Is oatmeal shampoo good for dogs?
Oatmeal shampoo is excellent for dogs who suffer from dry or itchy skin as its a naturally moisturizing and soothing ingredient. Oatmeal is a naturally soothing and moisturizing ingredient, and any oatmeal shampoo designed for dogs is an excellent choice for your canine companion. People use oatmeal dog shampoo over other types of canine shampoo for a range of reasons. Although touted for its soothing properties, its essential to consult a veterinarian if your dog has itchy or irritated skin that hasnt received any veterinary attention. If your dog has a diagnosed skin condition, check with your vet whether regular bathing is a good idea or could make your dogs skin worse. Soothes itching  Oatmeal is a known soothing ingredient with some anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it great for itchy skin. If your dog has a general case of itchiness from flea bites, dry skin, or exposure to large amounts of pollen, oatmeal shampoo is a great first step to soothing their itchy skin. However, as stated above, its best to consult your vet before trying oatmeal shampoo if your dog has a more severe skin condition or broken skin. Moisturizes skin  Due to its excellent moisturizing properties, oatmeal shampoo is ideal for dogs prone to getting dry skin for whom standard shampoos can be overly drying. Its also great if youre simply worried about drying out your dogs skin or disrupting their coats natural oils since oatmeal shampoos are usually gentler than standard options. That said, if your dogs dry skin is a result of over-bathing, even mild oatmeal shampoo wont solve that. Instead, youll need to give your dog a break from baths altogether. Softens coat  Not only does oatmeal dog shampoo moisturize the skin, but it also conditions the coat, leaving it feeling beautifully soft. If you love the feeling of your dogs coat when its freshly washed and super soft, you should give oatmeal shampoo a try. Use a rubber brush, such as the Kong Zoom Groom to work the shampoo through the coat for even better results. Aloe vera is a common addition to soothing shampoos due to its natural calming and healing properties. Its known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can also boost the production and release of collagen in the skin. Chamomile is another ingredient known for its skin-soothing properties. Its a natural anti-inflammatory used as a herbal remedy on burns and scalds for hundreds of years. Shea butter has excellent moisturizing properties and makes a fantastic addition to oatmeal dog shampoos meant for nourishing dry skin. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory that youll sometimes find in dog shampoos, but only in small quantities as too much could stain the coat. Bathing a dog too regularly can dry out the skin, disrupt natural oils in the skin and coat and ultimately lead to dry skin or other skin issues. Its best to leave as long as possible between baths. All dogs are different, but once every three months is fine for most dogs, although you may need to squeeze in an extra bath if your dog gets extremely dirty. Where possible, you should always use a dog shampoo, rather than a human shampoo, on your canine companion. The natural pH balance of a dogs skin is higher than that of a humans skin. Therefore, human shampoo can disrupt the acid mantle of a dogs coat. Whats more, dogs skin is more sensitive than ours, so human shampoo is more likely to irritate their skin. If you must use a human shampoo in an emergency, choose one thats as gentle as possible with natural ingredients. Baby shampoo is often the best bet because its mild and has a non-stinging formula. Keep in mind that it may take longer to rinse out than dog shampoo. Its best to bathe your dog using warm water unless its extremely hot outside, and they could use the relief of a cold bath. If you have a small dog, you can wash them in a sink. Otherwise, youll need to use a bathtub. You can buy shower attachments that fit sink or tub faucets to make your job easier. If you dont want to use your sink or tub, you can also buy dog bathtubs, like the Flying Pig Portable Pet Tub. Best oatmeal shampoos for dogs  Paws & Pals Oatmeal, Shea Butter & Aloe Vera Shampoo  It is a calming oatmeal dog shampoo with the welcome addition of other soothing ingredients, such as aloe and shea butter, plus turmeric for its anti-inflammatory effects. Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Chewy  Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Fragrance Free Dog & Cat Shampoo  This shampoo is perfect for dogs with sensitive skin, containing simple ingredients and fragrance-free formula. Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Chewy  Burts Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey  Made in the USA with quality ingredients designed to soothe skin, this shampoo will help dry skin and leaves dogs coats beautifully soft. Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Chewy  Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals. Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. Copyright 2021 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.