French Bulldogs have quickly become one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. With their adorable faces and charming personalities, it’s easy to understand why. Unfortunately, with great popularity often comes a multitude of health problems, and Frenchies haven’t escaped this curse. If your French Bulldog is one of the many who suffer from allergies and skin conditions, chances are you’ll be giving them frequent baths to help control their symptoms.
If you’re in search of the perfect shampoo for your itchy or smelly French Bulldog, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll review our picks for the 8 best shampoos for French Bulldogs this year, including the best shampoo for a Frenchie puppy. Hopefully, these insights will help you narrow down the many choices available to you to find just the right one for your flat-faced pup.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
All natural, pet-safe ingredients
Formulated to soothe dry, irritated skin
pH balanced
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Hartz Groomer’s Best Dog Shampoo
Multi-functional shampoo
Cost-effective
No dyes, parabens, alcohols, sulfates
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Furminator DeShedding Dog Shampoo
Made with natural ingredients
Helps control shedding
Can be used in pups 6 weeks and older
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Isle Of Dogs Tearless Puppy Shampoo
Tearless
Designed for puppies
No parabens or sulfates
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Buddy Wash Original Dog Shampoo
Cosmetic grade ingredients
Not tested on animals
Cleans, conditions, and deodorizes
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The 9 Best Shampoos For French Bulldogs
1. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo – Best Overall
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Sizes Available: 16 ounces
Hypoallergenic?: Yes
Life Stage: All life stages
Our favorite shampoo for French Bulldogs is Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo. This shampoo creates a hydrating, gentle foam that is easy to work into and wash out of your Frenchies fur. With oatmeal extract as one of its main ingredients, Heppers formula will reduce inflammation, irritation and dry skin, and prevent it from returning.
This product is the perfect choice for all French Bulldog skin types and contains the lightest scent, that won’t be over powering to you or your dog.
At PetKeen.com 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 cat company!
Pros
Hydrating, skin soothing formula
Ph Balanced
Safe for irritated skin
All natural
Free of soap, gluten, dye, DEA, sulfate, and phthalate
Cons
Some dogs may not like the scent
Our pick for the best shampoo for French Bulldogs for the money is Hartz Groomer’s Best 6 in 1 Lavender and Mint Shampoo. This shampoo is multi-functional, able to clean, deodorize, moisturize, and strengthen your Frenchie’s coat in the space of one bath. Designed to give your pup a grooming spa experience in their own bathtub, Hartz leaves your Frenchie’s coat soft and fragrant. While this shampoo isn’t hypoallergenic, it is free from dyes, parabens, sulfates, and alcohol that might irritate your pup’s sensitive skin. With a lower price and larger bottle size, Hartz is a cost-effective option for those giving multiple, frequent baths.
Hydrating, skin soothing formula
Ph Balanced
Safe for irritated skin
All natural
Free of soap, gluten, dye, DEA, sulfate, and phthalate
- Hydrating, skin soothing formula
- Ph Balanced
- Safe for irritated skin
- All natural
- Free of soap, gluten, dye, DEA, sulfate, and phthalate
Some dogs may not like the scent
- Some dogs may not like the scent
Sizes Available: 32 ounces
Hypoallergenic?: No
Life Stage: Adult
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Some owners found the consistency of this shampoo too watery and the fragrance too strong, however.
Pros
Multi-functional shampoo
Cost-effective
No dyes, parabens, alcohols, sulfates
Cons
Strong fragrance
Some owners found the texture too watery
Made with a blend of all-natural ingredients, Furminator Deshedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo is designed to reduce shedding by strengthening your Frenchie’s skin and coat. Enriched with fatty acids and extracts, Furminator Deshedding is also made in the USA. Free of parabens, dyes, and artificial colors, this shampoo can be used on puppies older than 6 weeks old. Most users report that this shampoo truly does work as intended to minimize their dog’s shedding. However, others reported that repeated use resulted in dry skin and flaking.
Multi-functional shampoo
Cost-effective
No dyes, parabens, alcohols, sulfates
- Multi-functional shampoo
- Cost-effective
- No dyes, parabens, alcohols, sulfates
Strong fragrance
Some owners found the texture too watery
- Strong fragrance
- Some owners found the texture too watery
Sizes Available: 16 ounces
Hypoallergenic?: No
Life Stage: Adult, Puppy
The product does come with an accompanying conditioner that may help restore some moisture. Furminator is only available in one bottle size.
Pros
Made with natural ingredients
Helps control shedding
Can be used in pups 6 weeks and older
Cons
May dry out coat with frequent use
Only available in one size.
