Getting your dog to take a bath can be a thankless task. Just the mere mention of the word “bath” can have him hiding away under the table and planting himself firmly on the ground.
To save yourself the headache of wrestling with your dog every time he’s a little stinky or if he’s had a toileting accident, you might find that waterless dog shampoo almost replaces your dog as your new best friend!
(Don’t worry… we said almost!)
What is the Best Waterless Dog Shampoo?
Let’s find out!
Sit back and take a look at the best waterless shampoos for dogs. We’ve done all the hard work to help you make your choice, and we had plenty of fun with our four-legged friends in order to bring you the selection of the best shampoos for dogs.
#1: Paw Choice Naturals Waterless Foaming Mousse Dog Shampoo
Lavender and chamomile are two of the most soothing scents around, so we loved this foam shampoo immediately because the scent alone was divine.
Taking a look at the ingredients we saw a coconut-derived formula that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that would be irritating to your dog s skin.
It was really easy to use, and we loved that it foamed up into a foam shampoo that covered a large area of our test dog s coat with just a small amount. It was gentle not only only on our dog s skin but on ours, too, and left everywhere smelling fresh and clean, and the dog, too!
There was no need to rinse off any lasting residue and no need to dry our dog off with a towel either.
Pros:
- Gives a generous foam with only a small amount, allowing for greater coverage without using too much of this no-rinse shampoo.
- Smells gorgeous without being overwhelmingly strong or pungent.
- Lavender and chamomile are such relaxing fragrances that there was simply none of the normal stress of a bath for our pet.
- Left no sticky or greasy reside on either our hands or our dog s coat.
- Very quick to air dry, so no use for towels.
- Very high customer ratings across the board, even on amazon com.
Cons:
- Not all the ingredients are natural ingredients so be sure to check the label, especially if your dog has sensitive skin.
- Doesn’t cover the scent of urine, so probably not good for a pet with incontinence.
#2: Four Paws Magic Coat Gentle Tearless No-Rinse with Aloe Vera Puppy Shampoo
We loved the sound of this waterless shampoo, and not just because it made sure our puppy would be tearless through the experience. It’s because we were really intrigued by the aloe vera.
On checking the ingredients, we were also very pleased to see it’s paraben-free and alcohol-free which is always best, even if your pet doesn’t have sensitive skin.
The scent of baby powder was lovely and lasted long after we’d given our dog his waterless bath, and we’d be happy to use this waterless shampoo just as a freshness boost even if our dog s coat wasn’t in need of a bath.
Pros:
- This foam waterless shampoo for dogs was an easy way to get our puppy smelling like a newborn baby, thanks to the gorgeous baby powder scent.
- No parabens, and alcohol free, making for some very happy pet owners.
- Natural ingredients like aloe vera means the cleaning is gentle on the dog s skin, so can be used whenever needed.
- Made in the USA
- Perfect for dogs of all ages.
Cons:
- The overall clean effect doesn’t last very long, although the pleasant scent stays.
#3: BioSilk Therapy Deep Moisture Waterless Dog Shampoo Spray
We felt like we were giving our dog the best waterless dog bath of his life with this luxurious waterless shampoo!
It comes in a spray bottle so it doesn’t make a foam-like the previous two products we tested, although many owners prefer not to use foaming shampoos because they always feel the need to rinse the foam away, even though there’s no need to rinse foam with any waterless dog shampoos.
With active ingredients like silk protein, soy protein, and even oatmeal, we felt our canine pal was getting a good, deep clean even with this waterless shampoo. There’s also aloe vera, almond oil, and vitamin E in the formula, to give maximum care to the dog s skin and coat.
With the foam, we knew how much to use, but with the spray, it can be hard to gauge the amount you need and we had to towel off some of the excess moisture, but we really didn’t mind when we knew just how good this ph-balanced formula was for our dog s coat and skin.
This is also one of the very few waterless dog shampoos that allow for use with topical flea control products.
Pros:
- Packed full of ingredients to give your dog that just-been-to-the-spa feeling.
- Enriches the dog s coat and skin without parabens.
- Moisturizes the skin as it cleans your pet.
- Made in the USA.
- PH Balanced to keep your mind at rest.
