If you have a dog that stinks, it can be incredibly distracting, and the smell can also transfer to your furniture or carpet. The best way to remove the odor quickly is with a high-quality shampoo that specializes in odor removal. If you need help choosing a good brand, keep reading for reviews of the most popular options, along with the pros and cons of each. The buyer’s guide will help you know what to look for as you shop.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
The 7 Best Dog Shampoos for Odor Control
1. Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets — Best Overall
Key Ingredients:
Colloidal oatmeal
The Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets is the best overall dog shampoo for odor control. It has a long-lasting fragrance that many users enjoy, and it makes your dog’s fur extremely soft. The no-spill design with portion control helps make it easy to use, and the pH-balanced formula is non-toxic and free of parabens, artificial dyes, detergents, and alcohol.
The only downside of Hepper’s Deep Clean shampoo is that some users don’t like the fragrance or feel that it’s too strong.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
Nature’s Miracle Nature’s Miracle Odor Control Shampoo & Conditioner is the best dog shampoo for odor control for the money. It has a light fragrance that many users enjoy and produces a nice lather when you use it on your pet, so it’s easy to tell that you’ve gotten it everywhere. The ingredients include charcoal, which helps absorb odors, and aloe vera, which can help soothe the skin and reduce flare-ups.
The main complaint that most users have about Nature’s Miracle Odor Control Dog Shampoo is that the bottle is too flimsy, and it often arrives already leaking when you order it through the mail.
Douxo S3 SEB Odor-Control Seboregulating Dog & Cat Shampoo is our premium choice dog shampoo for odor control. It uses ophytrium and seboliance to strengthen and form a protective barrier over the skin while removing excess oils and sebum. It doesn’t contain any soap or dyes, and besides helping to eliminate odors, it’s good for reducing dandruff and detangling knots and mats.
The downside to Douxo is that it’s quite expensive to use as a general maintenance shampoo, and if your dog has issues with their skin, it could take several applications to clear up.
Pros
Reduces dandruff
Helps strengthen the skin
No soaps or dyes
Cons
Expensive
May take multiple applications
4. Petkin Odor-Away Citrus Scent Dog Shampoo
Key Ingredients:
Gentle cleansers, organic oat extract
Petkin Odor-Away Citrus Scent Dog Shampoo is our pick as the best shampoo for odor control for puppies. It’s inexpensive, and the gentle formula is safe to use on dogs and cats of all ages. Some users report that they can use it more often than many other brands, and many state that it works quite well.
The biggest complaint about Petkin shampoo is that many users don’t like the citrus smell that it leaves behind. Many dogs may also not like the fragrance.
Pros
Inexpensive
Works well
Gentle formula
5. PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Dog Shampoo
Key Ingredients:
Chlorhexidine, ketoconazole
PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Cleansing & Odor Remover Dog Shampoo is a great shampoo that can help fight bacteria and fungi, which can often lead to bad odors. The bottle comes with a pump, so it’s easy to use, and there is less mess or risk of spills. Many users also enjoy the gentle cucumber fragrance that isn’t as strong as some other popular brands.
While many people enjoy the scent of PetHonesty, a few don’t. Some users also complain that it doesn’t seem to control odor much better than regular pet shampoo.
Pros
Fights bacteria and fungi
Easy to use
Cucumber fragrance
Cons
Expensive
Not always great for odor control
6. Arm & Hammer Super Deodorizing Shampoo for Dogs
Key Ingredients:
Coconut-based surfactants
Arm & Hammer Super Deodorizing Shampoo for Dogs is a popular brand that is easy to find. It contains baking soda, so it can work well to absorb odor and quickly get your pet smelling fresh. Many users also like the soft coat that this produces for their pet, and it has a pleasant fragrance that lasts a few days after the bath.
The downside to Arm & Hammer is that the bottle frequently leaks, especially when you are using it, and the baking soda might dry out the skin of sensitive pets.
Pros
Contains baking soda
Soft fur
Pleasant fragrance
Cons
Leaky bottle
Might dry out your pet’s skin
7. Nature’s Specialties Smelly Pet Dog Shampoo for Pets
Nature’s Specialties Smelly Pet Dog Shampoo for Pets gets extra points for having a biodegradable formula that is better for the environment. The concentrated formula means you won’t need to replace it as often, and many users report that it does a good job of creating a nice lather and getting their pets clean. It’s non-toxic and safe to use around pets of all ages.
Unfortunately, many users report that the fresh fragrance doesn’t last long after the bath, and it requires several applications to control strong odors. The flimsy bottle also tends to leak and spill, leading to significant waste.
Pros
Concentrated formula
Biodegradable
Non-toxic
Cons
Fragrance doesn’t last long
Leaky bottle
Not effective against odor
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Shampoos for Odor Control
Understand Your Pet’s Odor
One of the first things that we recommend when you’re trying to choose the right shampoo for your pet is to know the source of the odor. For instance, a shampoo for removing skunk smell may not work effectively on oily skin or mildew.
Check the Ingredients
Once you know the source of the odor, you can look at the product labels to find one with ingredients that address that problem. If you’re unsure, general enzymatic cleaners work well by destroying organic matter at its source, while baking soda is a fantastic odor absorber. Other great odor neutralizers include neem oil and charcoal.
Attack the Odor at Its Source
In some cases, you might need a medicated shampoo to help soothe the skin to help it heal faster or relieve itching. Shampoo that contains oatmeal or aloe can be extremely helpful in this area, and some brands contain other ingredients, such as ophytrium and seboliance, which can help. If you are unsure about what ingredients are suitable for your pet, contact a veterinarian.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Shampoo that contains harsh chemicals can strip your pet’s skin of its natural oils, which can dry it out, leading to itching and dandruff. Artificial colors and fragrances might trigger allergic reactions, and you’ll need to check the product’s pH balance, as dog skin is different from ours, which is why human shampoo isn’t good for them.
When choosing a dog shampoo brand, consider what additional benefits you might receive. For instance, some brands will have moisturizing ingredients or healthy vitamins that can help replenish the skin. Others might include flea-and-tick control, detangling, and conditioning.
Ease of Use
One thing many people complain about dog shampoo is that it can be difficult to use. In many cases, the bottle drips or leaks, or it can be hard to squeeze to get out the shampoo. If you have small hands, it can be a good idea to look for a brand that enables you to use a pump to portion out the shampoo.
Fragrance
A common problem with many shampoo brands is their fragrances. In some cases, it can be harmful to dogs if it comes from certain essential oils or artificial chemicals. In other cases, it can be owners who are bothered by the smell, and everyone is different. You may need to try out a few brands to find a fragrance that both you and your pet enjoy.
Allergies
Some dogs have sensitive skin, and unexpected ingredients might lead to an allergic reaction. It’s always best to first try a new shampoo on a small area of the body to see if there is a reaction. If your pet starts itching, rubbing their face, or breaking out in hives, contact the vet immediately. Keep the bottle of shampoo nearby so you can read off the ingredients.
Image Credit: Studio217, Shutterstock
Conclusion
When choosing your next dog shampoo for odor control among these reviews, we highly recommend the Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets, as it uses a deep cleaning formula to soften the fur while it cleans and removes odor, leaving behind a long-lasting fragrance. If you are on a tight budget, Nature’s Miracle Odor Control Dog Shampoo is inexpensive but works well to remove odors while soothing the skin with aloe vera. Douxo S3 SEB Odor-Control Seboregulating Dog & Cat Shampoo is our premium choice and perfect for pets that have an odor due to damaged skin.
