Dog shampoos may often include ingredients or formulations that are difficult for some pet owners to comprehend or analyze. As such, finding a good shampoo for our dogs can be challenging. In addition, there are so many types of coats when it comes to our beloved dog breeds, with varying lengths and thicknesses. There are also variations in an individual dog’s skin, and some dogs are more sensitive to allergies, dryness, and detergents than others.
Oatmeal shampoos have surged in popularity in recent years due to their tendency to often be a more holistic or natural approach to dog skin care, while also still offering the cleanliness benefits of non-oatmeal shampoos.
You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a high-quality oatmeal shampoo for your dog. Our reviews aim to give you a better idea of what to look for in a product and the pros and cons of each popular brand.
Note: The information about the products presented in this article has been verified by a veterinarian. However, the products themselves are not selections made by the veterinarian.
Click to Skip Ahead
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
|
|
Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
|
Frisco Oatmeal Shampoo with Aloe for Dogs |
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
|
John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
Pets Are Kids Too Dog Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
|
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Dog Shampoo |
|
CHECK PRICE |
The 9 Best Oatmeal Shampoos for Dogs
1. Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo – Best Overall
The Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is our pick as the best choice overall. It gets the job done no matter what mess your pup might have gotten into this time. Your pooch will come out of the bath smelling fresh and clean, thanks to its aloe vera and fresh cucumber scent.
The aloe vera and oatmeal are gentle on your pup’s skin and can soothe itchiness and redness. It’s also pH balanced. You can use it on your dog or the family cat, making it an excellent value for a multi-pet household. It will safely clean your pet’s skin without irritation. The shampoo doesn’t have any soap either, so you can wash their face and ears without worry. We also like that the shampoo is made in the US.
We wish there were a larger size available since the shampoo only comes in a 16-ounce bottle. If you have a large pup, you may need to keep an extra bottle on hand. Otherwise, it’s an amazing product all around.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!
- pH-balanced
- Gentle on skin
- Pleasant scent
- Safe for both dogs and cats
- Made in the USA
- Only one size
2. Frisco Oatmeal Shampoo with Aloe for Dogs
Frisco’s Oatmeal shampoo is a clean option and another great choice. The pH-balanced shampoo uses coconut and other plant-based cleaners to deodorize and clean your dog. The oatmeal shampoo uses ingredients added to soothe skin and provide hydration to your dog’s skin and coat, such as aloe vera extract. It also smells nice, which is a bonus.
Because the recipe is largely free from artificial ingredients, it may reportedly take a lot of product for good results. In addition, we wish the oatmeal content of the product was higher, as the product contains more aloe vera extract than oatmeal itself.
- Contains natural ingredients
- Hydrates and soothes skin
- Pleasant smell
- Economical
- You may need to use a lot of product
- Oatmeal lower in quantity than aloe vera extract
3. John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Dog Shampoo
Another great shampoo for the price is the John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Dog Shampoo. This product is made from plant extracts and botanicals that clean your dog and leave their fur looking shiny and feeling soft. It smells pleasant and is highly effective at reducing itchiness and flakiness.
John Paul is a well-known manufacturer of hair products for humans, too. They make low-cost products that still achieve great results. Many customers also like that this shampoo lathers well and is easy to rinse out. The scent, however, reportedly does leave more to be desired.
- Natural ingredients
- Prevents and soothes itchy skin
- Affordable
- Lathers and rinses well
- Well-known brand
- Not very fragrant
4. Pets Are Kids Too Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
The Pets Are Kids Too Pet Shampoo is a more expensive product than others on this list, but it’s a premium choice you and your dog will love. It’s made with high-quality ingredients, though, which increases the price. Notably, oatmeal is the main ingredient in this product.
This oatmeal shampoo uses all-natural ingredients such as organic oatmeal, baking soda, aloe vera, and coconut, with an anti-itch formula, and it won’t hurt your dog if a little gets in their eyes.
- Anti-itch formula
- All-natural ingredients
- Gentle on eyes
- Oatmeal is the main ingredient
- Not an economical option
5. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo For Dogs is a product which also incorporates natural ingredients to make high-quality products, which is exactly why this is an excellent option for puppies. This shampoo uses ingredients like honey, beeswax, and green tea to give your dog a pH-balanced bath. There are no artificial fragrances, either.
There isn’t a lot of lather with this shampoo, though, and it’s difficult to rinse out. Some people also report that it didn’t make their dog’s fur as radiant as other products.
- Natural ingredients
- pH balanced
- No artificial fragrances
- No lather
- Hard to rinse
6. Nature’s Miracle Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs
The first thing you may notice about the Nature’s Miracle Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs is its pleasant smell and honey sage scent. This is used to mask any odors on your dog and eliminate and neutralize them with a unique 4-in-1 formula. The shampoo comes in a large bottle that lasts for a long time and is free from soaps that tend to wash away flea and tick medication.
You might need to take some extra time in the bath to ensure that all of it rinses out.
- Smells good
- No soaps
- 4-in-1 formula
- Long-lasting
- Doesn’t rinse well
7. Particular Paws Oatmeal Dog & Cat Shampoo
The Particular Paw Oatmeal Dog and Cat Shampoo smells great, but unfortunately, this fragrance doesn’t last for very long. This brand uses a pH-balanced formula to clean and moisturize your dog’s skin. It contains natural ingredients, including shea butter and aloe vera, which help promote a thicker coat and soothe your dog’s skin. This shampoo rinses out easily but takes a lot of product to eliminate odors.
