11 Best Shampoos for Cocker Spaniels – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
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Cocker Spaniels have beautiful long, wavy coats that require special care to keep them healthy and looking their best. With so many shampoos on the market, finding the right one for your furry companion can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top-rated and best shampoos for Cocker Spaniels this year. We’ve carefully reviewed ingredients, customer feedback, and more to determine the best of the best so you can choose the perfect shampoo for your pup.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo & Conditioner |
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Best Value
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Wags & Wiggles Soothe Oatmeal Dog Shampoo |
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Premium Choice
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FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo For Dogs |
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| Best for Puppies |
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Burt's Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle for Dogs |
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MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo for Dogs & Cats |
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11 Best Shampoos for Cocker Spaniels
1. Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo & Conditioner – Best Overall
| Beneficial Ingredients | Aloe vera, lavender oil, chamomile extract, green tea |
| Best For | All skin and coat types |
Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is a gentle, soap-free formula designed to cleanse and soothe your pup’s skin without causing irritation. It contains natural ingredients like aloe vera, lavender oil, and chamomile extract to nourish and condition your pup’s coat while providing relief from itchiness, dryness, and irritation. It can be used for all skin and cost types and it is made in the USA. The soap-free formula is gentler on your pup’s skin. However, it may not lather as well as shampoos that contain soap. It’s also a bit more expensive than other shampoos. But, we still think it’s the best overall shampoo for Cocker Spaniels.
- Soap-free formula
- Natural ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
- Conditioning formula
- Made in the USA
- More expensive than some other shampoos on the market
- Doesn’t create as many suds as brands with soap
2. Wags & Wiggles Soothe Oatmeal Dog Shampoo – Best Value
| Beneficial Ingredients | Aloe vera, oatmeal |
| Best For | Sensitive skin and coats |
Wags & Wiggles Soothe Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is a hypoallergenic shampoo that contains natural oats and aloe vera to soothe, moisturize, and cleanse your pup’s coat. It is formulated with gentle ingredients that won’t irritate skin since it is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, and fragrances. It can be used on all coat types, but is ideal for dogs that have sensitive skin. However, it does not condition the coat like combination shampoo and conditioners, and it won’t do much to prevent and kill fleas and ticks. But, we think it’s the best shampoo for Cocker Spaniels for the money.
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Contains natural oatmeal and aloe vera
- Free of harsh chemicals and fragrances
- Moisturizing formula
- Does not condition the coat
- Not be effective against fleas and ticks
3. FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo For Dogs – Premium Choice
| Beneficial Ingredients | Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids, Papaya Leaf Extract, Aloe Vera, Chamomile |
| Best For | Shedding Control |
FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo For Dogs is a nourishing shampoo that helps reduce shedding and detangles fur. It contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as other natural ingredients like papaya leaf extract, aloe vera, and chamomile to soothe skin and promote healthy coat growth. It’s safe to use on all dog breeds and comes from a brand that makes high quality dog grooming products. There is also a conditioner that you can purchase separately. This shampoo is pricey, which is why it’s listed as our premium choice.
- Reduces shedding
- Detangles fur
- Moisturizes and cleanses the coat
- Safe for all breeds of dogs
- Pricey
- Must buy conditioner separately
4. Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle for Dogs – Best for Puppies
| Beneficial Ingredients | Honeysuckle Extract, Oat Protein, Shea Butter |
| Best For | Sensitive Skin and Itching |
Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle for Dogs is a gentle, soap-free shampoo that helps soothe irritated skin and itching. It’s great for puppies also due to containing gentle, natural ingredients like honeysuckle extract, oat protein, and shea butter to nourish and protect your pup’s coat while providing relief from itchiness. This shampoo is also very affordable, but some users have noted the scent to be too strong. It also is not recommended for use on puppies younger than 12 weeks, but very few shampoos are.
- Soap-free formula
- Contains natural ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
- Provides relief from itching
- Not suitable for use on young puppies
- Some users have noted that the scent is too strong
5. MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo for Dogs
| Beneficial Ingredients | Chlorhexidine Gluconate, trizEDTA |
| Best For | Skin infections, sensitive skin |
If your pet has a skin infection, then MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo for Dogs & Cats is worth a try. It is a veterinarian-formulated shampoo that helps reduce the presence of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and yeasts on the skin. It contains antibacterial and antifungal agents to help treat infections and soothe skin while also moisturizing it. The combination of ingredients in this special formula make it an ideal choice for dogs with sensitive or irritated skin, but it’s not a good choice for dogs that just need a regular shampoo for cleansing since this shampoo is medicated. It also may not be effective against all types of skin infections, so you may wish to talk to your vet about whether this shampoo is a good choice in your dog’s case.
