About Me:

I am a professional Pet Groomer. I have been grooming for 28 years. This Blog is a kind of diary of my work. I wish I had started years ago, writing some of the experiences I have had while grooming. Most days are fun, some can be sad, some can be just down right crazy. If you are a pet owner and come across this blog, I hope it helps you understand how your pet is groomed. If you are a Pet Groomer, I hope you can relate to some of the stories. Maybe even learn a grooming tip or can leave a friendly grooming tip for me. There is always something to learn, no matter how long you have been grooming.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Products That I Use

I have had a couple of requests to post about the shampoos and products that I use when I groom.

I like trying different products.
I usually test them out on my own dogs first.
There are some products that I have been using my entire grooming career.

Here are the products that I use and how I use them.


BRIGHT WHITE SHAMPOO by RING5®
Dilutes 6:1 / @ 2½-2¾ cups to a gallon of water

I have been using this Whitening shampoo for 27 years!

I Love this shampoo.

This is a Tear-Less shampoo.
Can be diluted 6:1

I have gotten so many complements over the years on how white I get a dogs coat when using this shampoo.

I use it two different ways.

I mix it with other shampoos if I am just making up a simple shampoo mixture for a regular bath.

I use it full strength on stained white coats, or when I want to brighten up a white coat, or white areas on a dog.

Let stained areas soak for a few minutes.



Bright White by Ring5®
Cost @ $33 a gallon / Cost if used as directed @ $5.50 a gallon


             PROS                                                                          CONS

 ~Gentle scent                                                            ~ Only dilutes 6:1
 ~Cleans and brightens white coats                             ~  Whitens best
 ~Gentle on skin                                                             when used full strength 
 ~Tearless
 ~Great to mix with other shampoos
 ~Cleans well

*********************************************************


 MEDI-SEPTIC SHAMPOO by RING5 
Use As-Is


I have also been using this shampoo for 27 years.

I have also had great results with this shampoo.

This shampoo is meant to be used as is.

For best results with problem skin, do not dilute.

I like to let this shampoo soak on the dog for up to 10 minutes depending on the skin condition.
Five minutes is usually  long enough.

I also use this shampoo on every shaved Poodle face and feet to ward off any clipper irritation.

When using this shampoo on a dog with flaky skin, I warn the pet owner that they will notice a little more flaking, because this shampoo loosens dry, flaky skin.

MEDI-SEPTIC SHAMPOO by RING5®
 Cost @ $44 a gallon / cost if used as directed $44

             PROS                                                                        CONS
      ~Gentle scent                                                            ~High cost
      ~Easy to spread                                                        ~Very hard to find here
      ~Great for Dry Skin                                                      in America
      ~Great for warding off skin irritations
      ~Easy to rinse
      ~Cleans well 

*********************************************************


HYPO CLEAR by WILD ANIMAL®
Dilutes 51:1 / @ 1/3 cup (3oz.) to a Gallon of water


 We have tried many different Hypoallergenic shampoos.

A lot of them have  a strong smell that pet owners, who specifically want you to use a Hypo shampoo, don't like.

This Hypo shampoo is by Wild Animal®

One gallon makes 51 gallons of shampoo.
This shampoo is really thick (concentrated).

This shampoo does not have any soap or detergents.

We like this shampoo because there is no heavy scent, and it spreads very well.

HYPO CLEAR by WILD ANIMAL®
Cost @ $38 a gallon / cost if used as directed @ .76¢ a gallon 

                       PROS                                                    CONS
                 ~Mild scent                                        ~Hard to pour
                 ~Spreads very easily                          ~Must mix with hot water to
                 ~Rinses easily                                       get a good dilution
                 ~Cleans well
                       ~No Soaps or Detergents
                 ~Safe for Puppies and Kittens

*********************************************************

OATMELLA by DoubleK®
Dilutes 8:1 / 2 cups to a gallon of water


  We have been using this Oatmeal shampoo for a few years now.

We have tried others, but always come back to this one.

I like to use this shampoo on dogs that don't really need a full Medicated bath, but may have minor skin issues, or sensitive skin.

We also tend to have a lot of customers who come in asking for their dog to have an Oatmeal bath.

I like to add bright white to this shampoo if I am bathing a white dog.



