5 Best Dog Shampoos for Itchy Skin in 2023

Is your four-legged companion constantly scratching, leaving you both sleep-deprived and worried? As a dog lover who understands the struggles of watching your furry friend suffer from allergies, I’ve researched different options to help your dog find relief from itchy skin.

5 Best Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin

• Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs
• Zesty Paws Itch Soother
• Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Shampoo
• Richard’s Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo
• Burt’s Bees Oatmeal with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey Dog Shampoo

Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs

• Top ingredients: oatmeal, aloe, tea tree oil, vitamin E, lavender, and neem oil.
• Health Feature: Itch & Redness Remedy, Sensitive Skin, Skin & Coat Health.
• Life stage: adult, puppy.

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The first thing that struck me about this product is its impressive formulation. Veterinarian-formulated, it boasts a unique blend of natural ingredients and essential oils, making it a standout in the crowded pet shampoo market. At the heart of this formulation are three powerhouses: oatmeal, d-limonene, and tea tree oil. Oatmeal is renowned for its soothing properties, d-limonene acts as a natural insect repellent, and tea tree oil is well-known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera, for Skin Moisture & Shiny Coats, Vanilla Bean Scent

• Top ingredients: oatmeal, aloe, vitamin E, vanilla.
• Health Feature: Itch & Redness Remedy, Shedding Control, Skin & Coat Health.
• Life stage: Puppy, Adult, Senior.

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The secret behind Zesty Paws’ effectiveness lies in its thoughtful formulation. This shampoo is a blend of oatmeal, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E, all carefully chosen to pamper your furry friend’s skin and coat. The oatmeal in this formula helps maintain the dog’s skin moisture, preventing dryness and itchiness. Vitamin E supports healthy skin, which contributes to a shiny, lustrous coat. And Aloe Vera adds an extra layer of gentleness and helps keep your dog’s hair soft and manageable. One standout feature of this shampoo is its delightful Vanilla Bean Extract scent. 

Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Shampoo

• Top ingredients: coal tar solution, oatmeal, and allontoin.
• Health Feature: Anti-fungal / Anti-Bacterial, Dander, Itch & Redness Remedy.
• Life stage: Adult.

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If your dog has been suffering from flaky, dry, or excessively oily skin, you’ll understand the importance of finding a solution. This medicated dog shampoo is specially formulated to tackle these skin issues head-on. The magic lies in its powerful ingredients: Coal tar is a potent antiseborrheic and antiparasitic agent, oatmeal promotes healthy hydration and nourished skin, and allantoin is another skin-loving component that aids in skin hydration and repair. It complements the oatmeal’s effects, ensuring that your dog’s skin remains moisturized and itch-free. It’s paraben, dye, and soap-free, making it ideal for your beloved pet’s sensitive skin.

Richard’s Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo

• Top ingredients: Peppermint Oil, Eugenol (Clove Oil), Cedarwood oil, Cinnamon Oil, Rosemary Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
• Health Feature: Flea and tick treatment.
• Life stage: Puppy, Adult, Senior.

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The standout feature of this shampoo is its ability to tackle fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes without resorting to harsh chemicals. This means you can provide protection to your beloved pup without exposing them, your family, or yourself to potentially harmful substances. 

One of the unique elements of this shampoo is its use of Cedarwood Oil. Beyond its pest-repelling properties, Cedarwood Oil is fantastic for skin and coat conditioning. It can address dermatitis of all types, providing a soothing and nurturing experience for your pup during bath time.

Burt’s Bees Oatmeal with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey Dog Shampoo

• Top ingredients: Coco Betaine, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Camelia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Honey, Beeswax, Potassium Sorbate.
• Health Feature: Itch & Redness Remedy, Sensitive Skin.
• Life stage: Adult.

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If your dog struggles with itchiness due to eczema or other skin irritations, you’ll appreciate the soothing power of colloidal oat flour in this shampoo. The inclusion of honey in the formula does more than just enhance shine. Honey helps regulate and retain moisture in your dog’s hair, ensuring that their coat stays soft and manageable. Additionally, green tea extract strengthens hair follicles, promoting healthy growth.

Burt’s Bees takes pride in its commitment to natural pet care. This shampoo is 97% natural, cruelty-free, and free from sulfates or colorants. 

Common Reasons for Itchy Skin in Dogs

If you notice your furry friend scratching and itching their skin, there are a few common reasons for this:

• Flea bites
• Food allergies–typically caused by beef, chicken, wheat, and dairy products.
• Environmental allergies to pollen, mold, or dust can cause itchiness during certain seasons or all year long.
• Dogs can also have a contact allergy to household cleaners, shampoos, insecticides, and plants, which causes itching in the area that touched the allergen. 
• Bacterial and yeast infections.

Benefits of Shampoo for Itchy Skin

One treatment option for itchy skin is shampoo therapy. This therapy removes harmful materials like scales, crusts, and other pathogens from the skin surface and cleans out the pores to allow the flow of normal skin oils. It also reduces the unpleasant doggie smell caused by the decomposition of fatty acids on the skin and in the coat.

Furthermore, shampoo therapy reduces allergen and bacterial populations by washing off trapped pollens on the skin. Lastly, rehydration of the skin helps to maintain a barrier that prevents foreign material from entering the skin by closing the gaps in the skin.

How to find the right dog shampoo to alleviate discomfort

Natural Ingredients:

Look for shampoos formulated with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, and oatmeal, known for their soothing properties.

Hypoallergenic and Fragrance-Free Options 

These are specially formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions. 

No Harsh Chemicals

Look for shampoos free from allergens (gluten) and harsh chemicals (sulfates, parabens, DEA, BPA, artificial fragrances, dyes) because these can further irritate the dog’s skin and produce hormonal imbalances in the long term. 

Gentle and Moisturizing Ingredients

Ingredients like vitamin E and natural oils can help to nourish and moisturize the skin.

Medicated Effects

An anti-itch shampoo may contain medications that target the underlying cause. Namely, the shampoo may contain an antiseptic such as chlorhexidine.

Shampoo Application

First, apply the shampoo for cleaning purposes and rinse thoroughly. Then, apply again and leave it for at least 5 minutes (preferably 10), followed by another thorough rinse. 

Typically, shampooing is needed 2-3 times a week until scale, grease, and odor are under control. Afterward, maintenance can be reduced gradually to once a week or once a month, depending on the dog’s needs. 

In severe cases, washing may be necessary every other day or even daily until the condition improves. Once the disease is in remission, the frequency can be reduced to weekly or every other week.

You can also refer to this guide for more information: How to Bathe a Senior Dog: Tips for a Comfortable Experience.

Conclusion

As a responsible pet owner, it’s essential to address your furry friend’s itchiness as soon as possible. This can significantly impact their quality of life, just like it would for us humans. Remember how uncomfortable and distracting it can be when we’re feeling all itchy? Well, it’s the same for our furry companions.

One effective way to provide relief for dogs with skin conditions is through shampoo therapy. Look for shampoos with natural ingredients that are gentle on their skin and don’t contain any harsh chemicals.

However, if the itchiness persists or worsens, it’s crucial to seek professional advice from a veterinarian. They can offer valuable insights and recommend appropriate treatment options to help your furry friend get back to feeling comfortable and happy.

FAQs

Sources

• Journal of Canine Development & Research 2013: UPDATE ON USE OF MEDICATED SHAMPOO IN COMPANION ANIMAL DERMATOLOGY

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