Although our first thought when spotting dandruff on our dog’s skin and coat is “well, at least it’s not nits”, the problem is often a lot more severe than initially anticipated. Dandruff can in fact be a sign of parasitic or bacterial infection caused by pesky mites or fleas, or even your dog’s immune systems way of telling you that your pet may be allergic to an ingredient in their kibble.
Whatever the reason, we’ve brought together eight different answers to your dog’s dandruff problems that present themselves in the form of medicated shampoo. Although distinctive in presentation and ingredients, whatever product you pick out will either eradicate your dog dandruff problem, or at least give your pup the itch relief for their skin and coat they’ve been craving.
Veterinary Formula’s Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo for dogs has quite rightly been nominated as our best choice of dandruff shampoo due to its unparalleled ingredients and results. Although this pH balanced treatment works by gently healing your dog’s skin, it also works at an exceptional speed. Delighted customers have remarked upon the vast changes in both their dog’s skin and attitude in only two weeks.
Applying this shampoo to your dog’s itchy skin two to three times a week initially until you see a noticeable improvement has worked for so many pooches as a result of the superior ingredients within this formula. In particular, coal tar as a member of the class of drugs keratoplastics works in slowing down the growth of skin cells and encouraging dead skin cells to shed. Paired with micronized sulfur that acts as a hydrator, you’ve got a product you can trust in.
Active ingredients salicylic acid, coal tar, and micronized sulfur included for effectively treating fungal and bacterial infections
Veterinary recommended formula designed to stop scaling engendered by seborrhea
Paraben dye and soap free
Shampoo only has to be used 2-3 times a week until you see signs of improvement
Hartz’s gentle anti dandruff dog shampoo is highly recommended for puppies and adult dogs by buyers everywhere. Salicylic acid as the effective active ingredient included in this formula breaks down scales and dead skin cells so they’ll no longer continue to irritate or damage your dog’s poor, itchy skin.
Containing no parabens or alcohol, the whopping eighteen fluid ounces of anti-dandruff shampoo for dogs will keep you covered if any future outbreaks arise. The buttermilk scent is also light and pleasant, masking a dog’s natural stench. And for the quality of shampoo on offer, Hartz go to great lengths to ensure that every dog owner can afford their inexpensive dog dandruff treatment.
Contains no parabens or alcohol
Inclusion of plant hormone salicylic acid helps dog’s skin shed dead cells
Small amount of shampoo lathers easily with lukewarm water
Shampoo strikes the perfect balance between overpowering and too weak
Mika Pet’s Oatmeal and Aloe Vera puppy shampoo is a customer favorite for treating their dog’s dry skin. The colloidal oatmeal in this formula functions as a skin moisturizer, as the oatmeal and aloe vera simultaneously work to alleviate the scratching and pain that comes with having flaky skin.
Mika Pets take pride in the ‘Leaping Bunny’ logo plastered over the front of their pet shampoo, ensuring that their doggy dandruff shampoo was created, packaged, and shipped from their US-based carbon neutral facility without using any kind of animal testing. Undoubtedly, the confidence Mika Pet’s have in their pet shampoo shows in their willingness to offer every single customer who isn’t completely satisfied a full refund. Investing in a transparent company that stick by their values is always recommended, and the quality of shampoo this company produce makes doing so easy.
Includes nourishing natural ingredients such as oatmeal and aloe vera
Contains the perfect pH balance for your pet’s skin
Made with rigorous adherence to animal cruelty-free guidelines
Shampoo leaves no sticky residue tough to clean off after washing
TropiClean’s deep-cleansing formula promises to sooth your poorly pup’s dry, itchy skin and stop their dandruff in its tracks. Being soap, dye, and paraden free, TropiClean is keen to stick to natural ingredients full of beneficial antioxidants rather than those ingredients that may irritate a dog’s sensitive skin to an even greater extent.
To apply, all you’ve got to do is massage a substantial amount of this shampoo all over your dog’s dry skin, leave for slightly over three minutes, then wash it all off again. As well as your dog being relieved from their dry skin and dandruff, you’ll both benefit from the quality time spent together, enjoying the pleasant scent of peaches and cream in the meantime.
