Types

• Dog shampoo has come a long way in recent years with hundreds of different brands to choose from, as well as several types of dog shampoo for specific skin and coat conditions. Many dog owners opt for the standard dog shampoo that helps to clean the skin and hair of dogs without any unique conditions or grooming requirements. Others prefer flea and tick dog shampoo that helps to kill these common pet insects, making dogs and their skin and coats healthier. Some dogs have skin conditions like dry skin or allergies that may require specialty shampoos to help improve their skin health, while show dogs may need dog shampoo that works to add shine and volume to their prized coats.
  
  

Features

• While there are many types of dog shampoo on the market, they may not all be formulated for ideal dog skin and coat health. A good dog shampoo should have a low pH level and be made primarily from natural ingredients. Ideally dog shampoo should be tearless and thoroughly clean a dog's skin and coat but not strip away needed oils, which will cause dry skin and possible allergies. Dog shampoo should have a subtle scent but not be overpowering, lather and rinse easily, and leave the dog with a shiny, healthy coat.
  
  

Time Frame

• A bottle of dog shampoo should last for several months, as veterinarians generally recommend that dogs be bathed no more than once every three to four weeks to avoid drying out their skin. Since pet owners do not need to buy dog shampoo very often, it is often best for them to choose a quality dog shampoo product without emphasis on price. Cheaper dog shampoo may include harsher chemicals or not effectively clean the dog's skin and coat, making it a poor investment in the long run.
  
  

Considerations

• It is important to observe a dog's behavior, like the frequency of scratching and itching, in order to determine if a dog has a dry skin problem or skin allergy. Many dogs suffer from these conditions but are not treated correctly for them. There are several quality types of dog shampoo that can help to alleviate the discomfort these conditions can cause, as well as prescription dog shampoos available from veterinarians. Regular dog shampoo can only irritate these problems in some dogs.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Some pet owners prefer to use human shampoo on their dogs instead of dog shampoo, but this is not recommended and can have harmful side effects for dogs. Human shampoo has a higher pH level than dog shampoo, causing it to strip away some of the necessary oils on a dog's skin. While fine for the human scalp and hair, these pH levels often leave a dog with dry, irritated skin, causing extra itchiness and scratching.