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Gentle pet shampoo: labels, dilution and cost per bath
Updated · By the RipePrice team
For a gentler pet shampoo, choose one made for your type of pet, read the label for fragrance-free and tearless wording, ask your vet about anything medical, and compare by cost per bath.
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At a glance
Why pet shampoo is made for pets
Pet skin is not the same as human skin, and many vets advise against using human shampoo on dogs and cats.
Reading a pet shampoo label
Fragrance-free: no fragrance ingredients were added.
Bathing and your vet
How often to bathe a pet depends on the pet, its coat and its skin.
Quick picks
Fragrance-free dog shampoo
Check the species and age on the label, then compare cost per bath.
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Why pet shampoo is made for pets
Pet skin is not the same as human skin, and many vets advise against using human shampoo on dogs and cats. Dog and cat shampoos are made with pets in mind, and some products are made for specific animals, such as cats. Check that the label says it is for your animal.
Reading a pet shampoo label
Fragrance-free: no fragrance ingredients were added. Pets can be sensitive to scents, and so can people in your home.
Tearless: a maker's term for a formula meant to sting less if it reaches the eyes. Keep shampoo out of eyes, and follow the directions.
Oatmeal, aloe and similar ingredients: descriptions of what is in the bottle. We do not make claims about what they do.
Medicated, flea or tick products: these are a separate category and are regulated differently. Ask your vet before using them.
Species and age: check that the product is made for your pet's species and age.
Bathing and your vet
How often to bathe a pet depends on the pet, its coat and its skin. Ask your vet.
If your pet has itchy, red or flaky skin, or a bad odor, ask your vet instead of trying products one after another.
Rinse well, and keep water out of ears.
Cats usually clean themselves, and many need baths only rarely. Ask your vet.
Our angle: dilution makes the cost per bath
Some pet shampoos are concentrated and are meant to be diluted, which lowers the cost per bath, and some are ready to use. A large dog may need much more shampoo per bath than a small one. To compare, find the dilution directions, work out the finished ounces in the bottle, then estimate how much you use per bath. Divide the price by the number of baths.
Find the finished ounces per bottle using the dilution directions.
Estimate the ounces you use per bath.
Divide the price by the number of baths the bottle gives you.