The Opera Poodle

.... but it is sort of a health question too. So, I will try it here.

I have a friend who uses "people" hair products on her dog (mousses her Yorkies topknot back.) I was thinking of trying some of the dry shampoos on my baby's ears and Moroccan Oil on her coarser/matting areas. But, I do not want to do anything that could irritate her skin. I figure since there are foods we people can eat (chocolate, raisins, etc,) there could be topical items that do not bother us that may bother dogs. I really can not find a list on the Internet listing ingredients that could bother dogs that are in hair care products. Am I being too big of a Nervous Nelly or have others used "people" products and had problems.

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A poo a day keeps the doctor away.

Erin

People products are formulated for different ph balances in the skin... This is why human shampoos will dry out a dogs skin. I would use caution with people products that have any chemicals in them.


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The Opera Poodle

Research answered the pH question for me a long time ago. A person's pH is 5.2 to 6.2 and a dogs ranges from 5.5 to 7.5 A product for a dog should be around 7 (which is neutral.)

My question was about other ingredients that may cause inflammation, itching, or other reactions. I have pH strips to test a product. The Moroccan Oil I use is about 6.8 and should be fine in that vain. I'm just unsure of some of the other components like diethanolamine which is actually used to neutralize acidic components.

I do know there are people who swear on Tea Tree Oil to help with fleas but you just can't go to Walgreens and buy straight TTO. It has a bunch of filler ingredients and preservatives. I'm looking more for a list of chemicals/minerals that dogs may react to (like the theobromine that is toxic for dogs in chocolate.)

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A poo a day keeps the doctor away.

outwest

I have used people hair products on my poodles without a problem. Make sure to get the kind for curly hair (it has more moisturizer in it). Pantene for curly hair works great. Use both shampoo and conditioner- use lots of water to dilute them- and rinse very well. No problems at all with it- it will not dry their skin. People make the mistake of using harsh human shampoos (ones made for straight or oily hair), but Pantene and even Herbal Essences for curly hair are both great.

The Opera Poodle

Thanks Outwest. I put Trader Joe Nourish Spa shampoo and conditioner in household spray bottles heavely diluted in water to take to the dog park with me. When I hose them down it is easy to spray, rub, and rinse. Herbal Essance would be so much cheaper. Shasta love when I save money because it means I have more dough to spend on bully sticks.

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A poo a day keeps the doctor away.

Sookster

Can I ask why you want to use dry shampoo on the ears? And I don't imagine oil would irritate the skin, but would probably make the hair really oily!

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Lily's-Mom

I used to use a bit of baby powder or cornstarch on my pomeranian's ears when they'd get a bit scraggly and matted. I'd try that before using human dry shampoo (much cheaper too). Be sure the dog doesn't breathe it in. Put a bit on your hand, don't put it directly on her head. As for the moroccan oil, I don't know. I didn't find it so spectacular when I tried it on my hair! I'd recommend using a grooming spray/leave in conditioner for in between baths to keep the dog fresh and soft. FYI, I don't have a problem using human products on the dog, I use my shampoo occasionally on Lily, but I know some are very against doing so.

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"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" - Mordecai Siegal

Pamela

I was told that human products can cause yeast in dogs. I believe that happened to me when I used them on my dogs and they smelled like dirty feet after a while! lol I use Fresh and Clean shampoo and leave in conditioner and its smells great!!

The Opera Poodle

The bottom of Shasta's ears get a bit dirty and greasy when they drag through the food bowl. The dry shampoo should help brush the bits out and degrease them. It would only be used on the ends.

I have long curly course hair and I have found a Moroccan Oil that works wonders. Even though it says "oil" it does not leave a oily feel at all. Just makes it soft and easy for me to brush.

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A poo a day keeps the doctor away.

Lily's-Mom

I'm curious - What kind of Moroccan Oil do you use?
Lily's ears get food in them sometimes too and she doesn't even have long fluffy ears. I try to flip the ears back when she's eating, LOL, and I have considered getting her a snood, but not sure she'd keep it on.

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"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" - Mordecai Siegal