When you’re parenting a West Highland White Terrier, you want to take good care of him. The grooming process can be time-consuming but essential for the health of your Westie. In this buying guide for the eight best Westie shampoos, we’re going to look at some of the factors you need to consider when choosing the best shampoo for your West Highland Terrier. Let’s get started! Here’s the takeaway:
In a hurry? Check out our favorite shampoo for Westies, which are reviewed below. Taking good care of your West Highland White Terrier with one of these shampoo picks will help them look and smell great. In this buying guide for the best shampoo for Westies, we’ll review the best shampoos for Westies, what to look for when buying a dog shampoo, and show you our top 8 picks.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
- Pros
- Gentle cleanse for Westies
- Rinses easily & leaves a great sheen
- Formulated with natural herbal oil
- Crafted with aloe vera, herbal oils, panthenol, vitamins A, D, E, essential oils
- Suitable for Westies with sensitive skin that cannot tolerate most shampoos.
- Formulated as a mild shampoo that gently cleans the skin and coat without causing allergic reactions.
- Safe for puppies and kittens over six weeks old
- Cons
- Some may not like the scent.
This hydrating shampoo is made with natural ingredients like aloe vera, herbal oils, panthenol, vitamins A, D, E, and essential oils. Nature’s Specialties Hypo Aloe Genic dog shampoo is specially formulated for dry skin, thanks to these ingredients. It’s hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and fragrance-free, making it ideal for dogs with allergies and sensitive skin. We like this shampoo for the West Highland Terrier because it’s a non-toxic pet shampoo that you can use on sensitive and normal dogs. This is a highly concentrated formula used by professional groomers and pet parents for dogs that need weekly bathing.
Features
- Highly concentrated formula
- Non-toxic
- Biodegradable
- pH balanced
- Affordable for multi-Westie homes
- Professional groomer’s choice
- Gentle enough for weekly bathing
- Light fragrance
- Made in the US
- Pros
- Gentle yet effective formula
- Moisture-rich
- Restores, protects & rejuvenates skin & coat
- Provides soothing relief from minor skin irritations
- Restores pH balance of skin and coat
- Suitable for dander control and detangling
- Allows for a healthy coat of skin
- Does not strip the coat of natural oils
- Cons
- Some may not like the scent.
Although emu oil is traditionally used to reduce inflammation and pain in people, it’s excellent for dogs (and cats) too. This natural shampoo has a pH balance of 6.5, which makes it gentle enough for everyday use without stripping the coat of its natural oils. This Westie shampoo features papaya and botanicals that help moisturize and strengthen the hair follicle, while the papaya, emu, and almond oil work to soothe and protect the skin.
The reason we love this shampoo for Westies is that it’s pH balanced and has both emu oil and botanical extracts that will leave your pup smelling great.
Features
- Affordable
- Crafted with papaya, emu & almond oil
- Detergent, paraben & soap-free
- pH balanced for dogs
- Made in the US
- Fragrance-free
- Ultra-moisturizing formula
- A Glo-Marr pet product
- Created in small batches
- Formulated with locally sourced ingredients
- Pros
- Soothes dry, irritated, flaky dog skin
- Promote healthy skin
- Soothe itchy dry areas & hot spots
- Allows for softer, whiter fur
- Safe for pups & dogs
- It contains no harsh chemicals or bleach
- Combats stubborn and unsightly stains
- Cons
- Some may not like the fragrance.
Pet Post dog whitening shampoo for Westies is designed to lighten fur and moisturize and hydrate the skin. It’s made with all-natural ingredients like aloe vera, soybean oil, and apple extract.
The watermelon scent is popular among some pet parents, and it’ll keep your Westie smelling fresh without breaking the bank. We like this Westie shampoo because it’s a favorite for groomers, breeders, and veterinarians who want a brilliantly white coat. This formula is crafted with coconut oil, oat and wheat proteins, and aloe and features over 1,000 positive reviews. Here’s the takeaway:
Features
- Whitening shampoo for Westies
- Crafted with naturally derived ingredients
- Affordable
- Groomers, breeders & Veterinarian approved
- Formulated with coconut oil, wheat proteins, & aloe
- Watermelon fragrance
- Recyclable packaging
- Made in the US
- Cruelty-free pet product
- Suitable for stained and dirty coats.
- Over 1,000 positive reviews
- Pros
- Moisturizes skin & coat
- Safe for use with topical flea control products
- Does not strip the coat of natural oils
- Suitable for sensitive, dry and itchy skin
- It can be used as often as needed
- Enhances the white on Westie coats
- Provides a soothing effect for sensitive or irritated skin
- Cons
- Some may not like the fruity fragrance.
Healthy Breeds grooming products are developed to help you manage your dog’s coat, sensitive skin, allergies, and more. The oatmeal & aloe shampoo is designed to effectively remove dirt and allergens without stripping the fur of its natural oils.