OATMELLA by DOUBLEK®
Cost @ $29 a gallon / Cost if used as directed @ $3.60 a gallon

                     PROS                                                  CONS
        ~Pleasant scent                                ~Not Tearless (I have not had any 
        ~Spreads easily                                                         problems with this
        ~All natural                                                              shampoo irritating 
        ~Cleans well                                                             eyes)                                                                 ~Can not be used on Puppies and
                                                                                         Kittens

********************************************************************************
EPI-PET CLEANSING AGENT SHAMPOO by EPI-PET®
Use As-Is


We picked up this shampoo at Hershey last year to try out.

We are still testing it. 
(We used this shampoo on the same dogs for a few visits to get owners feed back and see how the dogs coat is doing)

So far we have been really pleased.

We have been using this shampoo on two Shih-tzu's that come in with really bad, irritated skin.

We have noticed that the dogs skin has been getting better.

Would work better if the owners would bathe their dogs in this shampoo every two weeks.

This is a high cost medicated shampoo that should be charged extra for.

Although the front of the Epi-Pet shampoo says that it is a 6:1 shampoo, the directions on the back of the bottle, and on their website tells you to squirt it directly on a wet coat.

We have used it straight.


EPI-PET CLEANING AGENT SHAMPOO by EPI-PET®
Cost @ $63 a gallon / Cost if used as directed @ $63 a gallon

                         PROS                                                    CONS   
                  ~Pleasant scent                                ~Confusing directions
                  ~Hypoallergenic                               ~Does not spread as nice as I
                  ~Soap free                                          would like
                  ~Safe to use on puppies                   ~Very expensive       
                            and kittens

****************************************************************

CLARIFYING SHAMPOO by COAT HANDLER®
Dilutes 15:1 / @  a little more than 1 cup to a gallon of water




I love this shampoo.

I like using it on coats that are limp and dual.

I also use it as a second shampooing after I have used a de-greasing shampoo on a dog.

The dogs coat feels crisp and clean as you rinse.

This shampoo also spreads and rinses really nice.


CLARIFYING SHAMPOO by COAT HANDLER®
Cost @ $45 a gallon / Cost if used as directed @ $3 a gallon

                                  PROS                                                       CONS
                    ~Pleasant Scent                         ~Not tearless (Have not had any
                   ~Spreads well                                                    problems with eye
                   ~Rinses quickly and easily                                  irritation)
                   ~Leaves coat feeling clean 
                      and crisp
                   ~Safe to use on puppies 
                      and kittens
                   ~Helps de-grease coats
                   ~Removes shampoo and cream
                      rinse residue  

*****************************************************************

D'GREASE by PURE PET®
Use As-Is


     This is another must have.

Love this product.

It does exactly what it says that it does, removes grease from the dogs coat.

Really great for those greasy Yorkies, and greasy ears from medication.

It is a jell like consistency. 

Depending on the tempeture of your bathing room, it can be a stiff jell, or a soft jelly. 


D'Grease Shampoo by PUREPET® 
Cost @ $17 for a 40oz jar / cost if used as directed @ $17 per 40 0z. jar

                      PROS                                                           CONS
~No hazardous ingredients                                ~Only comes in a 16oz and 40oz
~Spreads easily, even in jell form                                 size
~Very light scent                                               ~Must rinse your hand before
~Great for spot cleaning greasy areas                   putting fingers back the jar for
~Rinses fast                                                         more shampoo if needed
~Does not dry out the skin 
~Does a great job of removing grease
~Gentle  

**************************************************************** 

DESERT ALMOND by DOUBLEK® 
Dilutes 15:1 / @ a little more than 1 cup to a gallon of water  

 


This shampoo is one of our basic, everyday shampoos.

It is not one of my favorites, but my son and daughter like it. 

It does have a pleasant scent without being too heavy.

Dilutes nicely. 






DESERT ALMOND by DOUBLEK®
Cost @ $20 a gallon / Cost if used as directed @ 1.33 a gallon 
                                                
                            PROS                                        CONS
                   ~Pleasant scent                            ~Not tearless
                   ~Dilutes well                                ~Better if you soap up the dog
                   ~Lathers nicely                               twice
                   ~Conditioning shampoo
                   ~Rinses well  

*****************************************************************

DYNAMIC DUO by DOUBLEK® 
Dilutes 15:1 / @ a little more than a cup to a gallon of water 



I like this for a basic shampoo and conditioning shampoo.

