Did you know that baby shampoo is 150 times too acidic for a dog’s epidermis (Skin Surface)? Hence, it is always advice to look for a natural shampoo, that has a PH 6.5 – 7.5 range. It is not just for marketing purpose, it’s the truth and biology of our dogs. We recently found an interesting article about the pH level of dog’s skin. We heard that it’s common for people to bathe their dogs with dish soap or baby shampoo, and do “cleanse baths” with products like baking soda, mouthwash, vinegar etc thinking that it works for humans why can’t it works for dogs as they are more “use to being in dirty places, they should be able to take it”. The dog’s skin is the most alkaline of all species making it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria (aka skin infections) if the pH is disrupted. If this happens, inflammation and infection can occur due to over-drying and eroding of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). A dog’s epidermis is only 8-10 cell layers thick, whereas human’s are 18-20 cell layers thick! The dog’s skin is thicker overall, but the epidermis is very thin and susceptible to bacteria if it is stripped away with improper ingredients that are not pH balanced for their skin. Not everyone knows that a very alkaline product can do just as much damage as a very acidic product. Just as a very acidic product to humans like sulfuric acid would basically burn away human epidermis, very alkaline products such as Lye, can produce inflammation or even chemical burns on human epidermis. The same thing applies to a dog’s epidermis. Here are some examples of pH levels of products some people use on dogs: – Dish soap pH 9.5 – Baby shampoo pH 5.5 – Baking Soda pH 8.3 – Vinegar pH 2.2 – Mouthwash pH 4.2 – 5.5 When you move on the pH scale from one number to another, it indicates a change of 10 times 10, or a 100 fold change. For example, if you went from 7 to 5, that is 200 times more acidic, or from 7 to 9, that is 200 times more alkaline. This means that dish soap is approximately 250 times more alkaline to a dog’s skin layer. Baby shampoo is approx. 150 times more acidic to a dog’s skin layer. Baking soda is approx. 130 times more alkaline to a dog’s skin layer. Vinegar is approx. 500 times more acidic to a dog’s skin layer. Mouthwash is approx. 200 times more acidic to a dog’s skin layer. Hence STOP what you have been doing previously, and ACT now! Invest in a good shampoo, will bring you quick returns, save on the vet bills, leading to a happy pawkid and a happy paw parent. In DOGGYPOTION, we always strive the best to keep our products as close as pH 7.0. In such neutrality, it does still cleanse without removing or damaging the skin layer of your dogs! Try us now!
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Ever thought of bring your buddy to the beach? (Common places in Singapore such as Tanjong Beach or East Coast Park) Beach days can be a blast when you bring along paw kids, but taking them to the beach requires some preparation, know-how and a little common sense -- or should that be paw parent sense? Anything that can harm you at the beach can also harm your dog, such as sunburn, riptides, jellyfish, broken glass, sharp shells and other aggressive dogs. But a beach day isn't supposed to be about worrying. Having a great day is easy when you know how to prepare for and prevent any potential mishaps. Read on for our best safety tips to help you and paw kids find fun and relaxation together in the beach under the sun, and on the sand.
Remember that the sand can be scorching on their sensitive paws, so provide a poncho or mat for your dog's comfort when he takes a break from the swimming and rubbing at the beach. Take caution on brachycephalic (short-muzzled) breeds, such as English bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers, pugs, Pekinese and shih tzus, because they overheat more quickly than long-snouted dogs. It is essential to watch for signs of overheating in your paw kids, some examples include: - Excessive/rapid panting and drooling - Coordination problems - Vomiting and/or diarrhea - Collapse - Loss of consciousness Do also look out for paw kids that are:
They are more prone to sunburn the same way that humans do. Even dogs with thick coats may get a sunburned nose. If you are worried about your little paw kid, you can find sunscreen made specifically for dogs online or at your local pet store. It is non-oily and contains ingredients that are safe for dogs. Apply sunscreen to your dog's ears, nose, the inside of his back legs and anywhere else that receives direct sunlight. Reapply sunscreen after your dog takes a dip in the water. Do not use sunscreen that contains zinc because it can be toxic to dogs if ingested and avoid sunscreens that contain fragrances. For hairless breeds, you may want to consider keeping a T-shirt on your dog while he's in the sun and always provide a shady resting spot. While your dog is having his carefree splash in the sea, keep an eye out for beach hazards. The beach is fun, but it does come with hazards, such as ingesting questionable objects (and even ocean water), cuts and scrapes and even the potential for drowning. Discourage your dog from drinking seawater by offering him fresh, cool, clean water, and by removing him from the water if you see him drink it. Seawater is a gastrointestinal irritant that can work as a laxative or cause vomiting and diarrhea.
