Even if you brush your dog every day, it isn’t possible to stop them from shedding altogether. However, there are a few ways to minimize the hair floating around your house when shedding season rolls around. Regular baths and brushing help combat shedding, and a high-quality deshedding shampoo will make your efforts even more worthwhile.
The following list of deshedding shampoos contains a few of our favorites. We provide reviews and the pros and cons of each to help you decide which will work best for your dog.
Click to Skip Ahead
A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Budget Buy | Arm & Hammer Ultra Fresh Shed Control Dog Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
FURminator Deshedding Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE | ||
TropiClean Deshedding Dog Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE | ||
EZ-Groom Filthy Beast Detangler/De-Matting Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE |
The 8 Best Deshedding Shampoos for Dogs
1. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo — Best Overall
Size: | 16 fluid ounces |
Lifestage: | All life stages |
The Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is the best overall deshedding shampoo for dogs. It is an all-natural, safe, and soothing shampoo that can help deshed even the most stubborn coats. The pH-balanced formula leaves behind clean and well-nourished skin. Colloidal oatmeal exfoliates and soothes while providing long-term benefits, locking in moisture and protecting against skin irritants like eczema and allergens. It’s ideal for pets with persistent odors or those that love getting into mud and muck.
This plant-based shampoo contains no soaps, glutens, dyes, DEA, sulfates, or phthalates. Simply pour a line of the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo down your pet’s back, and massage it into their skin. It provides a soothing spa-like experience as it moisturizes and nourishes their skin.
The natural oatmeal exfoliates help loosen dead and shedding fur, effortlessly rinsing it away with the remaining shampoo. Then, it leaves a fresh scent of aloe vera and cucumbers that even your pup will find appealing.
With the sizeable 16-ounce bottle, you can keep your pet smelling and feeling fresh and clean for a long time. Pair with a silicone shampoo brush to help massage skin and loosen additional shed to make bath time more relaxing and effective.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
- Large 16-ounce size
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Fresh aloe vera and cucumber scent
- Contains no soaps, glutens, sulfates, phthalates, etc.
- Doesn’t lather as well as some other soaps
- May need to use more shampoo for long-haired breeds
2. Arm & Hammer Ultra Fresh Shed Control Dog Shampoo — Budget Buy
Size: | 16 fluid ounces |
Lifestage: | Puppy, adult |
The best deshedding shampoo for dogs for the money is Arm & Hammer Ultra Fresh Shed Control Dog Shampoo. It strengthens the follicles to reduce the amount of loose hair and dander. The key ingredient is baking soda, as is to be expected from an Arm & Hammer product. It also includes proteins and omega fatty acids for a healthy coat and to soothe irritated skin. It has a citrus and sea mineral scent and is safe to use with other topical products, though you should check with your vet about possible issues with flea-and-tick preventatives. It’s also not as moisturizing as some owners might prefer, and the scent can be a bit weak.
- Key ingredient is baking soda
- Includes proteins and omega fatty acids
- Citrus and sea mineral scent
- Safe to use with other topicals
- Not that moisturizing
3. FURminator Deshedding Shampoo
Size: | 16 fluid ounces |
Lifestage: | Adult |
FURminator Deshedding Shampoo is only slightly more expensive than some other top brands, but it is a premium deshedding shampoo for your dog. The all-natural ingredients are gentle on your pet’s skin and won’t dry it out; plus, there are no dyes or parabens. Unfortunately, though, this shampoo does not control odor.
This recipe includes omega fatty acids to soothe and moisturize dry and itchy skin, and several customers stated that they immediately noticed less shedding from their pets after using this shampoo.
- Reduces shedding right away
- Natural ingredients, plus omega fatty acids
- No dyes or parabens
- No odor control
4. TropiClean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Dog Shampoo
Size: | 20 fluid ounces, 1 gallon, 2.5 gallons |
Lifestage: | Puppy, adult, senior |
TropiClean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Dog Shampoo is one of the few products available that are safe for pets of all ages. You can use this on young puppies, adults, and senior dogs without worrying about harming them if they accidentally swallow it. The ingredients are all-natural, and there is an exfoliating feature that removes dead skin while still being gentle. The coconut gives the shampoo a great smell too.
This product is a little more expensive than others, though, and some reviews stated that the bottle itself seems cheaply made and leaks easily.
- Safe for all life stages
- Exfoliating
- Great smell
- Natural ingredients
- Pricey
- Bottle leaks easily
5. EZ-Groom Filthy Beast Detangler/De-Matting Shampoo
Size: | 16 fluid ounces |
Lifestage: | Adult |
EZ-Groom Filthy Beast Detangler/De-Matting Shampoo is a deshedding shampoo that is safe for both dogs and cats, which is useful if you have a multi-pet household. The natural cleanser helps detangle and de-mat fur and reduce overall shedding, and the botanical extracts act as anti-inflammatories and soothe the skin. The recipe also has a great tangerine smell. While this product doesn’t need to be diluted, many owners do so to make it last longer and because it seems quite concentrated (dilution is required for felines). It also doesn’t lather well.
