WAHL Waterless Dog Shampoo Review
Baths are great when your dog is covered in dirt, but let’s face it—they’re not always practical. What if your pup decides to roll in mud right before you leave the dog park? Or worse, your new puppy gets carsick and ends up wearing his lunch?
That’s where waterless dog shampoo comes in. It’ll freshen up your pup without the need for any wrestling around in the bathtub. Just grab the shampoo, a clean towel, and you’re good to go.
There are plenty of brands out there, but today, we’ll be focusing on the waterless dog shampoo by Wahl. How well does it work? Is it worth the money? Let’s find out!
Different Scents
Wahl’s no-rinse dog shampoo comes in a variety of scents and we usually go for the “Green Melon” one but they have other options as well like Coconut, Lavender, and Oatmeal—plus a fragrance-free option for those with sensitive noses.
I can’t speak for the other scents, but the “Green Melon” one smells a lot like cucumber (it kind of reminds me of the spa). It’s refreshing, but definitely on the stronger side. So if you prefer something more subtle, the fragrance-free version might be the better option.
Formulation
The no-rinse dog shampoo has a nice foamy texture. It’s not too thick but isn’t runny to the point where it will liquify in your hands.
One pump gives you a lot to work with too – it’s probably enough if you have a small dog. For our medium-sized dog, we usually use two pumps. We try not to overdo it because the scent can be overwhelming if you use too much.
How Well Does It Work?
If your dog is smelly, the no-rinse dog shampoo (the scented ones, at least) will do a good job at masking the odor. While it won’t wash off the smell, it’ll cover it up with something more pleasant until you have time to give your dog a bath.
Since the product comes in a pump bottle, you can dispense the shampoo directly onto your hands and transfer it onto their coat.
Once their body is covered with the shampoo, use a wet cloth to work it into their body – the bubbles will disappear quickly. The whole process usually takes less than one minute.
If you accidentally use too much shampoo or think the scent is a bit too much, you can “rinse” it out using a wet cloth. Just wipe their body with the damp cloth.
Can I Use It If My Dog Has Skin Allergies?
The Wahl Waterless Dog Shampoo features a gentle formula, but it’s not hypoallergenic and contains a few ingredients that could irritate a dog’s sensitive skin.
For example, it includes cocamidopropyl betaine, a synthetic surfactant that some dogs may react to. It also has sodium laureth sulfate, which is known for causing skin irritation, not just in dogs, but in humans too.
The added fragrance could also be a bit much for some pups. For example, some dogs may develop itchy skin while others may sneeze from the strong scent. In cases like that, you might want to try the fragrance-free option instead.
Is the Wahl Waterless Dog Shampoo Worth It?
The good thing about this non-rinse shampoo is that it’s relatively cheap (less than $10) so you get bang for your buck. The bottle itself is also a decent size so it should last you a while.
Just keep in mind that it’s not meant to replace actual baths. You’ll still have to bathe your pup every now and then, especially if they decide to roll in something smelly.
However, you can use the waterless dog shampoo to keep your pup “fresh and clean” in between these bathing sessions. It’s also great to use if you’re on the go (e.g. traveling, camping)
