What is the Best Dog Shampoo to Control Shedding

The coat of the dog can be of different types. Some dogs are long haired, some have short, wired or curly hair, and few dogs have none at all. It is the same with their habits. While there are dogs that truly love to roll in mud and dirt, there are also those that always run through life clean and neat. But no matter what type of hair they have, all dogs shed, this is a fact! And they need appropriate skin and coat care, including shed control. All professional groomers know that regular brushing is necessary, but this is not enough. Specially formulated dog shampoos for shed control help a lot and reduce excess amount of hairs. We have tried and tested lots of samples and are ready to present our choice – the Best Dog Shampoo for Shedding among other top quality deshed shampoos available on the market.

Best Choice
Wahl Shed Control Pet Shampoo
Author’s Choice
The Wahl Shed Control Pet Shampoo has a unique formula to loosen undercoat hairs, which helps to reduce shedding dramatically when bathing a dog. Top quality product. Highly recommended!
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Types of Deshed Shampoos

Different coat types of dogs require different grooming tools or shampoos. But as for special shed control dog shampoos, they are actually the same for all breeds, coat types and shedding levels. They differ in texture and ingredients.

  • Deshedding Shampoo to use when bathing a dog
  • Waterless Deshedding Spray to use while brushing a dog

Additionally we have reviewed and rated Deshed Conditioners as they are an integral part to reach ultimate effect with dog shedding.

Best Dog Shampoo for Shedding – Overview & Rating

Best DeShed Shampoos

Here is a list of the top quality shampoos which are specially formulated to reduce loose and dead hair and to control shedding along with cleaning your pet’s skin and coat.

Author's Choice

Wahl Shed Control Pet Shampoo
  • Features: Reduces Dander & Shedding, Leaves the Coat Clean & Refreshed
  • Benefits: PEG-80, Alcohol and Paraben Free, pH Balanced. Made of Plant Derived Ingredients
  • Scent: Lemongrass & Sage

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People's Choice

TropiClean Shed Control Pet Shampoo
  • Features: Reduces Dander & Shedding, Leaves the Coat Clean & Refreshed, Helps with Tangles. Exfoliates & moisturizes pet's skin
  • Benefits: Enriched with organic blend of aloe leaf extract, oatmeal, mild coconut cleanser, vitamin E, soup-free
  • Scent: Lime and Coconut

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Premium Choice

Nature's Specialties EZ Out Deshedding Shampoo
  • Features: Reduces Bulk Shedding and Unwanted hair, Leaves the Coat Silky and Shiny
  • Benefits: A Non-Toxic, Biodegradable Formula with Panthenol, Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Oat Beta Glucan, Oat Avenanthramide, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Sage, Rosemary, Nettle and Vitamins
  • Scent: Light clean fragrance

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Best Natural

Burt's Bees for Pets Natural Shed Control Shampoo
  • Features: Cleans, Reduces Shedding and Breakage, Softens Dog's hair
  • Benefits: Enriches Hair Root with Omega 3 and Vitamin E, pH balanced. Made in the United States without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, SLS, or synthetic fragrances
  • Scent: No bright scent. A dog just smells fresh

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Best Budget

Nature's Miracle Supreme Odor and Shed Control Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Features: 2 in 1. Reduces Shedding and Odor, Deodorizes, Eliminates static electricity, Maintains skin’s essential oils
  • Benefits: Cocoa surfactant shampoo. No dyes, parabens, soup-free
  • Scent: Pink Peony

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Best Waterless DeShed Sprays

Bathing dogs often is not a good idea, if there is no extra necessity. But what to do if your pup is in his seasonal shedding period and needs extra help? Waterless Spray is a perfect solution for such a case. You can groom your dog with a deshedding brush and use a Deshed Spay for extra effect.

