DOG and CAT SHAMPOO

Introduction

A dog or cat cannot remain clean and well groomed without the proper care: regular bathing, combing, brushing, nail trimming and teeth cleaning.

Dogs need regular baths because they give off a certain odor, and their skin secretes a waxy substance that clings to their hair. Dogs that are kept outdoors need less baths because they have less contact with their owners. House dogs, however, should be bathed whenever they become soiled and smelly.

A cat, generally, does not need to have a bath. Cats are surface cleaners and take great care of their coat. If you do plan, however, to bathe your pet cat, introduce him to baths at an early age so he becomes accustomed to the routine. You will encounter less resistance and find the task a lot easier as your pet grows older.

Grooming Basics

Aside from its obvious hygiene benefits, grooming time is an excellent opportunity to deepen the bond between you and your pet. It is also the best time to check on your pet's health by looking carefully for signs of fleas, ticks, skin irritations, lumps or painful spots. Do not overlook his eyes, ears and teeth. A prompt consultation with your friendly veterinarian is in order if you find anything abnormal or disturbing.

Schedule your pet’s grooming when you have sufficient time to focus on the task without feeling hurried or annoyed. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your pet will be.

Your pet’s disposition can affect how receptive he will be to grooming. Reassure him by handling him firmly but gently, and in time he will grow more familiar and comfortable with the routine.

Longhaired dogs and cats require more grooming than other breeds. It is important to comb and brush their coats to remove loose hair during the shedding season (so it doesn’t cover the rugs and furniture). Even shorthaired dogs need regular brushing to strip away particles of dead skin and make the coat shine. Use a soft wire brush or strong hairbrush.

Shampoo and Your Pet's Health

If a shampoo is specially formulated for dogs, don’t use it on cats—and vise versa. No matter how effective their ingredients are, if used on the wrong animal you simply won’t get the same results. They may even trigger allergic reactions.
Always rinse out the shampoo very well before toweling dry your pet. Dogs will typically shake themselves to get rid of excess water then sunbathe. This is natural.
Your pet’s breed, type of coat, and the general environment in which he lives or plays in will determine how frequently he needs to bathe and what shampoos to use.
Aside from the general cleansing shampoos, you can buy medicated shampoos to treat specific skin conditions or control fleas. Be sure to read the label to see if it is for dry, flaky, irritated skin; for skin infections accompanied by hair follicle inflammation; for oily, irritated and itchy skin; and for reduction of excessive shedding. Some shampoos even have tear-free formulas for pets with delicate skin, or gentle formulas for puppies.
There are also shampoos specifically formulated for white and light colored coats to prevent darkening, as well as shampoos for black and dark colored coats for a deep, radiant color. Finish off your pet's bath with conditioner or creme rinse to reduce mats and tangles.