When it comes to the rigors and responsibilities of pet parenting, choosing the right shampoo for your dog is extra important if they happen to suffer from allergies. Dogs can be allergic to elements of their environment, certain foods like wheat or even grain which is usually beneficial to them or have reactions because of bacterial and fungal infections.
The importance of getting this crucial decision right for your precious pups cannot be overstated! Dogs who are suffering from allergies can get in the habit of scratching and will cause themselves injuries ranging from mild scratches to lacerated swathes of their skin. It’s not a pretty sight when this occurs.
Luckily, with the right shampoo, you can also provide relief. The right dog shampoo is often a part of a comprehensive treatment plan, so be sure to make any decisions in coordination with our vet and check out our buyer’s tips for important consumer information. Here are our ten best dog shampoos for allergy sufferers:
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Dog Shampoo for Dander and Sensitive Skin
Lively Pets Moisture Dog Shampoo
Great for dander, sensitive skin, allergies, and dermatitis
Smells fantastic
100% Recommended on Chewy
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Best All-Natural Choice
4-Legger Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo
All-natural, vegan, and 100% biodegradable
Great for sensitive skin
Lathers nicely
Check Price
Best Value
Top Performance Dog Shampoo
Great value
Highly used by groomers
Safe for sensitive skin
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Buddy Wash Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo
Natural ingredients
Lathers nicely
Smells amazing
Check Price
Kin+Kind Kin Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Light, fresh scent that lasts days
USDA-Certified organic
All-natural
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The 10 Best Dog Shampoos for Allergy Sufferers
The Lively Pets Derma-Soothe Moisture Aloe & Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is loaded with fats and proteins that are designed to help soothe your dog’s skin and coat. It can be an absolute nightmare to care for a dog with sensitive skin, as this reviewer knows firsthand. Searching for a shampoo that truly provides relief can be an arduous task filled with painful misses.
This is a brand that isn’t as concerned about using natural ingredients as it is about providing effective relief to your dog, and they appear to accomplish that quite well. This is a product made to do a specific function—provide relief and that’s what it does. It also has a nice tropical scent, if you like Pina Coladas (getting lost in the rain?). If you have a pup who’s struggling with sensitive skin, this is our recommendation of the best dog shampoos for dander, sensitive skin, and allergies. It’s good stuff.
Pros
Great for dander, sensitive skin, allergies, and dermatitis
Smells fantastic
100% Recommended on Chewy (at time of writing)
Cons
Not all-natural
This is our top pick for an all-natural, organic, and chemical-free dog shampoo. 4-Legger was developed by a woman named Melissa for her dog Henry-Clay after the dog was diagnosed with cancer. She wanted to give him a safer environment that was free of synthetic chemicals, but to her dismay, many products that were labeled all-natural and organic still contained undesirable ingredients. So she came up with 4-Legger.
Great for dander, sensitive skin, allergies, and dermatitis
Smells fantastic
100% Recommended on Chewy (at time of writing)
- Great for dander, sensitive skin, allergies, and dermatitis
- Smells fantastic
- 100% Recommended on Chewy (at time of writing)
Not all-natural
- Not all-natural
The first thing you’ll notice when you look at the bottle is a degree of humor in the instructions. The first step reads, “Catch dog (Use treat if necessary)”, followed by “Shake well (The shampoo, not the dog)”.
This charm really represents the brand well, and the product delivers.
While the product is a little bit on the pricier side, this is about the only negative thing that we can say about it, and frankly, for the price, it delivers. Aside from being made in a holistic, chemical-free manner, it is simply an excellent shampoo. People report shiny coats that are healthy and easy to groom, so, aside from being an ethical product—it just plain works.
Pros
All-natural, vegan, and 100% biodegradable
Great for sensitive skin
Lathers nicely
Great results were reported in the health and appearance of dogs’ coats
Cons
Not tearless
This is something of an industry-standard among groomers and comes highly recommended. While some of the ingredients are clearly synthetic, it’s nothing harmful, and this shampoo is reported to leave coats with a shiny, healthy coat that smells nice. It’s safe for sensitive skin and appears to rank as one of the best dog shampoos for dander, as well.
