The 8 Best Dog Shampoo For Dry Skin [2020]

Suffering from dry skin is annoying and can be embarrassing, so imagine how it must feel for our dogs?

Itchy, dry and flaky skin is very uncomfortable and it can get worse when you use certain products on dogs. You still need to shampoo your dog, but how do you do this without further drying their skin?

There are gentle shampoos that will still leave your dog fresh and clean but without aggravating their delicate, dry skin.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why dogs suffer from dry skin.

Much like people, dogs can suffer from dry skin due to different reasons. Some of these include:

• Poor diet which can lead to dehydration or reactions to certain foods
• A reaction to a hot, dry climate
• Some dog medications can leave your dog’s skin dry
• Dogs can also suffer from allergic reactions to their food, chemicals, the environment, and other reasons.
• Fleas and ticks can also cause dry skin

I’ll be writing a separate post in the future about dogs and dry skin because it’s a great idea to know what’s causing the dry skin in the first place so that you can take steps to prevent it from occurring.

But here is a list of shampoos that are delicate and gentle enough to use on your dog even if they have dry skin:

Top 8 Dog Shampoo For Dry Skin

1. Paws & Pals Natural Oatmeal Dog-Shampoo And Conditioner

I’ve chosen the Paws & Pals natural oatmeal shampoo and conditioner because it uses all natural ingredients and it’s been specially formulated for pooches with dry, irritated and sensitive skin.

The ingredients feature natural oils which are soothing and perfect for keeping your dog’s coat shiny and clean, while also soothing her dry skin. It will relieve your dog’s itchiness and irritation.

The oils give your dog a deep cleanse as well as moisturizing their dry skin. And because the product contains cleansing oils, Paws & Pals’s formula is soap-free- no more tears or irritants in your dog’s eyes.

The oils used are aloe, Jojoba, and coconut oil. Coconut oil is a great natural moisturizer, and aloe is so soothing for irritating skin. You may already use products on yourself containing these ingredients, so you’ll already know just how effective and safe they are.

Made in the U.S.A., Paws & Pals’s natural dog shampoo and conditioner also contain oatmeal, shea butter, and rosemary. It will leave your dog smelling fresh and with a shiny coat.

I also love that Paws & Pals’s product is natural, vegan and most importantly, organic! It’s great for your dog but also for the environment. It’s paraben-free and cruelty-free and only certified recycled materials have been used to make the 20 Oz. bottle.

2. Natural Dog Shampoo. Anti-Bacterial-Anti-Fungal- Anti-Itch

Moosh claims it’s organic however there is no mention of organic certification. One of the reasons I’ve chosen Moosh is because it’s the only brand of dog shampoo that contains Bentonite clay.

This clay has been used for centuries as a natural healing ingredient for people and animals. It gently draws out dirt, toxins, bacteria, and fungus from your dog’s skin.

Moosh has included Neem oil and Argan Oil in its formula. The Neem oil is a natural insect repellent (I use Neem oil on my fruit trees to get rid of insects!) while the Argan oil helps give your dog a shiny, fresh-looking coat.

Both oils are naturally antiseptic, anti-bacterial and have anti-fungal properties, which is important if your dog suffers from fungal or bacterial skin infections.

Another natural ingredient is Vetiver, which is a natural, fresh-smelling antiseptic. Nutmeg is included to soothe the skin, and rosemary is great for your dog’s circulation.

I love that Moosh’s dog shampoo is biodegradable, so it’s safe for the environment as well as for your dog. The shampoo does NOT contain sulfates, preservatives or any harsh chemicals. It’s all-natural and hypoallergenic, so if your dog is prone to allergies, the Moosh shampoo is a safe choice.

Users of Moosh say that they like that the bottle has a small opening so that you can control how much of the shampoo comes out- you don’t need a large quantity of shampoo because it’s concentrated. This makes the bottle last longer, and it’s already at an affordable price so your wallet will thank you!

3. Bodhi Dog Oatmeal Shampoo Formula for Dogs Cats

Bodhi’s all natural pet oatmeal shampoo is a great choice if you’re looking for a gentle dog shampoo containing plant-based ingredients.

The formula used by Bodhi is vitamin enriched and it also includes baking soda which is a natural way to neutralize dog smells. Baking soda is a great deodorizer! Also included helping deodorizer your dog’s skin is a light apple scent.

The ingredients on Bodhi’s shampoo include oat proteins, coconut, aloe vera, fruit extracts and is vitamin enriched with vitamins A, D and E. This helps to calm your dog’s inflamed, itchy skin and provide a soothing solution.

Oatmeal is excellent for soothing skin, and baking soda is also great as a natural cleanser. It draws out the dirt from your dog’s coat without irritating the skin. This will leave your dog looking fresh and clean and with smooth, moisturized skin.

Bodhi’s shampoo is toxin-free and contains no chemicals, and is safe to use on dogs with allergies. It doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, SLS or ethyl alcohol that strips the skin. It’s gentle enough to use on all types of skin and for all types of pets, not only dogs.

