What to Look for in Dog Shampoos

Keeping dogs clean and smelling good can be a challenge. If they are an outside dog or if they have skin conditions, it can make things twice as hard. Before you choose a pet shampoo, you may want to talk to other professionals to find out what they recommend. The following tips will help you choose a dog shampoo that you can rely on to keep dogs of all kinds looking and smelling their best.

Know the Dog

Several factors will go into choosing a quality dog shampoo. Age, skin conditions, flea/tick protection, odors, and coat must all be taken into consideration. Any skin conditions and allergies will flare up considerably if the wrong type of shampoo is used. There are many shampoos that contain medications to soothe the itching and irritation associated with dry skin and eczema. Gentle shampoos often contain essential oils that will help to keep them calm as well. Talking to other professionals will help you choose a shampoo that will accomplish everything you need it to without distressing the animals you work with.

Avoid Certain Ingredients

Don't simply choose a cheap dog shampoo or choose a shampoo and conditioner formulated for humans. Human shampoos are pH balanced for human skin.  Dog skin is more alkaline than human skin, requiring a properly balanced pH formulation for canine skin.  Human shampoos contain ingredients to strip away wax and oils from human hair and skin.  While these ingredients are less harmful to humans, they can be extremely irritating to dogs' sensitive skin. A dog's coat needs those waxes and oils to maintain its shine and moisture. If a dog's coat is dull and dry-looking, look at the shampoo being used. It may be damaging their coat and skin.  Another “pro top” is to incorporate high potency essential fatty acids (EFAs) into the dog’s diet.  

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?

A dog's coat and types of activity will normally be the indicators of how often they should be bathed. For example, a dog with two layers of fur/hair may require more frequent bathing simply because a short-haired dog may be cleaned by thoroughly brushing its coat. Dogs that work or play outside will normally require a bath more frequently than dogs that stay inside most of the time.

Keeping Your Dog Calm During Bath Time

Most dogs like water. They learn to dislike bath time because they are often forced to take them. Giving an animal a bath may be the perfect time to establish trust and create a bond of friendship. While some dogs may never enjoy a bath, you can ease the frustration by making bath time a more enjoyable experience. Stay calm and talk to the dog. Take your time. Rushing may make the dog nervous or cause you to get soap in their eyes.  Your actions will determine how smoothly bath time goes and how well the dog responds.

Additionally, when bathing for infection or therapeutic results, it is important to keep “contact time” in mind, as many medicated shampoos require adequate contact time with the dog’s skin to achieve the desired result.  Choosing a good dog shampoo is important and should be a top priority if you want to keep a dog looking and smelling its best. As a member of a veterinary staff or professional groomer, take the time to talk to the dog's owner. Make sure that they know what type of shampoo you are using and recommend, so they can purchase a bottle and use it at home. This ensures that they will have everything they need for their pet at home.  A new product from VetriMax Veterinary Products is Command™ Shampoo for Animals.  This exciting new product is pH balanced for dog skin and contains antiseptic ingredients that destroy unwanted bacteria and yeast, while being safe and gentle on the dog’s skin.  This product is recommended by veterinary professionals in all 50 states, plus internationally. Simplify Your Shelves, with Command™ Shampoo.