Coco, the Lhasa Apso who shares her life with us, likes to help us with the gardening. Digging holes to bury her treats in is a particular speciality. Sadly, when she returns at a later date hoping to find a more ‘matured’ treat, the squirrels have often got there first. She never learns…
Consequently, having the right vegan dog shampoo is simply an essential in our household!
Many of us put a lot of time and effort into finding the right vegan shampoo for ourselves, so it’s only right that we invest a bit of time in finding the best vegan dog shampoo for our animal companions too.
Coco, the rather muddy-faced Lhasa Apso dog pictured above, shares her life with us.
Thoughtfully, she likes leaving big holes in the garden for us to fill up, either because she has:
- buried one of her treats, or
- dug a big hole, just because she can
We need her to keep us occupied in this way. After all, what else would we be doing, other than maybe working and earning a living…
One of her other favourite pastimes is rolling in random poo on field paths. Fox, badger, bird, or even another dog’s, she’s not fussy to be honest. As long as she can roll in it repeatedly so it really sticks to her fur and maximises those heady country smells, that’s all she really cares about.
However, therein lies a problem. We don’t share her choice of perfume, and she doesn’t share our love of baths (I have also reviewed the best vegan soap bars for smelly humans if you’d like to take a look). So, what I fail to understand is why she hasn’t put 2 and 2 together to realise that rolling in smelly stuff results in a long walk to the bathroom.
Consequently, I am frequently Public Enemy No. 1.
Apparently, according to popular opinion, I am the only one in our house who has all the skills required to fulfil the important role of Chief Dog Washer. I hadn’t realised I was gifted in this way. I’m obviously very pleased to be so good at something though, and, as I wring my clothes out, mop the bathroom floor and clean the mud off the ceiling, I feel thankful that my strengths are recognised by my family.
How have I chosen the Best Vegan Dog Shampoos?
I have carefully researched a number of vegan dog shampoos and have listed my 7 favourite products below. I’d like to say they are Coco’s favourites too but I can’t be sure about that, although I do know that none of these make her itch or negatively affect her sensitive skin.
However, you probably know what is best for your canine companion, so always take them into consideration when choosing a product.
The factors I have considered when choosing the best vegan dog shampoos include:
- vegan and cruelty-free – this is non-negotiable
- skin sensitivity
- use of organic ingredients
- eco-friendly packaging
- price
Here are the Best Vegan Dog Shampoos
Little Beast Pet Shampoo Bar
Pros
- Very gentle with a mild scent
- Lathers and cleans very effectively
- Cardboard packaging
Cons
- Bit pricier than some, but lasts a long time
I am very impressed by this product. Organic, vegan and cruelty-free this is a pet shampoo product made by The Little Soap Company.
It is packaged only in the cardboard box you see here and is a solid bar of vegan dog shampoo.
It has a lovely, mild scent and lathers and cleans very well. It also rinses off easily. The scent doesn’t last too long, but I like that. Dogs should really smell of dogs, within reason…
Pros
- Very gentle with a mild scent
- Lathers and cleans very effectively
- Cardboard packaging
Cons
- Bit pricier than some, but lasts a long time
Hownd Conditioning Shampoo
Pros
- Very gentle with a mild scent
- Lathers and cleans very effectively
- Cardboard packaging
Cons
- Bit pricier than some, but lasts a long time
I really put this shampoo to the test with my dog, Coco, on the very day that it was delivered! Having absolutely covered herself in some wild animal poo that she’d found in the garden, she smelt truly awful.
This shampoo was fabulous. It lathered well, smelt good, and quickly and successfully removed all traces of said poo. It washed out easily and didn’t make her itchy at all, which some shampoos can.
Take it from me, this shampoo does exactly what it says it will do!
Hownd also makes great vegan dog food which you can read about in my guide to the 7 Best Vegan Dog Foods in the UK
Pros
- Great for sensitive pups
- Lathers and cleans very effectively
- Removes all odours and is pleasantly scented
Cons
- Plastic packaging
Faith in Nature Dog Shampoo
Pros
- Very gentle
- Well established, trusted vegan company
- Variety of different scents
Cons
- Low lather, so don't use too much
A great shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin. Faith in Nature is a tried and tested brand with a strong commitment to the environment, using recycled plastic and now sell solid vegan dog shampoo bars too.