- Veterinarian formulated
- Contains antibacterial and antifungal agents
- Moisturizes skin
- Safe to use on cats as well as dogs
- Not suitable for dogs that need basic shampoo
- Might not be effective against all types of skin infections
6. Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo for Skin Moisture & Shiny Coats
| Beneficial Ingredients | Oatmeal, Aloe Vera Extract |
| Best For | Skin Moisture & Shiny Coats |
Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera is a moisturizing shampoo that helps soothe skin, provide moisture, and promote shiny coats, making it an ideal choice for a Cocker Spaniel. The oatmeal and aloe vera extract help restore moisture to the coat while the vanilla bean scent provides a pleasant aroma that lasts. It’s safe for regular use, but be sure not to overbathe your dog which can strip the skin of its natural oils. Some users report that the scent is too weak. You’ll also have to buy conditioner separately if your dog needs it. This shampoo is also a bit pricey.
- Helps soothe skin
- Restores moisture to the coat
- Lightly scented with vanilla bean
- Safe for regular use
- Pricey
- Need to buy conditioner separately
- Some users have noted that the scent can be too weak
7. Shed Defender Shed Defense Omega 3 & 6 Dog Shampoo
| Beneficial Ingredients | Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Rosemary Extracts |
| Best For | Reducing Shedding |
The Shed Defender Omega 3 & 6 Dog & Cat Shampoo is a specially formulated shampoo that helps reduce shedding and promotes healthy coats. This all-natural wash contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to nourish skin as well as aloe vera, chamomile, rosemary extracts, and more to help heal irritated skin and improve the overall condition of your pet’s coat. It’s safe to use on cats as well, so it’s ideal for multi-pet households. However, it may not be ideal for dogs with sensitive skin and it may require more applications than other brands, according to some users.
- All-natural formula
- Contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for improved nutrition
- Soothes itchy skin
- Safe for cats and dogs
- May not be suitable for all types of skin
- May require more frequent applications than some other brands
8. PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Cleansing & Odor Remover Dog Shampoo
| Beneficial Ingredients | Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Ketoconazole, Aloe Vera |
| Best For | Bacterial & Fungal Infections |
PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Cleansing & Odor Remover Dog Shampoo is another great choice if your Cocker Spaniel has a skin infection. This medicated shampoo is designed to help fight bacteria and fungal infections while eliminating odor on contact. It features powerful chlorhexidine gluconate as its active ingredient, which helps prevent the spread of bacteria and fungi. This soap-free formulation also contains aloe vera that leave coats feeling soft and smooth. A portion of the proceeds also go toward no-kill animal shelters. However, the medicated ingredients can irritate the skin and cause dryness and flaking if used too much, and make sure not to use this shampoo if your dog doesn’t have a skin infection.
- Soap-free formulation
- Eliminates odor on contact
- Contains natural ingredients to condition skin
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Chlorhexidine gluconate can cause irritation.
- Can cause dryness and flaking of the coat if used too frequently
9. CHI Deep Moisture Dog Shampoo
| Beneficial Ingredients | Aloe Vera, Chamomile Extract, Coconut Oil |
| Best For | Dry & Itchy Skin |
The CHI Deep Moisture Dog Shampoo is a luxurious formula designed to nourish and hydrate dry, itchy skin. This shampoo contains natural ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile extract, and coconut oil that deeply penetrate the coat to condition and soften fur while providing long-lasting relief from itching. It is also free of parabens, sulfates, and artificial colors or fragrances. However, this shampoo can leave coats feeling greasy if used too frequently.
- Soap-free formula
- Deeply penetrates the coat for intense conditioning
- Provides long-lasting relief from itching
- Contains natural ingredients and is free of synthetic chemicals
- Can leave a slightly greasy feeling on the coat if used too frequently
10. Frankie & Paisley Waterless Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
| Beneficial Ingredients | Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe Vera Extract |
| Best For | Dry Skin |
The Frankie & Paisley Waterless Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is a gentle, no-rinse shampoo designed to soothe and hydrate dry skin. It contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera extract that help reduce redness and irritation while moisturizing the coat. This shampoo also features natural ingredients such as chamomile extract, rosemary oil, and more for an added boost of hydration. This waterless shampoo also has a light lavender scent, and it’s safe for cats as well. However, it may be too harsh for dogs with sensitive skin and may leave a greasy feeling on the coat since it is designed not to be rinsed off.
