14 Best Shampoo Options For Dogs With Dry, Itchy Skin

Furry Faves

We take pride in our research and may earn a commission for purchases made using our links.

It can be frustrating when dogs suffer from dry skin, dandruff, hot spots, and other skin issues driven by allergies, genetics, or something we can’t even identify. After going to the vet to ensure nothing more serious is going on, switching out the shampoo you use can make a huge difference. Because I have two very dry-skin-prone dogs, I looked forward to writing this article, which includes a couple of shampoos I’ve used for my own cuddle buddies. I also came across several with outstanding reviews that I will likely give a try as well. Read through some of the reviews of these specific top dog shampoos for dry skin to learn more about the experiences other owners have had. This will help you determine what might work best for your furry child.

Jump To The Products:

Things to Know:

  • Calming

  • 200 mg of CBD

  • No THC

CBD can increase your dog’s sebum production, which is critical for nourishing and hydrating the skin. Without THC, the shampoo delivers 200 mg of CBD, which fights against dry skin and can be overall soothing to your dog during bath time. This can be particularly useful for extra anxious pups! CBD also reduces redness and swelling, so it might be useful for dogs susceptible to skin reactions. Overall, this cruelty-free product is ideal for sensitive skin, and the Mandarin Berry scent will surely result in lots of extra cuddles.

Things to Know:

  • For dogs and cats

  • Deep cleaning

It is possible to do a deep cleanse of your pet’s fur without harsh soap. This formula utilizes soothing ingredients ideal for sensitive skin that won’t strip away natural oils. Oat adds to the nourishing benefits, and pet parents will notice that the product lathers quite well. A delightful coconut scent is used and is pleasantly neutral, whether using the shampoo on dogs or cats. This one might be worth a try with over 100 reviews and almost five stars.

Things to Know:

  • Antioxidant

  • For all types of fur

Get cozy with the scent of vanilla bean and the overall helpful addition of oatmeal, vitamin E, and aloe. The formula is moisturizing while simultaneously antioxidant. The description details the shampoo to work on all types of fur. Many reviews recommended the shampoo for dogs with skin problems, and others combined the shampoo change with efforts such as adding salmon oil to the diet. Always check with your veterinarian first. One thing in particular we noticed is that they use real vanilla bean, which we can imagine smells great.

Things to Know:

  • Probiotic

  • Mostly natural

I have a Pug and a Pomeranian, both quite allergy prone. Pugs are kind of notorious for breaking out not only on their wrinkly faces but on their bodies too. I’ve learned a lot of things in my girl’s three years with us. One of them is that probiotics are a must! Topical ones. Scout’s Honor shampoo is paraben and sulfate free and has a fragrant, uplifting scent that lasts. While I may be unable to get around all of the pug fur on my furniture, her skin is well-balanced and rarely ever has a bump or break out. We also use Scout’s Honor probiotic ear cleaner, and these have helped us seemingly dodge some of the dreaded Pug health concerns.

Things to Know:

  • Mostly natural

  • Paraben and sulfate free

Burt’s Bees products seem solid and consistent, whether using them for humans or pets. Natural ingredients are high-quality and less likely to irritate since there aren’t sulfates or parabens. Before discovering Scout’s Honor, we used Burt’s Bees shampoo and ear cleaner for our dogs. For our Pomeranian, we could’ve easily continued to use Burt’s Bees, which significantly reduced how much she scratched. Reviews seem to echo what I have experienced, with folks seeing quick relief of seasonal or long-term itching.

Things to Know:

  • Biodegradable

  • All-natural

  • Hypoallergenic

Need something heavy-duty but also gentle on the skin? Mighty Mutt is hypoallergenic and also biodegradable, so you can do good for the earth and your pup at the same time. All the ingredients are natural, so you don’t have to worry about parabens or other dirty ingredients. That means the scent is natural too, but we can’t quite gauge the level of “smell”—some folks say it’s way too strong, and some say they barely smelled anything. Overall, the reviews are solid across-the-board.

