6 Best Dog Shampoos And Conditioners For Boston Terriers in 2024

Researched & Written by

Sean Green

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At Pawster, we are committed to presenting the most accurate and up-to-date information to assist you in your pet care journey. When appropriate, we consult licensed and practicing veterinarians to fact-check our professionally written articles.

Known as the “American Gentleman” the huge adorable eyes and the stunning patchy coat of the Boston Terrier has taken the world by storm and it is one of the most desirable dogs in the world today. They’re a low maintenance breed that doesn’t need much care and attention, but if you want to keep their coat looking great, then you’re going to need to invest in the best Boston Terrier shampoo on the market.

With that in mind, today we are going to be talking about the grooming and bathing needs of the Boston Terrier (in a huge amount of detail). We’ll share hints and tips with you to make your life easier, and we’ll answer some commonly asked bathing questions about Boston Terriers that our readers have sent in to us in the past.

The most useful part of this article is going to be our Boston Terrier shampoo review section. Here we will share with you the results of hours of research into the best products on the market that are well suited to the needs of the breed, and we’ll provide you with several product recommendations that represent the best Boston Terrier shampoos on the market in 2024.

Let’s get started.

Popular Types Of Boston Terrier Shampoos

Before we can talk about specific product recommendations, it’s a good idea for us to go over the specific needs of the breed that can be solved with an appropriate shampoo.

Sensitive Skin Shampoos

Our little Boston Terriers don’t really suffer from many genetic issues, they’re a reasonably healthy breed in comparison to some other kinds of dog. However, one issue that repeatedly rears its head is the Boston Terrier’s susceptibility to certain skin conditions. These issues can range from mild rashes and irritations, through to broken skin that can easily get infected with the mucky lifestyle of a dog.

These skin issues aren’t specific to the Boston Terrier, and there are a huge range of products on the market that cater to breeds with special skin care needs.

There are two main kinds of skin care shampoo on the market – natural and chemical.

We prefer natural based shampoos because they’re generally less invasive and irritative than chemical based products and they can be used more regularly. Look for all natural shampoos that contain things like aloe vera and green tea extract in the formula for best results.

Chemical based shampoos should be used as a last resort (in our opinion). There’s no question that they are more powerful and effective – but this does mean that they oftentimes need to be used less frequently.

Shampoo manufacturers know that many breeds suffer from skin issues, and they know that claiming to solve your dog’s issues is going to help them sell more bottles of product. However, less reputable brands will put a minuscule amount of skin care compounds in their formula (to save on costs) that still allows them to claim they will help your dog’s skin. Always check you’re buying from a reputable brand, and if possible, check the amount of active ingredients in the formula.

Soothing Shampoos

Like most breeds on the planet, the Boston Terrier hates bathing. They’re not a normally nervous dog, but the second they hear the bathwater running their stress levels increase.

There’s not much you can do to remove this issue entirely, however, there are shampoos on the market that claim to help with the situation. These soothing shampoos are infused with various different scents and smells that try and work on aromatherapy principles to calm your pooch down when they are in the tub.

However, while we personally think we can tell the difference that a good scented soothing shampoo makes to your dog’s bathing experience – there’s no scientific evidence for this. There are plenty of anecdotal reviews out there that claim soothing shampoos work, but as far as we know, there has never been a proper controlled study on the subject.

Again, you need to be careful when you’re shopping around for scented soothing products. Look for infusions of lavender, mint, and chamomile – they’re the most popular and effective. The advice we gave above about using reputable brands and checking the ingredients list applies here too, make sure you know what’s inside the bottle you’re buying (and make sure you know who you’re buying it from too).

Tip: We’ve selected one of the best soothing shampoos on the market as our overall recommendation. If your pooch hates bathing, it’s a product you should seriously consider.

2 Tips On Maintaining The Perfect Boston Terrier Coat

There’s not much that needs to be done to keep the coat of the Boston Terrier in tip-top condition. However, here’s two little bits of advice you should take into account.

Don’t Forget The Grooming

The low shedding, short-haired coat of the Boston Terrier makes them one of the lowest maintenance breeds on the planet. However, this leads some owners of the breed to think that they don’t need to groom their pooch regularly – which is not the case.

Your pooch is still going to shed, and while it’s not going to create a blizzard of hair in your home like some other breeds – it’ll seriously reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do if you keep to a regular grooming schedule.

The other main reason you need to groom your pooch regularly is due to the essential oils your pooch creates. These oils that are secreted from the skin are the best substance in the world for the health and condition of your dog’s coat. However, they don’t usually cover the coat entirely, and without your help, they’ll only nourish the base of each hair. Grooming your pooch enables these oils to spread out and cover each and every hair from root to tip – which will leave your dog looking glossier and shiner for longer.

