Labs are one of America’s most loved dog breed. They are family dogs that are affectionate, outgoing, and loving.
They are said to be swimming aficionados and fetch masters. This breed of dog is one of the best breeds to make as your companion; however, the Labrador retriever lifestyle can often lead to them needing to be bathed frequently.
Labrador Retrievers are known to suffer from skin irritation and dryness, so it’s crucial that you’re choosing a shampoo that will keep your Lab’s coat looking healthy and beautiful.
What Do I Want in Lab Shampoo?
Labrador retrievers have thick double coats of fur. Their coats are used to keep them safe from weather changes, which makes it so that you have to be cautious that your Labrador retrievers’ fur is healthy and perfect.
Labs are constantly shedding, which means that giving them baths are important. However, you don’t want to bathe your Lab to often – this can cause the healthy, natural oils from the skin to be stripped away.
So, what should you look for in a shampoo for your Lab? Here is a list of some of the most important things to look for:
- Labs shed as we’ve said before, so you’ll want to find a Lab shampoo that is formulated to deal with shedding.
- If your dog suffers from sensitive skin, you might want to purchase an oatmeal or aloe shampoo which can help with irritated, itchy skin.
- If you just adopted your puppy, start by using puppy shampoo during bath time.
- Labs can have allergies; if this is true for your dog, you’ll want to find a hypoallergenic, natural dog shampoo.
- If you are dealing with fleas, there are shampoos out there that are formulated to kill fleas upon contact. Remember that flea and tick shampoo don’t have the lasting effects that flea and tick medication does.
If you want to be prepared for anything, you might want to consider having a general bathing shampoo and some flea treatment shampoo available during bath time.
If your Lab deals with allergies during allergy season, you might need to get a shampoo that is designed to deal with the itching and biting to use during that time of the year. Remember that there isn’t any rule stating how many dog shampoos you can have on hand for your dog.
Six Best Lab Shampoos
When searching for the best shampoo for our Labrador retriever, you’ll want to make sure that you’re lathering deep into your Lab’s double coat, but you want to be careful that you aren’t lathering too much to dry out the skin.
While a Lab’s coat is repellent to water, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t vulnerable to infection, moisture, and bacteria.
Below you’ll find a list of six of the best Labrador retriever shampoos that you should consider using during your dog’s bath time.
FURminator Frequent Use Dog Shampoo
As we’ve mentioned before, Labs shed. Regular brushing can help contain continuous shedding; however, having a shampoo that can move the shedding process along is ideal.
This shampoo is designed to help with the de-shedding process. It’s made using natural ingredients that avoid drying out your Lab’s fur – this is important if they require frequent baths.
More than likely, you know that Labs love to play outdoors, hike, and swim, which means that you can have a muddy, dirty, and wet dog on your hands at any time!
Pros
- You can easily use this shampoo frequently
- The natural ingredients will prevent drying out your Lab’s skin
- Made in the USA
- The formula doesn’t have any chemical dyes or parabens
Cons
- Can only be used on adult dogs
PL360 All-in-One Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
As mentioned earlier, Labrador’s have thick double coats that help them stay warm in the winter. Have you found that your Lab has coarse fur? If so, then we recommend using PL360 All-in-One Dog Shampoo & Conditioner.
The formula for this shampoo is plant-based, which helps moisturize and clean your Lab’s coat and undercoat. This shampoo is pH balanced and won’t leave your dog smelling like a wet dog.
Instead, they’ll smell like pomegranates. This shampoo is also a conditioner, which will wash deep into your dog’s fur without using any parabens or toxins.
Pros
- This shampoo won’t wash off your Lab’s topical tick and flea treatment
- Made in America
- Comes in a biodegradable bottle
- Will detangle and moisturize your dog’s coarse, tough coat
Cons
- The pomegranate scent doesn’t last very long
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
If your dog deals with skin conditions such as eczema, Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo is the best shampoo option.
It’s made using oat flour, which is designed to condition your Lab’s dry skin, while still leaving a natural shine to your dog’s coat. Burt’s Bees is pH balanced and is designed to be gentle on your dog’s sensitive skin.
There is honey in this formula, which is there to help strengthen your Lab’s hair follicles and help regulate and maintain moisture.
Pros
- Won’t dry out your Lab’s fur
- The natural ingredients (including green tea extract) promotes healthy hair care and growth.
- Made cruelty-free in America
Cons
- Not hypoallergenic
- Not made for puppies
Tropiclean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Dog Shampoo
Is your Lab’s shedding becoming a problem? If you said yes, then Tropiclean is a great product for you to use.
This shampoo is made from an amazing de-shedding formula that will take care of any shedding problems you might encounter with your Lab.
This coconut and lime ingredients are made using Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, it also uses coconut and oatmeal to nourish your dog’s skin.
Tripiclean works by removing excess hair without irritating or drying out the skin. Tropiclean is soap-free and will keep your Lab’s coat looking healthy and lustrous.
