Cavapoos have a mid-length, curly, wiry coat that needs maintenance, including baths. You should bathe your Cavapoo at least every month, but what type of shampoo should you use when it’s bath time?
The best shampoo for Cavapoos is dog-friendly without any artificial dyes and fragrances that can dry out your dog’s skin and irritate their eyes. The dog shampoo shouldn’t contain any soap either, as this can also be drying for dogs.
In this guide, we’ll recommend our favorite shampoo products for Cavapoos of all ages, including puppies and adults. If your Cavapoo has sensitive or dry skin, we’ll share some great dog shampoos for these canines as well.
Let’s get started!
What to Consider When Choosing Shampoos for Cavapoos
Are you shopping for dog shampoo for your Cavapoo? Here are some characteristics you want to keep in mind as you begin browsing online or on the shelves of your favorite pet supply store.
Dog-Friendly
Some dog owners make their own human shampoo from the bathroom and use that to bathe their canines thinking there’s no difference.
That couldn’t be further from the truth!
The dog-friendly shampoo is formulated for dogs, not humans. It’s made with gentle ingredients so that bath time and the immediate aftermath don’t have to be too stressful for your Cavapoo.
Human shampoo, on the other hand, has a completely different pH. The pH of a dog’s skin is very different from our skin. Shampoos formulated for dogs take this into consideration. Using human shampoo on your dog will dry your dog’s skin and can cause irritations too.
Related Reading: Do Cavapoos Get on With Other Dogs? Are They Friendly?
No Artificial Fragrances
Ideally, non-scented dog shampoo is the best, as this way, you can be completely confident that the shampoo is free of artificial fragrances.
Most artificial fragrances come from chemicals, so they can be very drying and irritating when you use them to bathe your Cavapoo. Worse yet, if your dog is susceptible to allergies, artificial fragrances can worsen allergy symptoms.
Natural scents such as citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, and chamomile in dog shampoo are usually OK.
No Artificial Dyes
Dyes are another huge no-no when shopping for dog shampoo. Between them and parabens, your Cavapoo could become dry and itchy after their bath. Worse yet, dyes and parabens could possibly contribute to some canine cancers.
Soap-Free
You don’t want soap in your Cavapoo’s shampoo, as it too is another drying ingredient. Rather, look for dog-friendly shampoos that hydrate and soothe your dog’s skin.
Further Reading: What Age To Start Grooming Cavapoo Puppy
Do Cavapoos Need Special Shampoo?
Your Cavapoo gets the best of everything because they mean so much to you. Unless your dog is predisposed to dry skin or allergies, then there is no need to buy a special type of dog shampoo for a Cavapoo. Just buy a good quality shampoo formulated specifically for dogs.
Do Cavapoos Need Conditioner?
You always condition your hair after shampooing it, so it feels strange to only shampoo your Cavapoo and then rinse them off and dry them.
Some Cavapoo owners do opt to use a dog-friendly conditioner. It will certainly make combing through your dog’s curls easier after their bath!
We’ll recommend our favorite Cavapoo conditioners later, so be sure to keep reading.
The Best Value Shampoo for Cavapoo Puppies
When your Cavapoo is just a puppy, you want to create healthy, lifelong habits. That starts with choosing the right shampoo for your dog’s age. Here are three of our top recommendations.
Veterinary Formula Solutions: Puppy Love Extra Gentle Tearless Shampoo
The Veterinary Formula Solution Puppy Love Extra Gentle Tearless Shampoo is an Amazon’s Choice product. A bottle that’s 17 ounces costs less than $10, which is a great value!
Formulated for puppies over six weeks old, the shampoo is pH-balanced to prevent itchy, irritated skin in your young Cavapoo. This tearless shampoo has an aroma akin to baby powder so it smells light, airy, and fresh.
Free of diethanolamine (DEA) and sulfate, you can rely on this shampoo again and again through your Cavapoo’s first year.
Many buyers love this product and report that the smell lasts 1-2 weeks.
Bio-Groom Fluffy Puppy Shampoo
We like Bio-Groom’s Fluffy Puppy Shampoo because it’s made for dogs with a curly coat like the Cavapoo.
Bio-Groom’s tear-free shampoo has no artificial thickeners, parabens, or soap. Instead, the formula includes natural ingredients like palm kernel oil, coconut, and corn oil.
The manufacturer also promises that this shampoo rinses out fast. That’s important when you have an impatient puppy who wants bath time to be over ASAP!
If your Cavapoo is currently on any topical tick or flea treatments, you can continue using the Bio-Groom Fluffy Puppy Shampoo without rendering those treatments ineffective.
Burt’s Bees for Puppies Natural Tearless 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Finally, we have Burt’s Bees for Puppies Natural Tearless 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner. This combo product is available for under $9 and comes in a 16-ounce bottle.
Cruelty-free, you don’t have to worry about this Burt’s Bees dog shampoo/conditioner irritating your Cavapoo. The product lacks any added fragrances, sulfates, and colorants.
Natural ingredients prevail, including linseed oil and buttermilk.
The tearless formula is pH-balanced so it’s gentle enough for any other puppies you have in the house besides your Cavapoo.
Bath time will be fast and efficient since you’re shampooing and conditioning your Cavapoo’s curly coat at the same time. Your pup will be out of the tub in no time!
The Best Value Shampoo for Adult Cavapoos
On the path to adulthood, a Cavapoo will naturally outgrow many things, and their shampoo is one of them. Your mature Cavapoo will need a different type of dog-friendly shampoo, so here are three recommendations.
Healthy Breeds Cavapoo Deodorizing Shampoo
For those dog owners with rather stinky Cavapoos, the Healthy Breeds Cavapoo Deodorizing Shampoo is a great pick.