You don’t need to go crazy with the grooming to get these benefits, grooming your pooch once a week is usually more than enough. Remember, your Boston Terrier is a small dog, and from start to finish the process will take you no more than 10 minutes at most.

Wet Wipes Around The Eyes

The huge adorable eyes of the Boston Terrier are one of the defining characteristics of the breed. However, they are the only part of your pooch that needs special attention. A build-up of yellow gunk and other stuff can start to appear around the eyes, and if they’re not regularly cleaned this can lead to infection.

When you groom your pooch, check that there’s no gunk around the eyes and if there is, remove it with a clean damp cloth. Ideally, you will be doing this on a daily basis, but providing you keep an eye on it (pun intended) you and your pooch should be in good hands with a weekly check.

Overall Best Shampoo For Boston Terriers

It’s now time for us to get to the part you’ve all been waiting for, our Boston Terrier shampoo review section. We’ve impartially looked at countless products to bring you the product recommendations below, and we’re not biased towards any brand in particular…

Our 2024 Picks: Best Shampoo for Boston Terriers
	Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner Soap-free shampoo and conditioner Made with pure botanical extracts Price: $0.43/oz	CHECK PRICE
	4-Legger’s Organic, Hypo-Allergenic, Lemongrass & Aloe Dog Shampoo Concentrated formula is easy to lather Cruelty-free, vegan and gluten-free Price:  $0.93/oz	CHECK PRICE
	Natures Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Puppy Shampoo Gentle, tearless, no dyes or perfumes formula Soap-free and is safe to use with spot-on flea products Price:  $0.31/oz	CHECK PRICE
	Paws & Pals Oatmeal, Shea Butter & Aloe Vera Shampoo Crafted with a delicate balance of essential oils Irritant-free shampoo detangles matted fur Price:  $0.56/oz	CHECK PRICE
	Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo With Colloidal Oat Flour Gentle cleanser featuring colloidal oat flour and honey Colloidal oat flour helps itchiness due to eczema Price:  $0.30/oz	CHECK PRICE
	Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Dog & Cat Shampoo Deposits long-lasting film resists rinsing Lipacid helps restore the skin barrier by moisturizing Price:  $1.53/oz	CHECK PRICE

These are our genuine recommendations.

Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

We’re going to talk about some runners up in a moment, however, we think that the best Boston Terrier shampoo on the market in 2024 is the Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo & Conditioner by Buddy Wash.

The amazing performance this product provides (at a reasonable price point) is exactly the kind of thing you’d expect from a brand like Buddy Wash. They’re well known and respected in the industry, and they’re loved by dogs and their owners too.

This is one of the best products that they create, and like all their other shampoos it’s a natural product that’s free from soap and alcohol (which can irritate the delicate skin of your Boston Terrier). The cleaning and cleansing power this product provides comes from a variety of natural compounds (primarily coconut extracts) and it’ll leave your pooch spotlessly clean and smelling better than ever.

There’s an awesome conditioner in this product that’s one of the best in the world in this price bracket. Again, it’s all natural and uses things like sage, rosemary, chamomile, and other natural essential oils to nourish your dog’s hair. Every single strand will be coated by the thick luxurious lather this product creates, and your pooch will have a natural looking glossy shine for weeks after the bathing session is over.

There’s a nice amount of aloe vera and green tea extract in the formula which will go above and beyond your expectations in the skincare department. It will promote happy and healthy skin by providing it with the nutrition it desperately needs, and it’ll help speed up the recovery of any skin issues that are currently causing your pooch discomfort.

The scented infusions in this product are the icing on the proverbial cake for us. The shampoo uses lavender and mint to create relaxing scents that are designed to calm your pooch down via aromatherapy in the same way that we discussed at the start of this article.

Again, we want to point out that these scented infusions shouldn’t be overestimated. They’re nice, and they’ll probably make a difference, but set your expectations correctly here – they’re not magic.

All this cleaning, conditioning, and soothing power looks like it’d command a hefty price tag – but it doesn’t. This stuff is one of the biggest bargains in the business at around $7 for a 16oz bottle.

It’s a great product from a reputable brand at a great price point…

And it should be at the very top of your shortlist.

4-Legger’s Organic, Hypo-Allergenic, Lemongrass & Aloe Dog Shampoo

Runner Up: This product in our opinion is actually better than the product we chose as our overall recommendation above if it was a tiny bit cheaper – it’d have been the winner here today. 4-Legger’s Organic, Hypo-Allergenic, Lemongrass & Aloe Dog Shampoo is one of the best natural products on the market right now, and if you’ve got the budget for it – you should give it some serious consideration.

It uses lemongrass as its main active ingredient, which is arguably the best natural sanitizing compound used in dog shampoos in terms of sanitization. It’s one of the most effective antimicrobial and antifungal compounds mother nature has provided us with, and it’ll destroy any bacteria that are currently calling your dog home (and making them stink).

