Does your dog have dog dandruff? Do they have flakes of skin that appear when you pet them or show up on your couch or bed once they move from their favorite spot? Dog dandruff shampoo can help relieve your dog from those dandruff flakes and the itching that comes with it.
Here are our selections for Dog Dandruff Shampoos:
What Is Dog Dandruff?
Dog dandruff is dead skin cells that come off and show up in your dog’s fur.
What Does Dog Dandruff Look Like?
Dog dandruff looks like dry skin and may appear like white flecks in the hair of your dog.
What Causes Dog Dandruff?
Dog dandruff can be caused by different things, depending on the type of dandruff your dog may have.
It is important to have your dog be evaluated by your veterinarian to determine if what your dog has is in fact dandruff and what the best course of treatment is for your dog.
Some causes of dandruff may include:
- Bacterial or fungal infections.
- Medical conditions.
- Allergies.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Dry skin.
- Vitamin deficiency.
What Are The Types Of Dog Dandruff?
There are three main types of dog dandruff:
- Oily, which may be accompanied by an odor.
- Dry, which will show up as those white flakes of skin.
- Walking, which is not dandruff but actually mites that resemble dandruff.
How Do You Treat Dandruff In Dogs?
After being evaluated by your veterinarian, together you will come up with the best course of treatment for your dog depending on the cause of your dog’s dandruff.
Your dog may need medication to help manage the symptoms, especially if the dandruff is caused by a medical condition like an autoimmune disease or diabetes.
Supplements that help support a healthy coat may be beneficial for your dog, particularly those that are high in omega fatty acids. These help to moisturize skin and reduce itchiness.
Regular brushing can also help to reduce dry skin and dandruff on your dog. Brushing your dog on a regular basis helps to distribute natural oils through their coat while you brush them.
Bathing your dog with a dandruff shampoo can also provide your dog with relief of their symptoms.
Which Shampoo Is Best For Dandruff In Dogs?
When using shampoo to help treat dandruff in your dog, you have a few options.
- Oatmeal Shampoo. Oatmeal can help to calm itchy skin. It also helps to form a barrier to lock moisture in and help reduce dryness.
- Dandruff Shampoo. Dandruff shampoos are specifically designed to treat dandruff. They may contain salicylic acid which helps to break down dead skin cells. Benzoyl Peroxide can help to open the pores and clean out the hair follicles, as well as, softening your dog’s skin.
- Medicated Shampoo. These contain antifungal and antibacterial ingredients which can help if this is the cause of your dog’s dandruff.
Other ingredients you may see in any of these shampoos to help combat dandruff include:
- Aloe Vera helps reduce itchiness and inflammation.
- Vitamin E helps to decrease itchy skin.
- Tea Tree Oil can help soothe irritated skin and also has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
How Often Should A Dog With Dandruff Be Bathed?
It may be beneficial to have your dog be bathed 2-3 times per week to help manage their symptoms.
Discuss with your veterinarian how often you should bathe your dog, based on their diagnosis to be sure they are getting the proper treatment for their condition.
Best Dog Dandruff Shampoo
Here are some of the most highly rated dog dandruff shampoos. We have included a combination of oatmeal based shampoos, specific dog anti dandruff shampoos, and medicated shampoos that have antibacterial and antifungal ingredients.
All of these are rated highly by users and do a good job of helping to relieve dandruff and the itchiness that comes with it. The product information is according to the manufacturer. Any additional pros or cons will be noted.
For best results, you may want to pair the shampoo with its accompanying conditioner, although it is not necessary to do so.
Each of the shampoos listed are safe to use with topical flea and tick treatments.
Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo
- Contains Oatmeal, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E.
- Vanilla bean extract for scent.
- Moisturizes skin.
- Supports soft hair and coat.
Pros/Cons:
- Soothes itchy skin.
- Helps diminish dandruff.
- Vanilla scent can be too much for some people.
DermaBenSs Shampoo
- Helps increase the amount of water the outer layer of skin can absorb.
- Contains ceramides to moisturize dry skin.
- No sulfur odor.
- Contains benzoyl peroxide.
- Soap free.
- Contains salicylic acid.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Light scent.
- Clears dry skin.
Earthbath Oatmeal And Aloe Dog Shampoo
- Soap free.
- Moisturizes, heals, and soothes dry skin.
- Paraben and phosphate free.
- Gluten free.
- No synthetic dyes.
- Sulfate and phthalate free.
- Cruelty free.
- For dogs over 6 weeks of age.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Lathers well.
- Helps dry, itchy skin.
Douxo S3 SEB Shampoo
- Controls dandruff and odor.
- Normalizes sebum production.
- Hydrates skin.
- Soap free.
- Sulfate, paraben, phthalate, colorant, and nanoparticle free.
- Detangles fur.
Pros/Cons:
- Good for oily skin.
- Helps control odor.
TropiClean OxyMed Medicated Shampoo
- Soap free.
- Paraben free.
- Dye free.
- Contains Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe and Tea Tree Oil.
- Exfoliates skin.
- Restores moisture.
- Soothes dry, itchy, inflamed, and irritated skin.
- Cruelty free.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Helps decrease itchy skin.
Ventique Labs Dermabliss Medicated Anti-Itch & Allergy Relief Shampoo
- Soap free.
- Contains Safflower Seed Oil and Oat Extract to soothe skin.
- Uses Pramoxine, which temporarily numbs the skin and gives relief of itchiness.
- Hydrates skin.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- Lathers well.
- Pleasant scent.
Vetoquinol Universal Medicated Shampoo
- Works against bacteria and fungus that cause infections.
- Fights odor.
- Removes scales and crust from skin.
- Antibacterial.
- Anti-fungal.
- Made in Canada.
Pros/Cons:
- Works well.
Hartz Groomer’s Best Professionals Anti-Dandruff Medicated Dog Shampoo
- Designed to reduce dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
- Soothes skin.
- Contains Salicylic Acid.
- Jasmine and Citrus scent.
- No parabens.
- Alcohol free.
Naturel Promise Fresh & Soothing Oatmeal Itch Relief Shampoo
- Contains Oatmeal, Tea Tree Oil, and Botanical Extract.
- Has Salicylic Acid.
- Hydrates and nourishes dry skin.
- Soap free.
- Paraben free.
- For dogs over 12 weeks old.
- Made in the USA.
Vet’s Best Medicated Oatmeal Shampoo
- Calms and moisturizes dry skin.
- Contains Salicylic Acid.
- Has Tea Tree Oil, Oatmeal, and Vitamin B5.
- Made in the USA.
If your dog is continuously scratching and has white flakes in their hair, it may be a sign of dandruff in your dog. Dog dandruff shampoo can help give your dog relief of their dandruff symptoms, while leaving their hair soft and smelling great.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.