The Best Shampoo and Coat Products for a Chihuahua

Basis Essentials, Allergy Formulas, and More

Overview

Coat products, which include shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in sprays, can have dramatic results on a Chihuahua.

Not only can the wrong products be very detrimental to both skin and coat, but not using certain formulas can leave your Chihuahua unprotected from the many elements that can cause issues. 

Here we will take a look at:
  • The common troubles that affect a Chihuahua's skin and coat 
  • Why the right shampoo is so important
  • Recommended shampoos and sprays based on your Chi's exact issues
  • Specialty shampoos and sprays to treat and heal issues

Common Issues Affecting Chihuahuas that Require a Good Shampoo

By far, the #1 most troubling issues are those related to allergies. And keep in mind that this not only refers to seasonal or environment allergies, but also to food intolerance. 

This can cause one or more of the following:
  • Dry skin
  • Peeling
  • Rashes
  • Hot Spots
  • Itching
  • Poor coat health
  • Thinning fur
Fortunately, using the right shampoos and coat care products can be an effective part of resolving these issues. 

Other skin and coat conditions include:

Weather related issues. Too much sun exposure in the summer can leave a Chihuahua's skin sensitive and cold dry air in the winter can cause skin to become irritated, chapped, and/or excessively dry. 

It is typical for a Chihuahua to develop problems over the winter, but then continue to suffer with them well into spring and summer if effective shampoo and spray remedies are not used. Most of these types of issues do not resolve themselves. 

The Importance of Shampoos and Other Coat Products

chihuahua-with-healthy-coat
Sugar, at 5 years old,
photo courtesy of Dawn Crisman 
About Coat Products:

Everything that comes into contact with your Chihuahua's skin and coat is either going to be detrimental or beneficial. 

Shampoos can do so much more than just clean your puppy or dog. And to skip over this element means missing a huge opportunity. 

For Chihuahuas without issues: 

Chihuahuas should have a bath once every 3 weeks. The reason being that this is the typical time that natural body oils have accumulated enough that a cleansing is needed to prevent blocked skin pores and accompanying odors. 

And this means that every 3 weeks, it is your chance to really boost your Chihuahua's skin and coat health. 

For Chihuahuas with skin and/or coat issues:

If your Chihuahua is suffering from a skin or coat problem such as dry skin, itching, and so forth, baths can be given as often once per week, to really combat the issue and promote healing. 
The 1, 2, 3 of coat care: Shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in spray, will all work together:
About Shampoo:

Steer very clear of generic or inferior dog shampoos. They can be terribly harsh on a Chihuahua. Typically, these have 2 major problems. They are the wrong pH (often that similar to human products, which are very drying) and have soaping agents (which are very irritating). 
A quality dog shampoo will be correctly balanced. These will also be free of ingredients that cheaper brands add to make them smell great, but can really do a number on a Chihuahua; this includes DEA, parabens, phosphates, synthetic dyes, and/or perfumes. 

Finally, the shampoo must be able to properly cleanse away body oils. It must effective enough to let you start with a clean slate, but not strip away the protective outer layer of hairs or bother the skin.
About conditioner:
When you shampoo your Chihuahua, the hair cuticles open up. They are just begging for nourishment.

If you do not follow with a quality conditioner, you'll be allowing those open cuticles to be completely vulnerable to the elements. 

Cold air, the sun, contact friction, and more will lead to dry coat and split ends. 

The conditioning phase is your chance to infuse the coat with restorative formulas for optimal skin and coat health.  
When you shampoo your Chihuahua, the hair cuticles open up. They are just begging for nourishment.

If you do not follow with a quality conditioner, you'll be allowing those open cuticles to be completely vulnerable to the elements. Cold air, the sun, contact friction, and more will lead to dry coat and split ends. 