Cons:
- It can be hard to know how much to use the first time around so you may have to dry off your dog with a towel after use.
- The smell was strong and quite overpowering.
#4: Ark Naturals Don’t Worry Don’t Rinse Me Waterless Dog & Cat Shampoo
We were pleased to see that this is can be used as both a dog shampoo and a cat shampoo, so it’s good for looking after the whole menagerie.
We know that cats don’t need baths like dogs do as they bathe themselves, but just in case a little spot cleaning is needed, this is perfect for use as a cat shampoo.
The pump dispensed a gorgeous smelling foam, which isn’t surprising given that this shampoo contains balsam, cedarwood, rosemary and orange oils. We were tempted to use this one on ourselves once we were done!
Pros:
- Safe to use on both cats and dogs, which means not having to buy two kinds of grooming products.
- Smells absolutely divine, thanks to an abundance of essential oil ingredients.
- A good amount of foam produced with just one pump, allowing for good coverage.
Cons:
- Contains quite a few chemicals, including alcohol.
- Oil-based rather than water-based so left the coat a little greasy.
#5: Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo with Apple & Honey for Dogs
We always love a bit of Burt’s Bees and couldn’t wait to try this ph-balanced dog shampoo. By now our pooch was getting used to all these waterless baths!
This is a gentle waterless shampoo with apple and honey that will help to keep a dog s coat and skin moisturized, strengthening hair follicles as it goes. This formula also contains eucalyptus which is perfect for those especially stinky dogs.
This shampoo didn’t air dry so we did need to use a towel to make sure our pet was completely dry but his skin and coat looked very healthy afterwards and the smell was gorgeous.
We always welcome pet brands who are committed to being cruelty-free and Burt’s Bees never lets us down.
Pros:
- This shampoo made our dog s coat gleam, thanks to the honey and beeswax ingredients.
- Excellent for quickly cleaning off muddy paws with one or two squirts of the spray bottle.
- PH balanced, ideal for sensitive skin.
- Eucalyptus is a great help for getting rid of odors.
- A pet brand that’s cruelty-free.
Cons
- The smell wears off rather quickly
Faq: Here are some questions and Answers You might want to know.
What is Waterless Dog Shampoo?
First of all, Waterless Dog Shampoo isn’t to be confused with dry shampoo!
Dry shampoo can be a girl’s best friend, perfect to keep in a purse for a night out, especially when heading out for drinks or dinner straight from work with little warning.
The problem is that dry shampoo is usually administered with an aerosol and contains powders and clays that we humans can wash out at the end of the night, but a dog can’t!
Waterless shampoos are so-called because they don’t require any water when you use them on your pet, but they do contain water in their ingredients. It just means that you can rub a waterless shampoo into your pet’s coat with no need for any rinsing!
Does Dry Dog Shampoo Work?
There are some dry dog shampoo options out there on the market that will temporarily restore the shine of your dog’s coat and surely leave him smelling great, but that’s about all a dry shampoo will do.
Dry shampoo is made with starchy powders and other clay-like materials that trip the moisture from a dog’s coat, and can clog up the sebaceous glands. This can lead to a build up of sebum, which leaves your dog’s coat greasy and starting to smell.
The other problem with dry shampoo is that it contains a lot of harsh chemicals to get the desired effect, albeit short term. Waterless dog shampoos are much kinder on your dog’s coat and especially on your dog s skin.
A dry shampoo might be all right for a human but they really shouldn’t be used on dogs at all. Be sure to learn the difference between a dry shampoo and a waterless shampoo, and leave the dry dog shampoos alone and stick with waterless dog shampoos.
How does Waterless Shampoo Work?
No more having to lift your pooch into the bath because he’s rubbed up against something icky.
The way to use waterless shampoo is to apply some to the area you want to clean. Some waterless shampoos quickly become foamy, and others stay in liquid form so either way, rub the substance into your dog’s coat to clean the desired area.
Once you’ve rubbed the shampoos in, you can either let your dog dry naturally or dry him with a clean towel. Either way, you’ll find your dog smelling fresh again in no time without having to give him a full bath.
Who Should Use Waterless Shampoos?
Dogs don’t need to go through bath time as often as humans do, but they do get stinky from time to time. Their natural oils and scents need freshening up so any responsible dog owner knows the importance of a dog bath.
