Q: I have three Bolognese dogs, ages 2 1/2, 1 1/2, and 8 weeks. We live in San Jose, CA, and our water here tends to be quite harsh and leaves their coat very dry. I have recently started to use “AVEDA Shampure” on the two older ones and I’ve noticed a huge difference. But by the end of the week, their coats seem to be dry again and not as beautifully flocked, as they should be. Do you have any suggestions of products I can use that would restore their coat to their natural luster?
A: First off, I would recommend switching to a shampoo made for pets. Shampoos made for humans have a different pH level and often contain harsher detergents than quality pet products do. A good pet shampoo will help alleviate disorders associated with skin turnover such as odor, itching, dryness and irritation by washing away the dead layers and giving new layers a chance to breathe.
The skin's pH is measured from one upwards, with one being highly acidic and at the other end of the spectrum, 14 being highly alkaline. A pH of 7 is neutral. Our own skin is fairly acidic, allowing it to ward off the advances of harmful bacteria and fungi. The optimal pH of human skin is 5.5 but a dog's normal skin pH is between 7 and 7.4. Good pet shampoos are formulated with this in mind. When it comes to bathing your pet, a slightly acidic shampoo works well in managing bacteria for both skin and coat. One
… Continue reading here.
Dog Grooming Expert Advice
Click here for more information about 'Improving a Dry Coat'.
