7 Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Puppies (2026)

Last updated: October 2026

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The best shampoo and conditioner for puppies is a gentle, tearless formula that cleans and softens the coat in one step. Our top pick is the Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner, and the runner-up is SKOUT’S HONOR Probiotic Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner for owners who want a natural-leaning, sulfate-free recipe. Puppies have delicate skin and wriggle through baths, so the best products are mild, easy to rinse and clear about the minimum age on the label. This guide covers seven main picks, three extras, a buying guide for choosing between shampoo-and-conditioner combos and separate bottles, and a set of answers to the questions new owners ask most.

Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall: Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner
• Best Premium: SKOUT’S HONOR Probiotic Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner
• Best Budget: Arm & Hammer Tearless Puppy Shampoo (age labelled 8 weeks and up)
• Best for Dry Skin: PET CARE Sciences Tearless Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner
• Best Groomer Brand: Espree Gentle Fresh Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner
• Best for Fluffy Coats: Earth Rated Detangler 3-in-1
• Best Trial Size: We Love Doodles Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner

Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner Comparison Table

1. Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner with Buttermilk: Best for overall everyday puppy care

Burts Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner with Buttermilk, 16 Fl Oz | Gentle 2-in-1 formula cleans and conditions sensitive puppy skin and coat, tearless for easy bath time

One of the home product options compared in this guide.

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• Size: 16 fl oz
• Format: 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
• Highlight: buttermilk; tearless (per listing)
• Coat range: not coat-specific
• Price tier: Budget

Best for: Almost any puppy, from short smooth coats to fluffy ones, when you want one familiar bottle that does both jobs. Skip if: your puppy has a tangled, long coat that needs real slip, since this is a light conditioner.

If you only buy one puppy shampoo and conditioner, a gentle, widely available two-in-one is the safest start, and this is the one dog-care editors name again and again. The listing describes a formula that cleans and conditions sensitive puppy skin and coat, and the tearless claim matters more than it sounds: puppies do not hold still, and a wash that will not sting if a drop lands near the eyes makes bath time calmer.

The conditioning here is light. That is fine for most puppy coats, which are soft and short in the first months. It is the reason it works as an all-rounder, but also the reason longer-coated breeds eventually need something with more slip.

Bottle size is generous for the tier, so it is also a good option for households that wash several dogs. Check the age guidance on the label before the first bath, and keep shampoo away from the eyes and inside the ears.

Pros

• Widely recommended, familiar brand
• Tearless two-in-one for sensitive puppy skin
• Good bottle size for the tier

Cons

• Light conditioning only
• Not aimed at long or curly coats

2. SKOUT’S HONOR Probiotic Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner: Best for natural-ingredient buyers

SKOUT'S HONOR Probiotic Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner - Happy Puppy, 16 oz | Natural 2-in-1 for Puppies and Dogs, Microbiome-Friendly with Avocado Oil & Omega-3s, Paraben & Sulfate-Free

One of the home product options compared in this guide.

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• Size: 16 oz
• Format: 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
• Highlights: probiotic blend, avocado oil, omega-3s (per listing)
• Free of: parabens and sulfates (per listing)
• Price tier: Premium

Best for: Owners who read labels and prefer a plant-forward, sulfate-free wash for a young dog. Skip if: you are shopping on price alone, since several cheaper options do the same basic cleaning.

Skout’s Honor describes its formula as microbiome-friendly, which is a way of saying it is designed to be mild on the skin’s natural balance. We would not read that as a medical benefit, but the sulfate- and paraben-free recipe, with avocado oil and omega-3s for softness, is a thoughtful setup for a first coat.

The format is a true two-in-one, so a single pass cleans and leaves the fur easier to comb. It is labelled for puppies and dogs, which means it can carry on into adulthood instead of being outgrown.

It sits at the premium end, so it is best for owners who bathe every few weeks and value ingredient transparency.

Pros

• Sulfate- and paraben-free per listing
• Conditioning oils help soften the coat
• Works for puppies and adult dogs

Cons

• Premium price tier
• Probiotic wording is marketing, not treatment

3. Arm & Hammer Tearless Puppy Shampoo, Coconut Lime Verbena: Best for budget deodorizing

Arm & Hammer Tearless Puppy Shampoo, Coconut Lime Verbena, 16 Fl Oz | 2-in-1 baking soda formula, gentle tear-free wash, suitable for puppies 8 weeks and older

One of the home product options compared in this guide.

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• Size: 16 fl oz
• Format: 2-in-1 tearless shampoo (baking soda formula)
• Age guidance: puppies 8 weeks and older (per listing)
• Scent: coconut lime verbena
• Price tier: Budget

Best for: Budget shoppers who want a clearly age-labelled puppy wash with a fresh scent. Skip if: your puppy has very dry or reactive skin and needs a fragrance-free formula.

