10 Best Shampoos for Westies – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
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The West Highland White Terrier, better known as a Westie, is one of the most popular Terriers. Its small but sturdy body stands up to 11 inches, with dark, captivating eyes and a white, wire-haired, adorable coat. When looking after their plush toy-like coat, you need a shampoo to maintain the sheen and protect their sensitive skin.
Shopping for dog shampoo can become overwhelming with the abundance of choices, but we are here to help narrow it down. In this article, we’ll examine the 10 best shampoos for Westies! Our reviews will introduce you to some of the top brands, so you can easily find the best shampoo for your Westie!
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo |
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Budget Buy
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John Paul Oatmeal Shampoo |
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Lillian Ruff Face and Body Wash |
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Burt's Bees Puppy 2-in-1 Shampoo |
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Frisco Brightening Shampoo |
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The 10 Best Shampoos for Westies
1. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo – Best Overall
| Key Ingredients: | Colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera |
| Scent: | Aloe vera and cucumber |
| Specially formulated for: | Dry and irritated skin |
The Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo takes the top spot as our best shampoo for Westies because of its all-natural and safe ingredients that nourish, soothe, and revive dry skin. The combination of colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera gently cleanses your dog’s coat and tackles odors while soothing irritated skin and preventing scratching after bath time.
This pH-balanced shampoo is manufactured in the USA and is also free from dyes, gluten, DEA, phthalates, and sulfates to assure that your Westies skin is well looked after and nourished. Furthermore, your dog will smell fresh for hours with its long-lasting aloe vera and cucumber scent.
The only drawback with this product is that the bottle is only available in one size (16 0z), which could be a disappointment when you realize how great it is. However, Hepper offers free shipping which makes buying a replacement an easy choice!
- pH-balanced
- Safe and natural ingredients
- Free of dyes, phthalates, and sulfates
- Great for irritated and sensitive skin
- Long-lasting scent
- Only one size bottle is available
2. John Paul Pet Sensitive Oatmeal Shampoo – Budget Buy
| Key Ingredients: | Almond oil, chamomile, aloe, hydrolyzed oat protein |
| Scent: | Almond |
| Specially formulated for: | Moisturizing, dry flaky skin, cruelty-free |
John Paul Pet Sensitive Oatmeal Shampoo is formulated with hydrating ingredients and is an affordable product making it our best budget-friendly shampoo. Because Westies are prone to dry and itchy skin, this moisturizing shampoo is a great choice on a budget. It’s formulated with oatmeal, almond oil, chamomile, and aloe vera to soothe and moisturize the skin.
Furthermore, the almond oils lock in and retain moisture to help prevent further flaking and itching. John Paul Pet Sensitive is hypoallergenic, free from harmful ingredients such as parabens and phthalates, and guaranteed cruelty-free! This American product is first tested on humans and is made by the same manufacturers of the quality Paul Mitchell hair care products, and you can feel confident in its safety and quality.
The almond oil provides moisture and a pleasant fragrance, but the shampoo doesn’t leave that long-lasting “clean'” smell that many dog owners look for.
- Natural, moisturizing ingredients
- Locks in moisture
- Cruelty-free
- Low cost
- Doesn’t have a long-lasting “clean” smell
3. Lillian Ruff Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash
| Key Ingredients: | Natural blueberry extract |
| Scent: | Blueberry and apple |
| Specially formulated for: | Whitening and brightening, tear stains, and dry skin, vegan formula |
The Lillian Ruff Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash is another great dog shampoo made in the USA and specially formulated to whiten and brighten your Westie’s coat while removing tear stains and soothing itchy, dry skin. It uses a natural blueberry extract, and its vegan formula is gluten-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free, which affirms its premium status. The long-lasting blueberry and apple scents will make your Westie feel cleaner, brighter, and moisturized.
However, the natural scent is not appreciated by all pet parents. Some users have reported that the fragrance is too sweet and overwhelming, so if you are looking for more of a subtle and fresh smell, you may need to look elsewhere.