To keep your Frenchie puppy clean and smelling fresh, consider Isle of Dogs Tearless Shampoo. Designed specifically for sensitive baby dogs, this shampoo is gentle and won’t irritate your pup’s skin or eyes. It can also be used to wash the faces of older Frenchies to help keep their folds clean. The cotton and orchid scent of this shampoo can be a bit overwhelming, according to some users, but others enjoyed it. Free from parabens and sulfates, Isle Of Dogs will keep your Frenchie puppy clean even if they were born with sensitive skin.
Made with natural ingredients
Helps control shedding
Can be used in pups 6 weeks and older
- Made with natural ingredients
- Helps control shedding
- Can be used in pups 6 weeks and older
May dry out coat with frequent use
Only available in one size.
- May dry out coat with frequent use
- Only available in one size.
Sizes Available: 16 ounces
Hypoallergenic?: No
Life Stage: Puppy
Some users found this shampoo dried out their dog’s skin.
Pros
Tearless
Designed for puppies
No parabens or sulfates
Cons
May dry out puppy skin
Fragrance can be overwhelming
For those who prioritize cosmetic-grade ingredients and no animal testing, Buddy Wash Original Shampoo and Conditioner for dogs might be the choice for you. This lavender and mint-scented shampoo and conditioner combination is made with natural ingredients and scented with pure extracts and essential oils. Buddy Wash also contains aloe vera to help soothe irritated skin naturally. It both cleans and conditions your Frenchie’s skin and coat while deodorizing with natural wheat protein.
Tearless
Designed for puppies
No parabens or sulfates
- Tearless
- Designed for puppies
- No parabens or sulfates
May dry out puppy skin
Fragrance can be overwhelming
- May dry out puppy skin
- Fragrance can be overwhelming
Sizes Available: 16 ounces, 1 gallon, a bundle of two 16-ounce bottles
Hypoallergenic?: No
Life Stage: Adult
The scent is not long-lasting and some users found the shampoo didn’t rinse out of their dog’s coat well, leaving a heavy residue. Free of alcohol, this product is designed to be used frequently.
Pros
Cosmetic grade ingredients
Not tested on animals
Cleans, conditions, and deodorizes
Cons
Not long-lasting scent
May not rinse out fully
Another great shampoo pick for French Bulldogs is HyLyt Hypoallergenic with Essential Fatty Acids. One of the dangers of frequent bathing is causing more issues by stripping natural moisture from your dog’s coat. HyLyt is not only non-stripping and non-drying, but it contains fatty acids to replenish your Frenchie’s skin as you bathe. The shampoo is soap-free, hypoallergenic, and has a pleasant, but not overwhelming odor. HyLyt is not made with all-natural ingredients, a negative for some pet owners. Overall, this shampoo is highly rated, with 99% of users recommending it.
Cosmetic grade ingredients
Not tested on animals
Cleans, conditions, and deodorizes
- Cosmetic grade ingredients
- Not tested on animals
- Cleans, conditions, and deodorizes
Not long-lasting scent
May not rinse out fully
- Not long-lasting scent
- May not rinse out fully
Sizes Available: 16 ounces, 1 gallon
Hypoallergenic?: Yes
Life Stage: Adult
It is a bit more expensive than other shampoos on our list, but most users seem to believe the cost is worthwhile.
Pros
Non-stripping, non-drying
Hypoallergenic
Moisturizes skin while bathing
Cons
More expensive option
Not all-natural
Earthbath Oatmeal And Aloe Dog Shampoo is formulated to relieve dry, itchy skin, an all too common occurrence in French Bulldogs. Cruelty-free and completely biodegradable, this shampoo is good for the earth and humankind. Oatmeal naturally moisturizes your Frenchie’s skin, while the aloe soothes any itch or scratches. Earthbath can be used on puppies over 6 weeks, making it another option to keep your Frenchie puppy clean.
Non-stripping, non-drying
Hypoallergenic
Moisturizes skin while bathing
- Non-stripping, non-drying
- Hypoallergenic
- Moisturizes skin while bathing
More expensive option
Not all-natural
- More expensive option
- Not all-natural
Sizes Available: 16 ounces, 1 gallon
Hypoallergenic?: No
Life Stage: Adult, Puppy
Some users found the vanilla and almond scent overwhelming, although it also doesn’t seem to last very long. Because Earthbath is made with natural ingredients, the consistency and scent can vary somewhat from bottle to bottle.
Pros
Cruelty-free and biodegradable
Natural ingredients
Can be used on puppies
Cons
Inconsistent scent
For confirmed allergy dogs, Vet’s Best Allergy And Itch Relief Formula Dog Shampoo may be just the right choice. Formulated with essential oils and natural ingredients, Vet’s Best soothes your dog’s skin and washes away potential allergens, minimizing their impact on your pup. Users reported mixed results with this shampoo when it came to controlling itching but mostly positive results on the softness of their dog’s coats. Developed by a holistic veterinarian, Vet’s Best prioritizes gentle, natural products.
