The Best Pitbull Shampoo: The Ultimate 2024 Bath Time Guide

🦴 Updated on July 17th, 2023

Pitbulls are just one of the many dog breeds that require a little more upkeep – and that includes giving them baths regularly. However, not all dog shampoos are a great fit for the Pit bull’s sensitive, allergy-prone skin, which is why we’ve compiled a comprehensive review of some of the best Pitbull shampoo. 

If you don’t have time to read the full article, we’ll give you our top pick right now: TropiClean Dog Shampoo. While all of the options on this list are suitable, TropiClean stands above the pack for its all-natural formula made for dogs with sensitive skin and fur. 

Keep reading for an in-depth look at why TropiClean is the best shampoo for Pitties as well as why some of our other choices are the best on the market. 

The Best Shampoo For Pitbulls Reviewed

Check out our top picks for Pitbull shampoo and conditioner below. 

Best Overall: TropiClean

Whether your Pitbull has skin allergies, sensitive skin, or you just want to condition your Pitbull with a natural formula, TropiClean has got to be our favorite pick.

This natural formula has a safe, balanced pH and is free of parabens and dyes that may irritate your Pitbull’s skin. 

All of the ingredients are naturally derived and come from mineral-based raw materials or naturally-occurring plants. 

This is even a great option if you’ve got a new Pit bull puppy and you’re not sure how sensitive their skin is yet – as long as your pup is over twelve weeks old, this hypoallergenic shampoo is completely safe to use on their skin. 

Pros: 

• Completely free of soap, parabens, and dyes 
• Can be soothing for pups that are suffering from itchy, irritated skin and allergies
• Light, fresh coconut scent leaves your pup smelling fresh after the bath 

Cons: 

• The scent may be a little potent when you first use the shampoo 

Best Tear-Free Shampoo: Lillian Ruff

Applying shampoo to your dog isn’t always a smooth process, especially if your Pittie isn’t a fan of bathtime and refuses to hold still. Unfortunately, this can make it all too easy for a little bit of shampoo to accidentally end up in your pup’s eyes and cause some irritation. 

However, this isn’t a problem with the Lillian Ruff Berry Blue shampoo, which is tear-free. Even if a tiny bit of the shampoo makes it into your Pitbull’s eyes, it shouldn’t cause irritation or burning as some dog shampoos do. 

This shampoo is also great at removing tear stains on your Pit bull’s eyes, so your pup will come out looking just as fresh as they should. The formula is completely free of parabens and sulfates. 

Another one of our favorite perks of the Lillian Ruff shampoo is the way it hydrates itchy and irritated skin. If your Pitbull constantly has problems with dry, flaky, or itchy skin, this may be the right choice. 

Pros: 

• Both gluten-free and vegan-friendly
• Comes with a money-back guarantee for the first 30 days of use
• Can help brighten your Pitbull’s coat and natural coloring

Cons: 

• The shampoo can be a little thick when you apply it 

Best for Relieving Skin Irritation: Curaseb

While some shampoos may treat dry or sensitive skin, some Pitbulls need a formula that’s even more powerful – and that’s where Cursaeb Medicated Shampoo may come in handy. 

Many dogs are prone to skin infections, and fortunately, this shampoo is anti-bacteria, anti-yeast, and anti-fungal. Infections and irritations can come with unpleasant smells, but Curaseb’s formula helps deodorize smelly bodies as well as all those little wrinkles, facial folds, and paws. 

If you do plan to use this medicated shampoo for a skin infection or other allergies that your pup has, you should always double-check with your vet first.

They may be able to provide further direction about how often you should be using the shampoo or if any of the active ingredients will further irritate your Pitbull’s skin. 

Pros: 

• Can help get rid of hot spots, skin infections, paw licking, and soothe the itchiness of a rash 
• Includes a strong, fresh scent that can neutralize funky odors from infections 
• Is approved for both adult dogs and puppies 

Cons: 

• The bottle isn’t as durable as some shampoos and may be prone to cracking or breaking

Best Shampoo Grooming Set: Earthbath

While shampoo is a crucial part of your Pit bull’s grooming routine, it’s not the only component. Most brands sell their conditioners, sprays, and other grooming products separately, but that’s not the case with the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo and Conditioner Grooming Set. 

Not only will you get shampoo and conditioner, but you’ll also get a set of grooming wipes as well. This formula is completely all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about irritating dyes, parabens, or sulfates in your shampoo or conditioner. 

With ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and aloe, these products may help relieve itchy, dry skin and even promote healing. The products are pH-balanced, and if you’re worried about how suitable they are for Pitbulls puppies, you can use them on any pup that is at least six weeks old. 

Keep in mind that this grooming set does include a Happiness Guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied with how well it works on your pooch, you can always get a full refund. 

