Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin [Tips To Stop the Itch]

Dogs like to put on a tough face when they’re uncomfortable or in pain. They’ll still wag their tail and romp around in the backyard. But sensitive skin is hard to overlook. You’ll notice redness, missing fur, and scabs, making even the happiest of pups unable to hide this condition. In this case, you’ll need dog shampoo for sensitive skin.

Dog shampoos for sensitive skin will improve your dog’s skin health and beyond. But which shampoos work best for dogs with sensitive skin? And how often should you use them? After you figure out why your dog has sensitive skin, the right dog shampoo can be a great way to soothe them. Find out how!

Is Sensitive Skin on Dogs Common?

While it’s concerning seeing redness on your dog’s skin or seeing your dog scratching and itching, sensitive skin is quite common for dogs. It’s easy to see and diagnose. Sensitive skin can happen for a variety of reasons, both genetic and environmental. A dog with sensitive skin will itch a lot and will seem pretty uncomfortable. You’ll also notice dandruff and a dull coat. Your dog might even seem stinky!

Your dog’s skin is very important to take care of. It provides a protective layer that keeps your dog safe from environmental factors. It also holds your dog’s hair, meaning healthy skin makes a coat healthier too!

What Causes Sensitive Skin on Dogs?

Sensitive skin is quite common in dogs because there are so many things that lead to this condition. But even though it’s common, sensitive skin can sometimes be a sign of a serious issue. So it’s very important to bring your dog to the vet to properly diagnose them and provide them with treatments.

Diet

Even though dogs are often seen as garbage disposals, dogs can be sensitive to certain food groups. They can become allergic to their food, especially due to carbohydrates and corn-based gluten products. Beef, chicken, and dairy are also common causes of food sensitivities. If your dog is found to be allergic to their current diet, your veterinarian will recommend a special diet.

Allergies

Dogs can be allergic to pollen, dust mites, grass, and other environmental factors. Allergies to these environmental factors are often not curable since they’re part of your dog’s genetics. But there are medications to alleviate symptoms, including sensitive skin.

Dry Air

You may notice your dog seeming more sensitive and agitated in the winter. That’s because the air is dryer during colder months. Heating systems will add to the dryness, eliminating moisture from the air. This leads to dandruff, irritation, and itchiness.

Parasites

If your dog has dry and scaly skin or seems to be scratching one particular spot on their body, they may have a parasite. Ringworm will create a circle-shaped patch on their skin, sometimes leading to hair loss. Fleas will bite your dog’s skin, irritating them all over.

Yeast Infection

If your dog is scratching at their ears or chewing at their toes, your dog may have a yeast infection. This can lead to irritated, itchy, and discolored skin.

Folliculitis

This condition inflames your dog’s hair follicles, leading to sores, bumps, and scabs. This is very uncomfortable and even painful for your dog. So it’s important to have their skin conditions diagnosed.

Grooming Products

Sometimes when we use certain laundry detergent, we can break out in hives or feel itchy. You will notice redness. Similar things can happen to your dog when you use certain grooming products. Some commercial grooming products have harsh chemicals and other ingredients that your dog is allergic to or that may harm their skin, leaving it dry, flaky, and irritated.

Alopecia

If you see large bald spots on your dog’s skin, your dog may have a hair loss condition called alopecia. Poor nutrition, illness, and stress can cause alopecia to develop. You should always bring your dog to the vet if you see patches of fur missing.

Mange

This is another concerning skin condition that leads to balding. But your dog will also get itchy, red, and sore skin caused by mites. You’ll first notice it on your dog’s face and legs. If left untreated, mange can become very uncomfortable, even painful.

How Often Should You Bathe a Dog with Sensitive Skin?

Many dog owners are surprised to learn that their pups don’t need to be bathed all too often. Most experts recommend you only bathe your dog once every month or two to avoid drying out their skin.

Dogs with sensitive skin have special needs when it comes to grooming. If your dog has sensitive skin, bathe them once a week to relieve their pain and itching. If your dog has an infection, bathing will speed up their healing. When you notice your dog’s skin recovering, you can reduce their bath to once every two weeks.

What is the Best Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin?

A lot of commercial shampoos are too harsh for dogs with sensitive skin. Their ingredients often include chemicals and artificial ingredients that can further irritate your dog’s skin, even worsening their skin condition.

It would help if you looked for a hypoallergenic dog shampoo that’s made specifically for sensitive skin. This means organic, natural formulas that are very gentle and soothing. Here are some shampoos that are safe to use each week.

HolistaPet CBD Shampoo

This vegan, organic shampoo is formulated with a soy-based protein conditioner that not only moisturizes your dog’s coat but won’t irritate your dog’s skin. There are no artificial scents or harsh chemicals.

