You are looking for a shampoo for your pet and you don’t know what to choose. Perhaps you are wondering if it is really necessary to choose one specifically formulated for them ? The answer is yes, and there are several reasons for this.
The first reason is that the pH of animal skin differs from that of humans. Although scientists have noted that the pH of a healthy dog’s skin can vary according to many criteria (such as its breed, age, sex, coat area, environment or even the season), it is considered to be rather neutral (possibly slightly acidic) to basic (around 7 to 8), whereas that of humans is much more acidic (4.5 to 6). This is why it is best to choose a shampoo with a neutral pH for animals with healthy skin.
The skin structure of animals also has its own peculiarities. For example, the most superficial layer, the epidermis, has only 3 to 5 cell layers in dogs, compared to about 15 in humans. Their stratum corneum, the layer that exfoliates during desquamation, is thinner than ours. Finally, the turnover of the epidermis, i.e. the time required for its complete renewal, is one month in humans, whereas it is only about twenty days in dogs.
For a healthy skin and for regular use, the use of a suitable shampoo avoids disrupting the skin barrier, which would lead to dryness, irritation and erosion, and could encourage microbial proliferation.
The primary purpose of a shampoo is to remove dirt from the skin and coat without disturbing the skin ecosystem. To fulfil this function, it is composed of cleansing surfactants (gentle washing base), thickeners, softeners and moisturisers. It is essential to choose a formulation with a high washing effect, making the coat silky, moisturising the skin, and containing ingredients that are well tolerated by the body of dogs and cats. For example, you should be careful about essential oils, which are often found in shampoos for humans: not all of them are suitable for our four-legged friends! It’s also a good idea to choose a shampoo with a light fragrance, so as not to disturb their sense of smell.
Some specific shampoos can be used to help manage dermatoses (skin diseases). Depending on the ingredients, they may have a soothing, anti-seborrheic (which regulates sebum production), antiseptic, etc. action. Some are even considered to be medicines in their own right, and are therefore only available on prescription. Your vet will be able to advise you.
Not all animals enjoy bathing, so it is sometimes useful to choose a shampoo that is easy to rinse off. Pet-specific ranges generally offer alternatives for the more timid, such as no-rinse shampoos or pre-soaked wipes.
DermaVet – Veterinary Dermatology: this website is full of interesting and relevant information on dog and cat dermatology.
pH Level of Dog Epidermis: Could Human Products Be Used Randomly in Pet Animals? This article, written in the form of an editorial letter,
Influence of age, sex, body condition score, rectal temperature, anatomical location and hair on skin pH in dogs: this study, published in the journal Veterinary Dermatology, aimed to measure the skin pH of healthy dogs and to analyse the impact of different physiological factors on it.
Evaluation of the effect of pH on in vitro growth of Malassezia pachydermatis: this study sought to evaluate the effects of pH on the in vitro growth of Malassezia pachydermatis, a yeast naturally present on dog skin.
Update on use of medicated shampoo in companion animal dermatology: this article in the Journal of Canine Development and Research discusses the usefulness of shampoos, their uses and their composition.
Ajouter aux favoris
Partager sur