Author's Choice

Furminator deShedding Waterless Spray
  • Features: Cleans, Conditions and Reduces Excess Shedding without Bathing
  • Benefits: Parabens and Chemical Dyes Free, Enriched with Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids and Safflower Seed Oil
  • Scent: Light Fresh Fragrance

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People's Choice

Espree Simple Shed & Static Spray
  • Features: Reduces Excess Shedding without Bathing, Eliminates Static, Relives Dry Itchy Skin
  • Benefits: Made in the USA with 100% Organically Grown Aloe Vera Aloe (hydrator), Panthenol (conditioner), Jojoba (moisturizer), enriched with Vitamins A, D, E
  • Scent: Fresh scent

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Best DeShedding Conditioners

If you use a deshedding shampoo it is a huge advantage for your pet and for the apartment. But, if you want to reach an ultimate effect, it is advisable to use also an appropriate conditioner. There are some shampoos which are a part of a desheding series, so if you buy for example a FURminator Shampoo, it should be followed by a corresponding conditioner. There are also 2 in 1 shampoos.

Why to Use a Conditioner

  • To support the effect of the shampoo by reducing all remaining loose hairs
  • For moisturizing pet’s skin and making the top coat soft and shiny
  • To enrich the skin with acids and vitamins
  • To protect dogs with sensitive and dry skin from irritation and itching
  • And finally, to add fresh fragrance
Author's Choice

Furminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Conditioner
  • Features: Reduces Loose Hair by Releasing Undercoat during bathing
  • Benefits: Supports Results from DeShed Shampoo. Enriched With: Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids. No parabens or chemical dyes
  • Scent: Chamomile & Aloe Vera

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People's Choice

TropiClean Shed Control Pet Сonditioner
  • Features: Moisturizes & conditions the pet's skin & coat to reduce shedding. Use after deshed shampoo
  • Benefits: Enriched with organic blend of natural extracts, vitamin E, soup-free
  • Scent: Lime and Cocoa Butter

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Premium Choice

Espree Simple Shed Treatment
  • Features: Formulated to decrease seasonal and non-seasonal shedding. *Use after shampoo, together with a deshed tool
  • Benefits: Made in the USA with 100% Organically Grown Aloe Vera Aloe (hydrator), Panthenol (conditioner), Jojoba (moisturizer), enriched with Vitamins A, D, E
  • Scent: Fresh scent

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Best Budget

Nature's Miracle Supreme Odor and Shed Control Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Features: 2 in 1. Reduces Shedding and Odor, Deodorizes, Eliminates static electricity, Maintains skin’s essential oils
  • Benefits: Cocoa surfactant shampoo. No dyes, parabens, soup-free
  • Scent: Pink Peony

Check Price

Best Dog Shampoo for Shedding – Buyer’s Guide

Healthy Skin is the Basis for Healthy Coat

The basis for beautiful, dense coat is a healthy skin. It forms the border between dog’s body and the environment and is therefore exposed to many influences. The skin protects the dog from harmful substances such as bacteria, fungi or viruses entering the body and damaging it.

In addition to its function as a natural barrier, it also functions as an exchange organ. Substances are absorbed through the skin. Other substances are released from it into the environment. These include sex hormones.

The skin also produces sebum. It is important for a well-functioning skin environment. The change of coat, i.e. natural shedding, is also controlled through the skin. Incorrect grooming and care for skin and coat can therefore have extremely negative effects on the pet.

Why Dogs Shed Excessively

The natural dog shedding lasts approximately from 1 up to 2 weeks, irrespective of the breed. During this period, you’ll have to groom your pet more often and hard. This is called seasonal shedding which is a normal change of hair for dogs. And slight shedding continues within the rest of the year, depending on the breed.

But there are cases when shedding is obviously unhealthy, with the hair falling out in shreds and the remaining coat looks lifeless and untidy.

Reasons for Excess Shedding

  • deficiency of vitamins and minerals
  • liver or kidney disease
  • gastrointestinal system problems
  • endocrine system problems
  • parasite infection
  • immune system disorder
  • stress
  • if the dog is weakened after delivery, injury, surgery or long-term illness

Such cases are not supposed to be solved by deshedding tools or shampoos. You can use them as temporary support, but first of all a vet advice in obligatory.

