Dry weather = dry skin = dry coat...

'Tis the season! For dry, cracked hands...

We all have been there, constantly applying lotion to get some short relief.

But what about the dog?

Do you ever pet your dog and the static just pulls the hairs up with your hand?

Or do you pet your dog and feel the microfiber-like grab of their dry hair against your hand?

And let's not forget the paw licking...

That's right.

Did you know paw licking is NOT normal dog behavior? It's become normalized because so many dogs suffer from it.

The root cause is often dry skin. Just like we experience.

One reason for this is an unregulated pet cosmetic industry on top of an unregulated grooming industry.

Most salons do not use conditioner. Whether it's expense or convenience, a conditioned dog is a rare thing in the grooming world. And the shampoos they use are often harsh. Like dish soap harsh...

What does that mean exactly?

Well... I'm about to get super science-y on you...

What happens when you use harsh shampoo on a dog is that you not only remove dirt and debris, but you also take away the coat's protective layer of sebum.

What happens when you remove that protective layer of sebum? The plaques of the hair shaft start to open up and without that protective coating the hair shaft become frizzy, dull, and catchy. The hairs will mat faster, catch dirt faster and lose color. You also lose the protection over the skin allowing toxins, bacteria, and allergens to penetrate the skin more readily.

So if most salons don't use conditioner... Think about every time you bathe that dog...

You take away sebum...

And take away protection...

And take away hydration...

Can you see the problem that's being created?

I believe this is a huge reason why dogs are so commonly seen with skin problems and "allergies." Just from unregulated grooming processes...

And I'm over here as a groomer telling you this!

At my salon we never skip conditioner! Dogs leave my salon feeling like a million bucks. And truth be told... I don't see a lot of dry skin...

This isn't hard and fast data on my end, but I think there's a trend there.

I use gentle shampoos to take away dirt and debris followed by nourishing, restorative, and hydrating conditioners to replace any sebum removed during the cleansing process.

So the next time you see your dog licking at their paws... Maybe consider that they just need some TLC and a bath done the right way.

Curious to find out more? Click the link to see Iv San Bernard's statement on the importance of conditioner. All of my grooming products are supplied through their company. All of their products are certified through Safe Pet Cosmetics - they were actually the first canine product line to be certified through Safe Pet.

https://isbusa.com/importance-of-conditioner/