Bichon Frises need baths about once a month, and you’ll need a quality dog shampoo for these grooming sessions. However, what exactly counts as a high-quality dog shampoo is a bit murky. Most dog shampoos claim to be the “best,” but which one actually is?

There are many factors you need to consider when choosing a dog shampoo for your Bichon Frise. You want something gentle enough to avoid skin irritation while still being strong enough to actually get your dog clean.

We’ve reviewed 10 of the best shampoos for a Bichon Frise below. These shampoos work well for the vast majority of dogs, so they should fit well for your pet.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 9 Best Shampoos for a Bichon Frise

1. Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs Cucumber & Aloe – Best Overall

For many Bichon Frises, we recommend the Hepper Oatmeal Cucumber & Aloe Shampoo for Dogs. It’s formulated with oatmeal, making it a great option for dogs with sensitive skin. It includes only natural ingredients for safety and comfort. Plus, it even has a fresh aloe and cucumber scent.

It doesn’t contain any potentially irritating ingredients like other brands do, like soap, gluten, DEA, and synthetic dyes. In fact, the ingredient list is refreshingly straightforward. We also love that this brand makes their formulas in the USA in small batches.

Based on all of this, it’s easy to see why this shampoo is the best overall shampoo for a Bichon Frise.

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

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2. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour – Budget Buy

Burt’s Bees is well-known for creating great products, and the Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour is no different. It’s a mild cleanser that features oatmeal and honey—two ingredients that can help soothe and moisturize sensitive skin. Therefore, it works great for dogs that tend to be more sensitive to other shampoos.

The formula is completely pH balanced, which helps prevent it from being too drying. It’s also cruelty-free and made with no sulfates. In other words, it’s everything you need and nothing you don’t. Plus, it’s also pretty inexpensive, making it the best shampoo for a Bichon Frise for the money.

However, this shampoo isn’t really scented. It may have a slight smell of oatmeal due to the included oats, but that’s about it.

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3. Buddy Wash Original

Buddy Wash Original is one of the best dog shampoos on the market. It includes both shampoo and conditioner, so you don’t have to wash your dog twice. It lathers well and keeps your dog’s coat silky, which is particularly important for long-haired dogs. Plus, it’s made with pure botanical extracts like aloe vera and green tea. Therefore, it mostly contains natural ingredients.

This shampoo is coconut-based and completely alcohol-free. It is naturally scented using lavender and mint extracts, though it does feel a lot like coconut oil. Wheat protein is utilized as a natural deodorizer. This is a very gentle cleanser that is suitable for frequent use, even for puppies that tend to get very dirty.

However, this shampoo is more expensive than most. You’re getting what you pay for, though.

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4. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo is a soap-free shampoo that works well for most Bichon Frises. It’s made specifically for dogs with dry, itchy skin, though we recommend it to practically any canine (especially those that get bathed often). It’s designed to moisturize and soothe dry skin. However, it’s also strong enough to neutralize odors.

The vanilla and almond scent is quite refreshing. However, some dog owners claimed that it was too overwhelming. If you’re sensitive to scents, this shampoo may not be the best option for you.

Of course, this shampoo is phosphate-free and made with only safe ingredients. You can use it on all dogs over 6 weeks.

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5. Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo

As the name suggests, the Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo is designed specifically for dogs with itchy, irritated skin. Therefore, if your dog already has red, itchy skin, this formula can help. If your dog is extra-sensitive to other shampoos, this option may be a good choice, as well.

It includes oatmeal, aloe vera, and vitamin E, which help support your dog’s skin and coat. All of these ingredients are pretty common in sensitive dog shampoos. This formula is scented with vanilla, but it doesn’t leave much of a scent. Therefore, it works well for those that prefer little-to-no scent in their dog’s shampoo.

There are several problems with the bottle, though. Many reported that it leaked. Therefore, shipping this shampoo can be a bit hit-or-miss.

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6. Chi Gentle 2-in-1 Dog Shampoo

The Chi Gentle 2-in-1 Dog Shampoo is very straightforward. It includes both shampoo and conditioner, making it a great option for Bichon Frises. You would only need to wash your dog once, and this formula keeps their coat very soft and shiny. It’s a great shampoo that works. However, it doesn’t have many bells or whistles, and it is more expensive than others.

This formula utilizes mild surfactants, which makes it gentle enough to use over and over again. It won’t irritate your dog’s eyes or other sensitive areas, either. You can use it for all Bichon Frises over 8 weeks old.

