Best shampoo for a Shih Tzu
A Shih Tzu's long, flowing double coat and short, flat face create two grooming needs a standard shampoo does not always address: something gentle and moisturising to help prevent matting, and separate care around the eyes where tear staining is common in the breed. A mild, tear-safe shampoo alongside a dedicated tear-stain product covers both.
Why the coat needs a gentle, moisturising shampoo
The Shih Tzu's long double coat tangles and mats easily if it dries out, and a harsh or heavily fragranced shampoo can strip natural oils that would otherwise help keep the coat manageable between grooms. A gentle, moisturising formula, used alongside regular brushing, does more for a coat like this than any single grooming product on its own.
Rinsing thoroughly matters as much as the shampoo itself. Any residue left in a long coat can attract dirt and contribute to matting, so it is worth taking the extra time to rinse fully rather than rushing the final stage of a bath.
Tear staining is a genuine breed tendency
Shih Tzus are one of the breeds commonly affected by tear staining, the reddish-brown marks that build up under the eyes from tears running down the face rather than draining normally. This is partly related to the breed's short muzzle and facial structure, and a standard shampoo used on the body does not address it.
A dedicated tear-stain remover, used gently around the eye area with a soft cloth or pad rather than the fingers, is a separate product worth having alongside a body shampoo. Keep any shampoo well away from the eyes themselves during a bath regardless of which one you use.
A few practical bathing tips for the breed
Because the face sits close to the eyes and the muzzle is short, a no-tears or tear-free formula reduces the risk of stinging if any shampoo runs down during a bath, which matters more for a flat-faced breed than for a longer-nosed dog.
Brush the coat out thoroughly before bathing rather than after — a matted coat traps water and shampoo against the skin and is far harder to work through once wet than it was dry.
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 Shih Tzu have brown marks under its eyes?
- This is tear staining, a common tendency in the breed linked to their short muzzle and facial structure causing tears to run down the face rather than drain normally. A dedicated tear-stain product used gently around the eyes can help manage it, though persistent or worsening staining is worth mentioning to your vet in case there is an underlying cause.
- How often should I bathe a Shih Tzu?
- It varies by individual dog and coat condition, but many owners find every few weeks works well alongside regular brushing between baths. Bathing too frequently with the wrong shampoo can dry the coat out and make matting worse, so a gentle, moisturising formula matters more than the exact schedule.
- Can I use human shampoo on my Shih Tzu?
- No, it is best avoided. A dog's skin has a different pH to human skin, and human shampoo can be too harsh and drying for a coat that already needs careful moisture management. A shampoo formulated for dogs is the safer and more effective choice.
- What should I do before bathing a matted Shih Tzu?
- Brush the coat out thoroughly while it is still dry, since water and shampoo make an existing mat tighter and much harder to work through. If the matting is severe or close to the skin, a professional groom may be a better first step than bathing at home.
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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.