10 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos – Reviews & Guide 2022

You may be considering a hypoallergenic dog shampoo if your dog is overly sensitive to dyes and perfumes. Or perhaps they have developed flaky, itchy skin and can’t stop scratching. Regular cleansing that removes allergens from the skin can help relieve irritations so your pooch can get back to enjoying life instead of feeling miserable.

Here is an interesting fact: Dogs have three to five layers of skin that regenerate every three weeks, and their fur traps dirt and debris easily. With all that dead skin and dirt, they need a good washing every couple of weeks to stay healthy and happy.

Our list of the 10 best hypoallergenic dog shampoos goes over the pros/cons of each shampoo, as well as descriptions of what to expect from each product. Our buyer’s guide goes over considerations to keep in mind when searching for a shampoo that can help relieve inflammation and irritation.

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A Quick Glance at Our Favorite Picks in 2022

The 10 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos

1. PPW Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo – Best Overall

Our pick for the best hypoallergenic dog shampoo is from Pro Pet Works, which offers a shampoo and conditioner in one. It is ideal for dogs with allergies and flea bites and is pH balanced for sensitive skin. It contains aloe vera, almond oil, and oat proteins. It has a lovely cherry almond smell (from essential oils) and contains no harsh chemicals.

We like that the ingredients are organic, and the formula won’t irritate your dog’s eyes, nose, or skin. Pro Pet Works products are biodegradable and made with recycled materials, and the shampoo is non-toxic, paraben, and cruelty-free.

The oatmeal in this shampoo helps with itchy, irritated skin and loosens deep dirt and grime to get a deep cleanse. On the downside, certain essential oils can be irritating to sensitive skin, but the company offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the results.

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2. Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo – Best Value

This is the best hypoallergenic dog shampoo for the money because it is a gentle cleanser made from quality ingredients and is offered at an affordable price. Burt’s Bees is a brand associated with natural ingredients. This formula is pH balanced for dogs and puppies and is free from fragrances, sulfates, harsh chemicals, and colorants.

We like that the ingredients include shea butter for moisturizing and honey to bring out the shine in the coat. It has a light lather and of course, no odor. It does clean and deodorize, but if you are looking for a fresh scent, this shampoo doesn’t provide that. It is meant to be used on dogs with sensitive skin and will help relieve and prevent itchiness.

The Burt’s Bees didn’t make the number-one spot because it doesn’t have as good moisturizing properties as the Pro Pet Works.

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3. PAKT Oatmeal Dog Shampoo – Premium Choice

This shampoo does a great job of relieving dry, itchy skin on your dog. It contains organic oatmeal, baking soda, and aloe vera, all of which are good for soothing the skin. We like the light oatmeal scent that removes odors and lasts for many days after the bath.

It is also good for fleas, yeast, and allergies since it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. This is made in the U.S.A. and is cruelty-free. If you send in a picture of your dog after using this shampoo, the company will donate a portion of their profits to a pet with cancer.

The Pets Are Kids Too shampoo works great at cleansing and relieving irritated skin on your dog, but it is pricier than the Pro Pet Works and the Burt’s Bees, which is why it is in the third spot on our list.

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4. Bodhi Hypoallergenic Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

The Bodhi Dog shampoo uses oat proteins, coconut, aloe vera, fruit extracts, and vitamins A, D, and E in their formula to help soothe sensitive skin. It also contains baking soda for extra deodorizing and is alcohol and detergent free.

We like that it is non-toxic and contains no parabens. This small, family-owned business offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the results. The fruit extracts add a nice apple scent, though the odor is not overpowering. We also noticed that it doesn’t last very long on the coat.

The Bodhi shampoo has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic qualities within the formula. This is a great feature to prevent skin infections. The ingredients aren’t organic but are local and sustainable. On the downside, this is a pricier shampoo, but it cleans well and leaves the coat shiny and soft.

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5. Four Paws Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos

Oatmeal is the main ingredient in this hypoallergenic shampoo, so it is good for dogs who have dry, sensitive skin. It is fragrance-free and works well with cleansing the fur, though it doesn’t mask the wet dog scent effectively. It is ideal for dogs who cannot tolerate shampoos with added scents or dyes, and we like that it doesn’t irritate the skin or increase itching.

The Four Paws does well at deodorizing and preventing further skin irritation. It is made in the U.S.A. and is paraben-free. This shampoo is affordable, but we found that you have to use it more often to reap the benefits of a healthy skin and coat for your furry friend.

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6. 4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo

This shampoo is certified organic by the USDA and contains coconut oil, lemongrass essential oil, and aloe vera. The lemongrass is a natural flea deterrent and provides a lovely scent while masking the wet dog smell.

You won’t find any toxic chemicals or synthetic ingredients in this shampoo, which makes it ideal for puppies and senior dogs. The 4Legger is formulated to moisturize dry and flaky skin, reduce inflamed skin, and minimize yeast and bacteria. It is cruelty-free and made in the U.S.A. The company also offers a 30-day guarantee — if you don’t like the product, they will refund your money.

Unfortunately, the lemongrass essential oil may be irritating to some dogs’ skin, especially those who are more sensitive to topical solutions. This shampoo is also on the pricier side.

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7. Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo

Vet’s Best is a soap-free shampoo formulated for sensitive skin. It is a gentle cleanser that relieves itching and adds moisture to dry brittle coats. The ingredients include aloe vera and vitamin E for an extra moisturizing effect, and the shampoo may be used as often as needed to remove allergens.

