Dry, Flaky Skin on Dogs & Cats: Shampoo Routine for Malaysia

Short answer: dry, flaky skin on a dog or cat usually needs two changes at once: a gentler wash and moisture that stays on after the bath. Use Davis Baking Soda & Oatmeal Shampoo diluted 10:1, then finish with Davis Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner, which you do not rinse out. For very dry skin, add Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo as a second wash.

Davis Oatmeal Series Combo: Baking Soda & Oatmeal Shampoo and Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner for dry, itchy, sensitive skin
The Davis dry-skin pair: Baking Soda & Oatmeal Shampoo and Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner.

Which routine fits your pet

Rough, dull coat, light white flakes

2-step: oatmeal wash + leave-on

Baking Soda & Oatmeal (10:1) + Oatmeal Leave-On

Heavy flaking, skin feels tight and rough

3-step: oatmeal wash, second oatmeal wash, leave-on

Baking Soda & Oatmeal + Oatmeal & Aloe (10:1, 2% colloidal oatmeal) + Oatmeal Leave-On

Pug, French bulldog, short or hairless coats

2-step oatmeal routine

Oatmeal Series Combo

Dry, cracked paw pads or elbows

Add a cream after the bath

Pad & Elbow Cream (lanolin, vitamins)

Why dogs get dry skin in Malaysia

It sounds strange in a humid country, but dry skin is one of the four complaints Malaysian owners bring to us most. The usual causes:

  • Shampoo mixed too strong. One of the biggest causes we see. A concentrated shampoo used close to neat strips the skin's oils every bath.
  • Bathing too often with a harsh supermarket shampoo. A harsh shampoo used every week leaves the skin with little of its own oil left.
  • Air-conditioned rooms. Dogs that sleep in air-con for 8 to 10 hours a night lose moisture from the skin.
  • No conditioner. Shampoo cleans. A conditioner is what puts moisture back. A dry-skin routine without one is only half a routine.
Before and after: dry, flaky black coat with dandruff, then a cleaner, smoother coat after the Davis Oatmeal Combo
Real result: dry, flaky coat with dandruff (top), cleaner and smoother after the oatmeal routine (bottom).

Mix it right

Davis shampoos are concentrates. Customers who report a shampoo "made the skin drier" have usually mixed it too strong. Dilute more, not less.

  • Baking Soda & Oatmeal Shampoo, 10:1: 1 part shampoo to 10 parts water. In the 500ml Davis dilution bottle that is about 45ml of shampoo, then top up with water.
  • Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo, 10:1: the same 45ml in the 500ml bottle.
  • Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner: no rinse. Work it through the coat and leave it.

How to bathe a dog with dry skin

  1. Brush out loose flakes and dead coat first.
  2. Wet the coat with lukewarm water. Hot water dries skin further.
  3. Apply the diluted Baking Soda & Oatmeal Shampoo, massage gently and leave it 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse.
  4. For very dry skin, repeat with diluted Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo and rinse well.
  5. Work Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner through the coat down to the skin. Do not rinse.
  6. Dry on a cool or warm setting, not hot.

Bathe every 1 to 2 weeks. If the skin still looks dry after three or four baths on this routine, dilute the shampoo further before you try anything stronger.

Davis oatmeal 3-step routine: Baking Soda & Oatmeal Shampoo, Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo, Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner
The oatmeal 3-step for very dry skin: Baking Soda & Oatmeal, Oatmeal & Aloe, then Oatmeal Leave-On.

What is in the bottles

  • Baking Soda & Oatmeal Shampoo: colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera and baking soda, white tea fragrance. 10:1.
  • Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo: 2% colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera. 10:1.
  • Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner: colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera. Leave-on.

When to see a vet first

Flakes with a bad smell, greasy yellow scale, bald patches, scabs or sores are not simple dry skin. Have a veterinarian look before you change shampoo.

Dry skin FAQ

What shampoo is good for a dog with dry, flaky skin?

An oatmeal-based shampoo, properly diluted, followed by a leave-on conditioner. Our routine is Davis Baking Soda & Oatmeal Shampoo at 10:1 and Davis Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner.

Why does my dog have dandruff?

White flakes in Malaysian dogs most often come from shampoo used too strong, frequent bathing with a stripping shampoo, or hours in air-conditioned rooms. Gentler washing plus a leave-on conditioner usually helps the coat look better within a few baths.

Can I use conditioner on a dog with dry skin?

Yes, and you should. A leave-on conditioner keeps moisture on the skin after the bath. Davis Oatmeal Leave-On Conditioner is made to be left in, with no rinse.

How often should I bathe a dog with dry skin?

Every 1 to 2 weeks with a diluted oatmeal shampoo. Bathing more often than that tends to make dry skin worse.

Is this routine safe for cats?

The Davis oatmeal routine is used on both dogs and cats. Check the label before use, and keep shampoo away from the eyes.

中文简介

狗狗皮肤干、掉皮屑、毛摸起来粗？通常要同时做两件事：洗得更温和，洗完后留住水分。用 Davis Baking Soda & Oatmeal 燕麦洗毛精（10:1 稀释），最后抹 Oatmeal Leave-On 燕麦免洗护毛素，不用冲水。皮肤特别干的，可以加 Oatmeal & Aloe 燕麦芦荟洗毛精洗第二遍。马来西亚很多狗狗皮肤干，其实是洗毛精太浓、洗太密，或者整晚吹冷气。稀释多一点，效果反而更好。如果皮屑有异味、油腻或者有伤口，请先看兽医。

More Davis guides