Can I use detergent to wash my dog? Find out here
Can I use detergent to wash my dog? This is the user-generated question for the day, and I will try as much as I can to give good advice and recommend the best hygiene products for your dog.
I presume you already know how to bathe a dog, but at this time, it is common to have doubts about whether you can use laundry detergent to wash your dog.
This is because having a pet means spending more on pet toys, food, visits to the vet, and many other hygiene products. What this means is that whenever you are ready to adopt a dog, you should understand that it takes a lot of money to take care of your dog.
So, in order to cut costs and save money, it is common for some ignorant trainers or owners to want to bathe their dogs with what they already have at home, in this case, laundry detergent.
But what this group of people failed to understand is the risks associated with using detergents or other products like coconut soap, bar soap, and baby shampoo to wash their dogs.
Read also>> What are the most dangerous human foods for dogs? Find out here
Because of this, the question, “Can I use detergent to wash my dog?” deserves to be answered so as to clear up the confusion about whether you can bathe your dog with a laundry detergent.
Can I use detergent to wash my dog?
The answer is no! It is not recommended to use detergents to wash your dog or any animal at all. I believe you’ve also heard that bathing your dog with coconut soap or mild detergent is good for their fur. But hear me today: this is nothing but a myth. I am going to explain further below.
Detergents are designed to deeply clean objects, so they are able to remove dirt and heavy grease. They contain some chemical ingredients, such as quaternary ammonium and sulfonic acid, that are very strong and harsh for dogs, or any animal, for that matter.
These products are not specifically made for animal skin and should never be used to wash your dog or cat.
What we understand is that the low price of laundry detergents is the major reason why some dog owners or trainers buy and use them to wash their pets without even thinking about the health implications for the pets. But they are causing more harm than good to the dog.
In addition to harming your dog, detergents, for all I know, do not contain the same type of moisturizing component as the recommended dog shampoo and other hygiene products. Using laundry detergent will also leave your dog’s skin dry.
Therefore, when you use detergent to wash your dog, the pet is more likely to develop dermatitis, an opaque and brittle coat, increased sebaceous production, and a bad smell.
But then, what can I use to wash my dog?
That’s a great question, and we are going to make some recommendations for you here. The best product to use to bathe a dog is to use dog shampoos and conditioners made for dogs.
These products are designed taking into account the characteristics and needs of dogs, such as pH and the natural oiliness of the pet, which is responsible for forming skin protection.
Dog shampoos are able to clean the pet effectively, leaving it smelling good and balancing the pH level of the skin; this prevents the proliferation of microorganisms that can generate dermatitis or other skin problems, such as allergies and eczema.
In addition, dog hygiene products go beyond just cleaning the animal; they can serve as hydration and hair reconstruction treatments, prevent the formation of knots, whiten the yellowish hair, or give black hair a boost. This is what laundry detergent cannot do and why it is never advisable to use it.
Types of shampoo for dogs
Hypoallergenic Shampoo
It is quite common for some animals to be allergic to some components of the shampoo formula; after all, they are just like humans. However, the trainer or owner will hardly be able to identify an allergy in the dog without trying or testing other shampoos.
What we are saying here is that if you know or suspect that your dog may have an allergy after bathing with other shampoos, then hypoallergenic shampoos are the best option to use in washing your dog. They are made with specific agents that are suitable for dogs with more sensitive skin and do not contain scents or dyes.
Antibacterial Shampoo
Antibacterial Shampoo is usually made of some specific component, such as chlorhexidine and miconazole. These components are essential for the treatment of infections caused by fungi or bacteria.
Shampoo for specific colors
Animal fur can also lose its shine and fade. This occurs due to several factors, such as age, dry hair, or even some sunburns.
To avoid this, shampoos for specific colors act as tinters. It is possible to find shampoo for light hair, which acts by promoting shine and conserving the natural color of the hair; shampoo for dark hair, which restores color and shine; and hair remover shampoos, which, as the name suggests, help to prevent the loss of hair.
Shampoo for puppies
The Shampoo suitable for puppies are specially formulated for the bodies of dogs that are still in formation. It is made with ingredients that are gentler for puppies’ sensitive skin.
Anti-flea shampoo
Anti-flea shampoos are great allies in cases of infestation; however, shampoo is only used as an auxiliary to the anti-flea medication. After all, even with the use of shampoo, some fleas can survive.
They are made with a base of pyrethroids and organophosphates, which help kill fleas. However, care is needed when using this shampoo because the substance used in making it can also intoxicate the dog.
Can I use baby shampoo to wash my dog?
It is common to see people think that baby shampoo can be applied to dogs because it is less aggressive.
However, this is nothing more than a myth. Shampoos made for humans should not be applied to dogs or other animals, even if they are the mildest shampoos, as in the case of products for children or newborns.
This is because normally, products for humans have a more acidic pH compared to those for animals. In addition, shampoo for humans has other cosmetic additives and fragrances that can dry out and even harm the pet’s skin.
Therefore, it is never recommended to use baby shampoo to bathe your dog. Always look for a product suitable for animals!
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