You feed your pet nutritious food and make sure he gets exercise, right? You give him lots of love and attention.
But you could still be making a serious dog grooming mistake — using human shampoo on a dog. It’s tempting to lather your pup with your shampoo, but it’s dangerous to your dog’s health.
We put together this list of 5 reasons you should always use dog shampoo. Keep reading to learn why it’s important to use dog-specific products.
1. Human Shampoo is Not for Dogs
Dogs and people have very different skin and hair.
Human shampoo often contains harsh detergents that damage a dog’s coat and irritate his skin. The detergents wash away natural protectants, making your dog vulnerable to infections.
Dog shampoo is gentle so natural oils aren’t stripped away. It protects his skin and coat but still gets the dirt out.
You may have heard it’s okay to use baby shampoo on your puppy, it couldn’t be more wrong. It will dry out his coat, and doesn’t provide proper Ph balance and protection.
2. Shampoo to Kill Fleas and Ticks
Buy the shampoo made to keep away fleas and ticks. It will help get rid of the pests. It may also be effective when fighting lice.
Be prepared to leave the shampoo on your dog for 10 minutes or more. It needs time to work. The shampoo kills the pests and keeps their eggs from hatching.
Flea shampoos treat your dog’s coat in a safe and effective way. Always follow your veterinarian’s directions.
3. Hypoallergenic and Anti-itch Shampoo
Is your dog allergic to fragrances and other ingredients in regular dog shampoos? If so, choose a hypoallergenic shampoo.
If your pet has issues with itching, first check for fleas, then check for food allergies. Food allergy is one of the most common causes of itchy skin. Corn, wheat, or soy are common triggers.
Buy an anti-itch shampoo with hydrocortisone or lidocaine in it. These ingredients are anti-inflammatory and will soothe your dog.
If a particular spot on your dog is bothering him, try an anti-itch spray. The nozzle lets you spray the specific area that itches. This may save you from a full body shampoo with medicated shampoo.
4. Treatment for Mange
If your dog has mange, your veterinarian may prescribe a specially-medicated shampoo.
Mange is a skin disease caused by mites. The contagious mites burrow into your pet’s skin. The results are itching, hair loss, and rashes.
A serious case of mange can cause problems with your dog’s immune system.
Frequent bathing with proper dog shampoo helps your pet maintain proper Ph balance. This protects him against bacteria and infections.
5. Specialty Dog Shampoo
Always choose dog shampoo based on what your pet needs. Here are three examples of specialty shampoos.
- Brightening shampoo for white-haired dogs. It helps their coats stay bright and white.
- A water-less shampoo is a dry powder. It doesn’t clean as well as a wet shampoo, but it’s good for a fast touch up or temporary fix.
- Deodorizing shampoo. If your pet meets a dead rodent, rolls in dog dirt, or has a smelly adventure, you need to deodorize. Yes, there’s a shampoo for that.
Call Lucky Dawg Pet Services
Never expose your dog to human shampoo. Instead, get the appropriate shampoo or seek a professional groomer.
Lucky Dawg Pet Services provides professional dog grooming services. Our modern and spacious pet grooming salon and the mobile fleet are available 7 days a week.
Contact us to make an appointment.
