It can be very hard for a pet owner to find a quality pet shampoo. Pet hair can vary in thickness, length, and type. Moreover, pets, like their human counterparts, can have dry skin as well as skin that is sensitive to allergens and detergents. Oatmeal dog shampoos are a great option for pet owners with pets who have very sensitive skin. However, these types of shampoos are often lumped together with other shampoos, making it difficult to compare brands and choose the best product for your pet’s needs.
We consistently review different dog shampoos and we have found and reviewed ten oatmeal dog shampoos. You can look at our reviews to better understand what you would prefer to have in a dog shampoo. We believe that you will be amazed at how different these brands are.
Additionally, we have added an oatmeal dog shampoo buyer’s guide that explains what these various shampoos should do and reveals the ingredients they should have. We discuss how to distinguish between a superior dog shampoo and a fraudulent product. Look out for our informative reviews of the different oatmeal dog shampoo brands. In our reviews, we examined the products’ ability to lather, ingredients, and scent in order to assist you when deciding which brand to purchase.
Here are the ten oatmeal dog shampoos we have reviewed.
A Brief Look at the Top Dog Shampoos of 2020
- The Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo by the brand HONEYDEW has colloidal oatmeal and jojoba oil and is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and tear-free. This was our best overall product.
- The Oatmeal Dog Shampoo by the brand Pets Are Kids Too (PRKT) has an anti-itch formula and is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and tear-free. This was our premium choice product.
- The Oatmeal Pet Wash by the brand Pro Pet Works contains vitamins A, D & E, and is pH balanced, fragrance-free, and tear-free.
- The Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo by the brand Earthbath has all-natural ingredients and is affordable, good for sensitive skin, pH balanced, and soap-free. This was our best value product.
- The Oatmeal & Aloe Natural Pet Shampoo by the brand Vital Pet Life has all-natural ingredients and is good for sensitive skin.
The 10 Best Shampoos for Your Dogs
1. HONEYDEW Oatmeal Dog Shampoo–Best Overall
The HONEYDEW Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo contains colloidal oatmeal, making it more gentle than shampoo brands without that ingredient. It is paraben-free and hypoallergenic, rendering it safe and effective for dogs with sensitive skin. Its formulation is tear-free so it will not sting your pet's eyes. It is a great option for pets with dry or irritated skin because it contains jojoba oil, which can moisturize and nourish your pet's skin as well as improve the appearance of their coat. The product is enhanced with lavender essential oil which yields a calming effect on your pet, making it easier to control them as they bathe.
This shampoo has powerful cleansing abilities and can eliminate pet odors. Its main disadvantage is that it is only available in a relatively small-sized bottle. So, you will probably need to purchase several bottles of this brand if you have a large dog or want to shampoo your pet on a regular basis. Nevertheless, this shampoo is vet-recommended and is one of the best oatmeal dog shampoos out on the market. We chose it as our best overall shampoo because it did an excellent job cleaning our pet, has a pleasant smell, and is long-lasting.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- Colloidal oatmeal
- Jojoba oil
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- Tear-free
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Small bottle
2. PRKT Oatmeal Dog Shampoo–Premium Choice
The Pets Are Kids Too (PRKT) Oatmeal Dog Shampoo was made using a comprehensive anti-itch formula. It contains aloe vera, baking soda, coconut, and natural oatmeal. It is designed to provide pets with instantaneous itch relief. It is an all-natural and hypoallergenic product and does not contain harsh chemicals like other pet shampoos currently on the market. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that can protect your pet from pests, yeast, and allergens. The ingredients in the shampoo are plant-derived and its formulation is tear-free. It is worth noting that this shampoo lathers up very well when used.
