All dog owners and dog fanciers are aware of how important it is to keep a dog clean. Dogs need bathing, and how you should bathe them often depends on the dog breed, as well as its activity and the time the dog spends outside.
If you are familiar with the fact of how often you should bathe your pet, that is not all you should know. It is very important to use appropriate preparations in the maintenance of your dog.
This is especially important in situations where your dog has some skin issues that need to be treated with appropriate products.
So, what are the products that are best for bathing dogs with some skin problems, such as dandruff? Can you use Head and Shoulders on dogs? Is Head And Shoulders safe and desirable for use on dogs?
There are certain differences between human shampoos and dog shampoos. A Dog’s skin is particularly sensitive, and too frequent use of inappropriate shampoo could seriously harm their fur.
If you are interested in whether the use of Head and Shoulders shampoo is safe for dogs, and what effects this shampoo can have on the health of your dog, this article will clarify all your doubts.
Can You Use Head And Shoulders On Dogs?
Just like humans, some dogs struggle with dandruff. The most common cause of dandruff in dogs is dry skin.
Sometimes, dogs might have problems with dandruff or similar skin issues for some other reasons. Perhaps, the food you have been feeding your dog might not be the best choice for them. For the best advice regarding this topic, you should contact your vet.
But, let’s go back to today’s topic. This is the first time you noticed dandruff on your dog’s coat, and you have Head and Shoulders shampoo at home. It has effectively solved your dandruff problem, so you wonder, why not try to help your dog with the same problem?
Head And Shoulders shampoo has been one of the best human allies against dandruff for many years; millions of people testify that they solved their problem of dandruff in the short or long term, thanks to this shampoo. Well, can we use it on our dogs? Yes, we can. But, should we?
If your dog does not have a constant dandruff problem, using this human shampoo will most likely not harm him. But, the problem arises if Head And Shoulders shampoo is used for regular maintenance of dog skin.
In some cases, you can even get advice from a veterinarian or a professional groomer to use Head And Shoulders shampoo in order to get rid of your dog’s dandruff.
But, this should by no means become a common routine. We must not forget how sensitive dog skin is, and how much certain chemicals from human shampoos can harm it.
Is It Okay To Use Head And Shoulders On Dogs?
If you notice your dog scratching or licking frequently, it is very possible that he is struggling with dandruff or some other skin condition. If you are planning to use Head and Shoulders shampoo to help your pet, you’re probably wondering if this anti-dandruff shampoo is suitable for dogs.
The first and foremost thing you need to know about this shampoo is its ingredients. One of the active ingredients in this shampoo is zinc pyrithione, which accounts for about 1% of the total share in Head and Shoulders.
This ingredient has been shown to help with dandruff in dogs, and since its percentage is low, it should not cause a problem with your dog’s coat. So, is Head & Shoulders safe to use on dogs?
Yes, but not too often. This shampoo will indeed help dogs with irritated skin, but intensive use of this shampoo can bring harmful consequences, especially for puppies.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Head And Shoulders On Dogs?
Head And Shoulders shampoo can make it much easier for you to help your dog that is currently battling a fungal infection, a skin infection, or a yeast infection.
The great advantage of this shampoo is that it is available everywhere, so you will not have to look for it for a long time. Also, its price is extremely affordable. After just one use of this shampoo, you may notice that your dog’s skin condition has improved significantly.
Despite all this, we repeat: Head And Shoulders shampoo is safe for your dogs only occasionally. Never allow the use of this shampoo to become a regular step in the maintenance of your dog’s hygiene and health!
Human Shampoo Vs. Dog Shampoo
There is a huge number of products available on the market today for animals, especially for dogs. From different foods to cosmetics: sometimes it seems that pet owners are no longer able to choose what is best for their pooch.
This also applies to the type of shampoo, especially when trying to help your dog that is struggling with some skin problem.
Let’s first find out if dogs need shampoo at all?
Do Dogs Need Shampoo?
To be able to remove dirt from your dog’s body, you need shampoo while bathing. Also, using the right shampoo will help your dog stay healthy and groomed.
If your dog doesn’t get too dirty while playing, or if he spends most of his time at home, you can sometimes bathe him without shampoo. Of course, this applies to dogs that are generally healthy and that do not suffer from any skin issue.
Regular baths with adequate shampoo will protect your dog from developing infections or bacteria. If your dog is dealing with some skin problems, such as dermatitis or a yeast infection, there are many dog shampoos available.
What you should always check are the ingredients of dog shampoo. A helpful, active ingredient for dandruff problems is coal tar, while some of the best moisturizing ingredients for your dog’s skin are vitamin E and coconut oil.
What Is The Difference Between Human And Dog Shampoo?
Dogs have the so-called acid mantle on their fur, which protects their skin from harmful external influences. Because bathing can damage this acid mantle, dog shampoos have been produced with ingredients that help preserve the acid mantle on them, and thus, preserve the overall dog’s health.
