4 Tips Choosing and Getting the Best from Your Puppy’s Dog Shampoo

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Numerous pet owners often overlook the importance of selecting the appropriate dog shampoo for their furry companions.

Let’s face it:

There are way too many choices out there nowadays, aren’t there?

But then, we don’t realize that many of these products are specially catered to take care of the specific needs and conditions of your puppy.

For instance, depending on what you’re looking for you can get:

  • Dog shampoo for dry skin
  • Dog dry shampoo
  • Moisturizing dog shampoo
  • Antibacterial dog shampoo
  • Antifungal dog shampoo
  • Dog shampoo that’s natural and organic for the hipsters among us, and so on…

There appears to be something out there for everyone.

And while it may seem annoying or bewildering at times, you may soon come to see that having so much choice can be really great in situations.

1. Quick Tips for Making the Best Use of Dog Shampoo

Bathing your puppy – no matter how lenient you are with the frequency – can really turn into a war zone.

Sound familiar?

Not all dogs enjoy bathing, and when they don’t, they really make their feelings clear.

But with a few handy tips, bath time can be turned into a smooth affair, and even a fun one.

For example, you can:

  • Use a pre-mix of the soap or shampoo to avoid clumped-up, irregular cleaning
  • Tilting your puppy’s head back to avoid getting the shampoo rinse into his eyes
  • Using cotton in his ears to avoid stuffy hearing etc. later

There’s plenty else you can do to take out the unpleasantness of bathing for your pup.

Check out our past post on puppy bathing and shampooing tips for more ideas on making the whole experience simpler.

2. Dog Shampoo for Skin Conditions, Infections, and Infestations

If your puppy has sensitive skin, finding the right brand of shampoo that cleans effectively and isn’t too harsh as well can be challenging.

And if your puppy has a tendency to get a flea or mite infestation or skin infections, ingredients really matter.

For infestations, the best flea shampoos for dogs have usually medicated ones containing chemical ingredients that combat the parasites.

And, you guessed it:

Such ingredients can well cause allergies and reactions if not used under prescription.

So make sure you consult your vet if you believe you need to get something like an antifungal shampoo for dogs for treating your puppy.

And the best dog shampoo for itchy, dry, or sensitive skin almost always contains moisturizing elements that are natural, such as oatmeal shampoo for dogs.

3. Natural and Organic Dog Shampoos

Going natural or organic is immensely popular these days, and not just for their hipster quotient.

So it stands to reason that natural or organic dog shampoo has picked up traction in the market as well.

And quite rightly, too.

Natural or organic dog shampoo is obviously less harsh and reactive than others.

Where regular chemical-based products tend to have more side-effects like skin irritations and so on, their natural ingredients are much gentler on the skin and coat while being as effective.

And they also don’t strip your puppy’s skin and fur of its natural oils and impart a nice, mild, natural scent that isn’t overpowering for your puppy either.

Natural ingredients like tea tree oil, aloe vera, vitamin supplements, and oatmeal are fast finding their way into recognized brands.

But even so, it’s always recommended to check with your vet in case your puppy is allergic to any of them.

Allergies aren’t restricted to just synthetic chemical ingredients, now, are they?

4. Using Human Shampoo

Admit it:

You’ve either used – or at least been tempted to use – your own shampoo that one or the other time when your puppy’s shampoo had run out.

Right?

But is it really alright to use human shampoo on our furry little friends?

The answer is no. Not really.

Using human shampoo on your puppy once in a while may not really harm your puppy.

However, using it consistently over a period could lead to problems like skin irritation, eruptions, and even infections.

Due to the pH differences between the skin of a human’s and a dog’s, a human shampoo tends to have a harsher effect on a dog.

Human shampoo tends to be relatively acidic, and therefore affects your puppy’s ability to release the essential oils that protect its skin from bacterial and other infections.

So do your best to always use a quality dog shampoo recommended by your vet.

If you’re forced to use something like a dry shampoo for dogs in between baths, make sure you use one with a vet-recommended formula, and that too in moderation.

We hope you found these tips on choosing and making the most of dog shampoos useful. If you have tips of your own that you stumbled upon at home, do let us know in the comments section below!

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