You pet your dog this morning as you usually do but after a few moments, the smell hits. After a cringe, you realize it’s time for a bath. But there are so many shampoos out there. How do you know if you’re choosing the right one? These pointers should help you choose your shampoo!
Some Important Things to Watch Out For
Just as there are important ingredients for dog shampoos, there are also ingredients your dog shampoo needs to leave out. One of those ingredients is paraben. Parabens can have negative effects on dogs and especially if the dog is allergic to paraben. Some problems with paraben include skin irritation, itchy skin, and hair loss. In rare cases, it can cause breathing difficulties, vomiting, and hives. So, Paraben-free is where to be!
What Kind of coat does your dog have?
Now that you know a few ingredients to watch out for, we can start addressing the shampoo your furry friend needs! First, identify what kind of coat and what kind of coat problem your dog has. The reason there are so many shampoos is that there are lots of different kinds of coat problems. Some dogs have itchy skin and need moisturizing and soothing ingredients. Others have vibrant coats which are starting to slowly lose their luster. Curly-haired dogs may need special shampoo to keep curls out. It’s all about the particular needs of your dog. We can go over these briefly so you can quickly get washing away.
Shampoos for Puppies
Why not start at the beginning? Puppies, like babies, need special protection for their sensitive skin. All dogs need non-natural fragrance chemicals removed so they don’t potentially get their skin irritated. But puppies absolutely cannot have them in their shampoo or your puppy can get skin burns or infections. Good puppy shampoos also have tear-free ingredients to help keep your dog’s eyes from burning. Tear-free shampoos significantly improve your chances of giving your puppy a positive experience. And you want your puppy to enjoy bath time if you want to enjoy bath time when it gets older. Using treats and puppy-specific shampoos will keep your puppy happy and clean.
Oatmeal for Itchy Skin and Dry Skin
Oatmeal-based shampoos make good general-purpose shampoos. But they do have a main utility. They are an extremely popular option for fixing skin itching and rashes. If you can’t get your dog to stop itching or you notice dry coat problems, then it could be in your best interest to look into getting an oatmeal shampoo. Otherwise, oatmeal shampoos make great-all around shampoos that keep your dog’s coat shiny and healthy. You can even pick up oatmeal conditioners to replace the oils you’re washing off with the shampoo!
Brightening Shampoos for Bright Coats
If you have a dog with a brightly colored coat, like a husky, you may notice its coat start to lose its brilliance. There are also unique shampoos for coat whitening. Sometimes dogs’ coats can yellow because of dirt and grime. Thankfully, there is something you can do about it! Brightening shampoos bring vibrant radiance to your doggy’s white coat. This is especially helpful for aging huskies. And make sure your whitening shampoo doesn’t have any bleaches! Keeping your whitening shampoo bleach-free is extremely important for a dog’s sensitive skin.
Curly Shampoo for Curly Coats
Some dogs have curly coats which come with unique needs. Their coats need special attention, care, and nourishment. This category includes long-haired dogs like the Poodle and Bichon Frise. Using curly-coat specific shampoo helps prevent matted hair and tangles. And brushing is even more important for curly-coated breeds! Their hair picks up dirt and grime easier than their short-haired counterparts. You may even find an extra step is necessary for curly-coated buddies: trimming. Clipping or shearing your dog’s coat should help keep your friend’s coat in check and easy to clean. Overall, good shampoo along with a proper brushing and grooming routine will keep your curly friend’s hair happy and healthy! Bring out those curls!
Veterinary Trouble
Unfortunately, not all coat problems can be solved with normal shampoos. If your dog has a flea or tick problem, you’ll have to go to the vet or a professional groomer for a medicated shampoo. They will give you special instructions on how to use it and when. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of uses to get rid of those pesky fleas. Using it in conjunction with your usual shampoo should do the trick!
Different Doggie Hair, Different Doggie Needs
Different dog breeds have different hair needs. Once you’ve identified what sort of coat your dog has, then you can see what sort of shampoo you should be using on your dog. Don’t be afraid to try out different shampoos if your dog has specific needs. For example, maybe the whitening shampoos brighten up other dogs’ coats, but it gives your dog (or even you!) a rash because of a very specific allergy. In that case, you can try a puppy shampoo which is especially gentle on doggie skin. Every dog is unique, but you are now a little bit more informed on the different uses of each shampoo. Happy Washing!