Owners of Shih Tzus are well aware of the extra effort required to keep their pets looking tip-top, with a healthy shiny coat. Regular bathing with any of the best Shih Tzu shampoo also benefits your pet to reduce skin itches, matting, or other coat-related problems.
We have had Shih Tzus in our home for many years, and have looked after the grooming and bathing ourselves.
We are here to provide our recommendation for the best Shih Tzu shampoo and share our experience in how to bathe the Shih Tzu.
Our Favorite Shampoos for Shih Tzus
Let’s start with our recommendations for the best Shih Tzu shampoos and conditioners.
- Hartz Groomers Best Extra Gentle Whitening Shampoo (Best for White Shih Tzu)
- Burts Bees 2 in 1 Tearless Shampoo and Conditioner (Best conditioning shampoo for puppies)
- John Paul Pet Oatmeal Shampoo (Best for Shih Tzus with sensitive skin)
- Isle of Dogs Silky Oatmeal shampoo (Best for Shih Tzu for reduced tangles and sensitive skin)
- Isle of Dogs Silky Oatmeal Conditioner (Best moisturizer for sensitive Shih Tzus)
- Buddy Wash 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner (natural plant-based ingredients gentle on Shih Tzu )
- Tropiclean Luxury 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner (luxurious lather shampoo and conditioner for Shih Tzu)
It might be good to try more than one shampoo to see which one provides the best combination of cleaning, scent, coat, and shine while being non-allergenic to your pet. Please check our comments on each of these shampoos below.
7 Best Dog Shampoos for Shih Tzus
Hartz Groomers Best Extra Gentle Whitening Shampoo (Best for White Shih Tzu)
We like this shampoo and use it as a staple shampoo for our Shih Tzus. Our white-colored Shih Tzu always comes out with a silky feeling coat and a nice mild clean scent. We love how bright her white coat looks after using this shampoo. It is easy on her skin and is gentle on the skin or if it gets into their eyes.
Key Features
- Excellent Whitening and shine of dogs coat
- Low price is very affordable
- Pleasant scent as we use this and like how our dogs smell
- Leaves our Shih Tzu feeling very smooth and soft
Downsides
- Consistency seems runny or diluted
- Need to apply lots of shampoos to get a good lather
- The mild scent may not be the best for dogs with strong odors
Burts Bees 2 in 1 Tearless Shampoo and Conditioner (Best conditioning shampoo for puppies)
If you are looking for a natural shampoo that is free of chemicals and fragrances, then this shampoo is worth looking at. It provides a naturally clean, leaving your Shih Tzu with a clean scent with t the perfumes.
Key Features
- Mild formula is Good for puppies
- Natural ingredients are gentle on the puppy’s skin
- The mild formula can also be used on adult dogs or sensitive dogs
- Fragrance-free and harsh chemical-free is friendly to your dog
- No separate conditioner is needed
Downsides
- Unscented so if you want a fresher smell then look elsewhere
- Watery formula
- May not remove dog odors as well as scented shampoos
John Paul Pet Oatmeal Conditioning Rinse (Best for Shih Tzus with sensitive skin)
Just like the John Paul shampoo for people, this pet conditioner is also made from natural ingredients. It claims to provide relief and soothing for irritated or flaky skin, and is said to reduce scratching in your pet.
Key Features
- Targeted to skin irritations
- Good for Shih Tzus with sensitive skin
- PH balanced to help maintain the health of your dog’s coat
- Provides a soft smooth silky coat
- Lightly scented so your dog won’t smell like perfume
Downsides
- May not get rid of strong pet odors
- The faint smell of oatmeal which you may or may not like
- Clean smell without adding scent so clean scent may not last as long as others
Isle of Dogs Silky Oatmeal shampoo (Best for Shih Tzu for reduced tangles and sensitive skin)
This shampoo provides the benefit of neutralizing odors in dogs, so is a good selection for your pet that has a stronger odor. Get even greater benefits by pairing it with its matching conditioner shown below.
Key Features
- Good for getting rid of dog odor as its fragrance covers up bad-smelling dogs
- The fragrance is bold but not overpowering
- Great for dogs with sensitive skins as users report their sensitive dogs to do fine with this shampoo
- Provides a smooth silky finish that helps reduce tangles
Downsides
- Floral Scent is stronger which can be objectionable to sensitive noses
- A little more costly than some others
- Not a 2 in 1, Works best adding isle of dogs conditioner
Isle of Dogs Silky Oatmeal Conditioner (Best moisturizer for sensitive Shih Tzus)
This conditioner works well with the Isle of Dogs shampoo and also provides the benefit of neutralizing odors in dogs.
Benefits
- Works with the complementing Isle of Dogs shampoo
- Convenient spray-on application so applying is easy
- Good for soothing your Shih Tzus skin
- It Helps neutralizes odors on your pet so is good for smelly dogs
- Helps moisturize the dog’s coat
- Loosens old shed hair that helps reduce tangles and makes brushing your pet easier on you and your dog
- A stronger scent stays on the pet for a longer time
Downsides
- Time-consuming as it needs to be rinsed off after 5 minutes so takes longer
- Need to shampoo your dog before applying the conditioner
- Some may find the strong scent objectionable
Buddy Wash 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner (natural plant-based ingredients gentle on Shih Tzu)
If you are looking for as natural ingredients that are plant-based then take a closer look at Buddy Wash. plus it is a 2 in one with conditioner and includes oils to help soften the coat of your pet.
Benefits
- Both shampoo and conditioner in one saves time bathing your Shih Tzu
- Helps moisturize your pet by including oils and vitamin E in the shampoo
- The scent is pleasant according to most reviews
- A small amount goes a long way as it lathers very well
- Most users are happy with how soft and smooth their pet’s hair is after using this shampoo
Downsides
- More costly than most other shampoo brands
- Some feel the conditioning is not great but that may be due to the oils in the product
- Doesn’t work well for strong-smelling dogs
Tropiclean Luxury 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner (luxurious lather shampoo and conditioner for Shih Tzu)
We haven’t tried this shampoo yet, but it’s on our shortlist to test on our Shih Tzus. We like that it is ph balanced and hypoallergenic. Our oldest Shih Tzu Robin has sensitive skin and this should work well without causing her any skin itches or rashes.
Key Features
- Ph Balanced leaves your dogs coat silky smooth
- Natural ingredients to reduce allergies
- Good for sensitive skin to prevent itchy skin
- No sticky residues leave the coat fluffy
- Lots of lather ensures you are getting your Shih Tzu clean
- Smells great – good for us but your Shih Tzu may not care
Downsides
- More expensive than some other shampoos – but Shih Tzus are small so this will still go a long way
- The scent may be too mild as not all reviewers liked the smell
And if your groomer is on vacation, try our tips for bathing your Shih Tzu at home.