This Westie shampoo features natural botanical extracts of chamomile, cactus, calendula, fir needle oil, colloidal oatmeal, and aloe vera. It’s highly cost-effective, and we like this shampoo because it has a fresh scent. It also promises to brighten white coats and strengthen fur.
Features
- All-in-one shampoo conditioner combo
- Affordable for multi-Westie homes
- Made in the US
- Suitable for pups over six weeks
- Natural pet cleanser
- No harsh chemicals
- It can be diluted (10 – 1) or used as a concentrated shampoo
- Orange & cucumber melon scent
- An extensive array of pet products to choose from
- pH balanced for dogs
- Pros
- Suitable for pups & dogs
- Gentle on skin
- Free of fragrances, sulfates, colorants, & harsh chemicals
- Naturally washes coats
- Added buttermilk to soothe irritated skin
- Softens coat & adds sheen
- Does not remove topical flea & tick products
- Formulated with oatmeal, avocado, lavender, and honey.
- Cons
- Some may not like the gentle fragrance.
Burt’s Bees 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner combo for dogs offers a gentle formula that you can use even on puppies. The tearless dog shampoo features papaya, coconut oil, and aloe vera to moisturize fur while removing debris.
It’s safe to use on puppies six weeks or older, and it’ll leave your Westie smelling fresh without stripping the coat of its natural oils. We like this shampoo because it’s tearless, all-natural, and budget-friendly. This product has over 19,700 positive reviews.
Burt’s Bees is another cruelty-free, vegan pet product formulated without colorants, sulfates, and added fragrances. Here’s the takeaway:
Features
- Affordable
- pH balanced for pets
- Cruelty-free & vegan
- Made in the US
- Veterinarian recommended
- Crafted with linseed oil to deeply condition
- Over 19,700 positive reviews
- Pros
- Coconut lime verbena scented
- pH balanced for pets
- Moisturizes dry skin & coats
- Lathers thickly yet easily rinses off
- Cleans dirty coats
- Provides itch relief
- Moisturizes short to long coats
- Easy to use
- Cons
- Some may not like the scent.
Wahl’s oatmeal formula dry skin shampoo for dogs is a favorite among Westie owners. This pet shampoo uses all-natural ingredients to soothe and hydrate the skin, while the oatmeal works as an anti-itch agent.
We love this oatmeal shampoo because it works quickly and has a fresh scent with natural ingredients. This pet shampoo for Westies is also affordable and perfect for dry skin. This is another pet shampoo with plenty of positive reviews and features over 14,400 positive ratings.
Features
- Alcohol-free, paraben-free & PEG-80 free
- Affordable
- Over 14,700 positive reviews
- Crafted with a higher concentrate of coconut-derived sodding agent
- Plant-based cleaner
- A Wahl pet product
- Pros
- Enhances all colors while moisturizing and conditioning skin & coat
- Provides a rich lather
- Awapuhi & coconut scent
- Moisturizes & conditions skin & coat
- Coconut scent
- Easy to rinse off
- Safe to use on dogs and cats 12 weeks or older
- Cons
- Some may not like the scent.
TropiClean’s dog shampoo is designed to remove odors and whiten fur. The all-natural ingredients also moisturize the skin, which helps prevent dander buildup. This Westie shampoo is made in the USA with soap-free, vegan, and biodegradable ingredients.
We like this pet shampoo because it’s affordable, made with natural ingredients, and has an awapuhi and coconut scent. If you’re looking for grooming supplies for smelly dogs, TropiClean is another excellent choice.
It’s crafted without soap, so it won’t strip natural oils from fur, which is perfect if your Westie suffers from allergies. Tropiclean whitens and brightens your pet’s coat is a rich, cleansing lather that’s easy to rinse off. This product has over 21,400 positive reviews.
Features
- Over 21,400 positive reviews
- Awapuhi and coconut scent
- pH Balanced
- Soap-free
- Paraben-free
- Affordable for multi-pet homes
- Whitening pet shampoo
- Color enhancing coat shampoo for all coats
- Made in the US
- Cruelty-free pet product
- Naturally derived ingredients
- Pros
- Helps with seborrhea and relieves mange and parasitic infections
- Paraben, dye & soap-free pet shampoo
- Does not remove topical spot-on flea & tick treatments
- Suitable for seborrhea and parasitic infections
- Veterinary-grade ingredients
- Hydrates the skin & promotes healing
- Cons
- Not safe for cats
- The scent may be strong for some.
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo is a formula that soothes the itchy, irritated skin of dogs prone to dandruff.
It penetrates deep into the hair follicles and down to the root of the coat, where it begins its cleansing action on contact. The anti-parasitic shampoo is a medicated shampoo formulated to relieve itching and irritation associated with skin allergies.
The active ingredients in Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo are coal tar, salicylic acid & micronized sulfur.
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo has been formulated to maximize the therapeutic benefits of its active ingredients.
We like this veterinary formulated shampoo for Westies with sensitive skin issues because it not only helps to clear up the skin, but it does so without leaving a residue that could aggravate the skin.
For Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo to be effective, you will need to apply it twice a week for two weeks. After the two weeks, it can be used once or twice weekly as needed. This product features over 47,000 positive reviews.
Features
- Over 47,000 positive reviews
- Crafted with coal tar, salicylic acid & micronized sulfur to help treat skin scaling
- Affordable
- Veterinary recommended
- Formulated for dogs over 12 weeks of age
The West Highland White Terrier
Here’s more about the breed! If you’re not familiar with the West Highland Terrier, here are some quick facts:
- Average life expectancy is 12-15 years
- Activity level: high
- Special needs: Grooming, exercise, socialization, & attention
- Possible Westie health concerns: Cataracts, epidermal dysplasia, Westie Armadillo syndrome, copper toxicosis, osteopathy, enzyme deficiency, deafness, inguinal hernia, Legg-Perthes disease and craniomandibular osteopathy.
The American Kennel Club
The West Highland Terrier, also known as the Roseneath Terrier, is a small, well-balanced, hardy dog breed with a compact body with a short tail and double coat. The hard and straight outer coat is about two inches long and is bristly around the face, giving the head a rounded appearance.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes the Westie as “Smart, confident, and always entertaining at play, the adorable West Highland White Terrier (Westie, for short) has charmed owners for over 300 years. This diminutive but sturdy earth dog is among the most popular of the small terriers.
Possible skin concerns
Canine Atopic Dermatitis in West Highland Terrier
West Highland White Terrier is one of the breeds most affected by atopic dermatitis. It’s a genetically-predisposed inflammatory and pruritic (itchy) allergic skin disease with characteristic clinical features. This is a condition that contributes to their itching and scratching habits. As a result, it can lead to irregularly shaped bald patches on their skin if they’re not properly treated. As always, reach out to your veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice skin issues.
The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) explains that “Atopy can cause great suffering in moderately-severely affected dogs due to the constant skin itching and irritation and the secondary damage that is done by the dog to its skin through scratching.” The UFAW goes on to explain that atopic dermatitis tends to affect Westies before three years of age with signs being seasonal but can also affect Westies all year round and explain that “Affected dogs will have the problem for life although the severity will usually wax and wane. Treatment to control the condition is involved and lifelong. Drugs are used in most dogs, and these are often required constantly.”
FAQ’s Best Dog Shampoos for the West Highland Terrier
How do I stop my Westie from smelling?
Bathing too frequently can leave a dog’s coat looking faded and can take the natural oils out of their fur. Additionally, dogs with certain skin conditions such as allergies will end up with dry skin and coats if bathed too often. To avoid removing special oils from your Westie’s hair coat, try bathing him once every few weeks unless he gets extremely dirty.
How do I stop my Westie from scratching?
Some breeds like the Westie will have a hereditary predisposition to developing pruritic inflammatory skin disease associated with IgE antibodies. Your Westie’s incessant scratching could be due to allergies.
Numerous different allergens can cause discomfort in dogs, including pollen; scratching could be caused by several issues like fleas, allergies, or dry skin. If your Westie itches and scratches all the time, you should take him to see his vet.
Some Westies suffer from a condition called atopy, an allergy to pollen, and other outdoor allergens– this will leave them with incredibly itchy skin. VCA Animal Hospital adds that ” An allergy is a state of over-reactivity or hypersensitivity of the immune system to a particular substance called an allergen. Dogs with allergies develop a hypersensitivity reaction or response to substances (for example, pollens, flea saliva, or food). Most dogs with allergies develop skin symptoms, especially itching, although the allergy may also affect the respiratory or digestive system, or the eyes.”
How do I get rid of dandruff?
Westies love to roll around on the ground, and if they are out in the woods or at the beach, their coat can quickly become covered with pollen. This pollen will irritate, leading to flakes on your dog’s coat.
You can combat this problem by using a medicated shampoo that contains Pyrithione Zinc (an anti-seborrheic) and Ketoconazole (an antifungal) — these ingredients will treat dandruff and stop it from spreading. You should also brush your dog every day to discourage flakes from developing in the first place.
Are there any shampoos I should avoid using on my Westie?
You want to avoid putting some ingredients on your Westie’s skin, particularly products with alcohol. Alcohol can dry out his coat and irritate his skin. Other key things to watch out for are fragrances or other harsh chemicals. Avoid using shampoos with these components and opt for a gentler alternative at WeLoveDoodles.com
Why does my Westie itch so much?
Allergies are one of the most common causes of itching in dogs, and they often leave them with itchy skin that can become red and irritated if scratched too much.
Dogs often become allergic to common allergens such as pollen, dust, or certain foods exposed to regularly. Other causes could include yeast infections, dry skin, parasites, and hot spots. This can be hard for a pet parent to pinpoint because there are so many potential causes of irritation in dogs.
If you suspect that your Westie itches because of allergies, you should take him to see his vet so they can run tests and determine the cause.
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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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