Dog Shampoo-Make Your Own, pH Balanced Especially for a Dog 
A long while back, dog owners were concerned about frequently bathing their dog because the shampoo used was as strong as laundry detergent and basically stripped the natural oils from their coat, which caused their skin to dry out and in turn started the frantic scratching. Many commercial shampoos claiming to be for dogs actually run too high on the pH scale when tested. These are name brand shampoos! Too high of a pH will dry out your dog’s skin so it’s not the frequency of the baths causing the problems, it is the product being used! A good dog shampoo will be pH balanced for a DOG, not a person. If you cannot find what the pH balance is on the label, contact the manufacturer before using, you might save your dog a lot of grief. What does pH stand for?One of the most important processes in your body is the process by which the pH balance is maintained. Body pH measures the number of hydrogen ions in solution within the body. The pH scale ranges from 0-14 with <6.4 acidic and >6.4 alkaline for body fluid, not including blood which is a normal 7.3 pH. An acidic pH has a low ability to attract hydrogen ions, while an alkaline solution has a high ability to attract hydrogen ions. “p” stands for potential and “H” stands for hydrogen; henceforth, the potential of the body to attract hydrogen ions to secure balance and health.
The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 For humans the pH is 5.2 to 6.2
A
dog’s pH varies from 6.2 to
8.62 depending on the breed.
Effect of the breed on skin Ph
Measures taken on 18 German Shepherds, 6 Golden Retrievers
and 15 Labradors. From Weber M, 2003, Royal Canin Research
Centre and breeder network. Among the canine species the skin pH
appears to vary according to breed.
A protocol was perfected by the Royal Canin Research Centre to
measure the pH of the German Shepherd and compare it with other
breeds.
These results show that the German Shepherd possesses a much
more alkaline skin than the Golden Retriever and the Labrador.
Many authors agree that an alkaline skin is more conducive to
bacterial proliferation than an acidic skin (Chikakane and
Takahashi, 1995; Matousek and Campbell, 2002).
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Human shampoos are no good for a dog's skin.
Below is a list of "base" liquids safe to use if you follow the instructions. Resist the urge to add other ingredients such as perfumes or artificial color. Remember, you are trying to keep your dogs skin at the proper pH level.
Palmolive liquid dish detergent (16oz) has a pH of 7.3. Dove liquid dish detergent (16oz) has a pH of 7.0. Ivory dish detergent (16oz) has a pH of 9.5 * For any of the liquids above, you must add 1 teaspoon of glycerin which can be purchased at any pharmacy or your local Wal-Mart. It is usually on the same aisle as the peroxide and alcohol. * If using Ivory, you must add: 2 teaspoons of white vinegar along with the required teaspoon of glycerin. This will bring the pH down to 6.8 which is well within the realm of a dog’s skin. Additional Info: Treatment of Allergic Dermatitis includes topical medicated soothing baths, ointments and sprays. The use of oral antihistamines can neutralize some of the destructive effects of internally released histamine. More effective in alleviating the discomfort of allergies is cortisone. This potent hormone, normally secreted by the adrenal glands, can be manufactured commercially. Numerous derivatives of cortisone are used in pill, injectable, spray, liquid and ointment form. Caution: If you are sent home with a prescription for cortisone, or your dog has simply been given “a cortisone shot to stop the itching”, your dog may ultimately be worse off than before if the true diagnosis happens to be an unrecognized case of Sarcoptic mites! Be patient, yes, but be persistent, too. If your dog is itching, scratching, and licking, or if the skin and coat are not healthy appearing, you and your dog need a diagnosis before treatment is started. |