What’s the best shampoo for golden retrievers?
This is a question you may be asking yourself if you have one of these gorgeous dogs. In this article, we give you in-depth reviews of a selection of dog shampoos so that you can choose the most suitable brand for your pup.
The golden retriever is a popular choice of pet around the world. In the US alone, the golden retriever’s looks and loyal, friendly personality have made him number 3 on the most popular dog charts, according to the American Kennel Club!
Grooming your golden retriever
Part of the golden retriever’s appeal is his gorgeous, lustrous coat. To keep your dog’s coat and skin in good condition, proper grooming is essential, especially when he’s shedding!
Take a look at our article on how to groom your golden retriever for the full lowdown on how to care for your dog’s crowning glory!
Should you bathe your golden retriever?
Part of your regular grooming regimen will include bathing your golden retriever.
Bathing is important to keep your retriever smelling sweet – yes, they can develop a very strong, doggy odor and regular baths help to control the bacteria that can cause the pong.
Baths help to remove dead skin and prevent matting, which can be a problem in longer haired breeds such as golden retrievers.
Bathing can be important for flea and tick control, and it can also be a veterinary recommendation if your dog has a chronic skin condition.
How often does your golden retriever need a bath?
The frequency of your pet’s baths will depend on him!
The more time your retriever spends playing outside, the more likely he is to get dirty and need a bath.
If you intend to show your golden retriever, he’ll probably need bathing before every competition.
If your dog has a skin condition he may need bathing more regularly.
The answer to the question really does depend on the individual dog. However, it’s not usually necessary to bathe your golden retriever more frequently than once every couple of months.
Too many baths can strip the natural moisturizing oils from your dog’s skin and coat, leaving him vulnerable to dry, itchy skin and doggy dandruff!
DIY or dog groomer?
When it comes to bathing and shampooing your golden retriever, you have two options:
- Do the job yourself
- Hire a professional dog groomer
It’s definitely cheaper to shampoo and groom your dog yourself, rather than using an expensive grooming service.
Also, some dogs (even friendly retrievers) don’t take kindly to being washed and shampooed by a total stranger. If your furry friend falls into this group, he will enjoy the experience of being bathed and shampooed much more if you do it yourself.
Bathing your dog is a great way of developing the bond between you and can also be fun, if rather messy!
If you think your dog may become over excited and boisterous in the tub, you may be better choosing to bath him outside in your backyard. There are lots of dog baths that are suitable for outdoor use- check out our guide to see them.
Best shampoo for golden retrievers: Things to consider
There are number of things to consider when choosing the best shampoo for golden retrievers.
Unless your golden retriever has a specific skin condition for which your vet recommends a particular product, look for golden retriever shampoo that contains:
- Vitamin E
- Oatmeal
Both these ingredients are great for promoting supple and healthy skin, leading to a healthier coat, too.
Remember that your golden retriever’s coat is long and wavy. Although both these qualities undoubtedly add to his appeal, they can make his coat prone to tangles and mats. To help ease away tangles, choose a shampoo for golden retrievers that also contains conditioner.
Conditioning your dog’s coat as part of his shampooing procedure will make it much easier for you to brush and comb your pup when he’s dry. Remember, knots and tangles will cause the hair to pull your dog’s skin when you comb him, potentially making the experience unpleasant for both of you!
Best shampoo for golden retrievers
Here are a few of the best dog shampoos for golden retrievers that we’ve found. All these products are Amazon best sellers, receiving good reviews from purchasers.
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Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo. We like this product because it’s made from all-natural ingredients and contains no chemicals that could irritate your golden retriever’s skin. Even the shampoo bottle is biodegradable, adding to the eco-friendly appeal of this product.
Earthbath offer a wide range of different formulations to meet different needs, including sensitive skin, dry and itchy skin as well as a tearless shampoo. We think that the tearless version would be the best puppy shampoo for a golden retriever.
If you want your golden retriever’s coat to really shine, choose the shampoo and conditioner formula for brightening dull coats and removing tangles.
None of Earthbath’s products are tested on animals.
Pet Care Sciences 5-in-1 Dog Wash. This shampoo is made from soothing palm and coconut oil and is regarded as a professional-grade dog shampoo.
The product is described as 5-in-1 because it does 5 things!
- Cleans
- Conditions
- Moisturizes
- Detangles
- Deodorizes
We like this shampoo because it contains no phosphate, parabens, or sulfate, making it gentle on your golden retriever’s skin. Also, the multi-purpose nature of the shampoo means that you will only ever need to buy one product, making it a very cost-effective choice.
Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Pet Wash Shampoo. This is a golden retriever shampoo that’s good for sensitive skin. If you’re looking for the best shampoo and conditioner for golden retriever, this product fulfills that criteria.
The shampoo contains organic ingredients including aloe vera, vitamin E, and almond oil. If your dog has an allergy to flea bites, grass, and other irritants, you may find that this product is very soothing to the skin. It’s also very effective at shifting doggy dandruff! In fact, many vets recommend this golden retriever shampoo.
Burt’s Bees for Dogs All-Natural Tearless 2 in 1 Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner. This is our tip for best shampoo for golden retriever puppies.
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The mild, pH balanced shampoo contains all natural ingredients, including buttermilk and linseed oil, which cleans, conditions, and softens the puppy’s coat. The veterinary-recommended product contains no fragrances, colorants, sulfates, or harsh chemicals, making it 100% safe to use on a puppy’s delicate skin.
Makondo Pets Dog Whitening Shampoo. If you have a golden retriever with a light coat, you might want to use a shampoo that will accentuate this, especially if you plan to take him to dog shows. This is a specially formulated shampoo for use on coats that are white or light-colored.
This product is strong enough to have the desired lightening effect, without resorting to using sulfate, parabens, or other harsh chemicals. Instead, natural ingredients are used to make the shampoo, including tea tree oil, peppermint, lemon fruit, sage, aloe vera, and rosemary, resulting in a rich shampoo that’s sympathetic enough for safe use on dogs with sensitive skin.
Best shampoo for golden retrievers
The best shampoo for golden retrievers is clearly the one that leaves your dog’s coat clean, shiny, lustrous, and tangle-free while moisturizing his skin.
However, every dog is different, and if your pup has a skin condition or specific allergies, you may need to ask your vet for advice when choosing a shampoo for your golden retriever.
If you have a golden retriever and bathe him often, why not tell us what shampoo you use?
Perhaps you could recommend a super product that we’ve not discovered yet!
Share your golden retriever’s bath time story in the comments section below!
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