Using organic, vegan ingredients, it’s a high quality product. It doesn’t produce too much lather because it doesn’t contain any nasties. There are a variety of scents, all of which are natural and light – I don’t think dogs should smell of strong perfume, it doesn’t seem right somehow – so these are great.
If you are interested in this brand, you can read more about it in my Faith in Nature Products Review.
Pros
- Very gentle
- Well established, trusted vegan company
- Variety of different scents
Cons
- Low lather, so don't use too much
Animology Puppy Shampoo
Pros
- Suitable for puppies from 6 weeks
- Made in the UK
- Great range of fragrances
- Good value
Cons
- Plastic packaging
Animology is a tried and tested brand of long-standing. Made in the UK, they have a great range of dog grooming products, including this lovely puppy shampoo. Not just suitable for puppies it has to be said – it will keep your adult dog smelling great too!
Again, it is a fully vegan and cruelty-free product, made in the UK.
Shame about the plastic packaging though.
Pros
- Suitable for puppies from 6 weeks
- Made in the UK
- Works for adult dogs too
- Good value
Cons
- Plastic packaging
Bugalugs Dog Shampoo
Pros
- Suitable for puppies from 8 weeks
- Made in the UK
- Great range of fragrances
Cons
- Plastic packaging
Bugalugs have a great range of vegan dog-grooming products, with a good variety of fragrances. You’re bound to find at least one that is right for your canine companion!
It is a fully vegan and cruelty-free product, made in the UK.
I have to say, the baby powder fragrance is fab! Shame they’re in plastic bottles though.
Pros
- Suitable for puppies from 8 weeks
- Made in the UK
- Great range of fragrances
Cons
- Plastic packaging
Wild Dog Co. Sensitive Shampoo for itchy dogs
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Cleans effectively
- Gently scented
Cons
- At the higher end of the price range
This is a good, natural product with no frills!
All the ingredients are dog-friendly, particularly for those with sensitive or itchy skin, and are fully vegan.
The scent is low key using essential oils and it lathers well, The ingredients are natural, with no synthetic perfumes or dyes and it is a fully vegan and cruelty-free product.
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Cleans effectively
- Gently scented
Cons
- At the higher end of the price range
Petuxe Dog Shampoo
Pros
- Good for dogs with longer hair
- Conditioner available too
- No animal ingredients
Cons
- Plastic packaging
- Not made in the UK
This totally vegan and cruelty free product range includes this lovely dog shampoo.
Particularly good for dogs with longer hair, there is also a conditioner available.
Sadly, this shampoo comes in a plastic bottle, like so many products and is not made in the UK, so has additional transportation to consider from an environmental perspective.
Pros
- Good for dogs with longer hair
- Conditioner available too
- No animal ingredients
Cons
- Plastic packaging
- Not made in the UK
I hope you have found this guide to the best vegan dog shampoos helpful. I have also answered below some of the more commonly-asked questions about these products.
FAQs
It’s not recommended, but it may be OK to do this if you use a very gentle shampoo with no fragrances. Human shampoos aren’t formulated with your dog’s skin in mind, so may well contain ingredients that are harmful to them.
You probably wouldn’t wash your hair with dog shampoo, so why would it be OK the other way round?!
Dogs can often have very sensitive, or itchy skin, so it is best to find a quality dog shampoo that is formulated with that in mind.
I have identified those that are suitable for dogs with sensitive skin in this guide.
If you don’t know if your dog has sensitive skin, play it safe and go with one that is made for dogs that do!
Like many dogs, Coco has sensitive skin and she can get very itchy if I use the wrong products.
That is clearly incredibly important. After all, she has no choice about what I put on her skin, so I have to make important decisions on her behalf, and I take that responsibility very seriously.
However, I think it is also important that I remain true to my own vegan principles where it is possible to do so. Consequently, I have always tried to choose products with great care and I will always opt for a vegan dog shampoo.
Importantly, just because something is labelled as a vegan dog shampoo, it doesn’t automatically mean that it is a good product. I would love to think that all vegan products are good, but that would be naive.
