Golden Retrievers are excellent family pets and one of the most popular dog breeds. This is partly because of their gentle demeanors and stunning looks, including their long, silky, golden coats that lend them their names.
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
With the right care, a Golden Retriever’s coat can look like liquid gold, but it takes a lot of upkeep. Goldens need to be brushed and bathed regularly with a shampoo designed to care for their luscious locks.
Discover the best shampoos for Golden Retrievers to keep their coats shiny and beautiful, based on reviews from dog owners like you.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
No unwanted chemicals or additives
pH balanced for your pup’s protection
Works wonders to clean away dirt and grime
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Best Value
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo
Natural, pH-balanced formula
Oat flour and honey for conditioning
Made in USA
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Premium Choice
Paws & Pals Argan Dog & Cat Shampoo
100% vegan
Moisturizing aloe and argan, coconut, and jojoba oil
Tear-free formula
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Best for Puppies
TropiClean Hypo-Allergenic Puppy & Kitten
Natural, pH-balanced ingredients
Won’t irritate skin
Suitable for regular bathing
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Best for seborrhoeic skin conditions
Douxo S3 SEB Dog and Cat Shampoo
Formulated for odor control
For dandruff and greasy skin
Moisturizes and detangles
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The 9 Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers
- Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo – Best Overall
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Life stage: All life stages
Size options: 16 oz
Grooming feature:
Free of additives, chemicals, pH balanced
Hepper takes the best overall spot with a unique blend of aloe and cucumber that keeps your Golden Retriever looking and smelling its best. It’s formulated to be as gentle as possible on your pup’s skin and coat, making it the perfect choice for frequent washes.
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Life stage: All life stages
Size options: 16 oz
Grooming feature:
Free of additives, chemicals, pH balanced
Plus, it helps to soothe irritation and dryness, while the special conditioners help nourish your canine’s coat. And it’s all-natural, so you can rest assured that your pup will stay healthy and safe.
Another appealing aspect of Hepper’s natural formula is its pH balance, which means it won’t strip away essential oils from your pup’s coat.
Dog shampoos are often loaded with additives, harsh chemicals, and dyes. You’ll find none of that here—only safe, effective ingredients.
When you choose Hepper, you’re getting more than just a shampoo—you’re investing in your dog’s health and grooming routine. So, if you want your Golden Retriever to look and feel its best, Hepper is the way to go.
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
No unwanted chemicals or additives
pH balanced for your pup’s protection
Works wonders to clean away dirt and grime
All-natural ingredients
Cons
Some pet owners might not like the smell of cucumber
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal with Colloidal Oat Flour Dog Shampoo is the best shampoo for Golden Retrievers for the money. The shampoo uses natural ingredients like colloidal oat flour and honey to deeply condition your dog’s coat and skin. The pH-balanced formula keeps your pup clean without washing off topical flea and tick treatments.
No unwanted chemicals or additives
pH balanced for your pup’s protection
Works wonders to clean away dirt and grime
All-natural ingredients
- No unwanted chemicals or additives
- pH balanced for your pup’s protection
- Works wonders to clean away dirt and grime
- All-natural ingredients
Some pet owners might not like the smell of cucumber
- Some pet owners might not like the smell of cucumber
Life stage: All
Size options: 20 oz, 1 gallon, 2.5 gallon
Grooming feature: Soap-free, cruelty-free, deodorizing
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The ingredients are 97% natural and cruelty-free, with no sulfates, chemicals, parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, and artificial fragrances. Like other Burt’s Bees products, this shampoo is made in the US and features an 80% post-consumer recycled bottle. Reviewers complained that the shampoo doesn’t lather well, and it takes a lot to wash their dogs, however.
Pros
Natural, pH-balanced formula
Oat flour and honey for conditioning
Made in USA
Cons
Doesn’t lather well
Paws & Pals Natural Argan Dog & Cat Shampoo is the premium choice for dog shampoo. The natural shampoo is 100% vegan and made with nourishing argan oil to keep your Golden’s coat silky smooth and tangle-free. The gentle formula has aloe, jojoba oil, and coconut oil to moisturize sensitive skin.