The strongest selling point is that the listing states the age range up front: suitable for puppies eight weeks and older. That kind of clear label is exactly what a new owner needs. The baking soda angle is aimed at odor, which is useful for puppies that roll in everything.

As a 2-in-1 it simplifies the bath, although the conditioning step is basic. For a fluffy or smooth-coated puppy that is plenty.

The scent is noticeable. If you or your puppy are sensitive to fragrance, consider a fragrance-free option instead.

Pros

• Clear age guidance on the listing
• Deodorizing baking soda formula
• Very budget friendly

Cons

• Noticeable fragrance
• Basic conditioning

4. PET CARE Sciences Tearless Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner: Best for dry, itchy-feeling skin

PET CARE Sciences 16 fl oz Tearless Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner - Dog Shampoo Itchy Skin Relief - Coconut Oil Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs - Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo Sensitive Skin, Made in the USA.

Chosen because it is hypoallergenic.

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• Size: 16 fl oz
• Format: shampoo and conditioner
• Highlights: coconut oil and oatmeal; hypoallergenic positioning (per listing)
• Made in: USA (per listing)
• Price tier: Mid-range

Best for: Puppies whose skin looks dry or who seem a little scratchy after bath time with harsher washes. Skip if: your puppy scratches constantly or has red, flaky or smelly skin, because that needs a vet visit, not a shampoo swap.

Coconut oil and oatmeal are the headline ingredients. Colloidal oatmeal is a familiar gentle choice for dry skin, and coconut oil is a common conditioning agent. Together they give this shampoo a moisturizing profile that suits puppies with a dry or sensitive feel.

The listing mentions itch relief, and it is reasonable to say a wash like this may help soothe mild dryness. It will not fix allergies, parasites or infections. If itching is persistent, see a vet.

At a mid-range tier it costs more than the basic budget picks, but the oat and oil formula is a sensible reason to choose it for a puppy that gets dry skin.

Pros

• Oatmeal and coconut oil for dryness
• Tearless puppy shampoo and conditioner
• Made in the USA per listing

Cons

• Mid-range cost
• Not a treatment for skin disease

5. Espree Gentle Fresh Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner: Best for groomer-brand softness

Espree Gentle Fresh Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner, Soft Puppy Shampoo, 20oz

One of the home product options compared in this guide.

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• Size: 20 oz
• Format: shampoo and conditioner
• Brand note: a professional grooming brand
• Ingredient list: not shown in listing data
• Price tier: Mid-range

Best for: Owners who like groomer-oriented brands and want a larger bottle for a soft puppy finish. Skip if: you need exact ingredient details before use, since those are not shown in the listing data we reviewed.

Espree is a name often found in grooming salons, and this puppy formula is its mild, fresh-scented take on a two-in-one. The 20 oz size is one of the larger bottles in this list, which is useful for fast-growing puppies who need frequent short baths.

We cannot list a full ingredient panel from the listing data, so read the label for scent components if your puppy is sensitive. The promise is a soft coat that is easy to comb out.

As a groomer-style product it may feel slightly more refined than supermarket washes. It is a sound choice if you already buy the brand for adult dogs.

Pros

• Large 20 oz bottle
• Groomer-oriented brand
• Soft, fresh finish

Cons

• Ingredients not shown in listing data
• Scented

6. Earth Rated Detangler Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo & Conditioner: Best for longer or fluffy puppy coats

Earth Rated Detangler Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo & Conditioner, 16 oz

Chosen because it is hypoallergenic.

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• Size: 16 oz
• Format: 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner and detangler
• Natural origin: 98.5 percent (per listing)
• Marketed for: dogs and puppies, doodles and poodles
• Price tier: Mid-range

Best for: Fluffy, curly or doodle puppies that tangle behind the ears and along the legs. Skip if: you have a short, smooth-coated breed, where the extra detangling is wasted.

Not every puppy needs a detangler, but those with fluffy coats do. This three-in-one adds slip to the conditioner so a comb passes through wet fur with less pulling. The listing calls out dogs and puppies, with doodles and poodles specifically named.

The natural-origin figure on the listing is a plus for owners who like short ingredient lists, though that figure refers to the origin of the ingredients rather than to gentleness. Patch test if your puppy has reactive skin.

It is also deodorizing, so it can stretch the time between baths on a coat that picks up smells.

Pros

• Detangler built in
• Mostly natural-origin ingredients per listing
• Suits doodles and poodles

Cons

• More than short coats need
• Mid-range cost

7. We Love Doodles Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner (8 oz): Best for small trial size for sensitive puppies

Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner, Tearless Hypoallergenic Wash, Lavender, 8 oz | Best Gentle Tear Free Puppy Shampoo 8+ Weeks Old, Sensitive Skin Golden Doodle Dog & Poodle Bath Soap, Natural, Made In USA

Chosen because it is hypoallergenic.

