Can’t bear the thought of having to bathe your furry friend?
But you know you have to wash them as they are too dirty to lay on the couch, especially after them romping in the park.
And you are hoping there’s an easier way to freshen them up.
Good news!
There are these dry shampoos for dogs that allow you to clean your pup without all the fuss.
Let’s take a look at the 8 top-rated waterless dog shampoos we’ve reviewed in 2023.
Read More:
Quick Picks : Best Waterless Dog Shampoo
1. Paw Choice Dry Dog Shampoo, Waterless, No Rinse Foam Mousse
Paw Choice is a company that aims to improve a dog’s health. They manufacture their products with natural ingredients using the highest standard of quality and process.
Not only will this waterless shampoo clean your dog’s coat, but it can also help to remove foul odor with its calming lavender and chamomile scent. It has a coconut-based formula, which is mild, safe, and suitable for sensitive skin. It doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, alcohol, sulfates, and parabens to ensure it is safe to use and won’t cause skin irritations.
Paw Choice manufactures their shampoo in the US in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified facility, meaning they have demonstrated strong regulatory commitment and meet safety standards.
Features:
- Natural coconut-derived formula
- Relaxing lavender and chamomile scent
- Free from harsh chemicals, alcohol, parabens, and sodium laureth sulfate
- Made in the US
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
- Leave a fresh and calming scent
- Lavender naturally repel fleas and ticks
- Manufactured in a GMP certified facility
- The scent may be a bit too strong for some people
2. Wahl Pet Friendly Waterless No Rinse Shampoo
I’m sure you have heard of the brand, Wahl. They are one of the biggest grooming product manufacturers in the US that has been around since 1919.
The Wahl Pet Friendly Waterless No Rinse Shampoo is pH balanced, alcohol-free, PEG-80-free, and is undoubtedly great for cleaning and freshening your dog’s coats. It is a natural plant-based cleanser designed to be gentle on your dog’s skin and can help to calm them while cleaning. Plus, it can moisturize your dog’s coat thanks to its guar conditioner.
Additionally, this waterless shampoo is lavender and chamomile scented and is safe to use even if your dog has allergies.
Features:
- Calming and hypoallergenic formula
- Plant-derived lavender and chamomile scented
- pH balanced
- Alcohol-free and PEG-80-free
Pros
- Ideal for cleansing, conditioning, detangling, and moisturizing your dog’s coat
- Suitable for allergic dogs
- Many owners reported that it is effective for odor control
- Some complained the smell is overpowering
3. Vet's Best Waterless Dog Bath
Vet’s Best, founded by a veterinarian, committed to using premium quality and plant-based ingredients.
The Vet’s Best Waterless Dog Shampoo contains natural ingredients such as aloe vera, micronized oatmeal, and neem oil and has a calming and relaxing fragrance. Thanks to the ingredients used, it can soothe dry and itchy skin without causing irritation.
This no-rinse formula shampoo is suitable for 12 weeks or older dogs. It doesn’t require rinsing, won’t interfere with topical flea control products, and is an excellent option for dogs with dry skin.
Features:
- Leave-in, no-rinse formula
- Natural ingredients
- Has a calming and relaxing fragrance
- Moisturizes both skin and coat
- Will not affect topical flea control products
Pros
- Most owners are very pleased with this waterless shampoo and noted that it doesn’t dry out their dog’s coat
- Some complained that the bottle arrived empty
4. Vet Recommended Waterless No-Rinse Shampoo
Vet Recommended is a small company that aims to provide safe and effective products for pets.
The Vet Recommended Waterless No-Rinse Shampoo is a quick and easy solution. All you need to do is to spray, wipe, and allow it to dry. It is a hypoallergenic waterless shampoo that contains no alcohol or any animal by-products and imbued with apple extract to leave your furry friend smelling fresh between baths. Plus, its detergent-free mild surfactant blend will not strip your dog’s coat.
