Dogs are very playful animals, and they tend to get quite messy at times as well. That is in their nature, and trying to change that to ensure that they don't end up at our doorstep covered in mud or dry dog food is not the right way to deal with it. Unlike cats, dogs tend to not believe in a very high level of hygiene, thereby requiring your intervention.

There are multiple breeds of dogs, and each breed tends to come with a different type and thickness of fur coat. Dogs also tend to love the water and splashing in it. But we all know nothing smells worse than wet animal fur.

We need a shampoo that does the job of cleaning up their fur, combating that smell from the wet fur, and keeping their fur coat healthy. We must ensure that neither of these comes at the cost of damaging the skin of our pawt-ners.

A dog's skin is much more sensitive than that of humans, and it is alkaline in nature. Choosing the right shampoo for your dog can be a tedious process since it is perfected by trial and error. A shampoo that may suit your dog may not suit someone else's dog and vice versa. We do not want to harm our furry family members by bathing them with the wrong shampoo.

Some of the things that you need to consider when choosing a shampoo for your furry friend are:

● Does your dog have sensitive skin

● Does your dog have a skin condition like scaly, itchy or flaky skin

● Do they have a thin or thick fur coat

● Does your dog tend to smell a lot

● Do they have fleas in their fur coat

Can You Use Human Shampoo On a Dog?

A dog's skin type is much more sensitive and alkaline than that of their owners (humans). Therefore, any shampoo, conditioner, or body wash used for human skin should be tested on your dog by no means. This can make their bath time a nightmare as it may result in immediate discomfort or burning of their skin, a post-bath allergic reaction, or hair fall.

All pet owners want their dogs to have relaxing bath time and not a painful one.

Since the shampoos for humans tend to be acidic in nature, they can damage your dog's skin and their sensitive body parts. Furthermore, most human shampoos tend to be fragrant (excluding medical shampoos for people with skin conditions), and fragrant shampoos can result in the burning of your pet's skin.

Dog Shampoo Ingredients to Avoid

Individual ingredients are part of dog shampoos but are very harmful to your furry mate. Since ingredients can get absorbed through the skin unto their organs, extra caution must be exercised when choosing a dog shampoo.

It is essential that you always see the ingredients in your dog's shampoo and do not pick one if it has any of the following ingredients:

● Fragrance or perfume essence - they can cause cancer, toxicity in the organs, and reproductive issues.

● Artificial colors - They can result in cancer, congenital disabilities in puppies, and skin allergies.

● Formaldehyde preservatives - They are known to cause burning, itchy, and scaly skin in dogs. It is found in Bromopol, Doazolidinly urea or Quetrnium 7, etc.

● Paraben preservatives - Can cause hormonal (estrogen) imbalance, cancer, and reproductive issues.

● Mineral oil - Comprises your dog's skin's ability to retain oil and kill toxins in the fur coat.

● Any alcohol-based components - Excessively drying for the dog's skin and hair.

What to Look for in Dog Shampoo

There are certain elements you must look in to choose the right shampoo for your furry friend. They are like family, and you always want to determine what is best for them.

A few things you must keep in mind are:

● It should contain natural moisturizing elements like Vitamin E

● Make sure it contains no artificial colors or fragrances.

● Should contain organic ingredients only

● In case your dog has skin conditions it should contain ingredients to cater to them (this should be vet recommended)

● Should have an alkaline pH level

● Should be FDA approved

● Should be environmental friendly

How to Choose a Dog Shampoo That's Right For You?

In order to choose the right shampoo for your dog, you need to evaluate their skin needs. This would include:

● Does your dog have a thin or thick fur coat

● Is your dog allergic to some ingredients that can be found in shampoos

● Does your dog have pungent fur odor

● Is your dog suffering from a skin condition - scaly, eczematic, flaky or dry skin (visit a vet to find out the right shampoo for your dog)

● Does your dog have a thinning fur coat

● Does your furry friend have highly sensitive skin

Some dog shampoo options that can be considered are:

Veterinary Clinical Care - Antiseptic & Antifungal Medicated Shampoo - $ 8.93

Fresh 'n Clean 2-in-1 Oatmeal Conditioning Shampoo - $ 6.47

Soothing & Deodorizing Oatmeal Shampoo - $ 9.96

Conclusion

Our dogs are like our children, who require a lot of attention and care. They will get themselves messy and dirty, but they also love us unconditionally. It is your responsibility to choose what is best for them, be it their food, shampoo, or lifestyle to help them have a healthy and happy life.

Lead Photo:  Source: Gentledogtrainers.com.au