All-natural, vegan, and 100% biodegradable
Great for sensitive skin
Lathers nicely
Great results were reported in the health and appearance of dogs’ coats
- All-natural, vegan, and 100% biodegradable
- Great for sensitive skin
- Lathers nicely
- Great results were reported in the health and appearance of dogs’ coats
Not tearless
- Not tearless
Top Performance is a wholesaler of dog grooming supplies and isn’t as much of a mom-and-pop brand as many of the others you’ll find on this list. That said this is a well-established, industry-focused supplier of quality grooming products and groomers use this often, which speaks volumes about the product.
The Top Performance Glocoat Dog Conditioning Shampoo has been said to result in a very soft coat that is easy to groom and manage. You don’t need to apply as much, so that combined with the price makes his dog shampoo our choice for offering the best value. It is also available in larger sizes, so there is an option to buy bulk and save more.
Pros
Great value
Highly used by groomers
Safe for sensitive skin
Smells great
Cons
Some synthetic ingredients
Not tearless
Just because our little buddies have allergies that need to be addressed doesn’t mean that they can’t still be pampered. This Buddy Wash shampoo and conditioner has a lovely and relaxing scent and features a host of natural ingredients.
Great value
Highly used by groomers
Safe for sensitive skin
Smells great
- Great value
- Highly used by groomers
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Smells great
Some synthetic ingredients
Not tearless
- Some synthetic ingredients
- Not tearless
The only issue that we had with this shampoo was that it does contain some wheat proteins, which some dogs will have an allergy to. While this shampoo can provide relief for dogs with allergies to their environment and pests like fleas or bacteria, many dogs who have allergies will have multiple allergies. Make sure that your dog isn’t allergic to wheat before washing them with this shampoo.
Pros
Natural ingredients
Shampoo and conditioner in 1 makes it easier to condition the coat
Lathers nicely
Smells amazing
Cons
Not good for dogs with wheat allergies
This manufacturer of Kin+Kind Kin Organics Sweet Blossom Oatmeal Dog Shampoo makes our list and is another contender for the best dog shampoo for dander. Users have reported an amazing, light, and fresh scent that lasts a few days. This is a great, all-natural product that is USDA-certified organic. It uses colloidal oatmeal and a combination of coconut oil and aloe and other ingredients to remove allergens.
Natural ingredients
Shampoo and conditioner in 1 makes it easier to condition the coat
Lathers nicely
Smells amazing
- Natural ingredients
- Shampoo and conditioner in 1 makes it easier to condition the coat
- Lathers nicely
- Smells amazing
Not good for dogs with wheat allergies
- Not good for dogs with wheat allergies
A great all-around product, the only drawback isn’t really a dog problem as much as it is a human problem—it doesn’t lather up with a lot of suds. Judging as the product seems to work very well, this won’t be a problem to lots of folks—but we know lots of you love your suds!
Pros
Light, fresh scent that lasts days
USDA-Certified organic
All-natural
Cons
It doesn’t lather up the same way as other shampoos
Earthbath provides a fantastic shampoo that is widely known for its ability to give dogs with sensitive skin or allergies relief. Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Dog Shampoo is a well-known, widely respected brand and product, and is used by groomers on dogs with sensitive skin on a regular basis. This is also up there as one of the best dog shampoos for dander, and though it remains relatively expensive, you know the money is going somewhere good.
Light, fresh scent that lasts days
USDA-Certified organic
All-natural
- Light, fresh scent that lasts days
- USDA-Certified organic
- All-natural
It doesn’t lather up the same way as other shampoos
- It doesn’t lather up the same way as other shampoos
Earthbath is a brand that does a lot of charitable giving to organizations that deal with service animals, shelters, and rescues. They also pay their employees 10 hours annually to volunteer at places like this, in effect subsidizing and promoting volunteer work. This is a band that makes an effort.