This is a great shampoo for everyday bathing.

It cleans very nicely, and has a pleasant scent.

This is the shampoo that we give to our Self-Serve customers. 

I like to make a mix of this shampoo and the Bright White. 




DYNAMIC DUO by DOUBLEK® 
Cost @ $23 a gallon / Cost if used as directed @ $1.53 a gallon 

              PROS                                                       CONS
    ~Pleasant scent                                         ~Not tearless
    ~Cleans well                                              ~Must bathe very dirty dog at
    ~Leaves coat feeling soft                                    least twice to get clean
    ~Rinses well
    ~Gentle shampoo
    ~Safe on puppies and kittens

*****************************************************************

BEST SHOT ULTRAMAX PRO SHAMPOO and CREAM RINSE by BEST SHOT®
Shampoo:
Dilutes 50:1 (General cleaning) / @ 1/3 cup to a gallon of water
Dilutes 30:1 (Course Coats) / @ 1/2 cup to a gallon of water
Dilutes 15:1 (Deep Cleaning) / @ a little more than 1 cup to a gallon of water
Dilutes 1:1 (Degrease) / use straight, As-Is

Conditioner:
Dilutes 8:1 / (General Conditioning) 2 cups to a gallon of water
Dilutes 1:1 / (Heavy Undercoat or Matting)
 


This is my all time favorite Shampoo and Cream Rinse.

It is an absolute must on double  coated breeds.

It is also great on matted dogs.

Works best when followed with the Best Shot Cream Rinse.®

I always used the shampoo and cream rinse separately for best results.

You also want to rub the cream rinse into the undercoat, or matting very well.

If the dog is packed with undercoat or very matted, let the cream rinse stay on for a few minutes before you rinse it.
Best Shot UltraMAX Pro Shampoo
Best Shot UltraMAX Pro Conditioner 
 Cost per gallon @ $40 / Cost if used as the 50:1 dilution @ .80¢ per gallon
                                     Cost if used as the 30:1 dilution @ $1.33 per gallon
                                     Cost if used as the 15:1 dilution @ $2.67 per gallon

Best Shot also makes Best Shot Ultra Wash® Shampoo and Ultra Plenish® Conditioner.
The Ultra Wash Shampoo and Ultra Plenish conditioner is Best Shots original formula.
It works just as well as the UltraMAX® and is a cheaper version of the UltraMAX®.
UltraMax is formulated more for professional groomers.
I like both of these shampoos.
Because the UltraMAX® is a little more expensive then the Ultrs Wash®, I do use both shampoos and conditioners. 
I like to save the UltraMAX® shampoo and conditioner for the dogs that have packed undercoat and very bad matting.
I use the Ultra Wash® on all other double coated breeds and minor matted dogs.

Both of these shampoos are also great at whitening the coat.

                             PROS                                              CONS
       ~Pleasant scent                                           ~I am probably not a good
       ~Loosens/helps remove undercoat                 person to list the cons          
       ~Loosens/helps remove mats                         cant' think of any :)                                
       ~Whitens                                                                              
       ~Cleans well
       ~Leaves coat feeling clean and soft.
       ~Repairs damaged coats
       ~Moisturizes
       ~Ultra Wash is soap free
       ~Safe for puppies and kittens

*****************************************************************
 PUREPET® PURE SOFT ONE STEP HOT OIL TREATMENT
 Dilutes 96:1 per 8oz bottle / 4 to 7 drops per gallon of very warm water


I used to use a Hot Oil Treatment where you had to heat the water up in a special pot then add the oils.

It was time consuming, because of having to wait for the water to heat up, then having to wait for it to cool back down because I forgot to check it. :/

Also, the little pot did not make enough for a medium to large dog, so you had to heat a couple of pots.

It was such a pain, for years I didn't even bother offering any kind of Hot Oil Treatment.

Then one day I read about Purepet®.

I really like this One Step Hot Oil Treatment.

It is so easy to use, and I have had great feedback on it.
I have been using this product for about 5 or 6 years.

Oh, and my daughter swears by it, because she uses it on her hair too. (her long hair is down to her butt)

I do not use it as directed though.
The instructions tell you to add ½ to one teaspoon of oil to a gallon of warm water.
We discovered very quickly that that was too much oil.
We used it on a Standard Poodle and it really left him greasy, even when we tried to rinse it off.
So we re-bathed the Poodle and tried again.
This time we only added about a few drops of oil to a gallon of water.
Shook the gallon well and poured it over the dog.
Much better.
We played with the amount of drops and have found that 4 to 7 drops works the best.
Don't be fooled after you shake up the water and oil and it just looks like water.
Don't add more oil.

