Bichon Frise Shampoo: Our Picks for the Best Shampoo for a Bichon Frise
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As one of the most playful and enjoyable dog breeds, Bichons pack a lot of personality into their small size. This breed is well known for their deep black eyes and fluffy white coat; they are one of the best and easiest household companions to own.
While they might be fun to own, they are a task to groom and maintain. Bichons have a soft undercoat covered by a dense plush outer coat that requires a lot of grooming and bathing. This breed is always white, so any dirt or dander is easily recognized on their coat giving them a yellowish appearance.
Their coat is so dense that they cannot go more than three days without a thorough brushing and if their fur gets matted it’s nearly impossible to get out without cutting the fur off leaving empty patches.
The best dog shampoo for Bichons Frises is an all-natural formula that is hypoallergenic, gentle, and moisturizing.
In this article, we’re diving deep into the best shampoos for this breed and everything you should know about bathing your canine companion.
What is the Best Shampoo for Bichon Frise?
Things to Consider when Shopping for a Top-Rated Bichon Frise Shampoo
As with anything you buy for your pup you always take extra care to look at the ingredients so you can understand what you are putting on your dog’s body. Shampoo often gets overlooked in this area because we think so much about what we’re putting in their body, we neglect what we use outside their bodies.
A bad shampoo contains all types of chemicals, dyes, and fragrances that dry out and irritate skin. Your Bichon has such a dense coat that if their skin is irritated and they are scratching a lot, the fur will quickly become matted and tug at their skin. Matted hair leads to a low quality of life because it makes your pup feel like he’s getting pinched all the time.
The best shampoos are all natural and serve some purpose in helping your pup feel and look good. Here are some of the most important characteristics all of the best dog shampoos for Bichons have.
Hypoallergenic
You want always to make sure the shampoo you are using contains the best ingredients and will not irritate any allergies your pup might have. You also want to make sure the contents of the shampoo prevent skin irritation and heal damaged skin.
The best dog shampoos help moisturize the skin which keeps your dog from wanting to bite and scratch at themselves. As a result, you end up with a nice shiny coat and a dog who feels comfortable all day long.
Paraben-Free
Parabens often get used as preservatives in human shampoo, and while they may not cause a problem for us, they are often too harsh for dogs’ skin, and as a result, they cause dry skin and irritation.
Most of the best all-natural shampoos contain no parabens, so you don’t have to worry about making your pup uncomfortable, but it’s worth paying attention to so you don’t accidentally get something with this harmful ingredient.
Anti-itch
We love shampoos that go a step further in their ingredients, and they create a formula geared towards a specific purpose. An anti-itch shampoo is great for your pup because it helps solve a specific problem that many breeds suffer from.
Your Bichons fur catches a lot of dirt and other allergens from outside and inside your home, so you want to make sure you’re getting all of that out of their fur and away from their skin, so it doesn’t make them want to scratch all the time.
Deodorizing
Our pups can get pretty dirty and extremely smelly at times. This dog breed has a lot of fur throughout their entire body, so they gather a lot of dirt and other things that make them smell if they go too long without a bath.
You do not want to overbathe your pup though because that can cause their fur and skin to become brittle and cracked, but you also want them to smell nice and fresh all the time. If you find the best shampoo with a lot of natural ingredients that help deodorize your pup and keep them smelling fresh; you won’t have to worry about a stinky lapdog smelling up your home.
The 7 Best Dog Shampoos for Bichon Frise
Now let’s get to the meat and potatoes of the article; in this section, we’re talking about the exact shampoos that will help your Bichon Frise stay fresh and healthy for years to come.
| Our 2024 Picks: Best Bichon Frise Shampoo: | |||
| Rank | Shampoo | Price | Rating |
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Overall Best |
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$ |
A+
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#2 |
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$ |
A+
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#3 |
 |
$ |
A
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#4 |
 |
$ |
A-
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#5 |
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$ |
A
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#6 |
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$$ |
A
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#7 |
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$$ |
A
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Buddy Wash Original Lavender and Mint Shampoo
Best Overall – We chose this shampoo as our favorite for a couple of different reasons. It contains a variety of all natural ingredients that are known to help promote healthy skin and ensure that your pups fur stays plush and free from tangles.
The formula also contains lavender, mint, and a bunch of other essential oils that make your dog smell great at bath time and for days after. The shampoo is soap-free and builds up a nice lather during the bath, so you don’t have to use the whole bottle every time you bathe your Bichon.
We always pay close attention to the ingredients in every shampoo we recommend, and everything on this ingredient list checks out perfectly with us. Everything is natural and put into the shampoo with the intention of making your pup smell and look great.
Pros:
- All natural ingredients
- Great deodorizing components
- Helps promote skin health
- Soap-free
Cons:
- Contains tea tree oil
- The smell doesn’t last long
Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Dog Shampoo
Best Runner-up – Oatmeal and aloe are popular ingredients in dog shampoo because they are gentle and work great to help dry damaged skin. If you have been using a different shampoo that has been drying out your dog’s skin, you want to try this one.