Pros
Great ingredients
Philanthropic, sustainably-focused brand
Great for dogs with sensitive skin
Cons
Relatively expensive, though still reasonable
Burt’s Bees is a very well-known brand for its line of lip balms which are made for people. It was born of a love story between a beekeeper named Burt and an artist named Roxanne who began making candles out of the unused beeswax. You’ve likely heard of this company, and they have a great reputation for making premium quality, natural, and widely affordable products.
Great ingredients
Philanthropic, sustainably-focused brand
Great for dogs with sensitive skin
- Great ingredients
- Philanthropic, sustainably-focused brand
- Great for dogs with sensitive skin
Relatively expensive, though still reasonable
- Relatively expensive, though still reasonable
Their dog shampoo is no different. Made of 97% natural ingredients, this shampoo is very affordable, especially considering the level of quality that goes into this shampoo. It’s made to clean gently and is an ideal non-medicated choice for dogs with sensitive skin. The colloidal oatmeal is very soothing for dogs and is a go-to choice for dogs with currently irritated skin—but of course, use discretion.
Pros
Great for coat and sensitive skin alike
Ph-balanced—good for puppies
Almost all-natural
Incredible value
Cons
Not tearless
Not 100% all-natural
The Pride+Groom The Shedder Dog Shampoo has come out to some acclaim and is the first brand of dog shampoo to come out under the platform of a beauty brand. This all-natural dog shampoo was created by 4 women, 2 of whom worked for Vogue magazine. An advertising specialist, a chemical engineer, a member of the Board of Animal Haven, and the one who introduced them all set out to create a premium shampoo. By just about every metric, this fantastic team appears to have succeeded.
Great for coat and sensitive skin alike
Ph-balanced—good for puppies
Almost all-natural
Incredible value
- Great for coat and sensitive skin alike
- Ph-balanced—good for puppies
- Almost all-natural
- Incredible value
Not tearless
Not 100% all-natural
- Not tearless
- Not 100% all-natural
This product works to help release the undercoat of dogs who shed, and it’s reported to work very effectively. To look at the ingredients list and the credentials, it becomes apparent how they have achieved this.
A first glance the ingredients list looked like very chemical-sounding names! For a second, we couldn’t believe that they had advertised as all-natural. However, further investigation revealed that these were indeed natural ingredients—plant-based extracts, most of them—well played. This is a fantastic product that works as advertised but does come at a premium cost.
Pros
Works very well to reduce shedding
The scent is very fresh and nice
All-natural, premium product
Cons
Not tearless
- Malaseb Strength Medicated Dog Shampoo
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Scent Fragrance-free
All-natural? No
Tearless? No, also avoid the nose
For dogs who are prone to fungal infections, and dermatitis, grooming is a huge challenge and requires the treatment of these issues. That’s where this high-strength, medicated shampoo can be a real help. Its medical ingredients are chlorhexidine gluconate and miconazole nitrate. The former is an antiseptic that treats bacterial infections while miconazole nitrate is an antifungal.
Works very well to reduce shedding
The scent is very fresh and nice
All-natural, premium product
- Works very well to reduce shedding
- The scent is very fresh and nice
- All-natural, premium product
Check Latest Price
Scent Fragrance-free
All-natural? No
Tearless? No, also avoid the nose
The 2 working in tandem make a potent Malaseb Strength Medicated Dog Shampoo that is good for dogs who have had a rough go with their skin. Of course, with a skin infection being the exclusive prerequisite to getting a prescription this isn’t for every dog.
Another thing to bear in mind is that chlorhexidine can also dry the skin out when used over longer periods of time, so this isn’t the best dog shampoo for dander. This is more of a situation-specific shampoo, but it deserves to be on the list, because those who need it, likely need it urgently. If your dog is struggling with skin infections, talk to your vet!
