Affectionate, devoted, and independent – these qualities make chow chows a special family dog that pet parents love dearly. A single look at a chow chow in all his glory, with puffy fur and distinctive mane that bears a striking resemblance to teddy bears, can make anyone fall heads over heels for this uniquely beautiful creature.
Because this double-coated dog has such thick, gorgeous fur, they require regular bathing and grooming to keep their hair clean and shiny. Getting the right shampoo for your beloved chow chow is key to ensuring his skin and coat stay in perfect health.
To help you find the best shampoo for your chow chow, we’ve created a list of the top-rated shampoos on the market particularly suited for this exceptional breed. Take a look below to consider your options and get the right product for your pup’s unique needs.
Healthy Breeds Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo For Chow Chows: Great For Sensitive Skin
Specifically formulated for chow chows, the Healthy Breeds Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo is designed to address the grooming needs of your pup. This mild and fragrance-free shampoo deeply cleans your chow chow’s coat without stripping the coat of natural oils, as well as moisturizes his skin to prevent dryness and flakiness.
Chow chows are often prone to skin allergies – more so than any other breed – which can leave their skin red and itchy. If you’ve noticed that your pup has sensitive skin that leaves him scratching often and feeling uncomfortable after baths, this shampoo is a great option for him.
Even with its mild formula, this shampoo offers a gentle and thorough cleansing action that ensures his coat is clean, soft, and fresh after every wash!
- Hypoallergenic and moisturizing formula
- Tear-free formula that makes baths more pleasant
- Ideal for chow chows with both rough and smooth coats
Martha Stewart for Pets All-Purpose Shampoo: Martha Stewart’s Favorite
A gentle, effective, and pH-balanced formula is essential for a chow chow’s sensitive skin, and that’s exactly what the Martha Stewart for Pets All-Purpose Shampoo offers. It’s made with oatmeal and aloe that soothes itch and redness, as well as moisturizes your pup’s skin and coat.
This shampoo is ideal for regular use, giving your pup’s coat a deep cleanse that helps improve its shine and leaves a refreshing scent. It’s also designed to ensure your chow chow’s fur stays smooth and manageable. Best of all, it’s free of parabens and sulfates that can trigger skin allergies – promoting overall skin health for your pup.
Fun fact: Martha Stewart herself uses this shampoo for her two chow chows!
- Made from natural botanicals for gentle cleansing
- Safe for use with topical flea and tick treatments
- Suitable for both puppies and adult dogs
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo: Highly Recommended By Vets
As one of the most highly-recommended shampoos by veterinarians, the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo is a favorite among dog parents – including chow chow owners. Its oatmeal and aloe formula is specially designed to fight redness and irritation, as well as provide relief for itchy skin.
So if your pup is suffering from dry skin or mild cases of skin allergies, this powerful yet soap-free shampoo can help re-moisturize and rehydrate his skin. It also cleanses your chow chow’s coat safely and effectively, leaving it fresh, fluffy, and soft to the touch.
Many pet owners also swear by this shampoo’s deodorizing ability, so if you have a stinky chow chow on your hands, this may be the right product for you.
- Paraben-free, phosphate-free, and pH-balanced formula
- Aimed at pets with dry, irritated, or sensitive skin – ideal for chow chows with skin issues
- Won’t wash off tick & flea treatments
FURminator deShedding Shampoo: Best For Reducing Shedding
Chow chows are notorious for being heavy shedders, especially during shedding season – and the bad news for owners who hate cleaning up after them is that there’s no way to stop it. However, there are a few methods you can take to reduce their shedding, one of which is to buy a shampoo designed to resolve this issue like the FURminator deShedding Shampoo.
This pet shampoo is targeted toward excessive shedding, helping release loose and tangled hair that can make dogs shed more. Enriched with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that help prevent water loss, it boosts the overall health of your chow chow’s skin and coat and prevents itch and dryness.
Besides its de-shedding ability, the Furminator deShedding Shampoo also provides deep conditioning to make your chow chow’s coat soft, smooth, and shiny.
- Infused with Vitamin E and papaya extract to promote coat growth
- Cleanses deeply and removes nasty odors
- Hypoallergenic formulation with no parabens or chemical dyes
Paws & Pals Oatmeal Shampoo: Helps Combat Skin Irritation
Oatmeal shampoos are recommended by most experts for chow chows to help combat skin irritation, and the Paws & Pals Oatmeal Shampoo is one of the most effective shampoos of this kind. This 5-in-1 shampoo not only cleanses your chow chow’s coat but also helps hydrate his skin and provides protection against and relief from itch, allergies, dryness, and hot spots.
Along with its soothing capabilities, this shampoo also conditions and detangles your chow chow’s fur to keep it smooth and mat-free. It also provides superior odor control to prevent that dreaded “wet dog” smell.
The best part is that the Paws & Pals Oatmeal Shampoo comes loaded with vitamins and natural extracts that nourish your chow chow’s skin and coat, so every bath can help boost his health and give him a lustrous shine.
- Organic formula contains oatmeal, rosemary, and aloe vera
- Leaves a long-lasting fresh scent on your chow chow’s coat
- Suitable for sensitive skin
How To Bathe Your Chow Chow
Because chow chows are, by nature, clean and independent animals, they require less frequent bathing than other breeds. In fact, bathing them too often can strip them of natural oils which hydrate their skin and coat.
Keep in mind, though, that sticking to a regular bathing routine is still key to ensuring they stay clean, healthy, and free from illnesses or infections. Anywhere between once a week, once a month, or once every three months is ideal for bathing your chow chow.
Some chow chows may not do well with bathing. If you’re struggling to get your chow chow in a bath, you can follow these steps to make the process as easy and comfortable for your beloved pup:
Use a non-slip mat
If you’re bathing your chow chow in the shower or in a bathtub, make sure to place a non-slip mat on the surface to prevent slips or accidents.
Introduce the water gently and slowly
Make sure to offer praises, toys, and even treats before you turn on the water. Wet his head slowly and let him feel the water at very low pressure.
Wash the head before the rest of the body
Once he’s comfortable with the water, you can go ahead and wash his head. Dilute your choice of shampoo with water, then pour a small amount of the mixture on his head. Avoid getting any shampoo inside his ears or on his eyes. Rub it until the shampoo lathers up, then work your way towards the neck. You can check his ears for mites at this point.
When you’re done cleaning his head and neck, rinse them out with water. After this, you can wash and clean the rest of his body with shampoo.
Pay close attention to areas that get dirty or are hard to reach, particularly his stomach, under his tail, and between his paws. Let the shampoo soak into his coat for 5 to 10 minutes so its cleansing action and other benefits can take effect. If he looks uncomfortable or starts to protest, you can distract him with a toy or by petting him.
Rinse out the shampoo
Now you can rinse out the shampoo with water. Take time in doing this to prevent leaving any shampoo residue on his coat. Any part with bubbles is a good indicator that there’s still a bit of shampoo left on it.
Some chow chow owners opt to apply conditioner to their pet’s coats after shampooing them to further treat and soften their fur.
Dry him with a towel or hair dryer
Once you’re finished rinsing the shampoo and conditioner out of his body, take a large towel and wrap it around him. You can use a hair dryer to speed up the process, but be sure that he’s comfortable with using the device.
Conclusion
Choosing the best shampoo for your chow chow will go a long way in keeping his coat and skin in tiptop health. Take a look at the options we’ve gathered above to help you make your choice, and see to it that you take his unique grooming needs into consideration. It’s also best to consult with your veterinarian to make sure the shampoo you choose is ideal for your pup. With the right shampoo choice, every bath can be a happy bonding moment with your precious chow chow!