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During your hair washing routine, conditioner might be a necessity that you would never dream of skipping, but is it just as important to use conditioner on your dog?
For dogs with long fur, itchy skin, or for dogs who require more frequent bathing, dog conditioner is actually incredibly useful. To help you decide if dog conditioner is right for your pup, let's first discuss what it does. Read more about Shampoos for Different Types of Dogs.
If dog shampoo is what cleans your dog's coat, dog conditioner will restore shine and detangle your dog's coat. However, conditioners can actually do a lot more than simply add a shine to your dog's coat.
Certain dog conditioners with specific ingredients can help soothe itchy or sensitive skin. Some ingredients can make your dog's coat look fuller, remove matts from fur or help to replace essential oils lost during the bathing process.
Here are a few things you should consider before deciding if your dog could benefit from a conditioner and what type to use:
In the case of dogs with particularly long hair, such as those belonging to breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier or Afghan Hound, dog conditioner will likely be an essential component of their grooming routing. Conditioning the hair of these dogs will make brushing much easier as their coats are prone to becoming tangled and matted quickly. You may even consider using a dog conditioning spray to add more shine and help to detangle their coat before grooming.
Bathing your dog frequently can dry out the coat, so you might want to use a conditioner to restore and lock in moisture.
For dogs suffering from dry skin, shampoos and conditioners with oatmeal are a good option. But if dryness is becoming a recurring or severe problem, you may want to decrease the frequency of baths. If your dog's coat seems dry and lacks lustre, you may be robbing it of essential oils by overbathing. You may need to adjust your routine and treatment according to the dryness of your dog's skin and coat.
Does your dog have itchy or sensitive skin? If you regularly take your dog to a groomer, don't be afraid to ask for their advice and suggestions for the perfect conditioner for your dog.
If you're doing all of your grooming yourself at home, choose a soap-free shampoo and conditioner to avoid inflaming your dogs' skin. Products with oatmeal (Aloveen Starter Twin Pack) and aloe vera (Fido’s Aloe Vera Shampoo) are usually gentle enough for pooches with even the most sensitive of skin.
If your dog's skin is incredibly sensitive or their itching is keeping everyone up at night, your vet may need to prescribe a medicated treatment. Oftentimes, skin sensitivities or itchiness can actually be caused by parasites, allergies or food intolerances. If you aren't sure what is causing skin problems for your dog, your vet is always the best place to start.
Bath time can be a challenge for many dog owners. If dogs could talk, I'm sure they'd be telling us they would rather be doing literally anything else. If your dog doesn't enjoy bath time, skipping the conditioner and keeping bath time to a minimum is probably the way to go.
But that doesn't mean their skin and coat will have to completely miss out on all of the benefits of conditioner. Maybe a 2-in-1 product (Fuzzyard 2in1 Shampoo & Conditioner) is enough for your dog to keep their coat smooth and shiny. A conditioning spray (PAW Conditioning & Grooming Spray) may also be a suitable choice for restoring moisture.
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