Waterless shampoo shouldn’t replace bath time completely, because all dogs need a good scrubbing once in a while to really get them squeaky clean. But waterless dog shampoo can be a vital addition to a dog owner’s kit, especially for small accidents that don’t require a full bath.
Some dogs hate water and are terrified to have a bath so rather than putting your furry friend through the trauma of a regular bath time, use a waterless shampoo to help keep your dog smelling fresh without the need for doggy therapy.
As older and more infirm an owner becomes, it can be harder for them to lift their dog into the bath, so once again waterless shampoos come to the rescue.
Not only that but as your pet becomes older and more infirm himself, having a good scrub with a waterless shampoo will leave him feeling fresh and smelling like a puppy again without the extra stress on his joints by wrestling with him in the bath.
There are times after operations or accidents that baths are strictly forbidden, on the vet’s orders. This is why you’ll always find a vet s best waterless shampoos recommendation if you ask your local veterinary practice for their opinion or help.
Show Dogs Never Leave the House Without It!
Just as plenty of women won’t leave the house without their trusty can of dry shampoo, show dog owners won’t make their way to the circuit without their waterless dog shampoo!
It can rescue all manner of mishaps, from a little pre-game nervous diarrhea, to the huge number of sticky hands who just love to stroke your adorable pet as he gets ready to strut his stuff. A little spot cleaning with waterless shampoo will help your dog s coat will look good as new.
Is Waterless Shampoo Good For Dogs?
As we learned when taking a look at dry shampoo, we can see that just because something might give the desired effect for a little while, it doesn’t mean that it’s good to use on your pet.
Waterless shampoos, however, are specially formulated to be kind to your dog’s skin. Many of them contain aloe vera, ginger extract, neem oil, and other natural ingredients that are not the only kind to your dog s skin but can help add nutrients to his doggy coat.
Just as you would with any new products, always check the list of ingredients to see what they contain. To avoid dry skin, choose grooming products that are ph balanced, alcohol-free, and contain no harsh chemicals that could leave your canine companion with dry, itchy skin.
Check customer rating reviews online at places like amazon com and other sellers to see what others have to say about the best waterless shampoos in their opinion.
How Often Should I Use Waterless Shampoos for Dogs?
No dog should go without a good bath for longer than three months, but that’s the maximum time recommended by experts. As one trusted website says, “we should wash our dogs when they are no longer huggable.”
And yet, we shouldn’t bathe our dogs too often, either. Frequent baths can strip the excess oil from your dog s coat and do more harm than good.
The best thing to do is to strike a balance. Giving your dog a bath once a month is about right, and in the meantime, freshen him up once or twice with a waterless shampoo for dogs because let’s face it, your pooch should always be huggable!
Be sure not to use a waterless dog shampoo or bathe your dog at all around the time that you give your dog his topical flea control products application. A vet s best advice is that you should always give three days before and three days after topical flea control products application before using any products on your dog s skin and coat.
Conclusion
So, which shampoo for dogs is the Best Waterless Dog Shampoo Overall?
This was a fun test to find out the best waterless shampoo for dogs but in our opinion, the winner is:
Paw Choice Naturals Waterless Foaming Mousse Dog Shampoo, Lavender and Chamomile
We just loved the calming lavender and chamomile scent, and that it dried quickly without the need for towels, meaning it would be perfect for on-the-go spot cleaning.
Our dog was calm and settled with the scent, there was no lasting skin redness or itching after use, and every pet and person in the house slept like a dream thanks for the relaxing fragrance.
The foam brands were much easier to apply overall, and they needed much less product to clean a larger area.
We were very impressed with all of these waterless shampoos for dogs products, and it was truly a tough task to pick a winner! The good thing is that they all have high customer rating scores so you’re sure to find a brand that works for you.
The days of baths might not be over for your canine friend but they can certainly breathe a little when you use waterless dog shampoos to keep them smelling fresh without having to wrestle them under a shower head or garden hose.
Pick up a few bottles of this great shampoo so that you qualify for free shipping. You won’t regret it!
Don’t forget: never use dry shampoo on your dog. Waterless shampoos are always best!
