Dog shampoo: types and how to choose it

Are you looking for the perfect shampoo for your dog? The right choice is essential for the well-being of his coat and skin.

Every dog has unique needs, which depend on the breed, the condition of his coat, or his skin. But don’t worry, we’re here to guide you!

Find out how to choose the right shampoo for every need of your four-legged friend, and make bath time a real pleasure for both of you.

How to choose the right shampoo for dogs?

Pay attention to coat needs

Just like our hair, a dog’s coat also has a particular and unique nature that varies from breed to breed.

Each type of coat requires specific care and treatments to keep it healthy and strong.

For example, the coat of breeds such as the Samoyed and the White Jack Russell Terrier is so white that it requires an anti-yellowing shampoo, while the long coat of a Shih Tzu or Maltese should be treated with products designed to keep it always soft and well detangled.

Do not underestimate skin needs

A dog’s skin also has its peculiarities and, just like the coat, it can be dry, oily, delicate, easily irritated or reactive.

Dry skin is a common problem for many breeds and can cause itching, irritation or flaking.

It is known instead that other four-legged little hearts can have particularly delicate skin, such as French and English Bulldogs, Dachshunds or the Dogo Argentino.

This is also the case of breeds such as Labradors, Dachshunds and German Shepherds and Poodles.

Dog shampoo

Dog shampoo for all coat types and for frequent use is the starting point of every wash and is the product that makes it possible to take care of coat cleanliness.

Beyond specific compositions, which activate equally specific actions, a basic dog shampoo must contain gentle cleansing ingredients that respect the pH of their skin, which is slightly alkaline, around 7.

The shampoo must therefore clean without altering the pH, because this could weaken the skin, create irritation and even redness that would lead the little heart to scratch, risking creating real wounds.

If the little furry one has skin and coat that do not require specific treatments, it is therefore possible to choose a universal dog shampoo.

This shampoo is made with ingredients that make it suitable for all breeds and is ideal for frequent use because it cleanses, keeps the coat hydrated and activates actions that are universally essential for little furry ones: it sanitizes, refreshes and eliminates bad odors.

Antiparasitic and repellent dog shampoo

Argh, insects! When nature awakens everything is enchanting, except for the presence of parasites that want to live at and on the backs of our little furry ones.

Flies, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and horseflies are attracted to dogs, but we know how extremely annoying their presence is and sometimes truly dangerous for their well-being.

How can we limit their unwelcome presence? The answer lies in choosing a shampoo with a scent disliked by insects which, in this case, contains ingredients such as, for example, Cajeput essential oil, White Tea Tree, and Neem vegetable oil.

This formula is ideal to adopt in support of the anti-parasitic prophylaxis indicated by the veterinarian and can be used when nature “awakens” from winter sleep, especially if the little furry ones spend a lot of time in green areas or if walks are planned in places that may have a high intensity of annoying insects.

Dry shampoo for dogs

There are essentially three situations in which washing our little furry heart can be difficult, if not even become a “mission impossible”.

• The first is when he is afraid of water, or does not want to hear any reasons to have a nice bath.
• The second is the classic “emergency situation”, when our little heart gets dirty (perhaps drawn by an irresistible puddle) and we do not have the possibility to wash him because we are away from home or on holiday.
• The third is when we do not have time in everyday life, but the dog definitely needs a nice refresh.

In reality there is also a fourth option, which happens when we are used to washing the little furry one and he is cooperative… but we have run out of shampoo at home.

How to solve all these situations?

There is a solution!

In these cases, dry shampoo for dogs is ideal, that is, a practical cleansing formula that does not require the use of water and that, for this reason, is quicker and more versatile than a bath.

The best dry shampoo for dogs, in fact, cleans dirt, sanitizes, refreshes and also activates beneficial actions, such as moisturizing and nourishing, all without using water.

Professional dog shampoo

What makes a dog shampoo professional? This is an excellent question and the answer lies in its formulation, usually more concentrated than a non-professional product.

A professional dog shampoo can, for example, be highly concentrated and require a specific dilution with water, and it can also contain specific quality ingredients that perform targeted actions.

These products are basically used in grooming salons, but they can also be used at home for some specific needs.

Here are some cases in which a professional dog shampoo can prove useful:

• for a long coat that is matted and knotted, it is optimal to use a professional restructuring and strengthening shampoo, because it makes the coat detangled and silky.
• for delicate skin or for a very greasy coat, it is advisable to use a professional ultra-degreasing shampoo, since it acts deeply on excess sebum, while still not altering or attacking the composition of the skin.
• for a very oily coat that gives off a bad odor, it is ideal to use a dermo-purifying shampoo, which acts on the causes of the bad odor and leaves the coat clean and fresh.

