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Finding a suitable shampoo for your dog’s coat will make grooming easier, preserve the beauty of their fur, and promote overall health. But there are a ton of different options on the market nowadays, making it difficult to decide which is the best shampoo for Akitas.
We’re here to help you narrow down the choices and discover the very best dog shampoo for your dog’s conditions. Let’s dive right in!
Tips on picking the best shampoo for Akitas
When choosing a shampoo for an Akita or any dog, here are some dos and don’ts for owners to follow:
Do:
- Your grooming products should be tailored to your dog’s needs
- Choose soap-free options that soothe and hydrate to avoid drying out your Akita’s skin and coat
- Look for beneficial ingredients such as vitamin E, oats, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, and safe essential plant oils
Don’t:
- Use human shampoo on your Akita. It doesn’t have the right pH level for dogs and can irritate the skin, potentially causing many problems in the future, including excessive shedding and matting
- Buy a dog shampoo that contains parabens and dyes. These ingredients can cause serious health problems like skin irritation and cancers
- Buy products that use artificial fragrances derived from chemicals that may cause allergic reactions
What is the best shampoo for Akitas?
The best shampoo for Akitas would be one made of high-quality ingredients, formulated to promote a healthy pH balance to protect your dog’s natural oils.
Oatmeal, coconut, certain oils, and aloe are some of the best ingredients in dog shampoos that you should look for. Avoid shampoos containing high levels of alcohol or unnecessary additives like dyes and parabens.
Alcohol, a popular ingredient in shampoos and conditioners, can be harmful to your Akita’s skin since it dries out the fur and reduces the oils your Akita naturally produces.
We’ve looked at the top choices and found the best brands for your Akita. Keep reading to find out the right shampoo for your furry friend!
Best shampoo for Akitas with no skin or other concerns
Congratulations! You’re lucky if your Akita has no skin problems, fleas, or ticks. You just need to look for a general shampoo, and this category contains a wide range of options.
TOP PICK: Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo
What we like:
- Made with colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera to moisturize dry, itchy skin
- Clean and deodorize thoroughly, leaving your Akita’s coat and skin plush and smelling like they just left the spa
- Contain no soap, gluten, parabens, synthetic dyes, sulfates, or phthalates, and is animal cruelty-free.
- Refund your money if you are not satisfied for any reason
Best puppy shampoo for Akitas
Puppies have sensitive skin, so they need a shampoo designed specifically for their skin and delicate coat. We look for products that have a formula with all-natural ingredients and no harsh chemicals.
What we like:
- Tearless & pH-balanced for puppies’ sensitive skin
- Natural & organic ingredients
- No parabens, no dyes, no soap, no sulfates, no phthalates, no alcohol
- Safe & effective
- Cruelty-free
- Refund your money if you are not satisfied for any reason
Best shampoo for Akitas with dry, sensitive, or irritated skin
A specialized shampoo is needed for Akitas with sensitive skin types to prevent further irritation. It usually contains calming components like oatmeal or aloe vera. In addition, you should choose a product that is soap-free, hypoallergenic and has added moisturizers.
TOP PICK: 4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoo
What we like:
- Great for itch relief and sensitive skin
- Easy to lather and rinse with no artificial thickeners
- Made from sustainably sourced, natural ingredients
- Lemongrass provides antibacterial, anti-fungal, and pest deterrent properties
- Cruelty-free
- Eco-friendly
Best flea & tick shampoo for Akitas
If your dog has issues with fleas and ticks, there are many shampoos on the market that can help. Two components commonly found in this type are pyrethrin and permethrin.
Both pyrethrin and permethrin paralyze fleas and ticks on your dog but note that they are poisonous to fish, amphibians, insects like bees, and other animals.
TOP PICK: Adams Plus Shampoo
What we like:
- Kill adult fleas & flea eggs
- Kill ticks
- Kill lice
- The soothing formula with aloe, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal makes it perfect for dogs with sensitive skin
- Leave your dog’s coat soft, shiny, and manageable
Best conditioner for Akitas
Using a dog shampoo will clean your Akita’s hair, but if you also want your dog’s coat to be shiny and soft, it’s a great idea to use a dog conditioner after a bath as long as you are using something specially made for dogs.
Conditioners make removing matting and tangles a lot easier, so they will give your dog a more pleasant brushing experience.
TOP PICK: Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner
What we like:
- Help relieve itching & dry skin
- Natural & organic ingredients: vegetable-derived conditioner & detangler, organic shea butter, colloidal oatmeal, and organic aloe vera
- No parabens, no dyes, no soap, no sulfates, no phthalates, no alcohol
- Safe & effective
- Cruelty-free
- Refund your money if you are not satisfied for any reason
Best dry shampoo for Akitas
When you and your Akita are on the go, or you don’t have time to bathe your dog but he needs a quick fix, dry shampoo will get him looking and smelling good in no time!
Dry shampoo removes dirt and excess oil from your dog’s coat without wetting it, leaving it clean and fresh-smelling. It is easy to use and is well-tolerated by most dogs.
TOP PICK: Tropiclean Waterless Shampoo
What we like:
- Quick cleanup
- Provide a gentle clean without any water or additional products necessary
- The formula is tearless, pH balanced, paraben, and dye free
- Made of naturally derived ingredients
- Gentle coconut scent
- Safe for routine bathing on sensitive skin when used as directed
FAQs
What type of fur do Akitas have?
Akitas have a very thick double coat. While a topcoat works as a protective outer layer, a fluffy undercoat works as insulation to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer.
Akitas are heavy shedders. Regular brushing is vital if you want to reduce their shedding, especially during seasonal transitions when they tend to lose much more fur than usual.
Related post: The 5 Best Brush for Akita – Reviews & Top Picks
How often should Akitas be bathed?
Akitas should be bathed only when necessary or if they have a skin condition that requires constant attention. Generally, about once a month is fine unless your dog is too filthy. For all other occasions, fresh and clean water is okay.
If you bathe Akitas too often, it can deplete the natural oils that keep their coat healthy. However, if you don’t bathe them enough, the oils on their skin can accumulate and lead to bad odors and an unhealthy coat.
Bottom line
With the plethora of dog shampoos available on the market, it can be challenging to pick the best shampoo for Akitas with the right chemicals to treat your dog’s skin and hair problems.
We hope that our in-depth reviews have helped you narrow down the options so you can choose the ideal dog shampoo for your special Akita.
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