There are lots of shampoos out there that have promised to reduce itching, but most puppy owners have a problem choosing products.

This because they don’t want to use shampoos that are too harsh for their puppies, or shampoos that would harm their puppies because the puppies are still young and might be sensitive to a lot of things.

So after doing much research, we have come up with:

• The Best overall puppy shampoo for your puppy with itchy skin
• The Best budget friendly puppy shampoos for your puppy with itchy skin
• The Best puppy shampoo below $10 for your puppy with itchy skin
• The Best puppy shampoo below $7 for your puppy with itchy skin
• The Best alternative to puppy shampoo for your puppy with itchy skin

THE BEST OVERALL PUPPY SHAMPOO FOR YOUR PUPPY WITH ITCHY SKIN

After much research, we came up with an overall puppy shampoo for itchy skin

Pets Are Kids Too| Premium Pet Oatmeal Shampoo

This is our overall best because it is made of mostly plant derived ingredients, which would be gentle on the pups and be really safe because there would be a very low or 0% possibility puppies would develop any allergies when they use it.

It contains three main ingredients which would really be beneficial to your puppy’s itchy skin. These ingredients includes: colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera and baking soda. I would like to explain the benefits of each ingredient stated above.

Benefits of colloidal oatmeal for itchy skin

For centuries, colloidal oatmeal has been a salve for itchy, dry, or irritated skin.

This natural ingredient is readily found in cosmetic products like moisturizers, shampoos, and shaving creams.

Colloidal oatmeal is made by grinding oat grain, or Avena sativa, into a fine powder.

It’s considered an emollient — a substance that softens or soothes the skin — because it is very high in  fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients shown to benefit the skin. 

In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially categorized colloidal oatmeal as a skin protectant in 2003.

Oat has anti-inflammatory properties which is good for your pup with itchy skin because most puppies with itchy skin develop inflammation.

Benefits of aloe vera for itchy skin

-The water and enzymes contained in aloe vera can help moisturize your pups skin and reduce flakiness and itchiness

– Aloe vera has cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps it soothe the skin that it is applied on, it can reduce puffiness or swelling as well.

-Aloe vera provides a decent amount of moisture which aids in healing any damages on the skin due to the itching.

-Aloe vera contains two plant hormones, auxins and gibberellins, which provide essential support in the natural wound healing process.

These two hormones support healing by promoting cell replication, helping wounded or cracked skin heal.

Now let’s look at some additional benefits of this shampoo for your puppy

– This product does not contain anything that would harm your pet or the environment.

It doesn’t contain DEA, DEA is bad for your pup, it is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer.

DEA also doesn’t contain phosphates, a harmful substance which some dog shampoos have.

Phosphates is a known skin irritant and may be inhaled, causing organ system toxicity. It may be contaminated with toxic solvents from the manufacturing process.

Phosphates are readily absorbed into the eyes where it’s been shown to cause eye irritation and damage eye proteins, phosphates has been linked to the development of cataracts in human and in young pets.

Phosphate may even cause permanent damage to the protein formation in the eyes leading to blindness.

Another harmful substance which most dog shampoos contain which isn’t present in this shampoo is parabens, these are a class of widely used preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Chemically, they are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid.

Parabens are mostly found in hair and beauty products.

Parabens a powerful preservative, and they’re usually added to prevent the build-up of mould, fungus and bacteria in long-life products that are expected to last for 6+ months.

But research Suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer.

The use of paraben can make the skin go dry. By using paraben, the skin can get brittle, cracked, painful, swollen, develop rashes and several other problems.  

This shampoo also doesn’t contain artificial thickeners which may cause irritation, rash and any kind of skin problems.

 -this shampoo was specially formulated having dogs and cats with sensitive skin and coats in mind (good for puppies because their skins are still sensitive), providing relief from hot-spots and itching

-it has a light yet amazing oatmeal cookie scent which is a long lasting way to eliminate odour

-Pet allergy friendly helps protect your puppy from itching, shedding, & allergies.

-It is tear free:  Plant derived ingredients are gentle on paw and nose and provide enhanced moisturizing

-According to their store on amazon, they have a “Lifetime, no questions asked, manufacturer money back guarantee”

THE BEST BUDGET FRIENDLY PUPPY SHAMPOOS FOR YOUR PUPPY WITH ITCHY SKIN

After proper research we have found three best budget friendly puppy shampoos. We could not pick one because people have different definitions of “budget friendly”.

Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo 

This is our best for this category, it very good for dogs whose itch is caused by flea bites and allergies especially seasonal allergies and environmental allergies.

It is a natural remedy which contains veterinarian formulated blend of essential oils and key natural ingredients such as oatmeal, d’limonene, tea tree oil, neem oil, aloe vera and chamomile.

We have talked about the benefits of oatmeal and aloe vera above, in this post.

Now let’s briefly look at the benefits of the other key natural ingredients mentioned above

Benefits of d’limonene for itchy skin

-Limonene is a chemical found in the rinds of citrus fruits, such as limes, lemons and oranges, Orange peels have a high concentration of limonene, comprising around 97% of this rind’s essential oil.

limonene is often called d-limonene, which is its main chemical form

-Limonene has been known to reduce inflammation, which is good for puppies with itchy skin because most times the skin gets inflamed.

-A test tube study in human cartilage cells noted that the limonene reduced nitric oxide production.

Nitric oxide is a signalling molecule that plays a major role in inflammatory pathways.

-Another study in rats with ulcerative colitis (a disease characterized by inflammation) treatment with limonene significantly decreased inflammation and colon damage, as well as common inflammatory markers

Benefits of tea tree oil

– Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory property which makes it useful in relieving the discomfort of itchy skin.