- No-rinse formula
- Contains natural ingredients to soothe skin
- Lightly scented with lavender
- Safe for cats and dogs
- May be too harsh for puppies or dogs with very sensitive skin
- May leave a slightly greasy feeling on the coat if used too frequently
11. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo w/Precor
| Beneficial Ingredients | Pyrethrins, Piperonyl Butoxide, Aloe Vera Extract, Lanolin |
| Best For | Eliminating Fleas & Ticks |
If you need a flea and tick shampoo, then Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo w/Precor is a good one. This shampoo has a powerful formula designed to eliminate fleas and ticks on contact. It contains pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, two common insecticides used in flea and tick treatments, as well as aloe vera extract and lanolin to help condition skin and coat. This shampoo also includes Precor Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to break the flea life cycle. However, it’s important not to use this shampoo too frequently because it can irritate the skin, and the strong scent may be unpleasant to some people.
- Contains Precor IGR for added protection
- Features natural ingredients for conditioning
- Quickly eliminates fleas and ticks on contact
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Can cause irritation of the skin if used too frequently
- The strong scent may be unpleasant for some users
Buyers Guide – Choosing the Best Shampoos for Cocker Spaniels
Every pet owner wants to provide their furry family member with the best quality care, and that includes finding the perfect shampoo for them. When shopping for a shampoo, it’s important to consider factors such as your pet’s skin type and any existing skin conditions they might have. Additionally, look for shampoos that are free of synthetic chemicals and contain natural ingredients to condition the skin and coat. Finally, look for shampoos that offer additional benefits such as flea and tick protection or relief from itching and dryness. With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect shampoo for your pet!
What Type of Coat Does a Cocker Spaniel Have?
Cocker Spaniels have a medium-length coat that is soft and silky to the touch. The coat usually comes in three basic colors: black, liver, and golden. Within these colors there can be variations of shades and patterns. Their coat also has a light wavy texture that requires regular brushing and grooming to keep it looking its best. Cocker Spaniels are also prone to tangles, so regular combing is recommended to prevent mats from forming.
Overall, this breed’s coat is relatively low maintenance compared to other dog breeds but still requires regular care and attention for optimal health. With proper grooming and shampooing, you can help your Cocker Spaniel maintain a healthy coat that looks shiny and beautiful!
What to Look for When Buying Shampoo for Your Cocker Spaniel
When shopping for the best shampoo for your Cocker Spaniel, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Natural ingredients: Look for formulas that are free of harsh chemicals and contain natural ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, and chamomile extract that will soothe skin while nourishing and hydrating the coat.
- Suitable for all breeds: Make sure you choose a formula that is suitable for all breeds, as some products may not be safe for use on certain types of dogs.
- pH balanced: Choose a shampoo with a mild pH balance so it won’t irritate your Cocker Spaniel’s sensitive skin or damage their coat.
- Hypoallergenic: If your dog has allergies, look for a hypoallergenic shampoo that won’t aggravate their condition.
- Soothing ingredients: Look for formulas that contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, and chamomile extract to help reduce redness and itching while moisturizing the coat.
- Fragrance-free: Avoid shampoos with fragrances or harsh chemicals as these can irritate sensitive skin and cause further discomfort.
- No-rinse formula: Consider choosing a no-rinse shampoo if you want an easy way to clean and condition without needing to rinse afterwards. This is especially helpful if you have limited access to running water.
- Price: Consider your budget when shopping for a shampoo as some products may be more expensive than others due to the quality of ingredients or brand name.
- Reviews: Read customer reviews to get an idea of how other pet owners feel about the product before making your purchase. This can help you get an idea of whether it’s worth the cost or not.
- Reputable brand: Choose a reputable brand so you can be sure the product is safe and effective for your Cocker Spaniel.
Common Dog Shampoo Ingredients
Dog shampoos contain a number of ingredients that are essential for keeping your pet’s coat clean and healthy. Here is a breakdown of some common shampoo ingredients and how they help:
- Aloe Vera: A natural ingredient that soothes the skin and helps to reduce inflammation.
- Oatmeal: An all-natural ingredient that provides soothing relief for itchy, irritated skin.
- Chamomile Extract: An herb that helps to soften the coat while also having calming properties to help alleviate stress in anxious dogs.
- Vitamins: Various vitamins, such as vitamin E and vitamin B5, can be found in some formulas for coats requiring extra nourishment or hydration.
- Essential Oils: Natural essential oils, like lavender and rosemary, can be found in some shampoos to help soothe the skin as well as provide a pleasant scent.