Additionally, this no-rinse shampoo won’t affect topical flea treatments. What’s more, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Features:
- Spray in formula
- Hypoallergenic
- Detergent-free
- Free from alcohol and parabens
- Light apple extract
- Won’t interfere with topical flea treatments
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Made in the US
Pros
- Suitable for dogs who have sensitive skin
- Many owners love the light apple scent and said it smells fresh but not overpowering
- Some reported that their dogs are afraid of the sprayer
5. Bodhi Dog Waterless Shampoo
The Bodhi Dog Waterless Shampoo is another dry dog shampoo that can help eliminate unpleasant odor and leave your furkid smelling fresh.
It is a 100% non-toxic shampoo made in the US, designed to be gentle for dogs with sensitive skin. It offers a fast and easy cleanup, with its natural coconut and lemongrass extracts to instantly deodorize and leave your dog’s coat shiny and soft between baths.
And thanks to its hypoallergenic formula, it won’t irritate your dog’s skin and is suitable for puppies and pregnant dogs, making it one of the best waterless dog shampoos on the market.
Features:
- Plant-based
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Soapless
- Detergent-free and alcohol-free
- Made in the US
Pros
- Extremely gentle
- Doesn’t contain harsh chemicals
- Suitable for dogs with allergies
- Some reported that their dogs don’t like being sprayed
6. Bio-Groom Waterless Dog Bath Shampoo
Bio-Groom was founded in 1971 by a chemist and is now a leading brand in the pet industry, so you can rest assured of its quality.
This shampoo uses a tearless, non-alcohol, and pH balanced formula that can clean and remove stains. It doesn’t require rinsing and can add luster to your dog’s coat. Not only that, but it is also gentle on sensitive skin. Plus, it contains no harsh chemicals and won’t leave residues after cleaning.
Also, this dry dog shampoo is safe to use with flea and tick treatments. It dries quickly and is an excellent option for quick touch-ups and post-surgical cleanups.
Features:
- pH balanced
- Contains no skin-drying alcohol and harsh chemicals
- Won’t interfere with flea and tick treatments
- Made in the US
Pros
- Gentle formula
- Scent-free
- Won’t leave residues
- Most owners said it’s the best waterless dog shampoo they’ve ever used
- Some noted their dogs dislike sprays and being damp
7. BioSilk for Dogs Silk Therapy Deep Moisture Waterless Shampoo Spray
BioSilk was incorporated in 1986 and is one of the most trusted brands. They manufacture high-quality professional hair care products and have won multiple beauty awards over the years.
This dry dog shampoo spray uses human-grade ingredients and is perfect for in-between baths. It helps to remove odors and leave your fido fresh and clean. Also, it is pH balanced and doesn’t contain parabens and sulfates, which means it is safe to use on your dog. Plus, it won’t affect topical flea and tick treatments.
The BioSilk Deep Moisture Waterless Shampoo Spray is made in the US and is easy to use. Suitable for all sizes breeds and 8 weeks or older puppies.
Features:
- pH balanced
- Free from sulfates and parabens
- Can be used with topical flea and tick treatments
- Made in the US
Pros
- Formulated with enriching vitamins to moisturize your furkid’s coat
- Most owners are happy with its quality and noted that it keeps their dog’s stinky smell away for a few days
- Not suitable for dogs who have sensitive skin
8. Lillian Ruff Waterless Dog Shampoo
Lillian Ruff is another famous brand, and its products are manufactured to human standards, formulated for dogs.
This waterless shampoo is made with lavender and coconut oils, which have proven to be effective in repelling fleas and ticks. It also contains aloe vera to help moisturize your dog’s coat and soothe dry and itchy skin. It is easy to use as you only need to spray it on your pup without having to wipe the shampoo off.
The Lillian Ruff Waterless Dog Shampoo is made in the US, cruelty-free, and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals.
Features:
- Spray-in, leave-in formula
- Made with lavender and coconut oils
- No harmful or added chemicals
- Made in the US
Pros
- Coconut and lavender oils naturally repel fleas and ticks
- It has a long-lasting scent
- Easy to use
- Some complained that its nozzle is hard to push and the formula’s scent is a bit strong
How Does Waterless Shampoo for Dogs Work?
