Updated: November 11th, 2022
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Shedding is a natural part of life for most dogs, and there is nothing that you can do to prevent dogs that have a shedding coat from shedding. Still, a deshedding shampoo can help minimize the problem by dealing with some of the issues most likely to cause excessive shedding.
In this article, I will take you through the best shedding shampoos for dogs, all of which are available to buy on Chewy. I will also look at why dogs shed, and how shedding shampoos work to minimize the amount of hair that your dog loses.
Spoiler Alert! Golden Retrievers tend to be naturally prolific shedders. Even with an anti-shedding shampoo, they are likely to shed a lot. Invest in regular brushing to control their hair loss.
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5 Best Dog Shampoos For Shedding
1. Earthbath Shed Control Green Tea & Awapuhi Dog & Cat Shampoo
If you are looking for a natural shampoo that will deter shedding and also soothe and nourish potentially irritated skin, Earthbath has a formula that you will love with aloe vera, shea butter, and green tea extract to nourish your dog’s skin and coat.
- All-natural ingredients
- pH balanced for dogs
- Soap-free
- Soothes with aloe vera, shea butter, and green tea extract
- 100% biodegradable
This is an all-natural and soap-free shampoo, which means that it is safe for your dog and also safe for the environment. It won’t leave anything nasty behind when you wash it away, and more importantly than that, the formula uses natural ingredients to nourish, detoxify, and rejuvenate coats which in turn minimizes shedding.
Pros
- Effective at minimizing shedding
- Soothes the skin as well as fortifying the coat
- Made from all-natural ingredients
- No negative effects on the environment
Cons
- Relatively expensive option
- May interfere with topical flea treatments
This is just one of the many excellent shampoos in the Earthbath line, which focuses on natural and environmentally friendly products for pups. These are the two main factors why many pet parents choose Earthbath products over others, despite the fact that they tend to be a bit more expensive.
If these factors are important to you, and you also want something that will effectively reduce shedding and give your dog relief from any discomfort they might feel due to shedding, it is an excellent choice.
2. Oster Oatmeal Essentials Shed Control Dog Shampoo
If you are looking for an affordable option for dealing with an excessive shedder, this formula from Oster is excellent. It uses essential fatty acids from safflower lipids to repair the coat from the roots and minimize shedding.
- Repairs coat and prevents shedding with essential fatty acids
- Oatmeal, aloe, and natural botanicals to soothe and condition
- Powerful cleaning formula to lift dirt
- Made in the United States
This is another pH balanced and natural formula that is designed both to reduce shedding and leave your dog with a shiny, soft and healthy coat. It uses oatmeal, aloe, and other natural botanicals to soothe its skin and naturally moisturize and condition. It is made in the United States and leaves behind only a coconut verbena scent, plus it won’t affect topical flea treatments.
Pros
- Effective at minimizing shedding
- Highly affordable
- Leaves behind only a mild scent
- Won’t interfere with topical flea treatments
Cons
- Requires a few washes to become effective
This shampoo is only one product in a huge range of dog-grooming products made by Oster. They have made a name for themselves as experts when it comes to your dog’s coat, and this has encouraged a loyal market when it comes to their products.
If you want something that is affordable, and you don’t want your dog rubbing against the walls to wipe off the scent, then this shampoo from Oster is a great choice.
3. Nature’s Miracle Natural Shed Control Dog Shampoo
The issues that cause your dog to shed excessively may also result in their coat not smelling its best. This shampoo from Nature’s Miracle fortifies your dog’s hair to prevent shedding and also fights odors. It can be used to deal with a shedding pup, or as a regular shampoo to prevent excessive shedding.
- Deshedding and deodorizing formula
- Soap-free cleanser
- Safe to use with topical flea treatments
- Plum hibiscus scent
This is another soap-free formula that uses cocoa products to cleanse your dog’s coat and soothe their skin, strengthening hair from the root to reduce shedding. It also deodorizes, but it does leave behind a citrus-based scent. This won’t bother some dogs but can be an irritant to the noses of others. It is made in the United States, and there is a money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the product.
Pros
- Effective at minimizing shedding
- Effectively controls odors
- Good overall shampoo for regular use
- Money back guarantee
Cons
- Relatively strong scent that not all dogs like
- Works best in combination with other Nature’s Miracle products
Nature’s Miracle has made a name for itself in the market with its stain and odor removers, so it was only a matter of time before they looked at the source with a shampoo that addresses odors and shedding. Many customers already trust the brand’s other products, and therefore find this new range very appealing.
If you are looking for a shampoo that you can use regularly to deal with shedding and odors and will leave your dog’s coat soft and healthy, Nature’s Miracle is a great option.
4. Frisco Shed Control Cat & Dog Shampoo With Aloe
This shampoo from Frisco is effective at managing dogs’ shedding with regular use and is mild enough to use on a regular basis. It works by releasing loose hair from the undercoat so that it won’t shed later, and fortifying the coat to minimize damage.
