In a hurry? Here is our top pick:
Sofee & Co. Natural Oatmeal Shampoo
Overall, the Sofee & Co. shampoo is an excellent choice for your Shih Tzu. Besides all the ingredients being naturally derived, this small business guarantees that your furry friend won’t have allergic reactions to this shampoo.
Summary
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
- Family business product
Petting a dog is proven to be therapeutic and calming for people. Especially if that dog is a Shih Tzu. Not only does a dog enjoy it, but humans feel the same kind of excitement about it.
Shih Tzus are very well known for their beautiful and soft coats. However, to maintain these soft and shiny coats, you will have to give them a full treatment from time to time. Just like people love to have nice and clean hair, pets love it too.
You should dedicate your time to pamper your pet and you should also learn how to do it properly.
Some may think that it is as simple as buying any shampoo for pets and then just washing their Shih Tzu with it, but that’s not the case. Not all dogs should use the same shampoos. That is why we are here.
In this article, we will talk about the best shampoos for Shih Tzus and what you should know before buying one. In addition to that, we researched a lot of shampoos, summarised all the pros and cons, and brought you the ones we consider the best.
Our top pick is Sofee & Co. Natural Oatmeal Shampoo . If you stick with us until the end, you will learn how to get your Shih Tzu used to being washed and also what ingredients you should pay the most attention to.
Let’s begin this squeaky clean journey.
Quick summary
| Sofee & Co. Natural Oatmeal Shampoo |
| Check on Amazon |
 | Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo With Pure Lavender Essential Oils |
| Check on Amazon |
 | Healthy Breeds Chamomile Oatmeal & Aloe Soothing Shampoo & Conditioner |
| Check on Amazon |
Before You Buy: 3 Things To Consider When Buying A Shih Tzu Shampoo
1. Ingredients
Researching the ingredients should be your number one on the priority list. There are plenty of reasons for this.
Just as it’s the case with human skincare products, pet products should be double checked too.
Living in a technologically developed world has brought as many negative sides as it brought positive ones. There are too many ingredients out there that you should watch out for.
A lot of them don’t go by just one name, but several in fact. Another thing to keep in mind when checking the ingredients is the word ‘natural’.
Not everything that says natural is healthy. You should be looking for words such as ‘certified’ and ‘organic’. Ingredients will help or cause repeated damage to the skin of your beloved Shih Tzu.
Some can cause only itching, but others go as far as being toxic and cancerous. Since Shih Tzus have long coats, which need special care and pampering, choosing the right kind of shampoo is vital, thus, researching the ingredients is a must.
2. Purpose
Every dog is different, therefore every Shih Tzu is different too.
Genetics, climate, region and the living conditions are things that do affect your dog and its health. Also, it shapes the needs of your dog.
Having all of this in mind, you will know what to look for.
Does your Shih Tzu have sensitive skin? If that’s the case, you will have to find a shampoo for sensitive skin. Sensitive skin usually means that skin is prone to allergies. Find a shampoo that has what you need.
Speaking of purpose, we all know our lovely pets tend to pick up a nasty lodger or two. In this case, we would have to buy a shampoo that will help us get rid of the intruder. The list goes on and on, but you should have gotten the point by now.
3. Quality
Deciding what is a good or bad quality product is really not an easy task. There should be some criteria you should go by.
Think about what you expect from a product, what you want to achieve.
If the product doesn’t meet the criteria, move along, because this is not a product you will make compromises about. Shampoo companies often focus on attracting customers by making a beautiful and cool package, but then they lack good ingredients.
Or to simplify, companies will focus on the look of the package to mask the fact that the ingredients are not good quality ones.
Another thing about quality is the price. You should know that not every shampoo of good quality will be expensive, while on the other hand, not every cheap shampoo will be bad either. Get rid of prejudice.
Researching and reading reviews will help you find the best shampoo.
However, don’t forget that experiences are not all the same, just like not every Shih Tzu is the same. Maybe the best advice we can give you is to try different things.
