Let’s be honest, the saying that goes ‘dog is man’s best friend’ is not completely wrong. Odds are you live with a dog or you live next to one and you are not alone. Around the world, millions spend their every moment sharing their lives with their canine partners.
But although it is possible to share everything with your dog, your shampoo should never be shared with your dog. And although you might be asking yourself what’s wrong with it? Isn’t it just soap? The fact is human shampoo contains chemicals that should never get to the skin of a dog.
So, what is Dog Shampoo?
Dog shampoos are just like human shampoo except this was made specifically for dogs to maintain their hygiene. These are adventurous animals that would rather spend their days roaming about looking for things or playing in the sand or a less hygienic place.
The key difference between human shampoo and dog shampoo is in the ingredients. The best dog shampoo contains ingredients that clean out a dog’s coats beautifully while keeping it nourished with all the required vitamins and nutrients to ensure it keeps looking shiny and moisturized.
In this manner you cannot simply bath for yourself with just water without any shampoo for proper hygiene. Dog hygiene also demands you apply shampoo to your dog’s coat from time to time to keep it healthy.
In addition to this, dog shampoo can also be used to maintain a variety of conditions a dog might have. Today we have dog shampoo for hair fall, dog shampoo for dry skin, sensitive skin, and so on.
However, it is not all fun and games when choosing a shampoo. The right shampoo choice can leave your dog the envy of the neighborhood while the wrong choice can set your dog’s hygiene back by months.
Steps before buying the Best Dog Shampoo
Just as you wouldn’t use just any shampoo for yourself, you should not just use any type of shampoo for your dog’s skin. In order to choose the best dog shampoo, let’s look at the following factors:
Underlying Skin Condition:
By now, it should come as no surprise that dogs also have skin conditions as we do. A dog could have dry skin, itchy, or flaky skin. If your dog happens to fall within this category, you might want to consider a moisturizing shampoo to take care of this. A great quick google search on ‘Best dog shampoo for dry skin’ would be a great place to start and another great move would be to also avoid any shampoos with scents as they often contain chemicals that could further irritate the skin and it would be great to go for shampoos that contain natural ingredients.
If your dog’s condition continues or flares up after applying shampoo, please take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Beware of fleas:
Every dog has had its fair share of a consistent battle against fleas and ticks and that is why there is a huge variety of such products on the market. Depending on what you’re looking for, you could choose to pick up shampoo to kill fleas or fend them off. However, it is important to mention that this is short-term protection and it needs to be supplemented with other measures.
Age:
You should know by now that dog products are primarily differentiated by age. Puppies have special products made for them and adult dogs have theirs. Puppy shampoos are usually gentler and are usually made with a no-tear formula that does not irritate their skins.
Smell:
Call it natural behavior but dogs enjoy finding their way into messy and smelly situations. If your dog is particularly adventurous, you might want to opt for a deodorizing shampoo that has a powerful scent to get rid of any unpleasant smells.
Coat luster:
The right shampoo can make your dog’s coat regain any lost shine or luster. These shampoos are usually packed with proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Coat color:
For dark-colored dogs, any type of shampoo color might be able to fly as it would not leave any discoloration. But dogs with light coats might choose to opt for special shampoos that contain brighteners to prevent yellowing.
Convenience:
For those days when you are not looking to spend too much time washing your dog, you might want to keep a waterless shampoo around.
Coat characteristics:
Does your dog’s coat get tangled easily? Or does your dog usually have a dry coat? You may want to consider switching to a shampoo conditioner that moisturizes and maintains coat luster.
For dogs that have tough tangles, you might want to separate the shampoo and the conditioner to get the best out of both worlds.
What Next?
Now you have narrowed down your options to a select few, how do you know the exact shampoo to buy? Well, here is what to do next:
- Read reviews!
A quick search of ‘buy dog shampoo online’ alongside the name of any shampoo you are considering should pull up any product review that exists online. Product reviews are very important as you get to read first-hand information from fellow dog owners like yourself.
A product with less than 50% positive review is probably not going to give you the result you desire and you should quickly move on. Another reputable way of seeking information is to read pet blogs and forums before making a decision.
- Watch out for these ingredients:
By now you probably know what shampoo you want to buy for your dog. But before you checkout your cart, it is important to note that not all shampoos are right for your dog because of certain ingredients.
Avoid artificial fragrances and dyes, which can irritate your dog’s eyes and skin, but be on the lookout for fragrances, like chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus.
Frequently asked Questions:
How do I choose the right shampoo for my dog?
Choosing the right shampoo is dependent on multiple factors like dog age, smell, underlying skin condition and so on. Go through our checklist and narrow down the list till you get down to the shampoo that is right for your dog!
What shampoo will make my dog smell good?
Any shampoo that is made with scents. But beware, you do not want to apply chemical based shampoos to your dog’s coat as you could be causing more harm than good. Make sure you go through the list of ingredients and if you are in doubt, please read articles.
Choosing the right shampoo for your dog cannot be overemphasized. Get it right and you have a happy and healthy dog, get it wrong and you could be spending more time with the veterinarian than you planned to. Always remember to consult your veterinarian if you notice any adverse reaction to any shampoo you are using.
