A deliciously scented dog shampoo brings the pampered pooch experience full circle. Sure, the priority should be getting coats clean, especially for stinky pups prone to rolls in smelly spots. But there’s no reason bath time can’t be a blissfully aromatic adventure too! The right fragrance transforms grooming from basic hygiene to spa-like luxury.
When it comes to dog shampoo, the scent possibilities span basic soap freshness to complex perfumery. Choosing the perfect match means considering skin type, desired strength and longevity balanced with your own olfactory tastes. Do you dig light citrus or woody oriental? Sweet gourmand or sporty musk? There’s a tail-wagger out there for every sniffer.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through an expertly curated collection of the best smelling dog shampoos available from top brands. We’ll sniff out which notes and formulas rise above to leave coats magnificently scented long after the last rinse. Prepare for clean coats and happy noses all around!
This deep cleansing dog shampoo from TropiClean features a delightful berry and coconut scent. It is formulated with natural ingredients like oatmeal, aloe, and coconut to gently cleanse your dog’s coat while leaving it smelling fresh. The shampoo is made in the USA and is safe for use on cats too.
We love the sweet berry and coconut scent of this shampoo. The natural ingredients cleanse your pup thoroughly without stripping their coat of essential oils. It’s a great choice for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies too. The made in the USA stamp gives pet parents peace of mind about quality and safety standards.
This Pawfume shampoo and conditioner set features a floral royal lavender scent. The tear-free formula is hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for dogs with sensitivities. It contains probiotics and essential nutrients to leave your pup’s coat clean, soft, hydrated and smelling fresh.
This shampoo and conditioner duo packs a aromatherapeutic punch. We love the soothing lavender fragrance that lingers beautifully on your pup’s coat between washes. The hypoallergenic formula is gentle enough for frequent use on sensitive skin too. It’s a great value to get both products and the matching scents.
This OUAI Fur Bébé shampoo infuses your pup’s coat with the brand’s signature Mercer Street scent blend of Italian bergamot, violet leaf and cedar wood. The creamy formula cleanses, hydrates and adds shine while leaving behind a fresh, chic fragrance.
We adore the unique Mercer Street fragrance in this shampoo – it’s a gorgeous blend of citrus, flowers and woods. The formula feels rich and luxe, perfect for pampered pups. It rinses out easily while imparting some nice conditioning benefits. Definitely a top contender for best smelling dog shampoo.
This limited edition Hempz PETZ shampoo features a juicy blend of pineapple and honeydew melon. The soap-free formula cleanses gently while adding moisture to soothe dry, itchy skin. It’s hypoallergenic making it ideal for sensitive pets prone to allergies.
We can’t get enough of the sweet, fruity scent of this shampoo! It smells just like a tropical smoothie blend. The formula is very gentle and soothing – perfect for frequent bathing of pets with allergies or skin issues. It leaves coats touchably soft and healthy-looking while smelling delicious.
This Arm & Hammer deodorizing shampoo harnesses the odor fighting power of baking soda to combat doggie odors. Infused with a sweet Kiwi Blossom fragrance, it cleanses away dirt and smells while leaving your pup scented fresh for weeks after washing.
We love seeing the proven odor eliminating ability of Arm & Hammer baking soda in a dog shampoo. The kiwi blossom fragrance is a nice, sweet touch that smells fresher than citrus scents. As an extra strength deodorizer, it does a great job making stinky pups smell their best again.
WAHL uses an oatmeal formula infused with coconut lime and verbena in this shampoo tailored for dogs with dry, irritated skin. Colloidal oatmeal helps relieve itchiness and soothe sensitivities while the tropical fragrance leaves coats smelling divine.
We love the soothing and smoothing properties of oatmeal amplified by lush coconut and bright citrus notes in this shampoo. It smells like a tropical vacation in a bottle! The formula is gentle enough for frequent use but also really effectively battles itch, flakes and irritation.
BioSilk Silk Therapy Puppy Tearless Shampoo is formulated just for puppies but works beautifully on dogs of all breeds and coat types. It has a light white ginger scent and cleans gently without irritating eyes. Silk proteins help strengthen hair follicles for a healthy, voluminous coat.
We adore how this shampoo nourishes coats and skin with the power of silk proteins for fuller, healthier hair growth. And the scent is to die for – like a creamy ginger cookie. It’s gentle enough to use frequently from puppy-hood into adulthood for strong, sweetly scented coats year after year.