If your dog is a puppy, hasn't learned to swim well or is a brachycephalic or a short-legged breed, consider giving him a doggie life jacket to wear so that he doesn't overtire himself in the water. Always supervise any dog while he's in or near the water and be cautious of rip tides, and deep water. Salt water on a dog's skin and paws can be irritating and is naturally much more drying than freshwater. Any kind of repeated exposure to saltwater and/or intense heat or sun can lead to skin and coat issues down the road. So, a fresh-water rinse before leaving the beach or shortly after arriving home will help keep your dog comfy and his skin and coat healthy. It is important to wash your paw kid thoroughly after a day at the beach. Consider using shampoo consisting of oatmeal for their bath after a swim at the beach as it provides moisturizing and soothing benefits to their skin and coat. Additional conditioning should make it easier to brush your paw kid and keep them tangle-free following a bath. Finally, for your own peace of mind, bring a thick blanket and plenty of towels to line the car seat where your dog sits for the ride home. You don’t want to get your car all over with souvenirs of the beach of the sand! Your dog will probably fall asleep on the way home, your own reward for a fun, safe, happy beach day.
Here are some benefits from using Oatmeal shampoo. Great for Dry and Itchy Skin Since dogs are known to have extra sensitive skin, using shampoos designed in ways that there is no imbalance in pH and natural shampoos with oatmeal formulations completely eliminate this risk of imbalance. We specialize in Oatmeal formulation, having it being the key ingredient in our entire range of shampoo. If offers tons of benefits not only for dogs with skin problems but moisturizes and soothe itchy skin due to our tropical climate. Bathing your dog with oatmeal shampoo will provide them with almost instant relief by soothing the inflammation and irritation they’re facing. Relieve symptoms of allergies Other than soothing any itches, oatmeal relieves allergies and skin condition due to hot spots, fleas and tick making the dogs feel more comfortable and reduces excessive scratching. Simply by giving oatmeal baths frequently enough may aid in a faster recovery from certain skin conditions. You may consult your dog’s veterinarian about the most effective ways to use oatmeal shampoo. Helps to keep skin healthy Even if your dog doesn’t suffer from any dry skin now doesn’t mean one shouldn’t take preventive measures such as giving them oatmeal bath to avoid problems such as flaking skin and dog dandruff in the future. The root to a good coat is a healthy skin, therefore it is critical for you to moisturize them regularly; just like applying lotion on our skin. Cleans and soften coat Investing in an Oatmeal dog shampoo will make a difference in bath time! You’ll start to notice a shiner, softer and even thicker coat than before. If you would like to see the benefits of oatmeal dog shampoo for yourself, give DOGGYPOTION collection a try. Other than being Oatmeal based, our shampoo contains other ingredients such as natural ginseng extracts, Chamomile, Lavenders, etc. which has added benefits for their coats as every breed is different. Purchase Oatmeal Shampoo for our paw friends today! Generally, bath times occurs once every 1 to 2 weeks or even twice a week and these depends on various factors and breeds. And especially since bathing more often, one should consider using a gentler, soap-free pet shampoo that’s easier on your dog’s skin. Dogs are just like humans, with the rising heat and humidity, we tend to feel itchy and some may even resort to scratching ourselves. Similarly, itchiness is commonly seen in our pets, when they start scratching, bacteria may be passed from their paws to their body and eventually leading to allergies and skin sensitivity.
