There are a ton of Soothing Shampoos out there on the market for your pets to use for dry, itchy, irritated, and flaky skin, but which one's are best for your pets and why would you need to use one?
Why do I need to bathe my dog in soothing shampoo?
There are a number of reasons that your veterinarian might prescribe a soothing shampoo for your dog.
1. Skin infections Mild skin infections may be treated solely with a Soothing Shampoo. However, more severe infections often require a combination of antibacterial shampoo and potentially oral antibiotics.
2. Yeast infection of the skin. These infections are often treated with antifungal shampoo along with a soothing shampoo.
3. Skin allergies. Even in the absence of infection, Soothing shampoo can be helpful in the treatment of allergies. These shampoos often have ingredients that alleviate skin inflammation and itching, such as diphenhydramine (benadryl), ceramides, and pramoxine, while also helping to reduce potential allergens on the skin and coat.
There are a wide variety of soothing shampoos available to veterinarians; your veterinarian will select the shampoo that is most appropriate for your dog’s skin condition. The best one's include Diphenhydramine, Pramoxine, and Ceramides.
Where should I bathe my dog?
Although many dog owners bathe their pet in the bathtub, that is not the only option. Small dogs can be bathed in a sink – in the bathroom, the kitchen, or a utility room. Large dogs can be bathed outdoors during the warm weather, as long as you have an area that will drain well. It's important to select an area that is comfortably warm, with access to warm water. Make sure there is a place where you can set clean, dry towels within arm’s reach, because this will make your job easier when removing your dog from the bath. If possible, bathe your dog using a spray-nozzle. This will make rinsing easier and make the entire bathing process less stressful.
How do I actually bathe my dog?
Soothing shampoo should be applied to a clean wet coat, so start out by thoroughly rinsing your dog with lukewarm water.
After your dog is clean and wet, begin to work the medicated shampoo into the coat. Start with the areas that are most severely affected. In many cases, these areas are the paws, the armpits, the groin, and maybe the area around the rectum. After fully rubbing the shampoo in to these areas, you can begin massaging the shampoo into the coat across the rest of his body.
Once the shampoo has been thoroughly worked into your dog’s coat, set a timer for 5-10 minutes. It is important to set a timer – do not try to guess on timing, because your tendency will be to shortchange your dog!
When the timer goes off, it is time to rinse. Make sure that you completely rinse all of the shampoo from all areas of your dog’s body. This process will take several minutes; it is important not to leave excessive shampoo on the skin.
Once you have finished bathing your dog, it is important to completely dry him using towels. Keep your dog in a warm area until he is completely dry.
How often should I bathe my dog?
The frequency of medicated baths depends on the specific skin condition that the baths are addressing. In many cases, soothing shampoo baths are recommended on a weekly basis. Your veterinarian may recommend bathing more or less frequently, depending on the details and severity of your dog’s particular skin condition.
What should I expect after a soothing shampoo bath?
Typically, skin conditions should begin improving within the first few weeks of using a medicated bath. Your veterinarian can give you a better idea of what to expect with your dog’s particular skin condition.
You may notice that your dog’s skin is a bit red immediately after a bath. This typically does not indicate a reaction to the shampoo. Instead, it reflects an increase in skin circulation that often occurs after bathing. If your dog’s skin appears to be consistently worsening with bathing, however, please contact your veterinarian. While uncommon, allergic reactions to medicated shampoo can occur.
I hope that helps everyone with all the information they need about their pet's soothing shampoos! If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to us on Social on Facebook or Instagram, or email us at hello@wellnergypets.com with all your pet related questions and we'll answer it in the next blog post! Thanks everyone and talk soon!