Baby Fresh Dog Shampoo features a comforting baby powder fragrance designed to evoke puppy-hood. This formula battles odor while leaving coats clean andStatic deodorizing with this soft, soothing scent. It’s a top groomer pick for neutralizing odors in between baths too.
Some scents are just timeless classics – like the sweet smell of baby powder that takes us back. We love how a spritz of this shampoo fills the bath time air with that soft, comforting fragrance. And it clings nicely to coats between washes keeping pups cuddle-ably scent-sational.
This WAHL odor control shampoo taps into the purifying properties of eucalyptus and crispness of spearmint to combat pet odors. The soap-free formula gently lifts dirt, oil and smells from coats while infusing a strong, spa-like aroma.
We absolutely love the aromatic pairing of medicinal eucalyptus and garden-fresh spearmint in this shampoo. It smells like a fancy spa in the best possible way! The formula is very effective at removing embedded odors without irritating sensitive skin. And the huge bottle ensures great value for grooming multiple pets.
This Lillian Ruff waterless dry shampoo offers mess and hassle-free cleaning between baths. Just mist and massage in for dirt and odor absorption with delightful citrus essential oils to leave coats fresh. It won’t strip natural oils so safe for dry and sensitive skin.
We adore the convenience of a dry shampoo specially formulated for dogs to freshen up coats between regular washes. And this one has an irresistible citrusy aroma for extra sensory delight. It absorbs oil and odors effectively while acting as a conditioning leave-in spray that makes brush outs easier.
This Fresh ‘n Clean dog shampoo lives up to its name with a light, soapy floral fragrance. Enriched with vitamins and conditioners, the formula cleans coats while leaving them touchably soft with a healthy looking sheen and lingering fresh scent.
This shampoofeatures a perfectly balanced clean floral scent – not too perfume-y or overpowering. We love the way it leaves coats looking vibrantly healthy with extra softness and sheen. The price is very affordable for the value too, making it a great staple shampoo to keep pets looking and smelling their best.
Trusted by professional groomers, Nature’s Specialties Smelly Pet shampoo deeply cleanses coats while leaving behind a fresh botanical fragrance. A highly concentrated formula means a little goes a long way for effectively beating odors and keeping pets smelling lovely for weeks.
This shampoo is a powerful problem-solver for extra smelly pets with its professional grade odor eliminator. We love how concentrated it is yet still rinses out easily without residue. And the fresh botanical fragrance imparts a nice lasting clean richness. Definitely one of the best for conquering bad pet smells!
Hempz deodorizing shampoo mixes zesty orange with sweet red raspberry for a fruity fusion. Powerful natural odor neutralizers get rid of stink while gentle cleansers remove dirt and buildup. Vitamin E and fatty acids from hemp seed oil nourish skin leaving coats soft, fresh and delicious smelling.
We absolutely love the mouthwatering fruity fragrance of sunripened oranges and raspberries in this shampoo. It smells juicy, sweet and refreshing! The hemp oil gives it nice skin conditioning qualities while lifting away grime and smells extremely effectively. Overall, a fantastic formula and aroma for clean, happy pups.
This Wags & Wiggles deodorizing shampoo features antioxidant-rich super berries like blueberry, cranberry and pomegranate blended into a sweet fruity fragrance. As it lifts away dirt, oils and odors, it leaves coats fresh, silky soft and deliciously scented.
This is one of our absolute favorite scented dog shampoos – it smells good enough to drink! We adore the sweet, tangy berry scent and how effectively it tackles tough odors while conditioning coats.
This Veterinary Formula Solutions shampoo is specially formulated to cleanse white dog coats gently yet thoroughly. A fresh floral scent deodorizes and brightens dull coats while the soap-free formula with oat proteins ensures safe and effective stain removal.
We love how effectively this shampoo tackles discoloration and yellowing on white fur – restoring coats to their brightest without irritants. The fresh floral bouquet provides a delicate lift while oat proteins smooth the cuticle. It’s a fantastic maintenance product for keeping white dogs looking and smelling pristine.
