Keep Your Pup Clean With The Best Dog Shampoo

As a dog owner, you want your dog to be as comfortable as possible. Thus, your canine’s health should be of utmost importance to you. Taking care of a dog’s coat is an essential aspect of dog care that should be taken seriously. Dog shampoos help in this regard. They are designed for the specific coat needs of dogs.

As you have seen from our review of the best dog shampoos, there are many quality shampoos to choose from. Thus, settling for one out of the quality products on display could be a little bit difficult. This buying guide leads you through the buying process. Next, it details the peculiarities of dog shampoos and the things to look out for when buying one. The final section of the guide answers frequently asked questions about dog shampoos and general dog care.

What is the difference between human shampoo and dog shampoo?

You are probably thinking of using your shampoo on your dog’s coat. Hold that thought for a second. You are not the only pet owner that has thought of this. Unfortunately, it is a bad idea. The chemical composition of human and dog skins is different. Humans have a pH that ranges between 5.2 and 6.2, while dogs have a pH that ranges between 5.5 and 7.5. Human shampoos are designed to suit the acidic nature of the human skin, while dog shampoos cater to the alkaline nature of their skin.

Using human shampoo on dogs will upset the chemical balance of their skin. The imbalance leaves them susceptible to various skin infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Thus, human shampoos should only be applied to human hair, and dog shampoos should be used for cleaning a dog’s coat.

Important Considerations

To ensure that you get the most suitable shampoo for your dog, you have to consider certain factors. These factors will ensure that you get the shampoo that meets the needs of your dog.

Skin condition

The first factor you should consider when buying a shampoo is the condition of your dog’s skin. Is your dog suffering from flea and tick infestation? Does your dog have itchy skin, or is it constantly shedding its fur? Once you have identified the dog’s skin condition, you can then proceed to choose a shampoo that addresses these skin conditions. 

You should not just buy any random shampoo hoping that it works. There are specific shampoos formulated to handle each of the skin conditions mentioned and many others.

Scent

You may have a dog without any skin condition. However, you don’t seem to like the foul odor that emanates from your pet’s body. The odor may not even be bad, but you are looking to be more intentional with the dog’s smell. Then, you should consider the shampoo’s scent before buying one.

You will find out that there are many deodorizing dog shampoos to choose from. This abundance gives you the freedom to choose your desired scent. However, it would help if you also looked out for a shampoo with a long-lasting scent. 

Age

Dog shampoos usually come with age recommendations. The age recommendation indicates the suitability of the product for a particular age range. Therefore, you should check to ensure that the shampoo is ideal for your dog’s age. To avoid adverse effects, you should only buy a shampoo recommended for use on dogs within your dog’s age range. When in doubt, you can opt for a shampoo that has no age restriction.

Tangles

There are times where you notice that your dog’s coat keeps getting tangled no matter how well you groom it. You may have tried different brands of shampoo to no effect. When this happens, you are advised to get a separate conditioner for your dog. This may sound like an extra cost. However, with two in one shampoo, you can clean your canine’s coat and get the fur detangled too. They save you the cost of buying a separate conditioner.

Coat type

Dogs have different coat types; hence your dog’s coat type should also be considered when buying a shampoo. Dogs with long coats need a shampoo that is strong enough to reach their skin. Dogs with short coats only need mild shampoo that cleans their fur.

Versatility

If you have more than one type of pet, you may have to buy different shampoos for each of them. Getting a shampoo for each of them is not exactly a budget-friendly choice when you can get a versatile dog shampoo that is compatible with the skin of your other pets. For example, there are dog shampoos that you can use on your cats and horses.

How much does dog shampoo cost?

The price of a dog shampoo usually depends on the ingredients used to formulate it. Another factor that affects the price is the quantity. Averagely, dog shampoos cost between $4 and $40. The quantity is often proportional to the price.