Environment Friendly Dog Shampoo?

tueller

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So it would be really easy for me to wash my dogs in a pond or lake while hiking rather than waiting till I get home and using the hose or tub. I don't want to use regular dog cleaning products because it would be bad for the environment/ wildlife. Anyone here clean there dogs out in the woods and if so, what shampoo products do you use? thanks.
 
I use the same shampoo/soap that I use - Dr. Bronner's Liquid Peppermint soap. I use peppermint because of a belief that peppermint repels mosquitoes.

The dog is a border collie.
 
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I will have to try Dr. Bronners soaps as I have been hearing good things about them for some time. I have always used Campsuds at the lake, river or ponds with my dogs. They have a citronella, lavender & peppermint version.
 
Please correct me if I'm wrong...
I have used Dawn dish detergent to bathe my dog with good success and believe it is environmentally friendly.
The reason I believe it is OK to use in the outdoors is because I have used it in wildland firefighting. We were given Dawn to add to our water supply as a foaming agent when we ran out of Class A Foam during a very busy fire season years ago. I never heard a negative word mentioned about using the Dawn dish detergent and we used hundreds of gallons of it. Our mix ratio was: 8 oz. of Dawn added to 200 gal. of water in the water tanks of our brush engines.
 
Dawn has been used for the clean up of animals after oil spills. Recent environmentalists have called for this practice to cease because of the antibacterial ingredient triclosan (also found in toothpaste, for example), because it is toxic to aquatic wildlife.

Dawn is EPA labelled as a detergent, not a soap, although I can't explain the difference between the two. I have no knowledge of how much triclosan is washing into our woodlands and waterways (I'm remembering a news blurb I saw months ago), but I guess enough that some people want to ban it from products. I have no experience in firefighting, and if Dawn works for that, then I'd want it used, triclosan and all
 
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even most biodegradable camping soaps aren't meant to be used directly in the water. they are meant to be used in a dug hole so they filter through the ground. I wouldnt recommend using any soaps or detergents directly in a body of water.
 
Dr. Bronner's has worked well for us humans in the past. Haven't used it in a while but we liked it when we did. At home we use Aroma Paws for the benefit of the dog's coat and skin. That would be my first concern about bathing animals "on the trail". Unless a dog gets into something really nasty (deal fish, Skunk, etc.) their coats will usually protect their skin and all you should need to do is clean the outside of the coat. A good brush and some quality time together can work wonders there. A light mix of a good shampoo like Aroma Paws or the Dr. Bronner's can be used for a "sponge bath" for the affected areas if more is needed.

My dogs and I still hike, although I can't do what we used to do. We can stay out all day on state park type trails, though, and my guys are still fine when we get home. No bath needed. I bathe mine maybe three times a year. And I just do that when the Holter comes off the Boxer and I need to clean the solvent off his coat. I do all of them just so they're done.
 
Dr. Bronner's has worked well for us humans in the past. Haven't used it in a while but we liked it when we did. At home we use Aroma Paws for the benefit of the dog's coat and skin. That would be my first concern about bathing animals "on the trail". Unless a dog gets into something really nasty (deal fish, Skunk, etc.) their coats will usually protect their skin and all you should need to do is clean the outside of the coat. A good brush and some quality time together can work wonders there. A light mix of a good shampoo like Aroma Paws or the Dr. Bronner's can be used for a "sponge bath" for the affected areas if more is needed.

My dogs and I still hike, although I can't do what we used to do. We can stay out all day on state park type trails, though, and my guys are still fine when we get home. No bath needed. I bathe mine maybe three times a year. And I just do that when the Holter comes off the Boxer and I need to clean the solvent off his coat. I do all of them just so they're done.

+1

The top two causes for problem skin/coat on dogs is over/incorrect bathing and diet. Using harsh soaps meant for us will strip a dogs skin and coat of the protective oils. Dry skin and coat will then start to smell. So peopl try bathing more, worsening the problem.

If you want to clean the dog up on th trail, just get a good curry comb and use plain water. Alcohol free grooming wipes like EarthBath brand are great for a quick clean and freshen up. Depending on the coat type your dog has will dictate what type of grooming tools you would need, which is the first step to keeping a dog fresh and good looking.


-Xander
 
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