Things to Look for in a Good Shed Control Shampoo for Dogs

Choose High Quality Dog Shampoo

When choosing the right shed shampoo, it is important to make sure that it is skin-friendly and moisturizing. This ensures that the natural protective film of the skin is preserved. The shampoo should not foam too much and should be easy to wash out. Shampoos have different consistency. Depending on it, they are easy or difficult to apply on the coat.

Preservatives & Fragrances

Skin contact can lead to intolerance, allergic reactions and skin irritations. However, it is often very difficult to find out which substances these are. Make sure that shampoo is free of chemical dyes, parabens, sulfates, petrolatum or synthetic fragrances, as they may be harmful for your pup’s health.

Perfumes in Shampoo

If shampoo has a light fragrance, this is usually harmless. However, strongly perfumed shampoos should be avoided. They cover up the natural smell of the animal. It should also be noted that a dog’s nose is very sensitive and the animal may perceive strong perfumes as very unpleasant. For this reason, the respective dog shampoo should have as neutral smell as possible.

Natural Ingredients

To reach the expected effect a good shampoo should not be pleasant smelling, but consist of the natural and useful ingredients. Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids are essential for healthy skin and coat. Also Protein, Oatmeal, Calendula Extract, Aloe Vera, Kava Extract, Papaya Leaf Extract, Chamomile Extract, Vitamin E, Panthenol are key ingredients to promote shiny dog hair and to control shedding.

How to Bathe a Dog Properly

A good deshedding shampoo is also a cleaning shampoo. If your dog is shedding and dirty at the same time, it doesn’t mean that you have to use two shampoos. So all bathing rules apply to deshed shampoos as well. Hopefully your dog has no stress when bathing, and you can do as follows:

  • First of all, the excess dirt is brushed out of the coat with a special grooming glove. Remains of branches or leaves are removed.
  • If the dog is bathed in the bathtub or shower tray, a non-slip mat is recommended. It is essential that the animal has a good grip.
  • The water should be lukewarm. Especially for dogs that are already older or suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Too warm water can aggravate the problems. If it is warm enough in summer, the dog can also be bathed with the garden hose. However, in spite of everything, the temperature must be taken into account.
  • As long as the coat is wet, it should never be combed. It can break easily in this case.
  • It is important to make sure that no water gets into pup’s nose, eyes or ears. Soap must be washed out well, otherwise it will cause severe itching.
  • After washing, the dog will usually shake itself and remove most of water from the coat. Afterwards it should be dried well with a soft towel.
  • If he is blow-dried, then not too warm and very carefully.
  • After bathing the dog should be able to get dried completely in a warm place.

FAQ about Best Dog Shampoo for Shedding

Do Deshedding Shampoos Really Work?

Yes, they do. Deshedding shampoo loosens dead undercoat which is easily washed down when bathing a dog

Is There a Dog Shampoo That Reduces Shedding?

There special shed control shampoos. You can reduce shedding using them regularly, provided it is natural shedding, not caused by some health problems

How Often Should You Use Deshedding Shampoo?

When seasonal shedding begins, use deshedding shampoo appr. twice a week. The natural seasonal shedding lasts no more than two weeks. Then use it not oftener than one a month for shed control.

How Do I Stop My Dog From Shedding So Much?

The fact if that you can't stop your dog from shedding. Shedding is natural process of changing coat. If you suspect your dog sheds more than normally, refer to a vet to find a reason. For all other case regular grooming steps really help. Use deshedding tools, shampoo and conditioner to reduce shedding.

Summary

Controlling your dog’s natural shedding is absolutely possible and it is a pet parent’s full responsibility. There is a complex of simple steps to be done to get good results. And using a deshedding shampoo is one of the steps. The most important is to find the best suitable for your dog and to groom your pup on a regular basis.

And remember – we are here to help you with your choice. So do not hesitate to ask any questions. We will answer them.

Julia Powell

Julia is a founder of PetsLifeGuide and an author of articles about German Shorhaired Pointers and accessories for them. She is a specialist about this breed since 2002

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