If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the most popular dog shampoo for itchy skins are, then we recommend TropiClean Oatmeal Medicated Shampoo for Pets as the best dog shampoo.

Some dogs itch and scratch until their skin turns red and dry.

It’s clearly not healthy for them and it can even lead to more serious skin conditions.

Therefore, it’s important to find a cause and solution for your dog’s sensitive skin so you can help soothe it.

Oftentimes, choosing the best dog shampoo for itchy skin is the easiest way to help your dog feel comfortable again.

What Are The Best Dog Shampoos For Dry Skin?

• Paws & Pals 5-in-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
• Earthbath Natural Oatmeal & Aloe Itch Relief Dog Shampoo
• Pro Pet Works All Natural & Organic Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
• 4-Legger Hypoallergenic Shampoo with Aloe and Lemongrass
• Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo
• TropiClean Oatmeal Medicated Shampoo for Pets
• Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Oatmeal and Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
• Pet Head Life’s An Itch Soothing Shampoo

Best Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin Reviews

There are endless options when it comes to choosing the best dog shampoo for itchy skin.

So, I have helped narrow down your search by choosing eight great products for your pup.

I have analyzed each one based on features, pros, and cons as well as testing them out on our labradoodle.

Paws & Pals 5-in-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

This is a “5-in-1” shampoo, which means in addition to shampooing, it also conditions, detangles, moisturizes, relieves dry skin, and controls odor. It’s a vegan, organic shampoo that’s made with only natural ingredients. Therefore, it would be easy on your dog’s skin because it has no chemicals in it.

One of the main ingredients is oatmeal, which can help relieve symptoms of allergies, hot spots, and dry skin.

It can also heal and protect your pup’s coat. It comes in a 20-ounce bottle that’s highly concentrated, so you get more quality ingredients compared to other leading brands.

Pros:

• It’s only made with natural ingredients.
• It uses oatmeal to heal allergies, hot spots, and dry skin.
• It contains no soap or chemicals.
• It heals and protects your dog’s skin and coat.
• It’s highly concentrated.
• It has a pleasant smell.

Cons:

• Some dogs could still have reactions to it.
• You could receive the wrong product.
• It’s runny.

---

Earthbath Natural Oatmeal & Aloe Itch Relief Dog Shampoo

Earthbath also sells natural shampoos with ingredients that will be easy on your dog’s sensitive skin.

This product has a vanilla and almond scent, and it uses oatmeal and aloe, which are made specifically for dry, sensitive skin.

It’s designed to re-moisturize and heal dry skin that itches like crazy.

The shampoo is 100% biodegradable, and it’s free of harmful items like paraben and phosphate.

When using this shampoo, it’s recommended that you let it sit in your dog’s coat for at least 90 seconds for full effect.

It comes in a 16-ounce bottle. 

Pros:

• It uses oatmeal to soothe dry, itchy skin.
• It contains no soap or chemicals.
• It has a pleasant smell. 
• It’s 100% biodegradable. 
• It can re-moisturize your dog’s damaged skin.

Cons:

• It’s expensive. 
• The quality could vary.
• It might not work for every dog.

Pro Pet Works All Natural & Organic Oatmeal Pet Shampoo

This is a vet-recommended shampoo and conditioner that also uses oatmeal to help heal your dog’s dry skin.

It’s particularly made for dogs with allergies to food, grass, or flea bites.

It’s also pH-balanced to cater to dogs with sensitive skin.

It uses only organic ingredients like aloe vera and almond oil. It never uses any soap, alcohol, harsh chemicals, added colors, or anything else that could irritate your dog’s skin.

It’s also fragrance-free and 100% biodegradable. It’s recommended that you wash your dog with warm water and let the shampoo sit in their coat for about 5 minutes before rinsing it out.

This product can be purchased in a 17-ounce bottle.

Pros:

• It’s made with natural ingredients.
• It uses no soap, harsh chemicals, alcohol, or added colors.
• It’s 100% biodegradable.
• It heals dry skin caused by allergies.
• It’s pH-balanced. 

Cons:

• It has to sit in your dog’s coat a long time. 
• It doesn’t leave a pleasant smell on your dog. 
• It doesn’t leave dogs feeling soft and clean enough.

4-Legger Hypoallergenic Shampoo with Aloe and Lemongrass

This is a hypoallergenic shampoo with plant-based vegan ingredients.

It uses coconut oil, aloe vera, and lemongrass as natural flea repellents.

It includes no artificial or synthetic chemicals in it. It’s designed to moisturize dogs with dry, itchy, or flaky skin.

It’s recommended by vets and groomers for its effectiveness, and it’s even USDA certified organic, which means it’s biodegradable too.

It’s safe for dogs of all ages and even safe for humans. It’s highly concentrated, so a little shampoo can go a long way.

