Bathing your dog helps keep their fur clean and eliminates foul odors, making it essential to choose the right shampoo. Since our pups depend on us for proper care, selecting a shampoo that meets their needs is crucial.
If you’re a dog parent, you likely already have dog shampoo at home. But have you ever wondered, Does dog shampoo expire? While dog shampoo has a long shelf life, it does come with an expiration or best-before date.
Because dogs don’t need frequent baths, it’s easy to lose track of when you purchased the shampoo or try to use up the entire bottle before discarding it. However, this can lead to potential issues. Keep reading to find out how long dog shampoo lasts and why it matters.
How Long Does Dog Shampoo Last?
Unopened dog shampoo can last up to three years, depending on the manufacturer and ingredients. Natural and organic shampoos typically have shorter shelf lives, while most commercial shampoos include a recommended usage period indicated in months after opening. To preserve its effectiveness, always keep the lid tightly closed, as exposure to oxygen can alter the shampoo’s chemical composition. Once opened, most dog shampoos remain usable for about 12–18 months. However, expiration dates vary, so it’s always best to check the bottle.
Regular dog shampoos generally last longer—up to 36 months—while medicated shampoos, such as those formulated for fleas, may have shorter lifespans due to their stronger chemical compositions. Proper storage can help extend shelf life, but it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Typically, each shampoo bottle will include a lot number and expiration date for reference.
Can You Use Expired Dog Shampoo?
The expiration date is there for a reason—using shampoo past its expiration can lead to reduced effectiveness and potential skin issues, such as dryness, irritation, or itching. While it may seem harmless to use a shampoo just a few days past its expiration, there’s still a risk of skin irritation or even infection.
Ultimately, it’s not worth the risk. Always follow the guidelines on the bottle, avoid purchasing expired shampoos, and dispose of any bottles once they’ve expired. Your dog’s skin and coat health depend on it!
Where Can You Find the Expiration Date?
The expiration date’s location varies by brand, but it’s typically found on the side, bottom, or back of the bottle. It should be clearly visible, making it easy for you or any other pet owner to check how long the shampoo remains effective.
What If There’s No Expiration Date on the Shampoo Bottle?
If the shampoo bottle doesn’t have an expiration date, there are a few ways to find out how long it lasts. You can check the manufacturer’s website or contact their customer service for more details. If the bottle has a batch code instead of an expiration date, you may be able to look it up to determine the product’s shelf life.
As a general rule, if no information is available, it’s best to discard the shampoo after 12–18 months of use to ensure your pup’s safety.
How Do You Know If Your Dog’s Shampoo Has Expired?
You should easily recognize expired dog shampoo. It’s best to first check the label on the bottle, but there are other indicators that the shampoo is no longer usable. Commonly, an altered texture and an unusual smell are noticeable.
Here are a few ways to check if the shampoo is still good or not:
- Check the consistency. When the shampoo is more watery than usual, it is likely expired.
- Check the smell. If the smell of the shampoo changes, it’s probably going bad.
- Check the cap. You shouldn’t use the product if there are obvious signs of bacteria, changes in color, or fungus.
What Happens If You Use Expired Dog Shampoo?
If you use expired dog shampoo, your pet can suffer from various skin conditions.
These are the most common issues that you can encounter after using an expired shampoo on your pup:
- Itching
- Inflammation
- Dry, red, flaky skin
- Skin infections
While in most cases, the cleaning efficacy will simply be diminished, it is not worth taking the risk of causing discomfort to your dog.Our advice is to never use expired shampoo on your furry friend, to prevent all these issues from occurring in the first place.
