7 Best Dog Shampoos For Golden Retrievers in 2024

Golden Retrievers are America’s most popular dog breed.

This family dog is incredibly loving, outgoing and affectionate. They are known to be masters of fetch and swimming aficionados. Although this breed makes an incredible companion, the Golden Retriever’s active lifestyle can also lead to a need for frequent bathing.

Goldens are prone to skin dryness or irritation, and it’s important that you choose a shampoo that is going to keep your Golden’s coat healthy and looking its best.

The 6 Best Dog Shampoos For Golden Retrievers

When choosing a shampoo for your beloved Golden Retriever you’ll want one that is sure to lather deep into their double coat without drying out their skin. A Golden’s coat is water repellant, but that doesn’t mean they are not vulnerable to bacteria, moisture and infection.

Overall Best Golden Retriever Dog Shampoo – FURminator Frequent Use Ultra-Premium Dog Shampoo

Golden Retrievers shed, and they shed a lot. While regular brushing your Golden can help with the constant shedding, you need a shampoo that can help move the process along. The FURminator Frequent Use Ultra-premium shampoo is formulated to offer superior de-shedding assistance.

The blend of natural ingredients won’t dry out your Golden Retriever’s fur in the case that they need frequent bathing. Goldens love swimming, hiking and playing outdoors, which means you may have a wet, dirty and muddy pup on your hands!

Pros:

• Great for frequent use in case your Golden Retriever prefers an active, dirty lifestyle.
• The natural formula won’t dry out your Golden’s Golden’s skin, which will also reduce airborne allergens.
• Made in the USA and doesn’t contain any parabens or chemical dyes.

Cons:

• Only for use on adult dogs.

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Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers With Extra Coarse Fur – PL360 All-In-One Fresh Pomegranate Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

Golden Retrievers don a double coat which will keep them nice and warm in the winter. If your Golden Retriever has extra coarse fur, we recommend the PL360 All-in-One Fresh Pomegranate Dog Shampoo. Its plant-based formula cleans and moisturizes your Goldens coat down to the undercoat.

This dog shampoo is pH balanced and will leave your Golden Retriever smelling like pomegranates rather than wet dog. The natural built-in conditioner will wash deep in your Golden’s coat without any toxins or parabens.

Pros:

• This dog shampoo will not wash away your Golden’s topical flea and tick treatment.
• It’s made in the USA and comes in an eco-friendly biodegradable bottle.
• The all-in-one PL360 dog shampoo will moisturize and detangle your Golden’s tough, coarse coat.

Cons:

• The pomegranate scent is not known to last very long.

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Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers With Sensitive Skin – Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Dog Shampoo With Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey

If your Golden Retriever suffers from eczema or other skin conditions, Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Collodial Oat Flour & Honey is our top pick. The oat flour is meant to deeply condition dry skin while leaving a beautiful shine to your Golden’s coat. Burt’s Bees is pH balanced and gentle for your Golden’s sensitive skin. The honey in the formula will strengthen your Golden Retriever’s hair follicles, and help them regulate plus maintain moisture.

Pros:

• This Burt’s Bees shampoo formula will not dry out your pup’s fur.
• The green tea extract and other natural ingredients promote healthy hair growth and care.
• This shampoo is made cruelty-free in the USA!

Cons:

• It is not hypoallergenic or made for puppies.

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3 More Top-Rated Dog Shampoos For Golden Retrievers

TropiClean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Dog Shampoo

If your Golden Retriever’s shedding is becoming a problem, TropiClean makes a fantastic deshedding formula to help. The lime and coconut formula is made from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as oatmeal and coconut to nourish your Golden’s skin. This shampoo removes excess hair without drying out or irritating the skin. TropiClean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Dog Shampoo is soap-free and will keep your Golden Retriever’s coat looking lustrous and healthy.

