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Are skin allergies creating a problem for your pup? Finding the right shampoo could provide some much-needed relief for your dog’s itchy skin and discomfort. I review several excellent choices, including shampoos formulated with specific soothing and healing ingredients to help your pup.
| Overall | Itchy Skin | Oatmeal | Medicated |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Douxo S3 PYO | Vet’s Best Allergy Itch | Burt’s Bees | Veterinary Formula |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| View on Chewy | View on Chewy | View on Chewy | View on Chewy |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Skin allergies can be a chronic concern that can leave your pup with dry skin, feeling itchy and uncomfortable. Luckily, you can consider a shampoo for dogs with skin allergies to help ease the discomfort and irritation your dog may be experiencing. I recommend also speaking with your vet about possible medicated shampoo options.
Does My Dog Have A Skin Allergy?
Skin allergies in dogs can come from environmental factors, such as fleas, food, contact with an allergen, or bacteria. These allergies appear with a variety of symptoms, too. If you have concerns about your pup having skin irritation, read about dog skin allergies to learn more about the symptoms you’re seeing and what may be causing them.
Dog Allergy Testing
If you want to get to the root cause of your dog’s skin allergies, getting your pup tested for intolerances or allergies is your best bet. You have options that range from working with your vet to at-home allergy testing. Once you know the cause, it will help you and your vet develop the best treatment plan to meet your pup’s needs. You may also want to look into pet insurance to learn what it covers, and if it may help you provide better medical care for your pup.
Best Dog Shampoo For Allergies
I’ve reviewed some top picks for the best dog shampoo for allergies in several categories based on ingredients, customer reviews, price, and more.
Best Overall Dog Shampoo For Allergies: Douxo S3 PYO Shampoo Review
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Douxo S3 PYO Shampoo is our top pick for the overall best dog shampoo for allergies. This soothing dog shampoo uses ophytrium, a purified natural ingredient, to help soothe irritated skin and support the skin as a natural barrier. A calming shampoo for dogs, this product is veterinarian-recommended and contains no soaps, sulfates, parabens, dyes, or nanoparticles. You can use this product in conjunction with the hydrating mousse, and this company also makes antiseptic pads that may be helpful.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Uses ophytrium and other natural ingredients | Some users complain about the thin consistency |
| Veterinarian recommended | Unable to verify if you can use it on puppies |
| No soaps, sulfates, parabens, dyes, or nanoparticles | |
| Doesn’t affect flea and tick product effectiveness | |
| Mild scent |
Price
Best For Itchy Skin: Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo Review
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Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo is our winner for the best anti-itch dog shampoo. This itchy dog shampoo has a mild scent, uses a veterinarian-formulated blend of essential oils, and doesn’t affect the use of flea or tick products. You can use this dog shampoo for dry, itchy skin to help give your pup relief from allergies that cause skin discomfort.
Even though this is our best dog shampoo for itching recommendation, it does contain tea tree oil, which can be dangerous in large doses, and some users report allergic reactions after use. As with any new product, it’s best to test it on a small area before using it on your dog’s entire body. They also offer a flea-specific shampoo.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Made with natural ingredients like aloe vera | Has tea tree oil |
| Veterinarian formulated | Allergic reactions have occurred |
| Doesn’t affect the effectiveness of flea and tick products | Unable to verify use for puppies |
| Washes away seasonal allergens | |
| Mild scent for sensitive skin |
Price
Best Oatmeal Dog Shampoo For Allergies: Burt’s Bees For Dogs Natural Oatmeal Shampoo Review
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So, is oatmeal shampoo good for dogs? Yes — oatmeal can provide soothing relief for dogs with skin allergy symptoms. I like Burt’s Bees For Dogs Natural Oatmeal Shampoo for the best oatmeal shampoo for dogs. This oatmeal dog shampoo for itchy skin is made with natural ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, honey, and beeswax and is an excellent choice for puppy shampoo for itchy skin. There’s also a conditioner available that goes with this product.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Made with natural ingredients | Some users complain about the thin consistency that doesn’t get sudsy |
| Veterinarian formulated | Several users say the product leaks during shipping |
| Can use it with dogs and puppies of all ages | |
| No fragrances, sulfates, colorants, and harsh chemicals | |
| pH-balanced for dogs and puppies |
Price
My Personal Experience With Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo For Dogs
I have used this product with my dogs for many years. It is mild, and the smell is not too intrusive. I am allergic to chemical fragrances, as is one of my children. In some cases, the reaction can be very fast, with itchy raised bumps on our skin within just a moment of coming in contact with a chemical. Because of this, I am very careful about what I use on my dogs, and Burt’s Bees has never caused a bad reaction. It gets my dog’s coat clean and keeps it very soft. It also works to keep the smell off between washes. It is also a very affordable option and is water-based.
