As part of our bathing and grooming services, the Austin expert dog bathers of Walk! ATX believe in only using the best products for your dog. That’s why we only use natural shampoos and de-shedding conditioners when we bathe your dog. Believe it or not, not every shampoo and conditioner that’s marketed for dogs is actually safe for pet use. So you may be wondering what makes natural shampoos and conditioners the exception.
The Benefits of Natural Shampoo
Unfortunately, many dog shampoos on the market are filled with toxins, chemicals, and other irritants that can cause problems for your dog’s skin. Dog shampoos that are filled with chemicals can be incredibly harsh on your dog’s skin, especially if they are already suffering from sensitive skin or other skin issues and disorders. As is their nature, dogs are constantly chewing and licking themselves. You don’t want them to ingest any leftover chemicals from the shampoo that can remain on their skin and hair. As you can imagine, these chemicals can cause negative effects on their bellies.
The Benefits of De-shedding Conditioner
As dog owners, we have a love/hate relationship with the dog’s hair or fur. We know it serves to protect their skin (and it adds to their cuteness). But it also gets everywhere and all over everything. This is where a de-shedding conditioner can be a lifesaver.
De-shedding conditioner is used to minimize the amount of hair or fur a dog sheds and, in combination with brushing, rids their coat of any loose hair or fur. Most de-shedding conditioners contain omega fatty acids — nutrients that help promote health and growth. While de-shedding conditioners work to remove excess hair or fur from your dog’s undercoat, they also work to strengthen and moisturize your dog’s coat and help to keep it healthy.
Dog Skin Allergies and Other Skin Issues
Just like us, dogs can suffer from skin issues naturally. These skin issues can be exacerbated by the topical use of chemical-laden shampoos and conditioners.
One of the biggest risks associated with using many store-bought shampoos and conditioners is that your dog may develop an allergic reaction to the ingredients in either product. Not only is this painful and unenjoyable for your pet, but it can also be frustrating for you as a dog owner because many of these shampoos and conditioners contain a slew of synthetic and chemical ingredients. This makes it hard to pinpoint exactly what ingredient in the product your dog may have reacted to.
By using a natural shampoo and conditioner, you’ll know exactly what you’re putting on your dog’s skin. The naturally derived, minimal ingredients in these products will help you identify exactly what your dog may be sensitive to.
Many dogs also suffer from dry, flaky skin. You may notice this if your dog scratches a lot. When your dog’s skin is dry, it can be very itchy. So they scratch to relieve the itch, but unfortunately, scratching can make their skin even worse, aside from causing painful sores and scabs.
Shampoos and conditioners that contain dyes and chemicals are notoriously drying to the skin. Even shampoos and conditioners that are geared towards helping dry, sensitive skin contain a number of chemicals that can be toxic for dogs, and these products only work so long as you continue to use them. In the long run, they may be causing more harm to your dog’s skin than they are helping.
Ingredients to Look Out For
Understanding what kind of shampoos and conditioners may be harmful to your dogs can be overwhelming. These are some ingredients to keep an eye out for when shopping for shampoos, conditioners, and any other topical products you might choose to use on your dog:
- Phthalates
- Artificial fragrances and colors
- Preservatives, including parabens, isothiazolinone, and formaldehyde
- Mineral oil
- Cocamide-MEA
- SD Alcohol 40
- Triethanolamine
- Propylene glycol
- Polyethylene glycol
- PEG-40 Lanolin
Be sure to review the ingredients listed on any topical products you purchase for use on your dog to make sure they don’t contain any of the above ingredients. These toxic ingredients can cause significant skin issues, such as rashes and blisters, for your beloved dog and have been associated with compromising dogs’ immune, developmental, and reproductive systems. As scary as it may sound, luckily, there are safe natural shampoo and conditioner options for your dog.
How to Bathe Your Dog
Some dogs love bath time. Other dogs, not so much. Here are some tips to try to get through bath time with your pup and to make sure all your hard work wrangling and scrubbing them counts.
- Always brush your dog before you start bathing them. This will get rid of some of the loose hair that may be gathered in their coats and may also help reduce any potential tangling that can occur while you’re bathing them.
- Make sure the water isn’t too cold or too hot. Dogs prefer their bathwater at a nice, lukewarm temperature as it’s more comfortable for their skin. If your dog is naturally hot, you can use cooler water.
- Never use shampoo or conditioner that’s marketed for use on human hair. These shampoos and conditioners can be even more irritating and toxic than non-natural dog shampoos and conditioners. Stick to natural dog shampoos and de-shedding conditioners.
- Scrub gently. Even if your dog is on the larger side, you don’t have to be too rough when washing them. You don’t want to irritate their skin by aggressive scrubbing.
- Be sure to rinse out all of the shampoo and conditioner in your dog’s hair or fur and on their skin. These products, while natural, are not intended to be left on your dog’s skin and coat.
- Allow your dog to air dry. Normal blow dryers can be irritating to your dog’s skin. If you’re in a hurry, you can use a towel made for dogs or a dryer that’s made just for dogs.
Walk! ATX Bathing and Grooming Services
The dog-loving team at Walk! ATX is here to take care of your dog bathing and grooming needs so you don’t have to. Our team is experienced and well-trained to bathe your dog in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment with safe and healthy products. Call us today at (512) 655-9557 or contact us online to schedule your dog’s next bath.