Best shampoo for a maltipoo
A maltipoo, a cross between a maltese and a toy or miniature poodle, typically inherits a soft, low-shedding coat that mats easily if not properly maintained, along with a tendency towards sensitive skin and tear staining common in small, often white or pale-coated breeds. Shampoo choice for this cross is worth thinking about specifically rather than reaching for whatever is on the shelf.
Why this coat needs a gentle approach
The soft, curly coat maltipoos typically inherit is prone to matting, particularly around the ears, legs and underside, and a harsh shampoo that strips natural oils can make a coat more prone to tangling rather than less. A gentle, moisturising shampoo formulated for sensitive skin helps keep the coat manageable between grooming appointments.
Many maltipoos also have genuinely sensitive skin, inherited from either parent breed, so a shampoo free from strong fragrances and harsh detergents is worth prioritising over one chosen purely for scent or a specific coat-colour claim.
Tear staining is worth considering separately
Tear staining — the reddish-brown marks that can develop under the eyes, particularly on pale or white-faced dogs — is common in maltipoos given the maltese side of their heritage. A tear-safe formula, or a separate gentle facial wash designed specifically for the area around the eyes, avoids irritating this sensitive spot in a way a general body shampoo is not necessarily designed to do.
Regularly and gently cleaning the face, rather than only during a full bath, helps manage staining between washes for a dog prone to it.
Bathing frequency and routine
A maltipoo's coat does not usually need bathing as often as it might seem given how prone it is to matting — over-bathing can dry out skin already inclined towards sensitivity. Regular brushing between baths does more for preventing mats than frequent washing does, with a bath reserved for when the coat or skin genuinely needs it.
A conditioner formulated for curly or matting-prone coats, used after shampooing, makes the coat easier to brush through and helps reduce the tangling this cross is prone to.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Bugalugs 4-in-1 Lavender & Chamomile Dog Shampoo 500ml
A calming vegan shampoo enriched with lavender and chamomile that cleans, conditions, moisturises, and soothes in a single wash — ideal for puppies and anxious dogs.
£14.99
Bugalugs One in a Million Dog Shampoo – 500ml
A luxury, pH-balanced vegan dog shampoo with citrus and nutmeg essential oils that deeply cleanses, deodorises, and conditions in one wash.
£14.99
For All Dog Kind Shampoo Mixing Bottle
A 1-litre mixing bottle for diluting DogKind shampoo, marked with fill lines for accurate ratios
£4.95
Bugalugs 1 Dog Shampoo
A pH-balanced 4 in 1 dog shampoo with lavender and chamomile, cleared from eight weeks old
From£5.99
Bugalugs No-Rinse Dog Shampoo 200ml – Baby Fresh & Coconut Lime
A waterless foaming shampoo that cleans, softens, and deodorises dog coats without any rinsing — perfect between baths or on the go.
£11.99
Bugalugs Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs & Cats 500ml – Vegan
A soothing vegan shampoo blended with oatmeal, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil to ease dry, itchy skin and leave coats soft and fresh.
£14.99
Johnson's Medicated Shampoo
A 5-litre medicated shampoo to clear scurf and promote a healthy coat and skin
From£4.55
Bugalugs Stinky Dog Shampoo
Bugalugs Stinky Dog Shampoo: deodorising dog shampoo with odour neutraliser and pro-vitamin B5
From£5.99
Animology Essentials Flea Tick Shampoo
A tea tree and neem oil shampoo for dogs, washing out fleas, ticks, mites and lice
From£2.99
No-Rinse Cat Bath Essence Set with Towel
A wash-free cleansing essence set for cats with a soft microfibre towel. Wipe through the coat to freshen between baths, leaving fur clean, soft and pleasantly scented with no rinsing or water needed.
From£26.99
Animology Derma No Rinse Shampoo
A fragrance-free, no-rinse shampoo spray for dogs with sensitive skin, puppy safe from 6 weeks
£5.99
Bugalugs Baby Fresh Dog Shampoo
Bugalugs Baby Fresh Dog Shampoo: dog shampoo with baby-powder fragrance
From£5.99
Common questions
- Why does my maltipoo need a gentle shampoo specifically?
- Maltipoos typically have soft, curly coats prone to matting and often inherit sensitive skin from either parent breed. A gentle, moisturising shampoo without harsh detergents or strong fragrances helps keep both the coat and skin in better condition than a standard shampoo.
- What causes tear staining in maltipoos?
- Tear staining is common in maltipoos, particularly through the maltese side of their heritage, and shows as reddish-brown marks under the eyes on pale or white-faced dogs. A tear-safe formula or a gentle facial wash designed for that area helps manage it without irritating sensitive skin around the eyes.
- How often should I bathe my maltipoo?
- Less often than the coat's tendency to mat might suggest — over-bathing can dry out skin already prone to sensitivity. Regular brushing between baths does more to prevent matting than frequent washing, with a full bath reserved for when it is genuinely needed.
- Should I use conditioner on a maltipoo?
- Yes, a conditioner formulated for curly or matting-prone coats, used after shampooing, generally makes the coat easier to brush through and helps reduce tangling in a coat type prone to it.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.