We all want our golden retriever puppies to be clean and attractive but we are afraid to use products which might end up harming them. So , we at healthyandcheerfuldog.com have done a lot of research and we have come up with :

• The best overall shampoo for your golden retriever puppy
• The  best budget shampoo for your golden retriever puppy
• The best shampoo below $7.5 for your golden retriever puppy
• The best alternative to puppy shampoos for your golden retriever puppy

Before we go into the shampoos, we would like to share some things with you which you might not know about your golden retriever puppy which could influence your shampoo choice.

Golden retrievers have water repellent fur, this is as a result of their very active oil glands which secrete a lot of oil which water proof the fur to a certain extent.

This is an adaptive feature which was developed by dogs which were used to hunt water game in the past. So, the shampoos that should be used on your golden retriever puppy should be mildly oil striping but not be totally oil striping.

Having understood a factor you need to consider when choosing a shampoo for your golden retriever puppy, let us get into the main content.

THE BEST OVERALL SHAMPOO FOR YOUR GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY

Earthbath All Natural Orange Peel Oil Shampoo, 16-Ounce

Firstly, this shampoo is an all natural shampoo which is good for your puppies because their skin is sensitive at young age. Aside the fact that the shampoo is all natural, another reason we recommend this is because of the major ingredients which is the orange peel oil. The orange peel oil has a lot of benefits which we would be looking at.

Benefits of orange peel oil

It removes the excess oil from the fur and skin (which is important for golden retriever pups   because of their water repellent fur) while also preventing the dryness which most shampoo don’t. It eliminates bacteria, soothe inflammation, reduce pain and swelling and prevent dryness.

Orange peel oil would ensure all the dirt’s get out and would prevent your puppy from having permanent stains on their golden fur due to dirt which has stayed for long in the fur, because of their golden fur their stains would be noticeable and some stains may become permanent which would be very bad don’t you think, I can’t even imagine that.

Orange peel oil contain antioxidant these antioxidants fight off free radicals, preventing hair damage and boosting hair growth,treats dry, skin and eliminates dandruff which could reduce shedding (golden retrievers shed more than average. So, this would be good for them).

 Orange peel oil soothes the skin which would help in temperature regulation of the puppies because if the skin is irritated it may not be able to regulate temperature well which could cause critical issues for the puppies

Orange peel oil also contains a little amount of citric acid which helps balance the pH levels, which improves the hair’s appearance and manageability by reducing frizz.It also maintains a healthy skin.

Citric Acid is known to stimulate the hair follicles by improving blood circulation in the scalp/skin, it exhibits antioxidant properties due to which it is very effective in strengthening your pups hair follicles, thereby preventing breakage and thinning of hair, reducing shedding.

The esters formed from Citric Acid create a thin protective coating over the surface of your puppies strands which prevents the loss of moisture from the strands making it look glossy and hydrated. Citric acid contains antibacterial and antifungal properties which reduces bacterial and fungal infections in the fur.

Natural oil of the orange peel has stain removing properties, it also helps to calm and relieve common skin and itching problems associated with flea bites and also the orange scent is amazing.

So, back to the shampoo

 The shampoo was also reported by some of its user to kill lice. It would help your pup’s skin hydrate and leave their coat shinny and soft, it is good for sensitive skin not just for the dog but for you also if you are the type with sensitive skin because of its natural qualities and some users who react to other shampoo said they didn’t react to this shampoo.

 All ingredients are natural, biodegradable, and gentle. This product does not contain anything that would harm your pet or the environment. It doesn’t contain DEA, DEA is bad for your pup, it is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer.

It also doesn’t contain phosphates, a harmful substance which some dog shampoos have. Phosphates is a known skin irritant and may be inhaled, causing organ system toxicity. It may be contaminated with toxic solvents from the manufacturing process.

Phosphates are readily absorbed into the eyes where it’s been shown to cause eye irritation and damage eye proteins, phosphates has been linked to the development of cataracts in human and in young pets, it  may even cause permanent damage to the protein formation in the eyes leading to blindness.

Another harmful substance which most dog shampoos contain which isn’t present in this shampoo is parabens, these are a class of widely used preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Chemically, they are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid. Parabens are mostly found in hair and beauty products. They’re a powerful preservative, and they’re usually added to prevent the build-up of mould, fungus and bacteria in long-life products that are expected to last for 6+ months.

But research Suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer.

The use of paraben can make the skin go dry. By using  paraben, the skin can get brittle, cracked, painful, swollen, develop rashes and several other problems.  It may even result in contact dermatitis, which is a serious type of skin inflammation characterised by rashes, blisters and burning skin.

This shampoo also doesn’t contain artificial thickners which may cause irritation, rash and any kind of skin problems.