Natural, pH-balanced formula
Oat flour and honey for conditioning
Made in USA
- Natural, pH-balanced formula
- Oat flour and honey for conditioning
- Made in USA
Doesn’t lather well
- Doesn’t lather well
Life stage: Adult
Size options: 20 oz
Grooming feature: Organic, tear-free
The tear-free, soap-free formula won’t irritate your dog’s eyes or nose during baths and won’t wash away topical flea and tick treatments. The product is manufactured in the US and 100% sulfate-free. A separate conditioner is not needed with this shampoo. Note that this shampoo is appropriate for adult dogs.
Pros
100% vegan
Moisturizing aloe and argan, coconut, and jojoba oil
Tear-free formula
Cons
Only for adult dogs
TropiClean Gentle Coconut Hypoallergenic Puppy and Kitten Shampoo is a great choice for puppies. The gentle formula won’t irritate skin and leaves coats soft and clean. The shampoo is pH-balanced and derived from natural ingredients, ensuring that it won’t strip natural oils with regular bathing.
100% vegan
Moisturizing aloe and argan, coconut, and jojoba oil
Tear-free formula
- 100% vegan
- Moisturizing aloe and argan, coconut, and jojoba oil
- Tear-free formula
Only for adult dogs
- Only for adult dogs
Life stage: Puppy
Size options: 20 oz, 1 gallon, 2.5 gallon
Grooming feature: Hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, oatmeal
The soap-free formula won’t wash away topical flea and tick treatments, but it’s important to follow the instructions on the flea and tick packaging and wait the appropriate time before bathing. Though this shampoo is formulated for puppies and kittens, it’s appropriate for adult dogs and cats with sensitive skin. Reviewers said that the bottle leaks, both in shipment and storage.
Pros
Natural, pH-balanced ingredients
Won’t irritate skin
Suitable for regular bathing
Cons
Bottle leaks
Douxo S3 SEB Odor-Control Seboregulating Shampoo is the perfect choice for goldens that have greasy skin, dandruff or a very doggy smell. This veterinary dermatologist designed formula won’t irritate sensitive skin, and helps strengthen the skin’s protective barrier whilst removing grease, dirt and flaky skin. The shampoo is free from soaps, parabens, sulfates, dyes and nanoparticles.
Natural, pH-balanced ingredients
Won’t irritate skin
Suitable for regular bathing
- Natural, pH-balanced ingredients
- Won’t irritate skin
- Suitable for regular bathing
Bottle leaks
- Bottle leaks
Life stage: Adults
Size options: 16.9 oz
Grooming feature: Reduce dandruff and deodorize
The shampoo also moisturizes and detangles to keep your pup smelling great and looking great in between regular baths. With its gentle formula, this shampoo is safe to use regularly to control dog odors and maintain your dog’s beautiful coat. Reviewers noted that the shampoo pump seems flimsy and falls off regularly.
Pros
Formulated for odor control
For dandruff and greasy skin
Moisturizes and detangles
Cons
Price point
Pump flimsy and falls off
TropiClean Luxury 2-in-1 Papaya & Coconut Pet Shampoo and Conditioner is another great shampoo for Golden Retrievers. Formulated with coconut and mango, this shampoo nourishes your dog’s coat and restores natural moisture balance while relaxing long, tangled hair. Kiwi and papaya are included to soothe dry, itchy skin and condition the coat.
Formulated for odor control
For dandruff and greasy skin
Moisturizes and detangles
- Formulated for odor control
- For dandruff and greasy skin
- Moisturizes and detangles
Price point
Pump flimsy and falls off
- Price point
- Pump flimsy and falls off
This shampoo is soap-free, so it won’t affect topical flea or tick treatments. With its gentle formula, this shampoo is safe to use regularly without drying out your dog’s coat or fur. If you have multiple dogs or cats, TropiClean shampoo can be used on all your pets to make bath time quick and convenient. Choose from 20-oz, 1-gallon, or 2.5-gallon bottles. On the downside several reviewers said their bottle leaks.
