<\/p>\n
\n
by Carlotta Cooper<\/p>\n
\n
What\u2019s in a Label?<\/strong><\/p>\n I have five dogs, all of the same breed, and each one of them has a different kind of coat texture. <\/span> Little Pearl has a smooth, sleek coat year-round. <\/span> She\u2019s always easy to groom. <\/span> Beautiful Billie, my champion girl, looks like a curly Poodle unless I spend hours stripping her coat. <\/span> Her brother Colin has coat that grows like Rapunzel\u2019s hair — <\/span> it never stops growing. <\/span> It just gets longer and longer every day. <\/span> His coat is a little frightening. <\/span> Taylor has a soft coat that mats easily and his brother Beau is prone to hot spots. <\/span> All of this means that I end up using different shampoos for different dogs.<\/p>\n \n It has WHAT in it?<\/strong><\/p>\n Reading shampoo labels can be confusing, to say the least. <\/span> Shampoos can contain chemicals with polysyllabic names and you have no idea what those chemicals are or what they may do. <\/span> Often times you have to rely on what the shampoo says it will do on the label and that may or may not be the truth.<\/p>\n \n Here are some of the most important things to look for when choosing a shampoo.<\/p>\n \n Avoid shampoos with the following ingredients:<\/p>\n \n \n Look for shampoos that contain ingredients or statements like the following:<\/p>\n \n \n Too Harsh!<\/strong><\/p>\n Some shampoos for dogs contain harsh detergents and chemicals. <\/span> They may strip all of the natural oils from your dog\u2019s coat. <\/span> One of the most important issues when choosing a shampoo is what kind of surfactant the shampoo has. <\/span> A surfactant is the surf<\/em> <\/strong> ace act<\/em> <\/strong> ing agent<\/em> <\/strong> in a shampoo. <\/span> They allow the shampoo to spread and interact with the water when you bathe him and to strip the oil and dirt from your dog\u2019s coat. <\/span> If you use a surfactant that is too harsh, such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, it will remove too much of the oil from your dog\u2019s coat when it washes out the dirt. <\/span> This will damage your dog\u2019s coat and leave it looking dry and harsh. <\/span> The natural oils in a dog\u2019s coat are good for the coat and protect it from damage so you want a shampoo that will only wash out the dirt and excess oils. <\/span> You should choose shampoos that are free of Sodium Laureth Sulfate both for yourself and for your dog.<\/p>\n \n Many shampoos that contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate (or SLS) are very high lathering shampoos. <\/span> They can be more like detergents than shampoos. <\/span> Unfortunately, high lathering shampoos can also be irritating to your dog\u2019s skin. <\/span> Look for shampoos that are soap-free or low lathering and which do not contain SLS. <\/span> These shampoos are easier to rinse out and less likely to irritate your dog\u2019s skin.<\/p>\n \n Some shampoos even contain chemicals with known carcinogens such as tar, which is found in tar-based dandruff shampoos. <\/span> It\u2019s also found in artificial dyes and fragrances. <\/span> These are shampoos that you want to steer clear of when you\u2019re choosing a shampoo for your dog.<\/p>\n \n \n \n Just Right<\/strong><\/p>\n Choosing shampoos with natural ingredients is usually much better for your dog. <\/span> No matter what kind of skin and coat your dog has, there are likely shampoos with natural ingredients to suit him. <\/span> If your dog has dry skin and itching then a shampoo with oatmeal would be just the thing. <\/span> Comfy Dog<\/a> shampoo contains colloidal oatmeal as well as botanical extracts of peppermint, burdock and comfrey. <\/span> Comfy Dog doesn\u2019t lather excessively so there\u2019s no residue left behind to irritate your dog\u2019s skin either.<\/p>\n \n Other shampoos with essential oils such as rosemary, tea tree and neem can prevent dandruff. <\/span> Bubbles \u2018n Beads<\/a> features healing tea tree oil which also fights infections on your dog\u2019s skins and helps heals skin damage. <\/span> There are essential oils to repel fleas and other essential oils for leave the coat soft and silky. <\/span> Whatever your dog\u2019s need, you can find great shampoos with natural ingredients instead of harsh chemical shampoos.<\/p>\n \n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n