Itchiness can be a frustrating experience for both dogs and their owners. It can be difficult to watch your dog scratch, lick, bite, and do whatever else it takes to alleviate skin irritation, and these methods usually end up exacerbating the problem.
If your dog is suffering from itchy skin, it’s important to take them to your veterinarian right away because this issue usually takes a significant amount of time and attention to resolve. You’ll also find a variety of itch relief products that you can use at home to help your dog feel some relief. Our reviews are here to help make the process of finding the right products easier and less stressful for you. You’ll have all the information that you need about itch relief products to help your dog get through their skin irritation and restore their skin and coat health.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo |
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Best Value
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Veterinary Formula Smart Coat Complex Shampoo |
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Premium Choice
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Virbac Epi-Soothe Pet Cream Rinse |
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| Best for Puppies |
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Douxo S3 CALM Mousse |
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Sulfodene 3-Way Ointment for Dogs |
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The 10 Best Itch Relief Products for Dogs
1. Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera – Best Overall
| Application method: | Shampoo |
| Active Ingredients: | Water (Aqua), Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate |
| Good for: | Shedding Control, Itch & Redness Remedy, Skin & Coat Health |
Our best overall choice for itch relief products is Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera. Shampoo is a common way to help relieve your dog’s itchiness. Zesty Paws formula contains oatmeal, vitamin E, and aloe vera—all ingredients that help soothe irritated skin and promote a healthy coat. This formula can be used on canines at all life stages. Check with your vet for puppies younger than 3 months if this shampoo is suitable.
As with many shampoos, this will require bathing your dog. If your dog does not handle being bathed easily, this shampoo might not be the best choice to relieve their itchy skin.
- Contains oatmeal, vitamin E, and aloe vera
- Pleasant vanilla scent
- Suitable for all life stages
- Bathing with water is required
2. Veterinary Formula Smart Coat Complex Ultra Oatmeal Moisturizing Shampoo for Dogs – Best Value
| Application method: | Shampoo |
| Active Ingredients: | Purified Water, Proprietary Surfactant Blend, Glycerin, Silk Protein, Dimethicone, Fragrance, Colloidal Oatmeal |
| Good for: | Itch & Redness Remedy |
Itch relief remedies do not need to be expensive for them to be effective. This is why we have Veterinary Formula Smart Coat Complex Ultra Oatmeal Moisturizing Shampoo for Dogs on our list as the best value itch relief remedy. Colloidal oatmeal is effective in reducing skin irritation and using silk protein as a main ingredient helps promote a healthy and shiny coat. The raspberry tea and pomegranate fragrance is also an enticing feature of this shampoo. This shampoo is pH-balanced and does not contain parabens.
While the fragrance is appealing to some people, others felt that it smelled too fake and overwhelming. In addition, it is a shampoo, so bathing with water is required.
- Contains colloidal oatmeal to help soothe the skin
- Silk protein helps make the coat shiny
- Does not contain parabens
- A few people do not like the scent
3. Virbac Epi-Soothe Pet Cream Rinse – Premium Choice
| Application method: | Cream Rinse |
| Active Ingredients: | Propylene glycol, water, natural colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, cetrimonium chloride, lactic acid, DMDM hydantoin |
| Good for: | Itch & Redness Remedy, Skin & Coat Health |
If you don’t mind spending a bit more on an itch relief product, we recommend Virbac Epi-Soothe Pet Cream Rinse. This Virbac solution is a cream rinse suited for dogs with dry, sensitive skin, which is a common reason for a dog’s itchiness. This product is often recommended by veterinarians and in addition to moisturizing your dog’s skin, this cream rinse helps enhance the health of their coat, leaving it shiny.
To use the cream rinse, you need to apply it to already wet dog fur, letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. It also needs to be thoroughly rinsed off. Some people might not have dogs that can handle two washings in one sitting.
- Moisturizes dry skin
- Adds a healthy shine to the skin
- Helps detangle fur
- Must be applied to wet fur and rinsed off
4. Douxo S3 CALM Soothing Itchy, Hydrated Skin Dog & Cat Mousse – Best for Puppies
| Application method: | Mousse |
| Active Ingredients: | Ophytrium |
| Good for: | Itch & Redness Remedy |
What is worse than having an itchy dog? An itchy puppy! Some medicated formulas are not suited for dogs only a few months old, which is why it is essential to find one safe for puppies. Douxo S3 CALM Soothing Itchy, Hydrated Skin Mousse is great for puppies because it is gentle and effective in reducing redness and irritation. Something else that makes this formula easy to use is that it does not require bathing. Simply massage the mousse into the fur, making sure you reach the skin. Do not rinse off.
