What shampoo can I use on my dog?

What shampoo can I use on my dog? How do you make dog shampoo? These questions about dog shampoo will be answered in this article.

Are you one of the new pet owners that needs some advice about how to care for your new dog or puppy? You might even give them your food, share your bedding, and use your own shampoo on you beloved pooch. Can you use human shampoo on dogs?

What shampoo can I use on my dog?

Dog skin is three times more sensitive than the human skin, so should you use your shampoo on your dog? Can I use human shampoo my dog? The answer is no. The only kind of shampoo you should use on your dog is dog shampoo.

Can I use baby shampoo on my dog?  Can I use head and shoulders on my dog?  Oh heck no!  Those are way too harsh for your dogs skin and fur.  You could do more harm than good by using any human products in your dog.

Dog shampoos are specially formulated for dogs and contain ingredients that are safe for their sensitive skin. This kind of formulation is even gentler than baby shampoos.

What are the ingredients in dog shampoo?

Dog shampoos are made of only natural ingredients that are proven safe and gentle on sensitive skin. Examples of these ingredients are salicylic acid, colloidal oatmeal, hydrocortisone, aloe vera, menthol, and essential oils, etc. They do not contain parabens, dyes, preservatives, or other artificial components.

Unfortunately, some dog shampoos contain fillers or artificial ingredients, which is why it is important to read the label and identify the ingredients. Some dog shampoos have a strong odor too.

Many dog owners prefer to use only natural products on their pets, to reduce the chance of allergic reaction or skin irritations.

No matter what the ingredients, it’s always a great idea to spot test the shampoo on your pet prior to giving them a full bath.  Rule of thumb is if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, they probably aren’t best for you OR your pet.

Please contact  your vet if there is any allergic reaction.

pH balance comparison

Human skin and dog skin have a different pH balance. While, the human skin has a pH balance of 5.5, a dog’s skin has a pH balance of 7.5. Human shampoos are formulated with the right pH balance of 5.5, which would irritate a dog’s skin.

Using human shampoo will make your pooch’s skin dry and irritated. Even worse, it will strip off the acid mantle that protects your dog’s skin from bacteria and other environmental contaminants.

Dog shampoos contain moisturizers such as aloe vera and essential oils to replenish any moisture lost during washing. Citrus and essential oils may also prevent fleas and lice from living on your dog’s fur.

 

The best-selling dog shampoos

To help you choose safe and effective dog shampoo, here are a few of the best-selling brands today.

Nootie Oatmeal Dog Shampoo with Soothing Aloe

Formulated with natural ingredients like coconut oil, colloidal oatmeal, etc., Nootie Oatmeal Dog Shampoo cleans dog skin and fur, healing dry skin, and leaving the fur shiny and smelling fresh. It treats irritated skin and gives your pet a refreshing feeling.

It does not contain any artificial ingredients such as parabens, soaps or SLS, that are harmful to a dog’s sensitive skin.  Nootie is safe for any dog breed, with a good lather that rinses off easily.

Nootie is a highly recommended 5 star dog shampoo with over 150 reviews…and bonus, it’s affordable.  The perfect combo.

Nature’s Specialties Plum Silky Pet Shampoo

This all-natural dog shampoo is formulated with ingredients such as panthenol, silk protein, aloe vera, vitamins E, D, and A, and essential oils that are effective in removing bacteria and bad odors.

It thickens the dog’s hair and helps to detangle their coats. Nature’s Specialties Plum Silky Pet Shampoo is a five-star rated dog shampoo. You can buy larger sizes in case you have multiple pets to wash.

This pet shampoo is concentrated, so to get the most out of it, you would dilute the shampoo 24:1.

BONUS: you can use Nature’s Specialties products on all of your pets.  This is great for those of us that love our pets and wish to pamper them with all natural products, but are also on a budget.

How do you make dog shampoo?

If you have no dog shampoo, what can you use?  A dog shampoo can be made from ingredients that are readily available in your house. Do you want to make dog shampoo for your beloved pooch? Here is how:

 

• 4 ounces or 1/2 a cup of vegetable glycerin
• 2 cups of white or apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups of organic dish soap
• 4 cups of water

Mix the organic dish soap and apple cider vinegar.  Add water and mix.  Pour in the vegetable glycerin and shake the mixture well.  Shake your homemade dog shampoo well before every use to mix the ingredients.

You can use essential oils such as chamomile, tea tree, lavender, and citrus for a more desirable smell. To keep lice and fleas away from your pooch, add an essential oil such as cedar wood, lavender, and lemongrass.

These essential oils also contribute to the anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties of your dog shampoo.

Conclusion

So, what shampoo can I use on my dog? Dog shampoo is the perfect shampoo for your pooch. It has the right formulation of natural ingredients to cleanse, moisturize, and deodorize.

Please see our dog shampoo review pages to have your next commercial dog shampoo delivered right to you, or better yet, make your own with these all natural dog shampoo recipes!  WOOF!