Best Dry Dog Shampoos for Stress-Free Bath Time
There are times when a bath for your dog just isn’t in the cards. Maybe your pup isn’t a fan and you’re not ready to spend 20 minutes fending off wet escape attempts. Maybe you just want a little sprucing between grooming appointments. Or maybe you’re on the go, short on time, or otherwise ill-equipped for the undertaking. That’s where dry shampoo for dogs comes in.
A popular solution for pet parents everywhere, dry shampoo for dogs is especially helpful for pups who have anxiety about water or can’t sit still for a bath. It’s also great for dogs who are injured or just out of surgery, since dry shampooing non-sensitive areas can help them freshen up or spot clean without using water.
Best for Heavy-Duty Cleaning
Mighty Mutt No-Rinse Waterless Foam Shampoo
Advertised as “perfect for a quick and easy deep clean,” this foaming shampoo from Mighty Mutt was our go-to choice after Koda the Bernese Mountain Dog went for an impromptu evening roll in mud. Koda was quite proud of her new look, but we certainly weren’t letting her back in the house without giving Might Mutt a go. For this job, we lathered with abandon for a deep clean. The foam was very effective at cleaning and left her with a fresh scent that she may not have enjoyed, but we found much improved.
Mighty Mutt made quick work of a dirty mess, which is great for pups who spend a lot of time outdoors and are inevitably bound to get into something stinky or grimy. Perhaps best of all, Mighty Mutt contains no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or dyes, and is advertised as anti-itch. Given that Koda has skin sensitivities, this was a good choice for her predicament.
Handles a messy coat with no need for a real bath
Some reviewers note it can be a little sticky, especially if not brushed out
Amazon: Mighty Mutt No-Rinse Waterless Foam Shampoo
Vet’s Best Waterless Dog Bath
Vet’s Best is another great option for pets with sensitive skin. It’s made with aloe vera, oatmeal, and Neem oil to prevent itching, and it can be used after applying flea and tick preventative, as long as you wait 24 hours. We tested this product on Koda the Bermese Mountain Dog and found that of all the dry shampoos we tested, this one gave her the shiniest, glossiest coat. She looked like she just came out of an actual bath!
Scent has been reported to be strong and a bit musky
Amazon: Vet’s Best Waterless Dog Bath
Paw Choice Naturals Foaming Mousse Dry Dog Shampoo
This dry shampoo has a pleasant smell and foams into a nice lather on thick coats. Since it’s formulated with sensitive-skin pups in mind, we selected Koda as our prime tester.
Koda started with a clean coat (no mud or obvious dirty spots), but she hadn’t had a bath recently. We applied a moderate amount, and then brushed her out and gave her a quick towel dry. The fragrance was fresh but not overwhelming, and it helped to bring out some of the shine in Koda’s coat.
With its long-lasting properties, this dry dog shampoo could be useful for pups who are injured, just out of surgery, or who detest bath time. We did find, however, that too much lather can leave the fur a little greasy, so a little bit definitely goes a long way. In fact, even with a thick coat of fur and an 85-pound dog, this 7.2-ounce bottle is good for at least five full shampoos.
A little bit goes a long way
Leaves a light residue, if you put on a heavy application
Amazon: Paw Choice Naturals Foaming Mousse Dry Dog Shampoo
Best for a Quick Freshen-Up
Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo for Dogs
This spray-on waterless shampoo is made with 97% natural ingredients, including eucalyptus and honey, that we found left our pets’ coats shiny and nicely scented. Like many dry shampoos for dogs, Burt’s Bees is PH-balanced to help moisturize your dog’s skin, and it’s paraben-free.
We tested this easy spray-on shampoo on Lab-Hound mix Hershey—doing a full-body spray on his dry coat. After spraying the top of Hershey’s coat, we rubbed the spray in to make sure it penetrated his undercoat, then did a light brush. From start to finish, this took only a few minutes, and Hershey came away with a fresh scent (pleasant but not overwhelming) and shiny coat. We’d definitely recommend this product for a quick freshen-up between groomings —but it might not be the best shampoo for really dirty coats.
Great for a freshen-up, but may not be up to the task for a dirty coat
Amazon: Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo for Dogs
Bodhi Dog Premium Lavender Waterless Shampoo
We tested this dry shampoo on Sabine the Doodle because we were interested to see the differences between a spray and a foam shampoo for her poodle coat. The lavender scent of this shampoo is mild but very pleasant—definitely not overwhelming.
We gave Sabine a thorough, full-coat spray and then let her sit for a minute before towel-drying her and giving her a light brush. The brush really brought out the shine in her coat. The spray was easy to use and will probably be a go-to freshen-up in our household moving forward.
Bodhi dry dog shampoo is available in three different scents: lavender, oatmeal, or lemongrass. This waterless shampoo is hypoallergenic and formulated for dogs with sensitive skin. It’s completely free of detergents, alcohol, parabens, and sulfates, which makes it safe for puppies and pregnant dogs.
Great for a freshen-up, but may not be up to the task for a dirty coat
Amazon: Bodhi Dog Premium Lavender Waterless Shampoo
Best for Long-Haired Dogs
Begley’s Waterless Pet Shampoo
Begley’s Waterless Pet Shampoo is a no-rinse hypoallergenic shampoo. It’s all-natural and free from harsh additives and comes in a few scents: tea tree, oatmeal mango, lavender, and citrus. It’s meant to be sprayed liberally over your dog’s coat, then wiped with a wet washcloth.
Opting for the tea tree scent, we tested this spray shampoo on a long, thick coat. Unlike when we tested the other foaming shampoos outdoors, we spritzed Koda right in the kitchen with no issues—the scent was pleasant but did not linger on her fur or in the house. It also gave her the most thorough clean of all the spray shampoos we tested, making it a great alternative for dogs who hate taking baths. Some reviewers, however, have stated that they wished the scent was a little stronger to cover their more aromatic pups.
Best shine for spray-type shampoo
Provides most thorough clean of all spray shampoos tested
Scent is reported to be mild and not odorizing
Amazon: Begley’s Waterless Pet Shampoo
Wahl No Rinse Waterless Dog Shampoo
This vegan and hypoallergenic dry shampoo from Wahl offers gentle cleaning and deodorizing with a strong emphasis on hydration—making it a nice option for dry skin and winter months. It’s one of the gentler options we tested, with a light smell that lasted about twelve hours and no residue to speak of.
This plant derived oatmeal & coconut lime verbena scented waterless shampoo is great for cleansing, conditioning, detangling, & moisturizing animals; the oatmeal formula moisturizes dry itchy skin.
Vegan, hypoallergenic, and paraben- and sulfate-free
Great for a freshen-up, but may not be up to the task for a dirty coat
Amazon: Wahl No Rinse Waterless Dog Shampoo
Is Dry Shampoo Safe for Dogs?
Most dry dog shampoos are safe for frequent use, and how often you use them is entirely up to you and your dog’s needs. Some are even designed to help with sensitive or itchy skin and can provide relief from seasonal allergies—so you don’t need to worry about drying out your pup’s coat.
Dry dog shampoo comes in foams, sprays, and powders. What type of product you choose will depend on your specific situation. For example, if you have a pup who doesn’t like to be sprayed, then you may want to opt for a powder shampoo. For mucky hikes and backpacking trips, a heavy-duty foaming mousse could be a more appropriate option.
The most important safety concern? Buying dog-specific products, since dry shampoos for humans aren’t formulated with your pet in mind and shouldn’t be considered for your dog. Some dry dog shampoos also leave behind a light residue and scent, so it’s a good idea to make sure your dog (and you!) can tolerate both before you make waterless baths a regular activity.
