Dog Shampoo For Odor Buyer’s Guide
Anti-odor dog shampoo 101: What makes a shampoo perfect for the job?
There are all sorts of dog shampoos on the market today. Some are designed to help with your dog’s coat health. Others are formulated to deal with medical issues like fungal infections. The options are seemingly endless.
While most are pretty good at their job, not all are great when it comes to dealing with dog odors. In the sections below, you will learn all you need to know about what factors make a dog shampoo fantastic for dealing with your smelly pooch. With this information, you will be able to actually pick something that will work really well not only for your sake but also for your dog’s safety and comfort.
Multifunctionality and special formulations
All shampoos have a specific function. Some are designed for basic purposes like cleansing and conditioning the skin and coat. Others offer special benefits including antifungal cover, coat color enhancement and anti-itch skin soothing.
When picking a dog shampoo for odors, it is always wise to go for one that offers multiple functionality. Preferably those dog shampoos that gives you the basic cleaning and conditioning plus a little extra whether it is soothing the skin, reducing inflammation or managing itchiness.
This is because many causes of odors are as a result of more than just dirt buildup on the dog. Having the extra coverage helps you not only deal with the odor but also the source.
Deodorizing effect
How the anti-odor shampoo works against the musk is also very telling of the quality and its efficiency. One way they work is by binding the particles to form a neutral, odorless complex. This is very effective with these kinds of shampoo as once you rinse off the shampoo all the particles are washed away in a compact state and any survivors are essentially stripped of all their power.
Another way the dog shampoos work is by simply masking the odor with a stronger pleasant scent. This alone is not always effective especially with really strong odors. It is basically like spraying perfume on dirty clothes. It only works for a while then it joins the dark side and just makes the stench worse. With this effect, it is always best to have it paired up with something else like the odor-binding or skin-soothing.
Finally, you have options that deal with the odor by taking care of the cause. This includes anti-itch, soothing and skin-repair formulations. They take a little longer to work and often leave your dog with only a neutral scent.
The source of the scents
It is not always just enough to get rid of the bad dog odor. Sometimes you actually want your dog to smell a little nice. It could be anything from bright scents to mellow tones. For the most part, it is your personal preferences that will help you decide what exactly you go for. After all, it is you who will actually be smelling the dog.
However, you also need to have your pooch’s safety and comfort in mind when making your decision. This is the case particularly when it comes to choosing between chemical fragrances and natural extract scents.
Chemical fragrances typically tend to be stronger and more effective at masking the odor. However, they can be very harsh on your dog’s skin and end up causing more trouble than they are worth. If at all you must go for something with chemical fragrances, make sure it is something mild and that it won’t hurt your best buddy.
Natural scents, on the other hand, are often a little more subtle yet still noticeable. The good thing is that they tend to be dog-friendly and do not cause skin or respiratory irritation.
Skin-friendly ingredients
The ideal dog shampoo for your dog is one that uses natural ingredients. The most common in this case are oatmeal, aloe vera, shea butter and numerous natural oil extracts. These, in addition to deodorizing, they are very gentle on the skin and coat and help keep the coat healthy and soothed.
Some anti-odor dog shampoo options on the other hand feature chemical additives like alcohol, surfactants and parabens. Some of these chemicals like mild surfactants are not always bad as long as they are kept within reasonable proportions in the formula. However, other additives tend to be harsh on the dog’s skin and may even cause irritation or thinning of the coat.
It is therefore always best to just go with the skin-friendly options in which case natural ingredients are your safest bet.
Tear-free formulation
This goes for all dog shampoos and not just those that help with odor reduction. It is important that you get something that will not put your beloved pooch in actual physical pain during bath time. Tearless formulations are not only kinder on your pet but also easier for you to work with. This is because you will not have to deal with an irritated dog trying to fight their way free. It is a small detail but it makes all the difference.
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