Best Shampoo for Goldendoodles

Best Shampoo for Goldendoodles

Pet hair care is nearly just as essential as our own personal hair care options. Think about it, when we shop for our own shampoo and conditioner needs, we consider our hair type as well as what we want to accomplish with the product.

For humans, we can find shampoo designed specifically for curls, frizz, moisture, color, repair, and so much more. There are thousands of options out there. When it comes to bathing your Goldendoodle, the choice is just as important.

Goldendoodles have thick hair with a lot of tight curls due to their Poodle genetics. Their nonshedding hair requires more specific care than a dog that sheds. You should choose your shampoo wisely in order to take the best care of their hair and skin since it doesn’t shed. The difference between soft Goldendoodle hair and coarse Goldendoodle hair is in the shampoo that you choose.

We know there are tons of options out there. That’s why we’re coming to you with our top picks for the best shampoo for Goldendoodle options on the market. In this guide, we will share complete reviews of our favorite options and let you know just why they made the list.

The 9 Best Shampoos for Goldendoodles

The following reviews will contain descriptive information about the products we’ve chosen. We will also share the pros and cons of each product to give you a deeper insight into why these are the best shampoos for a Goldendoodle.

Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo & Conditioner — Best Value

Weight: 32 ounces
Age: Adult
Special Ingredients: Oatmeal, soap-free

Sold in 16- or 32-ounce bottles, Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo & Conditioner is our choice for the best shampoo for Goldendoodles for the money. Goldendoodles with sensitive skin that love playtime in the yard, no matter the weather, will benefit from this soap-free and deodorizing formula.

Nature’s Miracle is designed to soothe dry and irritated skin without affecting topical flea and tick treatments. The oatmeal contained in the recipe helps hydrate and heal damaged skin while cleaning your dog’s fur.

Nature's Miracle Supreme Odor Control Oatmeal Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Oatmeal Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

This two-in-one shampoo and conditioner contains a honey sage scent that may be too strong for dog owners with sensitivities to smell.

Pros
  • Soothes dry, irritated skin
  • Honey sage scent
  • Doesn’t interfere with topical flea treatments
  • Soap-free
  • Two-in-one shampoo and conditioner
  • Deodorizes
  • Contains oatmeal
Cons
  • The scent is too strong for sensitive noses

Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo — Best Overall

Weight: 16 ounces
Age: All life stages
Special Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera, soap-free, paraben-free, phosphate-free

Finding the right shampoo for your Goldendoodle is vital, especially when considering that skin conditions are relatively common in their parent breeds, the Poodle and Golden Retriever. Some of the best dog shampoos on the market include colloidal oatmeal in their ingredients list because it has antioxidant and inflammatory properties to help with irritation, dryness, and flaking. Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is the 1st place best overall shampoo for Goldendoodles because it will leave your dog feeling like it’s had a real spa experience.

Hepper oatmeal pet shampoo green background
Hepper oatmeal pet shampoo green background

A dog’s pH level is more neutral than a human’s, and you have to be careful when picking the right shampoo. Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is gentle, using natural ingredients like aloe vera, which will soothe and nourish your dog’s skin. There aren’t any hidden, nasty surprises like synthetic dyes, soap, gluten, sulfates, phthalates, or DEA that will irritate your Goldendoodle’s skin.

It isn’t the least expensive shampoo on the market, but investing in your dog’s health is always worth it. Not only will it keep your dog happier and healthier, but you can also use it on your other pets.

Pros
  • Uses safe, natural ingredients
  • Soothes and nourishes dry, irritated skin
  • No hidden nasty ingredients
  • pH balanced perfectly for your dog
Cons
  • More expensive than some other shampoo options

Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo — Best for Puppies

Weight: 16 ounces
Age: Puppy
Special Ingredients: Buttermilk, honey

Formulated with younger dogs in mind, Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo is the best shampoo for Goldendoodle puppies. It’s pH balanced to make it perfectly suited for canines of all ages and 97% natural to avoid drying out their skin.

Buttermilk and honey help soothe, soften, and moisturize sensitive skin to reduce redness and dandruff. The natural ingredients also support the growth of healthy hair and don’t interfere with flea and tick treatments. Burt’s Bees uses a tearless formula to make bath time more comfortable for your puppy.

Burt's Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk for Dogs
Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk for Dogs

Unlike some other products, this one doesn’t contain any fragrances. While it is soft on sensitive noses, some doggy owners have mentioned that it doesn’t help make the puppy smell clean. It also has a watery consistency that some people find difficult to use.