The conditioner in this product is equally as effective as the shampoo. It’s made from a blend of natural compounds and essential oils that have been expertly picked to work in perfect harmony with one another. This stuff will give your pooch a glossy shine that rivals dedicated leave in conditioners – the difference it makes is remarkable. As you’d expect there’s a nice amount of aloe vera in the formula that will protect and nourish your dog’s skin in the same way as the product above (or perhaps even slightly better).

There are no scented infusions in this product, which is a little bit of a shame, however, we can’t get enough of the natural scent of lemongrass that it leaves behind. Your dog is going to smell better than ever if you bathe them using this stuff.

As we mentioned earlier, the only issue with this shampoo is the price. It’s around $15 for a 16oz bottle, which is a little on the pricy side. However, it’s important to remember that this is a super concentrated formula, and a little product will go a very long way.

Despite that, there’s no getting around the price tag of this product. If you can afford it, it’s worth the additional investment – despite it being more expensive it’s still excellent value for money.

Natures Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner

Best Boston Terrier Puppy Shampoo: For puppy Boston Terriers we recommend you check out the Supreme Odor Control Natural Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner by Nature’s Miracle. It’s a product that does everything you could want from a good puppy shampoo. It’s gentle enough to not cause irritation or dryness, and it’s completely tearless – so there’s going to be no pain when it inevitably gets in your pup’s eyes.

While it’s not as powerful in the cleaning and conditioning department as adult products (because it’s so gentle) it’s still more than capable of keeping up with the mucky lifestyle of a puppy Boston Terrier. It’ll deodorize, sanitize, and condition your pooch surprisingly well, and considering the price point it’s sold at ($5 for a 16oz bottle) it’s great value for money.

3 More Top Rated Dog Shampoos For Boston Terriers

In this final part of the article, we’re going to talk quickly about 3 shampoos we came across that didn’t quite make it to the top spots above – but are still worthy of a quick shout out.

Paws & Pals Oatmeal, Shea Butter & Aloe Vera Shampoo

This is an allrounder product that is honestly our third-place pick. It provides similar levels of performance as the Buddy Wash product, and it’s sold at a great price point. It uses oatmeal for its cleaning power (which is almost as good as lemongrass) and if your pooch starts to stink a little quicker than you’d like – this is a product you should be looking at.

We love the fact that you can buy this product in bulk, it’s around $30 for a 1-gallon jug – which when you do the math makes it one of the most affordable products on the market.

However, you should try the “small” 20oz bottle first to check that you and your pooch like it.

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

This is the cheapest product on the market that we’re comfortable recommending. Typically, when you get down to this part of the pricing spectrum it can be difficult to find products that actually deliver acceptable performance – but this is one of the rare exceptions. Considering it’s only going to cost you $5 for a 16oz bottle – it’s brilliant value for money.

The combination of oatmeal and oat flour provide exceptional cleaning and deodorizing power, and it’s been included in the formula in very generous quantities. We love the conditioning performance this stuff provides too – the honey works with other compounds to soothe your dog’s skin, and nourish each and every hair leaving them with a lovely shine.

Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Dog & Cat Shampoo

This shampoo is one of the strongest non-prescription shampoos on the market for dogs that suffer from serious skin issues. If your normal shampoo isn’t helping to clear up redness, irritation, or dryness then give this stuff a shot. It’s a chemical product that has the best chance of resolving the issues your dog is suffering from. If your pooch doesn’t start to get better after using this product, then there’s a good chance a professional medical opinion is required.

Get in contact with your vet ASAP.

7 Tips On Bathing Your Boston Terrier

So now we know a little bit about the grooming requirements of the breed, and we know about some of the best shampoos for Boston Terriers on the market. In this section we’re going to share a few grooming tips that will make bathing better for your pooch, and easier for you.

Groom Them Before Bathing

Give your pooch a good grooming session before you get them in the tub. This removes most of the dead loose hair, and it’ll keep your pooch smelling fresher for longer. You don’t need to give them a full grooming session here, just give them a good once over with a bristle brush to get the worst of it out.

Note: Remember to give them a quick brushing after bathing too. Grooming your pooch before putting them in the tub doesn’t excuse you from having to do it again once they’re dry.

Bathe Them In The Sink

The huge space of a bathtub is much bigger than the small stature of the tiny Boston Terrier. Your dog knows that they are trapped inside the tub when you put them in there, and while they know you’re probably going to take them out – it’s a claustrophobic and stressful experience for them.

Due to this, we strongly recommend you bathe your Boston Terrier in the sink – which is much more suited to their size. This removes all of the anxiety and stress being in a huge tub creates for your pooch, and it’s easier for you too (because you don’t have to bend over and kneel down).

