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Dandruff—those small white flakes of dead skin that that emerge from the hair—isn’t just an uncomfortable human problem. It can affect dogs too. And just as people can reach for a bottle of specialized shampoo to deal with the condition, pets can also benefit from the use of dog dandruff shampoos to restore their skin and coat to its normal luster.
What Causes Dandruff in Dogs
What with all the fur, we don’t always think about the skin hidden underneath our dogs’ coats. Dandruff is often the first visible sign that your dog is experiencing skin discomfort. For dogs with dark hair, dandruff is easy to spot. The dead skin appears as white flakes, often making their coat appear dusty or dull. In light-colored dogs, dandruff is often more difficult to detect, but certain behaviors can point to its presence. Excessive scratching or licking indicate that your dog is uncomfortable. You may also find traces of dandruff dust on carpets or furniture.
Dandruff is bothersome, but it’s not harmful by itself. More concerning is that it’s a symptom of dry or irritated skin. Dog dandruff can occur as a result of environmental factors or even be a sign of something more serious such as illness, infection, or poor nutrition. Some of the causes for your dog’s flaky skin may include:
- Bathing a dog too often or with harsh soaps
- Poor diet
- Localized fungal infections like ringworm and yeast dermatitis
- Extreme hot and cold temperatures and dry air
- Allergies
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Bacterial infections such as pyoderma
- Parasites like fleas and mites
- Obesity
With such a wide range of potential reasons for your dog’s dandruff, it’s always a good idea to have a veterinarian check them out, especially if you notice a lot of flaking and other symptoms like red, scaly sores, or if your dog’s behavior has changed in any way. A vet will be able to rule out or recommend treatment for any serious conditions and also provide advice on the best course of action to soothe your dog’s dry skin. Those recommendations may include the use of a humidifier, a change in diet, and, of course, the use of a dog dandruff shampoo.
How Dog Dandruff Shampoos Work
Dog dandruff shampoos come in a range of formulas to treat both dandruff and its causes. Ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, and glycerin soothe and moisturize dry, irritated skin. Some dandruff shampoos are medicated to exfoliate the skin and to kill the organisms that cause infections. Pet owners should always consult a vet for a diagnosis before using a dandruff shampoo, as choosing the wrong products can make things worse and aggravate already sensitive skin.
Read shampoo labels carefully to select a formula that will work for your dog’s unique issues and to learn how to use the product correctly too. For maximum effectiveness, many medicated shampoos require that you lather and wait for several minutes before rinsing.
With that said, check out our picks for the best dog dandruff shampoos below.
1. Vet’s Best Oatmeal Medicated Shampoo
This shampoo from Vet’s Best is the best of both worlds, with both medicated and natural ingredients. The formula combines salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant, with colloidal oatmeal, tea tree oil, and vitamin B5 to soothe dry skin. Several pet parents have noted the shampoo’s thin consistency; while that didn’t work for everyone, some reviewers found that the lighter liquid was better in getting under their dog’s hair, allowing it reach their dog’s skin where it was needed.
What we like about it:
- Powerful combination of medicated and natural ingredients
- Works alongside other treatments like topical flea and tick treatments
- Only needs 3-5 minutes on a dog’s skin to work
2. Hartz Groomer’s Best Professionals Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
You might not find a better deal on a dog dandruff shampoo than this affordable, professional quality bottle of Hartz Groomer’s Best Anti-Dandruff Dog Shampoo. The gentle formula is powered by salicylic acid and features a jasmine and citrus scent that both pet parents and their dogs seem to enjoy.
What we like about it:
- Extra-gentle formula with no alcohol or parabens
- 2% salicylic acid helps to exfoliate and reduce dandruff
- Large 32-oz bottle
3. Veterinary Formula Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo for Dogs
This Veterinary Formula Clinical Care is an antiparasitic and antiseborrheic medicated shampoo intended to treat the root of your dog’s dandruff issues, including seborrhic dermatitis, parasitic and fungal infections, and mange. The unique formula was developed by experts and includes coal tar, salicylic acid, and micronized sulfur to relieve itchy and flaky skin, with oatmeal to moisturize it.
What we like about it:
- PH balanced specifically for dogs
- Free of parabens, dye, and soap
- Comes in both 16-oz and 128-oz (one gallon) sizes
4. Mika Pets Oatmeal & Aloe Dog Shampoo
If you and your vet suspect your dog’s dandruff might be caused by allergies, you’ll appreciate that this Mika Pets oatmeal dog shampoo is hypoallergenic. It’s made with colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera to soothe dry, itchy skin. Plus, reviewers say this all-natural shampoo produces a great lather, so you shouldn’t have any problem working its soothing bubbles into every inch of your dog’s fur.
What we like about it:
- Formulated without sulfates, phosphates, parabens, and MEA/DEA
- Coconut scent
- Can be used on dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets, and more
5. Pet MD Benzoyl Peroxide Medicated Shampoo
When your dog’s itchy, flaky skin is caused by mange seborrhea, or pyoderma, treat it with this Pet MD medicated shampoo that contains benzoyl peroxide, micronized sulfur, and salicylic acid. Even with all those powerful ingredients, many reviewers praised the scent of the shampoo—and they liked how it worked even more. Some pet parents dealing with dog dandruff saw a huge difference in just one wash.
What we like about it:
- Gently cleans, deodorizes, and relieves dandruff
- Citrus scent
- Free of parabens and soap
6. Strawfield Pets Anti Itch Dog Shampoo
This medicated shampoo from Strawfield Pets contains benzoyl peroxide and sulfur to treat a wide range of skin conditions. Reviewers praised its effectiveness in improving everything from dandruff to yeast infections to allergies to clogged pores.
What we like about it:
- Active ingredients include 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and 2% sulfur
- Light clean scent
- Made in the U.S.A.
7. WashBar Natural Dog Soap Bar
This last dog dandruff shampoo isn’t actually a shampoo at all. WashBar makes all-natural dog soaps in a convenient bar form. This cuts down on the use of plastic packaging, making it an eco-friendly option for your dog’s bath time. While there’s no medicated ingredients in this soap, the gentle formula promises natural itch relief for mild allergies and dry skin.
What we like about it:
- All natural, vegetable-based ingredients, including neem oil, lemon-scented tea tree oil, manuka oil, and neem leaf
- Convenient, no-spill bar soap that’s easy to use
- One bar equals a 20-oz bottle of liquid shampoo
Further Reading
For more information on your dog’s skin and coat, take a look at our articles below.
