How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Your Dog

With such a wide range of dog shampoo products on the market it can be difficult to know which one to buy. In most cases, the preferred choice will relate to the specific needs of your dog. If in doubt, it is worth speaking to your vet to get advice. Let's take a look at some of the most common options:

Dogs with normal skin and hair are the easiest to find a suitable shampoo product. The shampoos can range from the low-cost products to the more expensive medicated options. Any of the products marked as a shampoo and conditioner will make a practical choice to achieve the fresh smelling dog. Additionally, there are several shampoos that are particularly useful for dogs that tend to quickly get smelly.

Any dogs with itchy or dry skin can benefit from a specialist medicated shampoo. It often helps to speak to your vet before buying this type of product because it can be expensive and there is the risk of making the skin condition worse if the wrong shampoo is applied.

The shampoo designed for flea treatment is a very useful option for the dogs in discomfort due to an annoying breakout of fleas. Most of these products include a special type of insecticide that is typically safe for most dogs, but can be an issue for those with an existing health issue. However, this type of product isn't intended to prevent fleas from attacking a dog, so it is still necessary to maintain a proper cleaning routine for the home and dog.

The shampoos intended to help with allergies can benefit both humans and dogs. For instance, any family member that often sneezes when close to a dog will appreciate the use of an anti-dander shampoo. This type of shampoo is designed to help minimize the episodes of scratching, which should cut the allergens that are constantly released into the air. Also, the dog with a skin allergy such as itchy or dry skin will appreciate a shampoo that can give relief from the discomfort.

It may be tempting to use the everyday human shampoo to give the dog a wash if it gets dirty outside, but this is rarely a good idea. Most human shampoo is way too harsh to use on the dog's sensitive skin. It is always best to wait until the right shampoo is available to avoid causing unnecessary skin issues.