If your puppy does have itchy skin, it is important to get down to the reason. Since puppies are smaller and have weaker immune systems than adult canines, itchy skin could be a sign of something else so make sure to visit your vet.
- Easy application
- Contains the active ingredient ophytrium
- Effective for red skin
- A bit on the expensive side
5. Sulfodene 3-Way Ointment for Dogs
| Application method: | Ointment |
| Active Ingredients: | Benzocaine 1.5%, Salicylic Acid 1.6% |
| Good for: | First Aid for Itchy Skin |
Next on our list is Sulfodene 3-Way Ointment for Dogs. This ointment is used for a variety of skin issues that could cause your dog to feel itchy all over. Sulfodene 3-Way Ointment prevents infections and relieves hot spots—all of which can cause uncomfortable itching. It can also be used on minor cuts and abrasions.
Since this is an ointment, it will be of use for targeted relief. Rather, this product is better for small areas, not the entire body.
- Great first-aid ointment
- Anti-bacterial and prevents infection
- Help relieve hot spots
- Application only easy for spot treatment
6. Zesty Paws Itch Relief Bites Chicken Flavored Soft Chews Supplement for Dogs
| Application method: | Chewable Supplement |
| Active Ingredients: | Fish oil |
| Good for: | Itch & Redness Remedy, Vitamins & Minerals, Allergy Relief |
There are plenty of itch-relief shampoos for your dog, but if your dog is reactive to water, it will be an ordeal shampooing them. This is why there are supplements that help reduce itchiness. Zesty Paws Itch Relief Bites Chicken Flavored Soft Chews contains fish oil for dogs with omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA to help make their skin moisturized and healthy. A common cause of itchiness in dogs is dry itch, so keeping up with skin health can help.
Since this supplement works from the inside out to help with the skin barrier function, it will take longer to see results. It is usually recommended to use skin supplements for a minimum of 12 weeks to see benefits and as such they are more suited to year-round care.
- Easy to administer
- Main ingredient is fish oil
- Great supplement for dogs with sensitive skin
- Takes time to be effective
- Not suitable for pets with fish allergies
7. Pet MD Topical Wipes for Cleansing With Aloe for Cats and Dogs
| Application method: | Wipes |
| Active Ingredients: | Chlorhexidine 2% and Ketoconazole 1% in an alcohol-based solution |
| Good for: | Anti-Fungal/Anti-Bacterial, First Aid, Skin & Coat Health |
If you can see the itchy, red areas on your dog’s skin, targeting those spots is a good call. Pet MD Topical Wipes for Cleansing are useful for this situation. These wipes are formulated to eliminate bacteria and yeast, both of which cause itching and discomfort. This is a sensitive skin-friendly formula, so when used, they won’t sting. The wipes are also infused with aloe, calming the skin.
Since these wipes are meant to be used on small areas, they will not be as effective for soothing itching all over the body.
- Easy to apply
- Formula won’t sting skin
- Helps eliminate yeast and bacteria
- Only good for small areas, not entire body
8. Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch & Allergy Relief Soothing & Hydrating Medicated Cortisone Dog Spray
| Application method: | Spray |
| Active Ingredients: | Hydrocortisone 1%, Pramoxine Hydrochloride 0.5% |
| Good for: | Relief For Itchy Skin & Hot Spots Brought On By Allergies And Insect Bites |
Sprays are a good choice if you want to quickly bring relief to your dog’s itching and discomfort, so this is why Vetnique Labs Dermabliss is handy to have in your dog’s first aid kit. Simply spray a light amount directly onto the problem area to reduce redness and itching. This formula also has a slight numbing agent, which will help keep the dog from scratching or biting the area.
Due to the medical ingredients of hydrocortisone and pramoxine, it is only suitable to use on small areas and not all over. In addition it should not be used for more than 5 days without consulting your veterinarian. A shampoo would be better if your dog has dry, itching skin all over.
