Pet owners increasingly want the same clean ingredient standards for their animals as they demand for themselves and their children — and for good reason. Dogs groom themselves regularly, and what goes on their skin and coat can enter their system. The search for non-toxic pet shampoo EWG Skin Deep rates highly is growing, and in August 2025 it reached a landmark: the first-ever pet grooming brand to earn the EWG VERIFIED® mark launched its products publicly.
This guide covers the pet shampoos and grooming products that earn top marks on EWG's rating system — starting with the only EWG VERIFIED® pet line, followed by other brands worth checking in EWG's Skin Deep database.
Want to understand what EWG VERIFIED® means versus a Skin Deep score? See: EWG VERIFIED® vs. Conventional: What the Score Means
Why Non-Toxic Pet Shampoo Matters
The pet care industry is largely unregulated on ingredient safety — and grooming products don't carry the same labeling requirements as human personal care products. Many conventional dog shampoos contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives like methylisothiazolinone (MI), and surfactants with moderate hazard profiles in EWG's framework. Some formulas use parabens, artificial colorants, and DMDM hydantoin — a formaldehyde-releasing preservative EWG flags as a concern in human products.
Dogs have skin that absorbs topically applied compounds, and they lick their coats — meaning what's applied externally can enter the body via grooming. EWG's Skin Deep database includes a pet care category where some grooming products are listed and rated on the same 1–10 hazard framework used for human products:
- 1–2: Low hazard
- 3–6: Moderate hazard
- 7–10: High hazard
The EWG VERIFIED® mark represents the highest standard available — products that meet EWG's strictest criteria for ingredient transparency, full formula disclosure, and exclusion of every ingredient on EWG's "Unacceptable" list. As of 2026, only one pet grooming brand holds this mark.
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Our Top Picks: Non-Toxic Pet Shampoo EWG Rates Highly
1. Lil Luv Dog Dry Shampoo Cactus — EWG VERIFIED®
Lil Luv Dog made history in August 2025 as the first pet grooming brand to earn the EWG VERIFIED® mark. Their Dry Shampoo Cactus is formulated for between-bath freshening — using cactus water and plant-derived ingredients to clean and deodorize without synthetic fragrance, parabens, or any ingredient on EWG's "Unacceptable" list. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means EWG scientists reviewed the complete formula, not just publicly available ingredient data.
Best for: Between-bath freshening; dogs with sensitive skin; owners who want EWG's strictest standard
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED®
Format: Dry shampoo
Key ingredients: Cactus water, plant-derived cleansers; no synthetic fragrance
Lil Luv Dog Dry Shampoo Cactus — Buy on Amazon ↗
2. Lil Luv Dog Dry Shampoo Oat — EWG VERIFIED®
The second product in Lil Luv Dog's EWG VERIFIED® lineup, this oat-based dry shampoo is designed to soothe dry or irritated skin while deodorizing the coat. Colloidal oat has a well-established record in skincare for calming sensitive skin, and its use here makes this formula especially suitable for dogs prone to skin discomfort. Like the Cactus version, it meets EWG's standards for the EWG VERIFIED® mark and avoids synthetic fragrance, parabens, and every ingredient on EWG's flagged list.
Best for: Dogs with dry, itchy, or sensitive skin; coat deodorizing between full baths
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED®
Format: Dry shampoo
Key ingredients: Colloidal oat, plant-derived cleansers; no synthetic fragrance
Lil Luv Dog Dry Shampoo Oat — Buy on Amazon ↗
3. 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo (Lemongrass & Aloe)
4-Legger is one of the most respected brands in the clean pet care space, formulating USDA Certified Organic dog shampoos with no synthetic chemicals. Their Lemongrass & Aloe formula uses certified organic aloe vera, organic coconut oil, organic rosemary, and organic lemongrass — which provides the scent in place of synthetic fragrance. The brand discloses all ingredients openly and is a frequent reference in clean pet grooming communities. Check EWG Skin Deep for the current hazard score before purchasing.
Best for: General bathing for dogs of all sizes; owners who prioritize USDA organic certification
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Format: Liquid shampoo
4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo Lemongrass & Aloe — Buy on Amazon ↗
4. Burt's Bees for Dogs Natural Hypoallergenic Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey
Burt's Bees for Dogs is widely available and frequently referenced in discussions of cleaner pet grooming options. Their Natural Hypoallergenic Shampoo uses colloidal oat flour and honey as key active ingredients, and is formulated without synthetic fragrances, artificial colorants, or sulfates. It's pH-balanced for dogs and designed for sensitive skin and frequent bathing. EWG Skin Deep score should be verified for the current formulation before purchase.
Best for: Sensitive-skinned dogs, puppies, dogs bathed frequently
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Format: Liquid shampoo
Burt's Bees for Dogs Natural Hypoallergenic Shampoo — Buy on Amazon ↗
5. Molly Suds Dog Wash
Molly Suds is a certified B Corp brand committed to clean ingredients across its home and pet care lines. Their Dog Wash uses plant-derived surfactants and essential oils, and is formulated without parabens, synthetic fragrance, artificial colors, or chlorine. The brand is transparent about ingredient sourcing and holds itself to human-product-grade safety standards. Molly Suds is biodegradable and packaged sustainably.
Best for: Eco-conscious pet owners; dogs with standard grooming needs; owners who want concentrated, low-waste formulas
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Format: Liquid shampoo
Molly Suds Dog Wash — Buy on Amazon ↗
6. Organic Oscar Certified Organic Dog Shampoo
Organic Oscar specializes in USDA Certified Organic pet care using food-grade organic ingredients. Their dog shampoo is formulated without parabens, SLS/SLES sulfates, synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes, or mineral oil. Every ingredient is disclosed, and the USDA Organic certification covers the full formula — not just select ingredients. This is a strong option for pet owners who apply the same organic-certification logic to their pets' grooming as to their family's food.
