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Does your dog have dry skin? If so, you’re not alone. Many dogs suffer from dry skin, especially during the winter months. While there are many commercial dog shampoos on the market that claim to help with dry skin, not all of them are created equal. In this article, we’ll take a look at 11 of the best dog shampoos for dry skin, based on our own experience and research.
11 Best Dog Shampoos for Dry Skin
Best Overall: Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey for Dogs
Key Features:
- pH balanced
- With colloidal oat flour and honey
- 97% natural
- Cruelty-free
- Contains no SLS, chemicals, fragrances, phthalates, parabens, or petrolatum
- Made in the USA
- Comes in 2 sizes
There are many reasons why Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey for Dogs tops our list of best dog shampoos. Its gentle formulation is free from harmful chemicals, is specially formulated for dogs with allergies and dry, sensitive skin, and helps with healthy hair growth. This US-made dog shampoo is 97% natural, cruelty-free, and leaves a mild, comforting scent.
Best for Pups: TropiClean Hypoallergenic Gentle Coconut Puppy Shampoo
Key Features:
- Made from naturally-derived ingredients
- pH balanced
- Dye, soap, and paraben-free
- With pleasant coconut scent
- Comes in 3 sizes
TropiClean Hypoallergenic Gentle Coconut Puppy Shampoo is one of the best dog shampoos for puppies. It gently cleanses and moisturizes your pup’s skin while leaving his coat soft and shiny. It contains all-natural ingredients, is pH balanced, and leaves a pleasant coconut aroma after every wash.
Best for Older Dogs: Oliver’s Choice Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal and Aloe
Key Features:
- With oatmeal, shea butter, and aloe
- Cruelty-free, tear-free, and paraben-free
- Made in the USA
- Comes in a 14oz bottle
- Manufacturer’s guarantee
Pet parents love Oliver’s Choice Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal and Aloe because it leaves dogs smelling sweet and fresh. This is a US-made product that has a tear-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free formula. Your pooch will surely end up feeling and smelling fresh after bath time.
Most Hypoallergenic: Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs
Key Features:
- Contains oatmeal, d-limonene, and tea tree oil
- Spa-day fresh scent
- Made in the USA
- Comes in a 16oz shampoo
Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs can be your go-to dog shampoo for your pooch who is always itching and scratching. It offers fast allergy relief to dogs with sensitive skin without stripping his skin without affecting topical tick and flea treatments. It is a vet formulated dog shampoo that leaves your fur baby smelling spa-day fresh all day long.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Pro Pet Works All Natural Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner
Key Features:
- 5-in-1 formula
- With aloe vera and organic almond oil
- With Vitamins A, D, E, and B12
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben and cruelty-free
- Comes in 2 sizes
Treating dry, itchy skin has never been easier thanks to Pro Pet Works All Natural Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner. Its 2-in-1 hypoallergenic formula contains almond oil, oatmeal, and aloe vera which helps relieve allergies while leaving his coat soft and shiny. You’ll be happy to know that the manufacturer made the shampoo with recycled materials, helping you achieve your green and sustainable goals.
You can also use this shampoo along with your canine buddy’s tick and flea treatments. no harmful chemicals were used in making this pet parent’s favorite shampoo.
Best for Dry, Itchy Skin: Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo
Key Features:
- With aloe vera, eucalyptus, and peppermint
- Sulfate and paraben-free
- pH balanced
- With Vitamins A, B, D, and E
- Made in the USA
- Comes in a 16oz bottle
Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo is a safe and effective shampoo that helps keep dogs stay clean and fresh. It helps relieve common skin irritations, leaving his skin moisturized and his coat plush and clean. It comes in a 16oz bottle, is safe for dogs 6 weeks and older, and leaves a refreshingly minty scent.
Crowd’s Favorite: Paws & Pals Natural Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner
Key Features:
- Made with natural oils, extracts, and pro-Vitamin B5
- Contains oatmeal, sweet basil, and turmeric
- Tear-free formula
- BPA, sulfate, parabens, and synthetic dye-free
- Made in the USA
- Comes in 3 sizes
If you are looking for a dog shampoo that works wonders in soothing sensitive skin, moisturizing dry skin and coat, and softening dog’s hair, then Paws & Pals Natural Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner is for you. This pet-safe specially formulated dog shampoo contains a refreshing blend of the finest ingredients. This leaves your pooch with that long-lasting fresh scent minus the pricey price tag and harsh chemicals.