Since we have looked at the harmful substances that are not contained in the shampoo, let us look at other beneficial ingredients in the shampoo

This shampoo contains aloe vera which is very beneficial to your pups fur. Below are the benefits of aloe vera to your pup’s fur:

Strengthens fur: Aloe vera has many active ingredients and minerals that can help strengthen your pups fur. It has fatty acids and amino acids and is rich in vitamins A, B12, C, and E. These play a major part in healthy hair follicles

Controls greasy fur: Aloe vera has enzymes that break down fats and so strips your pups fur of any extra oil (sebum), which is good for your golden retriever pup because of their water repellent coat as we explained above

Helps an itchy skin: Medical research show that aloe vera is helps to reduce itchiness

Fur growth: Some people say aloe vera helps with hair growth, but this is not backed up by scientific prove. However, researchers believe that aloenin, a chemical compound in the plant, is a primary factor in promoting hair growth

This shampoo also contains; renewable coconut based cleansers, natural cherry essence, olive oil squalene (natural preservative).

At the time this post was made, this shampoo cost $13.31 on   Amazon.

THE BEST BUDGET SHAMPOO

We understand that everyone wants the best for their pups but everyone also has a budget which we need to keep up with. So we did research and found a shampoo with a lower price suitable for your golden retriever pup. At the time this post was made this shampoo cost $7.99 on Amazon.

 wahl oatmeal formula coconut lime verbena pet shampoo

The major key ingredient in this oatmeal shampoo is colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is made by grinding up the Avena sativa oatmeal into a very powder, boiling it and sifting off the oatmeal particles. After which it is combined with liquids and other shampoo ingredients.

Oatmeal has a lot of benefits for your pup which we would be looking at:

Oatmeal contains saponin which gently cleanses the sebum extracted by the hair follicles and absorbs dirt (which is good for your pup because of their water repellent fur caused by their very active oil gland). It also acts as a physical barrier on your pups skin to reduce TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and ultimately keeps their fur fresh from various pollutants.

Oats are loaded with hair-loving nutrients such as fibre, zinc, iron, omega-6 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), all of these come together to stimulate dormant hair follicles and promote hair growth.

Colloidal oatmeal soothes and moisturizes dry, itchy skin, relieves redness and irritation and can help with hot spots and tick and flea problems, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

The healing powers of oats can help puppies that are scratching or licking at sensitive spots feel better. “Oatmeal is very soothing to the skin, and I’ve been prescribing it to my clients’ dogs for years.” says Dr. Katalin Grant, a board-certified veterinarian specializing in general and emergency medicine, surgery and dentistry.

Now let us talk more about the shampoo itself

This shampoo might not have a strong effect on ticks and lice. So, apply a flea powder on your carpeting and use a flea spray on your yard, if you notice a lot of ticks and lice on your pup.

This shampoo has a higher concentrate of coconut derived sodding agent, therefore you don’t have to use much like other puppy shampoos. A little bit of shampoo would do a lot and provides a rich lather that’s easy to rinse. It lathers so nicely that it makes bathing much quicker (long showers are not good for your pups). Customers have reported that, it made their pups fur softer and it has a nice scent.

This shampoo is also allergy friendly, paraben free, DEA free, 100% natural ingredients. Don’t forget I stated why paraben and DEA are not good for your puppy.

THE BEST SHAMPOO BELOW $7.5 FOR YOUR GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY.

We at healthycheerfuldog.com found out that some dog parents need a shampoo of a lower price. So, we did research and found one which would be good for your puppy at low price.

We don’t want you buy those cheap shampoos in the stores which are not effective and some could be harmful to your pup. At the time of publishing this blog, the shampoo recommended below is $6.92

Burt’s Bees for Dogs Natural Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk

This shampoo has buttermilk which has a lot of benefits for your pup’s fur. Let us look at some the benefits of buttermilk.

Benefits of buttermilk

The protein in buttermilk will help nourish your pups fur and replenish all essential nutrients. The presence of natural alpha-hydroxy acids or AHAs in it would help exfoliate your pups skin (but it isn’t totally stripping of the oil in your pups fur).

Buttermilk has a little bleaching properties which could help lighten your pups golden fur, it is enriched with lactic acid, ideal for solving a host of skin-related issues.

The protein in buttermilk will help nourish your puppy’s fur and replenish all essential nutrients, buttermilk will help fight dandruff and dryness. Buttermilk will Condition your puppy’s fur and skin deeply and strengthen their hair fibers. It also speeds up healing if there are wounds on the skin.

Aside butter milk this shampoo contains two other very beneficial ingredients which are corn oil and palm kernel oil. We shall be looking at their benefits below.

Benefits of corn oil

Corn oil has absorbing property that cleanses the skin from deep within, leaving your pup’s skin and fur clean.