When I say drops I mean drops.
The lid makes it easy to count off the drops into the gallon jug.
Do not squeeze the bottle, just let the drops slowly come out.
I also make the water in the gallon jug very warm (not hot).
Pour it all over the coat, massage it in, let stand for about 2 minutes then towel dry.

I do have a 1/2 gallon jug for smal to small/medium size dogs. (4 to 5 drops)

Just about every customer that I have used this Hot Oil Treatment on has noticed the difference in their dog coat.


PurePet® Pure Soft One Step Hot Oil Treatment
Cost per 8oz bottle is @ $11 / Cost if used as directed @ .11¢ per gallon
                                                                                              
               PROS                                                        CONS                                 
  ~Very economical                                          ~Do not use on head and
  ~Great add-on income                                      face
  ~Easy to use                                                  ~Must be careful to only
  ~Not messy                                                      let out drops
  ~Leaves coat feeling soft
  ~No residue
  ~Rejuvenates dry skin and coat
  ~Moisturizes
  ~Natural Herbal Oils
  ~Dogs coat drys easily after use
  ~Can also be used on Cats

*****************************************************************

PUREPET® PURE TOUCH FINISHING SPRAY 
Spray straight from bottle 



I like to use this finishing spray on coats that have static, fly-away hair, or the hair has been damaged from de-matting.

Sometimes I spray it right on the coat while it is still damp and then blow dry, or spray it right on my comb and comb it through the coat.
I like to comb it through dry coats.

PurePet® Pure Soft Finishing Spray
Cost per 12oz bottle @ $10 / Use As-Is. 

                          Pros                                                        Cons
        ~Light scent                                                     ~Careful around eyes
        ~Easy to use                                                    ~Some may not like the
        ~No residue                                                        scent
        ~Not sticky
        ~Great for fly-away hair
        ~Great for dry, damaged hair
        ~Can be used on a dry, or damp
           coat
        ~Safe for use on Cats, puppies and
           kittens
        ~Has conditioners and sunscreen

*****************************************************************
ATAMI H270 by IV SAN BERNARD
Must register on their website for pricing

I picked up this product a few years ago at Hershey.

As I was looking at the products in the Iv San Bernard booth, another groomer came by and bought four bottles of this spray and raved, and raved, and raved about it for de-matting.
So I picked up a bottle.
My son and daughter love using this spray while HVing to help loosen the mats.
They like the sprays scent.
It is very strong to me, but it does seem to loosen up and help with de-matting.

You must shake the bottle well, each time, before you spray.
Work it well into the coat.

                           PROS                                                 CONS
  ~Good de-tangler                                             ~Do not use around eyes
  ~No residue                                                     ~Very strong scent
  ~Easy to use

***************************************************************** 

Below are a list of products that I use that are not dog related.
I know that there are many groomers out there that do not agree with using products that are not formulated for dogs.

Each one of these products that I have been using where used on my own dogs first, before using on any of my customers dogs, even after I was given to okay to use them by my Vet. 

These products are being used once every 4 to 8 weeks on regular customers, and even more infrequently on dogs that do not come in very often, or once a year.
I don't feel that they are used often enough to hurt a dogs coat.

I will go ahead and list them.
*You must use your own discretion as to whether you would like to try them.


 CURE CARE® CONDITIONER
Dilutes 64:1 / @ ¼cup per gallon, or use As-Is depending on conditioning needs


 I use two conditioners in my shop.

I have already talked about how much I love Best Shot® conditioner, but lets face it, it is expensive.
In my opinion it is wasting the Best Shot® when using it for basic conditioning.
I like to save it for the big, hard jobs.

I started using the CureCare® after reading about it on a grooming forum, and decided to try it.
I love it.
No matter whether I use it As-Is, or diluted, it does not leave a residue, or weigh down the hair.
It is Hypoallergenic, so I can even use it on dogs that come in with Vet shampoos. (it does depend on the condition of the skin)
Most of the time I rinse this conditioner off of the dog, but I have used it as a leave-in conditioner also.
It is also a very economical conditioner.
I have used this conditioner on many dogs that can only be bathed in a hypoallergenic shampoo.
I have not ever had any bad feedback from using this conditioner.

