Best Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
If you’ve noticed your dog is itching more than usual, or if their skin is red and flaky, they likely have dry skin. There are many reasons behind why your pup’s skin is dry, but know that it can be quite uncomfortable for them to deal with if not addressed properly. Fortunately, there are ways to treat dry skin in dogs, from medication to foods and products for their fur.
Just like there are specialty shampoos people use for different hair types, there are shampoos for dogs that are made for specific reasons. The best dog shampoo for dry skin can help hydrate and moisturize, as well as soothe your dog’s itchy, burning skin, whether it is caused by allergies, dermatitis, or fleas. Symptoms of dry skin include licking or biting paws, redness, flaky skin or dandruff, and excessive itching. And just like cold temperatures and weather changes can influence our skin and hair’s condition, it can also take a toll on your dog. Here’s a look at the top 10 best dog shampoos for dry skin:
Top 10 Best Dog Shampoos For Dry Skin in 2019
1) Pro Pet Works Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
2) All Natural, Hypoallergenic | Gentle Puppy Shampoo + Conditioner with Aloe Vera
3) Honeydew Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies
6) John Paul Pet Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
7) KetoHex Antifungal & Antibacterial Veterinary Formulated Shampoo for Dogs, Cats, Horses
8) Seamus Cherry Blossom Professional Hypoallergenic, Whitening & Brightening Dog Shampoo
9) HyLyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo with Essential Fatty Acids for Dogs & Cats
10) Vetoquinol Vet Solutions for Itchy, Dry Skin Aloe & Oatmeal Soap Free Dog & Cat Shampoo
Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin Reviews
Pro Pet Works Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Pro Pet Works dog shampoo is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon, and we can see why. Made with almond oilega, aloe vera, oatmeal, and vitamins A, D, and E, this formula is 100% organic, hypoallergenic, and soap-free. Its natural, organic ingredients help to soothe and moisturize dry, itchy, and flaking skin that is caused by allergies and extreme dryness. It’s one of the safest shampoos out there and will make bathing your pup simple. The delightful smell lasts, and the formula provides a deep cleanse to rid your dog’s skin and hair of dirt and bacteria. It’s free of parabens, alcohol, sulfates, added colors, harsh chemicals, and fragrance.
Alpha Dog Series Hypoallergenic | Gentle Puppy Shampoo + Conditioner with Aloe Vera
Alpha Dog Series’ Premium Choice dog shampoo for dry skin is loaded with hydrating ingredients. It is specifically formulated for dogs with sensitive and dry skin, as well as dogs with skin allergies, so you don’t have to worry about the ingredients irritating your pet’s skin. We especially love this formula because it is a shampoo and conditioner in one. It is pH-balanced and contains aloe vera – both essential elements of any dog shampoo for dry skin. Just as aloe cools off a sunburn, it leaves your pup’s skin feeling refreshed and takes the burn away. The shampoo is tear-free, so you can use it near the face and ears if that is a place that irritates your pup.
One of the best parts about this dog shampoo is that it has a pleasant, long-lasting scent. Many fragrances in dog shampoo come from chemical additives, but this one is all-natural.
Honeydew Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies
This dog shampoo for dry skin is from Pet Pleasant and is completely tear-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and cruelty-free. Made with oatmeal, honeydew, Jojoba, and ProVitamin, the ingredients work together to soothe itchy and irritated skin, as well as hydrate and detangle fur. All ingredients are natural and hypoallergenic, so even pups with the most sensitive skin should benefit from using it.
Pet Pleasant goes the extra mile with this product by bottling the shampoo in an environmentally-friendly, BPA-free container. The company guarantees customers will be satisfied with the dog shampoo, and if they are not, they will give you your money back. The price of an 8 oz. bottle is very reasonable, and customer reviews are nearly impeccable.
Vanilla Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Aloe Vera – Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies – Anti Itch Pet Shampoo for Dogs with Sensitive Skin
This is another dog shampoo for dry skin from Pet Pleasant, but with a few key differences; this formula contains lavender and vanilla instead of honeydew, but it is infused with aloe vera and colloidal oatmeal like the formula above.