What makes HolistaPet’s natural dog shampoo even more unique is the addition of CBD. This is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid that’s found in the hemp plant. It won’t get your dog high (there is virtually no THC). Instead, it interacts with your dog’s body in a way that promotes their skin health and overall wellness.

Underneath your dog’s skin, there are receptors. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which controls your dog’s homeostasis (balance and health). When you massage CBD shampoo into your dog’s skin, it will reach those receptors right under the skin and target those specific areas.

Topical CBD has anti-itch and anti-irritation properties that allow it to soothe your dog’s skin. You’ll notice an improvement in their skin condition, including a reduction in redness and abrasion from scratching and biting.

CBD can also soothe overall discomfort, providing your dog with relief from aches and swelling. CBD also interacts with your dog’s brain in a way that reduces negative thoughts, helping your dog stay calm and comforted. This will reduce nervous habits like itching and chewing. Your dog will smell fresh (like berries), have a shiny coat, and have an improved skin condition thanks to HolistaPet’s CBD shampoo for dogs.

Are There Other CBD Products That Help With Sensitive Skin on Dogs?

If you want to comfort your dog’s sensitive skin between baths, there are luckily other CBD products made specifically for dogs that will give them some relief. HolistaPet has an abundance of organic, vegan, all-natural CBD products that can give your dog some comfort and improve their skin condition.

Try CBD calming chews to help your dog stay relaxed and feel at ease. This will reduce nervous behaviors like obsessive licking, chewing, and scratching. When your dog isn’t biting and itching as much, it will give their skin time to heal and swelling to go down.

CBD treats are another great way to provide your dog with CBD between baths. HolistaPet has a couple of CBD treat varieties that include health-focused ingredients that further benefit your dog.

You can also put CBD oil in your dog’s meal each morning and night. Consistently giving your dog CBD oil twice a day will strengthen CBD’s benefits. You’ll notice that your dog’s physical discomfort and stress-related behaviors will be reduced as you continue to give your dog CBD each day. You can also reduce the amount of CBD oil you give your dog regularly, and the potency will remain the same!

Related Article: Hemp for Dogs: What Makes It so Beneficial for Canines?

Ingredients to Avoid When Searching for a Sensitive Skin Shampoo for Dogs

There’s a reason that organic, all-natural shampoos are important for your dog’s health. Commercial shampoos often have harmful ingredients that will further irritate your dog’s skin. Some ingredients will even impact your dog’s health.

Look for shampoos that don’t have these ingredients to keep your dog safe and healthy:

• Artificial fragrances. These chemicals have been linked to very harmful health conditions, including cancer. You often won’t see them listed within the ingredients but know that most commercial brands include them.
• Phthalates. This is another ingredient you may not see on the label. It will often be listed as “fragrance” instead. Phthalates disrupt hormones, which can lead to serious health issues in some cases.
• Artificial colors. While dog shampoo may look cuter or fun when it’s pink or purple, artificial colors are often contaminated with dangerous byproducts. These are sometimes linked to organ damage, allergic reactions, and even cancer.
• Formaldehyde preservatives. Look for names like bronopol, Diazolidinyl, and sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate. These can cause burning, itching, and blistering, making sensitive skin feel even worse.
• Isothiazolinone preservatives. Methylisothiazolinone and methychloroiosthiazolinone are both skin irritatants that cause allergic reactions.
• Triethanolamine. This is an ingredient often contaminated with harmful things like nitrosamines. It will often be listed as Cocamide-TEA, so always look for this term as well.
• Mineral oil. Sometimes people hear “mineral oil” and think it’s healthy. But mineral oils can irritate your dog’s skin, stopping their skin from releasing its natural oils. Toxins will be trapped, further disrupting your dog’s skin health.

Final Thoughts – Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin

Keeping your dog healthy and happy is often the first thing on our minds each morning. It can be hard to watch a dog itching and scratching due to sensitive skin. Dryness, scaling, and swelling can make your dog very uncomfortable, even in pain.

Luckily there are ways to help your dog feel comforted while you await their vet visit. Dog shampoo for sensitive skin can help keep their coat moisturized without having any harmful ingredients that further irritate your dog’s condition. With the addition of CBD, you’ll even notice improved mood and minimized physical discomfort.

Make sure the shampoo you pick for your dog is safe and free of harmful ingredients. If you are unsure how often to bathe your dog, contact your vet for guidance. Once they pinpoint the cause of your dog’s sensitive skin, they can provide you with a grooming regiment that keeps your dog happy and healthy.