Shedding Showdown: A Trial of Deshedding Shampoos for Dogs

If you have ever finished vacuuming only to turn around to find tumbleweeds of dog hair rolling across the floor an hour later, you are not alone. Managing shedding is one of the biggest grooming challenges for pet parents, and I am there in the trenches with you.

Having one dog that sheds, let alone four, especially those with thick under coats, can feel like a never-ending battle with dog hair on clothes, furniture, and floors. While it is impossible to stop shedding completely for most dogs, using an anti-shedding shampoo can help manage the problem and promote a healthier coat.

What Does An Anti-Shedding Shampoo Do?

One of the main functions of anti-shed shampoos is targeting skin and coat health. These shampoos often contain ingredients like omega fatty acids, vitamin E, biotin, and natural moisturizers such as aloe vera or oatmeal. These ingredients help support the skin barrier, help moisturize dry skin, and keep hair follicles healthy so your pet’s fur stays anchored for longer.

These shampoos also use cleansers that remove dirt, dander, buildup, and help loosen dead hair without stripping the coat of its essential oils. Regular use can help loosen the undercoat during seasonal shedding, allowing dead hair to wash out more easily to prevent impacted or matted coats, and providing room for the new hair growing in.

Our Trial of Anti-Shedding Shampoos

With pet store shelves full of “shed-control” shampoos making big promises, I set out to test and compare six of the formulas on the market. These shampoos were tested out on my dogs, three smooth Collies and a smooth Collie mix. Smooth Collies have not only a thick undercoat, but they also have sensitive skin and can react to harsher formulas.

Over the course of several months, I tried each shampoo out on the dogs to assess:

• The shampoo’s ability to clean the coat
• How much undercoat it removed during the bath
• How the shampoo left the coat feeling after their bath
• How the dog’s skin reacted to each formula

From luxury imports to affordable everyday picks, here is how they stacked up:

The Best Overall Deshedding Shampoo for Dogs

Douxo Skin & Coat SPA Ultra-Safe Shed Control Dog Shampoo

Price: $22.98 for 16fl oz ($1.44/fl oz)

Made in France

★ Would buy again

Douxo earns its reputation as a top veterinary-recommended brand with this ultra-safe, hypoallergenic, spa-inspired shampoo. This formula’s blend of omega-3 fatty acids, provitamin B5, and vitamin E nourishes both skin and coat while keeping things simple with no harsh chemicals or sulfates. Its soft coco-vanilla scent is not overpowering while still providing a boost of freshness.

This is one of the few products gentle enough for dogs with sensitive skin and is one that did not cause any issues on even my most sensitive boy. After just one wash, my dog’s coats felt clean, soft, and it did loosen a lot of undercoat, leaving their coats feeling light. This is a brand I will always keep on hand for bath days, especially for my dogs who struggle with hot spots and dermatitis.

Pros: Reliable brand that is effective and safe for sensitive skin

Cons: Slightly pricier than other options

Most Luxurious Anti-Shedding Shampoo

Isle of Dogs Coature No. 20 Royal Jelly Dog Shampoo

Price: $25.99 for 250ml ($3.08/fl oz)

Made in the USA

Marketed as a high-end grooming solution, this shampoo packs in royal jelly and evening primrose oil to help encourage new hair growth, repair damage, and boost coat volume. The scent is salon-worthy, and the formula claims to encourage a thicker, voluminous coat. While not specifically an anti-shed formula, they tout the benefits of the royal jelly to help reduce shedding.

However, this shampoo was the most expensive, and I found it to be the harshest in the group. With sodium laureth sulfate and other strong preservative ingredients, it was not a good match for my dogs with more sensitive skin. I did not feel as though this shampoo left my dog’s coats feeling as lightweight and clean as the other shampoos on the list. Because of these factors, this is not a shampoo I plan to splurge on again.

Pros: Beautiful scent and contains royal jelly extract

Cons: Not gentle enough for my sensitive-skinned pups and a pricey option

Best Deshedding Shampoo Budget Buy

Shed-X Shed Control Shampoo for Dogs

Price: $12.99 for 16 fl oz ($0.81/fl oz)

Made in USA

★Would buy again

Shed-X is proof that you do not need to spend a fortune for great results. Its formula is a powerhouse blend of omega fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins A, D, and E, designed to strengthen fur, nourish skin, and minimize shedding. Alpha hydroxy acids help to gently exfoliate skin while panthenol strengthens each hair strand.

