Using "Suave" As A Dog Conditioner?

At that grooming shop where I was working, they used the human brand conditioner "Suave" as a dog conditioner. They claimed it was inexpensive, safe, and worked great. I do admit, on the dogs I was grooming and bathing, I found the dogs coats to be soft and luxurious afterwards.

But is it really safe? Has anyone heard of this?

I spend 15 bucks a bottle on my dog's conditioner, and it goes quickly with all my guys. Heck, Suave is $1 at Walmart!

But I want others' opinions on this. Anyone?

I've used Suave on my dogs before when I've run out of dog shampoo/conditioner. It's not something I've used regularly but had no problems with it when I used it. Their coats were always seemed a bit extra soft and shiny afterwards.

I use it every now and again but it's not really formulated for constant dog use, the pH is off.

What's that do/cause?

:feels a bit stupid for asking:

Using it every once and awhile wont hurt the dog BUT I would be MAD if my groomer used it. Beyond Mad.

If you choose to use it at home that is your own decision.

I think it depends how often you bath the dogs.

On a side note, I use Kiehls shampoo and conditioner and LOVE it, it smells amazing and makes POODLE fur soft.

That's just bc Kiehls is awesome... I LOVE their products...

Never heard of Kiehls...

My guys all get a bath once every 2 weeks. Less in the winter time, because I don't want their skin to dry out between often bathing and cold, dry air.

I wouldnt use it every two weeks, I would worry about it drying out their skin and/or making their hair dull.

If you were someone who bathed their dog a handful of times each year, I would say it is probably no big deal.

I use Suave Kids' shampoo with conditioner on everything I bathe, kids and animals alike. I bathe the dogs once a month, the kids considerably more often. Their skin all looks good and their hair is shiny and soft and smells of mangoes, regardless of species.

I often use people products as they seem to do a better job on the whippet and JRTs than any dog shampoo.

What is the PH supposed to be in dog shampoo? I think dog shampoos are more acidic. But people shampoos aren't all the same pH.

hmm this is interesting...

http://publications.royalcanin.com/i.../p18_graph.gif

so it even depends on breed.

So dogs are more basic. Then why do many breeders and groomers use a vinegar rinse?

the link isnt working... but I was going to say before that that it probably depends on breed... I would *think* that on a shorter breed dog it wouldnt matter as much what you use.

I still think a groomer should use dog products.

I mean I pay over 50 dollars a dog, you can go buy some dog products... especially if your reasoning is because its cheap.

I would rather they use what works best on my dog. If a human product worked the best (I know of some top show kennel people who swear by some GOOD human products) then I would like that used.

The whippets coat is very interesting to work with. THe BC does much better with dog vs people products.. but its because of his coat ... not his skin. The JRTs can use anything but the people stuff seems to keep their skin more moisturized in the winter (we heat by woodstove.. its very drying)

I use the Mane and Tail for horses shampoo and conditioner on Lacey, and just the shampoo on Lily...I like it, I have also used it on my own hair before.

I could be mistaken, but I thought someone did a comparison once and found that the ph of dog and human shampoos actually were the same. I'd have to dig around to find it though

As for my pups, I don't often use conditioner on them. The rare times I do, I just use a human product.

I read the same thing somewhere.... In fact, people's pHs vary greatly depending on the individual, and so do dogs'. So personally I probably wouldn't have any problem using gentle human products on my dog (not, like, Selsun Blue or anything, but Suave is pretty gentle). My only concern is that these products may not have been tested on animals, so I'm not sure if I'd be for a grooming shop using the products.

Kenya doesnt get bathed unless she gets into something nasty and when i do bathe her, usually i try to use dog shampoo but i rarely have any so most of the time its my shampoo/conditioner lol it makes her coat look/smell great. but when using human products i am more careful to RINSE RINSE RINSE RINSE alot more thoroughly

But, my groomer uses dog products, i did mention one day about using human hair products and he said he DOES NOT, not because they dont work, but because if something goes wrong (dog is allergic, harmed, poisoned w/e) due to the shampoo/conditioner, the owner is sueing YOU the groomer, and you obviously cant sue the hair care company because it is NOT meant for animals.

if i take my dog to the groomer, as long as she looks, smells, feel GREAT, i wouldnt care what they are using as long as its safe. but if they are using human products, i would like them to tell me.
a tip to all those who send their dog to the groomer, ASK WHAT THEY ARE USING.. many times if you give them a better brand to just use on your dog, it ends up as a better RESULT and you save some $... kinda like taking your own nail polish when you get a manicure

Personally, I wouldn't use Suave on my own hair so no, I wouldn't use it on a dog.

I know a lot of people who show that use pantene and other human shampoos. I have used a human shampoo called nature's gate which is organic on my own dogs with fantastic results

As far as a grooming shop we only use dog shampoo's, if there was ever a problem (which many dogs due to environment and genetics are so sensitive this day and age) it's much better to tell owner you used a specific good quality dog shampoo/conditioner. There are a few breeds we never use a conditioner on. Plus, the dog conditioners we use are diluted sometimes 21 to 1 (around that) it turns out in the end to be cheaper.

There is one dog shampoo Oats fur coats that we have had nothing but bad results with the exception of one dog that we order in only enough for that owner.

For the grooming shop and home we are more concerned about the environment and use only organic shampoo's/conditioners with environmentally friendly ingredients and natural ingredients instead of chemicals etc which you find in cheaper human shampoos. That is more of a concern of mine than PH balance opcorn:


I don't think many dog shampoo companies are going to back you up if you were ever sued either.