Dog Club Life is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
If your dog is constantly scratching and biting at their skin, it could be a sign of sensitive, itchy skin. Luckily, there are plenty of dog shampoos on the market that can help soothe your pup’s skin and relieve their itchiness. Here are seven of the best dog shampoos for sensitive, itchy skin.
7 Best Dog Shampoos for Sensitive Itchy Skin
Best Overall: Natural Dog Company Sensitive Skin Shampoo
Key Features:
- Extra-gentle formula
- With colloidal oatmeal, manuka honey, chamomile extract, and aloe vera
- Sulfate, paraben, alcohol, and toxin-free
- Comes in a 12oz bottle
- Made in the USA
The Natural Dog Company Sensitive Skin Shampoo tops our list for its 100% naturally safe special formula for dogs with sensitive itchy skin. Its natural ingredients offer a soothing feeling while moisturizing your pooch’s skin. It helps eliminate odor while nourishing his skin and coat without the aid of harmful ingredients.
The shampoo contains no harmful chemicals, additives, or pesticides. This hypoallergenic dog shampoo is made in the US and is safe for both pups and older dogs.
Crowd’s Favorite: Burt’s Bees All Natural Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs
Key Features:
- With colloidal oatmeal, honey, and beeswax
- pH balanced and tearless formula
- Vet recommended
- Fragrance, sulfate, colorant, and harsh chemical-free
- Comes in a 4oz bottle
It’s easy to see why veterinarians, experts, and pet parents alike are in love with the Burt’s Bees All Natural Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs.
It’s easy-to-apply, tearless, and the pet-safe formula contains natural ingredients known to cleanse, soothe, soften, and condition your favorite dog’s skin and coat, relieving him of dry, itchy skin. It has that light lather and leaves a nice natural oatmeal scent.
Best Value: Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo
Key Features:
- No-tears, easy-rinse formula
- With aloe vera extract, rosemary, and chamomile
- No masking dyes, parabens, and drying alcohols
- Comes in 2 sizes and 3 variants
- 100% guarantee
If you want the best bang for your buck, consider Rocco & Roxie Dog Shampoo as one of your best choices. It is specially formulated to tame itchy, sensitive skin, leaving your pooch with moisturized skin and well-conditioned fur. It is pet-safe, free from any harmful ingredients, and even helps stimulate follicle growth.
The shampoo comes in 2 sizes. There are 3 variants you can choose from – calm, shine, and soothe. The company also offers a 100% guarantee in case you are not satisfied with the product.
Best Hypoallergenic: TropiClean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut Shampoo
Key Features:
- With naturally derived ingredients
- pH-balanced formula
- Soap, paraben, and dye-free
- Pleasant coconut aroma
- Comes in 3 sizes
Your pooch deserves a luxurious bath time and what better way to spice up his bath than with the TropiClean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut Shampoo?
Its pet-safe and pH-balanced formula feature naturally derived ingredients that gently cleanse and degrease his skin and fur. From pups to senior dogs with sensitive skin, they will surely benefit from this shampoo’s natural formula while leaving that pleasant coconut aroma.
Best Budget: OLIVER’S CHOICE Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal and Aloe
Key Features:
- With Oatmeal, Aloe, and Shea Butter
- Naturally derived, cruelty-free, biodegradable
- Sweet fresh scent
- Made in the USA
- Manufacturer’s warranty
If you are after a dog shampoo that cleanses, moisturizes, deodorizes, and leaves a sweet fresh scent every bath time, then the OLIVER’S CHOICE Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal and Aloe is for you.
This naturally-derived shampoo is free from harmful ingredients and is biodegradable. The company offers a manufacturer’s guarantee, which is a silent affirmation of their confidence in their products.
Best Organic: Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs
Key Features:
- Vet formulated
- With oatmeal, d-limonene, and tea tree oil
- Spa-day fresh scent
The Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo for Dogs helps relieve dry, itchy, and sensitive skin with the help of natural ingredients and essential oils like oatmeal, d-limonene, and tea tree oil.
This is one of those pet shampoos you can trust since it is formulated and approved by veterinarians. With this shampoo, your pooch will smell spa-day fresh all day.
Best Soapless Formula: Paws & Pals 5-in-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Key Features:
- Vegan and organic
- Tear-free and soapless formula
- With oatmeal, aloe vera, and pro-vitamin B5
- Comes in 3 sizes
- 2-weeks odor control
- Made in the US
The Paws & Pals Natural Oatmeal Dog-Shampoo And Conditioner is an organic, vegan, and cruelty-free dog shampoo specifically formulated to moisturize a dog’s skin and relieve skin allergies. The shampoo has a tear-free and soapless formula made from natural ingredients. It is made in the US and comes in 3 different sizes.
The shampoo offers up to 2 weeks’ worth of odor control. This means your pooch can stay feeling fresh and moisturized for extended periods of time.
Reasons Why your Dog has Itchy Skin
Dry Skin
Dry, flaky skin is a common cause of itchiness in dogs. If your dog’s skin is dry, it’s important to use a shampoo that will hydrate and moisturize their skin. Look for shampoos that contain ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, or glycerin.
Allergies
Allergies are another common cause of itchy skin in dogs. If your dog is allergic to something in their environment, such as pollen, mold, or dust, their skin will become itchy and inflamed.
If you suspect your dog has allergies, take them to the vet for testing. In the meantime, try using a hypoallergenic shampoo to help relieve their symptoms.
Flea & Other Parasites
Fleas, ticks, and other parasites can also cause your dog’s skin to itch. If you think your dog has fleas or another type of parasite, take them to the vet for treatment. In the meantime, using a dog shampoo that contains insecticidal ingredients can help kill the parasites and relieve your dog’s itchiness.
Food Allergies
Some dogs are allergic to certain ingredients in their food. If you think your dog’s itchy skin may be caused by a food allergy, talk to your vet about switching to a hypoallergenic diet.
Infections
Bacterial and fungal infections can also cause your dog’s skin to itch. If you think your dog has an infection, take them to the vet for treatment. In the meantime, using an antiseptic shampoo can help kill the bacteria or fungus and relieve your dog’s itchiness.
Hormone Imbalances
Hormone imbalances can also cause your dog’s skin to itch. If you think your dog has a hormone imbalance, take them to the vet for treatment. In the meantime, using a dog shampoo that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients can help relieve your dog’s itchiness.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Another possible cause of itchy skin in dogs is a nutritional deficiency. If your dog isn’t getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals, their skin may become dry and irritated. Talk to your vet about your dog’s diet and whether or not they need any supplements.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases can also cause your dog’s skin to itch. If you think your dog has an autoimmune disease, take them to the vet for treatment. In the meantime, using a dog shampoo that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients can help relieve your dog’s itchiness.
Conclusion
If your dog has itchy, sensitive skin, there are plenty of shampoos on the market that can help. Talk to your vet about your dog’s individual needs and choose a shampoo that contains ingredients that will help soothe their skin and relieve their itchiness.
