Bathing your dog is one of the best ways to make your pal feel loved. But it can be difficult to groom him when he has sensitive skin. After all, you don’t want him to feel itchy or have hot spots, right? The good news is that there are plenty of dog shampoos specially formulated for sensitive skin.
In choosing a dog shampoo for sensitive skin, you’ll have to consider certain factors like the ingredients. As you would notice from the reviews below, oatmeal is perhaps the most often-used ingredient in dog shampoo for sensitive skin. However, other ingredients are also known to combat dry, itchy, and flaky skin such as almond oil and tea tree oil.
To choose a shampoo that is free from harmful chemicals, it’s best if you read the ingredients list of the product to have an idea what it contains. The shampoo must also be effective not only in treating itchy skin but also other dog skin conditions like flaking and dandruff. Of course, you’d want the shampoo to smell good as well. And it wouldn’t hurt if it has a reasonable price. That said, here are some of the best dog shampoos for sensitive skin:
Best Deodorizing & Moisturizing Dog Shampoos For Sensitive Skin
1. Pro-Pet Works Oatmeal Shampoo
This shampoo is specially formulated for dry and sensitive skin. It contains aloe vera which has been proven to moisturize dry skin and almond oil that can minimize flakiness in dog skin. It also has a good scent and can eliminate dog smell.
Dog owners who have used this shampoo say that this item can keep dog hair smooth. They also cite that dog hair tends to detangle easily when this shampoo is used. It is alcohol, soap, and detergent-free, too.
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This product has rating 4.6 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: I needed a good, natural shampoo that kills and deters fleas. My Yorkie looked like she had a couple of really itchy spots and I used this shampoo generously to cover her coat and let it sit for 5 min per directions. This shampoo also washes off very easily and you can tell when all the shampoo is washed off! When I was toweling her off and inspecting her itchy spots, I found one dead flea tucked in a hard-to-reach area!!! I am very happy with the result. This shampoo smells good and seems gentle on the skin! My dog has very dry flakey skin, and I have not seen too much dandruff since I used this shampoo.
2. Rocco & Roxie All-Natural Shampoo and Conditioner
With a potent combination of Moroccan argan oil that promotes shiny dog hair and vitamin A that regenerates canine skin cells, this natural shampoo and conditioner can wash away dirt and restore hair luster when used regularly. This shampoo also lathers very well and easily comes off when rinsed. It also have a nice fragnance scents which it make one of the best deodorizing dog shampoo.
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This product has rating 4.6 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: I love this product! The ingredients all check out so this seems to be the healthiest option that I have personally used on my girls. However… if you have a large dog such as an 80lbs Golden Retriever with a healthy coat, this may only last you 2 washes if you are lucky. Does not suds up well like other products but I have to say all the scrubbing and arm work is worth it. My pups are patient and let me do my thing when it comes to grooming. I know some dogs are used to a very short bath with a shampoo that suds up with little effort and rinses off easy. This shampoo takes a bit of patience.
3. Pupkiss Pet All-Natural Dog Shampoo
This shampoo lists aloe vera, coconut oil, palm oil, and oatmeal as its key ingredients. All those are known to be natural ingredients capable of soothing itchy dog skin. Coconut oil is particularly known for being an effective antibacterial. This shampoo will not only keep your dog itch-free but also have a smooth and shiny fur.
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This product has rating 4.5 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: I really like this shampoo for my dogs. I have 4 Yorkies, a Jack Russell/Chihuahua, and a feisty terrier. I normally use the Yorkie splash & shine (it will always be my favorite), but I occasionally like to use this one. I think it’s good to switch them up every now and then. This smells very good on them and I really like that I don’t have to use a separate conditioner. I do always use a leave-in spray conditioner though. This is especially perfect if you just need to give a quick bath! When I first got it, there was no cap, but the customer service was great and they sent a new bottle PLUS the cap for the first one. I will definitely be ordering this again and would recommend it! A+
4. Particular Paws Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs
Aside from oatmeal, the key ingredients of this shampoo are shea butter, aloe vera, rosemary, honey extract, and chamomile. Oatmeal is known to be effective in relieving itchy and dry skin, and its effectiveness is further amplified when it is coupled with aloe vera.
This shampoo is tough on dirt and grime and can leave your dog feeling and smell fresh. However, a minor concern is that it doesn’t lather that well so you might have to use more of it in giving your dog a bath.
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This product has rating 4.5 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: There’s something weird about all these reviews. They all focus on the great smell of the shampoo. While that’s certainly true, that’s not really the main selling point to me. This is more than a shampoo. It’s also an effective medical treatment for a ton of canine skin conditions. Treats and prevents itchiness, rashes, hives, swelling, and other dermatological issues. I — and my dogs — certainly prefer the easy simplicity of this shampoo instead of any harsh prescription skin medication. Sure, it smells great, but it works even better!
5. Earth Bath All Natural Shampoo
Like most of the shampoo products in this list, the OxGord Natural Dog Shampoo counts on oatmeal as its key ingredient in fighting off dryness and flakiness in dog skin. It does a good job of keeping dog fur soft and shiny. It also comes with essential oils and vitamins that can nourish the skin and moisturize the tough spots.
