Have you ever been kept awake by the sound of your pup incessantly chewing, licking, and scratching? I have. It’s no fun, and we feel bad for our fur-babies.
I hated seeing sores and red marks on my little buddy because he was so itchy. I took him to the vet and found out that, just like humans, dogs have allergies.
The vet gave me a list of all kinds of things that could be affecting our poor pup, including grass, pollen, lawn care chemicals, and chemicals like fragrances and dyes in their shampoo, to name a few.
As the owner of a dog with sensitive skin, I went on the hunt for the best kind of shampoo to use. The quick answer was Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo.
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But What is Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo?
The word ‘Hypoallergenic’ gets thrown around a lot these days to describe everything from lotions and creams to air filters and pillows.
A quick Google search of the word ‘Hypoallergenic’ results in a definition stating that it is an adjective typically describing cosmetics and textiles that refers to something that is “relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.”
However, as most experts will tell you, hypoallergenic does not guarantee that it will not cause an allergic reaction.
Just about everything, including water, can cause an allergic reaction in individuals.
All this to say that Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo is not necessarily a cure-all for all of your dog’s itchy skin problems.
While Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo may not be a cure-all, and one size most definitely does not fit all, these shampoos are typically the least irritating on the market.
On average, Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos are made with less of the harmful chemicals found in regular dog shampoos.
They are more likely to contain naturally occurring substances, such as aloe, beeswax, or coconut oil.
Top Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos
Finding the right one can be difficult and, in most cases, is a product of trial and error.
To make your search a bit easier, we’ve put together a list of popular shampoos that have helped dog owners like me, achieve success in soothing their canine’s itch.
Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo for Dogs
- RELIEF FOR SENSITIVE SKIN - Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo for sensitive skin is a gentle, soap-free shampoo for dogs that relieves itching and helps to smooth dry, brittle coats
- NATURAL REMEDY- Veterinarian formulated blend of key natural, plant-based ingredients like Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to comfort sensitive skin and relieve your pet’s allergies
- USE AS NEEDED - Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo may be used as often as necessary to remove allergens without drying out your dog’s skin
Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Vet’s Best is a highly recommended brand of dog shampoo and is soap-free.
It is a natural remedy made with ingredients like aloe vera, allantoin, and vitamin E, specifically engineered to relieve itching and smooth dry, brittle coats.
One of the best things about this product is that you can bathe your dog as often as needed without worry of drying out their skin and, it does not affect any topical flea and tick control products.
PROS: people who have bought this product (myself included) say that it works wonders to soothe their dog’s itchy skin and leaves their coat feeling soft and looking lustrous.
CONS: those who purchased this product and were not impressed complained that the product is very watery and does not create the lather they were expecting (I can attest to this as well, but I didn’t find it odd) and in the worst cases it caused an adverse allergic reaction, proving that hypoallergenic is not a universal term.
Burt’s Bees for Dogs Natural Hypoallergenic Shampoo
- DID YOU KNOW DOG SKIN DIFFERS FROM HUMAN'S - Dogs' skin is less acidic than human skin, so human shampoos destroy a dog's skin protective barrier, leaving your pet vulnerable to itchy flaking
- NO. 1 PET GROOMING BRAND IN THE USA*-See why millions of pet parents entrust their pet's health and hygiene to Burt's Bees for Pets. This natural shampoo for dogs is no exception
- CLEANS AND SOFTENS - Burt's Bees Hypoallergenic Shampoo for dogs is a gentle cleanser that freshens up your dog's coat without drying out their skin. This sensitive dog shampoo provides itch relief for dogs with sensitive skin
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Burt’s Bees is a brand many of us know and love for their chapstick, but they also make shampoos and soaps.
This Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo is a gentle cleanser containing beeswax, shea butter, and honey to moisturize skin and shine coats.
Burt’s Bees comes in a variety of different formulas all designed to attack your dog’s specific needs.
