Top 5 Best Shampoos for Labradors Retrievers

Labradors retrievers are loved by all for good reason – they’re adorable, loyal, and intelligent. With their perky ears, beady eyes, and hearts of gold, this universal love for labs should surprise no one. However, while ideal as a pet, when playtime comes around, any unsuspecting owner will be in for a nasty surprise! Labs are absolutely riotous and active dogs who will jump into puddles of water and mud and then rollick in sun-warmed grass without hesitation.

Fittingly, cleaning your lab will be a rigorous and routine task but here’s the tricky bit: finding the best shampoo for Labradors. You’ll need something that’s gentle enough to be used often yet can still deal with thick coats while ensuring your dog’s skin stays healthy.

We’ve reviewed and tested some of the most popular picks down below. So, read on to find out more!

1. Veterinary Formula Solutions Triple Strength Dirty Dog Concentrated Shampoo

Sitting at the top of our list as what we think is the best shampoo for Labradors is Veterinary Formula Solution’s Triple Strength Shampoo that’ll give even the dirtiest of labs a proper cleansing. From mud to snow to sand, anything that turns a clean lab into a dirty one will be a thing of the past here.

This is made possible because for one reason: it contains over three times more cleaning ingredients than the average shampoo in the market. It doesn’t just stop there though. While cleaning, it’ll also properly condition and moisturize your dog’s coat that’ll ensure long-term skin health through its ionic technology. Further adding to this is its vitamin E, shea butter, wheat, and aloe vera contents. You’ll be pleased to note that this shampoo additionally takes pH balances into account, making it suitable for even the most sensitive of skin. After a single wash, you’ll notice a fabulous sheen on your Labrador’s fur that will feel incredibly soft to the touch. Even odor wise, you’ll find your dog smelling pleasant for hours on end! Of course, a fragrance like this can be overpowering to some noses but we personally think this only adds to the experience.

2. Nature’s Miracle Natural Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner

Offering any lab owner a balanced bang for their buck, Nature’s Miracle’s conditioner and shampoo formula is a solid pick if your lab tends to get particularly smelly and dirty. A shampoo like this is truly designed specifically for the stinker of breeds (we’re looking at you Labradors!) but will work wonders with just about any other breed like beagles.

Now despite it being composed out of strong chemicals, it is still gentle to the skin and will be appropriate not just for adults but even puppies. On that note, we think that Nature’s Miracle is the best puppy shampoo for labs on our list at least. With its oatmeal formula, that keeps skin properly hydrated and soothed along with its natural cocoa surfactants that provide all the cleaning and conditioning needed, this soap-free and totally safe shampoo ranks high in our eyes for good reason. Within, it further contains odor neutralizers and deodorizers that’ll work through the toughest of coats and the most persistent of odors. Once done, you’ll find the luster of your lab’s coat brought out into its full glory along with a sweet honey sage after scent.

3. Burt’s Bees Natural Shampoo for Dogs

If you’re particularly worried about artificial ingredients in your lab’s shampoo, look no further. Burt’s Bees Natural Shampoo is a product not to be ignored. A 100% American-made shampoo like this is a wonderfully mild option that’ll be ideal for labs with the most sensitive of skin. This in part is thanks to its specifically curated pH balance that’ll be a much needed blessing for dogs suffering with dry skin and other related issues.

Here, you won’t ever find any nasty chemicals like petroleum and parabens. Going further, know that the bottle is composed out of entirely recycled materials. Because of this, we wouldn’t hesitate to claim that Burt’s can be used for just about any lab irrespective of age. Just give it a try and your precious lab will be looking like a million bucks in no time. That being said, as this shampoo is mild, you may find the lather produced a bit thinner than usual. Depending on your lab in particular, this means that you’ll have to use a little more shampoo than usual to ensure that you get all the stink and dirt out of your dog!

4. Cloud Star Buddy Wash Lavender and Mint

Coming in sets of two (at 16oz per bottle) that’ll last for months on end, this lavender infused, coconut-based shampoo is packed with healthy, alcohol-free ingredients that’ll give any Labrador puppy or adult a soothing and thorough washing. In fact, we’d venture as far as to claim that this might be one of the best options for Labrador puppies! Made by one of the most popular brands in the dog shampoo market, Cloud Star’s Buddy Wash is a trustworthy pick that’s loved by owners globally.

This cruelty-free product utilizes wheat protein instead of traditional soap along with other natural extracts that’ll thoroughly clean any lab no matter how dirty. It forms a thick soapy lather that’ll penetrate the thickest and dirtiest of coats and better yet, it also contains natural deodorizing components and will give any dog a lovely lavender scent. Lavender after all is a great pick as it tends to naturally calm even the rowdiest of pets! You don’t have to use any conditioner too as it’s a 2-in-1 product so it practically conditions during a wash. What we love most about this is how it contains aloe vera. This little addition ensures that your Labrador’s skin as well as hair is kept moisturized, nourished, and clean.

5. Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo for Dogs

Strawfield’s Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo will appeal to owners looking for something effective and adaptable. This veterinarian-approved shampoo is designed not only to clean thick coats but can tackle all sorts of nasty skin conditions like dryness, rashes, irritation, and more. So, if your dog suffers from excessive dandruff or even allergies, know that you’ve found the right product.

Almost as good as medication itself, with its 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and 2% micronized sulfur content it’ll work to eliminate harmful microbes within minutes while ensuring any excess grease on your lab’s coat is swiftly removed. In spite of this, it surprisingly remains soap and paraben-free so don’t worry about your lab not reacting well to a shampoo like this. Interestingly, it also works as a universal shampoo. So, if you also happen to own any other breed of dog or even a cat, note that the Strawfield will be just as suitable for them as with your lab. All this said, know that much like the Buddy Wash Shampoo above, it doesn’t form as thick a lather as you’d expect so be prepared to use more than usual. Additionally, it tends to leave a lingering sulphureous odor on your Labrador (this is temporary, we promise) but this should last only for a few hours at most.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the best shampoo for labs will depend entirely on your own unique situation. Sure, our list is a great way to kickstart your search but they’re just expressions of our own experiences and opinions. Don’t restrict your sights to a single option – feel free to experiment and play around with different shampoos!