Scented dog shampoo

When we wash our hair, the scent of the shampoo definitely plays an important role, because it makes the ritual more pleasant. The same happens with the little furry ones, who may appreciate certain essences, so the bath becomes more pleasant for them.

Yuup! shampoos are all scented and the olfactory notes are the result of deep research, which favors natural ingredients.

The result is a collection that combines fruity, floral, powdery and sometimes even exotic accords, which are appreciated by the little hearts’ sense of smell and keep the coat scented for a long time even after the bath.

Dog shampoo for long-haired coats

Little hearts with long coats are elegant and wonderful, but they need an extra cuddle, and a very careful one, when it comes to choosing the right dog shampoo.

Breeds such as the Afghan Hound, the Pekingese, the Shih Tzu, up to the Bernese Mountain Dog, not to mention many shepherd breeds, have a majestic long coat, which often tends to get knotted.

Yes, the fiercest enemies of long coats are precisely them: knots, but also the stress from brushing and from hot blow-drying, all factors that can make them worn out and in need of care.

Dog shampoo for long-haired coats must therefore take care of so much beauty by acting at the root, with a moisturizing, nourishing and strengthening action.

A strong coat, in fact, tends to get knotted less; that is why dog shampoo for long-haired coats contains targeted and precious ingredients such as Quaternized Keratin, the complex of Vitamins C + E + Panthenol, Phytoceramides extracted from Sunflower seeds and Rice proteins.

Dog shampoo for short-haired coats

Short-haired little hearts also have their specific needs, one above all the need to cleanse the coat without attacking the skin.

In this case, it is important to choose a dog shampoo that deeply cleanses the coat, often dense, straight and close to the body, removing excess dirt and, at the same time, moisturizing and nourishing the skin deeply.

Short-haired dogs deserve a special bath that not only makes their coat glossy and shiny for a long time, but that also protects the skin, often more exposed to external agents than their long-haired friends with a dense undercoat.

For a deep clean and a sanitizing and anti-odor action, a universal shampoo is the perfect choice.

But also a delicate shampoo, perhaps Oat-based, can be ideal for these adorable four-legged little hearts, thanks to its gentle and nourishing formula.

Dog shampoo for rough coats

Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Fox Terriers and Wire-haired Jack Russells are little hearts with a rough coat, which it is good to cleanse with a shampoo that never alters its natural texture.

That is why dog shampoo for rough coats must contain ingredients that cleanse effectively, maintaining the roughness and the original structure of the coat.

The formulation includes moisturizing and nourishing active ingredients, which join with others that perform a softening, anti-odor and sanitizing action (these little hearts are usually pure dynamite) such as natural extracts of Helichrysum, Aloe and Nettle.

Shampoo for dog puppies

Puppies are irresistible and very sweet as well as fragile, because their skin still has to fully “mature” and it is like a child’s… very delicate!

For this reason, shampoo for dog puppies must be formulated with ingredients selected with extreme care and attention, which cleanse without attacking the skin, such as, for example, Milk and Rice Proteins, Vitamins C + E + Panthenol, and selected botanical ingredients such as Green Tea extracts, Angelica and soothing Honey.

Natural dog shampoo

Choosing a natural shampoo for dogs means thinking with love about the well-being of the little furry ones, because these formulations avoid aggressive and dangerous ingredients such as, for example, Parabens and Phthalates.

Natural dog shampoos are suitable for all breeds and are particularly recommended in the case of little hearts with particularly sensitive skin such as puppies, or delicate breeds such as Bull Terriers, Poodles or French and English Bulldogs.

Natural dog shampoos are therefore always to be preferred, even more so when they contain ingredients with a softening and soothing action such as, for example, Oats, Calendula and Chamomile.

Whitening shampoo for dogs

White Poodles, Samoyeds, Malteses, West Highland White Terriers, Swiss Shepherds… there are many dogs with a white coat who deserve to keep that dreamlike whiteness of their coat over time.

In fact, little furry ones with a white coat have very specific needs: in particular, the need to prevent the coat from tending to yellow.

How to safeguard the beauty of these four-legged little clouds?

The answer is with a whitening shampoo for dogs, which contains natural anti-yellow pigments, which counteract yellowing and keep the coat white and “whiter than white” over time.

Dog shampoo for dark coats

Dogs with a dark coat have, first of all, a specific need: to protect the coat color from oxidation.

