10 Best Shampoos for Shiba Inus – 2023 Reviews & Top Picks

Shiba Inus are amongst the cutest and most unique dogs out there, but they also come with short but very heavy double coats that shed profusely! They are also known to be predisposed to skin issues, so finding a good dog shampoo is essential for this breed. But who has time to go through the multitudes of dog shampoos available?

That’s why we’re here! We’ve written reviews of 10 of the best shampoos for the Shiba Inu so that you can make your choice quickly and easily. We kept their sensitive skin in mind in addition to their heavy shedding while doing our research, so you’ll likely find a dog shampoo that will work very well for both of you.

A Quick Look At Our Favorites in 2023

The 10 Best Shampoos for Shiba Inu

1. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo – Best Overall

Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is the best overall shampoo for your Shiba Inu. It’s made with colloidal oatmeal, a natural ingredient known for its ability to soothe irritated skin. It features a pleasant subtle scent of aloe vera and cucumber and doesn’t contain soap, DEA, dyes, sulfates, or phthalates. It’s also pH-balanced and made with all-natural ingredients, all sourced from the United States, which will help to keep your Shiba’s skin and coat hydrated.

The only real flaw we could find is that it’s only available in one size, which is in a 16-ounce bottle. However, you still get a generous amount of product in one bottle and Hepper offers free shipping when it comes time to order more.

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2. John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Dog Shampoo – Budget Buy

The best budget-friendly dog shampoo for Shiba Inus is John Paul’s Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Dog Shampoo. It’s designed to soothe and moisturize dry and irritated skin with hydrolyzed oatmeal protein, aloe, chamomile, and almond oil. The sweet almond oil does an excellent job of conditioning the coat but leaves an appealing almond scent. It’s also cruelty-free because everything is tested on humans.

The only issue we found with this shampoo is that as nice as the almond scent is, it doesn’t tend to last very long. Some dog owners might not be satisfied with their dog still smelling like a dog.

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3. Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is another great pick. This all-natural shampoo is also a conditioner, so it’s about as moisturizing as you can get! It doesn’t contain soap but has a variety of essential oils, including lavender and mint, which is what your Shiba will smell like after a bath. It’s also cruelty-free and safe for humans to use, plus it’s made in the USA.

But some dog parents might find the scent a little too strong, and consequently, it might be too strong for your dog.

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4. Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk

Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk was made specifically with puppies in mind. It uses buttermilk for softer skin and honey for moisturizing and strengthening hair follicles. It’s pH balanced and designed specifically for a dog’s skin to keep it from over-drying. And it’s 97% natural without any artificial coloring or sulfates and is cruelty-free.

However, while some Shiba owners might appreciate the lack of scent, your dog will still smell like a dog after the bath. Additionally, the shampoo is a bit thin and doesn’t lather very well.

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5. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hypoallergenic Shampoo

Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hypoallergenic Shampoo might be very effective if your Shiba Inu suffers from skin allergies. This hypoallergenic shampoo does not contain parabens, sulfates, soap, dyes, or fragrances, which should work on dogs with known sensitivities or allergies to cleansing agents and perfumes. It’s made with coconut-based cleansers and is pH-balanced for sensitive skin. It also contains lactic acid, vitamin E, and allantoin for treating rough and dry skin, plus it won’t wash flea treatments off.

However, while it works very well for many dogs with skin issues, it won’t work for every dog.

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6. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo

Earthbath’s Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo is designed to soothe and heal dry skin with aloe vera and oatmeal. It makes your dog smell like almond vanilla and is gentle enough that it won’t wash off topical flea medications. It’s completely biodegradable as well as paraben and phosphate-free, and it doesn’t contain soap. It’s a great shampoo as long as your dog is over 6 weeks old.

The issues we found were that the scent is either hit or miss with many pet parents, and some dogs have become itchy after using this shampoo.

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7. CHI Gentle 2-in-1 Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

CHI is well-known in the human hair industry, and now they have evolved into the pet hair field with the CHI Gentle 2-in-1 Dog Shampoo & Conditioner. Being a 2-in-1 also means it’s very moisturizing and will leave your Shiba’s coat soft and shiny and with healthy skin. It contains mild surfactants, so it’s easier on the eyes and has a neutral yet pleasant scent.

