Golden Retriever Shampoo: 6 Best Dog Shampoos for Golden Retrievers

The Golden Retriever is consistently ranked as one of the most popular breeds in the United States, and for good reason! These beautiful dogs have a heart of gold and a golden coat to match. They are wonderful with children, highly intelligent, and always there when you need them.

Named for the gorgeous golden color of their soft, silky coats, Golden Retrievers are the ultimate family pet. Their dense, double coats shed moderately and require regular brushing. Otherwise, however, they are fairly easy to maintain.

In this article, we’ll cover the basics about caring for your Golden Retriever’s skin and coat, including some helpful tips for bathing your dog. You’ll also see our top 6 picks for the best Golden Retriever shampoo.

What to Look for in a Top-Rated Golden Retriever Shampoo

The Golden Retriever is a large-breed dog known for its friendly personality and intelligence. Generally speaking, they are not a high-maintenance breed, though they do need a fair bit of exercise and their coats do require regular maintenance. Having a high-quality dog shampoo on hand is a must since you’ll be bathing your dog every 4 to 6 weeks – more often if your dog tends to get dirty.

One thing you should know about the Golden Retriever is that they have a high risk for allergies. Not only do Goldens tend to develop allergies to environmental allergens like dust, mold, and pollen, but they are also at risk for food allergies. In dogs, food allergies tend to present with skin-related symptoms such as dryness, itching, and hot spots. Finding the right shampoo to soothe your dog’s irritated skin while also moisturizing it for long-lasting protection is essential.

Here are some things you should look for in a shampoo for Golden Retrievers:

• Hypoallergenic – The term hypoallergenic simply means that the product doesn’t contain ingredients likely to trigger an allergic reaction. In many cases, hypoallergenic shampoos are also all-natural and may be organic.
• Natural Ingredients – In addition to making sure that your dog’s shampoo doesn’t contain any common allergens, you should also ensure that the rest of the ingredients are natural. Artificial additives like colors, fragrances, parabens, and phosphates can irritate your dog’s sensitive skin.
• Moisturizers – Whether you’re giving your dog a routine bath or trying to soothe his allergy-irritated skin, natural moisturizers like almond oil, aloe vera, and oatmeal are a must.
• pH Balance – Your Golden Retriever, has a different skin pH than you, around 6.5 to 7.5. Finding a shampoo pH-balanced for dogs is important to reduce irritation.
• Deodorizers – If your Golden Retriever has a tendency to get down and dirty outside; you may need a little extra help to keep him smelling fresh – that’s where deodorizing agents come in.

Now that you know what to look for in a dog shampoo for Golden Retrievers, you may be wondering what kind of shampoo is best. Keep reading to learn about the different types of dog shampoo.

Different Types of Shampoos for Golden Retrievers

Walking through the dog aisle at your local pet store can be an eye-opening experience. You may be surprised to find just how many different types of dog shampoo there are. To help you prepare for your shopping trip, here is an overview of some of the best types of dog shampoo for Golden Retrievers:

• Puppy Shampoo – Your Golden Retriever puppy’s skin is extra-sensitive, so choose a tearless formula made with all-natural ingredients and pH-balanced for your puppy’s skin.
• General Purpose – A high-quality general-purpose shampoo should be in your arsenal. Look for one that is hypoallergenic or all-natural with moisturizing agents and deodorizers.
• Flea and Tick – This type of shampoo is designed to kill fleas and ticks – you’ll need to work it all the way down to your Golden Retriever’s skin and let it set for 10 minutes before rinsing.
• Medicated – These shampoos are designed to combat skin infections so they may offer antifungal, antibacterial, or antiseptic benefits. Choose the correct one for your dog’s problem.
• 2-in-1 – Because you want to keep your dog’s skin moisturized and his coat silky between baths, you might consider a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner.
• Conditioner – If you want to give your dog’s coat an added layer of moisture and protection, use a conditioner or a leave-in conditioner spray.

Choosing the right dog shampoo is all about your Golden Retriever’s needs in the moment. You’ll want to have a general-purpose shampoo on hand, but you may need others for specific issues. Always use a shampoo designed specifically for the issue you are trying to resolve and never use shampoo intended for humans on your Golden Retriever’s sensitive skin.

The 6 Best Dog Shampoos for Golden Retrievers

Finding the best dog shampoo for your Golden Retriever is about meeting your dog’s individual needs. Whether you need a general-purpose shampoo to cleanse and condition his coat or something to soothe itchy and irritated skin, here are our top 6 picks:

Our 2023 Picks: Best Dog Shampoo for Golden Retrievers
Rank	Shampoo	Price	Rating
Overall Best	Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A+
Puppies	Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo With Buttermilk Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A+
Sensitive Skin	Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo For Dogs Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A+
Most Popular	Buddy Wash Refreshing Rosemary & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A+
#5	Pet Care Sciences 5-In-1 Shampoo And Conditioner Buy Online Customer Reviews	$$	A
#6	Healthy Breeds Bright Whitening Dog Shampoo Buy Online Customer Reviews	$	A

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo

If you’re looking for an affordable option in general-purpose shampoo that will cleanse and moisturize your dog’s skin and coat, try this Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo. Made with all-natural ingredients, this shampoo is soap-free and supplemented with oatmeal and aloe to prevent over-drying. It has a lovely vanilla and almond scent, plus it is 100% biodegradable and free from paraben and phosphates. This shampoo will keep your dog’s skin feeling soft and supple while his coat retains its natural shine between baths.

Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk

Best Shampoo for Golden Retriever Puppies: Your Golden Retriever puppy has sensitive skin, so you need a gentle shampoo to keep him clean. This Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk is a great option because it features buttermilk and a gentle soap-free cleanser to soothe and soften his skin. This shampoo also contains honey to help moisturize the skin and coat, strengthening the hair follicles at the same time. It is pH-balanced for dogs and contains high-quality natural ingredients. Plus, it is highly affordable and well-reviewed.