However, you might not be able to do this when your pooch is fully grown. The breed is arguably too big to bathe in some sinks, and if you have the slightest doubt about the size of your sink – you should bathe them in the tub instead. Putting a pooch in a sink that’s too small is almost certain to cause an accident, and while your pooch might get stressed in the tub – it’s better than them being injured.

Put A Towel Down In The Bottom Of The Sink

The other main cause of stress for your pooch when they’re being bathed is maintaining balance. The smooth ceramic surface of your sink combined with super soapy water makes it very hard for them to stand on. Your dog’s paws are perfectly suited to running and playing outdoors, but they’re terrible for standing on the unnatural surface of a sink. Due to this, it requires a huge amount of concentration for them to maintain balance, and while it’s not impossible for them – it creates stress.

To remove all this anxiety and discomfort, all you’ve got to do is put a towel down in the bottom of the sink. The towel provides a huge amount of grip compared to the surface of your sink, and the issue disappears instantly.

Steel Wool In The Plug Hole

Despite the small nature of the Boston Terrier’s hair, it can still cause a huge amount of hassle when it enters your plumbing system. These little hairs can get caught and tangled on anything that they come into contact with, and over time they can easily cause stinky annoying blockages that need to be sorted out.

The best way to deal with this issue is to prevent it from happening in the first place by catching the hairs before they make it down into your pipes. You don’t need any fancy expensive equipment for this – you just need a little bit of common household steel wool.

Put the wool in the plug hole before you start bathing and you’ll catch most the hair before it enters your pipes. You’ll be shocked by how much hair these little critters can shed in a single bathing session, and once you start using steel wool to protect your plumbing – you’re never going to stop.

Get Everything Ready Ahead Of Time

When you’re bathing a dog in the sink it’s super important to ensure that you have everything you need within arm’s reach before you call your pooch over and start the bathing session. As we’ve mentioned several times already, Boston Terriers don’t really like being bathed, and if they are left alone during a bathing session, they’re probably going to try and escape.

This isn’t a huge problem if they are in a bathtub, because they probably can’t get out on their own, however, when they are being bathed in a sink – it’s a recipe for disaster. If your pooch falls out of your sink onto the floor then broken bones and painful muscle injuries are highly likely.

Remove all this potential danger by double checking you’ve got everything you need before you begin bathing. If you do forget something, then take your pooch out the sink when you go into another room – a wet home is better than an injured dog.

Run The Water Before Calling Them In

Waiting for something unpleasant to happen can often times be worse than the actual event itself. When you’re bathing your pooch remember to run the water before you call them over.

Making them sit there listening to the running water and smelling the shampoo will enable them to remember the “horrors” of previous bathing sessions – and they’ll know what’s coming next. There’s no need to put them through this, check you have everything you need, run the water, and then finally call them in. When they come over to you, pick them up immediately and get on with the job.

Rinse Them Properly After Bathing

The sensitive skin of the Boston Terrier needs to be looked after by choosing the correct shampoo, however, you also need to ensure you remove every last drop of it by the time the bathing session is over. Even the gentlest products on the market are designed to be completely removed after application, leaving any product on your pooch at all is going to cause issues. The compounds in the formula will dry and irritate your dog’s skin, and they’ll cause redness and discomfort that can easily be avoided.

You need to use a methodical approach when rinsing your pooch to stop this situation from rearing its head. Work your pooch from their head and go from top to bottom until you reach the tail (brushing downwards with your hand the whole way along). When this first rinse is done, go over them again in exactly the same way a second time (just do it a little faster) to ensure everything has been removed.

FAQ Regarding Bathing a Boston Terrier

In this final section of the article, we’re going to talk a little bit about 2 questions that we are regularly asked about by our readers regarding the breed.

How Often Do I Need To Bathe A Boston Terrier?

Boston Terriers are very clean dogs that don’t need bathing all that often. On average most people bathe their pooch once every 2 to 3 months. However, all dogs are different, and if your pooch has a more active (dirty) lifestyle they may need bathing more regularly than this. Never bathe your pooch more than once a week (at most) because this will strip them of the oils that they naturally create to maintain their skin and coat.

How Do I Know If My Boston Terrier Is Too Big To Be Bathed In My Sink?

To be honest, if you have to ask this question then your dog is too big for the sink and needs to bathe in the tub. If there’s any doubt in your mind whatsoever, you shouldn’t be bathing your pooch in the sink.

Conclusion

So there you have it, that’s all there is to know about the recommended bathing and grooming practices of the Boston Terrier. The American gentleman is one of the easiest small dogs to look after when it comes to cleaning and grooming, but hopefully, the tips we’ve shared today will make an already easy job that little bit easier.

The products we’ve recommended above are all winners to have been mentioned in this article today. We’re confident you’re going to appreciate the value for money and performance that they provide.

We’d happily use them on any of our own dogs (which is something that we don’t say lightly), and they’re more than worthy of your consideration.