Nowadays, with up to 30% of dogs suffering from allergies (to food, pollen, etc.), it's surprising how few owners truly consider what is harming their dog. More and more owners are dealing with unexplained scratching instead of trying a quality shampoo. The ones from pet stores are definitely not it. You could even kill your dog.
What definitely shouldn't be in the ingredients?
Let's see. Pick up the dog shampoo you have at home and see what's in it:
- Parabens – hidden behind names like methylparaben or propylparaben. They can irritate the skin and even disrupt hormone treatment. It's like applying a cream with female hormones...
- Sulfates – sulfur chemical detergents (dissolve impurities) that also irritate the skin.
- Perfumes and dyes – these are difficult to identify in the ingredients, they hide behind various Latin names, but they irritate the skin.
- Silicones – are even added to human shampoos, and people have already realized that they weigh down hair and are harmful. They clog pores and disrupt the skin's natural protection.
- Alcohol – just try pouring some plum brandy on skin with a rash. In the ingredients, you'll find alcohols under names like isopropyl or anything ending in -ol.
- AES, SLES - (can cause itching, dries out), EDTA - (damages skin, not biodegradable) or Kathon (highly irritating allergen, banned in some countries) are ingredients to avoid! You'll find them in most shampoos recommended in the 2 largest Czech brick-and-mortar pet stores.
Natural alternatives are healthier
Instead of perfumes, opt for a mild concentration of essential oils, which smell wonderful and are harmless. Preservatives can be replaced, for example, by Sodium benzoate, which does not irritate. Coconut derivatives (Cocamidopropyl, Decyl glucoside, Lauryl glucoside) moisturize and care for the skin, as do natural oils. Glycerin is plant-derived and won't harm even allergy sufferers. These are the ingredients that show the manufacturer truly thinks about the product's composition and wants to help dogs, not harm them and turn them into chronic patients.
Why are they more expensive? Because they last longer
You can no longer make excuses that you buy cheap shampoos because you don't have enough money. These cheap junk products are used undiluted, and quite often you use them up after 2 baths and have to go for another one. Quality shampoos like Burbur or Iv San Bernard are concentrated, top-notch products that, although they cost a few hundred more, are applied diluted 1:5 or 1:3, so they last many times longer than harmful cheap substitutes.
If you don't know chemistry, ask an expert
The chemistry of shampoos has many other pitfalls and benefits. Therefore, it's not a bad idea to consult a dog salon about them. It costs nothing and you can be sure you won't go wrong. They can choose a shampoo specifically tailored to your furry friend's needs, so you'll notice the difference immediately after use. Dog bathing is their daily bread, and no one understands the harm and benefits of these cosmetics better. This can also be proven by numerous reviews from breeders about the knowledge of sales assistants in pet stores with two-word names – most fish breeders confirm that in these stores, they have no idea what each fish needs, and the purchased specimens often die very quickly at home. They sell turtles at too young an age, when they cannot survive unprofessional care, and the animals are often riddled with diseases.
Consider the pH
Even the wildest students usually remember something about pH from school. If a shampoo doesn't have the correct pH, corresponding to dog skin, it irritates and disrupts the natural barrier. Then, yeast or skin parasites can easily multiply because nothing protects the dog when you bathe them in cheap junk. And this is true even if the junk is labeled as "antiparasitic" or anti-itch. The correct pH for dog skin ranges from 6.5-7.5.
A healthy and happy dog
Look for moisturizing, gentle cosmetics, suitable even for allergy sufferers. Quality products have dermatological certificates. If you think about what you feed your dog to ensure their long-term health, don't undermine this effort with harmful cosmetics. Bet on proven quality that supports healthy skin and coat and does not burden the dog's body with harmful substances. You might even save on vet bills.