Pros
Highly effective at killing yeast and bacteria that cause fungal infections
Cons
Prescription-only
Quite expensive
The Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo is another option for readers who are looking to help their dogs deal with a skin infection. Requiring no prescription, this formula still contains clinical-level ingredients that are intended to help your dog deal with infections like dermatitis, pyoderma, ringworm, fungal infections, and more.
Highly effective at killing yeast and bacteria that cause fungal infections
- Highly effective at killing yeast and bacteria that cause fungal infections
Prescription-only
Quite expensive
- Prescription-only
- Quite expensive
While this shampoo does contain quite a few antiseptic and antifungal ingredients to fight infections, it also contains aloe and lanolin to help soothe your dog’s skin. This shampoo contains no paraben or soap and works relatively quickly to ease your dog’s discomfort. This is a good product for those who need it.
Pros
No prescription needed, veterinarian-recommended
Very affordable
Fast-acting, paraben-free
Cons
Not tearless
Not all-natural
Only for use on dogs with skin infections
No prescription needed, veterinarian-recommended
Very affordable
Fast-acting, paraben-free
- No prescription needed, veterinarian-recommended
- Very affordable
- Fast-acting, paraben-free
Not tearless
Not all-natural
Only for use on dogs with skin infections
- Not tearless
- Not all-natural
- Only for use on dogs with skin infections
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Dog Shampoo for Allergy Sufferers
When it’s time to go shopping for dog shampoo for allergies, there are a few things that you are going to want to take into consideration. The first and most important of these is your specific dog’s needs. Does your dog have an undercoat and probably shed a lot? Or does your dog have short hair and sensitive skin? These details are going to affect the kind of shampoo that you buy for your allergic little guy.
- See Also: 10 Best Puppy Shampoos For Dry Skin In 2022: Reviews & Top Picks
Consult Your Vet
If your poor little pooch is suffering from skin infections, it’s advisable to take them to the vet for the best relief, or at least give them a call to find out what medicinal ingredients to purchase. The point is, you shouldn’t just go out and buy any old dog shampoo because it’s on sale—that’s not to say you shouldn’t take a great deal on the right shampoo, of course.
- See Also: How Much Does Dog Allergy Testing Cost? (2022 Update)
Consider the Ingredients
Once you’ve managed to assess your pup’s particular needs, it’s time to scrutinize the ingredients. Typically, people like to avoid synthetic ingredients and chemicals, however in some cases—-like medicated shampoos, it’s unavoidable and inadvisable. We do, of course, suggest going all-natural, or as close to all-natural as possible, where it is feasible, but chemicals do have their place in medicinal shampoos.
Unnecessarily artificial ingredients like dyes and fragrances aren’t ideal, and other substances like alcohol and paraben can dry out your dog’s skin or alter their biome undesirably. This can result in a dog with itchy, dry, or infected skin—so take a close look at the ingredients. For dogs who suffer from allergies, the consequences of using the wrong ingredients can cause a lot of suffering, so it’s crucial to know what you are putting on your dog’s unique skin.
- See Also: 9 Best CBD Dog Shampoos in 2022: Reviews & Top Picks
Do Your Research
With that said, don’t shy away from researching ingredients that have names that sound like chemicals. Many of these are simply plant extracts and are still natural, so do your Google searches and make sure you aren’t passing up a good product. It’s also important to do your research into the manufacturers to ensure reputable practice and consistent quality. It just so happens that one of the best ways to do this is to check product reviews and articles like this one—we see you’re a step ahead of us on that—-right on!
- See Also: 17 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed (with Pictures)
Conclusion
When we were deciding which dog shampoos are best for dogs with allergies, we ended up going with Lively-Pets Derma-Soothe, even though it isn’t all-natural. It is reported to be very effective. It had to make number 1 based on the effectiveness and a total lack of negative feedback.
The all-natural runner-up was close on its heels, however, as it’s important to have that choice, and the dedication that 4-Legger has to their natural ingredients is 2nd to none for allergy sufferers.
See also: 10 Best Dog Foods for Shih Tzus With Allergies in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