Buy something you think will be good and then test it. Wash your Shih Tzu only a couple of times with it, and pay close attention to the reactions. Your dog’s behavior will tell you everything you need to know.
Top 3 Best Shih Tzu Shampoos
1. Sofee & Co. Natural Oatmeal Shampoo
Best features:
- No toxins, parabens, sulfates, artificial color or mineral oils
- All ingredients are naturally derived
- Won’t tangle your Shih Tzus coat
This Sofee & Co. shampoo sounds like a fair choice to make. Let’s see why.
This shampoo screams non-toxic since it is sulfate and paraben-free, it has no artificial color and has no mineral oils. Mineral oils are not something you would want in your Shih Tzu’s shampoo because it stops the elimination of toxins from the dog’s body.
This gentle formula won’t make your beloved pet itchy or allergic.
This shampoo does its job very well. After washing, your Shih Tzus coat will be shiny, clean and it will smell fresh.
All the ingredients are naturally derived and they will only do good to your dog’s skin and coat.
If you have a Shih Tzu of sensitive nature, this shampoo will be an excellent choice for you.
This is a non-toxic, cruelty-free shampoo, made in the USA by a small family business that really cares about our furry friends and their wellbeing.
The Sofee & Co. Shampoo will not tangle your dog’s coat, on the contrary, combing will become a pleasant and easy thing for you.
Many customers have said that after a series of shampoo failures, the Sofee & Co. Shampoo made their dreams come true.
No more dry, itchy and red skin!
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
- Family business product
Cons
- Small package
Bottom line
Overall, Sofee & Co. shampoo is an excellent choice for your Shih Tzu. Besides all the ingredients being naturally derived, this small business guarantees that your furry friend won’t have allergic reactions to this shampoo. Say goodbye to the dry and itchy skin by choosing the Sofee & Co. shampoo.
2. Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo With Pure Lavender Essential Oils
Best features:
- Special formula for any skin issues your Shih Tzu might be experiencing
- Works well as a preventive measure of skin related problems
- Packed with vitamins and antioxidants
- Has Lavender oil for the extra soothing effect
Colloidal oatmeal is an ingredient you definitely want in your Shih Tzus shampoo. The oatmeal formula works well with any skin related issue your dog might be experiencing. Oatmeal has many health benefits such as its calming and moisturizing effect. The Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo will be such a relief for both you and your Shih Tzu. Yes, we are being literal.
This essential fatty acid formula will even work as a preventive measure for the dogs who are not experiencing skin and coat problems.
This is a product of the Honeydew company that uses only natural oils and they extract needed plants from nature by themselves. This is a very important feature since we want all the ingredients to be organic and healthy.
Speaking of the ingredients, this Honeydew shampoo is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. These ingredients are vital for the well-being of our beloved Shih Tzus’ coat and skin.
As it should be, this formula is made without any sulfates or parabens.
The lavender oil, that is a part of this shampoo’s formula, is another huge plus. This is because the lavender oil has calming effects that do wonders to the irritated skin.
Pros
- No parabens or sulfates
- Organic & healthy shampoo
- Good for skin issues
Cons
- Shampoo bottle is made of hard plastic and it might be a little bit hard to squeeze the liquid out when you use ⅔ of the product
Bottom line
Taking everything into consideration, this Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo has to offer a lot of positive things. Not only is it free of toxic ingredients, but it is very useful for the Shih Tzus with skin problems.
3. Healthy Breeds Chamomile Oatmeal & Aloe Soothing Shampoo & Conditioner
Best features:
- Contains natural botanical extracts of chamomile, calendula, aloe vera, and many others
- No chemical ingredients to irritate the skin
- This shampoo soothes irritated skin
- If lice are your problem, this shampoo will help you
Another excellent shampoo that deserves a place in our list is the Healthy Breeds Chamomile Shampoo.
This shampoo contains the natural botanical extracts of chamomile, calendula, cactus, colloidal oatmeal, and aloe vera. These ingredients are very healthy and will greatly contribute to the quality of the shampoo.
