Skin & Coat
The holistic way to healthy hair

Think how good you feel after you’ve just washed your hair, and then imagine what it would be like to have hair all over your body, the way your dog or cat has. Now imagine not being able to wash or brush that hair for months on end. Not a pleasant thought, is it? It’s not surprising, then, that a large part of your animal companion’s health and happiness relies on how well you look after his coat and skin. Regular brushing and bathing are as important to his well being as they are to yours. Trouble is, many commercial shampoos and conditioners contain chemicals that dry out the hair and trigger skin problems in sensitive individuals. So what’s the solution?

The answer is to take a more holistic approach to hair care. “Holistic grooming involves using the most natural methods possible to groom the animal,” says Kim Green of Raining Cats & Dogs in Cobourg, Ontario. A professional groomer with over 15 years’ experience, Kim adds that holistic grooming takes the emotional as well as the physical well being of the animal into consideration. “I not only use natural products, but I also create a calm and relaxing environment for the dog or cat.”

The problem with many commercial shampoos is that they contain phosphates and sodium-based substances that can dry and irritate the skin. They also have harsh chemical strippers that remove all the natural oils from the animal’s coat. Siliconebased conditioners, meanwhile, leave behind a residue that interferes with the skin’s ability to breathe.

Products with a natural base, on the other hand, clean hair gently and safely without unpleasant side effects. They also have soothing properties that can help prevent or alleviate skin problems. Here’s a rundown of some of the ingredients to look for in a holistic shampoo or conditioner.

Citrus-based products are a good choice for dogs with bad skin or oily, smelly coats. “Shampoos containing orange peel oil are especially great,” says Kim. “The oil is an excellent de-greasing agent, and cuts through odor and grease without drying out the coat.” It’s also soothing and refreshing for the skin. One word of warning: orange oil products should not be used on cats as they can react negatively to it.

Oatmeal and aloe shampoos have superior moisturizing properties and are good for animals with dry coats or flaky skin. Because oatmeal is mildly abrasive, however, it should not be used on animals with severe skin problems.

Neem is good for animals with flea-bite dermatitis. Neem oil derives from a tropical evergreen native to India, and is a natural flea-repellent. “It not only kills fleas but leaves behind a fragrance they don’t like,” says Kim. “Tea tree oil is also great for this.”

Lavender and rosemary-scented shampoos and spritzers are excellent deodorizers and work well for dogs with odor problems. Lavender also has calming properties. “If an animal comes in for grooming and seems stressed, the first thing I’ll do is mist some lavender into the air and on its body,” says Kim.

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Published in the Fall 2002 issue of Animal Wellness Magazine