5 Things To Look For In Pet Shampoos + Guide On Bathing Your Pet

Hygiene and cleanliness are a massive part of keeping your pets healthy.

This is especially true if you live in a country with warm climates like the UAE and other countries in the GCC area. This is because your pet shampoo usage may increase due to frequently washing your pets from dust, sand, and daily dirt.

With a high shampoo usage like this, it’s a no-brainer that pet owners should adequately check the pet products they use.

From the additional benefits you get from the shampoo to its ingredients list, it’s best to be vigilant.

“What then should I look for in my pet’s shampoo”?

We’re here to help you out!

Read on to learn more about:

• Nutrients that your pet’s fur needs to be healthy.
• Pet shampoo ingredients that you need to avoid.
• How to properly bathe your pet without causing them stress.
• And many more!

What shampoo is good for pets?

When looking for a pet shampoo, try to find ones that don’t have harmful chemicals, such as parabens, SLS, and dyes. It’s also good to go for ones that help nourish and condition your pet’s fur. You can also check if the shampoo you’re buying is safe with topical flea and tick treatment products.

What should I look for in my pet’s shampoo?

Gentle fragrance

While pet shampoos with good-smelling formulations are attractive to humans, they might not be the best for your furry friend.

You can still purchase cat and dog shampoos with scents, but make sure they’re not too strong.

Humans generally scan their surroundings using eyesight. On the other hand, Pets rely on their eyes and noses to learn about their environment.

With powerful noses, pets will tend to react negatively towards strong scents such as those from detergents and other cleaning products. This includes sharp-smelling shampoos.

Formulation that conditions and nourishes fur

Pet shampoos have one major role - to clean your pet’s skin and fur. However, this doesn’t mean you should only be limited to this feature.

You can try to look for brands that go the extra mile and add ingredients that help make your pet’s hair shiny and healthy.

This is especially helpful for pets with thick fur, such as:

Since these pet breeds need more attention to their fur, it’s better to have a dog and cat shampoo that cares for it, too.

Well-balanced pH levels

Like humans, pets also have skin barriers that need the right pH to remain healthy.

When bathing your pets with shampoos that have well-balanced pH, skin irritations and other issues can be avoided.

Research shows dogs’ skin has a pH level between 5.5 to 7.2. They have more alkaline skin than humans, meaning their pH needs differ. If you buy pet shampoo for dogs that cater to their pH need, then you’ll be able to avoid the following:

• Skin dryness.
• Irritation and redness.
• Excessive oil production.
• Itchiness and excessive rubbing.

No harsh chemicals

“What are the example of chemicals that I need to avoid”?

Generally, these are what you want to watch out for:

• Dyes.
• Parabens.
• SLS or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.

On paper, these chemicals can have benefits; however, since they can be harsh on our furry friend's skin, it’s best to avoid them. You can opt to use pet shampoos that are made with natural ingredients.

Safe to use with anti-tick and flea products

If you have a pet who loves playing outdoors, there’s a high chance that you frequently use anti-tick and flea products on them.

These products typically have pet-friendly chemicals and can keep parasites away from your furry baby.

However, if you use pet shampoos that aren’t designed to be used alongside tick and flea products, both might affect each other’s performance.

Both products’ ingredients can also have chemical reactions that may harm your pet. This can lead to irritability, itchiness, and other skin issues.

How to bathe your pet properly?

Once you’ve found a pet shampoo that checks all the items mentioned above, it’s also important to learn how to bathe your pet properly.

Some furry babies experience stress and anxiety when bathed by their owners due to poor cleaning methods.

To prevent your furry friend from experiencing stress, here’s a quick guide on how to bathe them:

Step #1: Guide your pet gently to their bathing area. You can do this by offering rewards such as treats, pets, and other items they like, including toys and pillows.

Step #2: Gently brush your pet’s fur to remove any light matting, dirt, and tangles. This step can make the washing more comfortable since their fur won’t be pulled.

Step #3: Put cotton balls in your pet’s ears. This will serve as a protection for them so that water won’t come inside their ears.

Step #4: Slowly introduce water to your pet. You can do this by splashing them gently with a small amount first, then gradually increasing it after a few splashes. If you can, use lukewarm water.

Step #5: Once your pet is comfortable with more water, you can start putting shampoo and other cleaning products on them. Make sure you frequently give them assurances and use a gentle and calm voice when talking to your pet.

Step #6: Dry your pet gently using an absorbent towel. Start by patting their fur instead of rubbing it. Your dog will shake any water off their bodies, so make sure that you don’t get freaked out when they do so they’ll remain calm, too.

If you follow these steps, your pet’s bath time will be better and more enjoyable! Their fur and skin will also thank you if you use a good pet shampoo.

What we recommend: Nootie’s Pet Shampoo

With over 40 years of experience, Nootie has been one of the most trusted brands in the pet care industry. This is also the dog shampoo Dubai groomers and owners love. They're also highly popular in UAE and other countries within the GCC area.

One major reason they’re sought after is that veterinarians have mostly used Nootie’s products for decades. Who wouldn’t want what industry experts use, right?

After all, the best dog shampoo is one that's been formulated by experts and has tons of benefits for your pet's skin and fur.

Our team also loves using Nootie’s pet shampoo because of its long-lasting scent. They also help keep our pets’ fur looking healthy and shiny.

As pet lovers, we also patronize products that don’t have testing processes that harm animals. Nootie pet shampoos are guaranteed to be cruelty-free and even vegan-friendly.

If you want to secure your own bottle of Nootie's pet shampoo, you can check this link to our store!