If you’ve got a Yorkie, you probably know all about its soft, silky coat. Yorkshire terriers have thin, soft hair that is pleasant to pet and even hypoallergenic. But that doesn’t mean that they’re maintenance-free. In fact, Yorkies are prone to sensitive skin issues that can make their soft skin turn red and itchy and their silky fur crack and break.
Finding the right grooming routine is key to taking care of your Yorkie. A good shampoo with quality ingredients is the first step. These reviews go over the pros and cons of some of our favorite doggie shampoos that work well for Yorkies.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo
Natural and free of controversial ingredients
Good smell
Reviews recommend for Yorkies
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Best Value
Top Paw Hydrating with Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Works well on Yorkie fur
Hydrates with oatmeal and coconut
Free of parabens and sulfates
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Premium Choice
True Earth Mineral Spa Shampoo
Long-lasting blossom scent
Softens skin
Uses mostly natural scents
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Best for Puppies
Only Natural Pet 2-in-1 Puppy Shampoo
Extra gentle for puppies
Natural ingredients
Aloe and shea soothe irritated skin
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Tropiclean Oxy-Medicated Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Resolves severe itchiness and skin issues
Coconut-based cleanser
Contains tea-tree oil and medicated itch relief
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The 8 Best Shampoos for Yorkies at PetSmart
- Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo – Best Overall
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Type: Itch Relief
Scent: Vanilla and Almond
We love this shampoo because of its high reviews, great ingredients list, and ethical company practices. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo is the best overall shampoo for Yorkies. In fact, many of the positive reviews for this product come from happy Yorkshire Terrier owners. Reviewers also love the vanilla and almond scent of this shampoo. It is formulated for itch relief with ingredients like oatmeal, aloe, and coconut to clean and care for your dog’s skin. It’s also free of parabens, sulfates, soap, and alcohol to make it gentler on the skin. Earthbath uses natural, renewable ingredients and cruelty-free production processes. Although we recommend it for all Yorkies regardless of current itching, do note that it isn’t a medicated shampoo and won’t relieve itching in all dogs.
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Type: Itch Relief
Scent: Vanilla and Almond
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Pros
Natural and free of controversial ingredients
Good smell
Reviews recommend for Yorkies
Renewable and cruelty-free
Cons
Doesn’t relieve itching in all dogs
Top Paw Hydrating with Oatmeal Dog Shampoo gives you the best bang for your buck with its hydrating formula that will keep your dog’s coat clean at a lower price than many competitors. This shampoo contains coconut water and oatmeal to help soften your dog’s skin and moisturize fur. It’s free of common harmful ingredients like parabens and sulfates, although it does have artificial ingredients and fragrances. It also works well with Yorkie fur, with at least one rave review coming from a Yorkie owner. The scent itself is controversial—most reviewers agree that it is fairly mild and neutral, but a few don’t like it. In addition, a few dogs appear to have allergic reactions to this shampoo, so if your dog is allergy-prone, another shampoo might be better for your needs.
Natural and free of controversial ingredients
Good smell
Reviews recommend for Yorkies
Renewable and cruelty-free
- Natural and free of controversial ingredients
- Good smell
- Reviews recommend for Yorkies
- Renewable and cruelty-free
Doesn’t relieve itching in all dogs
- Doesn’t relieve itching in all dogs
Type: Hydrating
Scent: General
Pros
Works well on Yorkie fur
Hydrates with oatmeal and coconut
Free of parabens and sulfates
Low cost
Cons
Artificial scents and other ingredients
Not all reviewers liked the smell
Possible allergen
- True Earth Mineral Spa Shampoo – Premium Choice
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Type: General Purpose
Scent: Cherry Blossom
If you want to pamper your dog a little bit, True Earth Mineral Spa Shampoo is the perfect premium option. The standout selling point of this shampoo is the scent—a rich floral scent that comes from a combination of natural essential oils and a few artificial scent fixers. Most reviewers rave about how wonderful the scent smells and promise that it gives your dog a fresh floral scent for days afterward without being overpowering. Most loved the smell itself, although a few critical reviews compared it to bad perfume. This shampoo also uses ingredients like coconut oil that soften and soothe the skin, making it ideal for Yorkies. The ingredient list is mostly good, but it does contain artificial ingredients and fragrances. It also contains sodium lauryl sulfate, irritating the eyes and occasionally cause skin reactions.
