Long winters can make pet coats pretty smelly.  As the weather warms and the snow melts, the yard becomes a muddy mess too.  So, now you want to bathe Fido and need to pick up a shampoo for that stinky, dirty coat.  You walk into a pet store or look online and you are overwhelmed by too many choices.

To help you choose the best shampoo for your dog, look at the list of active ingredients and consider what they are used for.  Many shampoos combine several active ingredients.

Dilute the shampoo by filling an old dish detergent bottle full of water and adding one tablespoon of shampoo and mix well.  This will help to lather evenly.  Get your dog’s coat wet all over.  Scrub well to get good contact deep down to the skin.  Leave the shampoo on for at least five minutes in order for the active ingredients to work on the skin.  Rinse twice thoroughly and check for areas of soap you may have missed to avoid irritation of the skin.

Most medicated shampoos can be used up to twice a week to help with problem skin.  For general cleaning and deodorizing, every two weeks should be sufficient.

ACTIVE SHAMPOO INGREDIENTS:

Benzoyl peroxide – flushes follicles of debris for those with plugged follicles and those prone to sebaceous gland cysts

Chlorhexidine– treats surface bacteria and mild yeast infections

Coal tar and salicylic acid– helps break down greasy, oily debris from the skin

Colloidal oatmeal– to soothe and hydrate itchy, dry skin

Ketoconazole and miconazole– antifungal ingredients which control yeast infections of the skin

Phytosphingosine– a new ingredient that keeps skin cells tight and acts as a barrier against allergens, bacteria, and yeast

Courtesy – Dr. Carla Edwards