Product | Features |
---|---|
TropiClean Berry & Coconut | Natural ingredients, made in USA |
Pawfume Royal Lavender | Hypoallergenic, tear-free |
OUAI Fur Bébé Mercer Street | Creamy luxe formula, unique scent |
Hempz PETZ Sweet Pineapple | Soap-free, moisturizing |
Arm & Hammer Kiwi Blossom | Baking soda deodorizer |
WAHL Coconut Lime Verbena | Soothes dry skin |
BioSilk Silk Therapy | Strengthens coat |
Baby Fresh Baby Powder | pH balanced, tearless |
WAHL Eucalyptus & Spearmint | Odor eliminating |
Lillian Ruff Waterless Citrus | Dry shampoo spray |
PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean | Classic fresh scent |
Nature’s Specialties | Professional strength |
Hempz Creamy Citrus | Deodorizing |
Wags & Wiggles Berry | Antioxidant-rich |
Veterinary Formula Snow White | Brightening for white coats |
When selecting a scented dog shampoo, consider your pup’s coat type and skin sensitivity. Highly fragranced options may cause irritation for some dogs. Prioritize gentleness first before fragrance strength. Thick or long coats tend to hold scents nicely. Citrus, mint and floral scents typically suit dogs best vs. sweet gourmand fragrances.
Determine your scent goal too – do you want short-term perfume or longer lasting freshness? Some fragrances bloom beautifully when wet then fade gracefully while others cling for weeks stubbornly. Oil-based mousses and foams often persist the longest.
And consider any skin or odor issues needing remedied. Formulas with aromatheraputic, soothing botanicals or deodorizing agents can serve multiple purposes. Overall, a nicely scented shampoo should leave coats looking healthy and pets feeling happy.
There are many varieties of dog shampoo formulated to serve different needs:
Moisturizing: Feature nutrients like proteins, vitamins and oils to hydrate skin and coats, prevent flaking and reduce shedding
Soothing: Contain calming, anti-inflammatory botanicals like oatmeal, aloe vera and shea butter to relieve allergies, irritation and itching
Medicated: Use active ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine to treat skin infections and diseases
Deodorizing: Harness odor-eliminating compounds like citrus oils, tea tree, zinc or baking soda to combat stinky smells
Brightening: Lift stains and yellowing without bleaching to safely revitalize dingy white or light coats
Puppy: Crafted to be extra mild, tear-free and gentle for bathing little pups with developing skin and coats
Waterless: Provide targeted cleaning, conditioning and deodorizing between full baths with convenient spritz-and-wipe application
Follow these expert tips for best results bathing your pup:
With the proper shampoo and good bath time habits, you can keep your pup looking, feeling and smelling their absolute best!
The longevity of fragrance from a scented dog shampoo depends on several factors like formula, coat type and bathing frequency. Oil-rich conditioner shampoos tend to have the most tenacious scents while gentle or medicated formulas fade faster. Long or thick coats hold fragrances better than short hair. And the more often you shampoo, the quicker a scent fades. Most fragrance will last 1-3 weeks between baths on average.
Scented shampoos formulated specifically for dog use are generally safe when used properly. But some highly fragranced human shampoos can irritate sensitive skin or eyes. Always patch test unfamiliar products. Look for tear-free labels when bathing puppies or dogs with sensitivities. And limit use to every 3-6 weeks to avoid overdrying the skin and coat.
For serious odor issues, seek out a shampoo with targeted deodorizing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, baking soda, tea tree oil and citrus extracts. These compounds chemically neutralize nasty smells at the source for longer lasting clean freshness. Doubling up with an odor eliminating grooming spray can also help dogs prone to extra stinkiness.
If a freshly bathed dog still smells, the odor is likely coming from the skin not the coat. Bacteria and yeast on the skin can cause bad odors unrelated to external dirt. An antiseptic or exfoliating shampoo can help. Recurring smells after bathing can also indicate an underlying health issue worth having your vet investigate.
Dogs dislike strong, piercing scents that overwhelm their sensitive noses. Potent oils like citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon and vinegar irritate nasal passages. But used sparingly, these aromas can helps deter dogs from unwanted behaviors like chewing or nose-first investigating. Always dilute and caution against direct contact when using strongly scented oils around pets.
A deliciously scented shampoo can make all the difference in helping your pup put their best paw forward smell-wise. Finding the perfect match means considering factors like skin sensitivity, the strength of scent desired and how it pairs with your pup’s signature odor profile.
In the high stakes search for the best smelling dog shampoo, we narrowed the playing field to these top rated aromatic all-stars proven to leave coats fresh and fabulous for weeks. With shining stars like tropical TropiClean Berry & Coconut, floral powdery Baby Fresh or juicy Hempz Sweet Pineapple & Melon in your grooming lineup, nose-happy hounds will be wagging their way to sudsy bliss in no time!
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