PRKT's oatmeal dog shampoo is suitable for pets with sensitive skin. It is also suitable for pets dealing with issues like dandruff and shedding. This shampoo has a light and refreshing oatmeal cookie scent and can eliminate pet odors. It is vet-endorsed and cruelty-free. The main disadvantage of this product is that it did not, after use, prevent our pet from scratching. Nonetheless, we chose it as our premium choice shampoo since it is very high-quality but also quite pricey.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- Anti-itch formula
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-fungal
- Tear-free
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Does not prevent itching
3. Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Pet Wash
The Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Pet Wash is both a shampoo and a conditioner. This product contains organic ingredients; it does not contain alcohol, harmful chemicals, added colors, sulfates, or fragrances. It has oatmeal, aloe vera, and almond oil--all of which can soothe dry, itchy skin. It is pH balanced, making it suitable for pets with sensitive skin. It is also soap-free and has been formulated for pets who are allergic to grass, flea bites, and certain foods. This product has a formula that is vet-recommended.
Pro Pet Works' pet wash contains vitamins A, D & E, which will nourish your pet's skin, soften their coat, and restore their natural oils. Moreover, it cleanses and deodorizes without irritating your pet's skin. This is a non-toxic and non-alcoholic product. It contains no animal by-products and is paraben-free and cruelty-free. The main limitation of this pet wash is that it does not stop itching.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- pH balanced
- Soap-free
- Fragrance-free
- Contains vitamins A, D & E
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Does not prevent itching
4. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo–Best Value
The Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo is a low-cost product that consists of all-natural ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera, making it suitable for pets with dry, sensitive, flaky, and itchy skin. This shampoo has been formulated to alleviate skin irritations, stimulate the skin's healing process, and restore moisture to your pet's skin. It is soap-free and pH balanced so that you can safely cleanse your pet and improve the texture and appearance of their coat. This product will not remove topical flea applications and it is safe for pets who are over 6 weeks of age.
Earthbath's pet shampoo deodorizes and has a fresh vanilla & almond scent. It lathers up quite well when used. There are no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic dyes, or DEAs present. Moreover, it is gluten-free and cruelty-free. The most notable downside to this product is that it leaves an unpleasant residue if you do not rinse it off your pet multiple times. Nevertheless, we chose it as our best value shampoo since, for a low-price, you get an all-natural shampoo that is good for pets who have sensitive skin.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- All-natural ingredients
- Affordable
- Good for sensitive skin
- pH balanced
- Soap-free
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Leaves a residue
5. Vital Pet Life Oatmeal & Aloe Natural Pet Shampoo
The Vital Pet Life Oatmeal & Aloe Natural Pet Shampoo contains all-natural ingredients such as oatmeal, aloe vera, jojoba oil, yucca, chamomile, and wheat germ oil. This product helps pets who itch and scratch because of dry, flaky skin or allergies. The oatmeal and aloe vera moisturize and nourish dry skin and the chamomile and yucca fight dandruff. The natural ingredients in this product transform coats that are dull, dry, and rough, making them bright, soft, and smooth. Also, the ingredients in this product have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe sensitive skin and alleviate irritations and hot spots.
This product does not contain any sulfates, parabens, or isothiazolinones. Nor does it contain artificial dyes. So, it is safe for pets with sensitive skin and will not cause rashes or promote inflammation. This shampoo is hypoallergenic, so it is suitable for pets who suffer from allergies. It is also deodorizing and pH balanced so it will safely eliminate odors. This shampoo does not contain animal by-products and is cruelty-free. The most notable downside of this product is that it does not lather very well.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- All-natural ingredients
- Good for sensitive skin
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Poor lather
6. Nature’s Miracle Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Nature’s Miracle Oatmeal Dog Shampoo acts as a shampoo and a conditioner. It comes in a relatively large, 32-ounce bottle. It is soap-free, so it will clean without removing tick and flea medication.
This product has an appealing honey sage smell and lathers up very well. It will clean your pet but it will not truly eliminate odors nor moisturize their skin.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- Soap-free
- Nice scent
- Large bottle
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Does not eliminate odors
- Does not moisturize the skin
7. Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
The Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Dog Shampoo consists of natural ingredients like honey, colloidal oatmeal, green tea, and beeswax. It does not contain artificial fragrances, and it can be used on sensitive and dry skin. This shampoo is pH balanced so it will not irritate sensitive skin.