- Releases lose hair from the undercoat
- Oatmeal, jojoba oil, and pro-vitamin B to strengthen the coat
- Aloe vera juice to nourish the skin
- Made in the United States
This shampoo contains no parabens, dyes, or other things that could be harmful to your pup. It nourishes your dog’s skin with aloe vera juice and strengthens its coat with oat protein, jojoba oil, and pro-vitamin B5. Be aware that it does leave behind a relatively strong scent.
Pros
- Effective at minimizing shedding
- Deals with the undercoat and not just the top layer
- Affordable
- Trusted brand
Cons
- Leaves a relatively strong scent
- May appear to shed more at first
Frisco is one of the top names when it comes to affordable, quality products for pets. This shampoo is no different; however, it is worth noting that your dog may shed more instead of less until their shedding comes under control. This is because the shampoo releases trapped hair, so shedding that typically would have taken place over time will all happen after their bath. A good brush after washing is needed.
If you want something affordable from a trusted brand, and you want to deal with your dog’s shedding “from the ground up,” then this Frisco shampoo is a great choice.
5. Shed-X Shed Control Shampoo For Dogs
This shampoo is designed not only to reduce shedding but specifically to wash away the dander and allergens that can annoy human companions. It can be used regularly to control shedding without affecting things like their flea treatment.
- Controls shedding and removes dander and allergens
- Amino acids and antioxidants to strengthen coat
- Fatty acids and vitamins to nourish skin
- Ginger and nectarine fragrance
Unlike some of the other options on this list, Shed-X is not all-natural but it doesn’t contain anything that poses a threat to your dog. It uses amino acids and antioxidants to strengthen your dog’s coat, and fatty acids and vitamins to nourish their skin. Together these “fuse” skin and coat to minimize shedding.
Pros
- Effective at minimizing shedding
- Removes dander and allergens
- Affordable
- Safe to use with topical flea treatments
Cons
- Not made from all-natural ingredients
While Shed-X does not have the same name recognition as many of the other options on this list, it doesn’t really matter when the shampoo is this good. If you need a more powerful approach to shedding and dander, then this shampoo is worth experimenting with.
This is definitely the “nuclear” option to deal with shedding, but it is gentle and will leave your dog’s coat soft and clean as well.
Deshedding Shampoo Buying Guide
Shedding is a natural part of the life of most dogs, although there are some breeds that have low-shedding coats, and there is nothing that you can do to stop your dog’s shedding.
Your dog may start to shed excessively, though, if they have problems with their skin or their coat is in poor condition. In these cases, you want a dog shampoo for hair loss that soothes their skin and repairs their coat to help ensure that they shed a normal amount and not excessively.
If you are dealing with this type of dog, look for anti-shedding shampoos that:
- Contain ingredients to soothe the skin such as aloe vera and oatmeal
- Contain ingredients that strengthen the coat, such as omega fatty acids
Curious whether your Golden Retriever is shedding a normal amount or excessively? Read our article: Do golden retrievers shed?
If you have a dog with a thick double coat that needs to shed a lot, your goal will be to manage their shedding, rather than reducing their shedding. This involves using a shampoo that releases the hair that needs to come out, which can easily get caught up in their coat. This will enable you to brush that hair out after washing so that you control where it goes, rather than your dog leaving it wherever they happen to sit or stand.
If you are dealing with this type of dog, look for anti-shedding dog shampoos that:
- Specifically release hair from the undercoat
Remember that after washing you will also need to brush. Find our recommendations for the best brushes for Golden Retrievers here.
FAQs
What Is Shedding / Deshedding?
Shedding is the natural process of your dog’s coat getting rid of hair that it no longer needs. Deshedding is the physical removal of those hairs to ensure your dog doesn’t leave hair and dander around your home.
Why Do Dogs Shed?
Dogs shed to get rid of unneeded or damaged hair. They need to do this a lot as their coat is constantly adapting to protect them from temperatures and other changes in their environment. This is why dogs tend to shed more as it gets warmer since they lose the hair that they grew to keep warm during the winter so that they don’t overheat during the summer.
How To Treat Or Prevent Shedding?
There is no way to completely prevent shedding, but you can deshed your dog to control their shedding and keep them from leaving it around your home. This generally means using a deshedding shampoo designed to release the dead hairs that need to come out, and then brushing to remove those hairs. You can use a brush that is dedicated for shedding.
Do Deshedding Shampoos Work?
To an extent. Shampoos can help manage shedding and prevent dogs from shedding excessively due to their coat being in poor condition.
The Verdict
In this article I have shared the best dog shampoos for shedding, but remember that there is nothing that you can do to stop your dog’s shedding completely. For most, it is a natural process that they need to go through.
What these shampoos can do is help reduce excessive shedding caused by irritated skin and a poor-quality coat. It can also help you control shedding by loosening hair that needs to come off so that you can then brush it away.
Do you have any advice for dealing with dogs that shed a lot? Share it with the community in the comments section below.