- Vegan formula
- Whitens and brightens
- Removes tear stains
- Soothes and moisturizes itchy and dry skin
- The scent may be too sweet
4. Burt’s Bees 2-in-1 Shampoo
| Key Ingredients: | Honey, beeswax, linseed oil, buttermilk colloidal oatmeal |
| Scent: | Fragrance-free |
| Specially formulated for: | Puppies |
Burt’s Bees 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner is perfect for your little Westie pup. It’s a gentle formula that won’t strip the coat of natural oils but contains natural ingredients that condition the skin and coat. The formula includes buttermilk for soothing and linseed oil for nourishing. This pH-balanced product is best for puppies as it’s cruelty-free, formulated with 97% natural ingredients, and has no added fragrance, colorants, or sulfates.
While Burt’s Bees is made without dyes and chemicals and is safe for puppies, some may not enjoy the lack of fragrance.
- Suitable for puppies
- 97% natural ingredients
- pH-balanced
- moisturizing and soothing
- No fragrance
5. Frisco Brightening Shampoo with Aloe
| Key Ingredients: | Aloe vera, violet flowers |
| Scent: | Coconut creme |
| Specially formulated for: | Whitening, removing stains, hydrating |
Keep your Westie’s coat as radiant as its personality with Frisco’s Brightening Shampoo. It nourishes your pup’s coat and sensitive skin with aloe vera and violet flowers, and it is formulated without parabens to remove stains. Along with a bright and clean coat, your dog will smell clean and fragrant thanks to its coconut crème scent.
While Frisco’s shampoo offers some great benefits, some users have noted that you need a significant amount to get a good lather, which means you may go through a bottle fairly quickly.
- Brightens coat
- Removes stains
- Soothes skin
- Needs quite a bit to get a good lather
6. Earthbath Light Color Brightening Lavender Shampoo
| Key Ingredients: | Optical brighteners, lavender oil, aloe vera |
| Scent: | Lavender |
| Specially formulated for: | Whitening, sensitive skin |
The Earthbath Light Color Brightening Lavender Shampoo is a cruelty-free, soap-free, and trustworthy cleanser with a special blend of optical brighteners to remove dirt, remove stains and brighten your Westie’s coat. The scent and formula are mild, making it safe for sensitive skin, and it won’t wash away topical tick and flea medications.
Earthbath is formulated with gentle ingredients such as lavender oil, coconut-based cleansers, aloe vera, and vitamins A, B, D, and E and excludes harmful ingredients such as soap, gluten, DEA, synthetic dyes, sulfates, and phthalates. If unsatisfied with this product, you can get your money back! While Earthbath’s scent is mild and fresh, it is unfortunately short-lived and doesn’t last long.
- Natural ingredients
- Cruelty-free
- Free from soap, gluten, DEA, synthetic dyes, sulfates, and phthalates
- Offers a refund if not satisfied
- The scent doesn’t stay for long
7. Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Whitening Dog Shampoo
| Key Ingredients: | Aloe vera, calendula |
| Scent: | Almond |
| Specially formulated for: | Whitening, odor, moisturizing |
Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Whitening Dog Shampoo is formulated to brighten and whiten your Westie’s coat. The combination of aloe vera, calendula, panthenol, and coconut water helps moisturize and hydrate sensitive skin. The keratin aids in supporting your Westie’s coat, leaving it strong and shiny.
Nature’s Miracle is formulated for whitening the coat and moisturizing the skin, but while it cleans well, smells great, and hydrates the skin, the whitening action is ineffective.
- Brightens coat
- Moisturizes skin
- Contains aloe vera, calendula, and coconut water
- Great almond scent
- Not much difference is noticed on a white coat
8. Veterinary Formula Solution Snow White Whitening Shampoo
| Key Ingredients: | Green tea extracts, vitamin E |
| Scent: | Blue coral and citrus |
| Specially formulated for: | Whitening, deodorizing, and sensitive skin |
This Veterinary Formula Solution Snow White Whitening Shampoo will gently cleanse your Westie’s coat and neutralize any yellow hues to brighten and whiten the fur. The two fundamental ingredients are green tea extract for cleaning and moisturizing and vitamin E to prevent infections. There are no emulsifiers, parabens, or bleach that can irritate the Westie’s skin.
