Dog Grooming Shampoos
Odor is often seen as an unavoidable part of dog ownership. Even tidy dogs who are perfectly house broken have a noticeable odor that some people find offensive, and it’s something that dog lovers learn to embrace or at least ignore in order to enjoy the amazing benefits of sharing their home with a furry friend.
But is doggie odor actually inevitable? How often would someone have to bathe their dog in order to reduce or eliminate the smell, and would a dog be harmed by having that many baths?
There are many considerations in order to answer these questions. They include what products you use to bathe a dog, dog’s response to bathing, and a dog’s breed and coat type.
When planning to bathe your dog regularly, it’s important to carefully choose your products and introduce your dog to your new schedule in a low-stress context. The reward will be a clean, healthy, happy dog that doesn’t stink up your home.
Dog Bathing Products
When trying to figure out how much shampoo and conditioner to purchase, remember that a dog has much more hair than any human, often ten times as much or more; it follows that in order to thoroughly bathe them it will take a large amount of product.
When buying shampoos, conditioners and other products, plan to buy large quantities. Then consider factors like scent, sensitivity, and whether you need extra power for stains around the face, tail and paws.
Shampoo Choices
Dog shampoos vary from the most basic detergent, through sensitive formulations, to veterinary formulations for skin disorders and parasites. They also come in different scents and concentrations.
Shampoos for Different Coat Colors
Some shampoos are formulated to enhance a dog’s appearance by making their natural coat color shine. Brightening shampoos for white dogs give their coat a pearlescent shine; shampoos for black coats protect from sun fading and leave a silky gloss.
Shampoos for Medical Conditions
For dogs that are prone to itching and hot spots an oatmeal shampoo can be a great relief, soothing and hydrating the skin. Other dogs need a stronger formulation to help with troubles like dermatitis and psoriasis. Salycilic acid formulations are particularly soothing, helping to reduce skin inflammation without adding toxins that the dog can ingest while self-grooming.
Conditioners
Any time you shampoo a dog, you remove the naturally protective oils that the dog secretes. It's important to replace the old oils by using a conditioner.
Add a conditioning rinse at the end of the bath to make the dog’s coat healthy, smooth and luxurious. It will also make detangling and fluffing much easier once the coat begins to dry.
