What to Avoid and What to Look for in Dog Shampoos

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If your beloved canines have dog allergies, one of the things which are recommended is to buy dog shampoo. Dog shampoos are not difficult to find, they are present in most pet shops and you can also get them from your veterinarian. However, you have to be very careful about the various shampoos you use for dog allergies. Read the labels carefully because there might be some ingredients which are not good. 

The best dog shampoos are those which contain natural ingredients. However, the truth is most dog shampoos today contain a lot of artificial ingredients like perfumes, coloring and chemicals. Dogs with allergies have adverse reactions to these ingredients most of the time. In order to avoid adverse allergic reactions, it is better to buy dog shampoos which have organic and natural ingredients although there is a small amount of natural ingredients which also cause reactions.

One of the most important things to check when selecting a dog shampoo is the surfactant. The surfactant is what makes the shampoo spread and blend with water. A surfactant which is too harsh will strip your dog’s coat of its natural oils. Be very careful with your choices.

Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Shampoos

Although Aloe Vera is one of the bets ingredients in helping ease itching and scratching, however, there are dogs with pollen and grass allergies which might not benefit from Aloe Vera. If you are currently using a dog shampoo with Aloe Vera and you find it ineffective or not helpful, you should switch to another shampoo. Other ingredients which may also cause allergic reactions are:

·         Tar-this can cause cancer

·         Co Co Amide-another cancer causing agent

·         Sodium Laureth-this is the ingredient which causes shampoos to foam but this is irritating and this can damage the follicle

·         Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben and Mineral Oil-this causes allergic reactions

·         Ethyl Alcohol-this can dry out the coat of your dog

·         Propylene Glycol-this is a mineral oil which can irritate the skin of your dog

·         Parabens-this can contribute to cancer and this is also an irritant

Ingredients to Look for in Dog Shampoos

·         Vitamin A

·         Vitamin D

·         Vitamin E

·         Glycerin-this is better than Propylene glycol

·         Citric acid and Potassium sorbate-these are both approved by the FDA

·         Oatmeal-one of the bet ingredients in dog shampoos

·         Tea tree oil-an antibacterial agent

·         Neem- an antibacterial agent