What Shampoo Can I Use for My Baby Cocker Spaniel?

While cocker spaniel puppies have certain shampoo needs, no "wrong" puppy shampoo exists. Some shampoos, however, are better than others when it comes to cocker spaniels. It will depend heavily on the puppy as you don't know whether it has any allergies this early in its life. To find a shampoo that suits your puppy, it may come down to trial and error.

  1. Characteristics

    • Compared to dog shampoo, puppy shampoo is milder and gentler on your cocker spaniel puppy. The tearless formula doesn't have any extras, such as flea or tick repellent, or heavy fragrance. Flea and tick repellent isn't recommend for puppies under 6-months-old, anyway, and every bottle of puppy shampoo has a correct pH for a puppy, which will limited skin irritations that cocker spaniels have a predisposition to get.

    Medicated Shampoo

    • Cocker spaniels, as puppies and adults, get skin rashes and irritations. The breed also has a high likelihood of allergies. To combat these as they arise, use a medicated oatmeal shampoo. You can go to your vet and he can prescribe one to you. Several commercial brands have assessable medicated oatmeal shampoo, which don't need a prescription.

    Navigating the Options

    • You can find just about any kind of canine shampoo imaginable at a pet-supply store. Tangle-free, conditioner/shampoo and medicated options are available as well as dozens of others. The choice can overwhelm cocker spaniel owners. For your first time choosing a shampoo, just find one that meets all the criteria for a good puppy shampoo: tearless formula without heavy fragrances, repellents and other nonessential additives. Compare prices and choose a small bottle. Your cocker spaniel won't be a puppy for long. You can choose an oatmeal-based shampoo or even all-natural option, depending on your personal preferences.

    In a Pitch

    • If you need to wash your cocker spaniel and do not have a puppy shampoo in the house, you can use dog, baby or human shampoo. The baby and human shampoo has a completely different pH than puppy shampoo and should only be used in once or twice in a row, even when the puppy becomes older. Don't use shampoo with repellent or excessive fragrances, or a medicated human shampoo. You can also use a combination of dish soap, vinegar and water, adding ground oatmeal to the mix.

    Tips

    • After shampooing your cocker spaniel, rinse the pup thoroughly to avoid skin irritations stemming from the shampoo and follow up with a cream conditioner. You can towel dry the pup and then use a blow dryer on medium or low. The long ears of a cocker spaniel need regular cleaning as ear infections commonly affect the breed.