Shampooing a dog is as important as applying shampoo to the human hair. Nonetheless, unlike human beings who tend to remain clean and hygienic, dogs have a distinct nature that compels them to roll in sand and wade in dirty water. The end result is a dirty coat and a smelly skin that most dog lovers and owners would like to avoid.
This is when you need to apply a “suitable” shampoo to cleanse your beloved pet. I stress a “suitable” shampoo because I take into account the best dog shampoo for dogs with allergies. Unlike human application, shampooing a dog requires caution. In this article, we shall discuss vital details pertaining to shampooing a dog.
Human Shampoo Vs Dog Shampoo – Which is better for Your Pet?
Of course, dog shampoo is better but do you know the reason why? Well, there are two main reasons behind this phenomenon.
The pH Level – The human pH level is in between 5.2 to 6.2, which is quite different from a dog’s pH level (7.5). The human skin can withstand harsh chemical application but the dog’s skin cannot. Owing to the high pH level, the human shampoo is slightly acidic in nature, which can damage the sensitive skin of your beloved pet, if applied on a regular basis. Regular human shampoo application on a dog can harm the skin mantle thereby permitting parasite and bacterial infection to seep through.
The Skin Layers – A dog’s skin comprises of three to five layers whereas a human being’s skin contains anywhere from ten to fifteen layers. The sensitive skin of a dog is unable to withstand harsh chemicals present in human shampoos. If you apply human shampoos on a regular basis, your dog would develop dryness of the skin, itchiness and even liaisons.
The Emergency Scenario – The only scenario when you should apply your shampoo onto your beloved pet is when you have run out of dog shampoo or when your dog is smeared with repulsive dirt.
How often should you Shampoo Your Dog?
There are three main scenarios to judge the frequency of such applications:
An Active Dog – Over here, the dog simply loves to play outside and gets dirty by wading in mud or rolling on dirt. In this situation, you need to shampoo your beloved pet once every five weeks.
An Indoor Dog – Over here, the dog likes to remain indoors and does not step out much. In a nutshell, your dog does not like to get dirty and prefers to maintain its hygiene. In such a scenario, bathe the dog once every two months.
Breeds with a Double Coat – Such dogs need to be bathed once every three months or more. Their sensitive skin cannot withstand frequent shampooing. If for any reason, your double coated dog breed (such as a Labrador) smells awful between shampoos, simply rinse him with clean water.
What happens when You Disobey this Rule?
Once again, there are two main scenarios:
When You Bathe the Dog too Often – In this case, the dog’s skin and hair get excessively dry, leading to itchiness and liaisons. The hair of the dog tends to lose its natural oil and become dry and brittle. Their fur is rough when you run your fingers through it and the hair tends to break rather easily.
When You Bathe Your Dog Way Too Less – In such a scenario, the dog’s skin and hair shall take a toll. Dogs have a tendency to absorb pollutants, dirt and allergens. If you do not cleanse their coat with a suitable shampoo, dirt shall seep into their system causing viral or parasite related infections. The skin may also rupture as the dog tends to scratch the dried fur in a rather rough manner.
The Most Suitable Way to Bathe Your Canine Companion
- In order to give your dog a suitable bath, you need to make an extra effort and plan things out in advance rather than simply dumping the poor animal in a tub filled with shampoo.
- First and foremost, clean your dog’s skin using a comb. This helps remove debris and broken hair from the coat of the animal.
- Make the environment positive by placing water proof sheets and a couple of highly absorbent towels.
Get a large tub and fill it with luke-warm water. Put some shampoo and mix it well. - Remove all kinds of ornaments from your beloved pet, which includes a leash or bands. If you dog has a tendency to bite while taking a bath, make him gently wear a muzzle.
- Coax your animal into the water and sprinkle some water on its back to get him comfortable. To save the your dog’s eye from the shampoo, apply petroleum jelly.
- Cover your dog’s ear with a soft cotton wool.
- Clean the coat and paws of your cherished pet using a soft brush and ensure that the direction of the stroke is towards the growth of its hair.Wash off the shampoo from the eye and ear area of the dog before cleaning other body parts.
- You can then apply hair conditioner so as to ensure that the coat of your beloved animal is well moisturized and his hair cuticles are properly sealed.
- Allow the conditioner to remain for two to three minutes before rinsing off. While doing so, please ensure that you wash off the conditioner from the eye and ear area.
- After the final rinse is complete, lift the dog out of the tub and wrap him in towels. If it is cold, then apply heating pads onto the dog’s coat, as heating pads shall help him dry quickly.
- Do not allow the dog to run outside unless he is completely dry.
How to Choose the Best Dog Shampoo?
There are several categories of dog shampoos and you need to choose one that is in sync with your pet’s requirements. Here are 4 main categories of dog shampoo:
- The All Natural Types
- Hypo Allergenic
- Extra strong
- Combination of shampoo and conditioner
All Natural Dog Shampoos
This shampoo uses natural ingredients and is devoid of harsh chemicals. Such shampoos are not only ideal for the skin and coat of a dog, they are also great cleansers. Here is a brief description of our best dog shampoo in this category:
Moosh All Natural Dog Shampoo – This shampoo uses natural ingredients, is gentle on the skin of the animal and is completely biodegradable. Its active ingredients (neem, shea butter, argan oil, bentonite) keep the pet warm during winters and cold during summers.