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• Size: 8 oz
• Format: shampoo and conditioner
• Age guidance: 8 weeks and older (per listing)
• Scent: lavender
• Price tier: Budget

Best for: New owners who want to test a gentle, small-bottle puppy wash before committing to a large size. Skip if: you have a large breed puppy, since 8 oz will run out within a few baths.

This small bottle is built for puppies from eight weeks. It is described as tearless and hypoallergenic, which as always means formulated to be gentle rather than guaranteed allergy-free.

The small size makes it a nice starter, and it travels easily if you take the puppy to classes or daycare. The brand focuses on doodles, but nothing about a gentle puppy two-in-one limits it to that group.

For multi-dog homes, look at a larger bottle from the same range.

Pros

• Clear age guidance of 8 weeks and up
• Small, cheap trial size
• Travel friendly

Cons

• Runs out quickly
• Scented

Also Consider

earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo and Oatmeal & Aloe Conditioner Set

earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo and Oatmeal & Aloe, 16 Oz (1 Set) | Best Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, Made in USA, 100% Cruelty Free Dog Wash, Soothing Oatmeal Shampoo

One of the home product options compared in this guide.

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Best for owners who prefer separate bottles: a mild puppy shampoo with an oatmeal and aloe conditioner for dry-feeling coats. Trade-off: two bottles per bath and a premium tier.

PAWFUME Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, Blue Ribbon

PAWFUME Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, Blue Ribbon, 1-Pack | Probiotic pH-balanced formula nourishes, detangles and deep cleans for silky coat, Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner

One of the home product options compared in this guide.

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Best for fragrance-lovers who want a probiotic, pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner that also detangles. Trade-off: the scent is a feature, so it is not the right choice for scent-sensitive puppies.

Wahl 4-in-1 Calming Dog Shampoo, Lavender Chamomile (24 oz)

Wahl USA 4-in-1 Calming Dog Shampoo with Lavender Chamomile Scent – Cleans, Conditions, Detangles, & Moisturizes - Pet Friendly Formula - 24 Oz - Model 820000A

One of the home product options compared in this guide.

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Best for a large-bottle, multi-purpose wash that cleans, conditions, detangles and moisturizes. Trade-off: it is a general dog formula, so check the label for puppy age guidance before using on very young dogs.

How We Chose

These picks come from research, not from bathing puppies ourselves. We began with shampoo-and-conditioner products that are marketed for puppies or for sensitive skin, then removed anything with unclear age guidance or obscure brands. We read each listing’s title and description, compared the makers’ stated positioning, and looked at what dog-care publishers and groomers repeatedly recommend for young dogs. Priority went to tearless, sulfate-light or clearly labelled formulas, and to a spread of budget, mid-range and premium tiers. We used no more than two products per brand among the main picks. Where a detail was not in the listing, we mark it as not listed. We do not use star ratings, review counts or exact prices.

Buying Guide: Choosing Puppy Shampoo and Conditioner

Two-in-one or separate bottles?

A two-in-one is the practical choice for short or medium coats and for owners who want a quick bath. Separate bottles give you more control: shampoo for the whole coat, conditioner only on the longer parts that tangle. If your puppy is a breed with long, silky or curly hair, separate bottles or a detangler formula usually give a better result.

Read the minimum age

Most puppy shampoos are labelled for puppies eight weeks and older, but some are not specific. A puppy under eight weeks should generally be spot cleaned with a warm damp cloth. If you are uncertain, ask your vet or breeder.

Match the formula to the coat and skin

Tearless does not mean eye-safe

Tearless formulas are milder if they touch the eyes, but they are not a license to wash the face. Use a damp cloth for the head, and keep water and suds out of the ears.

Scent, sulfates and natural claims

Strong scent can bother puppies and owners alike. Sulfate-free washes are often gentler, although they lather less, and that is normal. Terms like natural, hypoallergenic and probiotic are marketing terms. They are not regulated standards, so use them as hints and not as promises.

Do a patch test and introduce one product at a time

Even gentle puppy formulas can disagree with an individual dog. Before the first full bath, put a small amount of diluted shampoo on a patch of skin, such as the inner thigh, and watch for redness over the next several hours. Introduce only one new product at a time, so if irritation appears you know which one caused it. Keep the first few baths short, with a calm voice and a few treats. If your puppy shivers, pant heavily or tries to bolt, pause and warm them with a towel. A positive early experience is worth more than a spotless coat.

