Best Shampoo for Jack Russell Terriers: Top 5 Picks and What to Consider

By John Martin - February 15, 2022

Jack Russell after getting a bath

Jack Russells need a good bath, especially since they always seem to be getting dirty. For this, you should have a suitable and good shampoo handy that can clean up your dog’s coat well while also being comfortable for their skin.

You can go through a bunch of options below while also learning about some factors to account for before making your buying decision.

Quick Comparison of the Top 5 Picks

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Image Product

John Paul Sensitive Skin Oatmeal Shampoo

  • Best for Sensitive Skin
  • Natural Ingredients to Clean, Soothe, Hydrate Skin
  • Fresh and Pleasing Scent of Almond Oil
  • Cruelty-Free Manufacturing

Buddy Wash Original Dog Shampoo

  • Best 2-in-1 Shampoo
  • Lathers Easily Without Presence of Soap
  • Doesn't Contain Alcohol or Other Harmful Chemicals
  • Shampoo and Conditioner in 1

Zesty Paws Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo

  • Best to Prevent/Soothe Itching
  • Includes Aloe Vera, Oatmeal, & Vitamin E
  • Works Well for Various Coat Types
  • Vanilla-Bean Scent

Burt's Bees Oatmeal Shampoo

  • Best Affordable Shampoo
  • Includes Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey
  • Good pH Balance to Reduce Dryness
  • Small Amount Goes a Long Way

Burt's Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo

  • Best Shampoo for Jack Russell Puppies
  • Includes Buttermilk to Nourish & Soften Skin
  • pH Balanced to Prevent Itchiness, Redness & Dryness
  • No Harsh Chemicals & Artificial Ingredients
Product

John Paul Sensitive Skin Oatmeal Shampoo

  • Best for Sensitive Skin
  • Natural Ingredients to Clean, Soothe, Hydrate Skin
  • Fresh and Pleasing Scent of Almond Oil
  • Cruelty-Free Manufacturing

Buddy Wash Original Dog Shampoo

  • Best 2-in-1 Shampoo
  • Lathers Easily Without Presence of Soap
  • Doesn't Contain Alcohol or Other Harmful Chemicals
  • Shampoo and Conditioner in 1

Zesty Paws Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo

  • Best to Prevent/Soothe Itching
  • Includes Aloe Vera, Oatmeal, & Vitamin E
  • Works Well for Various Coat Types
  • Vanilla-Bean Scent

Burt's Bees Oatmeal Shampoo

  • Best Affordable Shampoo
  • Includes Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey
  • Good pH Balance to Reduce Dryness
  • Small Amount Goes a Long Way

Burt's Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo

  • Best Shampoo for Jack Russell Puppies
  • Includes Buttermilk to Nourish & Soften Skin
  • pH Balanced to Prevent Itchiness, Redness & Dryness
  • No Harsh Chemicals & Artificial Ingredients

Jack Russell Shampoo Picks and Reviews

You can go through some of our shampoo picks and reviews so that you can make a good choice for your Jack Russell Terrier.

John Paul Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

John Paul Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Shampoo

The John Paul Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Dog Shampoo comes in a large one-gallon bottle, although you can also opt for a smaller bottle containing 16 ounces.

This shampoo can clean your Jack Russell’s skin and coat while also providing them with some hydration. Further, with healthy ingredients such as oatmeal, aloe, almond oil and chamomile, this shampoo can nourish the coat well.

This shampoo can offer a nice fragrance to your dog’s fur. It is made in a cruelty-free manner.

Make sure you read through all the instructions on the label thoroughly to ensure that it suits your dog.

What Other Dog Parents Think

One of the customers of this shampoo said that it worked quite well for deodorizing their dog and cleansing the skin while leaving the coat smooth and shiny.

Another user said that their dog tends to get mosquito bite allergies quite often, especially during the summer. With this shampoo, the itchiness significantly decreased for their dog.

A third user said that the shampoo was great for dry skin and greatly helped their dog.

Pawesome Things About This Product

  • Comes with natural ingredients to clean, soothe and hydrate the skin
  • Cruelty-free manufacturing
  • Fresh and pleasing scent of almond oil
  • Good for sensitive skin

Not-So-Pawesome Things About This Product

  • It might not be suitable if you are looking for a stronger scent.

