Soothe those hotspots: best shampoos to relieve your dog’s itchy skin

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Dog being washed; best shampoo for itchy skin
2BB3NKM Professional pet groomer washing dog's face with shampoo in pet grooming salon. Close up.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

There are many irritants that could cause your dog to have itchy skin. It’s easy to think that scratching is normal canine behaviour, but you could be overlooking something more sinister. Itchiness may indicate that your dog is responding to certain allergens, whether in the environment or in his diet. You should consult your vet to find out the cause of habitual scratching, rashes or dry skin, because it may require combined action of both a change in diet (to a dog food for allergies) alongside medication. However, you may also want to support this treatment by using one of the best dog shampoos for itchy skin, or if you simply want to keep your pooch’s skin in tiptop health. While you should not expect to clear up the root cause of your dog’s itchiness simply by bathing him, if there is an obvious source, such as mites, fleas or pollen, washing with an appropriate shampoo will help soothe irritated skin.

Bear in mind that some shampoos can actually cause itching and irritation. You should use a gentle shampoo designed specifically for dogs, because human shampoos can be harsh on canine skin. It is critical to choose a dog shampoo that uses natural ingredients, because some products contain harmful chemicals. Animal cosmetics are not as well regulated as human ones, points out dog groomer Trisha Heath, a specialist in canine dermatology. She cautions that many toxic ingredients are used in dog conditioners and shampoos, so make sure you study the composition of your chosen shampoo, and buy as natural as possible. Always rinse out all soap suds thoroughly, and do not use water that is too hot, which can also cause irritation.

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Martha Terry
Martha Terry
Features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.