It is a tearless shampoo, but this does not mean you should not avoid getting it in your dog’s eyes.
Free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, sulfates, and colorants, this product comes veterinarian recommended.
PROS: the majority of those who have purchased this product (again including me) helps soothe your pooch even where anti-inflammatory medications may not, and it’s especially good with dogs that have excessively dry skin.
CONS: those who purchased this product and did not get the results they were hoping for complained that it didn’t not leave their dog smelling as fresh as they would have liked.
4-Legger USDA Certified Organic Dog Shampoo
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE SENSE: 4Legger organic dog shampoo is ceritifed to organic food standards, a true all natural dog shampoo handcrafted in small batches using real plants, not synthetic chemicals.
- RELIEF FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: 4-Legger hypoallergenic dog shampoo is made with organic oils, lemongrass and aloe. We don’t use artificial thickeners, which means your dog will have a naturally soft and shiny coat with our organic dog wash. Concentrated - a little dog shampoo for smelly dogs goes a long way to get rid of that wet dog smell!
- THE CHOICE FOR ECO-CONSCIOUS PET PARENTS: 4-Legger dog shampoo is made from sustainably sourced, all natural ingredients. Our goal is to help our furry family members live longer lives through natural products, and reduce the environmental impact of toxins in pet grooming products
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With a USDA organic certification, you can trust that 4-Legger makes their shampoo with a 100% non-toxic natural hypoallergenic formula.
It’s made in small batches and contains plant-based vegan ingredients like lemongrass essential oil, organic coconut oil, and aloe vera.
This product is easy to lather and rinse and contains none of the harmful artificial thickeners found in other dog shampoos.
PROS: many of the people who have purchased this product are happy with its results and say that it is excellent for their dogs who suffer from extremely dry skin.
CONS: the majority of the complaints from those that have purchased this product say that it did not produce a pleasant scent and did not get their dog’s coat as clean as they would have liked.
Pro Pet Works All Natural Organic Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
![Oatmeal Dog Shampoo & Conditioner 17oz [USA] 5 in 1 Plant-Based Organic Sulfate-Free Soap-Free-Tearless Moisturizer for Dandruff Allergies & Itchy Dry Sensitive Skin-Puppy Grooming [Pro Pet Works]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41879dA1aHL._SL160_.jpg)
- ✅【All Natural Plant-Based Patented Formula for Your Furry Friend】Discover our exclusive dog shampoo and conditioner blend, perfect for sensitive pet skin. Made with Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Almond Oil, Oatmeal, and essential Vitamins (A, D, E, B12). It's a safe, effective solution for easy detangling and daily use. Say goodbye to wet dog odors and soothe hot spots and itching with our patented puppy shampoo & conditioner. Treat your pet to the care they deserve!
- ✅【Premium Pet Care for Your Dog Wellness - Made in USA】This professional pet shampoo and conditioner is created with the finest ingredients, our formula is top-notch, free from parabens, cruelty, sulfates, alcohol, and soap. Our Aloe Vera Gel provides 20 out of the essential 22 amino acids your pets need, usually found in their diet. Formulated for DOGS, CATS, FERRETS & RABBITS 8 weeks and older.
- ✅【One Wash, Endless Benefits: 5-in-1 Grooming Marvel at Your Fingertips】This innovative dog wash is more than just a grooming product; it simplifies the grooming routine, providing a single solution that cleans, deodorizes, conditions, detangles, and moisturizes your dog's coat and skin, ensuring they stay impeccably soft and clean. It's a complete answer to all your dog's grooming needs, making them look, feel, and smell fantastic, all achieved with the simplicity of a single wash.
Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pro Pet Works All Natural Shampoo is made in the USA and contains conditioner.
The Organic Oatmeal Pet Shampoo formula is non-toxic and soap-free and designed for pets with allergies to food, grass, and flea bites.
It contains organic aloe vera, almond oil, vitamins A, D, and E formulated not to irritate your dog’s eyes, nose, or skin.