You’ll notice a lot of the best dog shampoos for dry skin contain colloidal oatmeal, and that’s not by coincidence. Colloidal oatmeal is used to treat eczema, burns, and diaper rash in humans because of its ability to soften and soothe skin, as well as prevent itchy and rough skin. The same benefits are found in shampoos that use colloidal oatmeal. It’s one of the best anti-itch agents, and it helps that it’s completely natural and fragrance-free.
Moosh Natural Dog Shampoo
Moosh Natural Dog Shampoo is from Field Works Supply Company and is made with 100% organic ingredients – that’s not something you find very often with dog shampoo. Not only does this dog shampoo help treat dry skin, hot spots, and skin allergies, but it helps promote healthy fur. This formula is packed with nourishing elements like Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Aloe Vera, and Bentonite Clay – all naturally-derived and used to not only heal irritated skin but prevent it from returning.
Because of how natural the ingredients are, Moosh shampoo is safe to use in lake water, as well. It’s a concentrated formula that is made in small batches, so a little bit goes a long way.
John Paul Pet Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
Does your dog need designer shampoo?
John Paul Pet is a line of pet products created by Paul Mitchell. This dog shampoo for dry skin caters to pups with sensitive, flaky, or irritated skin. The oatmeal, aloe vera, chamomile, and almond oil are combined to create a moisturizing treatment that smells delicious. The cleansing agents in the formula help to wash away the buildup of bacteria and dirt on your pup’s skin and fur without causing irritation. Rest assured that this formula is safe for your dog – the company tests it on people before bottling it for animals. And if you need another reason to trust John Paul Pet’s Oatmeal Shampoo, they donate some of their proceeds to animal and wildlife organizations.
(Plus, if you have cats running around your home, too, you can use this shampoo on them.)
KetoHex Antifungal & Antibacterial Veterinary Formulated Shampoo for Dogs, Cats, Horses
We wanted to include this dog shampoo for dry skin because of its powerful results – but keep in mind, it’s not for everyone. This Vetone formula is specially made for animals with fungal or bacterial infections, which can lead to irritated, dry skin. It is an antiseptic that kills bacteria and helps with skin lesions, so it is certainly not for pups with a little dandruff or skin allergies. The shampoo deeply cleanses fur and skin while helping to treat and prevent infections and lesions.
Amazon notes that this formula is great for dogs, cats, and horses that have been neglected or have suffered an injury to help keep wounds and skin clear from harmful bacteria and fungi.
Seamus Cherry Blossom Professional Hypoallergenic, Whitening & Brightening Dog Shampoo
Seamus shampoo is another formula that is meant for dogs, cats, and horses. Its hypoallergenic ingredients help treat dryness, itchiness, and redness caused by allergies. It is approved by veteranarians and is intended to make your pup’s coat more vibrant in color, as well as softer. Seamus’ dog shampoo for dry skin is soap-free, meaning its ingredients are gentle and natural, which is exactly what your pup needs if they are struggling with dry, irritated skin.
The company claims to use a patented Pharmasome technology, which essentially means the benefits of the shampoo will last longer than its competitors.
HyLyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo with Essential Fatty Acids for Dogs & Cats
HyLyt shampoo is a hypoallergenic formula that helps with dryness and flaking. Made with natural ingredients, this shampoo is soap-free so you don’t have to worry about it further irritating your pup’s skin. It cleanses without sudsing and moisturizes fur and skin to prevent future dryness. HyLyt includes oils, fatty acids, and colloidal oatmeal – all ingredients proven to help condition and hydrate skin. HyLyt is also used to help treat seborrhea, which causes scaling and redness in the skin. In humans, it’s most commonly found on the scalp and causes dandruff, but in dogs and cats, it can be found anywhere on the body.
Vetoquinol Vet Solutions for Itchy, Dry Skin Aloe & Oatmeal Soap Free Dog & Cat Shampoo
Vetoquinol Vet Solutions is ideal for treating dry skin in dogs. Its ingredients are gentle and reparative, working together to provide a deep cleanse without stripping natural oils from your pup’s skin, which can cause further irritation. Customers claim the shampoo helps with dermatitis, sensitive skin, and dandruff and has been said to provide a “miraculous recovery” to pets suffering from the aforementioned issues.