Pros: 

• Includes both shampoo, conditioner, and grooming wipes
• Paraben, sulfate, and dye-free
• Formulas are pH-balanced 
• Can be used on younger puppies 

Cons: 

• The bottles may be prone to leaking 

Best for Matting: MinkSheen

Whether your Pitbull performs in dog shows or not, you can still get that professional show-quality sheen with MinkSheen Pet Shampoo. This product is a 4-in-1 shampoo and works as a shampoo, coat conditioner, and to control odors.

With their long coats, Pitbulls can be prone to tangles and matting, especially if their coats don’t get regular attention. Since it uses mink oil that moisturizes their skin and coat, this shampoo and conditioner may be able to help you gently remove some of that matting and knots. 

Even though the product comes with more than eight gallons of shampoo, you don’t have to worry about running out anytime soon – the shampoo has a stronger detergent agent, which means that you don’t have to use as much as some dog shampoos to get the same result. 

Pros: 

• You don’t have to use as much as the product at once 
• Can help you gently get rid of mats and tangles during bathtime
• Has an eco-friendly, chemical-free formula 
• Doubles as a conditioner and odor control product

Cons: 

• The bottle isn’t super durable and the cap is prone to breaking 
• The smell can be a little potent

Best for Smelly Pitbulls: Buddy’s Best

If your Pitbull is a pro at playing in the mud or getting into things they shouldn’t, you may want to consider a shampoo that focuses more on odor control, like Buddy’s Best Dog Shampoo for Smelly Dogs.

What’s interesting about this shampoo is its design. Unlike many other dog shampoos, which use fragile caps that you’ve got to twist off, this shampoo uses an industrial pump. 

When you’re trying to hold down a squirming, unhappy Pitbull in the bath, it’ll only take a second to pump out the amount of shampoo you need. This is a handy feature if you like to transfer your shampoo into smaller bottles. The pump ensures you won’t waste any product. 

While this product comes in a few different flavors, our favorite has to be the scented coconut vanilla bean. Not only does it get rid of foul odors, but the pet-friendly and vegan-safe ingredients minimize the risk that this shampoo will irritate your pup’s skin. 

Pros: 

• Includes a durable pump for less product wastage 
• Ingredients are pet-safe and vegan-friendly
• Tearless formula 

Cons: 

• The coconut vanilla scent isn’t very strong once it’s applied to your dog’s coat

Best for Shiny Coats: Nature’s Specialties

If you’re interested in keeping your Pit bull’s coat shiny, healthy, and silky, you may want to check out the Nature’s Specialties Puppy Friendly Conditioning Dog Shampoo. 

With ingredients like aloe vera, vitamins A, D, E, and a pH-balanced formula, this shampoo is all about keeping your dog clean while adding texture and shine to their coat. 

Not only does it clean as a shampoo, but it also conditions your Pitbull’s coat as well, so there’s no extra conditioner purchase needed. 

Unlike some dog shampoos, this product isn’t super oily, and shouldn’t leave your Pit bull’s coat looking dim or greasy. The formula for this shampoo is certainly potent, but it has a mild enough base that it shouldn’t irritate or dry out your pup’s skin. 

Keep in mind that if you’re going to use this shampoo, you’ll need to dilute before use – using this shampoo without diluting it with water could cause mild irritation or redness on your Pitbull’s skin. 

Pros: 

• Creates highlights and texture in your dog’s coat
• The formula is pH-balanced
• Doesn’t create extra oil or greasiness 

Cons: 

• If it’s not diluted enough, it could cause some skin irritation

Best Medicated Shampoo: Veterinary Formula

Sometimes, your Pitbull’s care goes beyond a little bit of sensitive skin or odor control – if your pup has mange, a parasitic infection, or seborrhea, then you might need something stronger like the Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Medicated Dog Shampoo. 

With ingredients like coal tar, salicylic acid, and micronized sulfur, this shampoo is well-equipped to combat your Pitbull’s mange, skin scaling, or other skin infections.

This is a fast-acting shampoo, so you shouldn’t have to wait months before you see a difference in your Pit bull’s symptoms. 

The formula is paraben and soap-free, so you don’t have to worry that you’re applying damaging detergents to your pet’s skin when you use it. 

It’s important to note that this shampoo doesn’t wash away topical flea or tick treatments when you use it – even if you use the shampoo for several weeks, you shouldn’t need to reapply flea or tick protection any sooner than usual. 

Pros: 

• Recommended by veterinarians 
• Hydrates and moisturizes your dog’s skin
• Can help manage the symptoms of mange and seborrhea

Cons: 

• The smell of the shampoo may not be the most pleasant

Best Pitbull Puppy Shampoo: Pet Care Sciences

Some Pitbulls are dirtier than others, but Pitbull puppies are especially bad about finding dirt, mud, or other messes to get into, which is why you may want to keep Pet Care Sciences Tearless Puppy Shampoo on hand. 

What we also appreciate about this shampoo and conditioner is just how easy it is to use. Adult Pitties might be a little more adjusted to bathtime, but puppies can be a struggle to bathe. 

Fortunately, the process of using this shampoo is fairly straightforward: just apply a little bit of the shampoo to their wet coat, let it sit for a few minutes, and then just rinse it out with warm water. 

