11 Best Shampoos for Poodles – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

You may think that Poodles have low-maintenance coats because they don’t shed much. However, Poodles need regular grooming to keep their coats healthy and shiny. They are well known for their curly hair, and maintaining it can be challenging.

If you’re a Poodle owner, you may be searching for the right shampoo for your dog. Their famous hair texture can become matted and tangled without proper care. You also want their coats to be clean without being stripped of their moisture, and a great scent would be a nice bonus.

To help, we compiled our favorite shampoos for Poodles with reviews so you can determine which one is best for your dog. Now Poodle bath time can be a more pleasant experience for both of you!

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

 

The 11 Best Shampoos for Poodles

1. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo — Best Overall

Our pick for the best overall shampoo for Poodles is Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo! Soothe dry or irritated skin with the help of the all-natural ingredients found in this hypoallergenic shampoo; that, along with the lack of soaps, phthalates, and dyes, makes Hepper’s shampoo particularly great for Poodles with sensitive skin. Not only does the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal shampoo soothe skin, but this product, made with only vegan ingredients, leaves your Poodle with the shiniest of coats. Plus, its aloe-cucumber scent is long-lasting, so your pup will smell fabulous for a long time.

All in all, pet parents loved this shampoo and had no complaints. The only downsides are that it’s a tiny bit on the pricey side, and you or your Poodle might not be a fan of the scent!

---

2. Veterinary Formula Solutions Triple Strength Dirty Dog Concentrated Shampoo — Budget Buy

If you’re looking for the best shampoo for Poodles for the money, check out our budget buy. Veterinary Formula Solutions Triple Strength Dirty Dog shampoo is affordable and made for pups with thick fur or longer coats. This shampoo cleans, deodorizes, and moisturizes your pet’s skin and coat for a deep clean that also relieves sensitive skin. Veterinary Formula’s proprietary DirtRepel formula will help keep your Poodle’s coat cleaner longer while the scent is sweet and long-lasting. Plus, it won’t wash away any tick or flea spot treatments!

A couple of pet parents said this product didn’t help much with dog odor for their pets that spent a lot of time outdoors, so if your Poodle is a fan of the outside, they might still be a little smelly.

---

3. Hydra Luxury Care Moisturizing Cat & Dog Shampoo – Premium Choice

Your Poodle deserves the best, so why not give them an at-home salon experience with this luxurious, salon-grade shampoo? Hydra Luxury Care Moisturizing shampoo rinses easily and dries quickly, so you can get your pup through bath time faster. And with soothing oatmeal, grapeseed oil, and antioxidants, it moisturizes and soothes irritated skin, detangles hair, and keeps your pet’s coat shiny and smooth! Gently pH balanced to neutralize odor, this shampoo features a very subtle scent that’s barely there.

Dog parents were huge fans of this shampoo because it kept their pets smelling great in between baths. However, this shampoo is definitely pricey, and you get less product than you would with most other shampoo brands.

---

4. Oster Oatmeal Essentials Gentle Puppy Shampoo – Best for Puppies

If your Poodle is still a puppy, you’ll need an extra gentle puppy shampoo, and Oster Oatmeal Essentials fits the bill. With 100% oatmeal, wheat protein, and rosemary extract, Oster’s shampoo moisturizes and protects the skin while calming irritation. Though extremely gentle and mild, it can still lift dirt from your puppy’s coat to get them cleaner than ever. Oster’s is also pH balanced specifically for sensitive skin, so your puppy will come out of the bath clean and happy!

Many dog parents exclaimed over how soft their puppy’s fur was after using this shampoo and said you don’t need to use a lot of shampoo to get your pet clean. However, the baby powder scent doesn’t linger very long, so if you’re seeking a long-lasting scent, this might not be the best shampoo.

---

5. Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo

Want to get your Poodle as clean as can be while leaving them itch-free? Then Zesty Paws Itch Soother is the shampoo for you! This shampoo uses aloe vera, oatmeal, and Vitamin E to moisturize skin while keeping it healthy and to keep fur soft and shiny. It also features a wonderful vanilla bean scent that lasts for quite a while, so your Poodle will smell great for days after their bath.

