Some Shiba’s love mud and need frequent bathing, while others can get away with maintenance baths every few months. Bathing your dog means you’re helping to keep their fur in good condition and prevent further pet dander from gathering in your home.

Dog shampoos, however, are not one-size-fits-all, so it’s vital to pick a shampoo suitable for your dog’s coat type. Shiba Inus looks like Teddy Bears thanks to their thick double coat. The underlayer is soft and dense, while the outer layer is straight and stiff. Choosing the right shampoo for your Shiba can be difficult because there are so many different types on the market.

In an effort to make your life a bit easier, we’ve researched top dog shampoos available for general bathing, to come up with a list of reviews of the best shampoos for Shibas.

Please note if your Shiba has a skin condition (such as allergies) then you should follow your veterinarian’s advice on the right shampoo for them.

The information about these products has been fact-checked by one of our licensed veterinarians, but the purpose of this post is not to diagnose illness or prescribe treatment. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the veterinarian. We recommend contacting your pet’s veterinarian before purchasing products from this list.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

The 6 Best Shampoos for Shiba Inus

1. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo – Best Overall

Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo with Aloe and Cucumber Scent is our top pick for the best overall dog shampoo for Shibas. This shampoo helps nourish and calm dry, irritated skin because it contains natural components such as aloe vera. Because it doesn’t include sulfates, phthalates, DEA, soap, gluten, or synthetic dyes, you can even use it on Shibas with extra-sensitive skin.

The colloidal oatmeal formulation and pH-balanced structure allow this product to meet multiple demands. First, it will help clean the coat while leaving a fresh scent. The second is to nourish their skin and fur. It also helps reduce irritation and prevents your Shiba from scratching after bathing.

However, as this shampoo only comes in one scent, there isn’t a substitute if you or your dog don’t enjoy aloe vera and cucumber.

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

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2. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey for Dogs – Budget Buy

A shampoo for Shiba Inus that will give you the best budget buy for your money is the Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey for Dogs. It is one of the most affordable solutions on the market and the best shampoo for Shiba Inus for the money.

You can give your Shiba a clean, healthy coat and skin by using this shampoo. Dry, irritated areas will be soothed by its gentle ingredients. Because this product has no fragrance, it won’t irritate you or your furry friend with a strong scent, as many other shampoos do.

You’ll likely need to use more of Burt’s Bees shampoo at once as it doesn’t produce much lather. This is likely the biggest downside of the product. However, it still works very effectively without bubbles. No ill side effects are left behind, just a beautiful, clean coat. In most cases, it doesn’t cause allergic reactions, irritate your dog’s skin, or bother their nose or eyes. Of course, there will be exceptions but reported reactions are uncommon.

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3. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo

 

The best dog shampoo will do more than simply clean and freshen up your pet—it will also replenish moisture in the skin and soften the fur. Our third pick, Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo, can do all these tasks while being mildly formulated and suitable for sensitive Shibas.

You won’t be dissatisfied by the softness of your Shiba’s coat or all the other benefits this shampoo brings. Since it typically works quickly and effectively, the higher price may be worth it. We believe it will be a great addition to your dog grooming kit.

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4. Earthbath Ultra-Mild Wild Cherry Puppy Shampoo

Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo is a great option for puppies because it employs natural and organic ingredients instead of synthetic ones to detangle, clean, and condition.

Compared to an adult Shiba, a puppy’s skin is more sensitive. Therefore, the shampoo should contain ingredients that are very gentle but still strong enough to clean and moisturize the skin and coat. Aloe vera and many other vitamins in this shampoo will moisturize and nourish your Shiba’s body and fur.

If you have a dog who dislikes staying still for a lengthy wash, Earthbath Ultra-Mild Puppy Shampoo may be a good choice because it lathers effectively and rinses quickly. In addition, the tear-free, gentle formula will not sting their eyes.

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5. FURminator DeShedding Ultra-Premium Shampoo

The DeShedding Ultra-Premium shampoo from FURminator has been tailored to support dogs’ skin and coats while minimizing their shedding. Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids have been added to this product to serve these purposes. It also includes papaya leaf extract to lessen dandruff and thoroughly clean the coat, as well as calendula extract for its skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial characteristics.

However, you might need to be cautious around Shibas that have sensitive skin because this formula is not all-natural. A few owners have complained that their dog continues to shed heavily even after using it, but remember that this shampoo should only help control the shedding, not stop it completely.

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6. Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs

Another excellent shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin is Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo. The ingredients include d-limonene for cleaning, oatmeal for a gentle scrub, and tea tree oil for calming your Shiba’s skin and freshening up their coat. It works wonders on irritated skin and although this shampoo does require you to leave it in for a few minutes, the product is easy to wash off.

This shampoo is intended to lessen allergic reactions, but a few customers have complained that the itching reappeared immediately after washing, occasionally with dandruff too! Always consult with your vet if your Shiba suffers from skin allergies.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Shampoos for Shiba Inus

Can You Use Human Shampoo on Dogs?

The most crucial guideline for buying dog shampoo is to stick to products designed for canines. Sure, your shampoo may be fantastic for your hair, but the pH level of your Shiba Inu’s skin is very different. While they may be clean after using human shampoo, the balance of oils in their coat will then be disturbed. This disruption not only dries out your furry friend’s skin and coat, but it may even promote the growth of parasites and bacteria.

If the smell of your shampoo is what you enjoy most, you can rest assured that the pet supply store has many enticing scents for you to choose from.

Tips for Enjoying Bath-Time

Once you’ve found a suitable shampoo for your Shiba Inu, you can help them enjoy their bath time with a few tips below:

Conclusion

The selection of shampoo for your cherished Shiba Inu can rapidly become overwhelming because there are so many different products on the market. Getting a great shampoo is vital because we all want what is best for our furry friends, and hopefully, our reviews above have helped do just that!

To recap, our overall favorite shampoo is the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo. If you need to spend as little as possible, we recommend Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo For Dogs. We hope that our thorough reviews have helped you find the right choice for your Shiba.

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Featured Image Credit: Ultraskrip, Shutterstock