We all love the feel of a dog’s coat after a nice bath. (hoping that a dog doesn’t give you a bath :) )
The dog’s hair looks great after a good rinse with a good shampoo. You can make the hair look even better with a hair conditioner! This will enhance the coat of your dog and keep the dog’s coat looking and feeling even better for a longer amount of time.
Following is the list of bet conditioners our team have tried and tested to help you choose the best dog conditioner.
Table of Contents
Our Top Dog Conditioners
This conditioner provides a good amount of softness to the hair. It has deep penetrating formula which increases the smoothness of the coat. It features the signature fragrance of floral jasmine and vanilla. This conditioner is well balanced and well-tolerated by the dogs and helps remove the odor.
- Pros
- Reduces shedding after bath
- Works well on different breeds
- Great scent
- Cons
- Scent maybe a bit strong for some dog owners
It contains essential oils to aid in maintaining a good coat.This solution is environmentally friendly and is gentle on the skin. It includes oatmeal and aloe vera that helps clean, deodorize, and moisturize the skin.
This five-in-one solution has a tear-free formula that does not irritate or inflame your dog’s eyes or nose.
- Pros
- Five-in-one formula
- Tear-free formula
- Contains essential oils
- Cons
- Scent doesn’t last long
- May cause slight allergic reactions
Earth pad conditioner is made out of biodegradable products and it is environmentally friendly. It comes with a Shine enhancing quality that is effective in detangling and enriching a dog’s coat. It has a special ingredient that is colloidal oatmeal. These ingredients help moisturize en-suite skin in a very well balanced way.
- Pros
- Great smell
- Fur feels silkier and softer
- Cons
- Harder to brush hair for certain dogs
Burt’s bees all-natural oatmeal shampoo and conditioner comes with all-natural ingredients. which include colloidal oatmeal, honey, beeswax and is great for sensitive skin. This conditioner is pH balanced and is suitable for before all dogs and puppies.
It will help moisturize, soothe, soften of 10 and condition your dog’s skin and coat. This conditioner is a veterinarian recommended formula and is free of colourants and Harsh chemicals.
- Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- Fur feels silkier and softer
- Cons
- Too thin and watery for some dogs
- Almost no scent
This is a lavender-scented 4-in-1 formula. It is great for cleaning dirty coats, conditioning, and detangling the coats. It also helps moisturize and various sizes of coats. It is a pH balanced, alcohol-free, paraben-free formula.
The best thing about the formula is that even a little bit of formula goes a long way and provides a rich lather which helps keep your pet looking and smelling fresh.
- Pros
- Four-in-one formula
- Alcohol and paraben free
- Cons
- Contains sodium sulfate
- Not Ideal for sensitive skin
This is a sulfate free formula which helps clean. soften and remove odor. It is gentle to use on the skin and doesn’t aggravate allergies or irritate the skin.
It contains oatmeal which forms a natural skin barrier to heal hot spots, redness and bumps. It is Vet approved and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals.
- Pros
- Gentle on the skin
- Anti-itch formula
- Cons
- Lather production is low
- Smell doesn’t last long
It is formulated with silicon contents to repel dirt, urine, and dust to help the coat stay cleaner for a longer amount of time. It is a unique leave-in hair conditioner and it is hypoallergenic and non-toxic.
It helps protect the dog’s coat and helps prevent tangles. It can be used on all coat types.
- Pros
- Non-toxic and gentle
- Leave-in dog conditioner
- Cons
- Not as effective in detangling.
- Sprayer could be of higher quality
This dog conditioner helps reduce excess shedding by releasing the undercoat during the bath. It is free of chemical dyes an parabens. It is especially enriched with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, Chamomile extract and Aloe Vera extract.
- Pros
- Reduces excess shedding
- Enriched with Omega 3 and 6
- Cons
- Not ideal for sensitive skin.
It is a Luxurious botanical rinse that soothes, conditions and moisturises the pet’s fur. It is suitable for sensitive skin and it soothes and conditions the sensitive skin.
Helps with detangling the hair and improves wet combing and enhances overall manageability of the hair. It contains oatmeal and chamomile.
- Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Contains oatmeal and chamomile
- Cons
- Scent is very light
Leave-In Lusterizer and Conditioner for Dogs by Miracle Coat is one of the first leave-in conditioners designed for pets. It intensifies and prolongs the luster and condition of your dog’s coat and skin.
It comes with a sprayer application and is naturally formulated. It is gentle for regular use. On application it remains in the coat to maximize the sheen and allows the skin to retain its natural moisture.
- Pros
- Gentle for regular use
- Leave-in dog conditioner
- Cons
- Some owners didn’t like the smell
- Sprayer could be of higher quality
What to look for when buying a dog conditioner ?
- Natural vs. Chemical ingredients
You might have to consider the ingredients. Certain ingredients might might completely irritate the dog. If your dog doesn’t like this smell or feel of the conditioner at all, don’t wait just change the conditioner. Lots of dog conditioners available in the market with different ingredients.