That is why, in this case, the ideal cleanser is shampoo for dogs with dark hair, which contains antioxidant ingredients such as natural extracts of Pomegranate and Red Vine.

These actives not only protect the coat over time, but also enhance the color of the coat, intensifying highlights and vibrancy.

This specific shampoo is ideal for dogs with a dark coat such as Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, but also smaller little hearts such as Poodles, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds and Pinschers.

Gentle and soothing shampoo for dogs

A gentle and soothing cleanser is the ideal solution as a shampoo for dogs with itching and, in any case, for little furry ones who have sensitive or reddened skin.

The formulation of soothing shampoo for dogs is designed to help the skin recover its original state; for this reason it contains key ingredients such as, for example, Oats, Rice proteins and Sweet Almond oil, which perform a softening, soothing and anti-redness action.

Strengthening shampoo for dogs

Strengthening shampoo for dogs is formulated with ingredients that aim to make the structure of the coat stronger.

This action is always recommended, because a strong coat is a healthy coat, one that does not become worn out and that stays well structured over time.

How can we achieve all this? The answer is with a mix of ingredients that moisturize and nourish.

Because, just as happens with our hair, a dog’s coat also needs the right amount of water to stay vital, and moisturizing ingredients support exactly this process.

At the same time, nourishing ingredients provide the coat with the elements it needs to stay strong, full-bodied and structured, such as Vitamins C + E + Panthenol or proteins extracted from Rice, which reduce fragility and prevent breakage.

This strengthening shampoo is ideal for all breeds and particularly recommended for all little hearts whose coat tends to weaken, such as Pomeranians, Collies, Malteses, Shih Tzus, Afghan Hounds, Yorkshire Terriers.

Odor-removing shampoo for dogs

A dog’s hygiene is essential for his well-being and health, but it is also important for odor management, which in some breeds is definitely noticeable and can make living with our four-legged little heart difficult.

The great news is that there are specific anti-odor dog shampoos, whose task is to cleanse, removing the most persistent and unpleasant odors.

These products are formulated with ingredients and natural extracts, such as proteins extracted from Moringa seeds, which create a film-forming action, preventing dirt and smog particles from depositing on the coat.

Sanitizing shampoo for dogs

If the little furry one gives off a bad odor or frequents spaces where germs and bacteria of various kinds and nature are present, a disinfectant shampoo for dogs could prove useful, that is, a product with a deeper sanitizing action.

This sanitizing cleanser for dogs is formulated to deeply clean the coat and skin, without ever attacking, but rather acting against germs and bacteria.

These include, for example, Chlorhexidine and purifying essential oils such as Thyme and Lemon.

Everything is completed with soothing natural extracts such as Calendula, Hypericum and Mallow, and ingredients that moisturize and nourish coat and skin such as Quaternized Keratin, Creatine and Vitamins C + E + Panthenol.

Moreover, this type of sanitizing shampoo is an ideal ally in support of drug therapy, for example for dermatitis and skin alterations of various nature.

How to wash the dog if I don’t have shampoo

I’ve run out of dog shampoo… what can I do?

Oh yes, there are cases in which there is an urgent need to wash the dog but you don’t have shampoo “within paw’s reach” and not even a dry cleanser.

How can we act in these situations? Can you wash the dog with “normal” shampoo?

First of all, it is good to remember to avoid using “human” shampoo because it could have an unsuitable pH, which would alter the dog’s one.

A temporary solution is to wipe the coat with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water, while waiting to be able to give him a proper bath.

How many times a month can you wash the dog?

How many times do you need to wash the dog? There is no single answer to this question.

You can prefer a shampoo when needed, for example to remove unexpected and excessive dirt, or you can treat the coat every 15 days or a month.

Frequent washing, even if it were weekly, is not at all discouraged or harmful if carried out with high-quality products following the appropriate rituals.

On the contrary, incorrect products or excessive washing with them can alter the balance of his skin and weaken the structure of the coat.

Our all-natural dog shampoos

If you are looking for a shampoo for your four-legged friend, explore the Yuup! catalog and find the specific product best suited to your needs and those of your four-legged friend.

As always, by our Philosophy, we create cleansers that take care of respecting with love the coat and skin of dogs, because only in this way can bath time become a ritual that always does them good.

The ingredients of our shampoos are, in fact, of natural origin, free of petroleum derivatives, Phthalates and Parabens and characterized by sensorially enveloping and unique fragrances.

So bath time can become a cuddle for their well-being and their spirit, while for us it can turn into an even more pleasant occasion to love our great four-legged friends with the care and dedication they deserve.