Coat or fur is defined as hair that covers a German Shepherd’s body. Initially developed for herding and guarding, GSDs have double coats so they can easily adapt to extreme weather conditions. Popularly known as working dogs, GSDs can be very active and can do various tasks such as digging through anything and searching. Just imagine how much dirt and bacteria may stick on an active German Shepherd’s coat. These will affect their skin and eventually their quality of life.
GSDs can shed all throughout the year. Bathing as a remedy can be harmful to them as this will only leave their skin dry, flaky and itchy. This article aims to help you as GSD owners and would-be owners to choose the best shampoo for German Shepherds and how to bathe them properly.
What to look for in a Good Shampoo for German Shepherd
Choosing the best shampoo for German Shepherds is quite tricky. Especially for owners who are very impulsive and will just grab the first dog shampoo that they will see. Before getting a hold of just any dog shampoo, there are many factors to consider for your beloved German Shepherd.
Ingredients
It is always best to check what’s inside each bottle to be sure that it will not be harmful to your GSDs. Natural ingredients are best if you want to be certain about your GSD’s skin health. Natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Oatmeal can help moisturize the skin and can greatly reduce severe itching.
pH Level
A GSD’s pH level is between 6.5 to 7.52, which makes their skin more sensitive than human beings’. Shampoos with lower pH levels may be too acidic for your GSD and will make their skin dry and itchy. A higher pH level will encourage microbe growth and will eventually make your GSD sick.
Scent
Naturally scented shampoo for GSDs will not only make them smell great but will also keep them clean. Chamomile, Lavender, Lemongrass, etc.,are great scents that can act not only as deodorizer but are also beneficial for GSD’s skin.
Types of Shampoo for German Shepherds
German Shepherd Puppy Shampoo
Puppies have more sensitive and delicate skin compared to adult dogs. Furthermore, their immune system is still developing, which makes them susceptible to germs and pests. Being very active and curious, they can rummage through garbage, run, and roll in the mud and get covered with all sorts of dirt.
With these said, they need regular bathing. Most GSD puppy owners have a big question in their minds.
Can I use baby shampoo on my German Shepherd puppy?
The answer is, “NO”.
Baby shampoos might be mild and tender for human babies, but with a pH level of 5.5, it may be too acidic for GSD puppies. This will leave GSD puppy skin dry and itchy. Their coats may become brittle as well.
Using a mildly scented shampoo with natural ingredients formulated for puppies is the best choice. It can not only clean them but also keep their delicate skin moisturized.
Normal Shampoo
Daily shampooing might strip GSD coats from natural oils. But using a normal GSD shampoo with conditioner can help maintain cleanliness without drying their skin. Some normal shampoos may contain de-shedding ingredients that will help lessen hair fall in GSDs.
Tick and Flea Shampoo
For GSDs with tick and flea infestation, they will be needing tick and flea treatments. The first line of defense is the tick and flea shampoo. It helps in getting rid of tick and flea eggs but it should be used together with anti-tick and flea topical creams to stop the infestation. An anti-tick and flea shampoo should be used once a month for prevention.
Anti-Allergy Shampoo
GSDs with very sensitive skin can use hypoallergenic shampoos or anti-allergy shampoos. GSD allergies may be caused by exposures to environmental hazards, food intolerance, and other shampoos. An anti-allergy shampoo will help relieve itching and strip away shampoo residue.
Medicated Shampoo
Medicated shampoo is best for GSDs with Pyoderma or skin infections due to rashes, skin allergies caused by tick and flea bites, fungus and open wounds. Medicated shampoos for GSDs have anti-bacterial, antimicrobial and anti-fungal ingredients that are formulated for skin inflammation.
Top 5 Best Shampoo for German Shepherd 2020
GSD owners will most likely get very confused when choosing the best shampoo for the fur babies. Knowing the important things to consider in choosing shampoos and the kinds of shampoo that might suit their GSDs, it is best to be guided on which brands to choose.
Rocco and Roxie Calm Hypoallergenic Shampoo – Best Shampoo for German Shepherd Puppy
- Baby Your Baby - For tender new puppy skin or dogs with sensitive dermal conditions, our kindest...
- Nature's Best Ingredients - Made with aloe vera extract, which smoothes the cuticle surface and...
- Safe, Effective, Natural - No masking dyes. No drying alcohols. No parabens that can mess up a...
- Make Bath Time A Breeze- Wash away a day of play in minutes. Our formula is easy to shampoo in, easy...
- 100% Guarantee - We want you to be completely satisfied. We want your dog to look and feel her best....
Rocco and Roxie is an American family-owned business. They specialize in selling quality dog and cat products in the U.S.A.