It comes in a 16-ounce bottle.   

Pros:

• It’s USDA certified organic.
• It’s biodegradable.
• It moisturizes dry, itchy, and flaky skin.
• It’s recommended by vets and groomers. 
• It uses no artificial or synthetic chemicals. 
• It has a pleasant smell.

Cons:

• It’s watery.
• The smell is too strong.
• The quality could vary.

Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo

Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief is made specifically for fast and lasting itch relief.

It soothes constant itching and moisturizes irritated skin.

It primarily focuses on itching caused by allergies, such as pollen, flea bites, and other seasonal allergens.

It’s formulated by vets using natural ingredients like lavender, oatmeal, tea tree oil, and aloe.

It avoids artificial colors to ensure that it won’t dry out your dog’s skin more.

When bathing your dog, it’s recommended that you let this shampoo sit in their coat for at least 3 to 5 minutes for full effect.

It can be purchased in a 16-ounce bottle.

Pros:

• It’s formulated by vets.
• It provides fast and lasting itch relief.
• It soothes irritation from allergies.
• It uses natural ingredients for itchy skin.
• It doesn’t use artificial colors. 

Cons:

• It’s runny.
• The smell is unpleasant.
• It needs to sit in your dog’s coat for a long time. 
• It could cause reactions for some dogs. 

TropiClean Oatmeal Medicated Shampoo for Pets

This itch relief shampoo uses oatmeal and tea tree to exfoliate, moisturize, and condition your dog’s dry, itchy, and irritated skin. It comes in different formulas, but this one is specifically designed with sensitive skin in mind. It’s enhanced with beta hydroxy to ensure that the itch relief is long-lasting. All the ingredients used in this product are natural, which means it has no soap, paraben, or dye in it. It can be used on any dogs 12 weeks or older, and it comes in three different sizes: 20 ounces, 1 gallon, or 2.5 gallons. 

Pros:

• It exfoliates, moisturizes, and conditions your dog’s skin.
• The itch relief is long-lasting.
• It has no harmful chemicals. 
• It’s made with only natural ingredients. 
• It has a pleasant scent. 
• It comes in three sizes.
• It’s affordable.

Cons:

• You could receive the wrong product.
• It could arrive damaged.
• The scent is very faint.

Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Oatmeal and Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

Like many similar shampoos, this option uses natural tea tree oil and oatmeal to soothe your pup’s skin.

It’s a mild, natural moisturizer that treats dry, itchy, or scaly skin and calms the irritation caused by bug bites.

It doesn’t use any artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals to ensure that it’s easy on your dog’s skin.

It’s also paraben-free and dye-free. As the name implies, it’s only made with veterinary-grade ingredients that are safe and beneficial for your dog.

It can be purchased in either a 16-ounce or 1-gallon bottle. 

Pros:

• It’s made with veterinary-grade ingredients.
• It’s affordable.
• It’s a natural moisturizer.
• It calms irritation and pain from bug bites.
• It doesn’t have any harmful chemicals.
• It comes in two sizes.

Cons:

• The smell is mediocre.
• It might not work on all dogs.
• It could cause reactions for some dogs.

Pet Head Life’s An Itch Soothing Shampoo

Pet Head makes wholesome, eco-friendly grooming products.

This particular option is a watermelon-scented itch relief shampoo.

It uses high quality ingredients like tea tree oil, wheat proteins, vitamins, and chamomile to improve the health of your dog’s skin, coat, and hair follicles.

It can relieve itches and irritated skin, along with discomfort caused by insect bites.

It’s also pH-balanced, so it’s safe for your dog even if they accidentally ingest it.

It comes in a 16-ounce bottle only. The company also has a nourishing oatmeal shampoo and a shampoo for flaky skin. 

Pros:

• It’s made of wholesome, eco-friendly ingredients.
• It has a pleasant scent. 
• It relieves itchy, irritated skin and bug bites.
• It’s pH-balanced.
• It’s affordable. 

Cons:

• The scent doesn’t last.
• The product could arrive damaged.
• The shampoo doesn’t lather well.

Best Dog Shampoo For Itching Summary

Not all dog shampoos will do the trick when it comes to itchy skin.

Sometimes, the problem is more serious than just slight sensitivities.

So, you should figure out the cause of the itching, and then choose the proper product to confront it.

Why Do Dogs Get Itchy Skin?

Itchy skin is a common condition for dogs, and there isn’t just one reason for it.

Consider your dog’s daily routine, diet, and environment to help determine a cause.

The following are all potential causes for excessive itching. 

Allergies

Allergies are the most common cause for itching.

Oftentimes, it’s seasonal allergies, such as pollen or dust, but other times, it’s an ingredient in their food.

Common ingredients like grains, chicken, and potatoes could all cause allergies for your pup.