Cure Care® Conditioner
Cost @ $8 per gallon / Cost if diluted 64:1 @ $.12¢ a gallon

                                 PROS                                          CONS
         ~No scent                                                  ~Careful around eyes
         ~Hypoallergenic                                         ~Don't use on cats
         ~Easy to rinse                                            ~Not a pet product
         ~No residue
         ~Leaves coat light and soft
         ~Can be used as a leave-in
            conditioner
         ~Safe on puppies

*****************************************************************

SELSUN BLUE® MEDICATED DANDRUFF SHAMPOO
Used As-Is


Within about a months time I had two different customers come in talking about this shampoo and using it on dogs.

One customer was a Self-Serve customer, and she told me a story about a dog her mother had that had severe skin issues.
After many Vet visits, many different shampoos, and Vet shampoos, someone told her mother about Selsun Blue®.
Her mother used it on her dog, once a week for six weeks and fixed the dogs skin issues.

Now, of course this story was second hand, and I never saw the dog, but this customer couldn't say enough about how well this shampoo worked on her mothers dog.

Coincidentally, about two weeks after that Self-Serve customer told me about this shampoo, another customer came in with a bottle of the Selsun Blue®.
This customers Vet had told her to buy this shampoo and have us use it on her dog when we bathed him.

I went out and bought a bottle for my Doxi/Bichon mix.
He had very dry flaky skin and dry hair, and even though the Hot Oil treatments were helping his coat, he was still scratching a lot. 
I had already tried several different shampoos on him, and changed his diet.
He was going to be my test dog for this shampoo.

Let me say from the start, I hate the way this shampoo smells.
You can still smell it for a few days after the bath, but not as strong as when you are bathing.
That said, I bathed my dog with the Selsun Blue® Medicated every week for about six weeks.
I was impressed.
The dry flaky skin went away, he stopped scratching, and his coat was no longer dry. (I was still following up with the Hot Oil Treatment)

Now, even though I still bathe my dog every week, I only use the Selsun Blue® once a month.
Mainly because I can't stand the smell. :)
His coat is still doing great.

I use this shampoo occationally on customers dogs.
Dogs that nothing else has helped.
I see some improvement, but the dogs that I have used it on do not come in often enough, and I believe that this shampoo needs to be used often at first to really help.

Selsun Blue® Medicated Dandruff Shampoo
Cost per 11oz bottle @ $7

                  PROS                                                       CONS
        ~Helps dry skin                                           ~Awful scent
        ~Helps dry coat                                          ~Careful of eyes
                                                                          ~Not a pet product

***************************************************************** 

JOY® DISH WASHING DETERGENT (original)
DAWN® DISH WASHING DETERGENT (original)
Can be diluted, or used As-Is



I have been using Joy® as a flea shampoo and de-greaser for many years.
My Vet was the person who told me to use it as a flea shampoo.
I discovered very quickly that it was also a great de-greaser.
Especially, on those treated ears that are so greasy from medicine.

I also started using Dawn® as a de-greaser.
I figured if it is safe enough for them to use on wildlife during oil spills to save the birds and seals, it would also be safe to use on dogs.

Because both of these products are detergents, I always rinse the dog well and then follow up with a Medicated bath that I let sit for a few minutes before rinsing to re-moisturize the coat and skin.
Once again, I have been using these products for a long time and have not had any bad feedback.

Joy® as a flea shampoo:
Use straight and soap up dog well.
Let soap sit for a few minutes, five minutes if fleas are bad. (the lather suffocates the fleas)
Keep an eye on the dog at all times while soaking.
Do not allow soap to get into eyes.
Rinse well and then follow up with a medicated shampoo.

Joy® and Dawn® as a de-greaser:
Apply to greasy area, work into coat, rinse and repeat.
Follow  up with a Medicated bath.

                        PROS                                                   CONS
           ~Great for killing fleas                           ~Be very careful around eyes
           ~Great de-greaser                                ~Not a pet product
           ~Not hard on hands
           ~Safe to use on cats 

*****************************************************************

ARM & HAMMER® PURE BAKING SODA
Dilutes 16:1 / @ 2 tablespoons per gallon of warm water


I wrote a post about using baking soda as a rinse awhile back.
This was another product that was recommended by a Holistic Vet.

