Why improve on perfection?
The rise of poodle crosses such as the Cavapoo, Cockapoo, and Labradoodle leaves some poodle owners with a wry smile on their faces.
After all with its range of sizes, toy through to standard, their curly coat and trademark intelligence, what’s to improve upon?
Of course, the answer is that poodle blood is adding value to those other breeds!
But when you go for the original and best, and you want to keep your dog in top condition, so what is the best shampoo for poodles?
5 Best Shampoos for Poodles
Indeed, it’s important to understand how to care for the unique demands of a poodle’s coat so they always look their best.
One reason poodles are so popular as crosses are their coat. It’s often called a non-shedding coat, whilst in fact, this isn’t strictly true.
Poodles are different from other dogs though. For starters, they have hair rather than fur.
The subtle difference is that hair grows all the time, much like the hair on our heads.
What happens with poodles is that the shed hair gets caught in those curls, which stops them from being left on your cushions and clothing.
This is why proper grooming and bathing is essential.
Without regular brushing, the poodle coat rapidly ‘felts’ up and becomes one tangled matt.
Whilst regular bathing with the right products helps keep long hair moisturized and soft – just like caring for our hair.
Before we look in detail at the best shampoo for poodles, it’s useful to take on board some basic guidelines.
For example, it’s important to use a shampoo designed for dogs.
Human shampoo is pH balanced for the human scalps and is prone to being too harsh for delicate canine skin.
Also, don’t cleanse your dog too often because the natural oils play an important part in keeping the skin healthy.
If you find your dog is a dirt devil, then select an extra mild shampoo to protect the dog’s skin and coat from over-drying.
OK, so let’s stop splashing around in the shallows, and dive in at the deep end with our best dog shampoo for poodles choices.
1. Particular Paws
When they advertise human hair products on the TV they show us heads of long, shiny, lustrous hair.
This is to show us the benefits of a moisturizing shampoo.
The shopping list we’re looking for in the best poodle shampoo is:
- Moisturizing
- Correct pH
- Gentle on the skin
- Doesn’t strip out the natural oil
- Avoids harsh chemicals
Which is why we’re pleased to recommend this Particular Pets Oatmeal shampoo.
It’s packed with natural ingredients with beneficial properties such as oatmeal, shea butter, aloe vera (which are all-natural moisturizers), and chamomile for its soothing properties.
This shampoo has a delicate, pleasant aroma – rather an overpowering artificial smell.
It’s also beneficial to soothing irritated or sensitive skin, plus regular use promotes a thicker, fuller coat.
Pet parents who are regular users tell us how this shampoo is their favorite find because it sorts out problem skins, such as those prone to allergies or that flake or itch.
Indeed, it’s recommended by professional dog groomers who have been in the business for years and now swear by this product.
We suggest this Particular Paws shampoo as your stock cupboard, go-to product because you literally can’t go wrong.
It’s suitable for so many different skin and coat types that you’re going to be happy no matter what your dog is.
2. Isle of Dogs
One of the joys of owning a poodle is the versatility of that wonderful coat. Whether you clip it short let it get long and shaggy, or clip it for the show ring – the choice is yours.
Those that show their dog has a special interest in bringing out the best in their dog’s coat color.
This Isle of Dogs (Love the name!) shampoo that color enhances black coats stands head and shaggy shoulders above the opposition when it comes to the best shampoo for black poodles.
Isle of Dogs No.18 brings out the deep lustrous dark tones in fur and makes black and dark brown hair pop with vibrancy.
But rest assured, this is a color-enhancing product rather than a dye (which could get you disqualified from the show ring.)
It works by using a coat enhancing ingredient that is suspended in the oil in the shampoo, and also contains evening primrose oil that is sympathetic to the coat’s natural moisture balance, plus optical brighteners for the dazzling gloss.
So if you’re looking for a shampoo that makes black coats shine like a raven and stay soft to the touch then look no further.
The only downside we can say is that it’s not a ‘natural’ product, but heck, your dog isn’t going to drink it so it’s up to you to decide how much of an issue or not this is.
3. Healthy Breeds
Healthy Breeds
There’s something so extra special about the toy poodle. Perhaps it’s that woolly lamb appearance or that big character in such small packaging.
The best shampoo for toy poodles, especially white woolly lamb ones, in our opinion is this Healthy Breeds product.
Healthy Breed shampoos are balanced for delicate skin and protein-enriched to promote a soft, shiny, touchable coat.