Best Budget: Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo
Key Features:
- pH balanced, oatmeal formula
- Paraben, alcohol, and PEG-80-free
- With coconut lime verbena scent
- Comes in a 24 bottle
- Made in the USA
Itchy skin can be relieved with the help of a specially formulated dog shampoo for sensitive skin like the Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo. It has everything you might want in a dog shampoo – pH balanced, free from alcohol, PEG-80, and paraben. Even vets are in love with this shampoo since it lathers up nicely, contains the best naturally-derived ingredients, and leaves a coconut lime verbena scent.
Best Medicated Dog Shampoo: TropiClean Oatmeal & Tea Tree Pet Shampoo
Key Features:
- Made with naturally-derived ingredients
- Medicated formula with beta hydroxyl
- Soap, dye, and paraben-free
- Spill-resistant packaging
- Made in the USA
- Comes in 4 sizes
Dogs that are 12 weeks and older and are suffering from dry, itchy, and irritated skin will fall in love with the TropiClean Oatmeal & Tea Tree Pet Shampoo. This US-made medicated shampoo has beta hydroxyl and naturally derived ingredients to soothe, gently exfoliate, and condition your canine buddy’s skin and coat. You won’t find soap, dye, and paraben in the ingredients, which gives you better peace of mind.
It comes in 4 sizes and spill-resistant bottles. This is one of your best choices if your pooch is not into heavily-perfumed scents.
Best Value: Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo
Key Features:
- Contains aloe vera, sage, green tea rosemary, and chamomile
- With wheat protein
- Lavender and mint scent
- Alcohol-free
- Comes in 2 sizes
Buddy Wash Original Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo is a coconut-based shampoo for dogs formulated with botanical extracts and essential oils for a refreshingly soothing splish-splash experience. It acts as a natural deodorizer and gentle cleanser. With this shampoo, every bath time will be spa-time for the best pooch in the world.
Honorable Mention: PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Scented Dog Shampoo
Key Features:
- Plant-derived cleanser
- With aloe leaf juice and Vitamin E
- Soap-free and pH balanced
- Floral scent
- Comes in 3 sizes
This list is not complete with PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Scented Dog Shampoo. This dog shampoo helps in moisturizing your buddy’s skin, detangles his coat, and leaves an invigorating floral scent. This effectively gets rid of grime and dirt without the harmful ingredients.
The shampoo turns into a luxurious lather and won’t affect topical flea and tick treatments. Now, your pooch can stay clean and fresh for longer periods of time.
Things to Consider When Buying Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
Instructions for Use
When buying dog shampoo for dry skin, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, look for a shampoo that is specifically designed for dry skin. Many general-purpose shampoos will actually strip the natural oils from your dog’s skin, making the problem worse.
Scented or fragrance-free?
While some people prefer scented shampoo, others find that it can irritate their dog’s skin. If your dog has dry skin, you may want to opt for a fragrance-free shampoo to avoid further irritation.
Natural Ingredients
If you’re looking for a more natural option, there are several dog shampoos on the market that contain ingredients like aloe vera and oatmeal, which can help to soothe and moisturize dry skin.
Soap-free
Many commercial shampoos contain soap, which can strip the natural oils from your dog’s skin. If your dog has dry skin, you may want to look for a soap-free shampoo.
Why Your Dog Might Have Dry Skin
Poor Nutrition
One of the most common causes of dry skin in dogs is poor nutrition. If your dog isn’t getting the proper nutrients, their skin will suffer. Make sure you’re feeding your dog a high-quality diet that is appropriate for their age, activity level, and health condition.
Harsh Shampoos
As we mentioned above, using a harsh shampoo can strip the natural oils from your dog’s skin, leaving it dry and irritated. Be sure to use a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo specifically designed for dogs.
Allergies
Many dogs suffer from allergies, which can cause dry, itchy skin. If you suspect your dog has allergies, talk to your veterinarian about the best course of treatment.
Not Enough Rinsing
If you don’t rinse your dog’s shampoo off completely, it can leave their skin dry and irritated. Be sure to rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
Dry Weather
If you live in a dry climate, the weather can contribute to your dog’s dry skin. Be sure to provide your dog with plenty of fresh water to drink, and consider using a humidifier in your home to help add moisture to the air.
Conclusion
If your dog has dry skin, there are a number of things you can do to help. Be sure to use a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo specifically designed for dogs, and consider using a natural shampoo that contains ingredients like aloe vera or oatmeal.
You may also want to increase the amount of water your dog drinks, and use a humidifier in your home to help add moisture to the air. If you suspect your dog has allergies, talk to your veterinarian about the best course of treatment.