The aloe vera helps soothe any previously gained irritations.
There are no chemical ingredients that can irritate your Shih Tzus skin or tangle its coat.
Another good thing is there will be no shedding of the hair.
A very valuable perk of the Healthy Breeds shampoo is its effect when it comes to treating lice.
This product won’t be heavy on your Shih Tzu’s coat and skin and you will be able to wash your beloved pet as often as you want without fearing the irritations.
This shampoo will leave your Shih Tzu’s coat as smooth as silk without tangles to deal with.
Pros
- Good when treating lice
- Full of healthy ingredients
- Won’t cause irritations
Cons
- A little bit pricey
Bottom line
The bottom line is that the Healthy Breeds Chamomile shampoo will do its job perfectly. Full of natural ingredients that will soothe the irritated skin or help with untangling tangled coats. This shampoo is another excellent choice to make!
Good VS Bad Ingredients
Ingredients to avoid
Formaldehyde
Also known as Bronopol, Diazolidinyl urea, etc. Everybody’s heard of formaldehyde at some point in their life. Most people already know that this ingredient is very toxic. Imagine what constant application does in the long term.
This ingredient seems to harm most of the organs.
Formaldehyde will cause scaling of the skin, itching, and redness in most cases. If your Shih Tzu is one of those who are on the sensitive side, then you should pay attention and see if there are any of these symptoms.
Isopropyl alcohol
Also known as Isopropyl or Propyl is another ingredient to stay away from. Any alcohol derivative is not good for skin and coat treatment. Alcohol will dry out the skin and fur. Dry skin leads to itchiness and irritation.
What little to no people know is that this ingredient turns into acetone when it comes in contact with the body.
Propyl is proven to cause depression and anxiety issues.
Paraben
This ingredient is mentioned a lot when speaking about estrogen. This is because paraben can cause estrogen disruption. Paraben is widely used in cosmetic products, but you should pay attention to it. Besides causing high levels of estrogen, paraben can cause reproductive issues and cancer.
Artificial fragrance
While everyone thinks it’s safe to buy something that smells nice, that is not the case here. Unfortunately, most of the shampoo fragrances are artificially made. This ingredient can cause developmental issues and cancer.
Sulfates
Mostly SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) and SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate). Sulfates are the most common ingredients in dog shampoos because they are like detergents – they clean the dirt from the coat, but why are they bad? They cause redness, itching, and dry skin.
Good ingredients
As previously said in this article, shampoos that can assure you they are made of entirely organic ingredients are the ones to be trusted.
Essential oils
These guys are always welcome! Essential oils have many perks and they are widely used. Not only do they smell good, but they can make your Shih Tzu feel more relaxed and calm.
Lavender essential oil helps in the battle with fleas, coconut and rosemary oil help in the moisturization of the skin, etc.
Please note that this does not mean you should apply doses of some essential oil, directly on your Shih Tzus coat, since these oils are highly concentrated and should be mixed.
Lauric acid
This is a fatty acid which is extracted from the coconut. Extracting this fatty acid, we get an ingredient called lauric acid. This acid has proven to be very useful when being used in shampoos.
Good things about lauric acid are its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect.
Looking up all the ingredients might be exhausting and boring, we understand, but it is something that has to be done.
Prevention is the number one key to the healthy life of our beloved Shih Tzus. And preventing illness is what you are doing by evaluating the shampoo ingredients.
You can always search up the ingredient on the Internet and see what is being said about it. Look through several pages and then decide if it’s good or bad.
A lot of things go into the body and they reach organs through the coat and the skin of the dog, so we should pay attention to what we are washing our Shih Tzus with.
How to bathe a Shih Tzu puppy?
A puppy of any breed is pretty similar to the other. They mostly behave the same way and we can even say there is a certain pattern to their behavior.
Puppies are these tiny beings who are afraid, but curious most of the time. Both of these traits come from not knowing what to expect from the situation they find themselves in. Don’t worry.
