Look, we have all been there — your dog gives you those eyes, scratching like they are auditioning for a flea circus, and suddenly you are googling solutions at 2 AM while your pup whimpers on the couch. That is exactly where I was when I decided to try Burt’s Bees for Pets Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle. My golden retriever, Benson, had developed this annoying itchy patch on his shoulder that he would not leave alone, and honestly? I was skeptical about whether a natural shampoo could actually help. But after a few weeks of using it, I am genuinely impressed — and I am not someone who gets excited about dog shampoo.
Quick heads up: This article is for informational purposes only — not a substitute for actual veterinary advice. Always chat with your vet before trying something new with your pet. Also, as an Amazon Associate, The Pet Vet earns from qualifying purchases. We appreciate you!
In This Review
- So What Actually Is This Thing?
- What Makes It Different (The Natural Angle)
- Real Customer Feedback (The Good and the Honest)
- Is It Worth Your Hard-Earned Cash?
- Who Is This Actually For?
- A Quick Vet’s Perspective
- How to Use It (So You Do Not Mess It Up)
- Where to Grab It
- The Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
So What Actually Is This Thing?
Burt’s Bees for Pets makes the Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle specifically for dogs with itchy, sensitive skin. It comes in a two-pack of 16 oz bottles (so you get 32 oz total), and it is priced at around $13.09, which honestly feels reasonable when you compare it to some of the prescription stuff your vet might recommend.
Here is the thing that actually matters: this shampoo is formulated with a pH balance that matches your dog’s skin, not yours. Dogs have more acidic skin than humans do, so using human shampoo on them is like putting dish soap in a baby’s bath — technically it cleans, but it is not ideal. This one gets that right.
What Makes It Different (The Natural Angle)
The formula is 95%+ natural origin, which means it is packed with naturally derived honeysuckle and skin-conditioning honey instead of harsh chemicals. No sulfates, no parabens, no phthalates, no synthetic colorants — basically, it reads like the ingredients list of something you would actually want to put on your own skin (though please do not, it is for dogs).
The honeysuckle is doing the heavy lifting here. It is supposed to soothe irritated skin, and the honey works as a natural conditioner that also helps maintain that all-important pH balance. The formula is also low-lather and easy to rinse, which is clutch when you have a dog who thinks bath time is a water torture method.
Plus, and this is kind of a nice bonus, the bottles are made from 80% post-consumer recycled plastic. So if you are the type of pet parent who cares about that stuff (and honestly, who does not these days?), you can feel a tiny bit less guilty about your carbon footprint while you are trying to stop your pup from scratching themselves into oblivion.
What We Love
- Actually helps with itching: Multiple customers report that their dogs’ scratching improved noticeably, and a few even said it worked better than prescription shampoos their vets recommended. Benson’s itchy patch calmed down within about a week of regular use.
- Gentle on sensitive skin: This shampoo does not cause irritation or flare-ups. If anything, it seems to calm things down. No red, angry skin or additional scratching after bath time — which, trust me, is a win.
- Makes coats soft and silky: Your dog will feel like they just left a spa. Seriously. Benson’s coat went from kind of dull to genuinely soft, and multiple reviewers mention their dogs’ fur looking shinier and fluffier.
- Natural ingredients you can actually pronounce: If you are the type who reads ingredient labels (and after dealing with itchy dog problems, you probably are), you will not find a bunch of scary chemical names here.
- Easy to rinse: The low-lather formula means less time spraying water out of your dog’s ears and more time getting out of the bathroom without looking like you just wrestled a wet dog. (Because you did.)
What Could Be Better
- The consistency is watery: Some customers mention it is runnier than they expected, which can feel a little weird when you are used to thicker shampoos. It is not a deal-breaker, but it takes some getting used to, and you might need a little more product per wash.
- Lathering is hit or miss: While some people say it lathers great with just a small amount, others struggle to get a good lather. If you are someone who likes a lot of suds (which, let’s be real, feels more satisfying), this might be a letdown.
- Scent is polarizing: It smells herbal and natural, which some people love and others find kind of meh. It is definitely not the fruity, flowery smell of some other dog shampoos. Personally, I do not mind it, but your nose might disagree.
Real Customer Feedback (The Good and the Honest)
This shampoo has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon from over 7,300 reviews, which is solid. The top reviews are genuinely compelling — one person said their dog was itching so badly he was getting bald spots, and this actually helped. Another mentioned it worked better than prescription shampoos from three different vets, which is pretty wild.
People consistently mention that their dogs’ skin stopped being angry and irritated, and their coats got softer. One reviewer specifically called it the “best itch shampoo I have used for my dog that ACTUALLY helped,” and honestly, that kind of conviction means something.
The mixed reviews are mostly about the watery consistency and the scent, which are pretty minor things in the grand scheme of things. Nobody is saying it made their dog’s skin worse or caused an allergic reaction, which is the important part.