PROS: the people that have bought this product say that it is professional-grade, it lathers up well, smells great, and soothes dry, itchy skin.
CONS: some that have purchased this product have found that their dog had an adverse reaction to the product, rather than soothing dry skin, they found that it actually dried their skin out.
K9 Pro, K9-Max
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
K9-Max is an all-natural soap-free formula developed by veterinarians to soothe dry, itchy skin.
It used a proprietary liposome technology with nano-liposome particles to encapsulate its organic ingredients and adhere to the surface and penetrate through the skin.
K9-Max contains aloe and oatmeal and has a pleasant cucumber-melon scent.
PROS: many who purchased this product found it fantastic and say that it has a medicinal effect on their dog’s dry itchy or rashed skin.
CONS: those that purchased this product and did not achieve the results they were expecting found that it dried out their pet’s skin and that it had a ‘funky’ smell.
Bayer HyLyt Shampoo
- A gentle, hypoallergenic, soap-free formula for routine cleansing and moisturizing of the skin and coat of dogs, cats and horses
- Multi-purpose grooming shampoo can be used after trips to the dog park, boarding and other activities or as a general cleansing shampoo to promote skin and coat health
- Essential fatty acids manage dry, flaky or sensitive skin
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bayer HyLyt is a gentle soap-free, hypoallergenic formula meant for routine cleansing and moisturizing of your dog’s skin and coat. HyLyt contains essential fatty acids to help soothe dry, flaky, or sensitive skin.
Its soap-free formula will not strip away your pet’s natural protective oils and has a pleasant coconut scent.
Great for washes before or after topical treatments, regular cleaning at home, and after any outdoor activities.
PROS: those who purchased this product said that it gave their pup a lustrous coat and helped manage their itchy, dry skin. It’s even good enough for human use.
CONS: individuals who bought this shampoo and did not get the results they wanted, said that it simply does not work and actually increased their dog’s itch.
Espree Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo
- A mild gentle tearless shampoo
- Designed for even the most sensitive pet
- Perfect for allergy sensitivities
Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo from Espree is formulated with certified organically grown aloe vera and mild coconut oil.
Espree’s formula is gentle and tearless, designed to handle even the most sensitive skin. It is made in the USA and is perfectly formulated for allergy sensitivities.
PROS: the people who purchased this product say that it is the most moisturizing shampoo they’ve ever used, and results in a clean, shiny coat.
CONS: the primary complaint of those that purchased this product is that it is not tearless, and it does not dilute properly as the packaging claims.
Perfect Coat Gentle Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo
- Very mild formula ideal for dogs with sensitive skin
- Gentle Ingredients cleanse and condition
- No dyes or fragrances
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Perfect Coat is formulated specially to be mild for pets with allergies and sensitive skin.
It contains quality ingredients that do not strip your pet’s skin of its natural oils and lathers effortlessly and rinses easily. Perfect Coat is fragrance-free and contains no dyes or perfumes.
PROS: some that have purchased this product say that it works wonders for cleansing their dirty pup and does not dry out their skin.
CONS: many who have purchased this product complain that it very runny and promotes a major waste of shampoo and that it drys your dog’s fur.
Pets Are Kids Too Premium Pet Oatmeal Shampoo
- Soothing Dog Shampoo and Conditioner - Our Oatmeal shampoo for dogs is also anti itch dog shampoo! Works great for all dogs and cats from a frenchie to a tabby! As kitten shampoo and puppy shampoo and conditioner, our product sooths and deodorizes!
- Vet Recommended Dog Products - Our oatmeal and coconut shampoo sooths discomfort and itchiness with aloe vera, baking soda, oatmeal soap, and essential vitamins. Perfect for all pet coats, use our anti itch shampoo for dogs to upgrade your dog wash!