Though this product will clean your pet, do not expect it to lather up very well. Moreover, it is not tear-free so be careful when using it near your pet's eyes. Also, note that it is very hard to rinse this product out.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- Colloidal oatmeal
- pH balanced
- Fragrance-free
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Poor lather
- Not tear-free
- Difficult to rinse
8. TropiClean Tea Tree & Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
The TropiClean Tea Tree & Oatmeal Dog Shampoo has an anti-itch formula and is designed to combat dandruff. This shampoo contains oatmeal and tea-tree oil. The majority of the ingredients in this product are natural and there are no artificial fragrances.
The lather capability of this product was poor. If you use this product, be prepared to use plenty of it since it took a substantial amount to fully coat our pet. Also, this shampoo did not prevent itching and scratching.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- Fights dandruff
- Anti-itch formula
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Poor lather
- Does not prevent itching
9. Particular Paws Oatmeal Shampoo
The Particular Paws Oatmeal Shampoo is designed to promote skin health and cleanliness. It contains shea butter, aloe vera, and chamomile. These ingredients replenish natural oils, alleviate itchiness, heal injuries, and improve coat texture. The product also has a nice, refreshing scent.
This product will clean your pet but its scent is not long-lasting. Moreover, it lathers poorly and you will need to use plenty of it to achieve certain results.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- pH balanced
- Nice scent
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Scent is not long-lasting
- Poor lather
10. K9 Pro Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
K9 Pro Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is intended for pets who struggle with allergies or dry, itchy skin. It contains aloe vera and oatmeal and it is infused with ripe melon extract and cucumber essence. This product is hypoallergenic and vet-formulated specifically for dogs.
This product lathers up very well but it is not tear-free so be cautious when using it near your pet's eyes. Also, many of the ingredients in this product are not all-natural.
The pros of this product are as follows:
- Hypoallergenic
- Nice scent
The cons of this product are as follows:
- Not tear-free
- Contains very few all-natural ingredients
Buyer’s Guide
Since we have gone over each review, let us turn our attention to oatmeal shampoos in general so that we can better understand how to identify a high-quality shampoo that will address your pet’s needs.
Oatmeal
Our focus is on oatmeal pet shampoos, so let us begin by discussing how to make the distinction between regular and colloidal oatmeal.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is created by grinding whole oat kernels into a powder. This powder is nutrient-rich; it helps the skin because it contains lipids that restore oils and prevent desiccation. It also contains a moisturizing nutrient called beta-glucan and it has antioxidants.
Once the oat powder is added to a liquid, it becomes colloidal oatmeal.
Regular Oatmeal
Regular oatmeal can have whole oat kernels or not. Oftentimes, the bran is removed from whole oat kernels to create certain food items. For example, the bran is typically removed to create oat flour. The bran segment of the oat is rich in nutrients that are beneficial to the skin so it is essential to utilize the whole oat.
Other Ingredients
There other ingredients that are just as impactful as oatmeal. Natural ingredients like shea butter, chamomile, tea tree oil, and vitamin E can enhance the quality of a shampoo.
Sadly, there exist many harsh ingredients like alcohol, sulfates, parabens, petroleum, and synthetic dyes in certain shampoos. These ingredients can be difficult to wash off, and they can be detrimental to your pet’s health.
Soaps
Be cautious when using shampoos that contain detergents or soaps that are supposed to yield a lather effect or cleanse your dog because those ingredients can dissolve tick and flea medication. If you do choose to use a shampoo that contains detergents, consider scheduling your pet’s baths so that you can reapply their medication in a timely manner.
Another problem with shampoos that have soaps and detergents is that those ingredients can remove the oils from the skin of your pet. If those oils are removed, your pet will have dry, flaky skin.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our reviews and buyer’s guide contain information that you will find useful. The HONEYDEW Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo was our best overall option because it cleaned our pet the best, has an attractive scent, and is long-lasting. The Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo was our best value option because it does quite a bit considering that it is low-cost; it is an all-natural product and works well on sensitive skin. Our premium choice option was the PRKT Oatmeal Dog Shampoo because it is a high-priced, top quality product. If you choose not to purchase any of the items we discussed, we hope that you use our buyer’s guide to boost your knowledge and confidence when looking for an oatmeal shampoo.
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