If your dog sort of, well, stinks and you donโt want to give a real bath, you may ask yourself, โCan I use dry shampoo on my dog?โ The answer is simple: Yes, you can use dry shampoo on your dog. The bigger question is, โShould you use dry shampoo on a dog?โ
Dry shampoos for dogs, also known as waterless or no-rinse shampoos, deodorize your dogโand thatโs about it. So, while these products may help in a pinch with an odor, they donโt clean your dog. Youโre not truly removing any of the dirt from the dogโs skin. The dry formulations may absorb some of the excess oils in your dogโs coat, but your dog will not look freshly bathed. He wonโt be shiny and bright with a glossy, flowing coat. Heโll just smell better for a while. Maybe.
How to Use a Dry Dog Shampoo
Most dry shampoos are not powders that you sprinkle on your dog. Theyโre foams or sprays you work into the dogโs coat, like human hair mousse products.
The word โdryโ refers to the fact you donโt need water. These products are not a whole lot easier to use than a real shampoo, except, of course, you donโt need to rinse. You also generally still must towel-dry the dog, or if you did choose a powder dry shampoo, comb your dogโs hair. Dry shampoos are not time-savers!
Choosing a Dry Shampoo for Your Dog
We donโt recommend dry shampoos, but if you insist on using one, thereโs one main thing to avoid: Donโt buy any product thatโs delivered in a container that uses a propellant. Personal care products that come in cans, including human hair mousse and pet dry shampoos, often contain petroleum distillate propellants like propane or butane. And benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, is a common contaminant of petroleum distillates. Powdered or manual pump-spray products are safer.
Choosing a product formulated for dogs is an absolute must. Look for dry shampoos for dogs that contain only natural ingredients that help deodorize your dog. (Remember, regular shampoos are only on the dogโs coat for a minute or two and then thoroughly rinsed away; dry stuff stays in the dogโs coat until you give him a real bath or he goes swimming.)
Still, we advise you to only use a dry shampoo when thereโs no other choice because, really, there are no shortcuts for a good, healthy bath.