The conditioning phase is your chance to infuse the coat with restorative formulas for optimal skin and coat health.  
About leave-ins:
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Tiny Tim Capone, photo courtesy of Linda 
Tiny Tim Capone, at 18 weeks,
photo courtesy of Linda Olson
Leave-in coat sprays are by far the most over-looked grooming product, and it's really a shame because these can be so beneficial to Chihuahuas. 

The right leave-in can:
  • Help block damaging sun rays in the summer
  • Offer a layer of protection from cold, arid air in the winter
  • Create a barrier from pollen and other airborne particles outside that a Chihuahua may be allergic to
  • Help prevent damage from contact friction
  • Infuse the skin and coat with moisture for those 3 weeks in between baths
And for Chihuahuas that have skin issues: hot spots, overly itchy skin, rash, and/or irritation, specialty sprays are a life-saver. The right ones can offer instant relief. 

Recommended Shampoos & Conditioner

First, let's cover the best shampoos and then we'll look at conditioner and sprays. 
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Shampoo: You will want to be sure to use the right shampoo depending on your Chihuahua's exact needs and current skin & coat health. 

Please note the issues related to each formula. For severe skin issues and skin infections, we'll cover specialty shampoos up ahead. 

For Chihuahuas without issues, you'll want a great product to maintain good skin and coat health and give your Chihuahua a great foundation to continue on without issues. For this, Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo is the way to go. It is all-natural, is perfectly formulated for dogs that are sensitive to irritants, and is effective in properly cleansing while being lovingly gentle. 
For light-colored Chihuahuas with dull or stained coat, a fantastic formula is Earthbath All Natural Coat Brightener Shampoo which can remove discoloration and enhance coloring. As with all of the shampoos in this line, it is made in the USA and uses human-grade ingredients. 
For irritated skin, which includes winter chapping, summer sun over-exposure, recovery from flea bites, and for areas that can use some cooling relief, Earthbath Eucalyptus and Peppermint Shampoo is outstanding. This offers cooling and soothing relief. 
For Chihuahuas with hot spots and/or excessively itchy skin, you can offer your Chi fast relief with EarthBath Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Vera Shampoo which is both restorative and healing. As with all of the shampoos in this line, this is made with natural essential oils, which resolve issues without resorting to chemicals. 

All of these are cruelty-free shampoos, with proper pH balance, and no additives like soaping agents, sulfates, or parabens. In addition, you'll find that these all smell really wonderful. 
Conditioner: Even with a very good shampoo, you will want to follow with a rinse-out conditioner. 

And the reason why all has to do with cuticles, which are the top, protective layer of each strand of fur. They are like tiny scales, that overlap each other. These scales can open and close (also referred to as smooth or raised). One thing that activates them to open is warm water. 

So, during the bath, your Chihuahua's fur cuticles are open, and this is your opportunity to send a super luxurious moisturizing conditioner into the fur strands for ultimate protection. 

The entire line of Earthbath Shampoos and Conditioners is top-quality, so you will find that their Oatmeal and Aloe conditioner is a perfect complement to any of their shampoo formulas. 
Next, we will go over the importance of a coat spray. 

Coat Sprays

Since baths are given every 3 weeks, what can protect the coat during the other days? This is where a good leave-in spritz comes into play. Just one leave-in product can do all of the following: 
  • Offer protection from the sun's rays (some even contain sunscreen)
  • Help prevent contact friction (when your Chihuahua's coat rubs against carpeting, flooring, etc.)
  • Coat the fur strands with a barrier to keep in moisture
  • Keep fur soft and shiny
  • Help the coat repel debris
  • Keep a dog smelling nice and fresh
So, if you skip over this sort of coat product, your Chi misses out on these benefits. Let's look at some good choices. 
You can choose one to use all year round, or if your Chihuahua spends a lot of time outside in the summer, you may want to use a specialty spray just for that season. 

For summer sun protection. Especially for light coated Chihuahuas, but for all puppies and dogs that spend a lot of time outside in the summer, a coat spray with sunscreen is a great choice. For this, Ice on Ice with Sunscreen is a top choice (also see below). 

You'll also want to consider putting a thin layer of sunscreen on your Chi's belly, since rays can reflect and bounce off of the ground.  
For year-round coat protection, which includes keeping moisture on the skin and coat to prevent dryness, one great option is The Stuff. This has a nice fresh scent, and is exceptionally good at repelling dirt, debris, and even urine splash-back when a dog is peeing. So, this is a great choice if your Chihuahua tends to get him/herself dirty.
And another great spray is Nootie Daily Spritz; This also repels and offers protection, but the main focus of Nootie sprays are their amazing fragrances. This includes Japanese cherry blossom, cucumber melon, coconut lime, sweet pea & vanilla, and even warm vanilla cookie. 

So, if you're looking for a way to keep your Chi smelling fantastic, this is a terrific choice. 
You can choose one to use all year round, or if your Chihuahua spends a lot of time outside in the summer, you may want to use a specialty spray just for that season. 

For summer sun protection. Especially for light coated Chihuahuas, but for all puppies and dogs that spend a lot of time outside in the summer, a coat spray with sunscreen is a great choice. For this, Ice on Ice with Sunscreen is a top choice.

You'll also want to consider putting a thin layer of sunscreen on your Chi's belly, since rays can reflect and bounce off of the ground.  
For year-round coat protection, which includes keeping moisture on the skin and coat to prevent dryness, one great option is The Stuff. This has a nice fresh scent, and is exceptionally good at repelling dirt, debris, and even urine splash-back when a dog is peeing. So, this is a great choice if your Chihuahua tends to get him/herself dirty.
And another great spray is Nootie Daily Spritz; This also repels and offers protection, but the main focus of Nootie sprays are their amazing fragrances. This includes Japanese cherry blossom, cucumber melon, coconut lime, sweet pea & vanilla, and even warm vanilla cookie.  So, if you're looking for a way to keep your Chi smelling fantastic, this is a terrific choice. 
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female-chihuahua-in-dress
Bambi, photo courtesy of Lynne Holman
Bambi, at 20 months old
photo courtesy of Lynne Holman
And ahead, we'll cover specialty sprays for Chihuahuas that have skin issues such as itching and so forth. 
Use: Depending on how active your Chihuahua puppy or dog is, you'll want to use a leave-in spritz every 1 to 3 days. Do not use a lot of the product. You don't want to soak your Chihuahua down; you just want to add a mist of protection.

It's recommended to first give the coat a good brushing all the way around (don't forget the tail). Once dead hairs are removed, sprays in sections, using one stroke of the brush in each section to distribute the spray. 

If you have a tiny Chi puppy, you can just use you hands to massage the spritz down the body. 

Specialty Shampoos for Serious Allergy Related Issues, Hot Spot Sprays

For minor to moderate skin issues including allergy issues such as itchy skin and seasonal issues such as dry skin in the winter, the aforementioned shampoos are very effective.

However, if your Chihuahua is really suffering with severe hot spots and/or excessive itching to the point of near constant scratching it will be time to use a specialty shampoo. 
small-chihuahua-poking-head-out
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small-chihuahua-poking-head-out
Lillyana, photo courtesy of Marie O'Brien
In addition, you'll want to use an effective hot spot and/or anti-itch spray. These are really great because the right one can offer immediate relief. 

And if you use it as directed, which is at least 3 times per day, this can offer round-the-clock relief that is directed to the exact areas that are bothering a Chihuahuas. 

Allergy shampoo, organic: When a Chihuahua is suffering from skin issues, you'll want to avoid using chemicals and mediated products when you can. 

In some cases, you will need to go that one step further. However, most of the time, when owners look for medicated shampoos, they really are seeking specialty ones; those that heal, restore, and alleviate itching.  

For this, we recommend Moosh Shampoo (also see below). 

It is an all-natural formula that uses some great organic ingredients to offer relief, reduce itching and irritation, and works to restore a dog's skin. 
In addition, you'll want to use an effective hot spot and/or anti-itch spray. These are really great because the right one can offer immediate relief. And if you use it as directed, which is at least 3 times per day, this can offer round-the-clock relief that is directed to the exact areas that are bothering a Chihuahuas. 

Allergy shampoo, organic: When a Chihuahua is suffering from skin issues, you'll want to avoid using chemicals and mediated products when you can. 

In some cases, you will need to go that one step further. However, most of the time, when owners look for medicated shampoos, they really are seeking specialty ones; those that heal, restore, and alleviate itching.  

For this, we recommend Moosh Shampoo which is essentially a miracle product. It is an all-natural formula that uses some great organic ingredients to offer relief, reduce itching and irritation due to a wide variety of issues, and works to restore a dog's skin. 
It has bentonite clay, which is an all-natural mud that removes toxins from the skin. There is shea butter and aloe vera, which soothe and moisturize. And it also has both neem and argan oil which work as an anti-septic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal, which take care of secondary issues. 

There are no sulfates, preservatives, or chemicals. And, it is made in the USA. 
Hot spot, anti-itch spray, organic: As we touched on earlier, using a hot spot spray offers a Chihuahua immediate relief, and if you direct this onto irritated spots 3 times per day, it can help your puppy or dog round-the-clock.

Some owners prefer using an organic formula, and this is a good choice if your Chihuahua has a minor to moderate problem. It is also the right choice if the itching or other issues are on areas that your Chi can easily lick. We recommend Bodhi Dog's Anti Itch Oatmeal Spray (also see below); it is very effective, non-toxic, and works due to a combination of colloidal oatmeal, baking soda, and a blend of vitamins. 
Hot spot spray, medicated: Similar to the medicated shampoo that we covered, a spray with lidocaine, hydrocortisone, and healing wheat germ oil can really make a Chihuahua feel better. 

The lidocanie is a topical numbing agent, the hydrocortisone helps with itching and inflammation, and the wheat germ oil heals skin. SynergyLabs comes through with this, with their Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hot Spot & Itch Relief Medicated Spray. Note that you'll only want to use this if your Chi cannot lick the area or if you can cover the area (socks over paws, etc.) 
Next, we'll cover shampoo that can help with skin infections. 

Shampoos for Skin Infections

There are quite a few different skin infections and infestations that can develop on a puppy or dog. If you are in doubt about what is happening, it is best to bring your Chihuahua to the vet for diagnosis. In some cases, you will need to use a prescribed medicated shampoo.

This said, there are some effective shampoos that can work on a host of issues. Some, such as quality antiparasitic & antiseborrheic shampoo can tackle and cure one of many issues all in one product. This includes mange, seborrhea, bacterial skin infections, and fungal (skin yeast) infections. 

Extra Shampooing Tips

Here are a few tips that can help make a difference:

1. If it's time to give your Chihuahua a bath, but you ran out of shampoo, do not substitute with a human product. Human shampoo is the wrong pH balance for canines; using it can cause the skin to dry out quite terribly. It's better to skip the bath and wait until you restock your dog's own products. 

2. It's important to rinse well after shampooing. Shampoo is meant to do its job, but then be rinsed away clean. Even top-quality formulas need to be thoroughly rinsed out. If not, any remaining residue will cake on the skin. This can block skin pores, which limit proper air circulation and cause rashes and other irritation. 

The best way to rinse out all the suds is to use a spray nozzle. 

3. Always read the directions on shampoo bottles. You may have one that is labeled 'concentrated'. Sometimes this means that you should mix it with water, but other times this simply means that you do not need to use a lot of the product. 

4. The timing of baths and shampooing will vary, depending on your Chihuahua's needs. If there are no issues, shampoo your dog every 3 weeks. If you wait longer than this, body oils will begin to accumulate and a dog can start to smell quite bad. If your Chihuahua is suffering from allergies, itchy skin, or other issues, you can use a specialty shampoo much more often, up to 3 or even 4 times per week. Take care, however, with medicated shampoos; always read the instructions. 
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