Calm Hypoallergenic Shampoo is an all-natural puppy shampoo, proven safe and effective for German Shepherd puppies and adult GSDs with skin problems.
Every bottle of this shampoo has Rosemary extracts which serve as an anti-inflammatory agent and moisturizer. It also contains Aloe Vera to soothe and heal the skin and Chamomile extracts that promote skin health. It doesn’t contain any heavy perfume scent that may harm GSD puppies’ sensitive skin.
Bathing is as easy as 1-2-3 with their lather- rich, easy-rinse formula. Plus, it is paraben-free, dye-free and alcohol-free. And did we mention that Rocco and Roxie offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee? How’s that for an assurance of quality?
What we love about it:
- Gentle and safe for GSD puppies
- Also suitable for GSDs with skin problems
- Mildly scented
- Natural ingredients
- Rich-lather, easy-rinse formula
- Can heal skin infections
- Makes coat soft and shiny
- 100% Satisfaction guarantee
What we don’t love about it:
- Some dogs may develop skin allergies to one or more of the natural ingredients
Healthy Breeds Herbal Avocado Shampoo for Dry Itchy Skin – Best Shampoo for Itchy German Shepherd
- Healthy Breeds Avocado Herbal Shampoo is a natural and gentle shampoo with avocado extract that...
- Remove dry crusty scales and dead skin without scratching or hurting your dog. Effective against...
- Will make your dog's coat more manageable without tangles. Leaves the coat with a soft silky feeling...
- Buy with confidence! MADE IN THE USA! All shampoos made in federally regulated manufacturing...
- Healthy Breeds offers an assortment of dog healthcare products, dental products, grooming products...
Are you looking for a breed-specific shampoo that can relieve your GSD from scratching like crazy?
There might be a lot of reasons why GSDs itch but with the Healthy Breeds Herbal Avocado Shampoo, itching will be history. This shampoo contains avocado extracts that can calm the skin from severe irritation. It is formulated to clear away dead skin cells and crusty scales caused by tick and flea infestation and environmental allergies.
As it moisturizes your GSDs’ skin, it also makes their coat soft, manageable with a hint of warm avocado scent.
Frequent bathing can cause dry, itchy skin in GSDs but thanks to its chemical-free and soap-free ingredients, bathing your GSD every day is now possible. This specially formulated shampoo for GSDs has Almond oil that will not strip away the natural oil from your GSD’s skin.
What’s great about this product is that it is made in the U.S.A. and they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. What more can you ask for?
What we love about it:
- Specially formulated for German Shepherds
- Soap-free, chemical-free
- Avocado extracts and almond oil that relieves severe itching
- Moisturizing, hydrating
- For frequent bathing
- Made in the U.S.A.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
What we don’t live about it:
- Not for severely damaged skin
Lilian Ruff Flea and Tick Shampoo – Best Flea and Tick Shampoo for German Shepherd
- FLEA COMB INCLUDED – Lillian Ruff Flea and Tick shampoo is formulated to safely cleanse your...
- POWERFUL ESSENTIAL OILS - Lillian Ruff Flea and Tick shampoo contains natural essential oils like...
- SOOTHE & CLEANSE – Fleas and ticks can leave your dog’s skin feeling irritated and...
- MADE IN THE USA - Our pet grooming products are made right here in the USA. No animal testing, 100%...
- MONEY BACK GUARANTEE- We are so sure that you will love our product that it comes with a 30 day...
GSDs have a double coat that keeps them warm, which is also the perfect breeding environment for ticks and fleas.
These nasty critters will feed on your GSDs blood that will make them feel very itchy. Flea bites may cause allergies and will pose health problems. As GSD owners, our first instinct is to buy an effective anti-flea and tick shampoo that will stop the infestation and prevent it from coming back.
Lilian Ruff Flea and Tick Shampoo can take on these challenging tasks. Formulated with nature’s powerful pesticide, Lemongrass, Peppermint Oil, Wintergreen, Thyme, Lavender oil, it can destroy flea, tick eggs and larvae effectively. Prevention is easy with Eucalyptus and Citronella oil in its ingredients which are known as natural insect and pest repellants.
Most anti-tick and flea shampoo are drying but this shampoo has Rosemary oil and Aloe Vera that can soothe, moisturize and relieve GSDs from the itchy flea bites. It is proven to be an effective formula, and if you are not satisfied with the results, they offer a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.
This is a big assurance for a product made in the U.S.A from a cruelty-free company.
What we love about it:
- Made from natural plant extracts and essential oils
- Kills and prevents ticks and fleas effectively
- Powerful yet moisturizing
- Made in the U.S.A.