- Conditioners: Conditioners are also added to some formulas to help detangle fur and add shine without weighing it down or making it greasy.
- Fragrances: Some shampoos contain fragrances for a pleasant scent that won’t irritate sensitive noses.
Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Shampoo for Your Cocker Spaniel
When selecting a shampoo for your Cocker Spaniel, it’s important to choose one that is free from harsh chemicals and other potentially irritating ingredients. Here are some of the common ingredients you should avoid when choosing a dog shampoo:
- Sulfates: These can be found in many shampoos as they provide cleaning properties, but they can also strip natural oils from the coat and irritate sensitive skin.
- Parabens: This chemical preservative can cause allergic reactions in some dogs, so avoid products with this ingredient if possible.
- Synthetic Colors and Fragrances: Artificial colors and fragrances may cause irritation or allergic reactions, so opt for a fragrance-free formula instead.
- Alcohol: This ingredient can be very drying on the skin and coat, so try to avoid formulas with this ingredient.
What to Look for When Buying Shampoo for Puppies & Senior Dogs
When you’re shopping for shampoo, there are a few things to consider depending on the age and needs of your pet. Puppies have delicate skin that may require gentler ingredients and formulas, so look for shampoos specifically formulated for puppies or young dogs. Conversely, senior dogs may require more nourishing ingredients due to dryness and thinning coats.
Caring for Your Pregnant Dog’s Coat
It’s especially important to take extra care of your pregnant dog’s coat, as the hormones produced during this time can cause issues like dry skin and excessive shedding. Look for a shampoo that contains ingredients designed to nourish the coat while providing relief from itchiness and irritation. Additionally, avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals or strong fragrances, as they can be irritating to sensitive skin.
What Other Grooming Needs Do Cocker Spaniels Have?
In addition to regular shampooing, Cocker Spaniels also need regular brushing and combing to help keep their coat looking its best. This breed is prone to tangles, so daily brushing with a soft-bristled brush will help prevent mats from forming. It’s also important to trim nails monthly or as needed and clean ears regularly to help maintain good hygiene.
FAQ
How often should I bathe my Cocker Spaniel?
It’s recommended to bathe your Cocker Spaniel every 4-6 weeks using a quality shampoo specifically designed for this breed to help keep their coat healthy and looking its best. Make sure you brush their coat before bathing to remove any tangles or mats.
Can I use human shampoo on my Cocker Spaniel?
Human shampoo is not recommended as it can be too harsh for dogs and may cause irritation. It’s best to stick with a quality dog shampoo that is specifically designed for their coat type and needs.
What should I do if my Cocker Spaniel’s skin becomes irritated or dry?
If your pup’s skin is irritated or dry, opt for a shampoo that contains moisturizing and natural ingredients such as aloe vera, oatmeal, or chamomile extract to help soothe and nourish the skin while cleansing. Avoid shampoos with fragrances or harsh chemicals which can further irritate sensitive skin. If the irritation persists, consult your veterinarian for further advice.
What other products should I use for my Cocker Spaniel’s coat?
In addition to a quality dog shampoo, you may also want to use a conditioner or leave-in detangler on your pup’s coat to help keep it looking shiny and healthy. There are also sprays and creams that are designed specifically for Cocker Spaniels which can provide extra nourishment and hydration.
Can I make my own shampoo for my Cocker Spaniel?
Making your own shampoo is possible, but it’s not recommended unless you are familiar with the ingredients and understand how they will interact with your pup’s skin and coat. Stick to quality products that are specifically designed for this breed or consult your veterinarian.
What else can I do to help keep my Cocker Spaniel’s coat looking its best?
In addition to regular bathing and brushing, you can also supplement your pup’s diet with omega-3 fatty acids which are known to promote a shiny, healthy coat. Regular trips to the groomer will also help to keep your pup’s coat looking its best. Finally, make sure to provide a healthy and high-quality diet and plenty of exercise and mental stimulation which can help reduce stress levels and promote overall good health.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the right shampoo for your Cocker Spaniel, there are a variety of options available. For the best overall shampoo for Cocker Spaniels, we like the Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo & Conditioner. For the best value, the Wags & Wiggles Soothe Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is a good choice. If you’re looking for a premium option or need something to help with shedding, try FURminator DeShedding Ultra Premium Shampoo For Dogs.
We hope this list will help you find the perfect shampoo for your pup’s needs. With the right shampoo, you can keep your Cocker Spaniel’s coat looking healthy and shiny while also providing them with relief from dryness and irritation, if necessary. Who doesn’t want that!?
Featured Image Credit: andriano.cz, Shutterstock
