Taking care of your dog’s health involves a lot of responsibility. Your dog’s personal hygiene is actually an important part of their good health. When choosing the proper shampoo for your dog, there are many factors to consider. Not every dog can use a certain shampoo, as some shampoo formulas are specifically designed for different types of dogs. Depending on the needs of your dog, you may choose from several different dog shampoo formulas.
Some dogs, such as the Labrador Retriever, have a fairly thick coating of protective oil on their fur. In the case of the Labrador, the oil helps this breed of dog to be resistant to water and moisture. When choosing the proper shampoo for a dog with an oily coat, it is very easy to purchase the wrong kind of shampoo formula. Most Labrador owners will only bathe their dog once per month, and use a fairly mild shampoo. A mild shampoo is usually best for these types of dogs, since it won’t completely strip the natural oils from their coat.
In some pet care cases, you may have to purchase a shampoo formula for a dog with a long-haired coat. Depending on the breed of dog, there are several formulas for you to consider. Some shampoo formulas help to slightly minimize shedding, and can be useful if you have a dog in the moderate-high shedding category. If you are worried that your dog’s long-haired coat is too dry, you may want to purchase a shampoo formula that also contains conditioning agents. A conditioning shampoo formula will also help grooming your dog to be much easier.
Sometimes, you may have to purchase a shampoo designed for getting rid of fleas. There are several different flea shampoo formulas on the market, each of which contains similar ingredients. If you are looking for a natural flea shampoo that does not contain chemicals, be advised that these formulas, while all-natural, are not as effective at getting rid of an existing flea problem. Some natural shampoos will contain essential oils that may help repel fleas, ticks and other insects. However, choosing a standard flea-killing shampoo will require that you purchase a formula that contains some chemical ingredients. These flea shampoo formulas are designed to kill all existing fleas on your dog, and may even eradicate flea eggs and larvae as well.
If you have a dog with a high-maintenance coat, such as a Poodle, you may want to invest a bit more in your dog’s shampoo. Purchasing a higher-quality shampoo usually provides additional benefits for your dog’s coat, which may be a requirement if your dog’s fur requires a significant amount of constant care. Choosing a more expensive shampoo may also be beneficial if you are looking to enter your dog in a professional dog show, since most show dogs are judged partially on appearance. If you plan to enter your dog in a dog show, it may be worthwhile to ask a local dog grooming company what their recommended shampoo is for show dogs.
