Looking for the best shampoo for your pup’s sensitive skin and coat? We’re here to help!

How Can I Bathe My Dog with Sensitive Skin?

Does your sweet pup need a little extra help with their skin and coat? Every dog is unique, just like humans. And some dogs struggle with skin and coat issues more than others. Before we jump into shampoos for sensitive skins, you may want to consider starting your pup on a skin and coat supplement.

Contact your veterinarian for recommendations and next steps to really help your dog’s skin and coat thrive again.

Why Does My Dog Itch?

If your dog has sensitive skin, it could be because they are suffering from some kind of skin irritation. If you’ve noticed your dog licking, chewing, or scratching, there is probably an underlying issue that needs to be resolved. Here are some of the main reasons that most dogs have itching problems and skin irritations:

  • Food allergy
  • Yeast infection
  • Bacterial infection
  • Parasite hypersensitivity
  • Atopy—an allergic reaction to environmental proteins like pollen

You may be avoiding giving your pup a bath because you’re afraid that it will dry out their skin, or irritate it more in some way. “But dermatologists point out that newly developed, moisturizing shampoos for dogs can actually improve skin and coat condition.” So let’s move forward with trying to find the right solution for your pup.

What Can I Bathe My Dog With for Itching?

Before we jump into the top shampoos for general skin sensitivities, let’s find some solutions specifically for issues like itching or fleas.

If your dog struggles with itchy skin, we’ve actually got some natural home remedies that can help calm their itch. Keep in mind that these solutions help with seasonal and more mild cases of itching.

1. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a great natural oil that is dog-friendly and very soothing on the skin and fur. You’ll want to use it while it’s cold and solid. It squishes pretty easily, so you can massage it right into the itchy spot.

2. Plain, sugar-free yogurt

For certain dog allergies, hives, and rashes, the American Kennel Club says that you can actually feed your pup plain, sugar-free yogurt once a day. They recommend 1 teaspoon for small dogs, and 2 teaspoons for large dogs. And always make sure there’s no xylitol in the yogurt since it’s poisonous to dogs.

3. Oatmeal bath or paste

This is a classic one for dog and human skin issues. You can ground up oats and mix them with warm water. Let your dog soak in the oatmeal bath for 10-15 minutes, or create a thick paste and spread it on the problem area. This is best for dry, itchy skin.

4. 50/50 apple cider vinegar and water

Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water into a spray bottle. This is perfect for dry, itchy skin or poison ivy. But you should never spray this mixture on open wounds or raw skin. The vinegar would definitely sting!

5. Herbal tea and chamomile tea

You can steep the tea bags in a warm bath. Then take out the tea bags and let your pup soak for 5 minutes. Or steep the tea bags in a pitcher, refrigerate it, and pour cold tea over the dry skin patches. Then let your dog’s skin air dry.

What is the Best Shampoo for Dogs with Fleas?

Is your dog having skin problems because of fleas? It’s very important to keep your dog on a regular flea and tick preventative medicine. But if they already have fleas, here are 5 of the top flea shampoos for dogs.

1. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care

2. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo

3. Veterinary Formula Flea & Tick

4. Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Advanced Strength

5. TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo

These can all be found online, or you can ask your veterinarian for their favorite recommendation.

What is the Best Dog Shampoo to Use If Your Dog Has Sensitive Skin?

You’ll notice that some of the best shampoos for sensitive skin are from some of the same companies that make the best flea & tick shampoos. These companies are well-known, vet-recommended, and have high reviews on Amazon, Chewy, and Google. They are on both lists because they produce some of the best dog shampoos on the market for every skin need.

1. Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo

2. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs

3. TropiClean Medicated Oatmeal & Tea Tree Dog Shampoo

4. TropiClean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut Shampoo

5. Zymox Enzymatic Dog & Cat Shampoo

6. Vetoquinol Itchy Dry Skin Aloe & Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

7. Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle

No matter which one you pick from the list above, you can’t go wrong. These are all great choices to help your sweet pup with whatever their skin issues may be.

For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi.com.

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