Pros
  • Buttermilk
  • pH balanced
  • Honey
  • 97% natural
  • Moisturizes skin
  • Doesn’t wash away flea and tick treatments
Cons
  • No fragrances to help puppies smell fresh
  • Watery consistency

Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo — Premium Choice

Weight: 16 ounces
Age: Puppy, adult
Special Ingredients: Oatmeal, tea tree oil

If you’re happy spending a little more on your Goldendoodle, the Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo is slightly more expensive than some other options on this list, but it’s formulated by veterinarians and is designed to soothe sensitive skin and leave your mucky dog smelling clean.

Vet's Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs
Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs

The natural ingredients — oatmeal, d-limonene, and tea tree oil — work to heal and alleviate itching from both allergies and sensitive skin. It also leaves flea and tick treatments alone so your dog remains safe from pests.

While this shampoo can be used on puppies, it’s unsuitable for dogs less than 12 weeks old. Some owners have also reported that their dogs had moderate to severe allergic reactions to this product.

Pros
  • Soothes sensitive skin
  • Contains oatmeal
  • Formulated by veterinarians
  • Doesn’t affect topical flea and tick treatments
Cons
  • Not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks
  • Can cause allergic reactions in some dogs

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo

Weight: 16 ounces
Age: Adult, puppies over 6 weeks
Special Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera, soap-free, paraben-free, phosphate-free

Another great shampoo for Goldendoodles is the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo. Free from soap, parabens, and phosphates, Earthbath is 100% biodegradable and formulated for sensitive skin. For families with felines, this option is also safe for cats over 6 weeks old.

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo

The mix of oatmeal and aloe helps moisturize and heal dry, itchy, and damaged skin, while the vanilla and almond scent keeps your Goldendoodle smelling fresh. It also doesn’t wash off the effects of topical flea treatments, making sure your dog stays protected.

While some people enjoy the vanilla and almond scent, the fragrance can be too strong for some dogs and owners.

Pros
  • Moisturizes fur
  • Oatmeal and aloe vera
  • Soap-free
  • Vanilla and almond scent
  • Doesn’t interfere with topical flea treatments
  • 100% biodegradable
  • Safe for cats
Cons
  • Fragrance can be too strong for sensitive noses

Healthy Breeds Goldendoodle Oatmeal Shampoo

Weight: 16 ounces
Age: Puppy, adult, senior
Special Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera and vitamins

This hypoallergenic formulation is designed for itchy, dry and sensitive skins. It is gentle enough to be used regularly and safe to use with topical flea preparations. It is pH balanced to be suitable for dog’s skin and is soap free.

It has a great pina colada scent and will leave your doodles coat clean, smooth and manageable. A little goes a long way and the shampoo rinses away cleanly leaving no residue. The emollients attract water to the coat and skin helping to moisturize and the oatmeal and aloe vera are soothing.

Healthy Breeds Goldendoodle Oatmeal Aloe Dog Shampoo
Healthy Breeds Goldendoodle Oatmeal Aloe Dog Shampoo

This is a vitamin rich shampoo that contains a range of natural ingredients such as coconut and almond oil for skin and coat health.

Some owners reported the fragrance didn’t last very long but that it was very nice.

Pros
  • Conditions skin and fur
  • Lathers well
  • Hypoallergenic formulation
Cons
  • Smell doesn’t last long
  • Not recommended for puppies less than 16 weeks

John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Shampoo

Weight: 16 ounces
Age: Adult
Special Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera

For Goldendoodles with particularly sensitive skin, the John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Shampoo is designed to remove dirt without drying out the skin. The formula contains both oatmeal and aloe vera to help heal the damage caused by dryness and moisturize to protect against future issues. It also contains sweet almond oil to condition your dog’s fur.

With a cruelty-free production, John Paul Pet is also safe for multi-pet households so your cat can benefit from the relief from sensitive skin too. It can even be used on horses.

John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Dog & Cat Shampoo
John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Dog & Cat Shampoo

While the almond scent is designed to keep your Goldendoodle smelling clean and fresh, some users dislike the strong smell. This shampoo also doesn’t soften fur and can leave your dog’s coat feeling coarse.