So, if you recently switched foods or if the season suddenly changed, those could mean that allergies are to blame.

Anxiety

Anxiety can cause a lot of unusual behaviors for your dog.

Some dogs might chew or scratch themselves excessively if they become bored or stressed, which could cause hair loss, sores, or flaky skin.

Oftentimes, changes in routine, such as a new home or a new family member, could cause your dog to itch more than usual.

Dry Skin

Your dog’s skin might just get dry.

This could be due to cold weather or not enough omega fatty acids in their diet.

Either way, the dry skin could be uncomfortable for your dog, which is why they might scratch themselves.

Parasites

Critters like fleas, ticks, and mites are especially uncomfortable for your dog.

Some are visible if you check your dog’s skin often enough, but others can’t be seen by the naked eye.

If parasites are the cause of your dog’s itchy skin, you’ll likely need a special shampoo to remove them.

How to Use Shampoo to Relieve Itchy Skin

The easiest way to relieve your dog’s itchy skin is to eliminate the source.

Whether it’s allergies, stress, or parasites, find the cause and eliminate it.

This will help prevent dry skin from reappearing. Yet, this dry skin won’t necessarily heal on its own.

Using special shampoo or other natural remedies can help remove your dog’s dry, itchy skin.

If you don’t have an itch relief shampoo to use, then you can use natural ingredients instead, such as oatmeal, chamomile, and coconut oil, to make your own dog shampoo.

When bathing your dog with a special shampoo, you will need to make sure you lather it into their coat well to ensure that it properly heals their skin and coat.

If you purchased a specific shampoo, read the directions before using it. 

Oftentimes, special shampoos will require that you let the shampoo sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out.

This can be a hassle sometimes, but it will ensure that the shampoo is fully effective.

What We Look For In The Best Dog Shampoo For Itchy Skin

The higher quality a dog shampoo is, the easier it will be on your dog’s skin.

Oftentimes, the best dog shampoo for itchy skin is made of only natural ingredients that won’t cause allergic reactions.

Of course, every dog is different though, so always be cautious when choosing a shampoo for your dog.

One important item to avoid is soap.

Soap is what we commonly associate with shampoo, but for dogs it can irritate their skin.

Avoid any soap or chemicals that are commonly found in shampoo products.

Instead, look for natural ingredients that will be easier on your dog’s skin.

If it has scent or color, make sure those are also natural and not artificially added.

It’s also important to make sure the shampoo rinses well.

Shampoo that sits in your dog’s coat after their bath might only dry out their skin more.

Take your time and make sure you rinse out all the suds before drying your dog off.

You should always take your time when bathing a dog with sensitive skin.

Not only is the shampoo more effective that way, but it will also keep your dog calm and comfortable.

If you are ever uncertain about what shampoo to get for your dog, consult your vet first.

They can help you determine the cause of your dog’s itching and offer the best solutions.

For more grooming tips check out our articles on dog grooming shears and dog nail grinders.

Frequently Asked Questions On Best Shampoos For Itchy Dog Skin

Before you settle on the perfect shampoo for your pup, you might have some lingering concerns.

Here are some questions that dog parents often ask in this situation.

Will Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo Always Cure Dry, Itchy Skin?

No, shampoo will not always cure itchy skin for dogs.

In most cases, it will help soothe a dog’s skin, but it won’t always stop the itch.

If the discomfort is caused by an underlying issues such as fleas, mange or allergies, then the problem can’t be removed with only a shampoo.

Oftentimes, you will need to visit your vet to get to the bottom of your dog’s skin condition.

For example, if your dog has mange the only way to diagnose this is by your vet scraping some of your dog’s skin and looking at it under a microscope.

Can You Bathe An Itchy Dog Too Much?

It’s recommended that you bathe your dog about every four weeks.

However, if you bathe them too often, such as more than once a week, this could make your dog’s skin dry which then leads to itching.

Frequent baths could remove some of the essential oils on your dog’s skin, leaving them with dry, uncomfortable skin.

Dog shampoo for itchy skin is often made with safer ingredients so it can be used more often, but you should still avoid using it too much if possible.

If you need to use it more than once a week, then some other underlining condition may be going on with your dog.

Final Thoughts On Dog Shampoos For Itchy Skin

Using the right shampoo is important for keeping your dog’s skin healthy.

Natural ingredients and no chemicals can help prevent their itching and heal their irritated skin.

Dog parents need to be extra careful when choosing a shampoo to use on their dog. 

My favorite option is TropiClean Oatmeal Medicated Shampoo for Pets.

Not only does it help with itchy skin, but it’s also medicated and has all natural ingredients.

This shampoo also has a pleasant scent, and it’s recommended by professionals.

If your dog has itchy skin, you should first determine the cause by scheduling a visit with your veterinarian.