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Cruelty-Free, paraben-free, dye-free, tear-free
What we don’t like about it:
- Needs repeated usage for severe tick and flea infested GSDs
Top Performance Shed Patrol De-shedding Shampoo – Best De-shedding Shampoo for German Shepherd
- Formulated with natural ingredients to reduce unwanted shedding and enhance the health and vitality...
- Made with soothing aloe vera to relieve dry, itchy skin
- Leaves coats smelling fresh and clean
Regular loosening and lifting away dead hair and debris might not be enough for heavy shedders like GSDs. To minimize shedding, they need to have a shampoo that can curb shedding. Top Performance Shed Patrol contains wheat germ oil and vitamins A, D and E that will leave their coat healthy, free from mats and tangles.
Most de-shedding shampoos make GSDs’ sensitive skin dry and scaly but with Aloe Vera and Camomile, Top Performance Shed Patrol is a complete package that is safe even for puppies and kittens over 6 weeks old. What’s more, is its fresh citrus scent that you and your GSD will surely like.
What we love about it:
- Mild citrus scent
- Can effectively minimize shedding
- Contains natural oils
- Mat and tangles control
- Safe for puppies and kittens over 6 weeks old
What we don’t love about it:
- Some GSDs might develop allergic reactions to one or more of its components.
4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo with Conditioner – Best German Shepherd Shampoo and Conditioner
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE SENSE: 4Legger organic dog shampoo is a true all natural dog shampoo...
- NATURAL RELIEF: Our organic guar gum-based formula is thicker to effortlessly detangles and...
- THE CHOICE FOR ECO-CONSCIOUS PET PARENTS: 4Legger dog shampoo is made from sustainably sourced,...
- MAKE THE SWITCH TO A TRUE ORGANIC DOG SHAMPOO: Only 2% of dog shampoos are certified to USDA organic...
- TRUSTED, AWARD WINNING PRODUCTS: Since 2015, pet parents, holistic vets, and natural groomers have...
If you are looking for the best organic GSD shampoo and conditioner, why not try 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo and Conditioner. This shampoo is food-grade which means the ingredients are all-natural. You don’t need to fear about accidental ingestion of shampoo suds or residues since it is free from detergent, sulfate, and paraben.
Have you noticed how some shampoos will clean your GSD but still has a doggy smell and would leave their skin dehydrated and itchy? With 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, you can put all of these problems behind you because this product is formulated with Cedar oil, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint to nourish, moisturize as it leaves your dog smelling fresh. It also has anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents to aid in skin infection healing. Plus, it makes your GSD’s coat healthy and soft.
What we love about it:
- Certified organic
- Food-grade
- Anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory
- Natural oil for skin and coat health
- Detergent-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free
- Safe for GSDs with cancer
- GSD owners with cancer can safely use this on their GSDs
What we don’t love about it:
- The essential oil may leave a sticky feel
Tips on How to Bathe German Shepherds
Now that you are decided on which GSD shampoo is best for your GSD, it’s time to learn some tips on bathing your fur baby. GSDs are naturally clean but their activeness and curiosity will surely get them really dirty.
- When bathing GSD puppies, you have to make your puppy feel comfortable first, then give it time to get acquainted with the bathwater, shampoo, etc. GSDs have naturally good memory retention. You don’t want to give your pup the impression that bathing is a punishment.
- Get your GSD ready by brushing its hair to loosen mats and tangles. This will lessen the time spent in the water.
- Refrain from getting water or shampoo in your GSD ears to avoid ear infection.
- Always start from the back of the neck down to the tail.
- When blowdrying your GSD’s coat, always brush opposite their coat’s direction.
How often should a German Shepherd be bathed?
GSDs have a tendency to easily get dry skin, therefore it has always been said that GSDs shouldn’t be given frequent baths. GSDs without any skin and coat problems should be bathed once every 2 to 3 months. However, if your GSD’s skin and coat are in jeopardy, it is still best to bring your GSD to the vet. The vet will advise you how often your GSD should be bathed and what medications, topical or oral, should be given.
Wrapping It All Up
Choosing the right GSD shampoo according to your GSD’s skin and coat condition is a significant factor in grooming your fur baby. There are specific shampoos for your GSDs specific needs. Our review’s goal is to help you understand the how’s, what’s and why’s in selecting the best shampoo for your GSD.
Aside from bathing, your GSD can also benefit from regular grooming. There are a plethora of grooming tools for GSDs available in the market. You only need to read our articles to be armed with knowledge and be able to choose wisely.
The products featured on this page were last updated on 2024-11-06 /. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.