Aside from oatmeal, it has organic aloe vera that can soothe itchiness in dog skin. And if you are using the topical flea treatment on your dog, you can still use this shampoo as it won’t wash off said treatment.
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This product has rating 4.3 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: I think this might be the best dog shampoo I’ve ever used. I have a Havanese that’s pretty rough & tumbles and he’s constantly rolling in the grass, dirt & leaves & even with a weekly bath he always looks a little “scruffy”. I’ve only used this once but his white fur is whiter than ever and he’s much softer and fluffier than before. He also has wavy hair that’s prone to tangles and is a challenge to comb through & this did wonders for that too.
6. Paws and Pals Natural Dog Shampoo
Oatmeal is another ingredient of this dog shampoo, along with other ingredients like shea butter and rosemary. It not only moisturizes dog’s coat but also leaves it clean and nice smelling. It also has a tearless formula hence your dog’s eyes should not get hurt when you use this shampoo on him. This shampoo is also designed to minimize shedding and itching.
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This product has rating 4.3 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: This is honestly the best dog shampoo I have ever used! I have a German Shepherd and, needless to say, she gets stinky in just a few days. I have tried a lot of the expensive shampoos and nothing lasted — not even the groomer shampoos. But this one does! Instead of having to endure her short-hair stinkiness after 2-3 days, this shampoo lasts two weeks! And it keeps her shedding and itching to an absolute minimum all while keeping her nice and shiny. This shampoo does everything!
7. TropiClean Oatmeal and Tea Tree Shampoo
This shampoo has two key ingredients—oatmal and tea tree oil—working with salicylic acid and vitamin E to form a potent formula against the dry and itchy skin. It can also keep dog hair shiny and healthy. It also has a subtle and natural scent that can keep your baby fresh and nice-smelling for hours. The shampoo also has a thick and rich feel to it. And one bonus—it comes in a big, 20 oz. The bottle which means it should last for a long time.
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This product has rating 4.2 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: I have a 6-month-old German Shepard puppy that had some dry, itchy skin causing her too well..itch! I imagine the dry weather here in Arizona can have that effect! I decided to try this shampoo as it had been recommended by a friend and I’m so glad I did! For one thing, it smells fantastic but the scent isn’t overbearing in a way that has affected my puppy! I also noticed her fur was much silkier and soft to the touch after using it (German Shepards tend to have wiry hair, to begin with!) and I haven’t caught her itching hardly at all since using it! She already has two baths with this shampoo and it’s been smooth sailing every time!
8. Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo
With key ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E, you can bet that this hypo-allergenic shampoo can provide relief for dogs suffering from the itchy and dry skin. It is soap-free, too. It may also be used to complement other topical flea and tick control treatments.
According to those who have used it, this shampoo can help dog hair become softer and more manageable. Moreover, it seems that this shampoo can be used on your pet daily without causing any irritations or side effects.
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This product has rating 4.2 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: This is one of the best shampoos I have found for my dog. He has allergies and takes Atopica on a daily basis. Per the vet’s advice, we bathe him once a week to wash away allergens. This works great. It rinses easily and has a fantastic smell.
9. Burt Bee’s All Natural Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs
This is one dog shampoo highly recommended to dog parents who are on a budget. This dye-free and pH-balanced shampoo are great for dogs with sensitive, itchy or dry skin. It contains oatmeal, which has been proven effective in controlling dryness and itchiness in dog skin. Other all-natural ingredients are green tea extract, honey, and beeswax.
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This product has rating 4.1 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: My dog has a skin condition, she has a bump all over that resemble large warts and dry flaky skin that itched. .The vet tried many different things but nothing worked. She itched so much she was just miserable. I’ve heard good things about Burt Bee products so as almost a last resort I tried it. I couldn’t believe how it worked. With the first bath, most flakes were gone and itching was much better. After three baths its like she never had a problem.
10. Calily Life Organic Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
This dog shampoo uses oatmeal with two other natural ingredients known for soothing dry canine skin— shea butter and aloe vera. It also features a special formula designed to make bathing a pleasurable experience for dogs as the shampoo won’t cause a stinging sensation especially when it comes to contact with their eyes. Reviewers also indicate that this shampoo has a very mild scent.
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This product has rating 4.1 of 5 stars in Amazon. Here’s one of the customer review: We really like this product for our dog. Does such a nice job and leaves her coat so soft and shiny. Also, love the very light mild scent instead of many that have strong perfume scents that also aggravate asthma. We live in desert climates and sometimes our dog has had some itching after using other shampoos that were designed for allergies/itching. Since using this product have not had any itching at all. Big bottle lasts a long time and our girl is 54 pounds. Definitely ordering again!
That’s it—10 of the best dog shampoos for sensitive skin. We hope that you should be able to find the best shampoo for your dog who’s prone to dry, flaky and itchy skin. If you have any recommendation shampoo that we do not mention above could share it with our reader on below comments section.