The formula is soap-free and works to moisturize and heal skin while also getting rid of unwanted odors your pup has accumulated. It’s important that you get a nice lather out of your shampoo because your dog has so much fur, this shampoo could build a better lather during bath time, but we felt it was good enough to recommend.
The shampoo is 100% biodegradable and contains no parabens or artificial dyes.
Pros:
- Neutralizes odors
- All natural formula
- Oatmeal and Aloe
- Soothes skin
Cons:
- Low lather
- Mild Scent
TropiClean Hypoallergenic Gentle Puppy Shampoo
Best for Puppies – It’s crucial during the puppy stage of your Bichons life to help promote their skin health, so they grow a nice full coat as they age. Even some of the most natural adult dog shampoos are still too harsh on puppy skin, so we recommend using this specific puppy shampoo on your Bichon.
The base of the shampoo is coconut oil and water with aloe, so it replenishes the skin’s moisture that wears off in between baths. The formula is soap-free and contains a limited amount of natural ingredients, so it’s easy for consumers to understand and make the right decision.
The blend of ingredients is hypoallergenic, but there is not much to help with deodorizing your pup. At this stage of their life, it shouldn’t be much of a concern though because they are most likely not actively engaging in dirty activities.
Pros:
- All natural
- Limited ingredients
- Coconut-based
- Soap-free
Cons:
- No Scent
- Puppies only
Veterinary Formula Snow White Whitening Shampoo
Best Whitening – This breed is known for their snow-white coat, and they look stunning when properly maintained. Sometimes it seems like no matter what you do though you can’t get that ugly yellow tint from around their face and paws. If that’s something that you struggle with you might want to consider a specific whitening shampoo.
This shampoo contains no bleach or peroxide, and it does the whitening by using a patented brightener with green tea extract to help with skin health. It has a coral and citrus fragrance that lasts long after the bathing process, but we are unsure if it’s natural or not, there is limited ingredient information available on this formula.
Pros:
- Whitening formula
- No bleach or peroxide
- Works alongside flea and tick treatments
- Strong fragrance
Cons:
- Not all natural
- May require additional bathing
Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo
Best Anti-itch – We love shampoos designed with a specific goal in mind, and this shampoo from Vet’s Best is exactly that. This company has an excellent reputation for producing all natural organic pet products to help a variety of issues.
If your Bichon Frise struggles with dry, itchy skin, you may want to consider an anti-itch formula containing essential oils and oatmeal. These ingredients help wash away stubborn allergens that cling onto the skin irritating.
Every ingredient used in this shampoo is 100% all natural and organic, and you can use it along with flea and tick medication. The manufacturer also claims you can use this shampoo as frequently as you want, and it will not dry out your pup’s skin.
Pros:
- All natural formula
- Anti-itch
- Washes away allergens
- Use alongside medications
Cons:
- Mild Scent
- Contains tea tree oil
Best Alternative Dog Shampoos for Bichon Frise
If you’re looking for something else, we have a couple more options below that we are sure you and your pup will love.
Zesty Paws Oatmeal Anti-itch Dog Shampoo
This option contains soothing oatmeal, aloe, and vitamin E to help with healthy skin development and healing damaged skin. If you are dealing with a pup, who has dry, cracked skin you want to try a formula geared towards healing. It also contains odor-eliminating ingredients and anti-matting properties.
Paws and Pals Oatmeal, Shea Butter, and Aloe Vera Shampoo
This shampoo combines everything we love in our dog shampoos and throws it into one bottle for you. The combination of these ingredients together makes for the ultimate moisturizing and deodorizing shampoo. With all of these ingredients comes a premium price but if you want to try out a 100% all-natural shampoo with the best ingredients, give this one a try.
4 Tips for Bathing a Bichon Frise
- Make sure to massage the shampoo deep into their dense coat. Bichons have a soft undercoat, and that’s where they hold most of their dirt and allergens.
- Don’t overuse whitening shampoo. If you decide to use this type of shampoo you only need to use it once every four or five baths.
- Always use conditioner but use it sparingly. If you add too much conditioner to their coat, it becomes heavy and bothersome.
- During bathing, if you do come across a mat do not panic. Shampoo your pup as you usually would but pay extra attention to the area around the knot. If you can, get your hands underneath it and try to run your fingers through the knot with the shampoo. If all else fails, consider hiring a professional groomer to take care of any matted fur.
FAQ
Q: How often should I bathe my Bichon?
A: Every other week is standard for this breed.
Q: How do I get that powder puff to look for my Bichon Frise?
A: It all starts with proper habits; bathing your pup regularly using the right shampoo and conditioner as well as brushing them will ensure your Bichon looks fluffy and beautiful.
