If your dog has had a fun time rolling in something he shouldn’t, or perhaps he’s given himself a mud bath whilst out on a wet walk, you’ll need to treat your dog to an emergency bath once you’re home. If you’re not prepared and you don’t have any dog friendly shampoo/soap bars available, you may wonder if it’s quite safe to use any other household shampoo on your pooch.
In this article, we explore safe to use shampoo’s for your furry friend.
Do you need dog shampoo to wash a dog?
If you have run out of dog shampoo, try washing your dog with just warm water. If warm water just isn’t budging the dirt or smell, there are many home remedies offering a great alternative to a dog shampoo. We’d recommend checking with your veterinarian or groomer if you’d like to use something other than dog shampoo on your dog. You want to avoid upsetting your dogs pH levels or worse, causing injury to your dog.
What human shampoo can I use on my dog?
Dogs and humans have very different pH balances. The average pH scale is 5.5 to 5.6 which leans to the acidic side, whereas dogs have an average balance of 6.2 to 7.4 which is more neutral. As human shampoo is tailored to our specific pH scale, using it on your dog can disrupt their average pH balance, leaving their skin dry and flaky as well as making them vulnerable to parasites, bacteria and viruses.
Using human shampoo won’t harm your dog as a one-off, but it’s definitely not recommended as a long term bathing solution; try to choose a neutral shampoo as close to pH 7 as possible.
Can I use baby shampoo on my dog?
Baby shampoo is actually a better option than your regular human shampoo; this is due to its odourless and gentle cleaning. If your dog has particularly sensitive skin, baby shampoo can be a good choice as it contains milder ingredients than regular shampoos. Baby shampoo is a safe, one-off substitute for dog shampoo, but to keep your pooch healthy it’s best to keep your favourite dog shampoo stocked up.
What is dog shampoo?
Dog shampoos are specially designed for your dogs coat and skin type. Here at Lords & Labradors, we stock a large array of options to suit your dogs breed and coat type, from itchy dog shampoo to shiny dog shampoo. Take your time to choose the perfect shampoo for your pooch and you should both reap the benefits. We’ve even developed our own shampoo, PetPlex, specially formulated to professional grooming standard - PetPlex will keep your dog smelling fresh for days
What is the best dog shampoo for dry skin?
Our PetPlex Derma Doctor has been specially formulated for dry skin. It is fragrance-free and is silicone and paragon free. This shampoo is so gentle that it won’t strip away natural oils or irritate the skin so is perfect for dogs with dry skin.