Best Medicated Dog Shampoo For Allergies: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo Review
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I chose Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo as the best medicated dog shampoo for allergies. You can also use this shampoo for itchy skin, as a dermatitis shampoo for dogs, or a dog eczema shampoo. The active ingredients include coal tar, salicylic acid, and micronized sulfur, and there are no dyes, soap, or parabens. If you like a mild scent, this is not the shampoo for you and is not for use on puppies under 12 weeks old.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User coal tar, salicylic acid, micronized sulfur, and other natural ingredients | Strong smell |
| Veterinarian recommended | Can’t use on puppies under 12 weeks old |
| No dyes, soap, or parabens | |
| pH-balanced for dogs |
Price
Honorable Mention: Skout’s Honor Probiotic Itch Relief Shampoo Review
When consulting with other dog owners and Canine Journal team members, Skout’s Honor was mentioned as a product many owners like. It is hypoallergenic, 97% natural, paraben, sulfate, and fragrance-free. It is non-medicated and uses live, colony-forming topical probiotics to help your dog’s natural defenses against itching. Skout’s Honor is safe for dogs and cats, so it’s a great pick for multi-pet households. It can be used on pets six weeks and older.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cleans and hydrates | Some owners say it causes redness |
| Topical forming probiotics | Issues with shipping and product leaking |
| All-natural |
Price
- Starts at $20.99 16 oz bottle
Our Personal Experience With Skout’s Honor Probiotic Itch Relief Pet Shampoo
When my dog starts itching more than usual, I know it’s time for a bath. I use Skout’s Honor Probiotic Itch Relief Shampoo to clean his coat and hydrate itchy, irritated skin. The hypoallergenic formula is free of all ingredients you’re told to watch out for: sulfates, parabens, triclosan, petrolatum, added colors, and diethanolamine (DEA). The beneficial bacteria in this shampoo support the skin and coat to reduce itching, dryness, shedding, and—most importantly—odor. Topical probiotics are especially helpful for allergies because they promote the production of proteins called cytokines that modulate immune system response and reduce allergic inflammation. Overall, the shampoo is an excellent choice for someone looking for a natural, cruelty-free dog shampoo that helps relieve allergy symptoms.
– Tara Maurer, Dog Mom & Writer For Canine Journal
What Are My Other Options For Dealing With Skin Allergies?
Looking for another option to help relieve the discomfort of skin allergies? You can try an allergy bath for dogs, like an oatmeal bath similar to the one you would use for a baby. You may also find a spray like Vet’s Best Itch Relief Spray helpful in reducing itching or a supplement like PetHonesty Allergy Support to help reduce overall symptoms. PetHonesty also carries an excellent Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo that contains chlorhexidine and ketoconazole to help treat skin issues and infections.
Homemade Dog Shampoo For Allergies (Video)
This two-minute video by YouTuber LAurenrdaniels shows you how to make a moisturizing homemade dog shampoo that is anti-itch, anti-flea, and can reduce dandruff. We share some more simple recipes in our guide on DIY dog shampoo. Most of these you can make with ingredients in your kitchen right now!
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve answered some of the most common questions about dog shampoo for allergies that I’ve seen. If I missed yours, or you have a product to share, post it in the comments.
Does Shampooing Help A Dog With Allergies?
Washing a dog can help reduce the allergens they shed, as well as help manage itching and inflammation. Bathing your dog too much can make matters worse, so be careful not to overdo it. Bathing can help with sensitive skin. One of the ways it helps soothe itching is that dogs often scratch, causing small tears in the skin. This allows germs like bacteria and yeasts to cross into the body and potentially cause what is called a secondary infection. Bathing your dog helps remove these germs and reduce the risk of developing a skin infection. It can also soothe your pup’s inflammation and itchiness, at least for a short time. A weekly bath is usually enough for a dog with skin allergies.
Why Is My Dog So Itchy After A Bath?
Dogs get itchy after a bath for a few reasons. They may have sensitive skin, have an underlying skin condition that was aggravated during the bath, or have residue left behind that triggers itching. Bathing also removes the natural oils on your pup’s skin, which causes dryness. A dog may have a sensitivity or allergy to an ingredient in the shampoo, which can trigger an itchy reaction.
Is Baby Shampoo Good For Dogs With Allergies?
It may be okay for an occasional wash, but baby shampoo is not optimized for dogs. This means it can disrupt their pH balance. It’s best to pick a shampoo made for dogs, especially if your pup has allergies. In some cases, veterinarians may recommend a baby shampoo, like Johnson’s; otherwise, stick to products made for use with pets.
What Ingredients In Shampoo Trigger Skin Irritation And Allergies In Dogs?
Artificial fragrances or phthalates, dyes, and preservatives like parabens, formaldehyde, sulfates, and acylates can all trigger allergies in both dogs and humans. Strick to formulas with natural ingredients such as oatmeal, aloe, chamomile, and honey.
Allergies Can Affect More Than Skin
Even if your dog doesn’t have signs of skin allergies, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have allergies at all. Allergies in dogs can occur in several ways and produce various symptoms. Food allergies can also trigger allergic reactions that affect the skin. In those cases, a change in diet to a limited-ingredient dog food may help. Learning more about dog allergy symptoms can help you determine if your pup needs treatment. We also cover some home remedies that may help your itchy dog. You can also head over to our forum to chat with other dog owners and experts about dog shampoos, allergies, and many other helpful topics.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Danielle has raised rescue animals for over thirty years. She has a special place in her heart for mixed breeds and dogs with special medical needs. Danielle is a dedicated researcher with a background in education and behavior management. She works alongside a talented team at Canine Journal who strive to bring our readers the best, most relevant information to better their lives.