Works well on Yorkie fur
Hydrates with oatmeal and coconut
Free of parabens and sulfates
Low cost
- Works well on Yorkie fur
- Hydrates with oatmeal and coconut
- Free of parabens and sulfates
- Low cost
Artificial scents and other ingredients
Not all reviewers liked the smell
Possible allergen
- Artificial scents and other ingredients
- Not all reviewers liked the smell
- Possible allergen
Type: General Purpose
Scent: Cherry Blossom
Pros
Long-lasting blossom scent
Softens skin
Uses mostly natural scents
Cons
More expensive
Contains sulfates that might irritate eyes
Scent is controversial
- Only Natural Pet 2-in-1 Puppy Shampoo – Best for Puppies
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Type: 2-in-1
Scent: Aloe+Shea
If your Yorkie is still just a pup, you’ll want an even gentler shampoo than most. Only Natural Puppy Shampoo is a perfect choice. It’s made of natural, plant-based ingredients like aloe leaf juice, jojoba oil, and xanthan gum that will help clean your puppy’s fur and soothe his skin. There aren’t synthetic dyes or scents added to this shampoo, and it’s free of parabens, sulfates, and other controversial ingredients. It’s an overall ideal shampoo for a growing puppy. Puppy shampoos are even milder than standard dog shampoos, making it the perfect choice for extra-sensitive skin. Some reviewers do note that the bottle should be stored carefully as the shampoo can spill and leak easily.
Long-lasting blossom scent
Softens skin
Uses mostly natural scents
- Long-lasting blossom scent
- Softens skin
- Uses mostly natural scents
More expensive
Contains sulfates that might irritate eyes
Scent is controversial
- More expensive
- Contains sulfates that might irritate eyes
- Scent is controversial
Type: 2-in-1
Scent: Aloe+Shea
Pros
Extra gentle for puppies
Natural ingredients
Aloe and shea soothe irritated skin
Cons
Bottle can leak
- Tropiclean Oxy-Medicated Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
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Type: Medicated Anti-Itch
Scent: Tropical
If your Yorkie already has skin issues and normal shampoos won’t cut it, a medicated shampoo might be for you. Tropiclean Oxy-Medicated Oatmeal Dog Shampoo contains many of the same great ingredients in other shampoos on this list, but it also has alpha and beta hydroxy. These ingredients provide a stronger skin relief than standard shampoos, making them great for dogs with tough fur.
Extra gentle for puppies
Natural ingredients
Aloe and shea soothe irritated skin
- Extra gentle for puppies
- Natural ingredients
- Aloe and shea soothe irritated skin
Bottle can leak
- Bottle can leak
Type: Medicated Anti-Itch
Scent: Tropical
We love this product overall, but because it is medicated, it’s not ideal for all Yorkies, only those with especially stubborn itchiness, flaking skin, and other issues. It also does contain unnecessary artificial ingredients like fragrance.
Pros
Resolves severe itchiness and skin issues
Coconut-based cleanser
Contains tea-tree oil and medicated itch relief
Cons
Not necessary for all dogs
Contains artificial fragrances and ingredients
Pet Head Sensitive Soul Shampoo is designed to be extra-gentle on sensitive skin. It is full of natural oils and extracts that aid it in that goal. Natural moisturizers include coconut and marula oil, while oatmeal and calendula reduce inflammation and redness. It also contains other natural ingredients like aloe to aid it. Pet Head advertises that its products are vegan and cruelty-free, making them a great choice for many pet owners. Although most reviewers loved this product, it doesn’t have a ton of lather compared to other shampoos and some reviewers said that the cap broke easily.