The formula also has a long-lasting and refreshing citrus fragrance and a perfect lather for the best clean. It is suitable for sensitive skin, making it a great choice for your Westie, and it won’t wash away topical flea and tick treatments. The citrus fragrance is a refreshing and powerful scent, but it is not for everyone.
- Whitens with no bleach
- Eliminates odors
- Contains green tea extract and vitamin E
- Suitable or sensitive skin
- The citrus scent may be too strong for some
9. TropiClean Spa Color White Coat Shampoo
| Key Ingredients: | Oatmeal, vitamin E, ginger |
| Scent: | Lavender |
| Specially formulated for: | Whitening |
The salon-grade TropiClean Spa Color White Coat Shampoo is a quality shampoo formulated to brighten your Westie’s coat while providing a luxurious bathing session. It is made with high-quality ingredients that take care of the skin and excludes harmful ingredients like soap, bleach, ammonia, peroxide, and alcohol, making it ideal for sensitive skin. This shampoo has a luxurious lavender scent that most pet owners love. However, the lavender can be too intense for some dogs.
- Salon-grade shampoo
- Whitens and brightens
- No soap, bleach, ammonia, peroxide, or alcohol
- The lavender scent can be too strong for some dogs
10. Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal and Aloe Vera
| Key Ingredients: | Oatmeal, aloe vera, vitamin E |
| Scent: | Vanilla bean |
| Specially formulated for: | Shiny coat and moisturizing skin |
Keep your Westie’s coat soft and shiny and smelling great with the Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo. It is formulated with oatmeal, aloe vera, and vitamin E to ensure it looks after your pup’s skin while moisturizing and soothing. Your Westie will look and smell squeaky clean, and if you have a multi-dog home, you can use this product on all your companions since it’s suitable for any breed, size, and hair texture.
While Zesty Paws takes great care of your dog’s skin, it may be better to try a different product if your dog has skin allergies. Several customers have reported that their dogs still itch after bathing, so it may not be suitable for severe itching or allergies. There are also mixed feelings about the smell; some love it, and some say it smells fishy or too potent.
- Soft and shiny coat
- Moisturizes skin
- Soothes itching
- Suitable for any breed and hair texture
- Doesn’t soothe severe itching
- May not enjoy the scent
Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Your Westie
Westies have a white coat that needs maintenance to stay bright and white, and they are also prone to dry skin, so it’s important to find a shampoo that addresses their needs. The best shampoo for your Westie should be gentle and formulated with preferably natural ingredients and free from harsh chemicals that will strip the natural oils and dry out the skin.
- Whitening and brightening
- Conditioning
- Hydrating
- Moisturizing
- Free from harmful chemicals
Some great ingredients for moisturizing and nourishing are colloidal oatmeal, chamomile, aloe vera, vitamin E, almond, jojoba, or linseed oil. Ingredients you want to avoid are parabens, colorants, sulfates, soaps, synthetic dyes, and phthalates.
You may also need to consider how often you wash your dog and how often you can use the shampoo without drying out its skin. It is also important to remember that you shouldn’t bathe your dog too often as it can strip away the natural oils causing its skin to dry, so in between baths, you can use a dry shampoo or some wipes to freshen up its coat.
Some of the best products may have a higher price tag, but before you rule them out, remember that dog shampoo typically lasts a lot longer than your shampoo. Furthermore, cheaper products usually don’t lather or clean as well, so you end up using a lot more, and in the end, you spend more money. Don’t be frightened by the price tag; instead, invest in a good shampoo that looks after your Westies coat, does the job, and gives you value for your money.
Conclusion
Several excellent shampoo brands are available for your Westie, which will hydrate and moisturize the skin while maintaining its bright white coat. Our best overall choice is the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo for its effectiveness and natural and safe ingredients. Our budget buy is the affordable and effective John Paul Pet Sensitive Oatmeal Shampoo, and our third choice is the Lillian Ruff Berry Blue Brightening Face and Body Wash. We hope these reviews got you well-acquainted with the best products and helped you choose the ideal option for your Westie.
Featured Image Credit: Kasefoto, Shutterstock
