A good leave-in conditioner or spray is essential to the grooming routine to keep your dog’s coat healthy and looking its best. Leave-in conditioners help to add moisture and protect the coat from damage, making them ideal for dogs with dry or brittle fur.
If you’re looking for a way to restore shine to your dog’s coat, detangle matted fur, or soothe dry and itchy skin, a good leave-in conditioner may be just what you need.
When choosing a leave-in conditioner for your dog, selecting one compatible with your pet’s skin and coat type is important. For example, if your dog has sensitive skin, you’ll want to avoid products that contain harsh chemicals or fragrances. You’ll also want to ensure the leave-in conditioner you select is safe to use on dogs, as some products intended for human use can harm pets.
We’ve rounded up a few favorites to help you find the best leave-in conditioner for your dog. We’ve got you covered, from all-natural formulas to leave-in conditioners for pets designed for sensitive and irritated skin types.
Best Overall
- Pros
- Organic Ingredients
- Made in the USA
- Leaves your dog with a slicker and shiny coat
- Reduces brushing time
- Helps remove all tangles, knots, and mats
- Cons
- The bottle doesn't spray as well as some of the other ones
The We Love Doodles detangling spray is our top pick for the best leave-in conditioner for dogs. This product was just released in May 2023 and has over 400+ positive reviews with a 4.6 star rating on Amazon. It’s made in the United States with organic ingredients at an extremely affordable price. It comes in three different scents so you can choose the one that suits you most.
This detangler spray will help you remove all the tangles and knots from your dog’s coat as well as prevent tangles in the future. It significantly reduces the amount you have to brush your dog each week. You simply spray it on your dog and brush them out.
We like this detangling spray the most because it also neutralizes dog odor. The three scents are lavender, ocean breeze, and mango so it will leave your dog smelling fresh. The leave-in conditioner also makes your dog’s coat shin and look healthy.
Features
- Three scent options
- One of the most affordable options on our list
- Made in the USA
- The only solution that contains organic ingredients
- No harsh chemicals
- Pros
- The patented formula releases moisturizing emollients every 2 hours.
- Easy to rinse out
- Hydrating treatment
- It cuts down grooming time
- It keeps skin and coat silky smooth without feeling oily.
- Cons
- Some may not like the fragrance
This is our runner-up pick for the best leave-in conditioner for pets. This product has over 11,000 positive reviews on Amazon, and customers rave about how it works on all coat types. It’s also great for dry, itchy skin and can be used as a puppy conditioner.
Warren London’s hydrating butter is designed to release moisturizing emollients every 2 hours for total 24-hour hydration. This moisturizer works on all coats and has excellent results on dry, scaly skin types prone to dandruff.
This leave-in conditioner is aroma-therapeutic and will leave your pup smelling great! It’s also made in the USA. The takeaway with this leave-in conditioner for pets is that it contains special humectants that draw moisture into the skin for maximum hydration, and the added aloe vera soothes irritation. There are two scented options: pomegranate and acai or guava and mangos teen.
Features
- Affordable
- Leave-in conditioner
- Best for dandruff and dry skin
- Hydrating butter
- Non-oily
- Two scent options
- Suitable for all coat types
- Over 11,000 positive reviews
- Pros
- Very affordable
- pH balanced
- It helps for the easy removal of burrs, sand spurs, and tough tangles
- Suitable for all skin and coat types
- Coating each strand
- Reducing hair breakage by 40%
- It can be used on all coat types
- Safe to use daily
- High-performance product for pets and livestock
- Cons
- It may leave a bit of an oily residue behind
This leave-in conditioner from Absorbine is a coat polish and detangler designed specifically for horses, dogs, and other pets. It’s a strong favorite among equestrians and pet parents because it works so well and is reasonably priced. We’ve used this product on our horses for years and recommend it as one of our top picks because it’s such a high-performance and affordable product.
The formula contains vitamin E and aloe vera to help nourish the coat and promote healthy skin. It’s safe to use on all coat types, including those that are sensitive. The leave-in conditioner can be used daily and won’t leave any oily residue behind.
This is one of the best products for all types of coats on dogs and horses because it detangles and demats fast and allows for a show sheen to the coat. Absorbine Show Sheen protects each hair strand with a coat of polish that helps prevent damage and split ends while repelling dust and dirt.
It’s crafted with pro-vitamins and silk proteins to strengthen manes, tails, and dog coats. The takeaway with this product is that it keeps tangles and mats away and leaves the coat soft and shiny while protecting the coat from damage due to brushing. This product has over 1,700 positive reviews and is another very affordable must-have.
Features
- Crafted with silk proteins and pro-vitamins
- Highlights coat color
- Reduces brushing time
- pH balanced for pets
- Professional grade formula
- No need to rinse off
- Affordable for multi-pet equestrian homes
- Detangles and demats fast
- Allows for a show sheen to the coat
- Repels dust and dirt
- Prevents damage and split ends
- Leaves the coat soft and shiny
- Pros
- Moisturizes and replenishes
- An extensive array of dog grooming formulas to choose from
- Made in the U.S.