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7. PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Dog Shampoo

The PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Dog Shampoo is a popular shampoo choice amongst dog owners. It’s soap-free and pH-balanced, allowing you to utilize it often without drying out your dog’s skin. The cleansers are mild and do get the job done, but they aren’t harsh. Extra conditioners are included to help nourish your dog’s skin. You shouldn’t need to use a separate conditioner.

Ingredients for sensitive skin are also included, such as vitamin E and aloe. Therefore, it works well for dogs with more irritated skin.

This formula is said to be particularly scented. The scent is advertised as staying for at least 2 weeks, and many owners concurred. However, others found it to be too scented, especially if they were looking for something a bit more natural.

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8. Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle for Dogs

As we’ve previously stated, Burt’s Bees is often a solid company for natural products. Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle for Dogs is an alternative option to our top pick that is particularly made for itchy dogs. It includes a gentle cleanser, so your dog still gets clean. However, it’s made to be much gentler than other options on the list.

It includes colloidal oats as the main itch-stopping ingredient. It’s also pH-balanced, so you can safely use it on your dog regularly. It’s 97% natural and cruelty-free, like most of their products.

However, many owners reported that this formula isn’t as itch-stopping as some other options on the market. Plus, it’s also pretty watery, which some dog owners reported made it difficult to use.

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9. Hartz Groomer’s Best Professionals Hydrate & Shine

The Hartz Groomer’s Best Professionals Hydrate & Shine contains coconut oil, which adds an extra shine to your dog’s fur. It’s also free from sulfates, parabens, alcohol, or other harsh ingredients. Therefore, it works well for the vast majority of Bichon Frises. The formula is pH-balanced, so you can use it to freshen your pooch up regularly without irritating their skin.

That said, this formula is more expensive than most. You aren’t getting many extra features, either. The scent fades very quickly, too. Don’t use it if you’re a fan of heavy-scented shampoos.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Shampoos for a Bichon Frise

Choosing the right shampoo for your dog is essential, especially when you have a Bichon Frise. Therefore, we highly recommend that you put plenty of research and time into choosing a decent shampoo.

Luckily, this isn’t terribly difficult. With some basic background knowledge, you can easily select the best option for your pooch.

Skin Conditions

Some dogs have itchy, flaky skin. If your dog fits into this category, you’ll need to choose a high-quality shampoo that works well for your canine. Oatmeal, honey, and aloe vera all work well for dogs with sensitive skin. However, they work well for most dogs. Therefore, even if your dog doesn’t have sensitive skin, choosing a formula for sensitive skin often works well.

Avoid scented shampoos that irritate your dog’s skin or those that contain other harsh ingredients. Soap and similar ingredients can cause issues with a range of different dogs.

Fleas and Ticks

If your dog has fleas or ticks, you may want to choose a shampoo that kills these parasites. You should use other preventative measures as well as shampoos alone are not enough to control fleas and ticks. However, they can go a long way to help.

If your dog has continuous issues, consider speaking to your vet. Sometimes, vet-strength preventative measures are a much better option.

Scent

Not all shampoos are scented. Not everyone wants a scented shampoo, either. If you want your canine to smell nice for a long period, then you probably want something more scented.

The exact scent may matter to you, too. Of course, your dog probably won’t care much about the scent. However, you should still consider your dog’s skin when choosing a scent. In some cases, your dog may be sensitive to very scented shampoos, which can cause a problem if you decide to use them.

Conditioner

You should also consider choosing a shampoo with added conditioner, as this can help keep your dog’s coat shiny and mat-free. Your Bichon Frise likely has longer fur. But, even if they don’t, you should consider choosing a conditioner just for the extra shine and smoothness of your dog’s coat.

Of course, the quality of the conditioner matters. A shampoo with a poor conditioner isn’t going to do you much good.

Convenience

The bottle the shampoo is in should work well. There have been many cases where the shampoo was great but the bottle was poorly designed. This makes it much harder to use, even if the product is great. Plus, poorly designed bottles can break during shipping (or even after you purchase them). No one likes a mess of conditioner all over their floor.

Conclusion

We recommend Hepper Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs Cucumber & Aloe for most dogs. It is reasonably scented, keeping your dog smelling fresh without being overwhelming. Plus, it works for dogs with sensitive skin while still getting them clean.

For those looking for a budget option, consider purchasing Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour. It is made for dogs with sensitive skin, but it works well for just about any canine.

Hopefully, one of these shampoos works well for your canine. With many options to choose from, you should find the perfect shampoo in our reviews.

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Featured Image Credit: StudioPeace, Shutterstock