Pros
  • Oatmeal and aloe vera
  • Cruelty-free
  • Safe for cats and horses
  • Moisturizes dry skin
  • Sweet almond oil conditions fur
Cons
  • Some users dislike the almond scent
  • Doesn’t soften fur

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

Weight: 16 ounces
Age: Adult
Special Ingredients: Coconut, aloe vera, lavender, mint, soap-free

Whether you have a full-grown Goldendoodle or an energetic puppy, the Buddy Wash Shampoo & Conditioner is designed to be gentle on sensitive skin. It uses aloe vera and a coconut-based formula to alleviate discomfort caused by regular bathing. Since it’s a two-in-one bottle of both shampoo and conditioner, you don’t have to worry about buying separate bottles for all of your dog grooming needs.

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

This formula doesn’t use soap, making it suitable for more frequent washes when your Goldendoodle is in the mood for mischief. As a cruelty-free option, it’s also not tested on animals.

The recipe contains lavender and mint extracts to make bathing more fun and relaxing; however, some sensitive noses — both human and canine — can find the fragrance overpowering. It also doesn’t repel fleas, despite the lavender content.

With no moisturizing qualities, it’s not one of the gentlest options for sensitive skin and can cause dandruff for some dogs.

Pros
  • Soap-free
  • Contains aloe vera and coconut
  • Cruelty-free
  • Lavender and mint extracts
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Safe for puppies
Cons
  • Fragrance can be too strong for sensitive noses
  • Can cause dandruff for some dogs

Zesty Paws Itch Soother Shampoo

Weight: 16 ounces
Age: Adult
Special Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera

The Zesty Paws Itch Soother Shampoo is suitable for all breeds and fur types, whether they have long, short, straight, or wiry hair. While it can be difficult to find a shampoo specifically designed for Goldendoodles, this option covers all the possibilities when it comes to your dog’s fur type.

Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera
Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera

Since Goldendoodles are prone to sensitive skin, Zesty Paws uses oatmeal and aloe vera to help keep their fur hydrated to reduce the irritation caused by itchy, dry skin. The included vitamin E also helps support your dog’s skin and coat health, while the vanilla bean extract keeps them smelling clean.

Despite being formulated to soothe sensitive skin, this Zesty Paws shampoo isn’t hypoallergenic. Some users have mentioned that it doesn’t lather easily and has a lingering, fish-oil odor.

Pros
  • Moisturizes dry skin
  • Oatmeal and aloe vera
  • Vitamin E supports healthy skin
  • Suitable for all breeds and fur types
  • Vanilla bean extract
  • Gentle on sensitive skin
Cons
  • Not hypoallergenic
  • Doesn’t lather
  • Smells like fish oil

Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Shampoo For Goldendoodles

As you might have noticed, none of the products on our list was designed for Goldendoodles exclusively. This is because, as mentioned, Goldendoodles’ coats can vary considerably depending on the parent they take the most after. As a result, due to those differences, it is not feasible to create a universal product for Goldendoodles.

Nevertheless, all Goldendoodles come with sensitive skin, which is why we gave priority to shampoos that are gentle on the skin while still giving a thorough cleanse.

However, your dog is an individual, meaning that it has unique needs. Moreover, you might also have preferences. To help you make an informed choice, consider the following factors when looking for the best shampoo for your Goldendoodle:

Health Problems

Some dog shampoos are designed to help alleviate certain skin and coat conditions. Therefore, depending on the skin or coat condition your pooch might be suffering from, you might want either one of the following for them:

Dander Control Shampoos

A dander control shampoo is vital for people with dog allergies, as it is designed to remove dead skin (dander) from a dog’s coat, thus ensuring that your pet does not leave dander all over the house.

Dander is what typically contains the allergens that most people are allergic to. While most Goldendoodles are allergy-friendly, you should consider using a dander control shampoo if your pet triggers allergic reactions.

Anti-Bacterial/Anti-Fungal Shampoos

These shampoos help treat skin conditions resulting from the increased production of yeast and bacteria on a dog’s skin. This issue is prevalent during summer or in areas with hot and humid climates. However, you might require a doctor’s prescription to buy an antibacterial dog shampoo.

Sensitive Skin Shampoos

As mentioned, Goldendoodles have sensitive skin. Therefore, make sure that the shampoo you use is meant for sensitive skin. These shampoos typically come with ingredients such as aloe and oatmeal to help soothe the skin. Additionally, they do not contain dye, soap, parabens, and other skin irritants.