The cons are that some will enjoy the scent, but other pet owners don’t like it. And it tends to dry out some dog’s skin.

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8. FURminator Deshedding Ultra Premium Shampoo

 

FURminator is known for its deshedding brushes, so why not try FURminator’s Deshedding Ultra Premium Shampoo. It’s full of ingredients to nourish the coat, like omega fatty acids and conditioning agents. These ingredients work together to reduce excess shedding, and it contains a deodorizer that helps eliminate that wet dog smell. It is made without parabens or chemical dyes.

The problems are that it doesn’t seem to help all dogs with their shedding, plus it might dry out some dogs’ skin.

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9. PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Scented Dog Shampoo

PetAg’s Fresh ‘N Clean Scented Dog Shampoo is soap-free, and pH balanced with additional conditioning agents, which will moisturize your dog’s coat. There’s added aloe leaf juice and vitamin E to keep the skin and fur soft, and it features a fresh scent that can last for up to 2 weeks. It lathers up very well and is cruelty-free.

But this is another shampoo that can be hit or miss with the scent. Many people love the scent and how long it lasts, while others feel it isn’t pleasant at all. It contains fragrance and a few artificial ingredients, so dogs with sensitive skin might not react well to this shampoo.

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10. Vet’s Best Waterless Dog Bath

We thought we should throw in a waterless shampoo for in-between baths, and our vote goes to Vet’s Best Waterless Dog Bath. It’s meant for dogs over 12 weeks of age and is veterinarian formulated. It contains aloe vera, oatmeal, vitamin E, and neem oil, all of which moisturize your Shiba’s coat. The scent is light and helps to cover some of that doggy odor, and it is an excellent option if you need to stretch the time between baths!

The cons are that it doesn’t clean your dog, it only adds a scent and might help soften the coat, plus the pump isn’t very reliable. It often breaks and doesn’t pump out the liquid into a foam, which is necessary for it to work.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Shampoos for Shiba Inu’s

Okay, you’ve seen the options, but we’d like to go over a few points that might help you make an informed purchase. Have a look at our Buyer’s Guide, where we’ll touch on some issues about your Shiba’s coat.

Sensitive Skin

Most things are expensive these days, but it is worth paying a little extra when you find the right product. It’s essential that you find a shampoo that’s designed for dogs with sensitive skin. Shibas are known to have skin allergies, and if you don’t use the right shampoo, it will only get worse. Some Shibas might have healthy skin but make sure to use the right dog shampoo to keep it that way.

Ingredients

Aim for a shampoo that primarily uses natural ingredients without the laundry list of harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, dyes, and fragrances. A gentle shampoo with moisturizers included will be best for your Shiba’s coat. Aim for dog shampoo with oatmeal as well as coconut and sweet almond oils.

These dogs generally only need bathing once every few months, but if they have a skin issue, you’ll need to bathe them more frequently, so the more moisturizing the shampoo, the better. Speak to your vet if your Shiba does have sensitive skin, and they can recommend what shampoos will work best for your dog.

Never Substitute

Don’t ever use human shampoo or dish detergent on your Shiba. Their skin is very different from ours, and you want the dog’s natural oils to be retained. Dish detergents and human shampoos will strip their natural oils and dry out their coats.

Shampoo Ingredients That Should Be Avoided

It is difficult to avoid everything we listed here, but there are quite a number of healthy, all-natural dog shampoos out there these days.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is our favorite shampoo for your Shiba Inu because it’s made with colloidal oatmeal, is pH-balanced, and will keep your Shiba’s coat well moisturized.

Not only is John Paul’s Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Dog Shampoo well priced, but it’s also full of natural ingredients, including almond oil, to soothe dry and irritated skin.

And finally, Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is a 2-in-1, so it’s a very moisturizing shampoo and contains all-natural ingredients.

We hope our reviews of these dog shampoos will help you find the best shampoo for your Shiba. Healthy coats equal a healthy dog!

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Featured Image Credit: MitchyPQ, Shutterstock