I used to groom a customers dog whose owner was allergic to just about everything.
Her Vet suggested that we mix ½cup of baking soda to a gallon of water and pour it all over the dog after we finished rinsing the Hypo shampoo that we used.
We were not to rinse off the baking soda.
I remember how amazed I was at how light, soft and fluffy the baking soda rinse left the hair.

I used the baking soda rinse on this customers dog for about six months before I started using it on most of the dogs that I groom.
I use it as a leave-in rinse.

The baking soda rinse is also great at helping rinse shampoo off of dog faster. 
If you have a dog that you really had to leather up, or used a shampoo that takes forever to rinse out of a coat, mix up a gallon of the baking soda rinse and pour it all over the dog before you start to rinse the shampoo.
This helps cut through the shampoo and rinse faster.

I also like to use the Baking Soda Rinse on dogs that tend to have greasy coats (Yorkies for example).
I will use the Baking Soda Rinse in place of a conditioner.

Arm & Hammer® Pure Baking Soda
Cost per one pound box @ $3 / Cost per 16:1 @ .19¢ per gallon

                              PROS                                         CONS
            ~Oder remover                                  ~Careful around eyes
            ~Removes shampoo residue              ~Not a pet products
            ~Softens coat
            ~Great to use on dogs that                        
               have greasy coats
            ~Safe to use on puppies 8 weeks
              and older

******************************************************************

BIG SEXY HAIR ROOT PUMP SPRAY MOUSSE
use As-Is



 I have written about this product also.
There are dog mousses on the market, but to be honest I have not tried any of them.
I like this mousse to stiffen up the hair on the top of the head for better scissoring.
This mousse really helps those limp topknots.
I like to use this mousee on the top of any head that has hair that I want to have more volume so that I can get a nice round head.
This mousse is expencive, but you only need anywhere from a nickle to a quarter size amount depending on the amount of hair on the top of the dogs head.
Work it well into the hair only, not the skin.
Be careful not to get in the eyes.
Once it dries it is safe around the eyes.

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Spray Mousse 
Cost per 10oz can @ $17 / Lasts about 2 to 3 months depending on the number of dogs you groom in a day

                     PROS                                                       CONS
           ~Pleasant scent                                        ~Scent may be too perfumy for
           ~Adds volume and stiffens hair                    some
             enough to scissor a nice round                ~Not a pet product
             head                                                       ~Expensive
           ~Comes out in a spray 

*****************************************************************
BEYOND THE ZONE® FROZEN STIFF HAIRSPRAY
Use As-Is


I don't use hairspray very often on my customers dogs, but this hairspray does come in very handy for doing Mohawks on dogs.

I have also used it once in a while on poodle topknots that will not stop parting down the middle.

Use sparingly because it does leave a little residue.

Make sure that you cover the dogs eyes, hold the can about six inches away from topknot and spray very lightly.
You do not need a lot.
If you do try to comb the topknot after you spray the residue will show up in tiny flakes, so make sure you are finished combing before you spray.
Lightly pick the hair back into place with the very end of the combs teeth if the hair moves a little while spraying to avoid flaking.

Beyond the Zone® Frozen Stiff Hairspray
Cost per 10oz can @ $9 / Use As-Is

                        PROS                                                          CONS
          ~Great hold for creative                                     ~Strong scent
             grooming                                                        ~Not a pet product

*****************************************************************

Well, that's it for products that I use on my furry friends. :)

I can't believe how long it has taken me to write this post.
I started it two weeks ago. :/
I need more hours in a day.
 
I think I cover everything that I think a groomer would want to know about each product.
I did not get into ingredients of the products.
I would probably be here another two weeks doing that.

As I said at the beginning of this very long post.....

Wait!

I am not even sure if anyone is still with me.



Tap, tap.....anyone out there?



Well, for the one or two people who got down this far in the post, thanks for sticking with me.

 I tried to post about how I use these products.
Many of them I have been using for years and trust them, because I have not had any problems, or any bad feed back.
There are so many pet products out there that I haven't even tried.
There are many that I have tried and never bought again.
Some I actually got rid of before I even finished trying them.

I hope that this post will help some groomers decide whether they want to try one of these products.
You still may try something and not like it.
That is why there are so many pet products on the market, some people like things, some don't.

