How To Choose Dog Shampoo

When choosing a dog shampoo, pick the shampoo that is best suited for your particular dog.  Dogs that have a shorter hair coat will need a different dog shampoo than a dog with longer hair.

The first thing you will want to take into consideration when choosing dog shampoo is the age of the dog you are going to use the shampoo on.  If you have a puppy, then you will want to choose dog shampoo specially formulated to be used on puppies.  Dog shampoos formulated for adult dogs may not be safe to use on young dogs, so they should be avoided.

The second factor you should consider when you choose dog shampoo is your dog’s hair type.  If your dog has shorter hair then a regular dog shampoo should work fine for your dog.  If your dog has thick hair that sheds a lot, then you might want to choose dog shampoo formulated to help decrease hair shedding.  If your dog has fine or longer hair that tangles and is matted easily, then you will want to choose dog shampoo that has a conditioner built in or offers a de-tangling property.  If your dog's hair is white, then you would want to choose a bluing shampoo.  The shampoo is actually blue or purple in color but is formulated to enhance the white color of your dog's hair making them appear whiter.

The final thing to consider when choosing dog shampoo is your dog's health.  If your dog has a skin condition or fleas for example, then you will want to choose a shampoo formulated for the specific condition.  If your pet has dry or flaky skin then you would want to choose an oatmeal based shampoo or a shampoo that provides extra moisturizing properties.  Choose a hypoallergenic dog shampoo for dogs with allergies or skin sensitivities.  Hypoallergenic shampoos are formulated with ingredients that are less irritating to sensitive dogs.  For dogs with fleas, you might want to choose dog shampoo formulated to rid your pet of fleas.  When using a flea shampoo, be sure to check the label because most are not intended to be used on puppies.  Be sure to not bath your dog too often, doing so can dry your dog's hair and skin, making it flaky and itchy.