Thought-out combination of Alpha Hydroxy, Beta Hydroxy, and tea tree oil reduces skin inflammation fast
Effectiveness of spot-on treatments aren’t affected by anti-dandruff shampoo
Cleaning process only takes around ten minutes for the average dog
Deodrizing formula leaves your pup smelling fresh
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties packed within Mighty Petz’ all natural Oatmeal shampoo are incredible for helping a dog’s dry skin and coat return to being the soft, lustrous source of pride that it once was. What’s more, the ingenious decision to have this shampoo exude a relaxing lavender scent is one that helps pups who loath bath time become a little more relaxed as they bathe.
One factor that helps dog’s prone to skin allergies in particular is the company’s decision to only include limited ingredients in their shampoo, thereby minimizing the chances pets will react badly to any one of these natural ingredients. Instead of a questionable dog dandruff shampoo with all knds of dyes and parabens, investing in Mighty Petz’ creation will ensure a premium bathing experience for your pup.
Take a look at our article on the Best Dog Conditioners.
Certified organic oats and aloe vera softens the skin and reduces itching
Mighty Petz’ limited ingredient approach decreases chance that dog may be allergic to other ingredients
Comforting lavender scent tends to calm distressed dogs who hate being bathed down
Made in the USA
This medicated shampoo is perfect for dogs who have sensitive and flaky skin. Using high quality ingredients for the best results you can get, this dog shampoo is ideal if you find your pup scratching at themselves. As well as being able to handle dandruff, it also treats microbial issues that are so common in doggy skin conditions.
A pump is included to make it easier to capture the right amount of shampoo required for washing your dog – without them getting away from you, while they’re in the bath. As well as this, the ingredients include sulfur, which is known to help calm skin conditions and ease itchiness. All-in-all this is a great value choice for a wide range of dog shampooing needs.
Pump included
Anti-itch shampoo
Treats microbial problems as well as common skin conditions
Uses sulfur to calm skin conditions
Using lemongrass as a natural cleanser, 4-Legger’s Dog hypo-allergenic dog shampoo will ensure your dog’s coat looks incredible and their dry, itchy skin is cured after only a few weeks. As this is an extremely concentrated formula, only a little will go a long way. The formula contains no artificial thickeners, synthetic preservatives, or detergents, rendering it effortless to lather and rinse off of your pet.
A large majority of customers find success with this formula and are delighted when they see a reduction in the amount of dandruff. However, if your dog’s dandruff doesn’t show any signs of shifting, the company are more than happy to offer a full refund within thirty days – and even allow you to keep the rest of the mixture incase you fancy breathing in the pleasant lemongrass scent once more.
Hypoallergenic dog shampoo ideal for treating skin and dandruff
Lemongrass scent derived from organic lemongrass essential oil rather than artificial chemicals
Company offers risk-free thirty-day guarantee for a full refund
Concentrated formula saves money in the long-term
Our fabulous final feature of this product selection is Oatmeal’s Choice Pet Shampoo, featuring oatmeal, aloe, and shea butter as the primary ingredients. The latter ingredient shea butter operates as an active ingredient within this formula, ensuring that the unsaponifiable fats don’t turn into soap and instead moisture your dog’s dry skin. It works in conjunction with the soothing oatmeal that reduces the unpleasantness of itchy and inflamed skin.
This shampoo certainly has many commendable aspects; being biodegradable, cruelty free, and containing all natural ingredients. However, satisfied customers’ favorite feature is the smell: rumour has it that this shampoo makes dogs smell like oatmeal cookies! And there’s only one way to find out if this rumour is indeed true…
Paraben-free shampoo leaves dogs’ coats looking glossy and soft to the touch
Proudly manufactured in the USA
No-hassle money-back guarantee if ever unsatisfied with this pet shampoo
Biodegradable shampoo made from all-natural ingredients
Allergies: Sufferers of hayfever will know all too well how tempting it is to give your eyes a good scratch to alleviate their itching, even for a few seconds. Dogs plagued with allergies feel the exact same way when it comes to scratching and licking their itches. Consequently, their attempts to lessen their discomfort only cause dandruff to form. Therefore, dogs who suffer from allergies are much more prone to contracting dandruff in the springtime and summertime.
