There is a bewildering selection of human shampoos on the market and new dog shampoos are appearing almost as rapidly. This vast array of choices can make it difficult to select the best shampoo to meet your dog’s needs.

The first rule you need to remember in choosing a dog shampoo is human shampoos should never be used on dogs. This can cause your dog to develop skin irritation and itching. What’s the difference between human and dog shampoo? The major difference is a dog shampoo has a more acidic pH which is deemed to be best for a dog’s skin.

To Choose a Good Dog Shampoo:

1. Select One Based on Your Dog’s Skin Type

   There are dog shampoos designed for dogs with oily, normal, and dry skin. Because it’s not always easy to determine your dog’s skin type, you may want to consult your veterinarian for his opinion.

2. Opt For An All Natural Dog Shampoo

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   Some of the synthetic ingredients found in dog shampoos can be skin irritants. As a general rule of thumb, if the names of the ingredients are difficult to pronounce, you’re not dealing with an all natural dog shampoo. A good place to find natural dog shampoos is at your local organic grocery or co-op. Many pet supply stores are starting to carry these also.

3. Consider Your Dog’s Susceptibility to Fleas and Ticks

   If your dog has a serious flea and tick problem, you may want to consider a shampoo containing pyrethrins. Unfortunately, this ingredient is not generally found in all natural dog shampoos. If you select a product containing this ingredient, be sure to avoid getting it in your dog’s mouth and eyes during his bath. This ingredient can be toxic to your dog at high concentrations.

4. Consider Whether Your Dog Has Sensitive Skin

   Does your dog have skin that’s itchy and easily irritated? Does he scratch frequently? Initially, you may want to see your vet so he can determine whether your dog’s sensitive skin is secondary to a medical condition that requires treatment. If not, you’ll want to select a shampoo designed to relieve itchy, irritated skin. Two ingredients to look for are aloe vera and oatmeal. If these ingredients don’t solve the problem, you may want to consider a medicated shampoo with a low dose of hydro cortisone to treat the irritation. Try to avoid dog shampoos with a lot of synthetic ingredients since they can aggravate.

5. Avoid Scented Shampoos

   Although a scented dog shampoo may smell wonderful to a human’s nose, it can be irritating to your dog’s skin.

6. Don’t Let Your Dog Ingest the Shampoo

   If you use a medicated shampoo on your dog, it should be out of reach of children and pets.

7. Do a Thorough Rinse

   If shampoo is left on your dog’s skin, it can cause skin irritation. Rinse thoroughly and then rinse again. Keep dog shampoo out of your dog’s eyes. This is especially important if you’re using medicated dog shampoo.

By taking the time to select the proper dog shampoo for your dog’s needs and applying it properly, your dog will not only look great but will also smell clean and natural with less skin irritation.