One of the most important things when caring for your dog's coat hygiene is choosing the right shampoo or other coat care product, such as a deodorizer. Since dog skin is much more absorbent than human skin, dogs are much more sensitive to products used on their skin and coat. Therefore, when choosing dog shampoo and other coat care products, it is very important to pay attention not only to the beautiful label, but also to their composition.
Ingredients you should avoid
Even "natural" cosmetics or professional dog shampoos often contain some synthetic ingredients to stabilize and preserve the product. This is because natural ingredients tend to separate, lose their texture, and are susceptible to bacteria and fungi. Also, synthetic additives are often used to improve the effectiveness of the product. So, if you see one or another synthetic additive next to natural ingredients, you should not be afraid - most of the time these will be mild synthetic alternatives, in small concentrations, which do their job without harming your pet's health. However, if the entire or most part of the product is made up of synthetic substances, such a product should be avoided.
It is not recommended to choose dog shampoo and other products that contain the substances discussed below.
- Sulfates (e.g. sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, etc.) Strong chemical detergents widely used in cosmetics for their effective degreasing effect, but can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dryness and itching.
- Alcohol (e.g. isopropyl alcohol) has a strong drying effect on the skin and can cause irritation and discomfort.
- Silicones : Create a layer on the skin that can clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing.
- Parabens (e.g. methylparaben and propylparaben). These are extremely strong synthetic preservatives that can disrupt the body's endocrine system when they penetrate the skin.
- Mineral oils and other petroleum-based ingredients. These ingredients don’t provide nearly the same benefits as natural oils. They coat everything they touch with a thick, impenetrable barrier that prevents the skin from naturally eliminating its own oils and locks all the toxins inside.
- Artificial fragrances and dyes. The rich pink color and pleasant peach scent may look cool, but these unnecessary additives can cause negative reactions on your dog's skin. In addition, a dog's sense of smell is up to 10,000 times more sensitive than a human's, so artificially scented cosmetics can irritate not only sensitive skin, but also the nose.
- Phthalates (e.g. butyl benzphthalate). Often used to stabilize fragrances, they can disrupt the body's endocrine system.
- Cocamide MEA/DEA. A foaming agent derived from coconut oil. Yes, you read that right, this product is derived from coconuts. And yes, coconuts have amazing healing properties for both your dog and you. However, in order to produce Cocamide MEA/DEA, coconuts must be chemically modified to the point where they become a potential carcinogen, have also been linked to hormone and thyroid disruption, and are considered an organ toxin.
- Formaldehyde releasers (e.g. DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) - These are preservatives used to extend product shelf life and slowly release formaldehyde, a substance known to be a potential carcinogen.
- Isothiazolinones (e.g. methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone). What are these??? The general rule is to avoid products with ingredients you can't pronounce, and methylchloroisothiazolinone is a prime example. This preservative is still used in the cosmetics industry, including sometimes in dog shampoos, despite widespread talk of its carcinogenic effects. Scary!
Ingredients you should look for
When reading dog shampoo and cosmetic labels, and especially when choosing a shampoo for dogs with allergies, always look for as many natural ingredients and vitamins as possible. The following ingredients are gentle, do not cause unnecessary skin irritation, and help maintain the health of your dog's coat, skin, and overall body condition - the best dog shampoos will usually contain the following ingredients:
- Plant extracts . Obtained from various herbs, fruits, berries, vegetables, such as calendula, chamomile extract, aloe vera, cucumber, etc. All natural plant extracts are excellent additives to both professional dog shampoos and home-made shampoos and cosmetics for dogs.
- Oils : Such as coconut, argan, jojoba oils, lavender oil.
- Butters and waxes : Shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, beeswax, etc.
- Plant and other natural acids . Salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, hyaluronic acid are widely used.
- Plant proteins : Hydrolyzed proteins from plants such as oats, wheat, soy, rice.
- Probiotics and enzymes . Lacto and bifido bacteria, yeast, papaya enzymes (papain), pineapple enzymes (bromelain) are increasingly used.
- Vitamins . The most common are beta carotene and retinol (vitamin A), niacin (vitamin B3), panthenol (vitamin B5), biotin (vitamin B7), tocopherol (vitamin E), vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Vitamins in dog shampoo contribute to a naturally shiny coat and good skin condition.
What products do we choose for dogs?
Manufacturers of the best shampoos and other dog cosmetics will usually have separate lines for sensitive or irritated skin, which will help with dry or itchy skin, preventing unpleasant sensations or excessive scratching after bathing. You can browse our selected dog shampoos, dog coat sprays and other dog cosmetics in the Urban Tails dog hygiene section .