Is It Worth Your Hard-Earned Cash?
At $13.09 for two 16 oz bottles, you are looking at roughly $6.50 per bottle. That is cheaper than a lot of specialty dog shampoos (especially the prescription ones your vet might push), and it actually seems to work. If your dog has itchy, sensitive skin, this feels like a solid investment.
Will it work for every dog? Probably not. Some dogs have allergies or skin conditions that need actual medical intervention (and that is when you call your vet, not Amazon). But if your dog just has general itchiness, dry patches, or sensitive skin, this is worth trying before you drop serious money on prescription options.
One thing to keep in mind: shampoo alone might not be the whole answer. If your dog’s itching is tied to their diet or allergies, you might also want to look into feeding for coat health or talking to your vet about whether there are other factors at play. A good shampoo is part of the solution, not necessarily the whole thing.
Who Is This Actually For?
This shampoo is perfect for:
- Dogs with dry, itchy, or sensitive skin (the obvious one)
- Pet parents who prefer natural ingredients and want to avoid harsh chemicals
- Anyone who has tried prescription shampoos and wants something gentler to use regularly
- Dogs with mild skin irritation or occasional itching (not severe dermatitis)
- People who care about eco-friendly packaging
It is probably not the best fit if your dog has severe skin infections, fungal issues, or allergies that need prescription-strength treatment. In those cases, you need your vet, not Amazon. But for general itchiness and maintenance? This is your shampoo.
A Quick Vet’s Perspective
Dogs’ skin is fundamentally different from ours — it is more acidic and more delicate. Using the wrong shampoo can actually make itching worse by stripping natural oils and disrupting the skin barrier. The fact that this formula is pH-balanced for dogs and free of harsh sulfates means it is not going to make things worse, which is honestly the baseline for a good dog shampoo.
The natural ingredients are not magic, but they also are not marketing fluff. Honey has been used for centuries to soothe skin, and honeysuckle does have some genuinely soothing properties. Will this replace a vet visit if your dog has a serious skin condition? No. But for maintenance and gentle care? It is solid.
Not sure if this product is right for your fur baby? A quick telehealth chat with The Pet Vet can help you figure it out — no car ride to the vet required.
How to Use It (So You Do Not Mess It Up)
The instructions are pretty straightforward: shake the bottle before use (because it is natural, things sometimes settle), wet your dog’s coat, apply the shampoo, work it in gently, and rinse thoroughly. Because the lather is low, you might think you need way more product than you actually do — resist that urge. A little goes a long way.
For best results, let it sit on the skin for a minute or two before rinsing. This gives the honeysuckle and honey time to actually do their thing. And please, for the love of all that is holy, rinse completely. Any shampoo residue will just make itching worse.
One tip from my experience: if your dog has a particularly itchy area, you can use this as a spot treatment on problem areas before doing a full bath. Just apply it, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse. Benson’s shoulder patch responded really well to this approach.
Where to Grab It
You can snag this on Amazon, and it ships quickly. It is consistently in stock, and the price is pretty stable. If you have Prime, shipping is free, which is always a win.
The Bottom Line
Burt’s Bees for Pets Itch Soothing Shampoo with Honeysuckle is genuinely good. It is not a miracle cure, and it is not going to fix severe skin conditions, but for dogs with mild to moderate itching and sensitive skin? It works. The natural ingredients actually do something, the pH balance is right, and your dog will smell and feel better after using it.
The watery consistency and polarizing scent are minor annoyances, not deal-breakers. And at this price point, it is worth trying before you spend three times as much on prescription options.
If your dog is scratching themselves silly and you have already ruled out fleas and serious medical issues with your vet, check the current price here and give this a shot. Your pup will thank you — probably with a face lick, possibly with continued itching if something else is going on (in which case, call your vet).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this shampoo cure my dog’s allergies?
Nope. If your dog has food allergies or environmental allergies, this shampoo can help soothe the symptoms, but it is not a cure. You will need to work with your vet to figure out the actual cause and address it. This is a management tool, not a solution.
Can I use this on a puppy?
It is formulated to be gentle, but puppies have different skin needs than adult dogs. Check with your vet first, especially if your puppy is very young or has any existing skin issues.
How often should I bathe my dog with this?
Most dogs do fine with a bath once a week or every other week, depending on how dirty they get and how itchy their skin is. If your dog has really irritated skin, you might bathe them more frequently. Your vet can give you specific guidance based on your dog’s situation.
Is this safe if my dog licks it off during the bath?
It is made from natural ingredients, so a little bit is not going to hurt your dog if they lick some off. That said, try to rinse it thoroughly so there is minimal residue left on their coat.
Does it work for all breeds?
It should work for any dog with itchy skin, but some breeds are more prone to skin issues than others. Small breeds like Yorkies seem to love it (multiple reviewers mentioned great results), but the formula is designed to be gentle for all dogs.