Pets are cherished members of our families, and their well-being is a top priority. Just as we humans have specific grooming needs, our furry companions require specialized care too. One essential aspect of pet care is choosing the right shampoo. While human shampoos may seem convenient, they are distinct from pet shampoos due to differences in skin structure, pH levels, and coat composition. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the reasons behind these disparities and explore the key factors to consider when selecting the perfect pet shampoo.
What makes a good pet shampoo?
IT SHOULD BE AROUND PH NEUTRAL
FIRSTLY, Pet’s skin is really different from us. Their pH level is closer to a neutral 7.0 whereas ours are more acidic around pH 5.5 (so for those who are thinking of just sharing your shampoo with your Bestie, DON’T). Look for a shampoo which has a pH level similar to that of your pets - pH 6.0-7.0.
Look for pH balancing ingredients (e.g. Citric Acid, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Lactic Acid, Aloe Vera Gel) in the formulation. This would be a good indication that thoughts have been put in with regards to the shampoo’s pH levels and highly likely the shampoo is close to neutral pH, ideal for your pet.
GENTLE FORMULATION
You should look for mild surfactants that cleanse without stripping away natural oils (such as Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate).
LOOK FOR INGREDIENTS THAT HELPS CONDITIONING
Pets have fur and you should really look for a product that has ingredients that condition, hydrate & nourish. There are a lot of beneficial ingredients that do that. For example, in Re{me}dy’s Precious Pet Shampoo, we put:-
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride that conditions our pets’ fur.
- Glycerine to help hydrate and nourish the skin (Jojoba, Coconut Oil are good too).
FRAGRANCE
Most pet shampoos out there (18 out of the first 20 pet shampoos I found online) contains artificial fragrance [usually one of the main cause of skin irritation]. So opt for a product that uses Essential Oil or no Scenting at all.
For Precious Pet Shampoo, we considered going fragrance free, but Faisal’s and Pang’s pets are not really easy to give a wash so we decided to use Lavender which is reputed to have calming properties and seems to work for Faisal & Pang.
(Disclaimer - we only managed to test it internally and the results may defer with different pets, but it is a fact that lavender essential oil helps to calm in most cases. It is also a fact that we try to have as little of it as possible, just enough to have a faint scent.)
ALWAYS PATCH TEST
No matter how gentle a product is designed, it may not suit every pet, so my advice is ALWAYS perform patch testing to ensure the product is suitable for your pet, even if it’s recommended by your vet.
WHAT TO AVOID
Important - Do not buy pet shampoos if they don’t list their ingredients which is mostly the case when I search for pet shampoo in google shopping.
We list ingredients to avoid in descending order of importance.
- Parabens - We are shocked to still find pet products using this. It is an ingredient highly linked with cancer and hormone disruptions (Look out for Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, etc)
- Cocamide DEA/MEA - These are foaming agents that can be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. They should be avoided due to potential health risks.
- Colourants - Colourants do not do anything to benefit your pet at all, its just inserted to make the product look more appealing and they can cause skin irritations.
- SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) - This is a commonly used surfactant in pet shampoos due to its cost, but it is very harsh and will strip away all the natural oils from the coat, resulting in dryness and irritation.
- Artificial Fragrance - As mentioned earlier, artificial fragrances are a key source to skin irritations and pets actually don't like their strong scent.
- Propylene Glycol - Please note that PG is not the same as BG (Butylene Glycol). BG is for good for sensitive skin and not harsh like PG. PG is often used as a humectant to retain moisture BUT it can cause skin irritation and has been associated with toxic reactions in pets.
CONCLUSION
The truth of the matter is we are quite appalled when we found that majority of the pet shampoo out there is still SLS based and contains very harsh ingredients which is really the key reason that lead us to create Precious Pet Shampoo.
We hope that this article will help you understand a little more about what makes a BETTER Pet Shampoo and what you should look out for. Our cute furry besties definitely deserve a better product, it will certainly make him/her happier.
