Developed in California in the 19th century, Australian Shepherds have become one of the most popular breeds in the United States today. Their intelligence and high energy levels make them entertaining and fun pets and assistance dogs.
Australian Shepherds are known as “wash and wear” dogs because of how easy it is to take care of their coats. However, this doesn’t mean that you should use any type of dog shampoo on them and expect the healthiest, shiniest fur. On the contrary, you should be careful about the shampoo you pick because it can significantly impact the fur health of Australian Shepherds.
Finding the best shampoo for Australian Shepherds isn’t easy, so we’re here to help. We’ve listed five of the best shampoos for Australian Shepherds to help you choose one.
Table of Contents
Best Shampoo for Australian Shepherds
- Burt’s Bees Shampoo For Dogs
- Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo
- Buddy Wash
- FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo
- PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Shampoo
Tips to Effectively Bathe Your Australian Shepherds
Best Shampoo for Australian Shepherds
Yes, we’ve all been there — spending hours in various pet stores but still walking out without any dog shampoo at hand. We’re here to ensure that this stressful and time-consuming buying experience will become a thing of the past by listing the best options here.
- Burt’s Bees Shampoo For Dogs: Best Overall
Your Australian Shepherds deserve the best in the world, which is why you should definitely use the best shampoo in the market today — the Burt’s Bees Shampoo For Dogs. This is our top pick because it’s made with the highest quality ingredients, such as honey, oatmeal, and beeswax. These ingredients work together to add shine to your doggos’ coats and enhance their skins.
Pet owners who used this shampoo on their Australian Shepherds reported that it leaves a gentle smell on their pets without causing any skin dryness or redness. Many also mentioned that they loved how the shampoo had light lather.
Here are other features you can enjoy from the Burt’s Bees Shampoo For Dogs:
- pH-balanced to prevent dry skin and irritation among canines.
- Its formula doesn’t contain any artificial fragrances, colorants, sulfates, and other harsh chemicals.
- Ideal for Australian Shepherds in all life stages.
- Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo: Best Runner Up
The Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo deserves the second spot on our list because it ticks all the boxes of high-quality dog shampoo. Its formula uses organic Aloe Vera and colloidal oatmeal to combat skin irritation, re-moisturize dry skin, and promote skin healing. This concentrated shampoo is pH-balanced and soap-free to safely clean and deodorize your pets’ skins and coats.
Earthbath prides itself on using the most natural and organic ingredients in its dog shampoo. Aside from Aloe Vera and oatmeal, it also contains coconut-based cleansers, an ingredient known to have strong moisturizing properties. These cleansers have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat symptoms of eczema and other skin conditions.
We also love these features from the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo:
- Leaves your Australian Shepherds smell like almond and vanilla.
- Its formula doesn’t contain dyes, soap, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and alcohol.
- Doesn’t wash away flea and tick treatments applied topically.
- Buddy Wash: Best for Aussie Puppies
Aussie puppies have highly sensitive skin, which is why you should never use shampoos intended for adults on them. The Buddy Wash is an excellent puppy-friendly shampoo because it can keep your pups’ coats healthy without using any harsh cleaners. It also uses different hydrating oils, such as tea tree oil, sage, and lavender, to clean and moisturize your dogs.
The Buddy Wash comes with a natural deodorizer that gets rid of that “dog” smell. This ingredient can do wonders, especially if your pup loves to dig through trash or roll in the mud. This dog shampoo guarantees to hydrate, soothe, moisturize, and nourish the skins and coats of your Aussie puppies without causing dryness and irritation!
Buy the Buddy Wash today and get to enjoy the following:
- Comes in two sizes: 16 ounces and a gallon jug.
- Contains vitamin E to make your dogs’ coats velvety soft.
- Works as a shampoo and conditioner.
- FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo: Best for Deshedding Control
Australian Shepherds are serious shedders. Some pet owners claim that their Aussies shed twice a year, and some even last for six months. That means having a home covered in pet hair all year round! Fortunately, you can save yourself from this dilemma by using FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo.
The FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo can rescue your clothes and furniture from excessive Australian Shepherd fur as it effectively tackles shedding issues. This shampoo works by releasing your dogs’ undercoats during bathtime, resulting in lesser loss of hair in between baths. Over time, this can cut down on excessive shedding.
This is another all-natural dog shampoo that uses omega 3 and 6 to keep your dogs’ coats shiny and their skins young and healthy. It also contains chamomile and Aloe Vera that accelerate cell and tissue renewal to protect your dogs’ skins from germs and bacteria.
You’ll also get to enjoy the following when you buy the FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo:
- Comes in four sizes: 8.5, 16, 40.5, and 128 ounces.
- Its formula doesn’t contain parabens and other harsh chemicals.
- Leaves a refreshing, fruity smell on dogs.
- PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Scented Dog Shampoo: Best Budget
With the PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Scented Dog Shampoo, you won’t have to break the bank just to regularly bathe your Australian Shepherds. This dog shampoo is affordable but lives to its promise of soothing and moisturizing your dogs’ skins and coats. Because it contains Aloe Vera and extra natural conditioners, using the PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Scented Dog Shampoo on your Australian Shepherds can also help get rid of tangles and mats.
The PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Scented Dog Shampoo also has these features:
- Comes in two sizes: 18 and 32 ounces.
- Contains vitamin E that gently cleans and moisturizes your dogs’ hairs.
- Leaves a clean floral fragrance on your dogs that lasts up to two weeks.
Tips to Effectively Bathe Your Australian Shepherds
After you’ve chosen a dog shampoo, here comes the challenging part — you need to know how to bathe your Australian Shepherds properly. This is an important life skill because it affects the overall wellness of your dogs.
The effectiveness of the shampoo you’ll buy also depends on how you bathe your dogs — even the best shampoos will not bring the benefits if you don’t know how to bathe your fur babies.
First, before you let your Aussies get into the tub, check the temperature of the water. It shouldn’t be too hot or too cold to ensure that your dogs stay comfortable and will actually love their bathtime.
Second, brush your Australian Shepherds repeatedly to get rid of any tangles and matts on their coats. It’ll be challenging for you to remove these if your dogs’ hairs are already damp.
Third, if you want bathtime to be less stressful, tire your dogs out. This can mean taking them to a dog park or going for walks around the neighborhood before their bathtime. These will help get rid of their energy, so they’ll have less as you bathe them.
Take note of these tips, so you can easily bathe your Australian Shepherds:
- Stock your bathing station with the essentials: from shampoos to towels.
- Place cotton balls in your dogs’ ears to prevent water from getting in.
- Put a ball of steel wool in the drain hole to catch any excess dog hair and prevent your drains from clogging.
- Use a leash if your dogs tend to wiggle during baths.
- Wet your dogs thoroughly, including the skin. Don’t forget to wet hard-to-reach areas, such as your dogs’ bellies and behind their legs.
- Begin shampooing at your dogs’ necks and gently work your way down to their tails and paws. The head should be bathed last.
- Rinse and dry your dogs thoroughly by using towels or a hair blower. The keyword here is “thoroughly” as shampoo left on dry skin can cause severe matts and tangles. It can also cause a foul odor on your dogs’ coats.
Prioritize Grooming
Grooming your Australian Shepherds using the right shampoo is crucial to their well-being. When your dogs are bathed properly with the best shampoo, they’ll become happier and more active every single day. The scent these shampoos leave will also make your fur babies irresistible and cuddly-ready!