Cruelty-free and biodegradable
Natural ingredients
Can be used on puppies
- Cruelty-free and biodegradable
- Natural ingredients
- Can be used on puppies
Inconsistent scent
- Inconsistent scent
While this product is designed to combat itching, you must have your dog’s skin issue properly diagnosed by a veterinarian rather than merely continuing to treat the symptoms. Severe skin problems generally require more intensive treatment than bathing alone (more on this in our buyer’s guide).
Pros
Designed to soothe itching and allergies
Developed by a veterinarian
All-natural ingredients
Cons
Mixed results controlling itching
For especially stinky Frenchies, consider the long-lasting scent of PetAg Fresh ‘n’ Clean Dog Shampoo. This shampoo relies on soap-free, plant-based cleaners to wash, deodorize, and condition your pup’s coat. A cruelty-free product, this shampoo is suitable for all life stages, including puppies.
Designed to soothe itching and allergies
Developed by a veterinarian
All-natural ingredients
- Designed to soothe itching and allergies
- Developed by a veterinarian
- All-natural ingredients
Mixed results controlling itching
- Mixed results controlling itching
Sizes Available: 18 ounces, 32 ounces, 1 gallon
Hypoallergenic?: No
Life Stage: Adult, Puppy, Senior
The shampoo advertises its scent as lasting as long as 2 weeks, and most users did find it to be long-lasting. However, some didn’t consider this a positive because they found the smell itself unpleasant, many comparing it to a “great-grandma’s perfume.” Overall, this shampoo got high marks for cleaning ability but mixed reviews when it comes to the scent.
Pros
Cruelty-free
Plant-based cleaners
Long-lasting scent
Cons
Some may not like the smell
Cruelty-free
Plant-based cleaners
Long-lasting scent
- Cruelty-free
- Plant-based cleaners
- Long-lasting scent
Some may not like the smell
- Some may not like the smell
Buyer’s Guide: Finding The Best Shampoo For French Bulldogs
Before you make your shampoo choice and start bathing your French Bulldog, here are some final points to keep in mind.
Why Are You Bathing Your Dog?
While this may seem like an obvious question but for breeds prone to skin problems, it can be more complicated. If your Frenchie just needs routine baths because they like to roll in the mud or because you dislike the general scent of dog, your shampoo options are essentially wide open. You’re free to choose any scent or type you like because you only need it to keep your dog clean.
However, if your dog has allergies, dry skin, or an actual medical condition that requires bathing, you’ll need to be more particular with your choice. As we discussed, frequent bathing can dry out a dog’s skin unless you pick a shampoo–such as HyLyt–that is non-drying and replenishes the moisture while bathing.
Some skin conditions may require an actual medicated shampoo, prescribed by a veterinarian. This brings us to our next point…
Why Is Your Frenchie Itchy?
Before trying to cure your dog’s itching with over-the-counter shampoo, you should see your veterinarian to determine why your dog is scratching in the first place. Allergies are just one of many causes, and you’ll quickly become frustrated trying to manage your dog’s skin if you aren’t using the right treatments.
Managing some skin conditions requires medications by mouth, diet changes, and yes, bathing. If not treated appropriately, skin problems can worsen and lead to secondary complications.
How Old Is Your Dog?
Several of the shampoos on our list are suitable for puppies, but not all of them. In general, you should reach for a gentle, natural product to bathe your puppy, ideally a tearless formula. Getting your Frenchie used to baths when they’re young is always the best option, and you want the experience to be as pleasant as possible.
What Flea And Tick Products Do You Use?
Many topical flea and tick products are negatively impacted by bathing. Several of the shampoos on our list specifically mention that they are safe to use with these preventatives. However, every topical product works differently. To be safe, consult the directions on the flea product itself before bathing your dog. You may need to avoid bathing for several days before and after treating your Frenchie. Another option is to switch to pill parasite prevention which should not be affected by bathing.
Final Thoughts
Our best shampoo for French Bulldogs overall, Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo, is an all-natural formula safe for frequent use thanks to its moisturizing properties. Our best value pick, Hartz 6 in 1 Grooming Shampoo is a cost-effective, multi-functional shampoo and conditioner. No matter why you’re bathing your Frenchie, there’s a shampoo option out there that can get the job done. We hope our reviews of these eight products were a helpful overview of your choices and provided useful information to help you make your final decision.
Featured Image Credit: Margarita Mindebaeva, Shutterstock
See also:
- 8 Best Oatmeal Shampoos for Dogs – Reviews & Top Picks
- 8 Best Shampoos for Golden Retrievers – Reviews & Top Picks