Pros: 

• Gently cleanses the skin to get rid of dirt and other muck 
• Helps untangle mats and knots 
• Easy to apply during bathtime
• Uses naturally-derived ingredients 

Cons: 

• May require larger amounts of shampoo during each wash

What to Consider Before Buying Pitbull Shampoo

Some of the most important factors to consider when buying shampoo for Pitbulls include: 

Age

While most shampoos will work just fine on adult Pitbulls, you should pay close attention to what age the shampoo is suitable for if you’ve got a Pit bull puppy. Twelve weeks tends to be the minimum age requirement on many shampoos, but some have formulas meant for even younger puppies. 

Skin Condition 

A major consideration with Pitbull shampoo is the skin condition of your dog. Do they have sensitive skin, dry skin, or are they suffering from something more severe, like skin scaling or flaking? 

For sensitive and dry skin, try looking for shampoos that use aloe and oatmeal as ingredients as well as a pH-balanced formula that won’t irritate your pup’s skin. For dogs that are dealing with mange or skin infections, you’ll likely need medicated shampoo, but you should always consult your vet before you buy anything. 

Allergies

It’s not unusual for Pitbull shampoos to include ingredients like coconut, vanilla, or floral ingredients so that the shampoo smells better. However, Pitbulls are prone to allergies, so it’s important to make sure your shampoo and Pitbull’s allergy list don’t cross over. 

Avoid Parabens and Dyes

Some traditional Pit bull shampoos, especially two-in-one products, may include parabens, dyes, or sulfates. For Pitbulls with sensitive skin, these additives can cause an allergic reaction – so, you’re better off avoiding them and sticking with products that use all-natural formulas and ingredients. 

pH-Balanced

One of the reasons why human shampoo isn’t suitable for dogs is due to the low pH, which can lead to redness and irritation, and strip away your dog’s natural protective oils. With any dog shampoo, you want a mild formula that’s pH-balanced. 

Types of Pitbull Shampoos

There are a few different types of dog shampoos that line the aisles. The following are some types of Pitbull shampoos worth considering for their bath time routine:

• Shampoo spray: Shampoo sprays usually don’t require a full bath to apply the product, and might be suitable if your Pitbull refuses to cooperate during bathtime. 
• Medicated shampoo: Medicated shampoos treat symptoms beyond sensitive or dry skin, but you should always consult your vet before you use them. 
• Waterless shampoo: Another option if your Pitbull doesn’t like water or can’t handle a bath, waterless shampoos don’t require your dog’s fur to be wet for application. These also work as spot shampoos – if your Pit bull has a specific spot on their coat that’s troubling them, a waterless shampoo may be suitable. 
• Hypoallergenic shampoo: Hypoallergenic shampoos are usually a go-to for Pitbulls that have sensitive skin or if they’ve had allergic reactions to previous shampoos. 
• All-natural shampoo: All-natural shampoos, as their name suggests, use all-natural ingredients. 

These different products will all serve different purposes that may or may not suit a particular Pit bull and owners’ lifestyle.

How to Spot a High-Quality Pitbull Shampoo

When it comes to finding a high-quality shampoo for Pitbulls, here are some factors that can indicate a good product:

• The shampoo uses ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, vitamins, omega-3s, and silk proteins 
• If it’s not all-natural, the shampoo at least avoids using harsh chemicals as well as parabens, dyes, sulfates, and other things that may irritate your pup’s coat 
• The shampoo and the brand is completely cruelty-free 
• The formula is pH-balanced
• The shampoo specifically states that it’s for dry, sensitive, or allergy-prone skin 
• The shampoo comes in a sturdy bottle with an industrial pump or a durable cap that won’t break or drip 
• The shampoo includes ingredients to help with odor control, like coconut or vanilla 
• The shampoo doesn’t remove topical flea or tick treatments when you apply it to your dog’s skin 

Do Pitbulls Need Conditioner?

Pit bulls need a conditioner for their coats, whether they are long or short. Even with an all-natural shampoo, washing a Pitbull’s hair can strip it of its natural moisture and leave it dry.

A good quality leave-in conditioner will be enough to restore moisture to Pitbull’s hair, resulting in a healthy shine and tangle-free hair. Apply the conditioner after rinsing all of the residual shampoos out of the Pitbull’s coat.

Depending on the product, some shampoos may double as a shampoo and conditioner, but if the product doesn’t specify that, you’ll need to purchase conditioner separately. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the most frequently asked questions that people have about the best dog shampoo for Pitbulls and best shampoo and conditioner for Pitbulls include.

Our Verdict

Overall, the best Pitbull shampoo on the market is TropiClean dog shampoo. Not only does it provide great quality for a lower price than most products, but it is all-natural, gentle, and hypoallergenic. It is also effective at making a Pitbull’s coats shine without an overwhelming scent.

If you have any concerns about which shampoo is best for your Yorkie, be sure to consult your veterinarian.