- It works well as a conditioning leave-in and spray
- Soothes, calms, and hydrates
- Suitable for sensitive skin and coats
- No parabens/ no chemicals
- Eco-friendly
- Editor's Choice Awards Winner
- Cons
- A few customers did not like the scent
- List ItemPump complaint
The John Paul pet detangling and conditioning concentrated spray is vegan and cruelty-free. It replenishes dull, dry, unruly hair while adding shine and moisture while imparting a gentle lavender scent. There are 13 conditioning agents, including oatmeal, chamomile, sweet almond oil, and panthenol, that penetrate strands to release tangles easily and painlessly.
As a bonus, it’s also made in the USA from all-natural botanical ingredients, so you can feel good about using it on your furry friend. And because it’s pH balanced for pets, you can rest assured that it won’t cause irritation or discomfort. This is another favorite because it soothes, calms, and hydrates.
The conditioning and detangling formula feature tea tree leaf and eucalyptus oils combined with lavender and mint extracts that soothe skin and replenish dry, unruly fur. The lavender helps to relax and soothe your furbaby.
As a John Paul vegan pet product, it’s made in the USA from all-natural botanical ingredients, and it’s also pH balanced for pets. You can use it between shampoos to keep your pet’s coat healthy and looking its best.
This is a Cruelty-Free International pet product meaning that you’ll be supporting an end to lab animal testing and to end animal experiments worldwide. This product has over 3,700 product reviews.
Features
- Best value for money vegan pet grooming product
- Concentrated formula- less goes a long way
- Cruelty-Free International pet product
- Excellent leave-in conditioning spray
- Crafted with tea tree leaf and eucalyptus oils combined with lavender and mint
- Gentle lavender scent
- Designed for use on all dogs and cats
- Over 3,700 positive reviews
- Pros
- Very affordable
- All-natural ingredients
- Locks in moisture
- It can be used as a leave-in conditioner or conditioning treatment
- Restores shine
- Without colorants, sulfates, and added fragrances.
- It uses only natural and gentle ingredients.
- It can be used on pups six weeks and older.
- Cons
- It may not work as well on very matted fur
The Burt’s Bees Detangling Spray is an excellent option if you’re looking for an affordable, all-natural leave-in conditioning spray that nourishes and hydrates skin and coats in all dog breeds.
This leave-in conditioner is made with 99.7% natural ingredients, including avocado and olive oil, to help moisturize the coat and skin. It’s safe for all dogs and puppies over six weeks and can be used daily. We like this product because it detangles matted hair while restoring its shine and nourishing the skin.
The super gentle Burt’s Bees leave-in conditioner will help to detangle matted fur and make brushing a breeze. It can also be used as a conditioning treatment by spraying it on the coat and then towel drying.
The Burt’s Bees Detangling Spray has over 1,200 positive reviews and is an excellent choice for pet parents looking for an all-natural, affordable leave-in conditioner. This product has over 7,400 positive reviews.
Features
- Made with 98.7% natural ingredients
- Leave in conditioning spray
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Reduces brushing time
- Crafted with avocado and olive oil
- pH balanced for all dogs
- Includes avocado and olive oil to help moisturize the coat and skin
- Safe to use on all dogs and puppies over the age of 6 weeks
- It can be used daily
- Over 7,400 positive reviews
- Pros
- Very affordable
- Reduces brushing time
- All-natural ingredients
- Safe to use on dogs 12 weeks and older
- Safe to use on dogs 12 weeks and older
- Leaves the coat smooth and shiny
- It helps with static and frizz
- Formulated for coats prone to tangles and mats
- Cons
- The scent may not be long-lasting, but product works
Tropiclean conditioning spray is another favorite for heavy matting. Not only does this conditioning spray work on the heaviest of mats and tangles, but it also leaves the coat smooth and shiny.
This product is made with naturally derived ingredients, including lavender flower, oat kernel, cucumber fruit, and peach fruit. It’s also safe to use on dogs 12 weeks and older.
TropiClean Conditioning Spray has over 6,000 positive reviews and is an excellent choice for pet parents looking for an all-natural, affordable leave-in conditioner. We like this detangling spray for dogs because there’s no oily residue and the sweet citrus fragrance is refreshing. It quickly coats tangles and allows for easier brushing, and it is another U.S.-made product.
Features
- Made with naturally derived ingredients
- Includes lavender flower, oat kernel, cucumber fruit, and peach fruit
- Safe to use on dogs 12 weeks and older
- An extensive array of formulas available
- Two size options
- Sweet citrus fragrance
- Over 6,000 positive reviews
- Made in the U.S.
