“It’s fine to use human shampoo on dogs,” you may say. “That just means that I don’t have to worry about getting my dog sick,” you argue. While this may be true, it does not mean that you should not use a human shampoo on your dog or even that your dog will be completely safe with a human shampoo. The reason being that using human shampoo on dogs can sometimes lead to skin issues, allergies, and other problems.
Human hair shampoos, as well as conditioners and anti-dandruff shampoos, are generally very mild and are formulated to eliminate dirt, bacteria, and oil without stripping away natural oils. Yes, that is a good thing. It’s true that human conditioners and shampoos do contain certain anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, but when it comes to preserving the coat of your dog, a shampoo designed especially for dogs is needed. Human shampoos aren’t bad for dogs at all. In fact, they provide some beneficial benefits to dogs, such as stronger nails and smoother skin.
Dog shampoos, as well as human shampoo, contain various ingredients which are designed to cleanse the hair and scalp. One of the most common ingredients in dog shampoo is sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). Sodium laureth sulfate is actually a detergent that is commonly used in many products, especially shampoos. It’s a compound that makes the liquid cleaner for your dog hair, thus preventing dirt and oil from clogging the hair and scalp. It also has emollient properties and a neutralizes the acid mantle on your dog skin.
However, there are problems with using this type of shampoo on your dog, primarily because it strips the skin of natural oils. Your dog can absorb shampoo easily because of its high solubility. It becomes easier for dirt to get into your dog’s skin through the shampoo. Moreover, shampoo residue can build up on the dog’s body after each wash, causing irritation. It is also possible for dog to develop allergies to shampoo residue.
To solve these problems, many experts suggest using a dog shampoo formulated specifically for dogs. There are several brands available in the market. Most of these brands contain cetyl myristoleate or (CMO), a fatty substance that prevents the occurrence of oily coat and helps reduce dandruff. Although these types of shampoos can help maintain the overall health of your dog, they might not be helpful when it comes to washing the fur of your pet.
Using human shampoo for a dog will leave its users with dry skin. Dry skin can lead to itching. Some people even find it uncomfortable to bathe their pets. In addition, if you do not use appropriate human shampoo for a dog, it can cause your dog to have sensitive or irritated skin. The ingredients of these shampoos may contain alcohol, which can make the problem worse. Therefore, you should only use dog shampoo that contains mild or no alcohol.
Other factors that affect the quality and effectiveness of a human shampoo for a dog include pH balance, shedding, and dandruff. Canine pH balance is affected by improper nutrition and grooming. Moreover, dogs with long coats require more attention to their pH balance. Some manufacturers add an enzyme to their human shampoo, which can help restore the acidity of the pH in your canine’s skin.
Dog shampoo that contains natural ingredients are very beneficial to the health of your pet. Many dogs suffer from sensitive skin. Although this is not a serious condition, your pet can develop skin irritations such as dermatitis. The natural ingredients in dog shampoos can help prevent or reduce these symptoms.
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