- Pet Allergy Friendly - Our dog shampoo for allergies and itching is made for sensitive skin and to be itchy skin relief for dog or cat furry friends! Our pet shampoo is also tear free, so no ear or eye irritation from dog soap for your furry friends!
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pets Are Kids Too uses a comprehensive anti-itch formula, which includes natural oatmeal, baking soda, and aloe vera, with coconut to give instant itch relief.
It has a wonderful long-lasting oatmeal cookie scent that eliminates odor after washing.
Its all-natural formula is a hypoallergenic soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal treatment.
Pets Are Kids Too’s tearless, dandruff-cutting Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo is 100% made in the USA.
PROS: the majority of those who have purchased this shampoo say that it not only helps manage their pet’s itch but also helps soothe pain related to dry skin and sores. And, the smell is heavenly!
CONS: those that had negative results from using this product said that it was not good for puppies and had the effect of drying out their pet’s skin.
Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo
- HYPO-ALLERGENIC FOR SENSITIVE SKIN/ALLERGY: This mild, hypo-allergenic shampoo is FRAGRANCE FREE and formulated especially for pets with skin allergies and sensitivities. Puppies & kittens, older pets, certain breeds and allergy prone animals often benefit from a hypo-allergenic formulation
- NATURAL & ORGANIC INGREDIENTS: Blended with the finest ingredients, such as renewable plant-derived and coconut-based cleansers, organic aloe vera, and vitamin E. NO PARABENS, NO DYES, NO SOAP, NO SULFATES, NO PHTHALATES, NO ALCOHOL
- SAFE & EFFECTIVE: Our products are designed with the health of your beloved, furry friend in mind. We believe the ingredients that touch your pet's coat and skin should be as naturally effective, non-toxic, and gentle as possible. This product is PH-BALANCED FOR PETS and safe for dogs, puppies, cats & kittens over 6 weeks old
Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Earthbath is a highly respected product that uses 100% all-natural ingredients. Its fragrance-free formula is perfectly designed to treat sensitive skin and pet allergies.
Earthbath uses purified water, extra-mild renewable coconut-based cleansers, aloe vera, xanthan gum, and olive oil squalene.
Its natural approach does the work of any regular shampoo to lather and clean your pet’s fur and soothe their irritated, dry, or even flaking skin.
Earthbath comes in several different varieties, one for every type of skin and all hypoallergenic.
PROS: many of those who have purchased this product say that it works very well for managing/moisturizing their pet’s dry, itchy skin, they also enjoyed that it has no strong scent that may make some dogs and their owners feel nauseous.
CONS: most of the negative reactions to this product from those who bought it complained that the packaging was not of good quality and may even contain mold.
Wrapping Things Up
In this article, we’ve discussed Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo, what it is, and what it does.
From the majority of the negative reviews of each of these products, we might interpret a great many things, primarily that no one shampoo is perfect for all dogs.
Hypoallergenic is a catch-all term that does not necessarily mean that something is allergen-free.
Again, to be sure whether or not your dog is allergic to a certain product, you may simply have to try it out or have your vet do an extensive allergy test.
These tests can be expensive and may not reveal anything more than giving your dog a bath will.
There are a couple of great products on this list. For our money, here’s the top three.
- Pets Are Kids Too – Great product with a great name. This shampoo has a lot of versatility and is a combination cleanser and conditioner that also hydrates your pet’s skin. Top-notch!
- Burt’s Bees – With an array of different formulas and scents, this line of Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos is great for dogs with sensitive skin and all different types of allergies. It also helps give them a wonderfully soft and shiny coat. (My pup has seasonal allergies, and this is the best thing I’ve used for him.)
- Vet’s Best – A veterinarian formulated product that comes in a variety of formulas and works great to not only soothe but hydrate your dog’s skin and helps promote soft and lustrous fur.
In the end, no matter which product you choose, you may have to try another.
There is no Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo that is a magical tonic perfect for any dog. Consult your vet and choose what’s best for you and your fur-baby.