Dog shampoos are not just for poodles and long-haired Afghans. Almost every dog will need a bath at some point in its life. Okay, mud and dirt can be washed off easily with water. But against the stench of a dead toad, only a dog shampoo or dog soap usually helps. The right dog shampoo is optimally tailored to the pH level of the dog’s skin, is nourishing and moisturizing for the dog’s coat. And please, do NOT use baby shampoo! It’s not as gentle for your dog as you might think!

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DOG SHAMPOO

Anyone who thinks they can bathe their dog with a “gentle” baby shampoo is mistaken. Dog shampoos are for dogs, and baby shampoos are for babies. Because the pH level of dog skin is different from that of humans, it is very sensitive and should not dry out. The right dog shampoo is therefore perfectly tailored to the needs of the dog’s skin and coat.

THE pH LEVEL IN DOGS

While the pH level of human skin is in the acidic range at around 5.5-5.8, dogs have a more alkaline pH level. It varies between 6.0 and 8.6. Dog shampoo is designed for this pH level, acts moisturizing, and maintains the acidic protective mantle of the dog’s skin. So, baby shampoo – no matter how mild – is not suitable!

WHY AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD A DOG BE BATHED?

Normally, dogs do not need to be bathed constantly. In most cases, water is sufficient to rinse off the remnants of a walk. However, there are various reasons why a dog may need a bath with shampoo. If the dog is just dirty and covered in mud and dirt, a shower with clear water is sufficient. But if he has rolled in something disgustingly smelly, we need a special shampoo to wash the smell out of the fur. Some dogs naturally have a stronger odor than others. Also, here is a mild dog shampoo bath from time to time is appropriate. For dogs with skin problems, eczema, or parasites, there are specially formulated shampoos or soaps. The same goes for dogs with long, curly, or rough fur or a particular coat color. So, the right dog shampoo depends on various factors:

THE COAT TYPE

There are short-haired, long-haired, wire-haired, and even “non-haired” dogs. We’ll leave the naked dogs out here. For all others, the choice of the right dog shampoo depends heavily on the coat structure.

DOG SHAMPOO FOR LONG HAIR:

A shampoo for long hair should make it silky and manageable and prevent hair breakage, such as the SILKY & SHINE dog shampoo from LILA LOVES IT. A long hair shampoo is used for breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Havanese, Shih Tzu, Tibet Terrier, Collie, Afghan Hounds, and generally for long hair prone to matting.

DOG SHAMPOO FOR WIRE-HAIRED:

A shampoo for wire-haired or rough hair, such as for Wirehaired Dachshunds or Irish Terriers, should strengthen the coat structure. A wire-haired shampoo can also be used for voluminous and curly fur, as it does not weigh down the hair but gives volume and hold. Besides special shampoos, the SENSITIVE Shampoo from LILA LOVES IT is a good choice here.

POODLE SHAMPOO:

Even Poodles or breeds with similar curly fur, such as Bichon Frisé or Lagotto, need a dog shampoo that does not weigh down their voluminous fur. These poodle shampoos usually have a lower oil content and act as antistatic.

DOG SHAMPOO FOR SHORT HAIR:

Very short fur, possibly without an undercoat, like that of Dalmatians, is extremely easy to care for and can be washed well with any mild dog shampoo.

BLACK OR WHITE?

The right dog shampoo for the respective coat color. Shampoos for dark fur (black hair dog shampoos) should intensify the color of the fur. Ingredients like brown or black oils enhance the dark color and provide color shine.

White fur tends to turn slightly yellow. White hair dog shampoos help counteract these yellowing with their bluish-violet color. Regular use of such a shampoo eliminates yellowish discoloration caused by sun, urine, saliva, or fat.

PUPPY SHAMPOOS AND SENSITIVE SKIN

A shampoo for puppies, such as the SENSITIVE dog shampoo from LILA LOVES IT, is particularly mild and gentle on young dog skin.

For sensitive dog skin, there are special dog shampoos that care for allergic, irritated, or inflamed dog skin and relieve itching.

PARASITE REPELLENT

Anti-parasite dog shampoos usually contain natural substances for insect repellent, such as lemongrass, tea tree oil, or neem oil. Their intense scent acts as a deterrent to parasites. Our recommendation for this is the DEFENCE dog soap from Joveg.