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Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Medicated Dog Shampoo

Is your Golden Retriever’s fur full of dander? Davis makes a dog shampoo with benzoyl peroxide, which helps fight bacteria. This veterinary formulated shampoo offers moisture to reach deep into your Golden’s double coat. It can help treat bacterial skin infections and other conditions which cause dander or dry out your Golden Retriever’s fur and skin. If your Golden is constantly itching or biting at their skin, this Davis shampoo is known to help. Consult your veterinarian to use this shampoo in conjunction with Benzoyl Plus.

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Skout’s Honor Probiotic Honeysuckle Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

If you’re looking for a gentle shampoo that can help with shedding, dry spots and itching, Skout’s Honor Probiotic Honeysuckle Dog Shampoo is an effective choice. This formula, made from coconut and avocado oil, is made to combat itching, dryness and hot spots. It will also improve your Golden Retriever’s skin and coat via the paraben-free, pH balanced formula. Omega-3s present in this shampoo will leave your Golden’s coat looking silky and smooth.

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 Related: Best Brushes For Golden Retriever

What To Look For In A Top-Rated Golden Retriever Shampoo

Golden Retrievers have very thick, double coats. Their coats protect them from seasonal weather, and that requires you to keep your Golden’s fur in tip top shape. They tend to shed like crazy, which means bath time is incredibly important. But don’t over-bathe your Golden Retriever – that can lead to stripping natural, healthy oils from their skin.

• Since Golden Retrievers shed, you will want to consider a dog shampoo that is specifically formulated for the deshedding process.
• If your Golden has sensitive skin, purchasing an aloe or oatmeal shampoo may help them with itchy, irritated skin.
• Your Golden may have allergies, in which case a natural, hypoallergenic dog shampoo will be the best option.
• If your Golden has fleas, you can pick up a dog shampoo that is designed to kill fleas on contact. Keep in mind that these shampoos don’t have lasting effects like a flea and tick treatment.

You may want to have a flea treatment shampoo and a general bathing shampoo on hand. If your Golden suffers from “allergy season” they may need a specific shampoo for that time of year. There’s no rule stating you can’t have multiple dog shampoos for your furry friend.

7 Tips For Bathing A Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers generally don’t mind bath time because they tend to be water dogs. However, your Golden may not feel that having a bath is as enjoyable as swimming. The tips below will help ensure a smooth bathing experience.

1. Positive reinforcement can help train your Golden that bath time is a fun occasion, rather than a stressful one. If you bath your Golden in the bath tub, try putting some peanut butter on the shower wall that they can lick while you bath them. The delicious distraction could be the solution for your nervous Nelly.
2. Use a deshedding tool on your Golden before you bath them. This will rid their coat of excess fur, which will then allow you to bathe them more thoroughly.
3. Use warm water in the bath. Hot water can potentially burn your Golden, and cold water is hardly comfortable.
4. Put a towel in your dryer to warm it up so your Golden Retriever has a cozy, dry towel to snuggle in after the bath.
5. Pour a thin line of shampoo down your Golden Retriever’s back. Gently lather it throughout their coat, and don’t forget their neck, face, ears, tail and paws!
6. Make sure you completely rinse out all of the shampoo. If shampoo isn’t washed out and it dries, that can cause more skin irritation.
7. Use the warm towel to dry your Golden Retriever after the bath is complete, and allow them to air dry if it’s warm enough to do so.

FAQ Regarding Bathing A Golden Retriever:

How often should I bathe my Golden Retriever?

You should give your Golden Retriever a bath every 4-6 weeks. You can bathe them more often if they are active outdoors, but be careful not to bathe them too frequently. With Golden Retrievers it’s important that their thick coat retains its natural oils in order to stay healthy. Too many baths can cause their fur to easily dry out, leading to unfortunate skin conditions.

How can I make my Golden Retriever smell better?

If your Golden Retriever loves swimming, that “wet dog smell” may be a familiar scent. You can make your Golden smell better by bathing them more often, or using a deodorizing spray between baths. If a different bath routine doesn’t work, try switching their shampoo. If that still doesn’t work, your Golden may need veterinary attention. Infections and skin diseases can cause an unwanted odor, in which case your Golden Retriever will need to see a vet.