10 Best Dog Shampoos for Allergy Sufferers in 2024: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Anyone who has had allergies knows the suffering that it causes. Allergies don’t look quite the same in dogs, but they can be just as miserable for them as they are for us. Dog allergies most frequently manifest as skin irritation. Whether this means that they are itchy, have red spots, or just irritation in general, one of the best tools for combating these symptoms is with a soothing dog shampoo.

With so many options available, how do you know which ones are the best for dogs with allergies? This list features some of the best dog shampoos for dogs with allergies. They have some great reviews from customers and have been proven to make your allergy-stricken dog feel its best.

 

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Dog Shampoos for Allergy Sufferers

1. HyLyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo for Dogs – Best Overall

Our choice for the best dog shampoo for allergy sufferers overall is the HyLyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo for Cats & Dogs. It is formulated with fatty acids and proteins to keep your dog’s skin feeling moisturized and healthy. The recipe isn’t all-natural, but customers rave about the results they see. However, it is soap-free, which is a huge plus.

This allergy shampoo has a pleasant smell to it and won’t remove the natural oils from their skin to further dry it out. Because it is hypoallergenic, you never have to worry about exposing your dog to any triggers.

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2. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Medicated Shampoo – Best Value

If you’ve been looking for one of the best shampoos for dogs with allergies for the money, then look no further than the Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Medicated Shampoo. It’s formulated to help with pain and itching. It also has natural ingredients like aloe and oatmeal that help soothe inflamed skin and promote further healing, plus, discourages scratching so that your dog doesn’t make the problem worse.

This dog shampoo does not lather as well as some other options, so you will have to use a little more product than you’re used to.

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3. Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo – Premium Choice

The Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo might not be the most affordable choice, but customers repeatedly report seeing great results after using it. This shampoo is a soap-free formula with all-natural ingredients making up most of the product. It is gentle enough for daily use and helps to moisturize your pup’s skin. It also makes it hard for yeast and bacteria to grow—two things responsible for allergy-related skin problems. While this shampoo is pricey, it’s a premium choice for your pooch.

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4. TropiClean Hypoallergenic Gentle Puppy Shampoo – Best for Puppies

One challenge you might face when owning a new puppy is that there aren’t many products that are labeled as safe for young dogs. This TropiClean Hypoallergenic Puppy Shampoo is made specifically with your young dog in mind. The ingredients are all-natural and soap-free. However, it isn’t tearless and could irritate your pup’s eyes while in the bath, so be careful during washing. The shampoo has a nice lather to it to keep bath time as short as possible, and while some customers enjoy the strong scent, others think it’s a bit too much.

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5. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo

The Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo is perfect for anyone who is trying to avoid strong fragrances. This shampoo is soap-free and cruelty-free but still mildly deodorized and gently moisturizes your pets. It includes natural ingredients like aloe and oatmeal that are designed to heal and soothe your dog’s skin. However, it might not work on dogs with oily coat types. It is also a bit more pricey than some other brands and similar products that may work just as well.

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6. Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo

Try Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Shampoo if you’re looking for a veterinary-formulated product with all-natural ingredients and essential oils including oatmeal, d-limonene, and tea tree oil. This product can help to relieve itching and remove potential allergens from your pet’s skin, and won’t interfere with topical tick and flea treatments. Unfortunately, it isn’t designed to be a moisturizer and could dry your dog’s skin out after extensive use. It is made in the USA and does a fairly good job for the low price.

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7. 4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoo

The 4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoo is ideal for dog owners who prioritize using organic products as it’s made with 100% biodegradable, sustainably sourced, non-GMO ingredients. This shampoo includes lemongrass, which is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties and uses aloe to soothe and moisturize your pet’s skin and coat. Because it is concentrated, a small amount goes a long way. That also means that it is much more expensive, though. The shampoo also has a very thin consistency that isn’t easy to lather.

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8. Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Dog Shampoo

Douxo is a brand formulated to increase the moisture in a dog’s skin without removing natural oils and for controlling bacteria and yeast. It contains Phytosphingosine – salicyloyl for its anti-inflammatory, anti seborrhea and anti-itch properties. Most users found that it does lather and rinse well and improved their dogs skin and coat greatly. It also doesn’t have too powerful of a fragrance, just a gentle smell,  so your dog will smell clean without it being too overwhelming.

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9. Zesty Paws Itch-Soother Dog Shampoo

The Zesty Paws Itch-Soother Shampoo is another solid option for dogs with allergies. This recipe contains antioxidants for your pet’s skin and is formulated with vitamin E for better overall health. It does contain tree nuts, though, which might be a trigger for some dogs with allergies. Because it is made with fish oil, it also has a bit of a fishy smell to it. Still, it lathers up well and rinses away with ease.

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10. Burt’s Bees for Dogs Itch-Soothing Shampoo

Burt’s Bees products do it best when it comes to all-natural ingredients, and this shampoo is no different, with 97% of the ingredients being natural and cruelty-free. They use a unique combination of substances, like avocado oil, oat flour, and honey to moisturize and soothe your pet’s flakey skin. It has a watery texture that doesn’t seem to lather or spread well, though. So while the price is low, many users report they have to use a lot of product to see results.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Shampoo For Your Dog With Allergies

There is no point in buying your allergy-prone dog a new shampoo if you don’t understand where dog allergies come from and how they affect the skin and fur. Here are a few points to keep in mind before spending your hard-earned money:

Understanding Dog Allergies

Don’t skip the vet just because you think you’ve got your pet’s allergies figured out. Vets can do a better job at diagnosing the problem and narrowing it down to a specific ingredient that is causing the problem. Dog allergies can be caused by many things. Between pollen, molds, flea bites, food and bathing products, it’s hard to know what exactly is making their skin so irritated. Shampoo is an important part of many allergy treatments but is not usually sufficient on its own and your vet will likely need to prescribe anti-itch medications.

How Often to Bathe Your Dog

Consider how often you bathe your dog before assuming that they have allergies. If you wash your pets too much, their skin is constantly free from natural oils, and so this could be the problem, to begin with. The products you are using while they bathe could also be contributing to the problem. Make sure you only use shampoos that are specifically designed for dogs and better yet, recommended by your vet.

Ingredients

Consider the ingredients and their benefits when choosing a shampoo.  Does your dog have dry or oily skin, irritation or infection?  Hairy dogs with a dense coat such as German Shepherd dogs will need a shampoo that lathers and rinses well too.

Age

Age is another factor to consider when shopping for shampoos. Not all shampoos are safe for puppies. Not only that, but young dogs might not appreciate frequent baths until they are used to a regular grooming routine. If you insist on bathing them frequently, make sure you use one formulated for your dog’s age.

 

Conclusion

Overall, we think that this list shows some of the best options for dogs with allergies. Our research has shown that the best overall shampoo for allergy sufferers is the HyLyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo, while our best choice for the money is the Veterinary Formula Hot Spot and Itch Relief Shampoo. With the proper grooming routine and safe ingredients, you can help your dog feel more comfortable in their own skin and get their allergies under control in no time!

• You might also like: 9 Natural Home Remedies for Dog Skin Allergies & Itching (Expert Tips)

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Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock