Is your Pet Shampoo Environmentally Friendly?

Love Your Pets!


So you may be wondering, how do I choose a dog shampoo?  Does your dog have any skin issues?  Do they need a hypoallergenic dog shampoo, a moisturizing shampoo, or a medicated shampoo for fleas and ticks?

Different breeds of dogs have different skin sensitivities and fur types so you should keep that in mind when choosing a dog shampoo.  If your dog has a thin coat you would use a different shampoo that someone with a thick coated dog. 

 

Best Dog Shampoos for Odor

While dogs don’t need to take a bath as often as we do, giving your dog a bath periodically is important for their health and hygiene.    You want to ensure that you are using the best dog shampoo to remove odor from your dog.

We like to use and recommend natural products when possible and try to find products that contain oatmeal, natural extracts, and are vegan and/or organic.  Bonus: this doesn’t mean they are more expensive!  Many of the shampoos made to combat odor consist of better ingredients that soothe your dogs skin and condition its coat.  You can even buy a dry dog shampoo that fights odor!  No more messy time consuming baths!

how do I choose a dog shampooIf you are looking for an all-natural, paraben free and a product that does not cause irritation or inflammation to your canine buddy’s  eyes/nose, do opt for the OxGord Natural Oatmeal Dog-Shampoo  and Conditioner.

 

how do I choose a dog shampooAnd if your choice is to removes odor and dirt off your dog’s coat without the messy activity of a bath then do opt for the Paw Choice Dry Dog Waterless No Rinse Foam Mousse shampoo.

 

 

Best Dog Shampoos for Fleas

Fleas feed off of your dogs blood and the bites leave them irritated, itchy and your dog may even be allergic to them.  It’s a great idea to research the best dog shampoos for fleas before deciding which one to use on your puppy or dog.   Read the ingredients and reviews to learn if the product is gentle on your dog and any side effects it may have.  When in doubt, check with your vet.  The video below will show you how to check your pet for fleas so that you can be sure before treating them unnecessarily.

A mixture of vinegar, liquid dishwashing soap and warm water may remove the itchiness for the time being, but the same is not a permanent solution.

An effective anti-flea medicated product kills the adult fleas and hopefully their eggs as well, ending the flea’s life cycle, thereby alleviating your dog from discomfort.  Does dog shampoo expire?  YES! Please be mindful when purchasing that you use all of the product before the expiry date for it to be most effective and not harmful to your pet.  When in doubt, throw it out!

how do I choose a dog shampooAnti-flea shampoo can be used like a regular product and it doesn’t cause any harm to the dog’s coat and skin. The same can be used with a spot on treatment product or with a flea collar for more effective treatment. Don’t forget a flea comb is part of your weapons against infestation: you can comb out the eggs, flea dirt, and adult fleas to provide immediate relief.

tips on choosing the best dog shampoo

Dog Shampoo for Thick Coats

Does  your dog have a thick coat?  If you can’t easily see their skin through their coat or can see that there is another, undercoat layer, underneath the top layer of hair then your dog has a thick coat.  These sorts of dogs, such as the Pomeranian or German Shepard, require frequent grooming.

Their undercoat keeps them warm in the cold weather, cool in hot weather and keeps their skin completely dry so its hard to get their skin fully wet when giving them a bath.  You would need to purchase a shampoo such as Foam Care by Vetericyn that is specifically designed to work with thick coats. Also learn techniques to help penetrate the undercoat and give your dog a full bath.

how do I choose a dog shampoo

Dog Shampoo for Thin Coats

If you can see your dogs skin easily through its coat, then your dog has a thin coat.  Examples are a doberman or a pug.  This requires different shampoo than a thick coated dog.  Your thin coated dogs skin is more exposed to the elements such as wind, water, sun cold and heat and requires a specially formulated shampoo to condition the skin.  A hypoallergenic oatmeal based shampoo should do the trick, such as Pro Pet Works.

Medicated Dog Shampoo

Like humans, dogs need regular bathing and grooming because these are important parts of general pet care. Aside from giving them the right food, using the best dog shampoo that works for their skin is essential to keeping them healthy.

how do I choose a dog shampooIs your dog always scratching? Do you find that there are some white patches and flakes that appear in your dogs coat when it scratches? If your pet is suffering from ringworm, pyoderma, fleas, allergies and other skin problems, your dog may require a medicated shampoo.

Your dog or cat will get quick and long lasting relief from skin issues from using a medicated shampoo.  Remember to follow the directions on the bottle for maximum results.  Please work with your vet if your pets skin problems do not go away after using a medicated shampoo.

Moisturizing Dog Shampoo

how do I choose a dog shampooMaintaining your dogs natural pH balance on their skin is key to avoiding a problem with dry skin.  A moisturizing pet shampoo such as this Natural Pet Shampoo can control and soothe irritable skin.  Bonus: you can use it on your cat too!  Try to choose a shampoo that contains mostly natural ingredients that are known to promote and lock in moisture such as aloe, coconut and argon oil.

Top 10 Dog Shampoo Brands

Sometimes the best way to pick a dog shampoo that is good for your dog is to read reviews and listen to other customers.  We posted a round up of the top 10 dog shampoo brands here.  This post covers everything from medicated dog shampoos, to dog shampoos for fleas, to natural and organic dog shampoos.

Remember frequent bathing can strip away the natural oils from your dog’s skin leading to dry and itchy skin. The grooming products available on the market, no matter how mild they are, can disturb the pH balance of the skin of the dog.The brands are evaluated based on their compatibility with different skins and coats, pH balancing of the skin by preserving the natural oils, and anti-allergen properties.

 

Dog Lice Shampoo

You may be asking yourself…dogs get lice?  Yes!  Lice are species specific meaning there are some that live on humans and some that live on dogs.  What are the symptoms that indicate your dog may have lice? What can be done to treat it? Does dog shampoo kill lice?

Once you have determined that your dog has lice, the first line of attack would be to kill the lice with a dog lice shampoo.  Some dog shampoos can kill lice and prevent them from coming back.  Read the bottle of shampoo carefully, some will state it right on the bottle and also list active ingredients like lime sulfur, pyrethroid, and pyrethrin.  Make sure that the shampoo you purchase is effective at treating lice and still gentle on your dog.

Examples of good dog shampoos are Nootie Medicated Dog Shampoo, 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo, DakPets Dog Shampoo and Conditioner, and Nootie Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Soothing Aloe. Read the labels and our reviews to know more about the effectiveness of each dog shampoo.

Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo

Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos are formulated without many common ingredients that cause allergic reactions in sensitive dogs.

If your furry friend has allergies and sensitivities to food, grass or flea bites, then a hypoallergenic dog shampoo should do the trick.

how do I choose a dog shampooA lot of veterinarians recommend hypoallergenic dog shampoos because they are made of all-natural ingredients that effectively soothe dry, sensitive, and itchy skin. There are no alcohol, sulphates, added colors, and harsh chemicals that can cause irritation and other skin problems.  One such shampoo is Pro Pet Works Natural Oatmeal Shampoo for dogs AND cats.  Please read the full review here.

Instead, hypoallergenic dog shampoo and conditioner consist of organic ingredients such as aloe, oatmeal, coconut oil and essential oils.

Aside from this, some shampoos also contain vitamins E, D, and A to nourish the skin and coat and to ensure it is easy to brush your dogs coat afterwards.

Whitening Shampoo

how do I choose a dog shampooDo you have a light colored dog such a a Bichon Frise?  Some light colored dogs will get dirt stains on their faces, legs and feet from just being dogs.  In order to remove those stains, you need to purchase a shampoo that is specifically formulated to whiten and brighten your dogs fur without drying it out.  These products remove yellowish color of your dogs coat and restore its shine.

Ensure to purchase a whitening shampoo such as  Chris Christensen White on White Shampoo for Pets which doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that can harm your pets skin and coat.  Most of these products will need to be left on your dog for about 10 minutes to achieve maximum results.  Please read the full review here.

Please let us know in the comments below which dog shampoo you use and why!

Love Your Pets!


vet's best hypoallergenic shampoo

Though there are different products available for keeping your dog healthy, dogs with sensitive skin may need a dog anti itch shampoo such as Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo to give their dog much-needed comfort from itching and scratching. 

You might wonder, what is a hypoallergenic dog shampoo and why should I use one? 

We answer these two questions and review Vets Best Shampoo, one of the best hypoallergenic dog shampoos below.

Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo Review

vet's best hypoallergenic dog shampoo

Vet’s Best Shampoo has got your covered for your dogs sensitive skin issues.

This hypoallergenic dog shampoo is one of the best hypoallergenic dog shampoos on the market and it can play an important role in your dog’s hygiene as it removes any dirt and other allergens from your dog’s coat while calming their sensitive skin.

For over 30 years, Vet’s Best has been providing plant-based ingredients to help solve your pets skin and fur issues.  Vet’s best hypoallergenic shampoo for dogs moisturizes and relieves itching with a soap free and tearless formula.  It’s one of the best dog shampoos for skin allergies.

Dryness caused by using the wrong dog shampoo is a major cause of concern for dog owners who have dogs with sensitive skin.  This could lead to itchy skin.  Vet’s Best is one of the best dog shampoos for itching caused by allergies.

By selecting one of the best hypoallergenic dog shampoos, skin dryness should not be a problem.  The ingredients in Vet’s Best Shampoo are safe on your pets skin, soothing and moisturizing as it cleans.

hypoallergenic dog shampoo vet's best

Any discomfort caused by grass, pollen and other skin allergies can be relieved by this product.  Follow the manufacturers directions and it will prove to be highly effective in relieving your dog’s allergies. This vet formulated blend of aloe and vitamin E helps to relieve your dog’s itching and soothe irritated skin.

If your dog is allergic to wheat, grains or gluten, this dog shampoo does not contain oatmeal.  Vets Best Shampoo is so mild, you can use it more often than regular dog shampoo, but use your judgement based on your dog’s skin type.

You don’t want to cause more irritation to your dogs skin and fur by bathing them too much!  Vet’s Best has a large line of pet products from shampoos to ear cleaning products to supplements and even flea sprays, you should check them out!

Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo Key Features

  • Works with topical flea treatments
  • MADE IN USA
  • Natural ingredients
  • Relieves itching
  • Non drying on your dogs skin
  • Tear and Soap free

Pros

  • Natural ingredients
  • Will not dry out your dog’s skin
  • Doesn’t remove topical flea and tick control products
  • Soap free
  • Relieves itching
  • Smooths dry and brittle coats
  • Tearless
  • Contains Aloe, panthenol, allantoin and Vitamin E
  • If you are allergic to perfumes and other ingredients typically found in dog shampoo, this shampoo should not cause a reaction in humans

Cons

  • Can’t be used on cats
  • Can’t be used on pregnant or nursing dogs
  • Some dog owners say that the itching became worse after using this product, please do a patch test on your pooch before going for a full bath to make sure they are not sensitive to any of the ingredients

Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo FAQs

What is Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo?

vet's best hypoallergenic dog shampooHypoallergenic is not defined in legal or medical terms.

According to WebMD, hypoallergenic shampoo means that the dog shampoo that you are purchasing does not contain certain ingredients that are known to cause an allergic reaction in dogs.

This does not mean that it is necessarily gentler on the skin or allergy proof.  It is still recommended to only wash your dog once per month to ensure their skin does not become dry and irritated because frequent bathing strips the skin and fur of essential natural oils that protect it from the environment.

Unfortunately, there are no standards or rigorous testing done by 3rd parties to prove a dog shampoo is hypoallergenic.  It is impossible to guarantee that a hypoallergenic dog shampoo  will never cause a reaction as each dog is different.

Remember to always read the ingredients for anything that you can’t pronounce or that your dog might be allergic to.  If in doubt, you should contact the manufacturer for full details about the ingredients.  Do a spot test with the dog shampoo first and if there is a reaction, most manufacturers have a money back guarantee so keep yourreceipt.

hypoallergenic dog shampoo

Why use a Hypoallergenic Shampoo for Dogs?

Hypoallergenic shampoo for dogs are great to use because manufacturers will use only top quality ingredients that you can pronounce.  Many ingredients will be 3rd party certified organic and all natural.

Nearly all hypoallergenic shampoos will contain no soap, parabens, chemicals, dyes, or synthetic fragrance which does reduce the chance of a reaction.  BONUS: Most of them will also be environmentally friendly.

How to get the most out of Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo

  1. Get you dog thoroughly wet with warm water
  2. Apply Vet’s Best evenly over your dog
  3. Lather and massage into your dogs coat, making sure to get right down to the skin
  4. Let shampoo  sit for 3-5 minutes so the soothing ingredients really start to work (don’t forget the treats)
  5. Rinse your dog well
  6. You may repeat if necessary (be careful not to overdo it and bathe your dog too much)
  7. Keep your dog warm until they are dry

As always avoid contact with eyes and ears and do not use Vet’s Best on cats or nursing/pregnant dogs. 

Check out our top 10 best selling dog shampoo brand reviews to choose a product that is safe to use on all your pets.

Can Vet’s Best be Used on Cats?

So you may wonder is Vet’s Best safe for cats?

Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo is made for Dogs only.    Do not use products that are made for dogs on your cats.  They could contain ingredients that are poisonous to your cats and might harm them.

Even though this product is a hypoallergenic shampoo, always buy products that are made for cats if you need to bathe your cat.

Conclusion

If you are looking for one of the best hypoallergenic dog shampoos out there, choose Vet’s Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo .   

With a long history of providing quality products, hundreds of positive customer reviews, and veterinary formulated this may be the best choice to solve your dogs allergies, itching and soothe their irritated skin.

Does your dog have a problem with allergies and/or itching?  Did you try Vet’s Best?  How did it work?  What is your favorite tip or trick for helping your dog or cat with their allergies?

Let us know in the comments below! Vet’s Best not for you?  Take a look at our reviews of the Best Hypoallergenic Shampoos for Dogs.