You can use this dog shampoo for dry skin alongside topical flea treatments. Keep in mind, this formula is not tear-free and will cause irritation if it gets in your pup’s eyes.
Best Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin Buying Guide
There are several reasons why dogs get dry skin, from allergies to parasites and skin problems. When looking for the best dog shampoo to help with dry skin, it is best to find out why your dog is experiencing these issues so you know how to properly treat it. The right shampoo with the right ingredients can certainly help, but if your pup needs medication or a new diet, then you’ll want to make sure you pair the shampoo treatment with other treatments to ensure maximum effectiveness. In this buying guide, we’ll take a look at how dog shampoo works to alleviate dry skin, what ingredients and labels to look for when you are browsing for the right one, and how to use it once you’ve chosen the best fit for your pup.
How it Works
The best dog shampoo for dry skin is created to soothe and treat your pup’s itchy skin. The hydrating and moisturizing agents in the shampoo will penetrate the skin’s layers and help to calm inflammation and redness. It will also help to condition the skin to prevent it from drying out even further.
What to Look For In a Dog Shampoo For Dry Skin
There are hundreds of shampoos that claim to help dogs with dry skin, so how in the world do you know which one will work for your dog? First, it’s important to look into what ingredients are in the shampoo and what kind of formula it is. The main two kinds of shampoos you’ll want to look for are organic and hypoallergenic shampoos. Organic formulas will be free of sulfates, parabens, and other chemical fillers that are found in most shampoos (for humans, too!), which can easily irritate and dry your pup’s skin out even further. Hypoallergenic shampoos are great for dogs with skin allergies and extremely sensitive skin because they are made with mild, natural ingredients.
As you are searching for the best dog shampoo for dry skin, look for hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, she butter, lavender, Argan oil, Bentonite Clay, Jojoba, and ProVitamin B5. Finding a shampoo that pH balanced, as well, will ensure the formula doesn’t further irritate your pup’s skin.
While it is not necessary, you can also look for a formula that conditions/detangles hair and is tear-free because it will be gentle and hydrating.
How to Use It
Prep the area you plan to bathe your dog with the shampoo, a pitcher or cup, and towels. You know your pup better than anyone, so you will know where the best place is in your home to give them a bath. After rinsing your dog’s fur with lukewarm water, massage the shampoo into the fur so that it reaches the skin. When you rinse the shampoo, make sure you’ve gotten all of the soap out. You can use a conditioner for dry skin, but it is not necessary.
If you brush your pup after a bath, just be gentle so you do not irritate the skin. Bathe your dog at least once every ninety days, but it is a good idea to do so more often to see if the shampoo is helping with the dryness. Just do not shampoo them any more than once a week, or you could irritate their skin further.
Keep in mind, you may need to combine the shampoo with other treatment methods.
After shampooing your dog, make sure to use a comb with durable, metal teeth to detangle the hair. In between washes, brush fur at least once a week to ensure the hair does not tangle or matte. Matted fur can be extremely itchy and painful for dogs, causing dry skin to get irritated even further.
Below is a list of Products reviewed in this article
- Pro Pet Works Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
- All Natural, Hypoallergenic | Gentle Puppy Shampoo + Conditioner with Aloe Vera
- Honeydew Oatmeal Pet Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies
- Vanilla Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Aloe Vera – Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs & Puppies – Anti Itch Pet Shampoo for Dogs with Sensitive Skin
- Moosh Natural Dog Shampoo
- John Paul Pet Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
- KetoHex Antifungal & Antibacterial Veterinary Formulated Shampoo for Dogs, Cats, Horses
- Seamus Cherry Blossom Professional Hypoallergenic, Whitening & Brightening Dog Shampoo
- HyLyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo with Essential Fatty Acids for Dogs & Cats
- Vetoquinol Vet Solutions for Itchy, Dry Skin Aloe & Oatmeal Soap Free Dog & Cat Shampoo
