Best Dog Shampoo for Shedding - Can a Shampoo Really Help?

Sometimes being a dog owner can mean that you become best pals with your vacuum cleaner, constantly clearing up those little clumps of fur that find their way onto everything. Let’s face it, if your dog has a coat, it will shed, even if it’s just a little after being petted all night in front of the TV. Some dog breeds shed more than others and sometimes dogs can shed due to skin conditions, both of which can be resolved or at least reduced by using the right products when caring for your dog.

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Best 5 Dog Shampoos for Shedding

Dog Fur vs. Hair

(https://www.vetinfo.com/dog-fur-hair-difference.html)

You may hear the terms hair and fur being used to describe a dog’s coat and it is easy to think that it means the same thing. Actually, each has their own definition even though they are both made from the exact same thing – keratin!

Fur

Dogs said to have fur have shorter and denser coats which cycle through shedding and regrowth relatively quickly. Dogs with fur will more likely shed a lot more in the summer then grow thicker coats for the winter months.

Some dog breeds with fur – Pomeranians, Siberian Huskies, Shetland sheepdog, Newfoundland.

Hair

Dogs said to have hair usually have longer coats which grow for a longer cycle before shedding and regrowing. Hairs will be finer than fur and are often wavy or curly. Shed hairs are easily trapped amongst the other hairs due to this curly texture, so it appears that these dogs aren’t shedding.

Some dog breeds with hair – Poodles, Irish water spaniels, Tibetan terriers, Afghan hounds.

Shedding and Allergies

Many believe that the amount a dog sheds is indicative of how allergenic they are. There is a lot of debate on this subject, some believing dogs who shed less to be hypoallergenic but this may not be the case.

Reasons Why Dogs Shed

(https://www.care.com/c/stories/6450/dog-losing-hair-the-possible-causes-and-what/)

There can be many reasons which cause a dog to shed beyond their normal amount. Many issues begin with skin quality but some can be quite deep-seated and definitely need a trip to the vets for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Allergies

Like humans, dogs can have sensitive skin and can be prone to allergies. These allergies can be triggered by using certain products which may contain ingredients that flare up your dog’s skin

Hormonal Imbalances

When hormones are the cause of a dog’s hair loss it can mean there are problems with the thyroid, adrenal or pituitary gland.

Trauma

If your dog has suffered an injury, hair loss can be a reaction to this – a shock to the system. Also, if a dog continually licks their own fur, it can cause trauma to the skin and hair can fall out.

Mange

More often seen in dogs who have been neglected, mange can take over a dog’s skin and cause hair loss. A lot of this hair loss occurs due to the suffering dog scratching non-stop.

Infection

Folliculitis, ringworm or cancer are the main infections which could cause hair loss in a dog. If your dog is shedding due to an infection, there will normally be signs of irritation on their skin.

As with any illnesses or infections, it is always best to take your pet pooch to the vets if you are concerned or need an expert’s opinion.

General Tips to Reduce Shedding

Of course, some dogs are naturally prone to drop their fur more often than others, it is just how they are genetically built and it is how they maintain a healthy coat.

In summer some dogs shed a miraculous amount of fur, they’ll have you wondering how they still have any left!

This type of shedding is mostly out of your control, but there are some super handy-dandy brushes which will help to capture a lot of shedding before it gets absolutely everywhere.

These brushes are well sought after and have some really great reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Grooming-Shampoo-Soothing-Bristles-Professional/dp/B01FE3IIC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520249066&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+shampoo+for+shedding 511 reviews

https://www.amazon.com/FURminator-deShedding-Tool-Dogs-Large/dp/B0040QQ07C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1520260511&sr=8-5&keywords=shedding+brush 11,564 reviews

Best Dog Shampoos to Help Reduce Shedding

The products in our list are specifically designed to reduce the amount of shed hair your dog produces, they are formulated to be kind to skin and some help to reduce a dog’s allergies.

FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo

This FURminator dog shampoo has been developed to help reduce the amount of shedding your dog produces whilst keeping their coat and skin healthy. Omega-3 and 6 enriched helps to add shine to your dog’s coat while Calendula extract keeps skin clean with its antibacterial properties. Papaya leaf extract promotes healthy hair and also has anti-inflammatory properties, which is perfect for animals suffering from itchy or irritated skin. The deShedding shampoo helps to reduce shedding of the undercoat, which is one of the main contributors to your dog dropping hair all over.

For the best results, it is suggested that you use the FURminator shampoo once a month and use it alongside same brand conditioner and grooming products. FURminator has loads of great products that have been developed to be used in conjunction with a dogs coat shedding cycle – they understand that hygiene and grooming care play a large part in controlling how much your pet sheds.