Pros of the Moosh All Natural Dog Shampoo:
- It is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-itch shampoo.
- It helps hot spots and helps the dog to have healthy coat and skin.
- It is bio-degradable and all-natural shampoo that keeps the dog’s skin warm during winters and cool during the summer months.
- It has an excellent moisturizing capability that keeps the skin of the animal soft.
Cons of the Moosh All Natural Dog Shampoo:
- You need to keep it standing on the coat of the animal for at least a minute and a half to get the desired result. If you do not follow the 90 second application cycle, your pet may not get the desired results.
- If your pet is excessively dirty, you may have to apply an extra-strong shampoo to remove the dirt.
Best Dog Shampoo for Dogs with Allergies
These shampoos are ideally meant for dogs that are allergic to certain products and have a sensitive skin. Here is a brief description of our best dog shampoo in this category:
Particular Paws Hypoallergenic Shampoo – This all-natural natural shampoo fortified with aloe vera, rosemary and chamomile is ideally suited for both dogs as well as cats that have sensitive skins and coats.
Pros of the Particular Paws Dog Shampoo:
- It has a perfect combination of all-natural cleansing agents that remove dirt, grime and muck from the coat of your cherished pet.
- It has active ingredients that are ideally suited for sensitive skin. They also help remove itchiness and skin dryness. This is a wonderful shampoo for dogs with allergies.
- This shampoo is best suited and safe for young puppies.
This product is made in USA and it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you dislike this product, you have the flexibility to return it and claim a refund.
Cons of the Particular Paws Dog Shampoo:
- It is to be applied for a period of 5 minutes to achieve the desired results.
Extra Strong Dog Shampoos
These shampoos are best suited to remove stubborn dirt and grime from the skin of your dog. Here is a brief description of our best dog shampoo in this category.
BlackLogic Lemon Tree Natural Deodorizing Shampoo – This is a plant based shampoo that is devoid of any harsh chemical. It has a fragrant aroma that is ideally suited for smelly dogs. It does not contain harsh dyes, colors, chemicals etc.
The Pros of the BlackLogic Dog Shampoo:
- It leaves behind a fresh aroma and removes stubborn dirt.
- It is biodegradable and works up into a rich lather.
- This is a non-toxic shampoo that is well suited for dogs with sensitive skin.
The Cons of the BlackLogic Dog Shampoo:
- It has a peculiarly strong lemon scent.
Dog Shampoo Plus Conditioner Combos
Such shampoos not only clean the coat and hair of your beloved pet, they also moisturize the coast of your dog. Here is a brief description of our best dog shampoo in this category:
Oxgord Organic Oatmeal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner – This is an all-natural shampoo cum conditioner that contains aloe vera and is best suited for treating itchy skin.
Pros of the Oxgord Organic Dog Shampoo:
- It is a tear free product that is ideal for sensitive pets.
- It cleans, moisturizes, soothes and relieves dog’s skin.
- It contains aloe vera, shea butter and oatmeal.
- It is a soap-free formula that is free from parabens.
Cons of the Oxgord Organic Dog Shampoo:
- It works best when applied using warm water.
- It may not be ideal for cleaning the coat and skins of extremely dirty dogs.
Should You Use a Conditioner for your Dog?
The shampooing process removes dirt and grime from the skin and the coat of your beloved pet. Nonetheless, in this process, the pores remain open and the natural oil seeps out. If allowed to be left as they are, dirt and grime would once again seep into your pet’s skin and cause diseases.
A conditioner seals pores, repairs broken hair and stops the pet’s natural oil from leaking out. It stops pollutants from entering the skin of your beloved pet. Conditioners also keep the hair of your beloved pet soft, shiny and strong.
Best Conditioner for Dogs
Best Shot Ultra Plenish Pet Conditioner – This conditioner is fortified with coat release’ technology that conditions and strengthens a dog’s coat and stops oil from seeping out.
Pros of the Best Shot Conditioner for Dogs:
- It comes with Coat Release Technology that stops hair-fall in pets.
- It contains silk amino acids that provide extra shine to the coat of the animal.
- It is made in USA.
- It is ideal for deshedding and dematting.
Cons of the Best Shot Conditioner for Dogs:
- It is not all-natural and may contain chemicals.
- It needs to be shaken well and applied to a recently shampooed wet coat.
After discussing the best practices to follow while bathing your beloved pet, you may have realized the importance of using a dog shampoo to cleanse your beloved pet. The use of a conditioner is optional. There are several other dog shampoos and conditioners available in the market but the ones listed above are chosen on the basis of their ingredients and positive customer reviews.
Join us on FaceBook @ CanineownersIf you are interested in reading more about the best dog shampoos available, be sure to check out the following awesome dog blog Keep The Tail Wagging – Thanks for reading & Catch you on the next post!