Cornstarch is rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2, C, and minerals like zinc, calcium, and iron which are essential in stimulating the regeneration of healthy skin cells and maintain healthy functioning of the skin which is essential because some puppies might get some skin issues while getting used to shampoo.

Corn oil is rich in Omegas 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, contains vitamins E and K. It helps to lock in moisture in your puppy’s fur by preventing dryness, especially on the ends.

Corn oil is a natural emollient that will moisturize the skin and fur by keeping the hair follicles hydrated and well nourished. 

corn oil improves blood flow to hair follicles, the high presence of vitamin E not only blocks the free radicals from the environment, but it also helps improve blood circulation to the hair follicles and nourishes your pup’s strands.

The vitamin E helps to prevent cell damage and the vitamin K helps the absorption of calcium and that, aids in preventing hair loss which is good for your pup because golden retrievers tends to shed more than average.

Benefits of palm kernel oil

The nutrients of kernel oil can be very valuable to promote the appearance of healthy growing fur and it has high moisturizing properties. Palm kernel oil provides thorough and deep conditioning, helping to soften your pup’s fur and give it robust shine, while the nutrients of kernel oil promote healthy hair overall.

 Palm kernel oil is also beneficial for the to your pup’s fur, helping to soothe and moisturize the skin around the hair follicles.

So what are the nutrients in palm kernel oil for hair? There are  many—palm kernel oil consist of  palmitic acid, vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamin A, a powerful mix. Palm kernel oil is also loaded with antioxidants, which is one of the key ways that palm kernel oil in hair products improves hair growth.

These antioxidants reduce hair loss by maintaining the collagen that holds hair follicles together. It also promotes soft, bouncy hair and stimulates the growth of thicker, longer hair.

This shampoo also has minor ingredients which are beneficial to your pup like; aloe vera and citric acid whose benefits we stated above in this post.

Alternative to puppy shampoo for your golden retriever puppy

Pet wipes

If you feel like your pup may be too young for a shampoo you could wipe them with pet wipes when you feel they are dirty.

Pet wipes (or dog wipes, as they’re often called) are wet wipes design specifically to be used for pets, not for your human baby.

Dog or pet wipes are disposable cleaning cloths you can use to: Clean your pup after spending some time outside. Clean their paws so they don’t get your the house dirty.

Oftentimes, pet parents mistake baby wipes for pet wipes. They are different though they are both wipes. The best pet wipes are wipes carefully manufactured for the safe usage on your dog

Can baby wipes be used on a puppy? Are clorox wipes safe for a puppy? You might wonder if other cleaning wipes can work on your pets as well.

However, the answer is no. Your pup’s skin is sensitive and requires special formulas that are made specifically for them, with pet-safe fragrances and ingredients. Pet wipes for your pup should be made without:

• Harsh chemicals
• Alcohols
• Parabens
• Sulfates

You want to ensure that the wipes you use on your pup do not contain irritant compounds that may disrupt their skin’s pH levels and cause skin issues.

We have done our research and have found a pet wipe which would be safe for your pups.

Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Grooming Wipes

This pet wipe is hypoallergenic, this is good for puppies because they are still getting use to grooming products and this would reduce or prevent allergies, fragrance free: no fragrance that would make the puppies uncomfortable, puppies skin are sensitive so this is very good for them to avoid skin irritation that they may have after using other wipes.

This shampoo contains aloe vera whose benefits have been stated above in this post, it also contains vitamin E and hawaiian awapuhi extract. We shall quickly look at their benefits below

• vitamin E: Vitamin E supports the skin and gives their fur  a strong base to grow from by reducing oxidative stress and preserving the protective lipid layer.

• Hawaiian awapuhi Extract: Awapuhi can make fur soft and shiny and help repair dry or damaged fur by adding intense hydration. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help repair their fur. They may nourish their skin and help with dandruff. Awapuhi extract can also help balance the moisture in their fur, making it appear good.

Back to the pet wipe

This wipe is an all-Natural Pet Care Wipe that removes dander, drool, discharge, and cling-ons from your pup

• This product contains no soap, gluten, DEA, parabens, synthetic dyes, sulfates, or phthalates
•  works well for removing light soil from my dog’s paws
• They clean  well and don’t  have an over bearing scent 

At time of making this post, this wipes cost $23.35

In conclusion, golden retriever puppies have sensitive skin, water repellent coat which as I explained is as a result of how their oil glands function.

Therefore whatever  you use to clean them should be

• Mild
• It should be able to remove a reasonable amount of oil from the fur bcos of their water repellent fur but it shouldn’t be totally stripping
• It should be free from paraben
• It should be free from DEA
• It should be free from artificial thickners

 Hope you were able to select a shampoo for your golden retriever puppy. Here at healthyandcheerfuldog.com we help to ensure your puppy grows into a healthy and cheerful dog, feel free to look around.

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