Which is the Best Dog Shampoo for your Pet?

Before you go to a pet store and start looking through the myriad of options that are available for dog shampoos, it’s important to have a good idea of what you need. For example, you need to know your dog’s skin type. Does he have dry or oily skin? Does he have sensitive skin or possibly fleas? These answers can help you select the right shampoo for your dog.

Human shampoo

One of the first things to remember whenever you’re looking for a dog shampoo is that you should never use a human shampoo on your dog. Human shampoos have a different pH level than a dog shampoo. A dog shampoo is more acidic and is needed in order to keep your dog’s skin moist and clean. Using a human shampoo on your dog can cause a great deal of skin irritation.

It’s a good idea to examine your dog’s skin before going to the store. If your dog has oily skin, you may need a different shampoo than for a dog with dry skin. If you’re not certain as to your dog’s skin type, feel free to ask for your veterinarian’s help.

Sensitive skin

If your dog has sensitive skin, which is when your dog’s skin is irritated easily, there are certain things you need to look out for. Dogs with sensitive skin typically scratch more often than other dogs. For a dog with sensitive skin, you usually want to avoid scented shampoos as they may further irritate your dog’s skin. It’s also important to avoid synthetic ingredients. A lot of the medicated shampoos have ingredients that are great for dogs like this. Some examples will include aloe vera and oatmeal. If you try an aloe and oatmeal shampoo and still do not have a reduction in skin irritation, you may want to try a low dose of hydrocortisone.

Scales or excess oils

If your dog skin has scales or excess oils, you may want to try a shampoo with sulfur and salicylic acid. These ingredients have antibacterial and antifungal properties that help reduce itching. Sulfur and salicylic acid will also remove the crust and scales as well as reduce scale production in the future.

Fleas

If your dog has a flea infestation, a shampoo with pyrethrins may help. Pyrethrins will help get rid of fleas, but be careful because they can be toxic to your dog at high concentrations. If your dog is sensitive to pyrethrins, you may want to try Carbaryl. When using any type of medicated or flea shampoo you should always do your best to avoid getting the shampoo into their eyes and mouth.

Summary

There are lots of different options when it comes to dog shampoos. Learning about them ahead of time is a great way to prepare yourself before spending money.