Skin infections: Bacterial and viral infections are the main culprits of dandruff. To assess if a skin infection is responsible for your dog’s dandruff problem, it’s therefore important that you learn to recognize the distinction between dandruff and walking dandruff. Upon inspecting your dog’s skin, if you notice s/he has a combination of redness, scaly patches, and dandruff, these are most likely signs that your dog is suffering from cheyletiellosis – a parasitic infection caused by mites. Now, these mites are awfully contagious, to other pets and to humans. Other examples of these unpleasant conditions include dermatophytes (a type of pathogenic fungus that grows on skin, commonly known as ‘ringworm’), mange (caused by parasitic mites), and seborrhea (a fungal infection that is diagnosed with a rash). Your dog may contract these infections for a number of reasons: finding it more difficult to groom themselves as they age and through contact with other dogs who carry these infections, so it’s important not to blame yourself. Instead, focus all your energy finding a medicated dog shampoo that works for them.
Salicylic Acid: Once you’ve spotted active ingredient salicylic acid on the ingredient list, you’ve mostly likely found ‘the one’. As an antiseborrheic, the principal function of salicylic acid is to combat skin conditions that thrive due to the overproduction of oil. With this reduction of oil comes a decline in how much your dog needs to itch or scratch until the shampoo eliminates their skin problem entirely.
Aloe Vera: Numerous buyers believe the natural ingredient aloe vera to be so popular on account of 21st century influencers being so amazed that this sap comes from a plant. In fact, the medicinal properties that aloe vera offers were arguably even more popular in ancient civilizations than today. Containing anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, this incredible plant derives its strength from the immune stimulant acemannan that suppresses bacterial growth.
A: Quite frankly, you shouldn’t be using any kind of human shampoo on dogs – if they have dandruff or not. As dog skins’ pH balance sits at a neutral figure – between 6.2-7.4 to be exact, in comparison to the human mantle that is more acidic at 5.5-5.6 – it requires a much gentler shampoo to treat it effectively.
A: Oatmeal is such a successful primary ingredient for dog shampoo due to the nutritional benefits of its two principal ingredients: vitamin B and linoleic acid. An optimal amount of vitamin B will reduce any skin inflammation, allow your dog’s coat to get back to the healthy texture it once was. The latter ingredient, most commonly associated with
A: Although it may seem like a lot, bathing your dandruff-ridden pup with a dandruff shampoo around 2-3 times per week is recommended when they’re at their worst. After a few weeks when symptoms are finally starting to disappear, you can cut this figure down to once per week.
A: Wash your pup with lime juice: It’s a bizarre request, but lime juice works a charm for curing dandruff due to the optimal amounts of vitamin C it contains.
Keep a humidifier running in your dog’s sleeping space: The continual purring noise a dehumidifier makes is enough to drive anyone round the twist, yet it’s an effective home remedy for eliminating your dog’s dandruff. Due to low humidity’s positive impact on dandruff, keeping the humidifier running beside your sleeping pup will hopefully stop them itching, even if only a little.
Feed your dog a commendable diet: At the end of the day, a large number of health complications are preventable. And maintaining good health to prevent any complications from arising is intrinsically linked with following a healthy diet. Feeding your pup omega-3 fatty acid supplements with their dinner and switching to a low-allergy kibble are a few simple home remedies to make your dog healthier.
Check out our guide on Fish Oils For Dogs.
Veterinary Formula’s Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo for Dogs stands out as our utmost favorite dog shampoo. Featuring coal tar, salicylic acid, and micronized sulfur as only a few of the commendable, natural ingredients present in this formula, your dog’s irritated scalp will soon be cured after only using this shampoo for a couple of weeks. Suitable for all dogs over 12 weeks, the optimal pH balance is much less acidic than that of human anti-dandruff shampoos and is available at a small price so all doggy owners can treat their furry friends to this premium medicated product.
A freelance writer and word nerd, Wendy is a content writer with a knack for getting into the nitty-gritty of pet ownership. For the past three years, she’s been researching and writing a huge range of different topics – but always comes back to her beloved pet articles. Lover of all things four-legged and owner of Harley, Pepper and Rush, Wendy is currently completing her MNSW at Edge Hill University.