We like that this will not affect topical flea and tick products, so you can use this at any time. The company does not offer a money-back guarantee, nor is this product cruelty-free. But Vet’s Best is made in the U.S.A. and does well with soothing the skin and preventing further irritation. You will have to use this product more often to see results, however.

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8. Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Pet Shampoo

Earthbath is a hypoallergenic, tear-free formula that is great for sensitive skin since it is soap-free. We like that it is non-toxic and gentle so you know you are providing a product that is healthy for your pet. It contains a coconut-based cleanser, aloe vera, and olive oil. There are no parabens or perfumes, and it is cruelty-free.

There is a light natural scent when used, and it leaves your dog smelling fresh and clean after a bath. We found that it is an effective shampoo for dogs with allergies but does not provide 100% itch relief, nor does it help moisturize their coat.

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9. K9 Pro Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

This is an aloe and oatmeal shampoo with cucumber and melon extract. It is soap-free and will help with soothing dry, flaky skin and promoting a shiny coat. On the downside, it has many ingredients in its formula, and the aloe vera and oatmeal are at the bottom of the list, which means there is only a small amount of each.

We found that this shampoo smells nice and cleanses the dirt and grime from the dog, but it does not make a noticeable difference in the shine of the coat nor relieve dry skin. We like that the company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee with no questions asked. Unfortunately, you have to use a large amount of the product at one time to cleanse your dog effectively.

• Related Read: Hypoallergenic Dog Foods 

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10. MOD Hypoallergenic Pet Shampoos

The MOD is a pH-balanced formula that is hypoallergenic and contains aloe vera, vitamin E, and essential oils. It has a pleasant scent that clings to the dog’s coat for many days after the bath, but it does not help with dry skin as well as it claims.

• Check out the best dog shampoos for dry skin here!

Unfortunately, many others have stated that the product arrived leaking or empty. It cleans well and removes dirt and grime effectively, but there is no noticeable difference in the shine of the coat, nor is there a money-back guarantee on this product.

Related Read: 10 Best Dog Shampoos of the Year

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Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo

When you have a dog with sensitive skin, it is imperative you use a shampoo that won’t exacerbate the issue. This buyer’s guide will help you determine what to consider when buying a hypoallergenic shampoo so you can choose the one that will provide long-lasting comfort to your dog.

What’s Causing your Dog’s Itchy Skin?

There can be more than one reason that your dog is constantly scratching. If you know what is causing the itching, you can implement an effective treatment that will give you great results. Possible reasons are:

Allergies: Dogs can be afflicted with allergies from pollen and dust mites just like humans. Don’t forget possible food allergies too. You may need to visit a veterinarian if you think this is a probable cause.

• Try: Multivitamins Every Dog Should Take

Skin infections or parasites: It’s not fun to ponder the idea that your dog may have fleas or other parasites, but it can happen. There are also many skin infections that can be caused by bacteria and fungus.

• Try: Best Dog Shampoo for Yeast Infections

Sensitive skin: Perhaps your dog has sensitive skin that does not do well with certain chemicals and additives commonly found in dog shampoos. They can also develop contact dermatitis from certain ingredients applied to the skin. That’s where having an antibacterial or antifungal product can be a benefit. Having these extra cleansing properties and protection will prevent a skin infection from occurring.

• Try: Best Oils for your Dogs Sensitive Skin 

What Makes a Good Hypoallergenic Shampoo?

Ingredients: Typically, the fewer ingredients, the safer it will be for your dog with sensitive skin. Shampoos without fragrances and dyes are ideal since these are common culprits of itchy, dry skin. However, while you may think that essential oils won’t cause problems because they are natural, they can still be irritating to some skin, so it is best to test it out first on a small area of your dog before slathering their whole body.

Read Labels: Look for a product that lists all the ingredients and is descriptive about what the label claims. You want to know what is being applied to your dog’s skin. Keep in mind that if the ingredient list is long and difficult to pronounce, this is not necessarily a negative aspect. Certain companies prefer to list the essential oils under their scientific names, which are not easy to pronounce.

Tips:

• Dogs have more alkaline skin compared to humans, who have a more neutral skin pH level. So, something that works well for you is probably not the best for your dog.
• Letting your dog air dry is ideal if they suffer from dry skin. A hairdryer will only aggravate their condition.
• Bathing more can cause the skin to become more irritated, so it’s best to wait at least two weeks in between washings.
• If your dog has a reaction to a certain shampoo, you can consult your veterinarian to see if there is anything you can do to alleviate the symptoms.

Conclusion:

When your poor dog is suffering from itchy and irritated skin, it is not fun to see them be miserable. There are many hypoallergenic shampoos on the market today that can relieve those irritating symptoms. Our reviews guide was put together to help you find a shampoo that will give your dog the best results.

Our choice for the best hypoallergenic dog shampoo is the Pro Pet Works, since it is an all-natural and organic shampoo with ingredients that will soothe dry, sensitive skin. The best value is the Burt’s Bees, since it is formulated as a gentle cleanser that can moisturize and bring shine to your dog’s coat. The premium choice for the best hypoallergenic dog shampoo is the Pets Are Kids Too Shampoo, which has organic oatmeal, baking soda, and aloe vera that will provide natural relief from itching.

We hope that our reviews list and buyer’s guide helps you determine the best hypoallergenic shampoo for your dog. Good luck!

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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay