Sensitive-skin dog grooming routine: shampoo, conditioner and brush

Itchy skin, doodle tangles, fur on everything: one grooming shelf, three different jobs. Pick by the problem and the shelf stays small.

Quick answer: itchy, dry skin gets the Pro Pet Works oatmeal shampoo. Doodle and curly coats get the We Love Doodles conditioner.

Hot spot on your dog? What to reach for, and what not to

Red, raw patch he won't stop licking? No shampoo or balm is the fix for that one. Call your vet first.

Bath day after that? Keep it gentle: earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo has no fragrance and no dyes. Rinse until the water runs clear, because leftover shampoo itches.

Only a dry, flaky spot, not raw? Natural Dog Company Skin Soother Balm is made for minor dry spots. Hand him a chew after, so he doesn't lick it off before it soaks in.

The verdict, need by need

Itchy, dry skin: Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Aloe Shampoo

Colloidal oatmeal and aloe in a soap-free, detergent-free concentrate. You dilute it before the dog is in the tub, then rinse until the water runs clear. The catch: the scent runs strong. A home that avoids scent should look at the clean alternative below. Full rundown: our Pro Pet Works review.

Doodle and curly coats: We Love Doodles Detangling Conditioner

We Love Doodles Detangling Conditioner

Best for: Doodles and curly-coated breeds

Check price at Amazon

A leave-in made for doodles and curly coats. Spray it in during the brush-out, no rinse, between grooming visits. Fine, straight coat? Skip it and use a grooming glove. Full rundown: our We Love Doodles review.

Brush-shy dogs and puppies: Buddy System Soft Touch Sensitive Brush

Buddy System Soft Touch Sensitive

Best for: Puppies

Check price at Amazon

Ultra-soft bristles made for puppies and for dogs who dislike being brushed. It lifts loose fur and has a comfortable handle. The catch: it is the daily brush, not the deshedding tool and not the mat tool.

Shedding: the Buddy brush plus SleekEZ

Buddy System lifts loose fur on a normal day. Heavy shedding days: the SleekEZ deshedding tool. For mats, use a slicker brush such as the Depets Self-Cleaning Slicker, made for medium and long coats. Shedding that comes with bald patches or red, flaky skin is a vet call: see normal shedding vs warning signs.

Itch: oatmeal shampoo. Curls: leave-in conditioner. Brush-shy: soft brush. Mats: slicker. Heavy shedding: SleekEZ.

A routine that fits on one shelf

1. Brush first. Mats trap water against the skin, so work them out before the bath.
2. Bathe with lukewarm water and a shampoo made for sensitive skin. Hot water dries skin that is already dry.
3. Rinse longer than feels needed. Leftover shampoo itches.
4. Between baths, brush with the soft brush. On curly coats, spray the conditioner into the brush-out.
5. Itch that keeps coming back, sores, hot spots or bald patches: call your vet before the next bath.

Brush, bathe, rinse long, brush again. Persistent itch goes to the vet.

Step-by-step bath: bathing a dog with sensitive skin.

The clean alternative for the shampoo

If your top priority is a shampoo with nothing scented and every ingredient listed, look at earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo, Fragrance Free. It is made without fragrance or dyes, earthbath lists every ingredient, and earthbath is Leaping Bunny certified. The catch: phenoxyethanol is the preservative, and it is a full bath, not a quick fix. Rinse well.

Which one to buy first

• Dog scratches after baths or has dry, flaky skin: the oatmeal shampoo, or the earthbath if you want no scent.
• Doodle that mats the week before the groomer: the conditioner.
• Dog who leaves the room when the brush comes out: the Buddy System brush.
• Heavy shedder: SleekEZ first, the soft brush daily.

All the picks ranked: sensitive-skin grooming picks.