In any case, it is advisable to use a gentle and all-natural shampoo if you’re bathing your dog as frequently as every week or more.
Long coat dogs usually need to be groomed and bathed more often to avoid problems like flea hosting, matting of the coat and skin problems while dogs with a shorter coat require a lower frequency. When you shower your fur kid too often, it can lead to skin irritation or problems. Having said that, breeds like labrador retriver or cocker spaniels have an oilier skin condition that requires a more frequent wash else the so called ‘doggy’ smell will surface. NEVER EVER use human shampoo on dogs as certain chemicals, ingredients and scents can have an adverse effect on their skin. We shall discuss more about ingredients in the upcoming article. Good dog shampoos work to keep the natural oils of the coat and is not too abrasive for your dog’s skin. A healthy dog has natural oils in their skin, and this helps keep their coat healthy. Do take note that if your dog is on a medical shampoo for his coat, it tends to be very dry for their skin and coat with prolonged use. Doggy potion is formulated to be effective standalone or even when used alongside with medicated shampoo to moisturise their skin, preventing them from becoming overly dry. Once they get well, immediately switch out the medicated ones to prevent the yeast from getting used to the medication. While dogs don’t require daily scrub downs like we do, they do need regular baths–but just how regular depends on several factors, such as the dog’s environment and type of coat. Chat us up if you need advice on how much bathing is appropriate for your individual dog. Basically, the best way to gauge when your dog needs a bath is to give her a good sniff. How does it smell to you? Not so good? Start running the water. Being a paw parent, Pets are Everything Today as they are part of our lives. When it comes to your pooch, we all can’t help but feel attached to them for the love and company that they offer us. Some may even consider them as family. A definite sight most of us have witness will be them wagging their tail happily to welcome you home. The duty lies on us to care of them and keeping them clean!
What is a natural dog shampoo? Before one understands what a natural dog shampoo is, it is helpful to know that there are various commercial dog shampoos available in the market which can helpful at targeting to solve a specific problem. But it is important to pay attention to the ingredients and same may contain strong chemicals that may be effective in getting the job done in the short term but could bring about certain side effects that are harsh and brutal to a dog’s skin which is soft and sensitive. Thus, it is essential to choose the right shampoo. Natural shampoos are one that do not contain any harmful chemicals and if they do, they are in very minimal quantities. They are made almost completely of nature-based products and natural ingredients that are very mild on the skin but achieve the goodness and purpose for which they are made. Dog Shampoo VS. Natural Dog Shampoo Normal shampoos refer to the common dog shampoos available in the market made up of common chemicals which creates bubbles and are soapy that makes it feel that it cleans your dog better. Although formulated to act gently but yet firm, there have to be certain repercussions to using strong chemicals on their tender skin. However, long term use may result in harsh effects and drying on your dog’s skin. Interestingly, we found that shampoo with thicker products do not work any better than the thinner ones, yet the general belief that there is a linkage between thickness and quality encourages the industry to thicken and create foam in their products (SLS/SLES). These thickening compounds which are harmful for our pets which then cause sensitive skins which leads to multiple trips to the vets. Indeed, the unique blends of fragrances makes their fur smell nice and scent stay longer, however it prohibits their skin to naturally produce oil to keep it moist. Natural shampoos on the other hand, are made from natural products. They are biodegradable and also a majority of them do not contain any soap. Though soap free, they are able to cleanse dirt effectively and removes odor naturally. In our tropical climate, if your dog sleep in your bed, spend lots of time outdoors or running around in public areas or owning certain breeds that require more frequent bath times than others, natural shampoos are the way to go!
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Pets' Everything TodayArticles written are certified from our researchers and also from our years of experience. All learnt from one another from various sources, could also be from any of the readers. Archives
September 2019
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