Cat Shampoo that are designed to be used on pets can do more than just clean your pet’s coat or skin. Shampoos for pets may be used to treat skin conditions, allergies or parasite infestations such as fleas. Human shampoos are not an option for use on pets. We have more acidic skin and the shampoos we use are too harsh for pet skin. Such shampoos can harm their skin and strip it from essential oils.
Pet shampoos can remove dirt and odors from our pets’ skin. Oatmeal, aloe vera, fatty acids and Vitamin E are use in soothing shampoos for pets. Other ingredients can be substances that have antiseborrheic and antibacterial properties. Emollient shampoos can add oils to the skin and relieve the symptoms of dry or itchy skin. There are solid shampoos or bars and gels. Powdered shampoos can work without water.
Pet shampoos are usually full of chemicals, just like shampoos for people. Ingredients such as sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate or propylene glycol are approve by FDA but there are growing concerns about the potential risk of such substances. Skin irritation and hair loss may associated with products that contain such chemicals.
Pyrethrins are substances that were use in pet shampoos for flea control. Unfortunately, it seems that these substances were associate with increase risk for autism disorders in children. A Californian case control study on household pesticide use revealed that mothers and children who have been expose to products containing pyrethrin showed in increased risk for autism spectrum disorders.
While pyrethrin has a very short half-life outdoors, in pet hairs it lives longer, thus causing people to be more exposed. Pregnant mothers who were expose to pesticides posed an increased risk to give birth to a child with autistic disorder.
There are alternatives to such shampoos that contain non-toxic ingredients derived from plants. Some of them are organic and biodegradable. And flea prevention cannot achieved by using only shampoo.