Pros
2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
Moisturizing
Detangling
Cons
Bottle leaks
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo helps prevent skin conditions in your Golden Retriever. With their long coats, Golden Retrievers can develop bacterial or fungal skin issues that go unnoticed. This shampoo features antiseptic and antifungal ingredients, such as benzethonium chloride, to control bacterial overgrowth, and ketoconazole to treat fungal infections.
2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
Moisturizing
Detangling
- 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
- Moisturizing
- Detangling
Life stage: Adult
Size options: 16 oz, 1 gallon
Grooming feature: Antiseptic, antifungal
Along with antiseptic ingredients, this shampoo has aloe vera to soothe the skin and promote healing. Dogs can develop infections like dermatitis and pyoderma from hormonal imbalances, immune conditions, or excessive scratching due to allergic skin disease, so be sure to consult with your vet. This shampoo is appropriate for twice-weekly use – more frequent use may cause skin irritation. Some reviewers said this shampoo irritated their dogs’ coats more, however.
Pros
Antiseptic and antifungal
Aloe vera
Veterinary formula
Cons
May irritate skin
If your Golden Retriever sheds excessively, the FURminator DeShedding Ultra-Premium Shampoo for Dogs is the perfect choice. From the same brand that brought the popular deshedding grooming tools, this shampoo addresses shedding at the source with a proprietary formula that nourishes the skin and coat.
Antiseptic and antifungal
Aloe vera
Veterinary formula
- Antiseptic and antifungal
- Aloe vera
- Veterinary formula
May irritate skin
- May irritate skin
Life stage: All
Size options: 16 oz
Grooming feature: Deshedding
Enriched with omega fatty acids, calendula extract, and papaya leaf extract, this shampoo naturally conditions and detangles the coat for silkiness and shine. The shampoo is made in the US and contains no artificial colors, parabens, or chemical dyes. Formulated for adult dogs, this shampoo is not appropriate for puppies and may cause irritation of the eyes and nose, so it’s important to use caution while bathing. In addition, some reviewers said it didn’t help with shedding.
Pros
Deshedding formula
Omega fatty acids, calendula, and papaya leaf extract
Free from artificial colors, parabens, chemical dyes
Cons
Only for adult dogs
May irritate eyes and nose
May not help with shedding
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Fragrance Free Dog & Cat Shampoo is perfect for soothing irritated skin. The soap-free shampoo is designed specifically for dry, itchy, and sensitive skin, providing relief from scratching without washing away topical flea and tick medications. Aloe and oatmeal soothe and moisturize inflamed skin to promote healing.
Deshedding formula
Omega fatty acids, calendula, and papaya leaf extract
Free from artificial colors, parabens, chemical dyes
- Deshedding formula
- Omega fatty acids, calendula, and papaya leaf extract
- Free from artificial colors, parabens, chemical dyes
Only for adult dogs
May irritate eyes and nose
May not help with shedding
- Only for adult dogs
- May irritate eyes and nose
- May not help with shedding
Life stage: All
Size options: 16 oz
Grooming feature: Soap-free, cruelty-free, oatmeal
The fragrance-free formula is ideal for dogs with skin sensitivities or allergies. The shampoo is cruelty-free, 100% biodegradable, and paraben and phosphate free. This formula is solely intended for the coat and skin, so avoid contact with your dog’s eyes and nose. Some reviewers said the shampoo made their dogs’ coats itchier and more irritated, however.
Pros
Fragrance-free
Cruelty-free
Biodegradable
Cons
May cause eye and nose irritation
May exacerbate itchiness
Fragrance-free
Cruelty-free
Biodegradable
- Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
- Biodegradable
May cause eye and nose irritation
May exacerbate itchiness
- May cause eye and nose irritation
- May exacerbate itchiness
Guide to Finding the Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs, but they take a little upkeep. The thick, fine double-coat of a Golden Retriever can get tangled or trap dirt and odors, so they need regular bathing to stay clean.