Best for: Dogs with allergies or skin sensitivities; owners who want USDA organic certification
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Format: Liquid shampoo
Organic Oscar Certified Organic Dog Shampoo — Buy on Amazon ↗
7. Kin+Kind Organic Coat + Clean Dog Shampoo
Kin+Kind focuses exclusively on certified organic pet care and is one of the most cited brands in clean pet grooming discussions. Their Coat + Clean formula uses organic aloe vera, organic calendula, and organic coconut as core ingredients, with no synthetic fragrance, parabens, or SLS/SLES. The formula is designed to clean and condition simultaneously, making it a practical choice for dogs with longer or thicker coats that need additional softening.
Best for: Dogs needing coat conditioning alongside cleaning; dogs with longer coats
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Format: Liquid shampoo
Kin+Kind Organic Coat + Clean Dog Shampoo — Buy on Amazon ↗
8. Earth Rated Dog Shampoo (Natural Ingredients, Lavender Scented)
Earth Rated is a popular, widely available Canadian pet brand with strong retail distribution. Their natural dog shampoo uses plant-derived ingredients and is formulated without parabens or artificial colors. It's biodegradable and produced with recycled materials. The lavender-scented version uses lavender essential oil rather than synthetic fragrance — always verify the specific variant purchased, as scented and unscented versions may differ. EWG Skin Deep score should be confirmed before recommending to readers.
Best for: Pet owners wanting an accessible, affordable natural option available in most pet retailers
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Format: Liquid shampoo
Earth Rated Dog Shampoo Natural Ingredients — Buy on Amazon ↗
What Makes a Pet Shampoo EWG VERIFIED®?
The EWG VERIFIED® mark for pet products applies the same rigorous standards used for human personal care products. As of 2026, only Lil Luv Dog holds this mark in the pet grooming category.
To earn EWG VERIFIED® status, a pet grooming product must:
- Contain no ingredients on EWG's "Unacceptable" list — which includes common pet shampoo ingredients such as methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), DMDM hydantoin, synthetic musks, and parabens
- Fully disclose all ingredients, including any fragrance components — no hiding formulas behind the generic word "fragrance"
- Score in EWG's low-hazard range on Skin Deep for each individual ingredient in the formula
- Meet EWG's manufacturing and standards requirements, verified by EWG scientists reviewing the complete, submitted formula
The EWG VERIFIED® mark is not the same as an EWG Skin Deep score. A product can score 1 on Skin Deep (the lowest hazard rating) and still not be EWG VERIFIED® — the mark requires the brand to actively complete a separate verification partnership with EWG. When you see the green EWG VERIFIED® shield on a product, that process has been completed to EWG's satisfaction.
What to Look for When Choosing Pet Shampoo
Whether or not a specific product appears in EWG Skin Deep, these guidelines help you identify cleaner options at the ingredient level:
Ingredients to avoid in pet shampoos:
- Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) — preservatives EWG flags for skin sensitization and aquatic toxicity
- DMDM hydantoin — a formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in some pet shampoos
- Synthetic fragrance — listed as "fragrance" or "parfum" with no further component disclosure; can contain hundreds of undisclosed compounds
- Artificial colorants — FD&C or D&C dyes have no function beyond appearance and some carry EWG hazard flags
- Parabens — methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben; EWG associates these with endocrine disruption signals in its database
Signals that a pet shampoo may score well on EWG Skin Deep:
- Plant-derived surfactants (decyl glucoside, coco-glucoside, sodium cocoyl isethionate)
- Certified organic ingredient sourcing (USDA Organic or equivalent)
- Full ingredient transparency with no fragrance catch-all
- Third-party certifications such as USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny, or EWG VERIFIED®
Always verify a specific product's current EWG Skin Deep score at ewg.org/skindeep before purchase — formulas change, and scores reflect the version EWG has reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does EWG rate pet shampoos in its Skin Deep database?
Yes — EWG's Skin Deep database includes a pet care category where some grooming products have been rated using the same 1–10 hazard framework applied to human products. Not every pet shampoo on the market has been rated; coverage depends on whether brands submit their products or EWG researchers add them. To check a specific product, search directly at ewg.org/skindeep. A score of 1–2 indicates low hazard; 3–6 moderate; 7–10 high.
What's the difference between an EWG VERIFIED® pet product and one that just scores well on Skin Deep?
An EWG Skin Deep score is a hazard assessment based on publicly available data about a product's listed ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark is a separate, more rigorous certification program — brands work directly with EWG, provide their complete formula for review, and meet EWG's manufacturing and ingredient standards. A product can receive a Skin Deep score of 1 (the lowest hazard) without being EWG VERIFIED®; the mark requires an active partnership and verification process. As of 2026, Lil Luv Dog is the only pet grooming brand with the EWG VERIFIED® mark.
Are these pet shampoos safe for cats as well as dogs?
Cats metabolize certain compounds differently from dogs and are sensitive to ingredients that are safe for canines — particularly essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, and pennyroyal. Always verify that any shampoo is explicitly labeled safe for cats and check with a veterinarian before applying any new grooming product to a cat. This guide focuses primarily on dog shampoos; always read product-specific labeling for species compatibility.
If you’re also cleaning up your home with pet-safe products, our non-toxic cleaning products guide covers EWG’s top-rated household brands. The same fragrance-free, gentle formulation standards that apply to baby wash also guide our pet shampoo picks — see our safest baby wash guide for a parallel look at EWG’s standards.