• Pros: Gentle for puppies, pH-balanced for dogs, soap-free cleanser, 97% natural ingredients, tearless formula, honey to strengthen coat, buttermilk for moisture
• Cons: Doesn’t have much of a scent, doesn’t lather as well as some products

Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs

Best Shampoo for Sensitive Skin: Golden Retrievers have a high risk for skin allergies and food allergies that cause skin problems. If you’re looking for a shampoo designed for sensitive skin that will also help relieve allergies, try this Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs. This veterinary formula features natural ingredients like oatmeal, tea tree oil, and other botanical ingredients to soothe and moisturize dry, irritated skin. With an herbal spa fragrance, this shampoo leaves your dog smelling fresh but won’t dry out his skin. It won’t affect flea and tick products, and it can be used as often as needed to relieve skin allergies.

• Pros: Relieves skin allergies, soothing natural ingredients, botanical ingredients, moisturizes skin and coat, herbal spa fragrance, won’t affect flea and tick products
• Cons: Scent may be too strong for some, may not work for bacterial skin infections

3 More Top-Rated Dog Shampoos for Golden Retrievers

If the three dog shampoos above don’t seem quite right, don’t worry – there are plenty of other options to choose from. Here are three more top-rated dog shampoos for Golden Retrievers:

Buddy Wash Refreshing Rosemary & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

If you’re looking for a general-purpose shampoo for your Golden Retriever, look no further than this Buddy Wash Refreshing Rosemary & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner. This is a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner made with all-natural ingredients in a gentle, soap-free formula. It builds a rich lather for deep cleansing but rinses easily to prevent irritation. This shampoo features botanical extracts like rosemary, sage, and chamomile for a soothing scent and skin rejuvenation. Plus, it contains natural deodorizers and is gentle enough for use on puppies.

Pet Care Sciences 5-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

Not just your average 2-in-1 dog shampoo, this Pet Care Sciences 5-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner does it all. It cleanses and conditions your dog’s skin and coat while also moisturizing, detangling, and deodorizing. If you want your Golden Retriever’s coat to be soft and silky between baths, this is the product you need. It features all-natural ingredients and is free from parabens, sulfates, and phosphates, so it won’t irritate your dog’s sensitive skin. Plus, it is professional-grade, and it comes with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Healthy Breeds Bright Whitening Dog Shampoo

Overall Best Golden Retriever Dog Shampoo: If you’re looking for a great general-purpose dog shampoo for your Golden Retriever, look no further than this Healthy Breeds Bright Whitening Dog Shampoo. This formula is designed to lighten and brighten your dog’s coat while also smoothing and detangling. It is pH-balanced for sensitive skin and contains soothing natural ingredients with a delicious pina colada scent. This shampoo moisturizes and nourishes your dog’s skin and coat without harsh bleach, and it forms a rich lather that rinses easily. Plus, it comes with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

• Pros: Whitens and brightens, smooths and detangles, pH-balanced, soothing natural ingredients, pleasant pina colada scent, moisturizes skin and coat, rich lather rinses easily
• Cons: Scent may be too mild for some to notice, may require multiple baths to really whiten

6 Tips for Bathing a Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a playful breed, and if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he’s likely to get pretty messy from time to time. Outside of necessary baths, you should plan to bathe your Golden Retriever every 4 to 6 weeks to keep his skin and coat in good condition. Here are some simple tips for bathing your Golden Retriever:

1. Give your dog a thorough brushing before bathing him to get rid of dead and loose hairs from his coat – it is also a good idea to work through any mats or tangles before bathing your dog.
2. Use treats and toys as needed to lure your Golden Retriever into the tub and to keep him there for the duration of the bath – some dog owners spread peanut butter on the wall or faucet to keep their dogs busy.
3. Make sure to wet your dog’s coat all the way through to the skin – you may need a hand sprayer for this since your dog has a fairly thick, double coat.
4. Apply a small amount of shampoo down your dog’s back and work it into a lather – though your dog has a double coat, the hair itself is fairly fine, so you may not need a lot of shampoo.
5. Rinse well then rinse again to make sure you get all of the suds out of your Golden Retriever’s coat – run your hand along his back to check for soap residue before drying.
6. Blow-drying your dog’s coat after toweling it off can help reduce tangling – just make sure you use the low heat setting and hold the dryer at least 6 inches away from your dog’s skin.

Starting early when your Golden Retriever is a puppy is the best way to get him used to baths, so he stays calm. The last thing you want is for him to panic and try to jump out of the tub, taking most of the water with him. If your dog is nervous about baths, it may help to have a second person to calm him.

FAQ regarding Golden Retriever Bathing:

How often should a Golden Retriever be bathed? – Individual needs will vary but, for the most part, you should plan to bathe your Golden Retriever every 4 to 6 weeks. Some dog experts suggest that bathing your dog too often could strip the natural oils in its skin that moisturize and protect. If you use a natural dog shampoo that contains moisturizing and conditioning agents, however, this shouldn’t be a big concern.

How can I make my Golden Retriever smell better? – Bathing your dog on a regular basis is the best way to keep him smelling fresh, but there are also some things you can do to reduce odor between baths. Grooming your dog several times a week will help remove dirt and debris from his coat, plus it will distribute the natural oils produced in his skin that keep his skin and coat healthy and conditioned. Brushing your dog’s teeth and cleaning his ears on a regular basis will help, as will feeding him a high-quality diet made from digestible natural ingredients. If you need something to freshen your dog between baths, consider a conditioning spray or dry shampoo.