Dog shampoo $$$!!

[kval07]

Originally Posted by CLN123 The vet told me that use a dog shampoo that was oatmeal based. He said it would make the coat shine better. Has anyone ever heard this? I personally would never use a people shampoo on a dog, especially Dawn.

I have always used oatmeal shampoo, and both of my dogs look absolutely handsome. I'm not biased either.

[mego1977]

I just got a bottle of flea and tic shampoo/conditioner from Target. I paid almost $5. The same bottle was selling for $9 over at petsmart.

[cheapcheap]

Update... went to another Petsmart and found store brand shampoos for $3.99. It contains natural ingredients and seems to be fairly good quality. I got the moisturizing formula with coconut oil. My furry baby smells like a coconut macaroon... mmm!!!

[lmk123]

I don't like using stuff with smell to it, that has to be annoying like fingernails on a chalkboard to their senses. Thanks for the link. I put our dog in the shower with me once a week and she doesn't mind at all.

I used to have a hard time finding the appropriate "shampoo" for our Sphynx cats, now I just add some oil into a small cup with whatever shampoo I am using for them and it cleans their *very* oily skin much better.

[christinamikayla]

I am a groomer and I use Dawn to kill fleas. Yes, it does kill fleas. Much safer than any "flea" shampoo that is full of harmful pesticides and toxic ingredients. I let it sit for about 10 minutes rinse off and then use an oatmeal dog shampoo. I don't use it for every dog just for the dogs that come in full of fleas.

[cheesecake]

The vet at Petsmart told my daughter to only shampoo her boxer every 2 weeks or it would dry his skin -- and to use Head & Shoulders shampoo. Like with everything else, it depends on who you talk to!!

[Lmnde]

Dog breeder [12+ years] and pet owner [30+ years] speaking here - countless bottles of expensive pet shampoo and conditioner later - of course the opinion you get depends on who you're speaking to! Vets, groomers and pet stores make their living on value added sales!

In reality a good/better quality ppl shampoo is better than a cheap doggy shampoo [especially stuff like Hartz and Sergeants! Hartz' fleastuff kills countless pups and kittens every year - I'm not even sure why they are still in business]. I used to buy the doggy shampoos + conditioners, and while the better stuff is great and makes for great coats, so does quality people shampoo. The problem with any bathing routine is when you overdue it or have a dog that already has a sensitive coat/skin to begin with. "Frequent washers" [what I call furmoms with a clean-nick] who shampoo their dogs weekly or bi-weekly, need to use good or better quality shampoos and also should condition every time they bathe [let sit in the crate for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off]. Weekly or bi-weekly bathing is not normal for a dog and can create skin and potential allergy issues if not done carefully and supported by quality food that helps replenish the natural skin oils.

A normal, fleafree dog [or cat] with a healthy coat [unless you have a puddle wallowing piggy] shouldn't require bathing more often than once every 4-8 weeks. Regular brushing is actually more important than bathing, as it stimulates oil secretion and hair/coat health. Before you all start yelling at me, I do realize that not all dogs are created equal, some have/get doggy odors no matter how often you bathe, others can go for weeks before needing a bath...

That said = Pert [like Dawn] also kills fleas nicely, and so does Loreal Vive [shampoo and let sit in a draft free, warm area for 10-15 minutes in a plastic crate]. I prefer using that to a pesticide shampoo, as I will still need to put some flea killing spray or topical afterwards [we're in GA and fleas are a way of life here], and I don't like to overdo it [as we have little doggies]. I also get some of the nicest results with Dove shampoos and conditioners, as well as Pantene.