The pomelo fragrance left my dogs smelling fresh, clean, and citrusy, a scent that lingered for days without being overpowering. This shampoo left my dogs feeling clean, with lightweight, silky, soft coats. While lots of undercoat came out during the bath, it also helped loosen hair that came out after they dried, something I attribute to the skin exfoliation. This is a shampoo I will likely keep stocked in my cabinet thanks to its fresh scent, effectiveness, and price.

Pros: Fantastic value with results that last and less costly

Cons: Contains dyes and fragrance, although it did not cause any issues in my own dogs

Most Natural – Great for Scent-Sensitive Households

Burt’s Bees Shed Control Dog Shampoo

Price: $9.99 for 16 fl.oz. ($0.62/fl oz)

Made in USA

Burt’s Bees stays true to its roots with this 99.7% natural formula made from linseed oil and vitamin E to strengthen hair and reduce breakage. It is pH balanced for dogs, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, colorants, and artificial fragrances.

This shampoo does not deliver a dramatic “wow” moment, but it is dependably gentle and perfect for pups and owners who cannot tolerate strong scents. Think if it as the oatmeal soap of dog shampoos, humble but it does the job well. It did work to loosen some undercoat during the bath, but the dogs needed to be brushed after they dried. This shampoo cleaned my dog’s coats well, but I personally prefer a shampoo with fragrance to help keep my dogs smelling fresh.

Pros: Naturally soothing and safe for sensitive skin

Cons: Fragrance-free means no fresh scent

Best Deep Clean Shampoo for Double Coats

TropiClean PerfectFur Thick Double Coat Shed Reducing Dog Shampoo

Price: $15.99 for 16 fl oz ($1.00/fl oz)

Made in USA

★Would buy again

If you own a Husky, Shepherd, or Golden Retriever, this one is for you. TropiClean PerfectFur is crafted for thick, double-coated breeds and uses natural extracts like plum, ginger, and lavender to clean deep and loosen undercoat.

But what really sets this shampoo apart? The scent. Fresh, topical, and long-lasting, it left my dogs smelling like they just came back from a seaside spa. The formula rinses easily, helps manage shedding, and even helps the coat dry quickly, a small miracle for dogs with dense fur. This shampoo quickly became a favorite and has a permanent home in my grooming cabinet, especially when my dogs are blowing their coats!

Pros: Incredible scent, thorough clean, and great undercoat control

Cons: Fragrance may be strong for owners who prefer mild scents

Best Balance for Skin & Coat with Botanical Fragrance

Earthbath Shed Control Green Tea & Awapuhi Dog & Cat Shampoo

Price: $17.99 for 16 fl oz ($1.12/fl oz)

Made in USA

For eco-conscious pet parents, Earthbath’s formula strikes the perfect balance between natural ingredients and performance. With green tea, awapuhi, shea butter, and aloe vera, it soothes and nourishes skin while also helping reduce shedding and dander. It is plant-based, cruelty-free, and free of parabens, sulfates, dyes, and phthalates.

The scent of this shampoo is very herbal, reflecting its natural ingredients, and it leaves the coat feeling soft and hydrated. I do feel like this shampoo worked well to remove loose hair and resulted in clean, fresh smelling dogs.

Pros: All natural ingredients

Cons: The natural, herbal fragrance may not appeal to everyone

The Bottom Line on Deshedding Shampoos for Dogs

Regardless of the shampoo you use, a bath will help remove loose coat on your shedding dog. For all the shampoos, a brushing after my dogs had fully dried was necessary to remove remaining loose hair.

While each product offered a somewhat unique feature, our top three favorites are:

• Douxo Skin & Coat SPA Ultra-Safe Shed Control Dog Shampoo
• Shed-X Shed Control Shampoo for Dogs
• TropiClean PerfectFur Thick Double Coat Shed Reducing Dog Shampoo

While anti-shedding shampoos will not stop shedding, which is a natural part of hair growth in dogs, they can make a difference in coat health and household cleanliness.  When combined with proper grooming habits, these shampoos are an effective part of a well-rounded approach to managing your dog’s shedding naturally and safely.