It soothes the skin and can also help heal infections that cause itchy skin.

-A small study conducted in 2012 discovered that tea tree oil was effective in reducing itchy eyelid.

Benefits of neem oil for itchy skin

-Neem oil is rich in fatty acid, such as palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids, which help support healthy skin. The oil is, therefore, a popular ingredient in skin care products.

-Research suggests that neem oil may help enhance wound healing.

-In one 2010 animal study, researchers discovered that neem oil showed superior wound healing effects, compared with Vaseline. Specifically, the rats that received topical neem oil healed way quicker. They also developed stronger and more resilient tissue at the sites of their wounds.

Now let’s look at additional benefits of the shampoo

-It washes away allergens

-It doesn’t dry the skin

-It works with other topical products for flea and ticks

-It doesn’t contain paraben, phosphate, DEA, artificial thickener’s whose dangers we have discussed above, in this post

Vets Best Medicated Oatmeal Shampoo For Dogs

This is our second choice in this category, it contains oatmeal and tea tree oil whose use we have spoken about above, in this post.

The also contains salicylic acid whose benefits we would be looking at.

Benefits of salicylic acid itchy skin

Salicylic acid has 2 types of ingredients (emollient, keratolytic) which work hand in hand to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin, because it dissolves dead skin cells.

When applied to the skin, salicylic acid may work by helping the skin to shed dead cells from its top layer and by decreasing redness and inflammation (swelling).

Let’s look at additional benefits of this shampoo for your pup with itchy skin

-Helps to clear and tighten dog pores.

-It works with other treatments like topical products for flea and tick control.

-The natural salicylic acid eliminates dandruff and flaking.

-It doesn’t contain paraben, phosphate, DEA, artificial thickener’s whose dangers we have discussed above, in this post

Vets Best Hot Spot Itch Relief Shampoo For Dogs

This is our third choice on this category, this is good if you notice your pup has hot spots, it would be a good shampoo for them.

This shampoo contains tea tree oil, aloe vera and chamomile whose benefits we have discussed above in this post.

The shampoo also contains allantoin, panthenol and vitamin E whose benefits we would discuss.

Benefits of allantoin

Allantoin is found in plants like chamomile, wheat sprouts, sugar beet and comfrey, a herb with purple flowers. It is a 5-ureidohydantoin or glyoxyldiureide.

Besides plant sources, allantoin is naturally present in some types of bacteria and animals. German scientists do synthesized it from uric acid.

Allantoin has soothing, moisturizing and healing properties.

Benefits of panthenol

Though panthenol is an alcohol form of vitamin B5, don’t be alarmed – this doesn’t mean it’s drying like regular alcohol (which you have to avoid).

 Panthenol would not dry your pup’s skin but would moisturize it. And it does it by acting as a humectant, it attracts water from the environment to your puppy’s skin, keeping it fresh.

Most pup’s with itchy skin experience dry skin, which causes the skin to become sensitive as it loses a moisture barrier that protects the skin from external stimuli.

Panthenol works as a skin protectant that reduces itchiness and irritation caused by external stimuli.

Benefits of vitamin E

It may offer temporary relief from itching caused by dry skin. Keeping the skin well moisturised could help to prevent dry skin, and prevent symptoms such as itchiness.

Other additional benefits of the shampoo are:

-It has an alcohol-free, No-String formula

-It works with other treatments like topical products for flea and tick control

-It doesn’t contain paraben, phosphate, DEA, artificial thickner’s whose dangers we have discussed above, in this post

-This shampoo is not confirmed to be tear free

THE BEST PUPPY SHAMPOO BELOW $10 FOR YOUR PUPPY WITH ITCHY SKIN

Wahl Dry Skin and Itch Relief Pet Oatmeal Shampoo For Dogs

This contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera which have been explained by this blog post as very beneficial substances for itchy skin.

The shampoo also contains lemon verbena, coconut and lime whose benefits we would look at.
 

Benefits of lemon verbena

Lemon Verbena has a relaxing and healing effect on the skin. Its anti-inflammatory effects also aid in the reduction of puffiness.

Lemon Verbena assists in the removal of dirt, pollutants, and excess oil (sebum) from the skin.

Benefits of lime

Citrus fruits have anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties. It help reduce the itching sensation while simultaneously preventing infection.

Other additional benefits include:

-It is PH balanced

-It is alcohol free

-Citrus fruits have anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties. This should help reduce itching sensation while simultaneously preventing infection.

-It has a higher concentrate of coconut derived sodding agent, meaning that you don’t have to use as much as other dog shampoos

-It is tearless

-It doesn’t contain paraben, phosphate, DEA, artificial thickner’s whose dangers we have discussed above, in this post

THE BEST ALTERNATIVE TO PUPPY SHAMPOO FOR YOUR PUPPY WITH ITCHY SKIN

OATMEAL PASTE

When the shampoos are not available and your puppy is itching, you could make a homemade oatmeal paste.

Take 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup of oatmeal. Mix together and massage it into your puppy’s skin and fur.

Let your dog stay for 10 minutes, then use warm water to rinse off the mixture. Using a towel (never a hot air dryer), dry off your dog and brush their fur.

CONCLUSION

Any puppy shampoo you get for your puppy’s skin should:

-Be Anti-inflammatory

-Be soothing

-Have wound healing properties

-Be Anti-bacterial and should not contain paraben, phosphate, DEA, artificial thickener’s whose dangers we have discussed above, in this post.  

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