves coat very soft Eliminates odors Good for sensitive skin; helps prevent bald patches

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Cons
Very thick formula, can be diluted with water to make easier to use Causes some dogs to be itchy (possibly due to the mint) Very strong odors will not be eliminated in just one wash

5. Bubbas Groovy Bath Ultra Oatmeal Dog Shampoo-Conditioner

Via Amazon.com

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The last shampoo on our list today is the Ultra Oatmeal Pet Shampoo from Groovy Bath. This shampoo is so nice. It’s very gentle on the dog’s skin, and it has a very faint cherry scent that I love. On top of that, it is formulated with oatmeal which means it can help to get rid of tough smells that you can’t seem to get rid of.

While washing with this shampoo, you can actually see your dog getting cleaner as you wash, which is a huge plus for those with dirty dogs! It’s just so satisfying.

Pros
Smells great Formulated with oatmeal which helps eliminate smells Feels very clean after washing Leaves behind shiny coat Lathers well and rinses very easily

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Cons
Some dogs very itchy after use They do not disclose full ingredients list, which can be a problem for sensitive dogs or dogs with allergies (“proprietary natural ingredients that we do not disclose”) Cherry smell very strong while washing; fades to a nice faint smell afterward

Conclusion

And that’s that! The best smelling dog shampoo is one that will not only smell great while bathing your dog but one that will also eliminate odor causing bacteria causing your dog to stink.

The best shampoo here without a doubt is the Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo. The oatmeal in this formula absorbs bad smells, the aloe soothes your pet’s skin, and the pH is perfectly balanced to keep their coat healthy and clean.