Produced in the United States, the shampoo is hypoallergenic, pH-balanced, and deodorizing. The Sweet Pea Vanilla scent is light and refreshing and beats the stench of your dog any day.
Soap-free, the Healthy Breeds shampoo features ingredients such as aloe vera gel, water, and safflower oil.
Wahl 4-in-1 Calming Pet Shampoo
The Wahl 4-in-1 Calming Pet Shampoo promises to moisturize, detangle, condition, and clean. The reason it’s called calming pet shampoo is that the product smells of lavender chamomile to relax your Cavapoo.
You can buy 24-ounce bottles for under $9, so you’re getting quite an excellent value for your money.
The Wahl dog shampoo includes a coconut-derived sodding agent. This makes the shampoo more effective in smaller quantities. Your dollar will stretch further!
The sodding agent also allows the Wahl 4-in-1 Calming Pet Shampoo to lather beautifully.
The formula is free of PEG-80 sorbitan laurate, parabens, and alcohol. The pH balancing will prevent Cavapoo dryness and itchiness.
Burt’s Bees for Dogs Hypoallergenic Shampoo
If you used Burt’s Bees pet shampoo on your Cavapoo when they were a puppy, then you might be interested in continuing the trend with the Burt’s Bees for Dogs Hypoallergenic Shampoo.
This Amazon’s Choice product for adult dogs costs less than $10 for 16 ounces. pH-balanced and free of parabens and sulfates, you can feel good about bathing your Cavapoo with a dog shampoo like this.
The honey and shea butter formula is ultra-nourishing!
Cavapoo Shampoos for Sensitive or Dry Skin
Your Cavapoo has sensitive skin or is predisposed to dry skin. In either of those cases, regardless of the dog’s age, we’d recommend a sensitive-skin formula. Here are three such shampoos that fit the bill.
Natural Dog Company Sensitive Skin Shampoo
The Natural Dog Company Sensitive Skin Shampoo is made with a nourishing combination of oatmeal and aloe vera that will soothe any canine’s itchy skin.
The natural ingredients will make your Cavapoo’s coat shinier and cleaner while it hydrates and smooths.
Natural Dog Company Sensitive Skin Shampoo is free of artificial fragrances, toxins, alcohols, parabens, and sulfates.
Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo
Next is the Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo, which features oatmeal for your ailing pup.
The coconut lime verbena scent is fruity, light, and tropical, so it’s sure to make bath time less stressful on your Cavapoo.
When you apply this shampoo, Wahl states that their formula lathers up thick and rinses off easily.
Free of PEG-80, parabens, and alcohol, the pH-balanced dog shampoo will keep your Cavapoo’s skin moisturized.
Pro Pet Works Organic 5-in-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
We also quite like the Pro Pet Works Organic 5-in-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner for Cavapoos with dry or sensitive skin.
This stuff is chock full of natural ingredients such as oatmeal, organic almond oil, and aloe vera gel.
The shampoo is also packed with vitamins, including A, B12, D, and E. You won’t find any alcohol or parabens either.
Pro Pet Works says its pet shampoo and conditioner is organic, hypoallergenic, and will restore your dog’s natural oils while soothing itchiness and dryness.
Conditioners for Cavapoos
If you’d rather apply shampoo and conditioner separately, the following Cavapoo-friendly conditioners will treat your dog to a luxurious bathing experience!
Warren London Hydrating Butter Leave-in Dog Conditioner
Dry skin no more! Warren London Hydrating Butter Leave-in Dog Conditioner is made for up to 24 hours of consecutive use. Every two hours the conditioner is on, it releases emollients for moisturization.
With scents available such as guava and mangosteen or pomegranate and acai, your Cavapoo will feel ultra-soothed.
Aloe vera in the formula treats skin dryness and irritation while humectants can draw more moisture into your dog’s skin.
Burt’s Bees for Dogs Natural Oatmeal Conditioner
Here’s yet another great Burt’s Bees product for Cavapoos, the Burt’s Bees for Dogs Natural Oatmeal Conditioner.
The healthful formula consists of honey and colloidal oat flour. pH-balanced and cruelty-free, the conditioner lacks any added fragrances, sulfates, parabens, or colorants.
To use, apply the conditioner on the Cavapoo’s coat, let it sit for a minute, and rinse away the residue. It’s that easy!
Isle of Dogs Everyday Elements Silky Coating Conditioner
The Isle of Dogs Everyday Elements Silky Coating Conditioner will leave your Cavapoo with touchably soft fur.
Produced in the US as part of Isle of Dogs’ salon collection, the conditioner features ExtenScent, a complex that neutralizes odors.
ExtenScent also lengthens how long your Cavapoo’s coat looks and smells fresh.
Speaking of smells, this canine conditioner is lightly scented with a mix of vanilla and jasmine.
Aloe leaf juice and other healthy ingredients such as proteins reduce matting and tangles while adding shine and silkiness.
Related Reading: Why Does My Cavapoo Smell? How To Make It Smell Better?
Conclusion
Cavapoos, like any dog, react best to pH-balanced, dog-friendly shampoos and conditioners without chemicals. You now have plenty of great conditioners and shampoos to shop for to keep your Cavapoo’s coat and skin healthy no matter their age!
Related Reading:
- Cavapoo Dog Bed Size Guide (Puppy to Fully-Grown)
- How Often Should You Groom a Cavapoo Dog?
- Do Cavapoos Bark A Lot? Answered!
- Cavapoo Dog Bed Size Guide (Puppy to Fully-Grown)
- What Size Dog Bowl For A Cavapoo
- Are Cavapoos High-Maintenance?
