How Do I Choose the Best Tick Shampoo?
Choosing a tick shampoo specially formulated for your dog is important, and there are several factors that you should consider. If your dog has long hair, you may want to choose a shampoo that has a conditioner in it. Also, you should keep your dog's skin type in mind, and look for a dog shampoo that is age specific. Natural tick shampoos are usually a safe bet for young dogs and dogs with sensitive skin. Finally, you may also want to consider a tick shampoo that will help prevent ticks from attaching to your dog.
A dog's skin is typically very different than human skin, and shampoo made for humans can often irritate a dog's skin. Therefore, it is important to choose a flea and tick shampoo that is specially formulated for dogs. A lice shampoo made for humans, for instance, should never be used on the family pet.
Long-haired dogs may benefit from a tick shampoo that also contains a conditioner. This can make it much easier to brush through your dog's coat, which can also make it easier to find and remove ticks. These types of shampoos can also make a dog's coat shinier.
Like humans, dogs can also have a variety of skin problems. Dogs with dry skin may benefit from a protein-based tick shampoo. If your dog is frequently scratching, he may benefit from a shampoo that contains oatmeal or coal tar.
A regular tick shampoo may be the right choice for adult dogs. If you have a puppy, on the other hand, veterinarians usually recommend using a tick shampoo specially formulated for young dogs. These are usually mild and hypoallergenic. Generally, dogs that are younger than six months old should be washed with special shampoos specifically designed for puppies.
A natural tick shampoo can often be a good choice for just about any dog. These are generally mild, and they contain natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals. Some active ingredients in natural tick shampoos can include tea tree oil and pyrethrin. The latter is a natural insecticide extracted from the chrysanthemum flower, and it is commonly used in flea and tick shampoos.
Some tick shampoos will only kill the ticks that are currently on your dog. These often do nothing to prevent a future tick infestation. You can also choose a tick shampoo that will also act as a tick repellent. This type of shampoo can help keep ticks off your dog for a week or two.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![Puppies need age-specific shampoo.]()
Puppies need age-specific shampoo. -
![A brown dog tick.]()
By: Carolina K Smith MDA brown dog tick. -
![Oatmeal or coal tar shampoo may relieve itching in dogs.]()
By: pattieOatmeal or coal tar shampoo may relieve itching in dogs. -
![It is important to use a flea and tick shampoo that is formulated specifically for dogs.]()
By: absolutimagesIt is important to use a flea and tick shampoo that is formulated specifically for dogs. -
![Depending on their sex and type, ticks can expand to different sizes -- as big as a grape or as small as an apple seed -- when feeding on blood.]()
By: ViktorDepending on their sex and type, ticks can expand to different sizes -- as big as a grape or as small as an apple seed -- when feeding on blood.
Discussion Comments
Flea and tick shampoos containing neem seed oil are safe for pets and good at controlling fleas and ticks, too. Neem seed oil naturally fights bacteria and parasites, and this oil has been used in some countries for a long time as a way of treating humans for different ailments and infections.
I think tick shampoos for cats and dogs are generally safe when you follow the directions. I agree with the article that you need to be extra careful when using tick shampoo on animals under 6 months old. Puppies and kittens can be very sensitive.
When you read the ingredients of the average pet shampoo the names of the additives are not as scary as some of the ones you find on the labels of some powders and flee collars. Still, if you are concerned then you should definitely look for a product with natural ingredients.
One of the best shampoos I have found contains citronella oil, the same thing we use to repel mosquitoes. The citronella oil's effectiveness in warding off ticks is believed to be mainly due to its smell. The odor makes it difficult for ticks to find your pet. And the great thing about citronella is that it is safe for your pet, your family and the environment.
Who knew there were as many types of shampoo for dogs as the ones mentioned in the article? They have as many choices as we have. When we were kids we would bath our grandmother's dog with whatever shampoo was in the bathroom. Mostly we were going for a clean smell and less of a dog smell.
The article mentions that human shampoo should not be used on dogs because of the difference in human skin and dog skin. I have read that it is actually the higher pH levels in human shampoo that causes the problems for dogs, and of course human shampoos are not designed for tick control.
Post your comments