What shampoo to choose for dogs and cats?

The beauty of the skin and coat of a dog or cat is not a given, but a consequence of proper care. Such care includes a balanced diet, active leisure, regular vaccinations, parasite treatment and, of course, the right cosmetics! Unfortunately, many owners still wash their pet with soap or their own shampoo, and then wonder why he gets dandruff, itching, and why his hair falls out.

Unsuitable shampoo provokes dermatological diseases, hair loss and color fading.

For shampoo for pets, the requirements are approximately the same as for human ones. There are many nuances, but if you summarize them, the right purchase can be made in three steps!

• Step 1: composition. It is advisable to choose shampoos without lauryl sulfate (SLS) and EDTA. Such shampoos are more expensive than “normal” ones, but you don’t have to worry about your pet’s health.

Why are lauryl sulfate (SLS) and EDTA dangerous?

Lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the sodium salt of lauryl sulfuric acid, a surfactant. It is used in pharmacology and is added to detergents for a strong cleaning effect and foam formation.

Due to its low cost, SLS can be found in most dishwashing detergents, shampoos, and toothpastes. In small concentrations, the substance is safe, but with prolonged use it can cause dryness, peeling of the skin, hair loss, and a rash. Those with sensitive skin and those prone to dermatological diseases should avoid products with SLS.

EDTA is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which has a chelating property. In cosmetics, this substance is added to enhance the effect of the ingredients. However, EDTA tends to accumulate in the body and over time negatively affects the functioning of cells, and with regular contact can have a toxic effect.

European experts in the field of natural cosmetics recommend avoiding products with EDTA. In addition, this substance has a safe natural analogue – phytic acid.

• Step 2: Assign funds.

The selected shampoo should be suitable for a particular pet: its skin and coat type, color, age. So, a kitten needs to be washed with shampoo for kittens, and not for adult cats, and shampoos for long-haired pets are not suitable for short-haired pets.

Please note that professional products are not necessarily divided into feline and canine. They can be assigned according to the type of coat and are suitable for both cats and dogs. For example, all Iv San Bernard and All Sytems shampoos are suitable for both dogs and cats.

To buy the perfect shampoo, it is important to correctly determine the type of coat of your pet and familiarize yourself with the classification of funds from a particular brand. Iv San Bernard, a global pet cosmetics brand, categorizes products as follows:

– for long haired. Suitable for pets with hair that grows in length throughout life;

– for medium hair. Suitable for pets with an undercoat and hair that grows to a certain length, as well as for dogs with coarse and voluminous hair;

– for short haired. Suitable for pets with a minimum amount of short undercoat and short outer hair.

You need to be especially careful when choosing a product for pets with a snow-white color. Most whitening products contain aggressive substances in their composition, so the composition must be studied very carefully.

All shampoos and conditioners must be used according to the instructions, otherwise the color may appear on the coat.

A real disaster is poor-quality or inappropriate shampoo for animals with sensitive skin. One application will exacerbate existing problems, and regular contact will lead to a complex of dermatological problems and hair loss.

Regardless of the type of coat, after shampooing, apply conditioner to your pet. It eliminates static, prevents overdrying of the coat and the formation of tangles, nourishes and moisturizes the hair. Regular use of the balm also prevents the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the dog.

• Step 3: consultation with professionals.

In caring for a pet, it is better not to experiment. The well-being of your beloved dog or cat is at stake, and you are unlikely to want to risk it. In order not to make a mistake with the choice of funds, it is useful to consult with experts: veterinarians, breeders or groomers. It is important to find a professional you trust and can turn to if you have questions.

When choosing shampoos on your own, give preference to professional brands that are used in grooming salons and veterinary clinics around the world. These are brands such as ISB, Bio-Groom, Oster, All Systems and others. At the moment, they embody the highest standards of cosmetics for pets and the risk of a negative reaction of the body to their use is minimal.

You know this resentment. It happens that you pick up a product according to all the rules, and then you apply it to your pet – and there is no foam. What is the wash then?

Answer: excellent. Professional shampoo may not foam just because it does not contain SLS – an aggressive foaming substance.

Just because a shampoo doesn’t lather doesn’t mean it’s not working!

Now you know all the basics and are ready for a great purchase!

However, the perfect shampoo is not a reason to wash your pet more often than necessary. You can also read about how to properly and how often to bathe a pet on our website.

Until next time!