I actually like giving different shampoos and grooming products a try.
The part that I don't like is when I really don't like something and have to waste it by throwing it away, because if I really don't like it, I will not use it. :)

The dilutions that I posted are dilutions suggested by the manufacture, or how I like to dilute it.
The prices that I have listed are prices as of May 2013.

The best thing to do is shop around, because I found some fairly big differences in some of the prices for the same shampoos depending on who you buy it from.

I sure hope that this post helps someone. :)

Happy Grooming, MFF
 

         

22 comments:

  1. Hello! I loved this post. Tomorrow I'm actually graduating from grooming academy (yay!) and I found this to be very helpful. Although I work at a petsomething, I do have to stick to certain shampoos and conditioners, I actually purchased the finishing spray with the SPF in it when you mentioned it in a blog post and I love it! Anyways I have tons of questions I'm not sure if I want to spam your posts with them all, is there a way to message you on here..if I can?... lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joanna,
      Go right ahead and ask. :) Other groomer my also me interested in your questions and my be able to answer if I can't.
      Lisa, MFF

      Delete
  2. cant find anywhere to buy ring5

    ReplyDelete
  3. right after I asked I entered in google again and i think I found LDC company sells. is that where you get yours in Wisconsin? also thanks so much for sharing your products I really liked this post! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shelley,
      I get my Ring5 from a local wholesale distributor. After searching the internet, I found that it is very hard to find the Mediseptic, but several places carried the Brite White shampoo.
      Lisa, MFF

      Delete
  4. If you have a dog with severe skin issues, esp during summer... would you recommend using the selsun blue shampoo?? This sarp pei comes in every two weeks, we have tried everything.... or would you only use it on dry skin?? (ps, A doctor friend of mine told me its a great body wash... so to use it if i thought I had come into contact with a dog that would possibly have ring worm...lol)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Monica,
      That breed has such sensitive skin. I haven't met one yet that doesn't have major skin issues. I think that I would talk to the owner and ask the owner to check with their Vet. That breed worries me a little. Better to be on the safe side since Selsun Blue isn't a dog shampoo.
      Lisa, MFF

      Delete
  5. its more of a yeast problem....

    ReplyDelete
  6. thank you so much for your response. We are working with her vet, but all they did was sell her a shampoo for yeast and fungus... its a red shampoo..... I just wish there was more that I could do for this poor dog..... I use Chris Christiansen "peace and kindness" and that seems to help a bit...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ring 5 was my favourite Whitening Shampoo, but I have not been able to find it in the last year. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Aleesia,
      Here is one place I found that sells it.

      http://www.kennelvet.com/ring-5-bright-white-shampoo---gallon.html

      The supply company that I get mine from is local to me and delivers it to me. Where are you located?

      Lisa, MFF

      Delete
  8. would your supply company ship to me in new jersey?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shelly,
      I would have to check with her. She is a small local distributor. She brings our order right to our door. I am not sure if she ships.
      Lisa, MFF

      Delete
  9. I use the D'Grease shampoo to clean my tub :) It's great for removing soap scum!

    ReplyDelete
  10. just a pet owner here, but I use baby shampoo for my animals. would you use this or not?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi singingdragonfly,

      I used to use baby shampoo on dogs years ago, because I thought that it was gentle. I found that it was actually harsh. AND, boy did it burn when it got in the eyes. Dogs have shook causing many shampoos to fly through the air and go into my eyes while bathing. Most don't bother my eyes, but Baby Shampoo....that stuff really stung.

      No, I don't recommend Baby Shampoo for bathing dogs.

      Lisa, MFF

      Delete
  11. Ok, I'll look again at what you recommend and see if it's at the specialty store I'll be at tomorrow. I did use baking soda to cut the soap and found it worked wonderfully. I have a 15 week old male black Pomeranian. I also have a mixed breed dog beagle cross and a fat tabby cat rescued by my dad(he lived on an acreage and the cat was abandoned..fat) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi singingdragonfly,
      The Best Shot shampoo would work great on your Pom.

      Delete
  12. I'll see if I can find it in Edmonton, where I am. or just order online...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love all your product suggestions, I use PurePet's at home for my keeshond, will have to try that conditioner Best Shot on him! I read a different grooming blog and she was talking about how human products can be better than some of the dog products because of the acid in dog products and how they are regulated.

    ReplyDelete