- Easy application
- Contains slight numbing agent
- Helps reduce redness
- Mainly used for spot treatment
9. PetSilver Wound & Skin Spray for Dogs
| Application method: | Spray |
| Active Ingredients: | Chelated Silver and Distilled Water |
| Good for: | Anti-Fungal/Anti-Bacterial, Itch & Redness Remedy, First Aid |
Another spray that is great for itch relief from cuts, scrapes, and hot spots is PetSilver Wound & Skin Spray for Dogs. This FDA-registered formula is an antiseptic spray that aims to provide quick relief for your dog. The chelated silver is a microbicide that, as the company states, kills over 650 disease-causing bacteria. PetSilver does not contain alcohol, chlorine, or iodine-based chemicals, which can leave your dog’s skin dry.
This product is a little bit on the expensive side, though.
- Chelated silver as the main active ingredient
- Targets over 650 types of bacteria
- Does not contain skin-drying ingredients
- Product is a bit pricey
10. Dermoscent Essential 6 Spot-On Large Breed Dog Skin Care Treatment
| Application method: | Spot-on |
| Active Ingredients: | Bio-Diffusing Agent, Olus (Vegetable Oil), Gelling Agent, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil |
| Good for: | Skin & Coat Health |
Last on our list is the Dermoscent Essential 6 Spot-On Skin Care Treatment. While this particular product says it is for large breeds, the company also has the treatment for small and medium breeds. Dermoscent is a spot-on oil application that slowly relieves dry and itchy skin by having the natural oils penetrate their skin. It helps strengthen the skin’s natural defense against bacteria, yeast, fungi, and environmental allergens.
This formula is good to help with itchy skin caused by dryness and allergies. However, it might not be as effective for acute issues like hot spots.
- Contains natural oils
- Helps reduce skin dryness and greasiness
- Promotes hydrated coat
- Not as effective as a first-aid treatment for itchiness
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Itch Relief Products for Dogs
Before you shop for itch relief products, it’s important to identify the cause of the itching. Make sure to take your dog to your veterinarian so that they can make a diagnosis, provide the proper treatment, and recommend any at-home products you can use. Here are a few types of itch relief products your veterinarian may recommend.
Topical Sprays and Ointments
Topical sprays and ointments are most commonly used for minor scrapes and wounds. They have itch-relief ingredients that help prevent dogs from licking or scratching wounds while they heal.
It’s also common to find ointments formulated to alleviate itchiness caused by hot spots. Ointments provide better control for targeting affected areas. However, they can be a bit more difficult to use than sprays. Sprays usually dry quickly, while ointments take much longer to dry. Therefore, you have to keep an eye on your dog or have them wear an e-collar while you wait for the ointment to get absorbed.
Shampoos and Conditioners
Medicated shampoos and conditioners are typically used on dogs that have more widespread itchiness. They usually contain soothing and moisturizing ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera. When shopping for itch relief shampoo, make sure to stick to hypoallergenic options. Since many dogs suffering from itchy skin have allergies, it’s best to play it safe and choose products that are least likely to cause allergy flare-ups.
Supplements
Supplements can also be used to keep itchiness at bay. The majority of itch relief supplements contain sources of omega fatty acids and antioxidants. Omega fatty acids heal and nourish the skin and coat, while antioxidants help boost the immune system.
You won’t see immediate results with supplements, so they’re often used in tandem with topical treatment. They can help improve your dog’s health in the long run by adding nutrients to their diet that benefit their skin and coat health.
Every dog is unique in their supplement needs, so we recommend reaching out to your vet for advice.
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!
Our Selection Process for Itch Relief Products for Dogs
To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the itch relief products for dogs we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the itch relief products for dogs. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed itch relief products for dogs to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with itch relief products for dogs. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.
Conclusion
Our best overall itch relief product is Zesty Paws Itch Soother Dog Shampoo with Oatmeal & Aloe Vera because of its effectiveness and use of natural ingredients. For the budget-friendly version, we like Veterinary Formula Smart Coat Complex Ultra Oatmeal Moisturizing Shampoo for Dogs. If money is not an option, Virbac Epi-Soothe Pet Cream Rinse is an excellent choice. Lastly, the choice for puppies is the Douxo S3 CALM Soothing Itchy, Hydrated Skin Mousse for its easier application.
- Related Read: Can I Put Lotion on My Dog?
Featured Image Credit: Anikin Dmitrii, Shutterstock
