Different Types of Dog Skin Means Different Shampoos

Veterinarians are learning more about dog skin diseases and as a result there are now more types of treatment shampoos available. Which one is right for your dog?

Non-Medicated Shampoos

Normal skin types
If your dog has healthy skin and does not scratch excessively, your main aim is cleanliness. Bathe your pet once a fortnight with a non-medicated shampoo. Because of the gentle nature of non-medicated shampoos, they can be used more frequently if your pet becomes extra dirty or rolls in something unpleasant. There are also naturally derived shampoos available which contain little soap or chemicals.

Hypoallergenic shampoo
If your pet has a mild redness to its skin, or scratches more than you would like, you may need a low irritant, hypoallergenic shampoo. These shampoos are still mainly for cleansing, but are useful for animals with sensitive skin or mild skin disease. Many of these shampoos contain moisturising agents or colloidal oatmeal, a natural anti-itch agent.

Flea shampoo
Fleas are the biggest cause of skin conditions in dogs. Flea shampoo is generally mild and is useful in cases where there is a low number of fleas or if you are using another product for control of flea eggs. Flea shampoos must be rinsed off the coat, thus providing little residual protection. Flea rinses, however, such as ‘Fido's Free-Itch Rinse’, are left to dry on the coat thereby providing longer residual protection.
In pets with difficult skin conditions, treatment is rarely limited to shampoo. While vets may prescribe oral medication, they may also recommend other topical treatments such as creams or ointments. At times, you may have to try several different product combinations to give your pet the best relief.
In general, if your pet has normal, healthy skin, any mild, non-medicated dog shampoo washed through its coat and rinsed thoroughly will be sufficient. But, if your pet has had or does have skin problems, if it scratches and chews excessively or drags its tummy along the ground, a medicated shampoo may ease the discomfort.

Medicated Shampoos

Occasionally, your pet's skin may require a medicated shampoo. When the vet has diagnosed your pet's condition, you may be sent home with one of the following medicated shampoos.

Antimicrobial and Antifungal Shampoos
These are valuable in cases of skin conditions where infection is a consideration. Especially useful for Malessezia dermatitis, a common fungal skin infection in dogs, and for ringworm in both dogs and cats.

Tar and Coal Tar Derivative Shampoo
May be used in cases of seborrhea, where the skin becomes flaky and thickened. These shampoos degrease the coat, ease the itching and assist in removing excessive scale while also softening the skin.

Selenium Sulphide Shampoo
This product is also useful in cases of seborrhea where thickened skin and mild infection occurs. This shampoo also degreases the skin and reduces flakiness.

Sulphur and Salicylic Acid Shampoos
These agents have a strong antimicrobial and antifungal effect, as well as decreasing itchiness and soothing the skin. These milder shampoos may be useful if the stronger coal tar shampoos are irritating to the pet.

Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo
This shampoo is used for animals with disorders of the hair follicles, such as seen in Schnauzer Comedome Syndrome, or animals with Demodectic mange. This shampoo is quite irritating to the hair follicle, may stain the coat and will bleach fabrics. Use of this product should be on the advice of your veterinarian.

Ethyl Lactate Shampoo
This shampoo is useful in treating both superficial and deep skin infections and the reduction of scale and sebum.