Finding a GOOD dog shampoo online/offline is a hard task if you don’t know about the dog shampoo industry.
In this article, I’ll be helping you to understand some key points to keep in mind while buying a dog shampoo online or offline.
Dog shampoo is necessary if you have a dog. It cleans the dirt and leaves your pup coat soft, healthy and shiny.
But in the market(mostly online) so many FAKE brands are available with false advertising that sell nasty chemical-y shampoo.
The nasty chemicals are the number ONE enemy of your dog.
So whether you are buying dog shampoo online or from the store check the ingredients list before buying a dog shampoo.
And this is the number one point you need to keep in mind while buying a dog shampoo.
Dog shampoo buying guide
Here are some points to keep in mind while buying a dog shampoo:
Ingredients list
Skin is the biggest organ of a dog’s body. And you might know skin is breathable so whatever you apply to the skin there are high chances to get absorbed by the skin.
Just think, what happens if you use the nasty chemicals shampoo?
Scary, isn’t it?
It could even be worse if your dog licks himself up while bathing.
The chemicals directly go inside your pup body.
That is the reason I’m a BIG fan of organic shampoo/natural shampoo.
(Don’t worry I’ll cover everything about organic shampoo in the next section)
Before buying a dog shampoo you should watch out for these chemicals I’d listed below.
Some harmful chemicals to avoid in dog shampoo:
- Paraben
- Phthalates
- Methylparaben
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate(SLS)
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Polysorbates
- Mea/cocamide DEA
- Isopropyl (SD-40)
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Sodium benzoate
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
- Propylene glycol
- Mineral oil
You must avoid a dog shampoo if any of these chemicals are present.
These harsh chemicals dry out the natural oils present from the dog body and leave skin dry which cause skin irritation.
Types of dog shampoo
There are different types of dog shampoo that exists. Every shampoo has unique properties and of course the price 😀.
You need to look out which types of shampoo would be the perfect option for your pup.
Let me help you to understand more clearly about different dog shampoo types.
You’ll find 7-8 major types of dog shampoo in the market.
Organic/natural dog shampoo:
Organic or natural shampoo is made with natural/organic ingredients.
The organic shampoo doesn’t include harsh chemicals so your pup won’t lose his natural oils and won’t feel skin irritation.
It also lathers up pretty well and leaves your pup coat smooth, shiny and healthy.
Organic shampoo is a bit more costly than normal shampoo. But it worthed the price for the ingredients present.
Don’t purchase dog shampoo blindly just by seeing the “organic” tag on the shampoo bottle.
Most of the(not every) manufacturer labelled their shampoo as organic by adding one or a few natural ingredients.
So, next time if you see organic shampoo just try to see the full ingredient list and find if there is any dirt(nasty chemicals) present.
I know It could be a time-consuming process but it could be worthed for your pup’s health.
And if you’re lazy enough to do it, you can check out our dog shampoo category where I’d shortlisted the best of the best dog shampoo by dog breeds.
Medicated dog shampoo:
Medicated dog shampoo is specially made to treat any skin infections problems. This shampoo contains medical ingredients to heal your pup skin without irritation.
Most of the time medicated shampoo is recommended by veterinarians. However, the smell of the shampoo would not be pleasurable in most cases.
But it does the job pretty well to heal the infections.
So, if your dog has skin infections problems you might need medicated dog shampoo.
2in1 shampoo+conditioner:
2in1 shampoo+conditioner is for the people who don’t want to spend extra buying a separate shampoo and conditioner.
Although it’s not as efficient as separate conditioners, it does the job pretty well to wipe out the dirt and leaves coat smooth, silky and soft.
So, you get shampoo and conditioner in a single product as a combination.
Deodorizing dog shampoo:
Almost every dog shampoo leaves a fresh fragrance after bathing but if your dog stinks a lot you could try deodorizing shampoo.
It has special properties to lock down your pup’s bad smell and spread fresh smell that long last.
Brightening/whitening dog shampoo:
As the name suggests, brightening shampoo is made to brighten/whiten up your dog coat by removing stains and dirt.
It could be a GOLD NUGGET for the white dog owners. Any light color shade dog would benefit from this type of shampoo.
But, be aware while choosing a brightening shampoo, some brands contain peroxide or bleach.
Bleach and peroxide wiped out the natural oils and caused skin irritation.
So, watch out for these two ingredients if you want to buy a brightening shampoo.
Deshedding shampoo:
Deshedding or shed control shampoo promote healthy skin and coat and reduce or control the excessive shedding in the dog.
Dogs shed and it’s a natural process.
You can’t avoid it totally, but yeah you can reduce it by using deshedding shampoo, regular brushing, and proper nutrition.
Some breeds are heavy shedders while some don’t shed that much.
If you get a less to medium shedder dog then cheers… you won’t notice hair/fur here and there.
But if you have a shed monster, you might need to invest in a good deshedding shampoo.
Excessive shedding could be triggered by several health issues as well.
Some dogs are more prone to hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, a dog’s thyroid gland won’t produce enough hormones.
Hair/fur shedding, dull and dry coats are the most common symptoms. If you notice anything different in your dog you must visit the vet.
If your dog suddenly starts excessive shedding then also you need to visit the vet.
Hyperthyroidism is the most common health issue found in dogs. With proper medication, it could get better easily.
Tearless dog shampoo:
Tearless shampoo specially made for puppies. Your puppy’s eyes won’t burn even if it gets in contact with shampoo while bathing.
But my view on tearless shampoo is different, maybe some people won’t agree with me and that’s ok.
I believe there is NO tearless shampoo.
It’s just a marketing gimmick companies often create to sell their product.
Any type of dog shampoo will harm your pup eye one or another way.
So the best practice is, avoid eye contact while bathing your pup with a dog shampoo.
Dog shampoo manufacturing source
You need to keep an eye on where the product got manufactured.
Now you must be thinking, why should I care about manufacturing sources?
Here is a cache.
Most online merchants manufacture their product in Asian countries to save the cost, taxes, and earn high profit.
And in some cases, you won’t get the quality that you pay for!
Every country has different rules and regulations to follow while manufacturing products.
If the product gets manufactured in the US, the company must follow the rules and regulations of the US.
“Made in the USA” products build an extra layer of TRUST. So if you’re shortlisting dog shampoo you must check the manufacturing source.
Made in the USA would be a better choice.
Types of dog skin
Every dog breed has a different skin type. Even the same breed dog has different skin types.
Not every shampoo is suitable for your pup skin type. So if you know your dog skin type you might be able to choose better dog shampoo for your pup.
Common dog skin types are:
- Normal
- Sensitive
- Dry
- Itchy
If your dog has normal skin you’re the luckiest person on the earth.
You can use any good dog shampoo on your dog.
But things got changed for sensitive, dry and itchy skin dogs.
To tackle this situation you need a shampoo that contains soothing ingredients.
Some common soothing ingredients are:
- Aloe vera
- Oatmeal
- Almond oil
- Coconut oil
- Tea tree oil
- Bentonite clay
- Shea butter
- Jojoba oil
- Lavender oil
- Peppermint oil
These soothing ingredients help to reduce the skin irritation in your dog.
You often find these ingredients on organic/natural dog shampoo.
But make sure your pup won’t be allergic to any of the ingredients. You need to avoid it if your pup is allergic to certain ingredients.
So here it is the dog shampoo buying guide. If you’ve any questions let me know in the comment section.
If I’d to buy a dog shampoo I would like to go with organic/natural shampoo. It won’t irritate dog skin and also won’t lose natural oils.
I would like to know your thoughts on which type of shampoo you’re going to buy for your pup! Comment below.