Calming Shampoos

If your dog has a nervous disposition, a calming shampoo can go a long way in helping them to relax. These shampoos contain calming ingredients such as lavender and tea tree oil. Calming shampoos are also a great option for dogs that are afraid of baths.

Itch and Redness Treatment Shampoos

Dogs with sensitive skins, such as Goldendoodles, sometimes suffer from itchiness and redness due to their curly coats trapping dirt, debris, fleas, mites, and ticks. Itch and redness treatment shampoos help remove dirt and parasites, in addition to soothing and calming the irritated skin.

Skin & Coat Health Shampoos

These shampoos come in handy when you are looking to hydrate itchy, flaky skin or to restore softness and shine to a dry coat. Additionally, skin and coat health shampoos are also effective at counteracting the damaging effects of low-quality shampoos.

Purpose

Dog shampoos can also be categorized according to function. Therefore, depending on your needs, you might want to consider the following:

Waterless Shampoos

These shampoos are ideal for dogs that do not like being washed. As their name suggests, waterless shampoos can be used without water being present; simply rub the shampoo on your pup’s coat and they are good to go. Waterless shampoos also come in handy when looking to clean your dog in a hurry.

Deodorizing Shampoos

If your pup has a propensity for picking up less than appealing smells, a deodorizing shampoo can do them a lot of good. The fragrance in these shampoos helps to neutralize odor, leaving your dog smelling wonderful.

However, they cannot be used by themselves, as they serve no other purpose other than to neutralize odors. Moreover, some get their fragrance from artificial ingredients, which might irritate your dog’s skin. Therefore, make sure that a deodorizing shampoo states that it is either natural or organic before picking it.

Chemicals

Dog shampoos contain several chemicals for various purposes. However, most of those chemicals are bad for a Goldendoodle, as they irritate the dog’s sensitive skin. Some of the chemicals to watch out for include:

  • Sulfate
  • Synthetic or artificial colors and fragrances
  • Preservatives such as formaldehyde and paraben

Unfortunately, some manufacturers do not indicate all the ingredients in their formula, including the chemicals used. This is why you are advised to only use certified organic products from trusted brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Goldendoodles need special shampoo?

All dogs are individuals, and so the type of shampoo to best suit your Goldie is one that will suit their highly individual needs. While we can take some cues from the breed of the dog (and hence the type of hair they have), it may be that a formula that works very well on one is utterly terrible for another. The best thing to do is start with a smaller bottle of a product with good reviews and simply see what happens.

How do you keep a Goldendoodle from smelling?

A slight doggy smell is a fact of life for pet parents. While you can do your best to keep them clean and well-groomed (pay special attention to anything that gets trapped in their coat), dogs are going to smell like dogs. There are a few things you can do between baths to keep them fresher. However, if you are noticing a thoroughly foul stench, this could indicate an underlying health condition, and you should speak to your vet.

Can you use human shampoo on Goldendoodles?

It may seem harmless to use your own shampoo on your pup if you suddenly find that you have run out. However, people shampoo and canine shampoo have completely different formulas. This is because our skin is slightly more acidic than dogs’ skin. So anything created for us will have a drying effect when used on a pet. The exception here is SOME baby blends that are pH balanced.

How often should Goldendoodles be bathed?

Unless they are the type of dog to frequently find and roll in something nasty, you shouldn’t really be bathing your Goldendoodle more than once a month. While regular bathing is okay for people, it can all too easily strip essential oils and moisture from your pet’s coat, making it dry and damaged and irritating their skin.

What is the best shampoo for Goldendoodles?

While we chose Buddy Wash’s Lavender and Mint shampoo, the truth is there is no best answer to this question. While you might strike it lucky with this great product, you might also have to shop around a bit to find one that perfectly suits your pet’s coat. For instance, longer or curlier-haired hounds might require a super-strength detangler, while outdoor-loving pups will probably benefit from a deeper cleaning or odor-eliminating formula.

Final Thoughts

Where your Goldendoodle is concerned, the best shampoos are gentle and use natural ingredients. Our best recommendation is the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo, which uses a blend of oatmeal and aloe vera to heal and moisturize your dog’s skin. The Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Shampoo & Conditioner is an affordable, two-in-one alternative that can keep your Goldendoodle clean and smelling fresh.

We hope that these reviews helped you to find the best shampoo for your sensitive Goldendoodle.

Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.