Does your dog frequently itch and scratch? Here we help you to choose the best dog shampoo for itchy skin and share our suggestions for soothing sensitive dog skin.
Is it normal for dogs to itch?
If you’ve ever found the sweet-spot behind a dog’s ear or tickled their tummy in just the right place, you’ll know that scratching their itch can be euphoric and send their tail into a spin! However, if your dog is frequently scratching their skin, they could be trying to communicate that something is bothering them.
Common reasons that a dog itches their skin can include:
- A reaction to an allergen such as their food or grass pollen/seed
- An irritation caused by an ingredient in their bath products or the detergent you use to wash their bed and towels
- An insect bite
- A parasite - including ticks and fleas
- A yeast infection
Help for dogs with itchy skin: things to try at home
Your vet can help you to determine the exact cause of your dog’s itchy skin. Once you know the cause, you can help your dog to find skin comfort by making small changes to their routine.
FIND A SKIN-FRIENDLY FOOD
If you suspect that your pet’s dinner is causing their skin distress, speak to your vet or local pet store and see if they can recommend an allergy-friendly diet for your dog’s itchy skin. You may also wish to add a skin-calming supplement to their meals, but we recommend speaking to your vet before making any major changes to your pet’s diet.
WALK SOMEWHERE NEW
If something in nature such as a plant, insect or pesticide is bothering their skin, it can be really hard to find the culprit! Consider walking some where new and see if your dog itches less on your new route. Also pay attention to if it is a seasonal allergy to help you narrow down what the cause might be. You might also want to check your indoor plants are pet-friendly!
KEEP OFF THE GRASS
Does long grass irritate your dog’s skin? Consider walking them on pavements from time to time, especially during the peak pollen season! Not only does this give their skin a little break from grass pollens but the hard surfaces are also good for keeping claws comfy in between pet pedicures!
TOP TIP: If you’re sowing grass seed, keep your pet away from the lawn. Small seeds can get stuck in their paw-pads and ears and may cause irritation.
SWITCH THEIR SHAMPOO
Some synthetic ingredients such as soap, synthetic fragrance and the foaming agent SLS can irritate delicate pet skin and cause dogs to itch after their bath. To make sure you’re using the best dog shampoo for sensitive itchy skin, consult our calm skin checklist below.
How gentle is your dog shampoo?
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allPaws natural dog shampoos |
Synthetic dog shampoos |
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Is it soap-free? |
Yes |
CHECK INGREDIENTS LABEL |
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Is it SLS-free? |
Yes |
CHECK INGREDIENTS LABEL |
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Is it free from artificial colourants? |
Yes |
CHECK INGREDIENTS LABEL |
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Is it free from artificial scents? |
Yes |
CHECK INGREDIENTS LABEL |
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Does it contain soothing actives? |
Yes |
CHECK INGREDIENTS LABEL |
The best shampoos for dogs with sensitive itchy skin will be an SLS-free pet shampoo that is made with soothing, calming natural actives such as Aloe Vera.
Our best dog shampoo for itchy skin
Both allPaws dog shampoos contain pH-balanced ingredients and are made without SLS to help to bring calm to itchy canine skin. Their key actives include soothing Aloe Vera and Yucca, a mild and natural foaming agent which cleanses without irritating delicate dog skin.
For dogs with itchy skin, we recommend using the allPaws Sensitive Dog Shampoo which is made without any added fragrance and gently cleanses ultra-sensitive skin.
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Read more about how an organic dog shampoo can make a difference.
PROTECT AGAINST PARASITES
Frequent itching can be an indication that your dog has fleas and, if you suspect that your pet has encountered a parasite, it is important that you treat this. Fleas and ticks are not only harmful to your pet’s health, they can also breed in soft furnishings and bite other members of the household. We recommend regularly hoovering carpets and keeping up-to-date on flea prevention to minimise irritation from dust mites and fleas.
While allPaws natural pet shampoos are very soothing and great for dogs prone to sensitive skin, they do not provide protection against parasites. If your dog has fleas, you should consult your vet to find the best anti-parasite programme for their breed.
CLEAN WITH CARE
You might love the sheen of your sparkly clean floor or the scent of your favourite candle, but if your dog’s skin is prone to irritation, it’s worth asking yourself whether any of your everyday cleansing items could be irritating your pet.
Some scented candle ingredients can be toxic to pets and cleansing agents like floor cleaner can irritate their paws. To avoid any unnecessary trips to the vet, we suggest letting clean floors dry before you allow your pet to walk on them and choosing the scent of your candles carefully!
WATCH THEIR WARDROBE
Pet coats and jumpers can provide a barrier between your pet’s skin and irritants like grass and may be worth considering for a pet that’s prone to itching their skin in discomfort.
Always keep the amount of time your pet spends in clothing to a minimum and choose clothes with natural fibres such as wool over cheaper, synthetic fabrics.
It’s also important to consider how you wash your pet’s clothing. One of the first questions we ask ourselves if we get a rash or itch on our human skin is whether we’ve changed our washing detergent recently, and the same logic should apply to pet clothing. If possible, wash pet clothing and bedding in a gentle, non-bio detergent that’s suitable for ultra-delicate skin.
CHECK THEIR COLLAR
Is your dog’s collar on too tight, or made from an irritating synthetic fabric like Nylon? Could this be why they are itching?
Check the skin under their collar regularly for sight of soreness and treat any discomfort with a soothing pet balm. It is also a good idea to remove their collar at night so that the skin can breathe and repair itself.
CHANGE THEIR SHEETS
No one wants to rest their head in a dirty bed! Wash pet blankets and bedding regularly to reduce your pet’s risk of irritation from their bed. A hot wash is best as it can help to kill-off any lingering parasites.
KEEP THEM COOL
If your pet itches more in the summer months, consider whether you can help to calm their skin by making their surroundings cooler. Always avoid walking your dog during the warmest hours of the day and make sure they have plenty of water available.
A cooling mat can help to keep your dogs’ skin comfortable and is a great investment for pets prone to itchy, irritated skin.
A dip in the bath can also help to cool hot dogs. Use our Wild Mint scented allPaws shampoo to give pongy pooches a refreshing scent to their fur during the summer months.
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SAFEGUARD THEIR STITCHES
If your dog has recently had surgery, they will likely have to wear a cone to stop them scratching and pulling at their stitches and bandages.
We advise against bathing your dog whilst they recover (unless otherwise instructed by your vet). Once they are back to enjoying their muddy adventures, use the allPaws Sensitive Dog Shampoo which is ultra-gentle on delicate dog skin.
Friendly advice available
Our helpful UK customer care team can be contacted on 01403 740350 and can help you to find the best shampoo for your dog’s itchy skin.
Whilst dog itching is not uncommon, it can be a sign of underlying health issues. If your dog is scratching frequently or you are concerned about your dog’s sensitive skin, speak to your vet.
