When your pup comes home after an hour of splashing in mud and exploring the weeds, all it needs is a nice warm bath with the best smelling puppy shampoo. The best puppy shampoo doesn’t just smell good—it helps clean your puppy thoroughly and neutralizes that awful doggy odor.

However, picking a dog shampoo that meets your pup’s unique needs without drying out their coat might sound easier than it really is. That’s why we’ve made it simpler for you by reviewing the best-smelling puppy shampoos out there—from organic options and formulas for sensitive pups to budget-friendly picks and luxurious treats.

1. Best Overall–Best Smelling Puppy Shampoo by BUGALUGS

Want the best puppy shampoo that has it all—from a heavenly smell to coat nourishment and neutralizing bad doggy odor? This Baby Fresh Shampoo by Bugalugs is the one. It smells just like baby powder, hence the name, and works well on all types of coats, even curly or wiry ones.

It’s especially great for stinky dogs as it doesn’t just mask the odor, it eliminates it completely with powerful neutralizing agents. Only a small amount is needed, so the bottle lasts a long time, making it reasonably priced. The scent also lingers for up to two weeks, keeping your pup smelling fresh.

It’s not overly foamy or sudsy, but it gets the job done gently without any harmful chemicals.

2. Best Smelling Natural Shampoo- 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo

If you have an itchy dog and don’t want to make things worse with shampoos full of artificial ingredients, this best smelling natural shampoo is a must-try. The gentle oatmeal and calming aloe vera help relieve itchiness while removing dirt and debris, leaving your dog’s coat soft, shiny, and clean. The cozy scent of oatmeal will make you want to bury your nose in your pup’s fur and soak it all in.

Best of all, this shampoo won’t dry out your pup’s coat—thanks to lavender, which also helps moisturize the fur. You might notice it’s not as thick as other dog shampoos, but that’s only because it’s made with fewer ingredients and no unnecessary additives. Even a small amount of this 16-oz bottle lathers well and washes out of the fur as easily.

3. Most luxurious – OUAI Fur Bébé Pet Shampoo

If you want your puppy to smell like a fashion diva strutting down NY Fashion Street with confidence and style, then you should go for the OUAI Fur Bébé pet shampoo. The luxurious, urban-inspired fragrance will turn heads, making your dog stand out in any crowd.

It’s free from all bad stuff like parabens and is also gluten-free. Since this is a premium product, it’s understandably sold at a higher price point, but its benefits outweigh the cost. Not only does it leave your dog smelling like soft musk for an entire week, but you also need just a small amount for a full bath, making it an excellent value for money.

Plus, the vegetable protein and aloe vera work together to soften the fur and improve its elasticity, reducing breakage over time.

4. Best for Heavy-Shedders – Hemptz Dog Shampoo and Conditioner

If you need a 2-in-1 best smelling puppy shampoo and conditioner for your heavy shedder, HEMPZ is a top choice. This foaming dog shampoo uses hemp seed oil as its base ingredient, which helps strengthen fur and reduce breakage, while shea butter nourishes your dog’s coat from within. That’s why it’s perfect for heavy shedders like Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds.

The shampoo does a great job of loosening dirt and cleaning your dog’s skin. It also lathers up nicely, so once you rinse off the foam, you’ll have a cleaner pup smelling like a flower. Although the bottle is labelled as citrus-scented, we found it to be more floral, but still lovely.

It’s one of the best vegan options out there to keep your dog’s thick coat healthy. And the 17 oz bottle goes a long way, lasting for 11 to 17 washes if you have a small dog.

5. Best Smelling Soap Free Dog Shampoo – Nootie Sweet Pea and Vanilla Shampoo

If you need a doggy shampoo recommendation that actually smells good, then this pet shampoo by Nootie is your answer. It comes in a large 128-ounce bottle—yes, it’s a bit pricey—but totally worth it. It’s one of the best smelling puppy shampoos out there, leaving behind a pleasant whiff in the air you won’t want to fade.

You can even use it on your cat, and it leaves the fur feeling soft and shiny. It doesn’t leave any residue, rinses out nicely, and has a non-greasy feel. It’s truly a groomer’s pick! While it cleans up well, it’s really the scent that makes it a winner among all its features.

6. Best Smelling Puppy Shampoo for Odor Control-Wahl Odor Control

If your dog stinks badly and its feet smell like Fritos, this shampoo will help you get rid of that off-putting wet dog odor. It’s designed to eliminate that peculiar doggy smell, not just mask it. And it’s super affordable and long-lasting.

It’s perfect for dogs with allergies as this shampoo is gentle and free from parabens and harmful chemicals. The blend of eucalyptus and spearmint soothes the skin and calms the itch while leaving behind a refreshing minty scent. So, it not only deodorizes your dog’s coat but also conditions the skin.

So, I’d say that this product is not just great for stinky pups, it works wonders for double-coated dogs or dogs with greasy coats, too. The doggy shampoo removes excess oil and product build-up. However, as it strips the skin off excess oils, it may leave single-coated dogs’ fur feeling slightly dry, so following up with a conditioner could help.

7. Best Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin–Burt Bees Oatmeal Shampoo

This one is the best soothing shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin. Although the product states it’s unscented, you may notice a mild, pleasant scent that’s not overpowering. And we have included it in our list of best smelling puppy shampoo as it’s affordable (16 oz for under $10) and gently treats your itchy fur baby.

It’s free from sulfates and dyes, made with naturally derived ingredients, and helps keep your pup’s skin moisturized with the goodness of oatmeal and honey. It’s gentle, cruelty-free, and even comes in recycled bottles.

It has a thinner consistency than some other shampoos, but it still gets the job done effectively.

8. Best shampoo for Pitbull Puppies-Pet King Zymox Shampoo

Owning a Pitbull demands extra care as this breed has unique genetic makeup and a short coat with no protective undercoat which makes it prone towards having skin allergies. Zymox is the best shampoo for Pitbull puppies, promising to give that extra care to your sensitive pup.

The gentle ingredients like argan oil help remove the itch and inflammation while the Vitamin D nourishes the coat. Although the shampoo doesn’t have that perfumy smell – it leaves your pup mostly smelling fresh and nice. However, some users have still found the smell overpowering. It’s a good medicated nice smelling shampoo to treat dermatitis and if your pup has had been a victim of pesky fleas and ticks, this is your go to product to use it as an after-care shampoo.

9. Best Smelling Puppy Shampoo for Short Fur – Begley’s Waterless Pet Shampoo

This dry shampoo is great for dogs who dislike bathing and can’t stand the feel of shampoo and water on their bodies. Just spray it onto your dog’s coat, massage it into the fur, let it dry, and wipe with damp cloth. It gives your pup a fast, full-body bath without using water, leaving them smelling like fresh lavender, citrus, mango, or tea tree, depending on the scent you choose.

It sprays onto your dog’s coat and forms a slight foam. It’s great for all types of coats but especially dogs with short fur, as it’s easy to massage in, and the bottle lasts longer. However, if you have a long-haired or very fluffy dog, you might prefer a dry shampoo that creates more foam and offers deeper cleaning.

And if your dog has a particularly smelly area, you can use it for quick spot cleaning. It’s also convenient for outdoor use.

How to Buy the Best Smelling Puppy Shampoo

• Know your dog’s skin type: Is it normal or sensitive? If it’s sensitive, go for gentle, soothing ingredients like oatmeal and aloe vera. These not only calm irritated skin but condition the coat, too.
• Match it to your dog’s coat type: Thick-coated dogs’ benefit from foaming shampoos that lather well and rinse out easily. Also, look for formulas that help reduce shedding helpful for breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds.
• Consider your budget: Only invest in a high-end, luxurious-smelling shampoo if it really matters to you. Affordable shampoos can clean just as well. The expensive ones may offer longer lasting or richer scents, so if that’s something you want, go for it.
• Don’t forget dry shampoos: If your dog hates water and bath time is a struggle, dry shampoos are a great alternative. A good one can freshen up your pup, eliminate bad odors, and save you the mess of a full bath.

Conclusion

Bathing your puppy once a week is a good practice to get rid of that wet dog smell. Pairing bath time with the best smelling puppy shampoo makes all the difference—leaving your puppy not just clean but smelling great without being too overpowering. There are dog shampoos for everything—from odor control and sensitive skin to heavy shedders, cruelty-free, and all-natural options. Before you buy the best puppy shampoo, consider your dog’s coat, skin type, the fragrance you prefer, and how it fits your budget.