- All-in-one shampoo conditioner vs stand alone conditioner
Another thing you need to consider is whether you should buy a stand alone conditioner or that you should buy a combination of a conditioner and a shampoo. The choice really depends on the coat of the dog. Some dogs’ coats require special attention. So if your dog has a particular need. Then having a separate conditioner is probably the best option for your dog.
- Allergies
Different dogs might be allergic to different things it is best to consult with the vet to determine what is that your dog is allergic to.It is best to use a conditioner with more natural ingredients. Several of the medicinal conditioners and shampoos available in the market can cause dry skin and in some rare cases some allergic reactions.
What to Avoid while Shopping for a Dog Conditioner
METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE
- This chemical is generally used as an antifungal and a preservative. It is ingredient rumoured to be associated with organ poisoning. It will most likely get banned in Japan and Canada.
MEA/COCOMIDE DEA
- Though this product is derived from coconut, it is chemically altered so that it can be used with the hair products. It has been associated with causing thyroid and hormonal imbalances. It is considered an organ toxins by many users.
Human Conditioner vs. Dog Conditioner
Skin pH levels:
- The thickness of Human hair and the length of human hair is very different from that of dogs’ hair. Dog’s skin has a different pH level than that of a human’s skin. Dog conditioners are specially designed to match the pH level skin of your dog.
Sensitive skin
- Dog’s skin has different sensitivity to different chemicals. Some chemicals which can be easily tolerated by human skin can cause severe reactions on a dog’s skin. Thus, it is highly recommended not to use human conditioner on dog.
How Often Should You Bathe a Dog?
- The frequency with which you should wash your dog depends on the breed, the type of the coat and lifestyle of your dog.
- Some dogs have thick or double coats (Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, ) which naturally insulate them. Such dogs require less washing and will benefit more from conditioners which help with shedding. Dogs who have medium to large coats generally require a bath every 4-6 weeks.
- If you take your dog outdoors for activities such as swimming in the ocean, hiking, or herding it will require bathing more often. Some dogs can be easily cleaned with a simple rubdown with a damp cloth. A general rule of thumb is to wash your dog when it is no longer “huggable”.
Tips For How to Bathe Your Dog
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- You should start bathing your dog as soon as possible. If you have a puppy start bathing her as soon as possible. If the dogs get used to getting bathed on regular basis you will encounter less trouble later on.
- Once you have selected the best dogs shampoo. Wash the dog from the neck town. You want to be careful that you don’t want the water to get into your dog’s ears during the bath to avoid ear infections. You can find sprayers specially designed for bathing a dog.
- To wash its face it is best to use a damp washcloth and give it a nice rubdown.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use human hair conditioner on my dog?
In most cases human conditioners are too harsh for the dog’s skin. Human conditioners contain certain ingredients that can cause allergic reactions for inflammation for irritation when used on dogs skin.
Most dogs have skin which excrete natural oils and using a human conditioner on a dog can strip the dog’s skin of those natural oils. Due to this the dogs hair may look ruffled,dull their hair may feel brittle.
- How do you condition a dog’s hair?
Ideally you should only use the best dog shampoo and the best dog conditioner combination for your dog. Once you have used shampoo on the dog then ti si time to use the conditioner. You need to focus where the hair is getting dryer. Rub the hydrating conditioner on your fingers and rub it on the hair of the dog from the top.
You should make sure it is applied on the ends of the hair because that is generally the driest part. You can use a wipe and put lightly on the dog to help remove the excess conditioner. You can also use a hot dryer , but make sure it is not too hot for the dog.
- Can I use a Pantene conditioner on my dog?
Ideally you should only use dog’s conditioners on dogs. Human conditioners contain chemicals which may be harsh on a dog’s skin and may cause skin reactions.
- Should I use a dog conditioner for my short haired dog?
Yes, you can and should use a conditioner on a short haired dog. Generally short hair needs less moisture due to its short length and structure. Dog’s skin also gets dry during the winter months and needs moisture too. It is best to choose some light conditioners which do not contain heavy oils. Even the best dog conditioner might contain too heavy or greasy oils for your short haired dog.
Our # 1 Dog Conditioner
If, like me, you’ve read about popular dog hair conditioners and your are overwhelmed with options, then I will definitely recommend giving Isle of Dogs everyday Jasmine & Vanilla Conditioner a try.
It is a product that has a penetrating formula which increases the smoothness of the coat. It features the signature fragrance of floral jasmine and vanilla and stands out among different dog conditioners. Customers love this conditioner as it is well balanced and well-tolerated by the various types of dogs.
The team behind this conditioner are a well-known reputable company so you know you’re getting the highest quality product possible among the dog conditioners available in the market.
Isle of Dogs everyday Jasmine & Vanilla Conditioner
Reduces shedding after bath Works well on different breeds Great scent
Henry loves to make better decisions regarding the pet’s well-being as hassle free as possible. His passion is improving client’s lives by creating sustainable health for the client’s pets. Henry’s mission to make pet ownership a fun and comfortable experience for all.