The majority of dog owners liked this product, particularly the way it lathered. Most also immensely enjoyed the vanilla bean scent and how long it lasted, as well as how it improved irritated and itchy skin, as well as dandruff. However, dogs with exceptionally sensitive skin often found themselves itchier after being bathed with this shampoo, so if your Poodle has super sensitive skin, you might want to avoid Zesty Paws. A few people and dogs also weren’t fans of the scent.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Find the Best Poodle Shampoo

Poodle fur has a unique texture that might be described as down. Because of the long waves and curls, having a proper bathing and grooming regimen is essential to care. Since this particular breed has certain requirements, it’s important to know the basics of coat care.

Let’s go over how to choose the right shampoo for your poodle—making their curly locks look their best.

Can I Use Human Shampoo on My Poodle?

Human shampoo can clean your dog and leave them smelling fresh. However, the pH in the formula isn’t designed for canines. So, it can be far too harsh for their skin which can cause bad reactions in some dogs. Human shampoo is too acidic.

Your dog needs something more alkaline that is for their particular skin type. That is why most major pet companies create shampoos that are specific to species. So, while it may be more convenient to pour the Pantene on instead, it’s not the right option for your pooch.

---

Types of Dog Shampoo

There is a pretty versatile selection of dog shampoos to choose from.  Your preference will greatly depend on how well the shampoo performs on your poodle’s fur.

General Purpose

General-purpose shampoo gets the dirt, grime, and debris out of your dog’s fur. But on the downside, it doesn’t have conditioning properties. If you want to leave your poodle’s curls kinky and silky, you’ll have to buy a conditioner additionally.

2-in-1

2-in-1 shampoo cleans and conditions, leaving your poodle’s fur fresh and soft. You will have everything you need for grooming in one bottle. Some products will have better conditioning and cleaning power. Make sure to select a reputable product certain to get the job done.

Waterless

Waterless shampoo lends a hand when you don’t have time to bathe your poodle fully. A few spritz and lathers and you’re good to go. The waterless shampoo dries clear and should have no residue or buildup. After using a waterless product, if it leaves buildup—discontinue use.

Whitening or Brightening 

These sorts of shampoos break up and brighten coats—making them eye-catching and luxurious. Some products work better than others. Many only work on lighter coats.

Organic 

Some pets can be super sensitive to some ingredients in most commercial shampoos and conditioners. Buying organic shampoo eliminates the harsh additives, cleaning your pet with only the necessary components.

Many ingredients like sulfates and parabens can irritate and dry out the skin.

Medicated

Medicated shampoos can take care of many bathing-related issues like dandruff, itching, irritation, and breakouts.

Antifungal

Some dogs have issues with recurring yeast infections on the skin. Antifungal shampoos help to keep these conditions under control.

Dandruff

That’s right—pets can have dandruff just like us. There are lots of products on the market that combat those pesky flakes.

---

Reactions to Shampoo

Every poodle is different. Some will have much more sensitive skin than others. If you notice any symptoms developing once you try a new shampoo, you might have to figure out what ingredient is causing the problem.

If you notice any of those symptoms, discontinue use and contact your vet.

---

How to Make Poodle Hair Curly With a Bath

Your poodle needs a bath about every 3 weeks. Poodles have a naturally occurring process where their skin starts to produce oils after a bath. While these oils build to protect the skin, they can overproduce at times which clogs the pores.

The 3-week mark is a good point to remove this buildup and start fresh. Gather up your bath supplies and trick your dog to the bathroom with some tasty treats.

Conclusion

The best overall shampoo for Poodles is, hands down, Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo, as it’s incredibly gentle but still does an excellent job cleaning your pet while soothing irritated skin. If you’re seeking a budget buy, we recommend Veterinary Formula Solutions Triple Strength Dirty Dog Concentrated Shampoo as it’s affordable and has a DirtRepel formula that keeps your Poodle cleaner for longer between baths. We also suggest checking out Hydra Luxury Care Moisturizing Cat & Dog Shampoo when you want to spoil your Poodle a bit, this shampoo is salon-grade and is fabulous for controlling odor! Lastly, Oster Oatmeal Essentials is perfect for Poodle pups.

Here’s to happier bath times for both pets and pet parents!

---

Featured Image Credit: Zachary Pigott, Shutterstock