There are four types of waterless shampoo for dogs on the market, foam, spray, gel, and powder. They are usually pH balanced, formulated to a dog’s delicate skin to prevent irritation, itching, sores, and potential dermatitis. Works by using oil-absorbing ingredients to remove the excess oil from your fido’s skin and coat and leave them smelling fresh. The best part is you don’t have to rinse your dog with water, which is why it is called waterless shampoo, and that also explains why it is so popular among pet parents.
How to Use Dry Shampoo for Dogs?
As mentioned earlier, waterless dog shampoos come in a few different forms, and obviously, the way of using each type varies. For instance, if you have the foam type, you can apply them straight to your dog’s coat, massage it down to the skin, leave it in and let it dry naturally. Then, you can brush through for a better result.
But if you have the spray type waterless shampoo, you will have to spray them over your canine’s coat and let it stand for a minute, then rub the area with a clean cloth and brush off the excessive residues. So, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Benefits of Waterless Dog Shampoos
- Prevent over bathing. Over bathing your dog using soap and water can strip away the natural oils from their coat and skin. That will cause your dog’s skin to become dry and itchy and may lead to excessive scratching and biting. Using a waterless shampoo can prevent that from happening.
- Avoid the hassle of going through a bath routine. As you know, some dogs hate water and don’t like getting bathed, which they will try to get out of the tub and makes the bath time very difficult. Dry shampoo can keep water averse dogs clean and fresh without having to go through a long and messy full-body wash.
- Great for senior dogs and injured dogs. Elderly dogs may not be able to stand for too long to get bathed, especially those who have arthritis. Also, giving injured dogs regular baths can cause the wounded skin to swell up, delay healing, and potentially lead to infections for the simple fact that water may contain bacteria. Waterless shampoo gives you the ability to clean senior dogs or injured dogs without hurting them or affecting the wound healing.
- Fast and convenient. Dry dog shampoo offers a quick and easy way to wash your four-legged friend. Plus, it allows you to keep your pup clean when a regular bath isn’t possible, for instance, when you are traveling with them.
Is Washing Dogs with Dry Shampoo Safe ?
Yes, cleaning dogs with dry shampoo is safe as long as you use it properly. The only issue with waterless dog shampoos is that there may be residue left in the coat, leading to an unhealthy buildup of the product. So you would still want to use the soap and water approach to bathe your dog once in a while to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Best Waterless Dog Shampoos Buying Guide : Things to Consider
1. Ingredients
Firstly, you would want to check the ingredients used. It’s a good idea to choose the ones made with natural ingredients and always avoid those that contain harsh chemicals. As you may have already known, chemicals like parabens and sulfates can penetrate through your dog’s skin and pose some serious health issues. These harmful chemicals can be absorbed by the internal organs and cause certain cancers and reproductive problems.
2. Skin Sensitivity
No two dogs are the same. Some are more sensitive to a specific ingredient, while some don’t. So, make sure to pick accordingly. If your dog’s skin is more susceptible to itching, you would want to select dry shampoos containing moisturizing properties like aloe vera and oatmeal to help soothe their skin.
3. Topical Flea and Tick Treatments
As a pet owner, we all know how crucial flea and tick treatments are. They can help prevent our dog from picking up those irritating parasites that may carry undesirable diseases. And if your fido is using one of these products, make sure the waterless shampoo you choose won’t interfere with it.
Dry Dog Shampoos FAQ
1. Does waterless dog shampoo really work?
Yes, waterless dog shampoos work. Made with ingredients that will soak up the excess dirt and oil in your dog’s skin and coat, ultimately keeping your pup bacteria-free, fresh, and odorless between baths. Keep in mind that dry shampoo can’t clean as much as the traditional bath, therefore it is still essential to give your four-legged friend a good shower at some point.
2. Is dry shampoo for dogs a good idea?
Yes. Waterless shampoos give you the ability to spot-clean your pup and keep them fresh and bacteria-free when you don’t have time to shower them properly. It also helps to reduce the number of bath times for dogs who hate water.
3. Is waterless shampoo good for senior dogs?
Yes, senior dogs may have trouble standing for an extended period to get bathed, especially if they have arthritis. Waterless shampoos allow you to keep them clean without stressing them.