- Pros
- Coconut oil helps to nourish and moisturize your dog's skin and coat
- Safe for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens
- It can be used on wet or dry coat
- Free of parabens and sulfates
- Moisturizes skin hydrates fur, and leaves behind a silky smooth coat
- It cuts down grooming time
- Cons
We like this conditioning leave-in spray for pets because it uses the same classic ingredients as the original BioSilk line for humans. This means it’s packed with silk and enriching vitamins to help restore moisture to your dog’s coat, leaving behind a silky-smooth coat that everyone can enjoy.
This formula’s coconut oil also helps nourish and moisturize your dog’s skin and coat while controlling shedding. This leave-in conditioner spray for dogs is made in the USA and is 100% safe to use on your dog regularly. It’s also free of parabens and sulfates and is pH balanced for dogs, and you can use it as often as you want. This product has over 3,700 positive reviews.
Features
- Silk and vitamins help to restore moisture to your dog’s coat
- Crafted with coconut oil
- Soft and light coconut scent
- An extensive array of dog grooming products to choose from
- Dematting and conditioning spray
- pH balanced for dogs
- Made in the USA
- Over 3,700 positive reviews
- Pros
- Non-toxic, non-drying, and non-irritating ingredients
- Soothing relief and deep penetrating moisturization to support normal skin
- Formulated for dogs and cats
- Vitamin D3 for added health benefits
- No sting, no tear formula
- Suitable for irritated skin
- Cons
- Some customers did not like the scent
ZYMOX conditioning rinse is a deep-conditioning moisturizer that helps to rejuvenate and soothe your pet’s skin and coat. It is formulated with vitamin D3 for added health benefits and is best used after shampooing or between baths. Zymox conditioning rinse is free from silicone and parabens and is ideal for dry fur and skin.
This is a leave-in conditioner that’s a no-sting, tear formula. It’s recommended for dry, itchy, or flaky skin and works well due to our patented LP3 enzyme system. Each enzyme has its unique property but combining enzymes provides a powerful punch to your pet’s skin problems. There’s no added alcohol or drying ingredients leave your pet’s skin and coat clean, smelling fresh, and irritation-free.
Features
- Developed by veterinarians
- Non-greasy
- Safe and gentle
- Free from silicone & parabens
- Help condition your pet’s skin and detangle fur.
- Leave on to dry
- Affordable
FAQ’s The Best Dog Leave-In Conditioners
How often should I use a leave-in conditioner on my dog?
Water, shampoo, and conditioner work together to remove dirt and debris from your dog’s skin and coat and leave hair clean, shiny, and smelling fresh. Many pet parents only shampoo and condition their dog’s coat every few weeks, using a leave-in conditioner in between washes to help keep their dog’s coat healthy and tangle-free.
Additionally, when bathing your dog, adding conditioner to the coat helps attract extra moisture to each hair shaft but may take up extra drying time. If you’re using a leave-in conditioning spray, you can also get away with just towel drying even large, double-coated dogs.
Which dog conditioner is best?
There are many great dog conditioners on the market, so take some time to read reviews and compare products before purchasing. That said, it’s just as important to use a high-quality conditioning pet shampoo like the We Love Doodles 4-in-1 dog shampoo, which is organic, eco-friendly, and moisturizes and rehydrates while cleansing.
A high-quality slicker brush like the We Love Doodles gentle slicker brush for medium and long-haired dog breeds makes all the difference in grooming time.
Does dog conditioner help with dry skin?
An excellent leave-in conditioning spray can ease the discomfort of dry skin and will help to restore moisture and improve the overall health of your dog’s skin and coat.
Be sure to select a product specifically designed for use on dogs, as human conditioners can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs if ingested.
There are many great dog conditioners on the market, so take some time to read reviews and compare products before making a purchase.
What is the best conditioner for dogs with allergies?
There are many great hypoallergenic dog conditioners on the market that are specifically designed for dogs with allergies. We like to use the We Love Doodles 4-in-1 moisturizing, rehydrating and detangling dog shampoo because it is hypoallergenic, organic, eco-friendly, and free of harsh chemicals, sulfates, and parabens. Along with its gentle formula, We Love Doodles leaves pets smelling great for longer!
Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, tangles and mats are among the most common and troublesome problems that dog parents regularly face. However, cutting down on grooming time leaves more time for fun activities like hiking and trips to the dog beach.
Fortunately, many good leave-in conditioning sprays can help keep your dog’s coat healthy and free of tangles. When paired with a gentle slicker brush and dog shampoo; leave-in conditioners can help detangle your dog’s fur, add shine, and make it easier to brush out mats.
Claudia Bensimoun is a writer who specializes in dog content and veterinary topics! Aside from writing for We Love Doodles, Claudia also writes for other major dog blogs like Fido Friendly, Animal Wellness Magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). She has a ghostwritten over 50 different dog e-books. Her passions include animal welfare, veterinary research, and wildlife conservation.
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At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.