Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo

Certain types of dog shampoo can cause allergic reactions or irritation to dogs with sensitive skin. The reasons for these negative reactions are due to the ingredients within the hygiene product. Hypoallergenic shampoos may be the solution for dogs that don’t tolerate traditional shampoos well or for pet owners that don’t do well with the added fragrances found in many shampoos.

Why Some Shampoos Cause Irritations to Dogs

Synthetic ingredients like deodorants and dyes are many times the culprits behind the irritations a dog can experience. Fragrances, especially, are one of the main things to stay away from when purchasing a hypoallergenic shampoo for a dog. Other ingredients that can cause skin irritations and dander include alcohol, salts, phosphates and parabens.

Ingredients in Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo

Something to look for in a hypoallergenic dog shampoo is a high pH along with fatty acids. Dogs that suffer from food allergies or dermatitis benefit from taking essential fatty acid supplements. Therefore, it’s only natural that hypoallergenic shampoos contain this ingredient within them as they’ll help ensure the health of a dog’s coat and skin. Vitamins in a hypoallergenic shampoo can be beneficial. Such vitamins include biotin, Vitamin E, and B5.

Natural ingredients in hypoallergenic shampoos that have proven to be effective for dogs include aloe vera, eucalyptus and tea tree oils, safflower seed oil, chamomile, and citrus extracts. A dog owner should be careful using hypoallergenic shampoos with these ingredients as they could cause irritations, especially the essential oils. Ingredients that are known to sooth the skin of dogs, like oatmeal proteins and honey, can be found in some hypoallergenic solutions.

How to Use Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos

Hypoallergenic dog shampoos often need to be shaken well before each use. Using warm water, wet a dog’s fur thoroughly. Apply the shampoo to a dog’s coat and create a rich lather and let the suds sit for at least 3 minutes. Afterwards, rinse all of the shampoo with warm water. If it is recommended by a veterinarian, repeat the process again before drying the dog’s fur.

The formulas used to make hypoallergenic shampoos are so mild that they won’t irritate a dog’s eyes if the suds were to accidentally enter them: a quality that pet owners with squirmy dogs appreciate.

Some dog owners make a dry shampoo for their sensitive dogs since frequent bathing can cause irritation. This “shampoo” can be made with baking soda or cornstarch and regular oatmeal. One is to blend one cup of oatmeal with one cup of baking soda or cornstarch in a food processor until the mixture turns into a fine powder. To use, one simply dusts the powder on to a dog where he’s dirty and rubs it in to the coat. Then brush the coat to remove any excess powder. This natural dry shampoo mix can then be stored in a plastic container for later use.

While hypoallergenic shampoos haven’t been proven to reduce skin allergies on a dog, many pet owners have found this type of product to greatly benefit their sensitive pet. One should talk to their dog’s veterinarian to see which type of hypoallergenic product is best for their pet.

 

Comments