If your dog has a serious itching problem/condition, and if you’re thinking of applying an itch spray or shampoo – you should seek the professional assessment and advice of a veterinarian first (especially when applying medicated sprays or shampoos).
However, there is general information available on the potential causes of a dog’s itchiness, as well as commercial dog anti itch products available on the market.
In this guide, we outline and discuss both of these things, and we’ve split the guide up into those two sections.
In particular with anti itch sprays and shampoos, we list some of the more popular commercially available products on the market at the moment.
Let’s take a closer look!
(NOTE: this guide contains general information only. It is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. See a vet or qualified expert for professional advice)
(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)
Best Anti Itch Sprays & Shampoos For Dogs
Sprays
- Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hot Spot & Itch Relief Medicated Spray 8 oz (on Amazon)
- Vet’s Best Dog Hot Spot Itch Relief Spray (on Amazon)
- Veterinary Formula Clinical Care, Antiseptic and Antifungal Spray for Dogs and Cats (on Amazon)
- Strawfield Pets Store Chlorhexidine Spray for Dogs (on Amazon)
Shampoos
- TropiClean Oxy-Med Oatmeal Shampoo (on Amazon)
- PET HEAD Life’s An Itch Soothing Shampoo (on Amazon)
- Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo for Dogs (on Amazon)
- Wahl Dog Oatmeal Shampoo (on Amazon)
- Arava Natural Medicated Dog Shampoo (on Amazon)
- Pets Are Kids Too 2 In 1 Anti Itch Shampoo & Conditioner (on Amazon)
Best Anti Itch Sprays & Shampoos For Dogs: Reviews
It’s important you read what each anti itch product is formulated for, how it’s supposed to be used, and also the ingredients used in the product.
You’ll want to get approval to use the product from a vet first, and pay attention to any safety and health warning that come with the product.
A summary of each of the top rated products listed above are:
Sprays
– Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hot Spot & Itch Relief Medicated Spray 8 oz
A hot spot and itch relief spray.
It’s important to note this is a medicated spray that has Lidocaine, Hydrocortisone and Allantoin.
What it does:
‘… medicated analgesic and anti-inflammatory rapid relief of inflammation, itchy skin, hot spots and other skin irritations commonly caused by allergies, insect bites, matted dirty coats and more’
‘… relieve your pet’s itching, biting, licking and scratching associated with skin irritations. Lidocaine and Hydrocortisone reduce itching, redness and swelling. Allantoin helps stimulate wound healing’
Other information:
‘100% safe and paraben, soap and dye free’
– Vet’s Best Dog Hot Spot Itch Relief Spray
A hot spot and itch relief sprays
What is does:
‘… soothes seasonal skin irritation from flea and pollen allergy dermatitis, providing Immediate relief for itchy, dry and irritated dog skin on contact’
Other information:
Made in the USA, and made from natural ingredients, including tea tree oil, aloe vera, and chamomile, provide fast relief.
– Veterinary Formula Clinical Care, Antiseptic and Antifungal Spray for Dogs and Cats
This is a different medicated spray from the other VFCC spray.
This is an Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Spray with Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Keratine, and Aloe Vera.
It is anti fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial.
What it does:
‘… can give your pet relief from hair loss, dandruff, itching and redness, thickened skin, and the musty odor caused by skin conditions such as dermatitis and pyoderma’
– Strawfield Pets Store Chlorhexidine Spray for Dogs
An antiseptic spray.
Contains 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution, 1% Ketoconazole medicated spray, plus aloe.
What it does:
‘… helps treat a variety of skin irritations in cats, dogs and horses … [and treats problems such as] Antifungal Yeast Infection Treatment, Itching Skin Relief from Allergies, Antiseptic for Wound Care, Antibacterial for Skin Infections, Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, Seborhea, Dog & Cat Acne, Pyoderma, Ringworm, Demodectic Mange Treatment, Hotspots, Dandruff’
Other
Made in the USA.
Shampoos
– TropiClean Oxy-Med Oatmeal Shampoo
An anti itch medicated oatmeal shampoo.
What it does:
‘… exfoliates the skin’s surface and penetrates deep into the pores to cleanse and help soothe dry, itchy, irritated and inflamed skin. This deep cleansing and deodorizing formula is enhanced to effectively moisturize and condition the skin and coat, while providing soothing relief from itching and allergies.’
Other information:
Contains Alpha Hydroxy, Beta Hydroxy and tea tree oil
Is paraben and dye free, and made in the USA
– PET HEAD Life’s An Itch Soothing Shampoo
A watermelon skin soothing shampoo
What it does:
‘… formulated to soothe itchy skin caused by bug bites and dry skin’
Other information:
Designed to be eco friendly, and includes tea tree oil, wheat proteins, vitamins, and chamomile enhance hair follicles, skin, and coat
– Burt’s Bees Itch Soothing Shampoo for Dogs
An itch soothing shampoo.
