Your furry friends need to get clean just like you but you shouldn't use just any shampoo. Cleansers made for humans should not be used on your pet for several reasons so here's the skinny on all natural pet shampoos.
When it comes to skin, dogs and people have different pH levels. Dogs’ skin is slightly more alkaline than ours; their skin is between 6.2 and 7.4 on the pH scale while ours is around 5.5. Human shampoos are balanced to keep the pH of OUR skin in check. Therefore, repeated use of human cleanser on a dog can lead to chemical changes in their skin which can lead to itchiness, dryness, bacterial growth and a smelly dog. You should only use shampoos/conditioners that are formulated for pets and are pH balanced (this should be printed on the label).
When it comes to selecting the right all-natural shampoo for your dog, take a look at the ingredient list! There are certain chemical compounds that you should always try to avoid because they can be harmful to both you and your pet in the long run. Here are just a few: Propylene Glycol (toxic to the liver and kidneys), Phthalates (male/female hormone disruptors), Methylparaben and Parabens (preservatives that can have negative effects on the central nervous system), Polyethylene glycol (a solvent; linked to stomach disorders, iron deficiency and immune dysfunction), Cocomide DEA or MEA (coconut derived but actually a moderate cancer-causing agent). And these are just a few! Even if the label reads “Sulfate Free” or “Paraben Free” the product may still contain some of the nasty chemicals listed above.
So, what is safe to use on your dog?? You should be looking for shampoos and conditioners with ingredients that you can pronounce. Look for Vitamin E, Coconut Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary Oil, Aloe Vera, Peppermint Oil, which are all safe to use on your dog. For cats, be sure to seek out an all-natural, cat-safe shampoo. Cats should not be exposed to certain essential oils so be sure you get cleansers that are specifically for cats, or ones that are safe for both cats and dogs.
Did you know that you really don’t need to bathe your dog that often? Dogs are self-cleaning so too many baths can lead to dry, flaky skin especially in the winter….and now that you have cut back on the baths, you can spring for a bottle of high quality, all-natural shampoo. Remember, cheap ingredients make cheap/unhealthy shampoo. If you are convinced that your dog is overly smelly and/or scratchy, take a look at not only what shampoo you are using, but what you are FEEDING your dog. Many health issues can be directly related to nutrition. Like shampoo, you should at least be able to pronounce all of the ingredients on the label of your pet’s food!
Here are a few all-natural shampoos that we highly recommend. You can find them in our online store!