Things to Know:

  • All-natural

  • Unscented available

Hydrate, soothe, and heal all at the same time. Anybody with a dog that suffers from irritated skin or hot spots knows that it’s not just the itchy skin that needs repairing. He will likely be dealing with inflammation from all of that scratching. This all-natural formula uses Jojoba oil, kelp powder, and aloe vera to restore the skin, and lavender with eucalyptus adds a soothing scent that lasts beyond bath time. Reviews confirm that this is overall a consistent remedy for itching skin.

Things to Know:

  • For parasitic infections

  • For fungal infections

  • For allergies

Not all skin conditions are created equal. There can be very different reasons a dog might experience itching skin. If you’ve had persisting problems, it is likely to warrant a trip to the vet. This particular shampoo can help with bigger issues like seborrhea, mange, or other parasitic and fungal skin infections, while it can also help with general allergies at the same time. Among other ingredients, the powerful combination of salicylic acid and colloidal oatmeal helps resolve daunting pet skin issues. The reviews are consistently high. Some pet parents even found it useful for yeast infections.

Things to Know:

  • PH balanced

  • Smells good per reviews

You may have heard of this brand before, and that might be because there is a line for human hair as well. If you love the smooth, silky feel that Biosilk delivers to your own hair, you can also have it for your four-legged friend as well. PH balanced and moisturizing, the formula is absolutely spectacular for dry skin, according to the description. Customers mentioned that fur is silky and moisturized after use. The good smell is also a mentioned attribute in the reviews.

Things to Know:

  • Real coconut scent

  • Helps with shedding

When searching for a shampoo for my dogs, I focus on whether the ingredients are natural. After doing a little research on this one, it might be next on my list. Not only does the product help relieve itching, but it can also help with shedding. My dogs shed a lot. I spent a lot of time brushing fur, and soothing skin, so it would be nice to do both at once. Customers often mention the scent, which is derived from real coconut!

Things to Know:

  • Helps heal hot spots

  • Helps with tangling

A powerhouse of ingredients comes together to create a soothing formula, promoting the production of natural oils while allowing any hot spots to heal. Aloe vera gel, organic almond oil, oatmeal, and vitamins A, D, E, and B12 are key ingredients that are good for dogs and some other animals. Also, being a conditioner, if you have a longer-haired dog that tangles easily, this can also take on that issue. The overall consensus is that it’s effective for dry skin, smoothing the coat, and making your pet smell lovely.

Things to Know:

  • Professional grade

  • PH balanced

  • All-natural

Salon grade and pH balanced, this shampoo is ideal for giving pets a professionally groomed look. They’ve left out all the bad synthetic stuff, alcohol, harsh soaps, oils, and other synthetic materials. Without this yuck stuff, the result is a lightweight, beautiful coat, described as “weightless“ in the description. Natural botanicals enhance the overall performance, and a floral scent is the cherry on top. Made in the USA, the shampoo is crafted in small batches in California.

Things to Know:

  • PH balanced

  • Vegan

Paul Mitchell has branched beyond shampoos and hair products for humans and on to those for our sweet furry friends. The harmonious combination of lavender and mint soothes the body and the mind. Aloe vera and chamomile pair well to enhance the skin’s soothing effects. The formula is also vegan, which can be important for various pet parents. Lastly, the shampoo is pH balanced to be ideal for your four-legged best friend.

Things to Know:

  • Deep cleaning

  • All-natural

Do you feel at a loss because you have a pup that tends to get extra dirty but also has sensitive skin? Well, worry no more because this triple-strength dirty dog version is specifically crafted to go deep into thick, grimy coats, eliminating debris and odor. Your pet will be left with a fresh green apple and white tea scent. At the same time, the natural ingredients are soothing and gentle on irritated skin. Wheat protein, vitamin E, aloe vera, and shea oil are used to accomplish two of the toughest problems when grooming sensitive-skinned dirty fur babies.


More Articles You May Like