Price tier and bottle size

Shampoo and Conditioner Combo vs Separate Bottles

This is the decision most owners wrestle with, and the right answer depends on coat length and how much time you have. A combo is faster and cheaper, and for the first three or four months of a puppy’s life it is usually all you need. The coat is short and soft, tangles are rare, and the main goal is a gentle clean. Separate bottles pay off once the adult coat arrives. A dedicated conditioner can be left on for a few minutes, applied only to the longer feathering behind the legs, ears and tail, and rinsed at the end. That sequence gives better slip and softer results than a combo. A good middle path is to start with a combo and add a separate conditioner or detangling spray when brushing gets harder. Keep a note of how your puppy responds to each product, and stop using anything that leaves the skin red, flaky or itchy.

Aftercare for the coat

Once the bath is done, the next hour matters as much as the shampoo. Dry the coat fully, because damp fur against the skin can cause irritation. Brush out any small tangles while the coat is still slightly damp but not soaking, working in small sections from the ends upward. Offer a treat and quiet time so that the puppy associates grooming with a calm, positive routine. Over the following days, check the skin for redness or flaking, especially in skin folds and under the collar. A little dryness can settle with a gentler product, but if redness or itching continues, book a vet check.

Mistakes to Avoid

Do not use human shampoo or baby shampoo, since their pH is made for people. Do not bathe a puppy too often: every three to four weeks is a good range unless the puppy gets muddy, because frequent washing dries out skin. Do not skip the rinse, because leftover conditioner can irritate skin and leave fur sticky. Do not use flea shampoos or medicated washes on a young puppy unless a vet has recommended them, and never assume a dog product is safe for a cat. Some ingredients, such as tea tree oil and permethrin, are toxic to cats. Finally, never treat persistent itching, redness or hair loss with shampoo alone. Those signs need a vet or groomer assessment.

Another frequent slip is using too much product. Puppies have small bodies, and a coin-sized amount diluted in a cup of water is usually enough for a small dog, with a little more for larger breeds. Excess shampoo takes far longer to rinse, and residue is a leading cause of post-bath scratching. Likewise, avoid scrubbing hard: a gentle massage with the fingertips cleans just as well and keeps the experience relaxed. If you also use a spot-on flea treatment, check the product label for how long to wait before and after a bath, because frequent washing can affect some treatments.

How to bathe a puppy step by step

1. Brush out tangles first, and gather towels, shampoo and treats before the puppy goes in.
2. Use lukewarm water and a non-slip surface, and wet the coat from the neck backwards.
3. Apply a small amount of shampoo, lather gently and avoid the eyes and ears.
4. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
5. If you use separate conditioner, apply to longer fur, wait as directed and rinse again.
6. Towel dry, then use a low-heat dryer or keep the puppy warm until fully dry.

FAQ

What is the best shampoo and conditioner for puppies?

The best shampoo and conditioner for puppies is a gentle, tearless two-in-one such as Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner. Choose a detangling formula like Earth Rated if your puppy has a fluffy or curly coat, and a premium natural recipe like SKOUT’S HONOR if you prefer sulfate-free.

At what age can puppies have shampoo and conditioner?

Most puppy shampoos are labelled for puppies eight weeks and older. Before that age, a warm damp cloth is usually safer because very young puppies chill easily. Always follow the age on the label and ask your vet if your puppy is younger or has health concerns.

How often should I bathe my puppy?

Every three to four weeks suits most puppies, with extra baths only when they are very dirty. Washing too often can strip natural oils and dry out the skin. Brush between baths to keep the coat clean and tangle-free.

Do puppies need conditioner?

Not always. Short, smooth coats often need only shampoo, while fluffy, long or curly coats benefit from conditioner because it reduces tangles. A two-in-one gives a light version of conditioning, which suits many puppies.

Is oatmeal shampoo safe for puppies?

Colloidal oatmeal is a common gentle ingredient that may help soothe dry skin, and many puppy shampoos include it. Check that the product is labelled for puppies. If your puppy scratches constantly or has red skin, ask a vet to look rather than relying on shampoo.

Can I use baby shampoo on a puppy?

It is better not to. Baby shampoo is made for human skin pH and can dry out a puppy’s skin. A shampoo formulated for dogs, ideally one labelled for puppies, is the safer choice.

Is a tearless puppy shampoo really safe near the eyes?

Tearless formulas are milder, but they are still shampoo. Avoid the face when possible, clean it with a damp cloth, and rinse with plain water if suds reach the eyes. If the eyes stay red or watery, contact your vet.

Which Shampoo and Conditioner Should You Buy?

For a simple, dependable answer, buy the Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner. Pick Arm & Hammer if you want a very low price with clear age guidance, and PET CARE Sciences if your puppy’s skin feels dry. Choose Earth Rated Detangler for fluffy or doodle coats, Espree for a groomer-style finish, and SKOUT’S HONOR if natural ingredients matter. The We Love Doodles small bottle is the easiest low-risk trial. Whichever you choose, check the age guidance, rinse well, and speak to a vet about any skin issue that does not clear up.