Dog owners know that dogs don’t mind being smelly and dirty. In fact, many dogs love to rolling around in stinky things, like brush, mud puddles, and dirt, making a deep clean necessary.
Regularly bathing your dog removes dead hair and skin cells, reduces shedding, and helps keep your dog’s skin and coat free of dirt and allergens that can irritate and cause itching and infections.
Aside from being a necessary part of grooming, bathing your dog can be a bonding and trust-building experience. The right shampoo, if it feels refreshing, gentle, and is easy to rinse out of the coat, will help make the bathing process a positive experience.
What to Look for in Dog Shampoos
Selecting the right dog shampoo for your dog can depend on many different factors. But no matter what type of coat your dog has, you should always look for naturally-derived ingredients. Some common ones in dog shampoo include:
Aloe vera: Both antiseptic and moisturizing, aloe is a popular ingredient that can aid in cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting against future irritations.
Vitamin E: Also moisturizing, vitamin E can nourish skin and detangle coats.
Vitamin B: Common in oats or oatmeal, vitamin B penetrates deeply to deliver moisture.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil cleanses and moisturizes skin and coats.
Charcoal: This can be a powerful and natural cleansing agent for the skin.
Choose soap-free options that soothe and hydrate rather then drying out skin and coat.
Don’t use human shampoo on your dog: the pH level won’t be right, and it can cause skin irritation. Artificial fragrances can be tempting, but try to avoid them. They are usually derived from chemicals that can cause allergic reactions. You should also stay away from dog shampoos that include paraben and dyes. Both can cause serious health problems such as skin irritation and certain cancers.
