Despite their diminutive stature, Yorkies are well known for their gigantic personality. Curious and outgoing, they often find themselves in messy situations that make a good bath necessary. Because Yorkies have a single coat of hair, however, it’s important to use the best shampoo for Yorkies to get them clean.
Quick Picks: The 5 Top-Rated Dog Shampoo for Yorkies
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Check our best pick above, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide!
5 Reviews of The Best Shampoos for Yorkies
Nootie Dog Shampoo With Soothing Aloe
Featuring a unique scent that combines coconut oil, colloidal oatmeal and ordenone, this shampoo for Yorkies can help your little friend have a scent that matches its personality. The product’s formula, meanwhile, is soap and paraben-free, and it does not contain sulfates or harsh chemicals. What is more, it features natural ingredients with specific cosmetic and health-related benefits.
On the one hand, the Nootie Dog Shampoo With Soothing Aloe can help heal your dog’s damaged skin and coat, simultaneously relieving itchiness and burning sensations. At the same time, other ingredients in its formula nourish and build-up the cells in the animal’s fur, resulting in improved health and better looks.
Without a doubt, one of the best things about this Nootie product is the smoothness of its soothing formula. After some uses, you will truly begin to notice the improvement in your dog’s skin and its attitude toward bathing. What is more, the product’s creaminess makes it easy to apply and wash off. Meanwhile, without being too overpowering, its anti-dirt properties deodorize and clean at the same time.
Pros:
- Provides soothing action for damaged skin.
- Smooth formula.
- Soap and paraben-free.
- Helps fight germs and bacteria.
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive.
- Some people said that the product did not smell good on their dog
Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo
If you are looking for a product that is mild and yet effective, the Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo may be a good choice. Soap-free and very smooth, its formula is completely harmless. As a result, it can be used with Yorkies that suffer from skin sensitivity or other skin-related issues.
In addition to being very gentle, the Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo is completely safe. Its formula is not only harmless, but it does not cause eye-stain to your beloved pet. Admittedly, however, this formula can be a bit too gently when it comes to cleaning difficult stains and accumulated dirt.
Another advantage that the Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo has is that, apart from being safe for your pet and you, it’s safe for the environment. Made with environmentally-friendly ingredients and completely bio-degradable, this product will not pollute the water or harm any living creatures.
Pros:
- Completely soap-free.
- Bio-degradable.
- Gentle formula.
- Suitable for dogs with skin sensitivity issues.
Cons:
- Somewhat mild.
- Weak scent.
4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo
Featuring a formula that carefully balances cleaning power with nutrition, the 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo can help you keep your dog smelling fresh while simultaneously improving its health. Completely natural, this lemongrass-based formula is non-toxic and gentle. Even better, it is perfectly safe and suitable when it comes to dealing with sensitive, itchy or painful skin conditions.
The 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo’s holistic and hypoallergenic formula is not only mild but also soothing. Largely, this has to do with its natural ingredients, two of the most notorious being lemongrass and aloe vera. Something else that’s important to that regard is that this formula does not strip away all the natural oils that your dog’s skin produces. Instead, it removes only the excess, leaving enough oil to help maintain the skin’s condition and health.
Apart from being completely safe for your dog, the 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo is safe for the environment. Being completely bio-degradable, this product will not harm any living creature. Furthermore, it will not contaminate water sources like most chemical products do. Without a doubt, that is a big plus for this product.
Pros:
- Balanced formula.
- Very gentle and mild.
- Bio-degradable.
- Soothing.
Cons:
- Weak.
MinkSheen Pet Shampoo 4 in 1 Concentrate
Combining shampoo and conditioner into a single product, the MinkSheen 4 in 1 Concentrate is an effective way to keep your Yorkie looking and smelling its best. Its milky and rich formula cleans as smoothly as it runs through your hands. More than that, however, it removes excess oils without damaging or irritating the skin in any way.
If you are looking for a shampoo that controls and limits odor rather than masking it, the MinkSheen Pet Shampoo 4 in 1 Concentrate may just be the one. Without using harmful ingredients or overpowering aromas, it is capable of eliminating bad odors. Even better, it will keep excess oil from re-forming too quickly after each bath, resulting in extended periods of freshness.
Apart from all the previously mentioned features, the MinkSheen Pet Shampoo 4 in 1 Concentrate leaves your Yorkshire Terrier’s hair incredibly soft and smooth to the touch. Taking all this into consideration, it can be said that this shampoo for Yorkies is one of the best of its kind.
Pros:
- Shampoos and conditions.
- All-natural.
- Smooth and gentle.
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive.
Tropiclean Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo For Puppies
If your Yorkie suffers from allergies, sensitive skin or rashes, this shampoo may be the solution. Completely hypo-allergenic and remarkably gentle, its formula will not harm your dog’s skin or coat. To the contrary, featuring coconut essences and other natural ingredients, this shampoo can soothe and reduce your dog’s skin-related symptoms.
