Short answer: dry shampoo removes light dirt and unpleasant smells without water: you apply a foam or spray to a dry coat, then brush the coat through or wipe it off, with no rinsing. It is handy between baths, after walks, when travelling and for dogs that cannot stand water. If mud has soaked through to the skin, or there is faeces or a strong smell, a proper bath is needed, and after surgery use it only once your vet has given permission.
Foam or spray
“Dry shampoo” usually means one of two forms:
- No-rinse foam – the most common form. It is applied to a dry coat, lifts dirt and odour, and is brushed out or wiped off with a towel. It suits the whole body as well as specific areas – paws, tummy, muzzle.
- Spray – Bugalugs Baby Fresh Dry Shampoo is an aerosol spray with rice starch. Shake the can, spray from about 30 cm onto the dry coat and brush through; the starch absorbs excess grease and adds volume. It suits coats that get greasy quickly and the winter months, when baths are less frequent. It is for dogs only, and the aerosol is highly flammable – keep it away from flames and sources of heat.
For a specific patch, such as mud on the tummy, foam is more practical; for a greasy, “heavy” coat, the spray.
Which foam for what
| No-rinse foam | When to choose it |
|---|---|
| Probiotic No-Rinse Shampoo | sensitive skin and odour; with prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, lavender and chamomile |
| Oatmeal | dry, itchy, sensitive skin; hypoallergenic, with colloidal oatmeal |
| No Rinse Medi Fresh | irritated skin; with tea tree, oatmeal and aloe vera |
| Baby Fresh | an all-round freshen-up with a baby powder scent |
| Lavender & Chamomile | a quick refresh for all coat types; dogs only |
| Papaya & Coconut 2-in-1 | cleans and conditions; handy for curly and tangle-prone coats |
| Flea & Tick Mousse | with neem, lavender, eucalyptus and citronella oils; before walks in grass and woodland |
| Blueberry Spa Facial Wash | face and beard – food residue, saliva and stains |
The probiotic foam belongs to the Pre, Post + Probiotic range, which is designed to support the natural balance of microorganisms on the skin (the microbiome). That balance can be upset by frequent bathing, muddy walks and changes in the weather. This is gentle everyday care, not a treatment: research on topical probiotics is still limited, but the first results are promising.
Flea & Tick Mousse cleans and adds a natural repellent layer, but it does not replace the parasite prevention your vet recommends. It is for dogs only – the essential oils in it are not suitable for cats. For skin folds in flat-faced breeds there is a separate No Rinse Wrinkle foam – more in our guide to skin-fold care.
Step by step
- Brush the coat to remove loose hair, sand and small knots.
- Shake the bottle and pump the foam into your palm or straight onto the area. For dogs that are wary of the sound or touch, put it on a towel or grooming glove first.
- Massage it in with your fingertips in the direction of hair growth so the foam reaches the skin. In a dense coat with undercoat, part the coat in layers and use more foam.
- Keep it away from the eyes, nose, mouth and inside the ears.
- Leave for about a minute, then wipe off with a clean dry towel or brush through with a brush or comb.
- Let the coat dry naturally – there is no need to rinse or use a dryer.
With the spray, instead of steps 2 and 3, shake the can, spray from about 30 cm and brush the coat through thoroughly.
When a proper bath is needed
Dry shampoo keeps your dog clean between baths but does not replace bathing. Bathe your dog with shampoo when:
- the coat is soaked with mud or sand right down to the skin;
- your dog has rolled in faeces or something strong-smelling;
- there is urine or faeces around the tail that a wipe will not clean;
- the smell comes back straight after a dry clean;
- your dog is moulting and the loose undercoat needs to be washed and dried out.
To see which shampoo suits a bath, read Bugalugs shampoos: which one for which coat. For a quick clean of specific areas, Bugalugs Fragrance Free Pet Wipes are also handy – alcohol-free, for paws, muzzle and rear end. For paws after walks in detail, see our paw-cleaning guide.
Puppies, senior dogs and after surgery
Puppies
Most Bugalugs no-rinse foams are suitable for puppies over 8 weeks; for Flea & Tick Mousse, check the age on the label. Dry shampoo is a convenient way for a puppy to get used to being touched and brushed before the time comes for its first proper bath.
Senior dogs
As dogs age, they become less flexible and find it harder to keep themselves clean, and some leak urine. Foam and wipes let you clean the tummy, rear end and paws without your dog standing wet in a slippery bath for long. Gentle formulas such as Oatmeal also suit more sensitive skin.
After surgery
Until the wound has healed, vets usually advise against bathing. Dry shampoo is handy during this period, but use it only with your vet's permission, away from the wound and stitches, and never on the wound itself. If your dog is wearing a recovery suit or a cone, see how to choose between a recovery suit and a cone.
Suitable products
The brand's no-rinse foams and dry shampoo spray are in the Bugalugs Shampoos and Conditioners collection, its fragrances in Bugalugs Fragrances and No-Rinse Care, and the wet wipes are in Wet wipes. If you use dry shampoo between regular baths, note the next proper bath in the care plan in your profile (My Pets). As a finishing touch after cleaning, you can add a dog perfume.
Read more: Bugalugs: which range for what and how often to bathe your dog.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a dry shampoo made for people?
It is not recommended. A dog's skin has a different pH from ours, and products for people are not made for a coat that the dog will lick. Choose a product made for dogs.
Do I need to dry my dog after the foam?
No. The foam dries naturally without leaving a sticky residue. Simply wipe off the excess with a towel and brush the coat.
Is it dangerous if my dog licks itself?
For Probiotic No-Rinse, the manufacturer states that licking the cleaned coat is not a risk, but advises wiping the product off with a towel after massaging it in. That is a good rule for all foams – wipe off the excess, especially from the paws, which dogs lick most often.
Is there a dry shampoo for cats?
Yes. For cats there are separate probiotic and Papaya & Coconut foams. Lavender & Chamomile, the dog Papaya & Coconut and Flea & Tick Mousse are for dogs only, and Medi Fresh contains tea tree oil, so for cats choose the cat foams instead. More in Bugalugs for cats.
