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What to Know About Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
Bath time can be a minefield for dogs with sensitive skin. Common ingredients, such as artificial fragrances, dyes, and parabens can irritate the skin, while some shampoos have drying formulas that make itchiness worse. Luckily, you can find dog shampoos for sensitive skin that are made with gentle ingredients that don't cause further skin issues.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, regular bathing with hypoallergenic shampoo can be helpful for dogs with sensitive or itchy skin caused by allergies. So, you shouldn't assume it's best to avoid bathing dogs with sensitive skin. Reed Animal Hospital suggests asking your vet how regularly you should bathe your sensitive-skinned dog.
Ingredients
While you can find some hypoallergenic dog shampoos made using synthetics, those made using primarily natural ingredients are usually a safer bet. Look for ingredients with naturally soothing properties, such as oatmeal and aloe vera.
Safety
Generally, dog shampoo is extremely safe. However, if you have a dog under 12 months old, you should always check that it's suitable for puppies as well as adult dogs. If at any time your dog seems irritated by the shampoo, stop using it immediately and contact your vet if the issues persist without usage. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and don't let your dog ingest any of the shampoos.
Scents
Fragrance-free shampoos are best for dogs with very sensitive skin. However, dogs with mildly sensitive skin can usually abide by light fragrances, especially those from natural sources, such as essential oils.
If your dog's skin is itchy, rather than just sensitive, look for a soothing formula. Colloidal oatmeal is known for reducing itchiness, so anything that contains this is ideal. Some shampoos are specifically formulated for itchy dogs, so these are great, too.
You should never use human shampoo on dogs as it can unbalance the skin and makes dry, itchy, or sensitive skin worse. For dogs with sensitive skin, you should also avoid those with overly harsh ingredients.
Sensitive skin is often simply down to genetics. However, it can also be down to allergies or other health issues. If your dog's skin is extremely sensitive, you should have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes.