When combined with warm water, the Tropiclean Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo For Puppies creates a smooth and soft and frothy lather that makes it easy and even pleasant to apply. In addition, the product’s coconut essence cleanses and removes excess oil gently and naturally.
In addition to being gentle, the Tropiclean Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo For Puppies doesn’t have any soap. Apart from making it safer for dog’s with sensitive skins and coats, this fact allows it to be used in combination with anti-flea products. It should be noted, however, that only 70% of this shampoo’s formula is composed of organic ingredients. However, the artificial ingredients that make up the remaining 30% are very mild.
Pros:
- Does not strip away all natural oils.
- Sweet aroma.
- Completely hypo-allergenic.
Cons:
- Does not produce enough lather.
The Best Shampoos for Yorkies – A Buyer’s Guide
How to Bathe a Yorkie
Use the Sink
Due to their size, Yorkies are not well-suited for being bathed in a tub. Instead, simply use the sink. Of course, if you do this, it’s important to implement certain safety measures. For example, make sure that the dog will not easily fall off the sides of the sink. Additionally, make sure that the water coming off the faucet is not too cold or hot.
Use a Spray Nozzle
In order to get your doggy wet and rinse out the soap, use a spray nozzle. Apart from being safer and more efficient than dunking the dog in the water, this method will not dry the pup’s skin.
Mind the Water Temperature
Something that is very important to remember is that Yorkies are more sensitive to heat than most dogs. For that reason, it’s important not to use water that is too hot to bathe them. As a matter of fact, in most case scenarios, you should use slightly warm water.
Take the Dog’s Hair Type Into Account
The previous point is especially true if your dog suffers from dry, itchy skin. If this is the case, use lukewarm or even cool water instead of warm water to wash your pet. Additionally, make sure not to dry your Yorkie with a blow dryer that is set to the high heat settings.
What to Look For in a Shampoo for Yorkies
Dirt and Dust Removal
Of course, you want a Yorkie shampoo that is capable of efficiently removing dirt off of your long hair Yorkie. Luckily, most shampoos out there are capable of doing such a thing effectively.
Body Oil Removal
One of the most important objectives of a shampoo is to remove excess body oils from the hair and skin. However, in a moderate amount, these natural oils are necessary for your dog’s health. For that reason, shampoo shouldn’t be used too often on your Yorkie’s coat. When they are used, however, it’s important to have a good shampoo that will break down and eliminate these substances without damaging the dog’s skin.
pH Balance
No matter their quality level or formula, all shampoos have a certain pH balance. If that pH balance is not right, it can actually hurt your Yorkie’s skin and coat rather than maintaining them. Typically, dogs have a pH that ranges from 6.5 to 7.5, and Yorkies are not the exception. For that reason, it’s important to find a shampoo that falls within this pH range.
Moisturizing Qualities
As previously mentioned, dogs’ skin is a lot more delicate than that of humans. For that reason, it’s terribly important to keep their skin moisturized at all times. Apart from good nutrition and hydration, the best thing you can do to achieve that is to bathe your dog with a shampoo that has moisturizing agents such as aloe vera and almond oil.
Soothing Qualities
Unfortunately, Yorkshire Terriers have a tendency to experience dry skin issues that can cause itching, burning and even pain. Mostly, this has to do with their single coat not being able to offer much protection from external elements that can cause damage to the skin. If that is the case with your Yorkie, it’s a good idea to look for a shampoo that has soothing qualities. Ingredients like eucalyptus, peppermint and tea tree oil make for fantastic soothing agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Bathe My Yorkie?
First of all, it’s important to be aware that dogs should not be bathed as often as humans. If they are, they will lose important oil that helps keep their skin and hair healthy.
Yorkies, in particular, should be bathed every three to four weeks if they have a healthy skin and coat. If they have skin or coat problems, however, it may be necessary to bathe them more often until they become healthier.
In order to help keep their skin and coat healthy between baths, Yorkies should be brushed every two or three days. If they are not, loose and dead hair can accumulate on their coat, blocking the proper airflow and gathering dust particles.
How can I make my Yorkie smell better?
Without a doubt, a regular bathing routine is the best way to keep your Yorkshire Terrier smelling its best. If implemented at the right intervals, this routine can keep the dog’s natural oils at healthy levels. Even more than that, it can help prevent the excessive accumulation of said oil. When too much of it accumulates, oil can cause your dog to smell bad.
As if all that wasn’t enough, shampoos have pleasant aromas that you can choose according to your personal taste. If you feel that you need something else to keep your Yorkie smelling wonderfully between baths, however, you may want to consider using a leave-in conditioner or coat spray. Apart from helping it smell fresh and clean, these products can help moisturize and protect your dog’s coat.
Final Thoughts
Effective, healthy and user-friendly, all the shampoos featured in this buyer’s guide have the potential of becoming your Yorkshire Terrier’s new best friend. With everything on the table, though, it is clear that the MinkSheen Pet Shampoo 4 in 1 Concentrate is the best shampoo for Yorkies that is currently available. Effective, smooth, safe and featuring conditioning abilities, this product will help you keep your Yorkie looking and smelling its best.