Maybe you don’t remember, but human babies experience this also. It is all weird until it becomes a regular, daily thing. It will become, don’t doubt that.
As every baby gets used to bathing time, your pup will too.
All you need to be is gentle and patient. Make it seem like a fun thing to do. Don’t know how? We are here to teach you just how in a few quick and easy steps.
Step 1
Prepare a container of a good size – now, since we are talking about Shih Tzus, this particular container doesn’t have to be huge because Shih Tzu is a small breed, even more so when young.
If you are not in the possibility to provide a container, don’t worry, a bathtub or a shower will surely do the job.
Step 2
Find the perfect water temperature, something that is not too hot, but not too cold either. This will win you some bonus points. Shih Tzus are furry and they don’t need extra temperature, that’s for sure.
Put the water into the container. The same procedure applies to a shower or a bathtub.
Step 3
Add all the squeaky and waterproof toys you have. The toys will serve as a ‘bait’ and as a distraction.
Step 4
Place your furry friend into the container/bathtub/shower. Approach this situation calmly and look closely for any reactions. Your Shih Tzu pup won’t know how to react but you will have to proceed nonetheless.
Step 5
Begin with a little splash here and there. Have in mind that it is not recommended to wash your dog’s head.
Step 6
You can now add shampoo and slowly massage your pup’s body with it.
Step 7
Rinse the shampoo thoroughly. You don’t want to leave any excess shampoo on your Shih Tzus coat. This can lead to dry and itchy skin.
Step 8
Dry your puppy with a towel first.
Step 9
If needed, you can blow-dry the coat. Be careful not to put the dryer too closely, we don’t want to burn our furry babies.
Step 10
Reward time! You made it! Give your Shih Tzu a treat for enduring the whole process and behaving well.
As previously said, everything about teaching your pup how to bathe must be done with patience.
Don’t rush things!
This can be a nice, playful task, for both of you. Everything takes time. Give your dog some of that time to adjust to the new situation and to learn all it needs to know. When it understands that this is something that needs to be done, it will accept it. Even more so, when it learns this task won’t harm, but benefit them.
Don’t forget that our dogs sense our feelings, so leave the anxiety and nervousness behind. Some dogs will hate it, while others will love it. You can’t change their personalities, but you can help them adapt easier to the given situation.
Most of you will question how often you should bathe your Shih Tzu. It is recommended to bathe your furry friend once every 2-3 weeks. If needed you can do it more frequently, but only if the situation asks for it. Of course, you will wash your dog if it gets dirty while playing or walking in the rain.
If you have a Shih Tzu with sensitive skin, try to stick to the ‘once every 2-3 weeks’ plan, for obvious reasons.
How we chose these products
Everything written in this article is well researched and thoroughly studied. We take our time seriously, but we value your time even more. This is what drives us towards looking for true and quality facts.
Every product we suggest to you is thoroughly researched. Not only that, but we pay attention to what other customers have said about certain products and we incorporate their experiences into a huge ball of information. Just for you!
Have in mind that we are not professionally trained medical personnel and we are only suggesting these products. If your Shih Tzu is having a certain health situation going on and you need to decide what shampoo to buy for your pet, you should get advice from your vet’s office.
Conclusion
Having all of the things we said in mind, you should be good to go and try some of the shampoos. Now that you know what to look for and what to avoid, the search should take way less time.
In reality, it is all simple, learn what ingredients to avoid and why, but also learn what ingredients are good for what type of thing. This will help and save you in many situations.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on your lovely Shih Tzu whenever you try a new product because our furry buddies, unfortunately, can’t speak for themselves.
If you spot an odd reaction, stop using the product and visit your vet’s office if needed.
We would like to hear about your experience regarding Shih Tzu shampoos!
Have you tried any of the shampoos we reviewed for you? How did you like them?
If you have any comments or questions for us, we would be delighted to hear from you! Don’t be shy and leave us a comment.
