If your bathroom resembles mine in any way, it is stocked with a variety of hair products, some for my husband, some for the Bulldog with sensitive skin, some for the long-haired puppy, and some for me. The shelves are stocked with shampoos, conditioners, finishing sprays, and brushes for every occasion. But what if you didn’t require EVERY single one of those products, or if you and your dog could share?
There’s no denying that products made for dogs may not be the best for humans, and vice versa, but if you find yourself in a bind, here are some items your dog and you can and cannot share:
Dog products: I’ve been known to accidentally grab the wrong bottle in the shower and come close to giving myself a silky, new coat. With all of the incredible ingredients in modern dog shampoos, I’ll admit it’s tempting to do it on purpose. Washing human hair with dog shampoo won’t harm anyone, though it isn’t advised to do so frequently. If you choose a high-quality dog shampoo that contains essential oils, you might even notice some unexpected bounce and shine.
You shouldn’t purposefully wash your dog with human products, such as shampoo. While human shampoos can be very drying to your dog’s skin and coat because they have a much more basic ph level than we do, baby shampoos are an acceptable occasionally choice for dogs with sensitive skin.
Dog Products: You should probably avoid using this unless you want to discover Fido’s fur in your own luxurious locks. But if it’s a clean comb, go for it. I won’t tell.
I’ve given my dogs a lot of pins and vent brushes made for humans. My used, cleaned brushes work just as well for blow-drying even though they have their own specialized brushes for shedding and finishing. For a messy day at the beach or park, it’s also great to keep an old brush in the car.
I don’t know if you can call the dental rubber bands I buy for my dog’s ponytails a dog product, but they are the ideal size and hold for her fuzzy hair. They work well for small braids in an adult’s or a child’s hair, but not my much thicker ponytail. Let’s be honest, the bows are pretty interchangeable too.
Human Products: You can use your own hair bands if you don’t have any doggie hair bands on hand. If you really need to get your dog’s hair out of her face, it might not work as well, but it will work. As long as you are confident that your dog won’t attempt to eat them (which also applies to dog-specific hair ties), you can also use bows and clips from your child’s hair collection. ).
Products for dogs are widely available, ranging from leave-in conditioners to gels, hairspray, and spritzes that make them smell good. Depending on your hair, they might not work as well for you, but if it’s your only choice, try it anyway. Don’t be afraid to spritz yourself with your Shih Tzu’s aftershave if you discover that it smells better than your own.
Human Products: Show dogs frequently use hairspray and gels to help keep their hair in place in the ring. For a special occasion or photo shoot, it can keep your dog’s hair in place even though it isn’t necessary for every day. Always ensure that any human products you use on your dog are non-toxic and suitable for it before using them.
Since these are essentially interchangeable in our home, I won’t even attempt to separate them. Although having separate sets of clippers and scissors for humans and dogs is preferable, since they are typically used for the same thing, there is no harm in using them on both. I regularly trim my dog’s hair with manicure scissors, and both human and canine beards can be trimmed with clippers. Be sure to always clean and disinfect anything before using it on a person or a pet.
What does using a dog conditioner do?
The health of your skin and coat depends on a balanced diet, adequate hydration, regular grooming, and supplements. But using a good conditioner on your dog will give him a glossy coat and moisturized skin.
A dog’s skin and fur suffer daily damage from the sun, licking, chewing, dirt, tangles, poor weather, sand, and the numerous external allergens. Natural oils produced by a well-groomed coat are distributed along the hair shafts, giving your dog a radiant appearance and making it easier for dirt and dead hair to fall off. A healthy coat and skin become more resistant to external allergens, parasites, and infections. A dry coat and skin, on the other hand, have debris and dead hair clinging to them, making them appear dull and irritating and itchy.
Our deep-conditioning mask for dogs revives the coat’s vitality, lustre, and softness while soothing dry, flaky skin. Since the skin is what produces the fur, a dog’s coat will be in poor condition if its skin is dry or damaged.
So can I use conditioner on my dog?
Dogs’ skin and fur differ from humans’ in terms of allergens and pH levels, so it’s not a good idea to use human hair conditioner on them. For your dog, we have combined and chosen the best oils and organic ingredients. Our dog conditioner is made to repair and safeguard against daily wear and tear, leaving your dog’s coat silky soft and nourished. Save your conditioner for your hair; you might even decide to try it on your dogs!
Additionally, VCA Hospitals states that a dogs skin has a different thickness from our own, which can also contribute to irritation if the wrong products are used. Because their skin is much thinner than ours, skin conditions like dryness, itching, or flaky skin can occur.
There are a few things you can do at home to give your dog’s coat the soft, healthy appearance you desire without purchasing products designed for that purpose. You can make your own conditioner by combining coconut oil, finely ground oatmeal, water, and a small amount of honey. After applying it to your dog’s coat, let it sit for a few minutes, then thoroughly rinse it off. An alternative is to use aloe vera gel on dogs as a conditioner or a conditioning spray because of its well-known hydrating and restorative qualities. Spray the concoction onto your clean dog and brush it into her hair after combining a tablespoon of aloe vera gel, water, and a few drops of glycerin in a bottle.
If you like to use conditioner to moisturize your dog’s fur or if your dog needs a little extra calming after a bath, you may have questioned whether your conditioner will be effective on him. Although it is possible to apply human conditioner to a dog, should you? Is dog conditioner really worth the money?
The short answer to this question is, no, it is not, at least not for use on dogs. This is because conditioners, along with other skin, body, and hair care products, are formulated to be pH balanced, meaning they wont disrupt the thin layer of protective skin called the acid mantle, says the American Kennel Club. Humans have skin that is slightly acidic with a pH of around 5.5, while dogs are a bit more alkaline, clocking in somewhere between 6.2 and 7.4. Because the skins acid mantle is washed away each time we bathe, our products are formulated to restore that balance, but a humans conditioner will not restore the balance on a dogs skin as the pH isnt the same.
The acid mantle is in place to protect the top layer of skin from harmful bacteria and it functions to keep the skin and the body well hydrated, so the pH will be thrown off, but what’s the real harm in that? Your dog may become ill if dangerous pollutants get inside of them if that mantle isn’t restored.
FAQ
Can I use human conditioner for dogs?
Given that your dog’s hair and skin are completely different from your own in terms of chemical composition, using human conditioner on them is definitely not a good idea. Dogs and people have different pHs (natural acid-oil balances), according to Campbell “Using human products on dogs can irritate them and lead to a pH imbalance naturally.” ”.
What conditioner is safe to use on dogs?
We advise searching for a formulation without parabens, synthetic dyes, or fragrances that uses only naturally derived ingredients. Look for a nourishing conditioner with calming ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, Manuka honey, or oatmeal if your dog has dry, itchy, or flaky skin.
Is conditioner toxic for dogs?
Conditioners must maintain a pH level suitable for our pets, just like shampoos. Human conditioners might contain too much acid, which could itch and irritate the skin. Additionally, they might contain an excessive amount of unhealthy oils for your pet’s coat.
Can I use Pantene conditioner on my dog?
Registered. I am aware that handlers have applied Pantene products, such as shampoo, to the Havs they have displayed. You will have no problem. Just make sure to rinse until nearly all of the bubbles have disappeared.