You might share your couch or beds with your dogs, but are you also sharing their nasties at the same time?

Giving your dog a regular bath is important in Singapore’s hot and humid weather. The combination of heat and humidity promotes a high number of bacteria and parasites growing on your dog’s skin and coat, which means Singaporean dog owners need to take more care of their skin to deter any related issues. Dogs also sweat differently from humans, this is through their paw pads, nose, and via panting. This means that bacteria and parasites will more likely develop in these areas more than others when they sweat.

We help to discover what a good shampoo should have for dogs to combat the heat here in Singapore!

Your Dog’s Skin

Understanding the natural state of your furkid’s skin condition in this tropical climate is an important factor to deciding where to start with your search for a suitable doggy shampoo. If your dog has dry, flaky skin, a moisturising shampoo that contains colloidal oatmeal, honey, coconut oil, and vitamin E will help make substantial improvements. 

Colloidal oatmeal contains beneficial compounds that are scientifically proven to have beneficial properties for the skin, including:

• Avencin compounds - which have anti-fungal properties to combat yeast growth.

• Saponins - which helps with cleansing the skin.

• Vitamin E - which has anti-inflammatory properties.

• Phenols - which helps to moisturise the skin.

Your Dog’s Medical Condition

If your dog has skin allergies, or even parasites such as ringworms, then it will be important to use medicated dog shampoos that are in tune with their existing condition. These could be antibiotic shampoos or anti-fungal shampoos that are prescribed by your vet. There are also off-the-shelf shampoos that can gently heal their itchy skin, and tackle the root cause of their medical condition. If their skin issues are severe, ensure to consult a vet before you apply any medicated shampoos or balms on your pup.

Your Dog’s Age

For younger dogs, it is better to choose shampoos that are gentle on the skin, or even hypoallergenic. These shampoos tend to be more sensitive, and will not irritate your puppy’s eyes if they are exposed.

Your Dog’s Coat

Every dog is unique and special, and the same goes for their fur coat. Dogs with longer coats may require a shampoo-conditioner that incorporates elements to help replenish the natural oils in your pup’s fur. These shampoos are also good for particularly frizzy locks and stubborn tangles for moisture and better daily maintenance.

Your Dog’s Colour

For white or light-colour coated pups, there are specialty shampoos that are formulated with brighteners and whiteners, designed to prevent fading, whilst boosting your dog’s coat. However, whitening shampoos are not for tear stains, which are a more common issue. Do not use these as they will irritate your pooch’s eyes.

Your Sustainability Beliefs

Liquid shampoos are definitely more convenient to lather onto your dog. However, a decade old study on bar soaps versus liquid soaps by the University of Oregon found out that liquid soaps require five times more energy to produce, and 20 times more energy to package. Furthermore, consumers also use 6 times more liquid soap than bar soap on a per use basis. Shampoo bars for dogs are a clear winner if you are environmentally conscious and want to keep our environment sustainable for future generations.

How Do I Choose The Best Shampoo?

Keep it simple. Avoid a lengthy list of ingredients, and opt for natural components such as oatmeal, aloe vera, herbal proteins, vitamins, natural extracts and more. You should also avoid artificial fragrances, such as chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus, as they are irritants to your dog’s skin. Also, avoid using human shampoos as they are harsher on the skin of your pooch.

How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?

There are varying recommendations by vets, dog owners, and other dog communities on this topic. The most reasonable approach is to ensure that you give your dog a proper wipe down after a day at the outdoors, and if they do get muddy or dirty, then it’s time for a shower. Otherwise, in our hot and humid weather, showering your pooch every one to two weeks is good enough to maintain their skin and coat’s cleanliness and shine.

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xo
Nellie