It is hard to keep dogs bound to a restricted area as they love to roam around freely. They are very adventurous creatures but sometimes their wandering makes them end up in a dirty and unclean place. In such a scenario, bathing them with water won't be enough because you need to take care of their hygiene. The germs and bacteria stuck on dogs' skin need the best dog shampoo of 2022 to be removed.
How to Find the Best Dog Shampoo?
If you want the perfect shampoo for your dog, you will have to think about the following factors:
What Your Dog Needs
Before you go to the supermarket to buy a shampoo for yourself, you likely have your needs in mind— maybe you have dry hair so you need a moisturizing formula. Similarly, before buying shampoo for your dog, you need to decide what your pet needs.
- A moisturizing shampoo is great to treat itchy skin as it is rich in honey and vitamin E.
- Conditioning shampoo is for dry and itchy skin as it has a thick formula. However, it is not suitable for dogs that have oily coats.
- Aloe shampoos are yet again relaxing for itchy skin but they also provide a glossy coat to the dogs' skin. It provides nourishment from plenty of vitamins, protein, and minerals. If your dog has dry skin, then aloe shampoo with an oatmeal formula is the best choice. Be aware of staying away from artificially scented shampoos because they are made with chemicals and are harmful to sensitive dogs.
- Deodorizing organic shampoo is the best to overcome odor issues for dogs because they are rich in herbs, flowers, and fruit extracts.
- Dry dog shampoos are the best to use when your dog has been bathed recently and just needs some intermittent cleaning. It is a powder and you can use it to efficiently remove dirt in between regular baths. Furthermore, if your dog is sensitive to water, dry shampoos can be beneficial.
- Brightening and whitening shampoos are a favorite for those pet owners whose dogs are white. Dirt is very noticible on dogs with white fur, but it is best to avoid shampoos that contain peroxide or bleach to clean it. These chemicals can prove to be hazardous for your dogs' skin, so make sure to check that it is free of chemicals.
What Your Dog Does Not Need
As a pet owner or guardian, you should keep an eye on the reaction of various products to your pet's skin. The natural and safe ingredients for one dog may be harmful for another. The different skin types react differently to formulations and chemicals.
Shampoos with a high amount of parabens, solvents, or surfactants can cause severe allergic reactions to sensitive dogs. Some natural ingredients like essential oils from camphor, birch, and tea tree can cause an adverse reaction for your dogs.
To avoid facing any dreadful experience, you should conduct a patch test whenever you bring in new shampoo for your dog. Apply a small amount of shampoo on a small patch of your dog's skin, and then wait a bit to see if there is a reaction. If your dog is fine after 24 hours, you have a green light to use the product safely.
Should You Buy Medicated Shampoo?
Sometimes people prefer to choose a medicated shampoo if the dog is facing a tick problem. The pyrethroid-infused shampoos are ideal for overthrowing ticks and fleas and are safe to use for most dogs. Some shampoos also contain carbamates and organophosphate insecticides, but experts don't recommend them as safe.
There are different factors in account when you are choosing a medicated shampoo. The age, size, and weight count as essential factors to choose the best-medicated shampoo to treat ticks. Similarly, if your dog is super sensitive to chemicals, you will need to buy a medicated shampoo with hypoallergenic properties.
Medicated shampoos that have miconazole and hydrocortisone can also be used to treat conditions like dermatitis, eczema, fungal flare-ups, and other infections. If you want to treat dogs' smelly or greasy skin, you can go with medicated antifungal or antibacterial shampoos.
Other Important Features
There are some other key features of a shampoo that you should consider before buying it:
Right Skin pH
The pH of a dog's skin ranges between 2.2 and 7.5. The best dog shampoos will make sure that the pH is not disturbed and stays in the range. If the shampoo is more alkaline or more acidic than the defined range, it can cause unnecessary trouble and problems for your dog.
Different Skin Types
Dogs usually can have one of these three skin types: normal, oily, or dry. Dog shampoos are also designed to cope with these specific skin types, so choose the one that suits for dog's skin type.
Approval from Authorities
Always buy products that are authentic and approved. Before buying a dog shampoo, check if the FDA has approved it, otherwise, it's not worth it.
Dog Shampoo FAQ
Q: Are there special shampoos for puppies?
A: Yes, special shampoos are made for puppies. Soap can get into their eyes and cause irritation, so special no-tear formulated shampoos are made for young pups.
Q: Can you use human shampoo for a dog?
A: No, you should strictly avoid it as human shampoo is acidic and it will umbalance the pH of your dog's skin. No doubt, the human shampoo will clean the dog, but what is the use of your dog's skin ends up getting damaged.
Q: Why are the results from dog groomers' shampoo so different from regular?
A: Dog groomers use special high-quality shampoos with sweet natural smells. The products used by dog groomers are handpicked to suit even the most sensitive dog. Some dog groomers also use special conditioners to make the skin of dogs look glossy.