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo + Conditioner

Buddy Wash Original Lavender and Mint Dog Shampoo

This shampoo by Buddy Wash comes in a 16-ounce bottle, although you can opt for other options such as a whole gallon or two 16-ounce bottles.

Having a mint and lavender scent alongside other healthy ingredients such as wheat protein, aloe vera, sage, rosemary, green tea, coconut and chamomile can provide a nourishing and relaxing experience for your dog.

This shampoo and conditioner does not contain any alcohol, ensuring suitability for your dog’s coat and skin. It can also clean the coat thoroughly through its quick foaming ability.

This product can result in a soft, clean, scented and glossy coat.

What Other Dog Parents Think

One of the users of this product said that their dog tends to have coarse and straw-like hair that knots up quickly. With this product, they were able to soften up the coat while also having their dog smell fresh.

Another user praised the fact that the shampoo lathers up well, requiring you to use only a small amount each time. They also said that it left their dog’s coat shiny and smooth.

A third buyer was concerned about the cleaning and lathering effectiveness but said that it managed to do so despite the natural ingredients.

Pawesome Things About This Product

  • The ingredients are natural and help nourish your dog’s skin
  • Does not contain any alcohol or other harmful chemicals
  • Can deodorize your dog while leaving a soft and pleasant scent
  • Lathers easily without the presence of soap

Not-So-Pawesome Things About This Product

  • The residue can sometimes remain behind on the skin.

Zesty Paws Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E

Zesty Paws Itch-Soother Dog Shampoo

The Zesty Paws Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo is a cost-effective shampoo that can help you cleanse, moisturize and nourish your Jack Russell’s coat, leaving it soft, shiny and healthy.

It comes with natural ingredients that include aloe vera, vitamin E and oatmeal to provide a nourishing experience. Since vitamin E can act as an antioxidant, it can be even healthier for your dog’s coat.

It can keep the skin healthy while also preventing and soothing itching. It can also leave your dog with the soft scent of vanilla bean extract.

Make sure you read through the label to ensure that it does not contain any allergens that might affect your dog.

What Other Dog Parents Think

One user of this shampoo said that they used this product on their dog to achieve a soft, shiny and smooth skin and coat with a fresh scent, following which they replaced their previous shampoo with this one.

Appreciating the itch-soothing feature of this shampoo, another user said that it managed to soothe the itchiness that their dog frequently experiences.

Another buyer said that their dog had a rash that reduced in size and itchiness after using this shampoo while also leaving the coat soft.

Pawesome Things About This Product

  • Natural ingredients such as aloe vera, oatmeal and vitamin E
  • Itch-soothing result to comfort and calm your dog
  • Vanilla-bean scent
  • Can work well for various coats

Not-So-Pawesome Things About This Product

  • There have been several complaints about an unpleasant overall smell.

Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey

Burt's Bees Oatmeal Shampoo

Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo is an affordable option that you can consider buying and using for your dog. It can help provide your dog with a healthy, soft and nourished coat and skin.

This shampoo comes in a bottle of 16 ounces but also has an option of 32 ounces.

Made with all-natural ingredients including colloidal oat flour, honey and green tea, this shampoo can help reduce itchiness while also moisturizing your dog’s skin.

It does not contain many artificial ingredients or harsh chemicals, making it suitable for your dog. It also comes with a good pH balance.

What Other Dog Parents Think

One user of this shampoo said that this product greatly helped reduce itchiness and redness on their dog’s skin, making them switch to this product permanently.

Another buyer further said that the shampoo lathered pretty well, requiring only a small amount during each use. It also had a subtle smell which they preferred since it was comfortable for their dog.

Saying that the shampoo came at a great affordable price while still containing a good quantity, a user appreciated the effectiveness of this shampoo in cleansing their dog’s skin and reducing itchiness.

Pawesome Things About This Product

  • Includes natural and healthy ingredients like colloidal oat flour and honey
  • Made in a cruelty-free manner without harsh chemicals
  • Has a good pH balance to reduce itchiness and dryness

Not-So-Pawesome Things About This Product

  • There are certain complaints about the shampoo not lathering properly and containing more water.

Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo with Buttermilk

Burt's Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo

Burt’s Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo comes in a 16-ounce bottle and contains buttermilk along with other natural ingredients to provide a safe, cleansing and healthy experience for your Jack Russell.

It can also lead to a good amount of growth of your dog’s coat through its hydrating properties. In the absence of artificial ingredients and harsh chemicals, this shampoo can be a good consideration.

It also has an essential pH balance to prevent redness. It is tearless and is unlikely to bother your dog’s eyes.

Do note, however, that you cannot and should not use this shampoo if you want to deal with fleas and ticks.

What Other Dog Parents Think

According to one dog parent, this shampoo works perfectly for their mixed-breed dog who has a short coat by cleaning the skin and making the coat soft, smooth and shiny.

Another user said that this shampoo worked quite well for their dog in the sense that the dog enjoyed it thoroughly and had a relaxing experience without any kind of sneezing.

Yet another buyer said that the shampoo was extremely cost effective considering that the shampoo was tearless. They added that they could easily use this shampoo on their dog’s head.

Pawesome Things About This Product

  • 97% natural ingredients such as buttermilk to nourish and soften the skin
  • pH balanced nature to prevent itchiness, redness and dryness
  • No harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients
  • Cruelty-free manufacturing

Not-So-Pawesome Things About This Product

  • This shampoo might not always lather easily, making it watery.
  • It is not always tearless and might irritate your dog’s eyes a bit.

Types of Shampoo for Jack Russell Terriers

There are different kinds of shampoo that you can use for your Jack Russell depending on your requirements. These include the following.

  • Standard shampoos are those that can clean up your dog’s coat well while also making them smell better. It can usually work for short to medium coats.
  • Hypoallergenic shampoos are those that can provide comfort to your dog’s coat if they have allergies or sensitive skin. These make use of natural substances.
  • Insecticidal shampoos can help you get rid of fleas and ticks from your dog’s coat and skin to soothe the irritation. These are a bit strong and must be used with caution.
  • Waterless shampoos are those that you can use in the absence of water at any given time, particularly to clean a particular part of your dog’s coat.
  • Medicated shampoos are for the purpose of dealing with specific skin issues and conditions. You should only use these if prescribed by your vet.

Also Read: 5 of the Best Brushes for Jack Russell Terriers

Things to Consider

There are several things that you should keep in mind when it comes to choosing the best possible shampoo for your Jack Russell. You can go through these below to get a better idea for your next purchase.

Quality

The quality of the shampoo is quite important for you to consider to ensure that your Jack Russell is as comfortable as possible during the process of shampooing.

Make sure the shampoo does not irritate your dog’s coat and skin as this could point towards poor quality. Go through the instructions and label of the shampoo so that you can ensure that it will work well for your dog.

You should also account for the type of shampoo that you want so that you can meet your dog’s requirements well. For instance, if your dog is allergic, then make sure that the shampoo is hypoallergenic.

Reliability

The shampoo that you end up buying for your Jack Russell should also be reliable enough so that you can trust the product in having the desired effect on your dog.

Make sure that you only buy the shampoo from a reputed and well reviewed brand to prevent any issue later on. It is also essential for your shampoo to have the necessary registrations and certifications so that you know that it is safe.

You can look at the label of the shampoo for this to look for FDA (Food and Drug Association) or other relevant approval stamps.

Ingredients

Make it a point to read through all the ingredients that went into manufacturing the shampoo that you are considering for your Jack Russell. These should be suitable for their skin and coat so that they can promote growth, reduce shedding and provide nourishment.

Some ingredients that can do your dog good include aloe vera, oatmeal, healthy fats, coconut oil, almond oil and more. Essentially, natural ingredients are preferable.

Make sure that the shampoo does not contain soap, alcohol, parabens and other chemical substances. These could end up irritating the skin of your dog, making them uncomfortable.

Coat

The coat of your dog is a significant factor to take into account while buying shampoo for them. Make sure that the shampoo does not have any conditioner as this could damage the coat, whether the coat texture is soft or broken.

The shampoo should also be suitable for various lengths of coats, whether short, medium or large.

Cost

Cost, of course, is an important consideration here. Look for products that fall within your budget so that you do not end up buying extremely expensive products.

You should, however, make it a point to keep the quality high without compromising on it simply for a lower price.