Resolves severe itchiness and skin issues
Coconut-based cleanser
Contains tea-tree oil and medicated itch relief
- Resolves severe itchiness and skin issues
- Coconut-based cleanser
- Contains tea-tree oil and medicated itch relief
Not necessary for all dogs
Contains artificial fragrances and ingredients
- Not necessary for all dogs
- Contains artificial fragrances and ingredients
Type: Sensitive Skin
Scent: Coconut
Pros
Contains oatmeal and calendula for reducing inflammation
Coconut and marula oil moisturizes naturally
Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
Lid breaks easily
Low lather
Burt’s Bees Relieving Dog Shampoo relieves itchy, irritated skin with its gentle formula full of natural ingredients. It is on the lower end of the price range for this list, making it a great option if you’re on a budget, and it is fragrance-free, which is nice if you have a sensitive nose. Ingredients like chamomile, beeswax, honey, and rosemary extract all work together to protect your dog’s skin and coat, leaving behind a soft, silky finish. Our only quibble with this shampoo is that many reviewers say it isn’t long-lasting, with both doggy smells and itchiness returning more quickly than other brands.
Contains oatmeal and calendula for reducing inflammation
Coconut and marula oil moisturizes naturally
Vegan and cruelty-free
- Contains oatmeal and calendula for reducing inflammation
- Coconut and marula oil moisturizes naturally
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Lid breaks easily
Low lather
- Lid breaks easily
- Low lather
Type: Itch Relief
Scent: Scent-Free
Pros
Relatively low price
Reduces itching and irritation
Gentle, natural ingredients
Cons
Not long-lasting
- Chi for Dogs Gentle Formula
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Type: 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Scent: General
One of the most popular pet shampoo brands on the market, we love Chi for Dogs Gentle Formula because it combines shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer into one great product. Reviewers almost universally love this product’s results, and its scent is gentle and not overpowering. It is free of controversial ingredients like parabens and sulfates, and moisturizing, soothing ingredients like milk and aloe help keep the skin soft and clear. The only thing we don’t love about this shampoo is the scanty ingredients list—with ingredients like “cleansing agent” and “moisturizing agent” it’s hard to know just what we’re getting.
Relatively low price
Reduces itching and irritation
Gentle, natural ingredients
- Relatively low price
- Reduces itching and irritation
- Gentle, natural ingredients
Not long-lasting
- Not long-lasting
Type: 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Scent: General
Pros
Free of parabens and sulfates
High ratings
Gentle on skin
Cons
Unspecified ingredients
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Shampoo for Yorkies at PetSmart
When buying the perfect shampoo for your Yorkie, there’s a lot to keep in mind. Different shampoos are formulated for different purposes, and some are more useful than others. For example, a deshedding shampoo probably isn’t necessary because Yorkies are generally low-shedding dogs. Instead, here are some green flags to look for.
Free of parabens and sulfates
High ratings
Gentle on skin
- Free of parabens and sulfates
- High ratings
- Gentle on skin
Unspecified ingredients
- Unspecified ingredients
Moisturizing Ingredients
Yorkies are prone to dry skin, so moisturizers are ideal. One of the most common natural moisturizers is coconut oil, but there are many others. These ingredients act like lotion, hydrating your dog’s skin and fur.
Soothing and Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients
You might see these shampoos marketed as itch relief, soothing, or anti-inflammatory. These are perfect for Yorkies that tend towards flaking, itchy, or red skin. Some of the most common ingredients that fall into this category are oatmeal, aloe vera, and tea tree oil.
Natural Ingredients and Fragrances
Although natural ingredients aren’t always better, it’s a lot easier to look into them and find out what’s working and not working for your pet. Some artificial ingredients, like artificial fragrances, can irritate some dogs’ skin.
Free of Paraben and Sulfate
Parabens and Sulfates are both controversial ingredients in shampoos. Parabens can cause hormone imbalances in some dogs, while sulfates, although not dangerous to most dogs, can irritate eyes and worsen already irritated skin.
Soap and Alcohol-Free
Soap and alcohol are both common cleansers, but they can be harsh on skin. Many cleansers made for sensitive skin use alternative cleansers that won’t cause irritation to become worse.
Conclusion
Even though there’s no one perfect option out there, this list contains several of our favorite shampoos. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo is our best overall pick because of its high ratings and clean ingredient list. Top Paw Hydrating with Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is our value pick, bringing lots of cleaning power in at a lower price point. True Earth Mineral Spa Shampoo is our premium pick and ideal for owners who want a beautiful scent over everything else. And finally, our favorite puppy shampoo is Only Natural 2-in-1 Puppy Shampoo. Whichever shampoo you choose, we hope that it helps your Yorkie’s skin and coat to thrive.
Featured Image Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko, Pexels