The good news is that this whitening shampoo does not contain bleaching agents, which would make the coat dry and brittle.
Healthy Breeds is rich in oatmeal, so as well as storing the pearly whiteness of your poodle’s coat, it helps to moisturize and improve the condition.
Of course, only harsh bleaching products will remove deep stains from your dog’s coat, but in these cases, prevention is better than cure.
Dogs that lick their feet will end up with rust-colored paws, whilst those weepy eyes lead to brown tracks down the cheeks.
The brown discoloration is caused by natural chemicals in saliva and tears fluid, which oxidize to a rust color.
The best option is to seek veterinary attention to correct the irritating itch which drives the licking.
With regards to tear staining, keep wiping those eyes! It takes several hours for the tear fluid to oxidize, so if you wipe it away promptly, there’s no chance of staining.
4. Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees
Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow…which just goes to show that you need to treat your puppy right to get a happy and healthy adult dog.
Bath time is no different.
What you need is to make bath time fun for the pup so that they grow up looking forward to shampoo and spruce up, rather than dreading it.
This is where a good puppy shampoo such as Burts Bees comes in handy.
The clues in the name “tearless.”
Basically, when you have a tiny toy poodle puppy wriggling in the sink, it’s the easiest thing in the world to get suds in their eyes.
With this product, you can rest assured that even the squirmiest pup isn’t going to end up with smarting red eyes.
This shampoo is gentle yet effective, and pH balanced to be kind to that oh-so-tender puppy skin.
It also leaves behind a nice, fresh scent, but without being overpowering.
This is great to get those grubby pups (after all, dirt is to a puppy what iron filings are to a magnet) clean in a jiffy and replace that unpleasant odor with something your happy to have hanging around.
In fact, why not think laterally?
If your dog hates the bath, then try Burts bees.
No matter how wriggly they are you don’t have to worry about stinging eyes, which means you can concentrate on telling them how good they are and rewarding their calm behavior in the water.
5. Kibble Pet
Kibble Pet
$17.99
We appreciate how even the most conscientious pet parent doesn’t have the time to spend ages washing their pet, rinsing, and doing a separate conditioner with all that extra rinsing.
How much better is it all around if you can save time by using one product that cleanses and conditions?
Just think, you can use that extra time to play with the dog or go for a walk!
If we asked you to think of three natural products that were especially known for their moisturizing properties, what would you come up with?
The chances are the list would be aloe vera, shea butter, and oatmeal.
Well, congratulations because these are the gentle yet moisture-rich main ingredients in the Kibble Pet.
But the goodies inside the bottle don’t stop there.
It also includes minerals harvested from the Dead Sea, which are renowned for their cleansing and calming properties.
It foams up to just the right amount of lather: not too much that it makes rinsing a nightmare but sufficient to feel reassured it’s doing the job.
The formulation cleanses effectively, whilst protecting the delicate balance of the skin.
Sufficient to say it’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
Many dogs that break out in red, inflamed, itchy skin with other shampoos, not only tolerate this Kibble pet product but thrive on it.
Oh, and it almost goes without saying, but we thought we’d better point out the obvious that the Kibble pet which prides itself on being ‘all-natural’ is free from phthalates, parabens, artificial chemicals, fragrances, and colorants.
In fact, it is biodegradable to its good to the planet as well as your poodle.
Bottom Line
So there we have it, our top five best shampoos for poodles. Remember, when bathing your pet get everything ready beforehand.
Keep one extra towel (above what you think you’ll need) to hand, because washing can get messy!
Take your time and be encouraging with the dog so that they build positive associations with bath time.
Getting your poodle to cooperate willingly in a fun bath time makes life so much easier, whether you have a mucky pup or a pristine show dog.
Choosing the right shampoo is also important. As well as being gentle to the skin, raising a dazzling shine, and. making those curls inviting to touch, you want a product that doesn’t sting the eyes.
So for your happy, healthy, and fresh-as-a-daisy poodle, check out our recommended best shampoo for poodles for your own perfect pooch.
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Sarah Robinson
Dr Sarah Robinson attended veterinary school at Oklahoma State University receiving a D.V.M. in 2008. Sarah’s longtime interest is to help people to better communicate with their pet companions, and in doing so, to help them to strengthen their relationships with their dogs and cats. Sarah has published numerous articles on canine feeding in pet related magazines, veterinary journals and leading natural health web sites.