All natural ingredients include honeysuckle, which gently cleanses
What it does:
‘… cleans, softens, and soothes dry itchy skin’
– Wahl Dog Oatmeal Shampoo
An oatmeal shampoo.
What it does:
‘… Refreshes Dirty Coats While Moisturizing Dry Skin & Providing Itch Relief … For dry, itching, irritated skin’
– Arava Natural Medicated Dog Shampoo
An anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial formula.
What it does:
‘… for treating skin problems and irritations including hot spots, infections and inflammation
‘… Designed to specifically treat dermatological conditions, this pet medicated shampoo helps HEAL hot spots, scrapes and abrasions, mange, ringworm, dandruff, seborrhea and keeps skin folds cleaner and healthier’
Other information:
Contains 28 natural ingredients.
– Pets Are Kids Too 2 In 1 Anti Itch Shampoo & Conditioner
A pet oatmeal shampoo.
What it does:
‘ … specially formulated with cats and dogs with sensitive skin and coats in mind, providing relief from hot-spots and itching’
Other information:
All natural ingredients
Best Anti Itch Sprays, Creams & Shampoos For Dogs: Buyer’s Guide
Finding The Best Anti Itch Product For Your Dog
You might do these things to find the best anti itch product for your dog:
– Consult your dog’s vet first
– Read the label and product description for the anti itch product to see if it’s suitable to help treat the case of itching that your dog has
– Read the instructions for use, directions and any safety/health warnings for the anti itch product you end up buying
Effectiveness Of Dog Anti Itch Products
Whether or not a product helps to reduce or stop itching for a particular dog can be dependent on the individual dog, and also the individual product being used
Some products may claim to help with itching, but owners may notice no difference in itching in scratching, or the itching and scratching may get worse if the product has low or no effectiveness.
On the other hand, some owners report that some products are very effective to stop itching significantly, or completely.
So, it can be a matter of testing/finding a safe but effective product for an individual dog.
Other Information On Anti Itch Products
As you can see above, some products are medicated, and some aren’t.
If using medicated products, you’ll want to make sure a vet approves it for your dog first.
Some further information about certain ingredients and medications that might be included in anti itch products might be:
– Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone is a topical steroid.
It is an anti inflammatory agent that can reduce itching caused by allergies, skin infections, parasites or dry skin.
The product has an immediate effect, but cannot be used if the dog is under antihistamine treatment, or if the dog is allergic to corticosteroids.
– Anti-Fungal Ingredients
Anti Fungal products contain fungicides.
Fungicides are good for treating fungal skin infections such as yeast and ringworm.
Make sure you get the right concentration of fungicide for your dog’s infection.
– Anti Parasite Ingredients
Parasites common on dogs can include mites, fleas and ticks.
The saliva in a flea bite for example can cause an allergic reaction on the dog’s skin.
Parasite type products usually kill the parasites, and have a soothing base to soothe the skin afterwards.
You can also get flea shampoos for example that kill fleas and soothe the skin.
– Antihistamine Ingredients
When your dog has an allergic reaction, their body releases histamines.
Histamines cause inflammation, and antihistamine creams help reduce swelling and itchiness caused by allergies and inflammation in dogs.
– Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a soothing type ingredient.
It is said to work best on skin with itchiness caused by allergies, skin infections or parasites.
– Home Made Ingredients & Substances
The following ingredients are said to have anti itch properties:
- Dried Safe
- Dried Thyme
- Aloe Vera
- Chamomile
- Mint
Some people have successfully crushed the above ingredients, boiled them with epsom salt and left it to sit for a few days, and then applied the remaining mix with vaseline to their dog’s skin.
This should not be done without consultation with your vet first though.
Potential Causes Of Canine Itching, What To Look For, & What To Do About It
We’ve already put together a guide about dog itching.
As a summary of that guide, the things we outline are:
– Serious (problem) itching vs regular itching
– Potential behaviors related to problem itching (constant scratching, chewing, licking and rubbing of the skin), and potential results of problem itching (red or inflamed skin, bleeding skin, flaky or dry skin, and any other signs of skin that is irritated, infected or in poor condition)
– Potential causes of problem itching (including but not limited to allergies, infection, parasites, diet, and environmental irritants)
– What to do about problem itching
Friendly Disclaimers
TheDailyShep.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
Additionally, TheDailyShep.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.
TheDailyShep.com are not veterinarians, or animal professionals/experts. Information provided is for informational purposes only – it is not a substitute for professional or qualified advice.
The information is based on either our own thorough research, and/or own experiences, as a means of free speech.
By consuming this information, you accept that TheDailyShep.com do not have client or patient relationship with you, and TheDailyShep.com are not advising you to act on anything you read.
You should always consult your own veterinarian, animal expert, or health care professional and follow their advice before making decisions on all matters.
You can find our full set of disclaimers and T & C’s in the footer of this site.
Enjoy your reading, and thank you for being here
','' ); } ?>