- Detangles, de-mats, and desheds
- Pleasant tangerine scent
- Botanical extracts as anti-inflammatories
- Doesn’t lather well
6. Earthbath Shed Control Shampoo
Size: | 16 fluid ounces |
Lifestage: | Adult |
Earthbath Shed Control Shampoo has all-natural ingredients in its formula, and it is pH-balanced and won’t irritate your pet’s skin. The included omega-6 fatty acids help soothe any red spots or itchiness and strengthen your dog’s coat to help reduce shedding. It is also free from parabens and harsh chemicals.
Another thing we love about Earthbath shampoo is that it’s 100% biodegradable and safe for the environment. Customers have only experienced one negative aspect: It doesn’t smell as good as some other shampoos on the market.
- Natural ingredients
- pH-balanced
- Soothes skin and strengthens coat
- No parabens or chemicals
- Biodegradable
- Doesn’t smell great
7. Burt’s Bees for Dogs Shed Control Shampoo
Size: | 16 fluid ounces |
Lifestage: | Puppy, adult |
Humans have trusted the Burt’s Bees brand for their own skin for many years, and the company makes great dog products too. Burt’s Bees for Dogs Shed Control Shampoo uses honey and beeswax to reduce shedding, but it doesn’t lather well. It is pH-balanced with ingredients gentle enough for puppies yet effective enough to reduce shedding in adults.
There isn’t much of a smell, though, and it doesn’t work as well as a product by a brand that focuses solely on animal care might.
- Gentle for puppies
- pH-balanced
- No parabens
- Doesn’t lather well
- No aroma
8. Espree Simple Shed Shampoo
Size: | 20 fluid ounces, 1 gallon |
Lifestage: | Adult |
The Espree Simple Shed Shampoo has a gentle formula that uses organic aloe vera and oat proteins with no parabens or dyes. IT also smells great. However, it doesn’t lather well, and pet owners report that they have to use a lot of product for maximum results. The bottle also seems cheaply made and leaks easily, and the shampoo is on the pricier side compared to more effective products.
- Gentle formula
- No dyes or parabens
- Oat proteins and aloe vera included
- Doesn’t lather well
- Large amount of product per wash
- Leaky bottle
- Pricey
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Deshedding Shampoo
One of the most important aspects of choosing a gentle and effective deshedding dog shampoo is paying attention to the ingredients. The goal of these shampoos is to effectively reduce itchy skin, moisturize the skin and coat, and reduce further shedding and dander.
If you need guidance on keeping your dog’s coat healthy, we suggest you speak to a vet.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Here are the most common ingredients that your choice of deshedding shampoo should contain.
Vitamins
Vitamins are crucial for skin health, and the best ones to help prevent rashes, scratching, and dry skin are vitamins A, B, D, and E. Vitamin B is one of the best because it contains biotin, which is claimed to directly affect coat health in dogs and thus helps reduce shedding. Vitamins are likely to be more beneficial to skin and coat health when taken as a supplement but are included in many shampoos.
Omega Fatty Acids
You may have noticed that many of the shampoos on this list contain omega fatty acids. These help strengthen your dog’s coat to help reduce shedding in the future and soften, condition, and moisturize the fur. Overall, omega fats will bring out the natural sheen in their coat and make them look more attractive and healthier overall.
Zinc
Another important nutrient to look for on the ingredients list is zinc. When taken as a supplement, it helps your pet fight health problems by boosting the immune system and strengthening the nervous system. Used topically, it can have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the most useful ingredients used in deshedding shampoos and is usually ground down into a fine powder called colloidal oatmeal. It works in many beneficial ways, as it helps gently exfoliate your dog’s skin, provides a protective barrier, and is moisturizing. Oatmeal contains saponin to help clean skin pores, unclog hair follicles, and keep follicles functioning properly. It is also known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Aloe Vera
You already know the magic that aloe vera can work on human skin, and it is no different for dogs. Aloe vera is known to improve hair and nourish skin by adding a protective layer and preventing moisture from escaping.
Things to Avoid
Alcohol, chemicals, and dyes are all things that you don’t want to see on your pet’s shampoo label. Alcohol is a popular ingredient, but it dries the skin out and creates more issues. Most of the products on this list are labeled as all-natural because they do not have chemicals or dyes. Dogs are especially sensitive to these harsh ingredients, and they could create more issues later.
How We Selected These Deshedding Shampoos for Dogs
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog shampoo reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog shampoo available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog shampoo. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
Conclusion
If you are trying to limit the amount of shed hair floating around your house, finding a good deshedding shampoo for your dog can certainly be helpful. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is our top choice, with great ingredients and effective results.
Arm & Hammer Ultra Fresh Shed Control Dog Shampoo is a more affordable option for deshedding your pup and uses baking soda to reduce shedding and soothe irritated skin. Finally, FURminator deshedding shampoo is also a high-quality product, so for a little more money, you can get premium, all-natural ingredients.
We hope that these reviews have helped you narrow down the potential products and choose the best deshedding shampoo for your pup.
- See Also: Best Dog Shampoos for Odor Control
Featured Image Credit: 135pixels, Shutterstock