Your Golden Retriever can be bathed twice a week and shouldn’t go longer than six weeks without a bath. The frequency of your dog’s baths should be based on its skin sensitivity, allergies, activity level, and age.
Along with baths, your Golden Retriever should have regular grooming to keep them clean in between bathing. Double coats are prone to mats and tangles and may trap dirt and oil, leaving your dog with irritation and a dull coat.
Here are some tips to maximize your dog’s grooming:
Choose the right shampoo for your dog. If your dog plays outside and gets dirty, it’s best to choose a gentle shampoo that’s appropriate for frequent bathing. If your dog is prone to shedding or odors, choose a shampoo that addresses these problems.
Always brush your dog before bathing to remove excess fur and remove tangles. This also prevents a lot of fur from getting trapped in your drain.
Follow the directions on the shampoo bottle. Some shampoos are safe for eyes and nose, while others aren’t, and your shampoo may have special instructions like leaving it on their coat to work for 10 minutes.
Consider a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Golden Retrievers benefit from conditioners that keep their coats silky and tangle-free. If your dog gets nervous at bath time, having a 2-in-1 formula reduces the time spent in the bath while providing the conditioning benefits.
Be consistent. Regular brushing and bathing will keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy and make grooming a faster process each time. Plus, your dog will get used to the routine and may become more comfortable with grooming.
Choose the right shampoo for your dog. If your dog plays outside and gets dirty, it’s best to choose a gentle shampoo that’s appropriate for frequent bathing. If your dog is prone to shedding or odors, choose a shampoo that addresses these problems.
Always brush your dog before bathing to remove excess fur and remove tangles. This also prevents a lot of fur from getting trapped in your drain.
Follow the directions on the shampoo bottle. Some shampoos are safe for eyes and nose, while others aren’t, and your shampoo may have special instructions like leaving it on their coat to work for 10 minutes.
Consider a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Golden Retrievers benefit from conditioners that keep their coats silky and tangle-free. If your dog gets nervous at bath time, having a 2-in-1 formula reduces the time spent in the bath while providing the conditioning benefits.
Be consistent. Regular brushing and bathing will keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy and make grooming a faster process each time. Plus, your dog will get used to the routine and may become more comfortable with grooming.
- Choose the right shampoo for your dog. If your dog plays outside and gets dirty, it’s best to choose a gentle shampoo that’s appropriate for frequent bathing. If your dog is prone to shedding or odors, choose a shampoo that addresses these problems.
- Always brush your dog before bathing to remove excess fur and remove tangles. This also prevents a lot of fur from getting trapped in your drain.
- Follow the directions on the shampoo bottle. Some shampoos are safe for eyes and nose, while others aren’t, and your shampoo may have special instructions like leaving it on their coat to work for 10 minutes.
- Consider a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Golden Retrievers benefit from conditioners that keep their coats silky and tangle-free. If your dog gets nervous at bath time, having a 2-in-1 formula reduces the time spent in the bath while providing the conditioning benefits.
- Be consistent. Regular brushing and bathing will keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy and make grooming a faster process each time. Plus, your dog will get used to the routine and may become more comfortable with grooming.
Conclusion
Golden Retrievers are prized for their long, silky coats, but with that comes extra grooming and bathing responsibilities. Fortunately, dog shampoo for Golden Retrievers can help with detangling, coat and skin health, and issues like itching or odor.
Our overall best shampoo for Golden Retrievers is Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for its soothing ingredients and pH balanced formula. For the best bargain, choose Burt’s Bees Oatmeal with Colloidal Oat Flour Dog Shampoo. Our premium choice is Paws & Pals Natural Argan Dog & Cat Shampoo for its argan oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil.
Featured Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock
See also:
- 8 Best Shampoos For French Bulldogs – Reviews & Top Picks
- 8 Best Oatmeal Shampoos for Dogs – Reviews & Top Picks
