Taking your dog out for their daily walk should come with a warning. Beware of puddles, mud patches and dives in the pond!
Of course, taking your dog out on their lead gives them the exercise and mental stimulation they need to live happy and fulfilled lives. Even greater is when they can roam off-lead and have their own freedom to explore the world around them. But that world is filled with mud and dirt just begging your dog to roll around in it, and often we can’t stop them until it’s too late and they’re giving us puppy dog eyes from under all that mud and sludge.
So, it’s then time to get them home and somehow into the bath or shower without transferring their mess onto the walls or floors. But many of us prefer to have our dogs only professionally groomed. Plus, we might not have the necessary dog-safe cleaning products ready to clean our mucky pups up.
If you have found yourself in a similar situation, we are here to help! At Poppy & Ted, we have answered all your questions on what is safe to scrub your dogs up to help you with a fast and efficient bath time.
Can I Use Human Shampoo on my Dog?
When it comes to using human shampoo on your dog, you should avoid doing so. However, if you’ve been caught out by an exceptionally rainy day or a cancelled grooming session - then occasionally, you can use human shampoo on your dog - sparingly! But you definitely should not make it a habit.
Why Isn’t Human Shampoo Safe for Dogs?
It’s not the best idea to use human shampoo on your dog as our skin and theirs are very different. This is because we have different pH balances, but why is this important?
Any skin has a thin top layer known as the ‘acid mantle’, which protects us from contaminants like bacteria and viruses. It also helps us keep hydrated! But when we wash, this acid mantle is washed away, and so soaps are created to counteract this and protect our skin until the acid mantle renews itself. For this to happen, the right balance between acidity and alkalinity is needed. Otherwise known as the pH balance!
Do you see where this is going?
Typically, human skin has a pH balance of 5.5-5.6, which is considered acidic. Dogs, on the other hand, have more neutral skin with a pH balance of 6.2-7.4. This means if you were to use a human shampoo on your dog, they would be vulnerable to parasites, bacteria and viruses. It can also lead to dry and flaky skin.
Is Baby Shampoo Safe for Dogs?
If you are in a bind and need to wash your dog sooner rather than later, you can use human shampoo as a one-off. However, you should take care to use more natural products if they are available.
For example, baby shampoo is a much better alternative for your dogs as it is typically odourless and much more gentle. The ingredients in baby shampoo are much milder, so it will be a better option for use on your dog than what you might typically use on yourself. However, if your dog is your only baby, you should opt for vegan shampoos and other products with more gentle ingredients.
The Best Shampoo for Dogs
If you’re worried about upsetting your dog’s natural pH balance and causing damage to its skin, you should invest in quality dog shampoo to have on hand in emergencies.
We recommend you bathe your dog at least once every couple of months and do so with the correct products. At Poppy & Ted, we have worked hard to create a product designed specifically for your dog's skin to ensure they feel as good as they look fresh out of the bath.
Our gentle dog shampoo is pH balanced and sensitive with a delicious baby powder scent that eliminates wet-dog odour. It also promises a deep cleanse without irritating the dog’s skin
If you want to get that freshly groomed look at home, you can also try a detangling spray for your dog that ensures their fur looks luscious and smooth, no matter how much they shake themselves dry! Simply spray a slight mist of this pH-balanced product and gently comb through with your dog’s preferred brush. Finally, top the routine off with a spritz of dog cologne in our popular baby powder scent for the perfect pamper session.
More Steps for Good Grooming
When you use the right products, even the grumpiest dogs can learn to love their grooming routine. Just remember to bathe your dog when they’re relaxed and keep bath time short while they adjust and get comfortable.
You should also keep stocked up on dog shampoo. Having a supply on hand means you don’t have to rely on using whatever else you have convenient and potentially damaging your dog’s skin with repeated use!
For more, you can shop our entire dog grooming collection at Poppy & Ted to ensure you have everything you need to have your pup smelling fresh and looking clean.
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Smells Like Wet Dog: How to Banish the Stench