I also like that Bodhi has used locally-sourced ingredients and that the shampoo is made in the U.S.A. The company uses socially-responsible and environmentally-friendly packaging made from recycled materials that are biodegradable.

Other customers have also said that Bodhi has excellent customer service and follows up on all orders to make sure that everything has been received and there are no issues.

4. Particular Paws Hypoallergenic Dog and Cat Shampoo

Particular Paws has a hypoallergenic dog and cat shampoo that’s great if your dog suffers from itchiness due to dry skin, and it’s received lots of positive consumer reviews from other dog owners.

The dog shampoo is hypoallergenic and great for dogs that have sensitive skin and suffer from allergic reactions. It includes ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Chamomile which are soothing for the skin, and Rosemary and honey extract which is great for a gentle clean and also adds a lovely, natural scent.

The Particular Paws dog shampoo is great for dogs of all ages, including puppies! It helps prevent and heals itchiness, dandruff, and other dry skin-related conditions.

There are no toxins, allergens or chemicals included in the formula which means that this dog shampoo is no-tears and will make bath time so much easier for dog owners! It’s also great if your dog has an open wound and you’re worried about potential chemicals in ordinary shampoos aggravating the wound.

One bottle of Particular Paws goes a long way- you don’t need to use much for each wash, and it’s gentle enough to use as often as you need.

Particular Paws’ hypoallergenic dog shampoo for dry skin is made in the U.S.A.

5. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo

Earthbath is a very popular product among dog owners. Its main ingredients are oatmeal, Aloe Vera, vanilla and almond oils that work together to gently cleanse your dog’s coat and keep it shiny, while also moisturizing your dog’s skin.

It will leave your pooch looking fresh, clean and smelling pleasant! If you prefer other scents, there is a large range of different scented shampoos made by Earthbath, as well as other products such as light coat whitener and other conditioners and sprays.

Earthbath is 100% biodegradable and is cruelty-free.

6. 4Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo

While there are quite a few organic dog shampoos on the market, most of them aren’t USDA certified organic. Certification can be very expensive and tedious for manufacturers, so it’s understandable that many claims to be organic but aren’t certified.

4-Legger has an organic dog shampoo that’s USDA certified organic. If you’re a dog owner that only purchases certified organic products, 4-Legger’s dog shampoo is a great choice.

It’s all-natural and hypoallergenic, perfect for dogs prone to allergies and other skin conditions, and contains Aloe Vera and Lemongrass. Both these ingredients soothe your dog’s skin and help stop itchiness while also cleaning your dog’s coat.

4-Legger has also included its own holistic essential oil blend that offers a great clean without stripping your dog’s natural oils. This makes the shampoo safe even for puppies!

As with most other natural dog shampoos for dry skin, 4-Legger’s shampoo is 100% biodegradable. It’s eco-friendly, cruelty-free and vegan.

The 4-Legger is detergent-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free and non-toxic.

7. Dog Shampoo – Premium All Natural Grooming 3-in-1 Formula

Lovely Fresh has created a premium 3-in-1 dog shampoo product that cleans, moisturizes and conditions so that you don’t need to buy more than one product. It’s great value for money!

The dog shampoo contains oatmeal and Neem oil, which acts as a natural insect repellent, to prevent your dog from getting fleas or ticks. The oatmeal soothes your dog’s itchy, dry skin while also acting as a moisturizer.

Lovely Fresh’s dog shampoo is soap-free, detergent-free and alcohol-free. It is gentle for your dog’s dry skin but still effective at cleaning. The product is cruelty-free and the bottle is recyclable.

If you’re wondering whether there is a humectant in the product because it acts as a conditioner, and if the humectant is synthetic or natural, yes it does contain a small amount of glycerin. This is a naturally-occurring humectant that does not strip the skin of moisture. It helps to create a balance between moisture in the air and moisture in the dog’s skin.

8. Filthy Friends Organic Lemongrass Pet Shampoo

The Filthy Friends brand of dog shampoo for dry skin caught my attention because of the name, but I’m happy to say that it’s a great brand of dog shampoo for dry and sensitive skin. If your dog suffers from skin allergies, then Filthy Friends will help with this!

Its formula consists of natural ingredients such as oatmeal, Jojoba oil (great for cleansing- I use natural Jojoba Oil on my face as a cleanser) as well as olive and coconut oil. It also contains soothing Aloe Vera, Lemongrass, and

Rosemary essential oils to help with dry skin and to repel insects, as well as Calendula oil which is an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial oil.

Your dog’s coat will be smooth and shiny, as well as clean and smelling great!

All ingredients used in Filthy Friends’ dog shampoo are USDA certified organic, which is important for many dog owners who prefer to use organic. The shampoo is also biodegradable.

Conclusion

Most of the shampoos contain similar ingredients, with the main difference being the scent of the shampoo and some contain extra oils.

Most shampoo producers claim that their product is organic, however only a few are USDA certified organic.

If certification is important to you, make sure you choose a shampoo that’s certified organic. This might be important if you’re looking for the best dog shampoo for skin allergies.

If you still aren’t sure which shampoo to buy, you can experiment and try a few different brands until you find the one you and your dog prefers.