horse shampoo

[akane]

Can I use mild oatmeal horse shampoo on my hedgies? I use it on the dogs and sometimes myself. It's designed for horses with sensitive skin like those that are white and get sunburnt easy. Also can I apply some jajoba oil to the worst spots? I think I remember seeing it mentioned as approved somewhere but I don't remember the source. It's the only oil I have on hand. Loki has some patches of dry skin and he could use a poop removal bath from all his wheel running. I haven't checked cinni yet because she was asleep rolled up in her blanket when I went to feed and water.

 

[smhufflepuff]

Hmmm.... I'm 50-50 on the oatmeal horse shampoo. In general, most anything labeled shampoo is too drying for hedgie skin. On the other hand, oatmeal is absolutely recommended for hedgie baths. I tend to stick to the basics... like store brand colloidal oatmeal or regular oatmeal in a sock in the water.

Big thing to avoid is tea tree oil. If that's in the shampoo, then definitely avoid, otherwise maybe try and be prepared to rinse a lot if she's really displeased. As in: have a second "tub" (large bowl, dishpan, etc...) ready with warm rinse water. Don't just run water out of the tap over her.

I don't recall reading about jojoba oil... Haven't used it. Most people will recommend either vitamin e or flaxseed oil. Both are hedgie safe. I prefer the flaxseed... It's less sticky and spreads better.