FAQ: Grooming for dogs

Dog shampoo is generally recommended, because a dog's skin has a different pH from human skin and human products can dry and irritate it. If your dog has sensitive skin, ask a vet.

Look at the price per litre — it shows which bottle is really cheaper. On zoogidas.lt shampoos can be compared by price per litre, so you can see at once whether a bigger bottle really pays off.

Shampoos are often grouped by coat: short, long, curly, wiry or white. Long-haired dogs do well with moisturising, detangling shampoos, wire-haired dogs with ones that do not soften the coat. For sensitive skin, choose mild, fragrance-free products.

Puppy shampoos are milder, often without strong fragrance and less irritating to the eyes. They suit young dogs with more sensitive skin, but puppies should not be bathed too often either — wiping the dirty spots is usually enough.

In the first weeks a puppy is usually not bathed, only wiped with a damp cloth. When it is safe to use shampoo for the first time depends on the puppy's health and the shampoo's label — if in doubt, ask a vet, and after the bath dry the puppy thoroughly and keep it warm.

For a dog with sensitive skin, owners usually pick mild shampoos without fragrance or dyes, sometimes with oatmeal or aloe. Try it on a small area before the first full use. If the skin turns red, itches or flakes, see a vet — the cause may be a health problem rather than the shampoo.

A hypoallergenic shampoo is formulated to contain as few common irritants as possible, such as fragrances and dyes. It suits dogs with sensitive skin but does not cure allergies — if your dog scratches constantly, a vet should find the cause.

Conditioner is not always necessary, but for long-haired and curly dogs it makes the coat easier to brush and reduces tangling and static. Short-haired dogs usually need only shampoo. Like shampoo, conditioner must be rinsed out well.

Shampoos for white coats often contain optical brighteners or bluish pigments that visually reduce a yellowish tint. They should not be used near the eyes. Brown stains around the eyes or mouth usually come out only partly, because tears or saliva leave them.

Dry shampoo is a powder, foam or spray that is rubbed into the coat and brushed out without water. It is handy when travelling, in winter or when the dog cannot be bathed, but it does not fully replace a bath when the dog is very dirty.

Medicated shampoos are meant for specific skin problems, so they are best used only after a vet has found the cause and said how often to bathe. The wrong shampoo can mask symptoms or dry the skin out even more.

It depends on the product: the maker says to dilute concentrated shampoos, while regular ones can be applied straight to the wet coat. Diluted shampoo spreads more easily through a thick coat and rinses out more easily. Always follow the label.

Concentrated shampoo is diluted before use, so one bottle gives more baths. When comparing prices, consider not only the price per litre but also the dilution ratio on the label — that shows the real cost of a single bath.

With most ordinary dog shampoos it is enough to massage them in well and rinse after a few minutes. Some products, especially vet-prescribed shampoos, have a longer contact time on the label — stick to it.

Shampoo left in the coat can irritate the skin, cause itching and dandruff, and attract dirt faster. Rinse until the water runs clear and the coat no longer feels slippery, especially in the armpits, on the belly and between the toes.

Baby shampoo is milder than ordinary human shampoo, but it is still made for human skin, not a dog's. Using it now and then usually does no harm, but for regular care a mild dog shampoo is the better choice.

The word ‘natural’ does not mean a product is milder — some plant extracts and essential oils can irritate a dog's skin. Check the ingredients: a short list without fragrance usually suits a sensitive dog. How the dog's skin reacts matters more than the label.

They can. Fragrances are one of the more common causes of skin irritation, and a dog's sense of smell is far keener than ours, so a strong scent may bother it. If your dog scratches or rubs on the floor after a bath, try a fragrance-free shampoo.

Active dogs do well with a mild shampoo meant for frequent use that does not dry the skin. Often it is enough simply to rinse the mud off with warm water and use shampoo less often, which leaves the skin's protective layer intact.

Oat extract is used in shampoos for its soothing and moisturising effect, so these shampoos are often chosen for dogs with dry or sensitive skin. They ease discomfort but do not treat skin disease — constant itching is a reason to see a vet.