Pros

Paraben-free
Chemical dye-free
Price accessible for most
Smells good
Helps to remove dead shed fur during bathing

Cons

Users will need to brush out excess hair after bathing
May not be suited to certain double or thicker coated breeds
Can take a lot of effort to rinse the product out

See also Best Dog Brush for Shedding

Wahl Dog Shed Control Shampoo

This Shed Control shampoo from Wahl is scented with Lemongrass and Sage which is sure to make your pet pooch smell fresher for longer. Natural ingredients such as oatmeal and aloe help to soothe dogs skin and help to reduce shedding and dander, as well as giving the coat a healthy sheen. Oatmeal shampoos can be really great for dogs with skin irritations, which can often be the reason for excessive shedding.

With no alcohol, PEG-80 or parabens, this shampoo is kind to pets and still creates a great lather to really penetrate your dog’s coat and give it an amazing clean. With plant-derived ingredients, this is a great product for dogs who may have sensitive skin and have reacted badly to chemical-filled grooming products in the past.

Compared to the FURminator shampoo, Wahl Dog Shed Control shampoo is a little more pricey, however, you do get a larger amount of product in one bottle.

Pros

Paraben-free
PEG-80 free
Plant-derived formula
Lathers well for a deep clean
Long lasting scent

Cons

Contains SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) which can be a skin irritant
The scent may be too strong for some

Paws & Pals Natural Dog-Shampoo And Conditioner

The Paws & Pals 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner is another to use oatmeal in their formula, as well as soothing shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil and healing aloe vera. These natural ingredients, including 100% natural oils, help to keep your dogs coat and skin healthy to reduce the amount of shedding that is produced. There are no parabens or soaps in this product, meaning there should be no accidental sore eyes or noses at bathtime – it does, however, have a strong fragrance which may not suit some pets or their parents.

This product is said to clean, smooth and condition dry coats, deodorize and detangle and moisturize the skin to help relieve any itches – quite a multi-tasking product. Some may argue that it is better to shampoo and condition your pet using two separate products, so this could be a product to have on hand for quick washes rather than the routine clean.

Pros

Vegan, organic and cruelty-free
Paraben-free
Soap-free
Smells good
Lathers well

Cons

Not as natural as other brands
Contains SLS which can be a skin irritant
May not be suited to certain dogs skin

Pup Kiss Complete Care All-In-One Pet Shampoo

This shampoo from Pup Kiss has been made with natural ingredients picked to help relieve dry and itchy skin as well as detangling fur and keeping it conditioned. With no MEA, DEA, Phosphates, Sulfates, Parabens or harsh chemicals, this should keep your pet nice and happy during and after bathtime.

This would be a great product for your dog if their shedding is caused by allergies, as coconut, palm, aloe, and oatmeal all help to soothe any irritations while the rich, creamy formula lifts away dirt and irritants from your dog’s skin. The All-In-One aspect of this shampoo is due to the fact it helps to detangle fur, making it easier to groom your dog and helping to shift any loose shed hairs that may be dropped on your carpet later on.

A good all-rounder, this shampoo would make a great option for lots of pups since it offers so many different benefits.

Pros

Paraben-free
Sulfate-free
Fresh citrus scent – not too overpowering
Creamy formula (compared to other watery products)

Cons

Pretty expensive compared to other brands
The scent may not be strong enough for some
Does not lather all that well

Nourish Shed Control Shampoo

Nourish Shed Control Shampoo has been developed by professional groomers to help reduce the amount of hair that your dog sheds and who knows dogs better than those who groom them for a living?!

Natural ingredients such as Omega fatty acids and aloe vera in this shampoo help to hydrate the coat and strengthen the hairs from the root, in turn stopping those vast clumps of fur from finding their way onto all of your black clothes…

Something great about this shampoo is that the ingredients are actually interspersed with bracketed text to tell you the function each ingredient has – this is so helpful for the customer to be able to see why each ingredient has been included in the formula. For example, marigold extract helps to repair skin (perfect for any irritated skin problems) and nettle extract reduces flaking (no more doggy dandruff)!

This soap-free, pH balanced shampoo is definitely designed to keep your pooch preened, soft and de-shedded.

Pros

Paraben-free
Alcohol-free
Fresh coconut scent
For every purchase, Nourish donate a bottle to shelters across America
Lathers well

Cons

Relatively pricey (but charitable nature cancels this out)
The scent is not too long lasting
‘Coconut shampoo base’ is a bit vague for an ingredient listing

Conclusion

Out of the shampoos on our list, there are two which stand out as the best products for reducing pet shedding – it is between the FURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoo and Nourish Shed Control Shampoo. Both have great natural ingredients and have been very specifically developed to make use of these natural ways to care for a dogs coat, however, Nourish have just taken first place due to the ethical and charitable cause they support. Donating a bottle of their product every time one is purchased is absolutely brilliant!

With a simple scent and sulphate-free lathering ability, your dog should get nice and clean without being irritated by a strong scent or sulphates AND should see a reduction in the amount of hair they shed.