Pros
- Soap-free, so you can use it with your dog’s flea and tick medication
- Full of fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat
- Coconut and oatmeal help keep the skin moisturized and healthy
- Comes in a biodegradable bottle
- Pomegranate and awapuhi help remove excess hair and eliminates tangles
Cons
- The scent doesn’t last very long
Vetoquinol Benzoyl Shampoo
Does your Lab’s fur have a lot of dander? Vetoquinol has designed a dog shampoo that contains benzoyl peroxide; this ingredient helps to kill bacteria.
This veterinary made shampoo provides moisture that reaches deep into your dog’s double coat. It can be used to fight off bacterial skin infections and other conditions that might cause your dog’s skin or fur to dry out or produce dander.
If you find that your Lab is continuously biting or itching their skin, Vetoquinol shampoo will help. Make sure that you consult your vet before you use this shampoo because of the ingredient Benzoyl Plus.
Pros
- Designed to deliver long-lasting moisture to the fur and skin
- Antibacterial and antiseptic formula treats skin conditions and dander
- Safe to use on cats and dogs
Cons
- You must get vet permission to use this product
Skout’s Honor Probiotic Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
This is a very gentle shampoo that helps with itching, dry spots, and shedding. This formula is made from avocado and coconut oil and is designed to fit hot spots, dryness, and itching.
It will also improve your dog’s skin and coat with paraben-free, pH balanced formula. There are even Omega-3s in this formula that will help leave your Lab’s coat looking silky smooth.
Pros
- Probiotic technology supports Lab’s natural defenses against most skin problems
- 2-in-1 formula is designed to prevent infections, combat hot spots, rehydrate skin, repair and prevent hair loss, and restore the coat’s texture and shine.
- The ingredients to help to nourish your dog’s skin and coat
- Works as a natural deodorizer
Cons
- The smell doesn’t last
- You can purchase shampoos similar to this for less money
Tips for Bathing Your Lab
Labs usually enjoy bath time because most of them are water dogs. However, getting a bath might not be as enjoyable as swimming is for them. The tips that you’ll find below will help you get through bath time as smoothly as possible.
- Use positive reinforcement to train your Lab that baths are fun, rather than stressful. If you give your Lab baths in the bathtub, you can use positive reinforcement by rubbing some peanut butter on the wall of the shower so they can eat it during the bath. This delicious distraction can be a great way to calm down your nervous pup.
- It’s best if you use a de-shedding tool before you bathe your dog. This will help get rid of the excess fur that is on their coat, which helps you thoroughly bathe them.
- Use warm water. Hot water has the risk of burning your dog, and cold water isn’t comfortable for anyone.
- Place a towel inside the dryer to get it warm so your Lab will have a dry, cozy towel to snuggle in after bath time.
- Pour a line of shampoo down your dog’s back. Then later it, gently, through their entire coat – remember to get their paws, tail, ears, face, and neck!
- Make sure that you’re thoroughly rinsing out all the shampoo from your dog’s fur. If the shampoo isn’t completely washed out and you allow it to dry, it can cause skin irritation.
- After you’ve bathed your dog, use the towel you put in the dryer to dry them off. If you find that’s it’s warm out; you can even let them air dry.
Labrador Retriever Fun Facts
- Labs are originally from Newfoundland. They were known as being duck retrievers and waterdogs.
- The Lab is America’s Favorite Dog Breed and has been since 1991.
- The Lab’s tail is sometimes called “an otter tail” because of how powerful it is. Their tails help Labs swim effectively, much like a boat rudder.
FAQ About Bath Time
When Should I bath my Lab? – It’s recommended that you bath your Lab every four to six weeks. If they are active outdoors, you can give them baths more often, but avoid giving them baths too frequently.
It’s crucial that a Lab’s coat keeps its natural oils to keep their coat healthy and naturally shiny. Giving your dog too frequent baths will make their fur dry out easily, which can lead to skin conditions.
How do I make it, so my Lab smells nice? – If your dog loves to swim, then you know the “wet dog smell” very well. You can help your dog smell nicer by bathing your Lab more than you currently do, or by using a deodorizing spray when you don’t have time to give your Lab bath time.
If you find that changing your bath routine isn’t working, then you should consider switching shampoos. If that still doesn’t work, you might want to consider taking your dog to the vet because they could have skin diseases or infections that are causing the odor.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right shampoo for your Labrador retriever is very important. You want something that will act as a de-shedder, but also something that will be gentle on the skin and allow moisture to get through the double layer of fur.
You’ve learned now which six Lab shampoos are the best, and why they’re considered the best on the market. Now it’s your turn to decide which option is going to be the one you decide to use for your beloved furry friend.
You’ve also learned what to look for in a shampoo if you decide to look off the list you’ve been provided. The most important thing you want to look for is the de-shedding aspect of a shampoo.
This will allow you to deal with the shedding problem that your Lab has, all while giving them a moisturized and great smelling bath.
Plus, you’ve got some amazing advice on how to give your dog a proper bath. The tips that you’ve been given can be used on any dog, but they’re especially important when you’re bathing your Lab. By utilizing the tips given, you’ll be sure to give you Lab the best bath they’ve ever had.
