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6 Best Dog Shampoos for Dandruff: Prevent Snowflakes on Your Dog’s Fur
How We Found the Best Dog Shampoo For Dandruff
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You probably know that dogs can get most humans diseases and conditions, and one of them is dandruff. Yes, dogs can get flaky skin as well. We know it’s an annoying and unsightly condition. Dandruff results in dry and flaky skin, and your dog might be itching for days. What can you do? How can you help your furry friend? Well, introduce the best dog shampoo for dandruff in his life.
Dead skin cells make up dandruff. They fall from the skin and look like white flakes. Well, it’s time to stop the itching and dry skin. Earthbath, our best pick, is a completely organic and natural shampoo that will help soothe your dog’s skin—and prevent snowflakes in the process. We have other options for you as well. Read on.
Our Reviews
Best Overall
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1. Earth Bath Organic Natural Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo
Our pick for the best dog shampoo for dandruff is the Earthbath dog shampoo. It’s the best organic shampoo you can find on the market. Made with 100% biodegradable ingredients, this soap-free shampoo can keep fleas and pests away.
Safe, gentle, and effective, the two main ingredients are aloe vera and oatmeal. These ingredients combat skin irritation and moisturize your dog’s skin. At the same time, they promote healing of the skin.
Even veterinarians recommend aloe vera and oatmeal for dandruff.
Why do we like it?
- Heavenly scented
- Soap-free shampoo
- pH balanced to deodorize safely
- Recommended by veterinarians
Best Premium
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2. Pete Rickards Cedar Oil Dog Shampoo
This is one of the rare anti-dandruff shampoos with cedar oil. We know cedar oil can help with skin conditions like eczema thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of cedar oil. The company uses those properties to reduce dandruff.
There are other plant-based essential oils in the formula. Designed to reduce symptoms, but also provide long-term satisfaction, it’s a great non-toxic alternative to shampoos with harmful chemicals. It’s made in the USA, and it’s effective for hunting dogs.
Why do we like it?
- Contains plant-based essential oils
- Made in the USA
- Effective for hunting dog breeds
Best Budget
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3. Critter Concepts Dog Shampoo for Dry and Itchy Skin
There is a reason why this shampoo is in the category of Amazon choices. The price is great for a large bottle. With a powerful, plant-based combination of ingredients, the shampoo will relieve itching. The formula includes tea tree oil, Shea butter, vitamin E, vitamin B5, and sunflower oil. It’s one of the best anti-itch shampoos on the market.
Critter Concepts’ shampoo also helps with flaky and dull skin. Your dog will have a luxurious, great-smelling coat. Make sure to dilute the concentrate with warm water in 4:1 or 6:1 ration, however.
Formulated in the USA, the shampoo is 100% safe and gentle. Vets and groomers recommend the premium quality shampoo. And it comes at a low price.
Why do we like it?
- Highly concentrated formula lasts 4 times longer
- Made with tea tree oil and Shea butter
- Formulated in the USA
- Quick results
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4. Pura Naturals Dog Shampoo with Soothing Lavender and Chamomile Essential Oils
The company wants to deliver the highest-quality products, and they do that by using only the best ingredients our planet has to offer. They test different formulas until they find the best one.
This dandruff shampoo contains chamomile and lavender essential oils, which relieve itching and irritation while also providing a safe and gentle cleanse for the coat. We recommend using it sparingly.
Made in the USA, the company uses only American factories that follow strict quality standards.
Why do we like it?
- The shampoo will not irritate the skin
- Scents do not trigger allergies
- Made with biodegradable ingredients
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5. Organic Oscar Oatmeal Shampoo
Some owners want a fancy-looking shampoo, which is the main reason we included Organic Oscar on this list. The design looks like a dog bone.
But the shampoo also delivers quality. Made with organic leaf extracts, Organic Oscar will soothe your dog’s sensitive skin, completely replenishing itchy, dry skin (we mentioned before that oatmeal is great for dandruff and itchy skin).
It’s made in the USA, and it’s not tested on animals. The best part is you can use it for puppies.
Why do we like it?
- Dog-inspired design
- Made in the USA with certified organic ingredients
- You can use it frequently
- Safe for puppies
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6. Healthy Breeds Organic Aloe and Oatmeal Shampoo
You’ll notice a pattern here: The good quality shampoos contain oatmeal or aloe vera. Or both. This one provides relief for itchy and scaling skin. The formula is hypoallergenic, and you can use along with topical flea control treatments.
We love that the formula is pH balanced. You can use it to restore moisture and emollients in your dog’s coat. It’s safe and tested on more than 200 breeds. And the best part is you can use it on puppies; this is not a medicated shampoo, so you can bathe a puppy over three months old.
Why do we like it?
- Gentle shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin
- Restore moisture and emollients
- You can use it along with a topical flea control treatment
Causes of dandruff in dogs
You can’t pinpoint all the causes of dandruff. Just as in people, a lot of factors can play a role, and it’s usually not a single factor. Instead, many factors chip in.
Seborrhea
Seborrhea is a condition in which baby skin cells travel to the surface quickly. Because the glue holding them together is weak, they flake away. The result is dandruff. In some dogs, seborrhea causes greasy skin. Why? Because the grease glands work overtime.
Some breeds are more prone to the condition. The list includes West Highland White Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, and American Cocker Spaniel.
Cheyletiella Mites
Some experts refer to the condition as walking dandruff. The mites find comfort in your dog’s skin, and they lay eggs there, making life miserable for your dog.
These mites cause excessive itching. The good news is they are visible to the naked eye (they look like skin flakes).
Bacterial and fungal infections
Infections can cause trouble in many ways, and they form a vicious cycle. They cause itchiness, but they also reduce the skin’s ability to protect itself. Infections can cause flakiness and dandruff.
Low humidity
Yes, environmental factors play a role as well. If you live in a dry area, the air is not suitable for your dog. Dry air strips your dog’s skin of moisture. The same happens when you keep the heat in your home high.
Dry skin can cause your dog to scratch, and the scratching will get worse and worse. Scratching can also worsen any existing skin condition.
Poor diet
You are what you eat. We say that all the time. The same applies to dogs. Your dog needs water, minerals, vitamins, and fat from their food. If not, his coat will suffer.
Think of your dog as a plant. When it lacks nutrition, the plant can become sick. Your dog will get dandruff and dull hair.
Symptoms of dandruff in dogs
You have to make the distinction between a few random flakes and abnormal flaking. A couple of random flakes is normal. For example, when dogs are under stress, flaking is normal. Lots of flakes, though, is a cause for concern. Here are all the symptoms of dandruff in dogs. You can prevent them by using the best dog shampoo for dry skin and dandruff.
- Lots of flakes on your dog’s coat
- Certain seasonal patterns
- Skin infections in one area of his body
- Itching, discomfort, and other behavioral signals
- Redness in certain sections of the skin
- The skin smells different
Breeds prone to dandruff
Some owners ask whether the breed they want is more prone to dandruff. Well, that’s a tough question to answer. Some breeds might not be prone to dandruff more than others, but they can be prone to certain conditions (we talked about seborrhea before).
Another condition associated with dandruff is ichthyosis. It’s a genetic condition causing flaky skin. Two breeds prone to the condition are the Golden Retriever and the American Bulldog.
In reality, every dog and breed can develop dandruff. It’s a problem that can happen in any single dog because there are so many factors and potential causes.
Homemade shampoo for dry skin
Our pick for the best dog shampoo for dandruff is completely organic and natural. Yet, if you want something you can prepare in your kitchen, we have the recipe. For your homemade dandruff shampoo, you will need some vinegar and aloe vera.
While most homemade shampoos are oatmeal dog shampoo, we go with vinegar. These ingredients can soothe and relieve itchy and dry skin. Here is the ingredients list:
- 1 quart of water
- 1 cup of liquid castile soap
- 1 cup of vinegar (you can use ACV or white vinegar)
- 1/3 cup of glycerin
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
Use the shampoo once every two weeks at most.
What can you do to help your dog?
Bathing your dog with an antibacterial and antifungal dog shampoo helps with dandruff. But you can do much more. Here are some tips to relieve itching and dry skin.
- Brush your dog once per day to distribute natural oils and stimulate blood circulation to the skin.
- Improve your dog’s diet by switching to high-quality food.
- Invest in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements.
- Use specialized shampoos that moisturize the skin and relieve flakiness.
- Make sure your dog has access to clean water.
- Walk and exercise your dog every day
- Don’t use a blow dryer on your dog.
- Use a humidifier in your home to prevent low humidity.
- Buy only natural products for cleaning your home.
- See your veterinarian to determine if there is an underlying health condition.
Buying Guide
What makes any shampoo the best dog shampoo for dandruff? We say the devil is in the details. Well, here, the trick is in the ingredients.
Look for a shampoo that is free of harsh chemicals. You don’t want soap, parabens, or sulfates. Pick something with natural and organic ingredients, and the fewer ingredients, the better.
The best oatmeal dog shampoo works great. But it’s not for long-term use, because oatmeal can increase itching with repeated use. For long-haired dogs, it’s a good idea to dilute 1 part shampoo to 1 part water.
Some of the best natural ingredients include tea tree oil and olive oil.
Conclusion
Shopping for a dandruff shampoo for dogs can be challenging. We hope we helped you. At the end of the day, you want a shampoo made for dogs. The pH value of your dog’s skin is different from yours, so never use human shampoo on a dog.
There are plenty of options available on the market. Earthbath is an organic shampoo that will keep fleas and pests away. Mutt Cosmetics will give you a more premium product. And if you’re on a tight budget, Critter Concepts is the way to go.
Aleksandar
My name is Aleksandar, and I am a storyteller by professional. I’ve got a BA in journalism in 2009. I write ever since. Now, I am here to help you find the best grooming products for your furry friend.
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