- Great smell
- Cleans and moisturizes skin
- Promotes thicker coat
- Made in USA
- Fragrance doesn’t last
- Requires a lot of product
8. K9 Pro Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
Another shampoo you can use on your pup’s coat is the K9 Pro Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner. The cucumber and melon scent is great and lasts a long time after washing. However, not many natural ingredients are used to make it, which may be disappointing for some. You’ll also need to keep this shampoo away from your dog’s eyes because it may sting if it gets in that area.
- Smells good
- Shampoo and conditioner combination
- Stings eyes
- Not a lot of natural ingredients
9. Paws and Pals Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
The Paws and Pals Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo nourishes and moisturizes your dog’s skin and coats it with natural oils, vitamins, and extracts that won’t irritate your dog’s skin. The shampoo is soap-free, and you get a good amount for your money. Plus, it’s made in the USA. The downsides to this shampoo brand are that the smell doesn’t last very long and seems to make some customers’ dog’s hair feel drier, even when using the conditioner. It also has a watery consistency that doesn’t lather very well.
- Large bottle
- Moisturizing and nourishing
- No soap
- The smell doesn’t last
- May dry out some dog’s hair
- Watery consistency
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Oatmeal Shampoos for Dogs
Please keep in mind that certain skill ailments and pathologies in dogs may be exacerbated with the application of any pet shampoo, including shampoos containing oatmeal or other natural ingredients. As such, if your dog has a skin ailment, you should prioritize a veterinary visit for them before using any shampoo on their skin.
Now that you’ve read some of the reviews of the top oatmeal shampoos on the market, here are some tips on identifying good products in the future.
Oatmeal
Because oatmeal-based shampoos are often prescribed for dogs with sensitive skin, it helps to understand the different types of oatmeal shampoo companies use in their products.
Regular Oatmeal
Regular oatmeal could be a whole oat kernel, but that doesn’t mean it is every time. A lot of companies remove the bran from the oats in a lot of foods. If they use oat flour, that means that the bran has been removed. However, this isn’t a major cause for alarm. The bran part of the oatmeal is mostly just fiber and contains little to no nutrients that are vital for the skin.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is what most people look for when shopping for dog shampoo. Colloidal oatmeal is a whole-oat kernel that gets ground into a fine powder. The powder contains the entirety of the oatmeal. As such, if you prefer having your dog bathed “entirely” with oats, this might be what you’re looking for.
Quick Recap: Here is Our Favorite Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs
- Only Natural Pet Shampoo - Our vegan, plant-based formulation is made with safe and natural...
- No Soap - A cat and dog wash free from soaps, glutens, dyes, DEA, sulfates and phthalates means it's...
- Colloidal Oatmeal - Formula soothes and nourishes dry, irritated skin, providing itchy skin relief...
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool pet company!
Other Ingredients
When using any product on your pet, the goal for many pet owners is to find a shampoo with as many natural ingredients as possible. There is, however, very little scientific research to back the claim that natural ingredients are better at cleaning a dog’s skin than artificial ones. Due to toxicity concerns, many natural ingredients in dog shampoos are often extracts of the whole ingredients themselves. Examples of such ingredients include aloe vera, and chamomile: two plants which are toxic to dogs in their natural state, but are safe and beneficial for dogs topically in their processed state.
Ultimately, any shampoo would have to be processed in order for it to be used on a dog, and all cultivars of the oat plant around the world are genetically modified, as well. Though this definitely poses an ethical conundrum as to what’s “natural” anymore (after all, even some dog breeds are genetically modified organisms), the key takeaway here is that you should opt for a shampoo that is safe for your dog and works well for their skin.
What About Soap?
Shampoo is soap, isn’t it? Not necessarily. Soaps and detergents help to produce lather and clean your dog, but they could wash away your pet’s flea and tick medication. If you use shampoos with soaps and detergents, then you may have to reapply their medication. However, do keep in mind that the decision to re-apply any topical preventive after a bath (with any shampoo) depends on the formulation and product instructions on the preventive, not the shampoo.
Another potential problem with soaps is that they may break down the oils on your pet’s skin. Circumstantially, this can be beneficial; some dogs do have excess oil buildup and may benefit from such a product formulation. However, for other dogs, excessive soap usage may lead to dry and itchy skin.
Our Selection Process For Oatmeal Shampoos 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 dog shampoos 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 dog shampoos. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog shampoos 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 dog shampoos. 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 top choice of oatmeal shampoo for dogs is the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo. And if you’re looking for another product then our runner-up choice is the Frisco Oatmeal Shampoo.
We hope that these reviews of oatmeal dog shampoos have helped make the shopping process a bit easier, and helped you find the best product for your pooch.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
- Best Shampoos For French Bulldogs – Reviews & Top Picks
- Best Shampoos for Golden Retrievers – Reviews & Top Picks
- Do Dogs Need Conditioner? Does It Help Them?
Featured Image Credit: RossHelen, Shutterstock
