EC Veterinary Science

Giving a bath to a dog can be a real burden and an unpleasant moment for dogs and owners. However, cleaning dogs regularly can be necessary to keep the dog’s coat clean and skin healthy. Appropriate veterinary shampoos, efficient, easy to use with one hand to let the other hand hold the dog, and with eco-friendly properties are now sought. The aim of this study was to assess the appreciation and easiness of use, as perceived by dog owners, of new shampoo bottles with a controlled release valve and made of 100% recycled plastic. The perception of efficacy was also assessed.

Thirty-nine dog owners, using shampoos regularly, were selected to try two different shampoos: 19 tried the shampoo for normal skin (Allerderm Normal Skin) and 20 tried the dermatological shampoo for sensitive and itchy skin (Allermyl). Both were in the same type of bottle with a controlled release valve. Owners had to wash their dogs once during the test and reply to a questionnaire to assess the bottle properties as well as the cleaning effectiveness. Questionnaires included ratings from 0 (do not like at all) to 10 (like it very much) and multiple choice questions. Median (range) or percentage of responses were calculated.

The bottle was considered easy to open/close by 97% of owners, easy to apply by 98%, and easy to use with one hand by 77% of owners. Overall, 95% of owners considered the shampoos easy to use. The median ratings for the odor, efficacy, foam, overall results obtained, and skin and coat aspects after cleaning were all equal or above 8/10 for the normal skin shampoo and equal or above 7/10 for the dermatological shampoo. The overall rating for both shampoos was of 8 (5 - 10) over 10.

Thus, the shampoo bottle shape and properties allowed the use with just one hand by most owners and an easy application. The effectiveness was also very well appreciated. The shampoos tested can therefore be used with confidence to facilitate the owner’s life when cleaning a dog.

 Keywords: Veterinary Shampoos; Allerderm; Allermyl; Dog’s Skin; Effective Shampoo; Easy-to-Use Shampoo

1. Penakalapati G., et al. “Exposure to Animal Feces and Human Health: A Systematic Review and Proposed Research Priorities”. Environmental Science and Technology 51 (2017): 11537-11552.
2. Simonato G., et al. “Surveillance of Zoonotic Parasites in Animals Involved in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs)”. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2020): 17.
3. Carlotti DN and Gatto H. “The art of shampoos in canine and feline dermatology: Treatment and prevention strategies”. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society 56 (2017): 162.
4. Löflath A., et al. “The efficacy of a commercial shampoo and whirlpooling in the treatment of canine pruritus - a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study”. Veterinary Dermatology 18 (2007): 427-431.
5. Reme CA., et al. “Antiallergic shampoo and oral essential fatty acid combination therapy to relive signs of canine atopic dermatitis: a blinded, prednisolone-controlled trial”. Veterinary Dermatology.
6. Young R., et al. “Comparative in vitro efficacy of antimicrobial shampoos: a pilot study”. Veterinary Dermatology 23 (2012): 36-40.
7. Lloyd DH and Lamport AI. “Activity of chlorhexidine shampoos in vitro against Staphylococcus intermedius, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Malassezia pachydermatis”. Veterinary Record 144 (1999): 536-537.
8. Reiter LV., et al. “Characterization and quantification of ceramides in the nonlesional skin of canine patients with atopic dermatitis compared with controls”. Veterinary Dermatology 20 (2009): 260-266.
9. Piekutowska A., et al. “Effects of a topically applied preparation of epidermal lipids on the stratum corneum barrier of atopic dogs”. Journal of Comparative Pathology 138 (2008): 197-203.
10. Ibisch C., et al. “Upregulation of TNF-α Production by IFN-γ and LPS in Cultured Canine Keratinocytes: Application to Monosaccharides Effects”. Veterinary Research Communications 31 (2007): 835-846.
11. McEwan NA., et al. “Monosaccharide inhibition of adherence by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to canine corneocytes”. Veterinary Dermatology 19 (2008): 221-225.
12. Santoro D., et al. “Evaluation of the in vitro effect of Boldo and Meadowsweet plant extracts on the expression of antimicrobial peptides and inflammatory markers in canine”. Research in Veterinary Science (2017).
13. Santoro D., et al. “Evaluation on the effects of 0.1% Peumus boldus leaf and Spiraea ulmaria plant extract combination on bacterial colonization in canine atopic dermatitis: A preliminary randomized, placebo controlled, double-blinded study”. Research in Veterinary Science 118 (2018): 164-170.