Why is there a difference between a human shampoo and a dog shampoo?
Dog skin is significantly different from human skin, and the pH balance is different for humans and dogs. While our pH level usually ranges from 5.5 to 5.6, the pH level in dogs is from 6.2 to 7.4.
Therefore, the pH level in dogs is more neutral, so if human shampoo is used too often on dogs, it can damage their skin and expose the dog’s skin to various bacteria and viruses.
What Human Shampoo Is Safe For Dogs?
If you are in doubt as to whether other human shampoos besides Head And Shoulders can be used in the bathing routine of your dog, we again recommend that you do not regularly use human products on your pet.
However, it is useful to know that a human shampoo that would be most suitable for your dog is baby shampoo.
Since babies also have extremely sensitive skin, the ingredients in shampoos intended for babies are carefully selected so as not to harm their young skin.
Well, this type of shampoo is safer to use with your dog as well compared to some other shampoos that have more chemicals and more aggressive ingredients.
Alternatives To Dog Shampoo
There are also some alternatives – some products you can probably find in your home that you can use as a safe substitute for a dog shampoo. Some of them are:
- Baking soda: If you rub baking soda on your dog’s fur, in this natural way, you will refresh your dog and get rid of the unpleasant smell and dirt.
- Wet wipes: If your pet has recently taken a bath, but got dirty again in a short time, sometimes it is not bad to have a quick solution on hand. Wet wipes are one of these quick solutions with which you can easily and quickly clean your dog. Here, it is necessary to make sure that the wipes do not have too many harmful ingredients. Also, it is not recommended to use them too often.
- Dish detergent: If you’ve just run out of dog shampoo, I’m sure you have dishwashing detergent on hand. This product can also successfully help you get rid of dirt and odors from your dog’s fur. Make sure the detergent is not too aggressive, and do not use this product to wash your dog often.
Using Head And Shoulders For A Dog’s Skin Problems
We have learned that Head And Shoulders can help your dog get rid of dandruff. Let’s now look at what other skin irritation in dogs can be treated with the help of this human shampoo.
Fleas
If your dog has a flea problem, Head And Shoulders shampoo could help you solve this skin problem quickly. Simply bathe your dog with shampoo, leave it on for a couple of minutes, and rinse the shampoo well several times. With Head And Shoulders, your dog should get rid of fleas.
Even if some fleas or their eggs have survived, this shampoo will significantly weaken them, so they will all die soon.
Seborrhea
The best way to resolve seborrhea problems with dogs is to use medicated shampoo, which you can find in specialized pet shops. However, Head And Shoulders shampoo can also be helpful with seborrhea.
The main signs of seborrhea in dogs is itchy skin or red skin, and an unpleasant smell. Thanks to the ingredients in Head & Shoulders shampoo, your dog should feel instant relief. This shampoo will alleviate the symptoms of seborrhea, and your dog’s skin will be hydrated and recovered.
Yeast Infection
Due to its antibacterial and antifungal ingredients, Head And Shoulders shampoo might be very helpful in helping your dog with a yeast infection.
The use of Head & Shoulders shampoo will stop the further spread of yeast, and the dog will feel relief as his skin will be less irritated. Also, your dog should stop scratching immediately after bathing with this shampoo.
As you can see, Head & Shoulders shampoo might be very helpful in resolving certain skin problems with dogs. However, this still does not mean that this is the best shampoo that should be used on dogs, nor that it should be used frequently.
How Often Should You Use Head And Shoulders On Dogs?
So, can you use Head and Shoulders on dogs? Yes, but to what extent is this use recommended?
If you are currently treating a certain skin condition on your dog, and you have received a recommendation for Head & Shoulders shampoo, pay attention to how often you use this shampoo.
Two to three times a week is quite enough to effectively solve the problem without overdoing it and damaging your dog’s fur at the same time.
Also, when shampooing, what you need to pay special attention to is that the shampoo does not get into your dog’s eyes or mouth. Additionally, rinse the shampoo well and dry your pet thoroughly.
Summary
We hope that now that you have read this article, you have the right answer to the question, Can you use Head And Shoulders on dogs.
Although this shampoo has certain benefits, and it can help you solve skin problems on your dog, regular use of it is not recommended. Occasional use of this shampoo will help solve the dog’s irritated or flaky skin problem, and will probably not seriously harm its skin.
However, the best way to deal with your dog’s dandruff and sensitive skin is to contact a veterinarian. A professional will explain to you how to find the underlying cause of such problems in your dog instead of just offering you a short-term solution.
For example, you might get advice to completely change the dog food you are giving your pet since food could be the reason for its skin problems.
If a dog has once suffered from a particular skin problem, the problem will likely come back again. A dog’s skin is extremely sensitive, and it is necessary to be careful with the products you use in order to keep your dog clean and healthy.
Therefore, assuming that you are all responsible dog owners, we wholeheartedly recommend the use of appropriate dog shampoos that will preserve the long-term health of your pet.
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