The Best Shampoos For Dogs Who Shed A Lot

We independently pick all the products we recommend because we love them and think you will too. If you buy a product from a link on our site, we may earn a commission.

Does your dog leave piles of fur everywhere he goes? Is a lint roller your best friend?

Then a deshedding shampoo might be a good option for your pup.

The Dodo spoke to Helen Schaefer, a national certified master groomer and a certified canine esthetician with Heart + Paw, to find out what a deshedding shampoo is and how to find the best one for your dog.

Deshedding shampoos for dogs help prevent excessive shedding by moisturizing your dog’s skin and coat.

“Deshedding shampoos for pets are highly moisturizing shampoos that help loosen dead coat while feeding the skin many essential nutrients, humectants [to promote retention of moisture] and moisturizers,” Schaefer told The Dodo.

When buying a deshedding shampoo for your dog, look for a shampoo that’s made specifically to reduce shedding, since they include milder ingredients and special nutrients that protect the skin, like vitamin E.

You should also look for shampoos that have moisturizing ingredients, like shea butter, which can help improve your dog’s skin health and reduce shedding.

“Common ingredients in deshedding shampoos include alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-6, shea butter, dimethicone, and any number of natural extracts and essential oils, such as argan oil, ginkgo oil, chamomile, aloe, etc.,” Schaefer said.

Shedding’s totally natural for dogs, but some dog breeds just shed more than others, such as Akitas, German shepherds and Siberian huskies.

If your dog isn’t a type that typically sheds a lot, there are some other reasons why he could be shedding more than normal, including the following:

If you’re concerned about your dog’s shedding, talk to your vet to find out if it’s normal.

Using a deshedding shampoo on your pup is a great start, but there are some other steps you should take if you want to reduce your dog’s shedding, like brushing him regularly and feeding him high-quality dog food.

For short-haired dogs, Schaefer recommends brushing them once they’re dry with a curry brush (aka a rubber brush) then an undercoat removal tool. Brush once to twice per week and sometimes more frequently during shedding seasons.

Dogs with double coats, like Labs, might need brushing even more frequently, up to a few times per week.

“Longer coated breeds should be gently brushed with a soft slicker-type brush, and then a single-row deshedding rake that has teeth like a traditional comb should be used to remove their dead undercoat,” Schaefer said. Dogs with long hair need to be brushed frequently — every few days and sometimes every day for dogs who are prone to matting, like doodles.

You should also make sure you’re giving your pup dog food with lots of nutrients for a healthy coat.

“These shampoos are not miracle workers, however,” Schaefer said. “While these gentle shampoos and conditioners help to optimize skin and coat health, a holistic approach should be taken to improve the overall skin and coat health of the pet, including a high-quality diet and an omega-3 or omega-6 supplement.”

You can get these Zesty Paws Omega Bites from Amazon for $26.97

And according to Schaefer, “[Deshedding shampoos] work best if the pet is hand dried, either with a professional high-velocity dryer or even a human hair dryer that is set to warm (not hot!).”