If you’re caring for a dog with sensitive skin, you already know that bath time requires careful product selection. One wrong choice and your dog is scratching, flaking, or refusing to cooperate next time. Choosing the right conditioner for your dog’s coat makes a genuine difference. For dogs with delicate skin, you need something soothing, gentle, and safe – like our Pet Head Sensitive Soul Conditioner.
Why Dog Conditioner Matters for Coat Health
For dogs with delicate skin or coats that tangle easily, a quality conditioner isn’t just a luxury. Without conditioner, your dog’s coat can become dry and brittle, and the skin uncomfortable. Using a dedicated dog coat conditioner helps smooth the cuticle, lock in moisture, and make each bath calmer rather than stressful.
What Conditioner Does to the Coat (Cuticle Smoothing)
Each strand of your dog’s fur has tiny cuticles that look like overlapping scales. When the cuticle layer is raised, the coat looks dull, feels rough, and tangles easily. A good conditioner helps seal and smooth the cuticle layer of the hair shaft. The result is a smoother surface with more shine, less friction, and fewer tangles when you brush.
A proper conditioner tailored for sensitive skin includes ingredients that reduce friction between hairs, detangle, and restore the light reflectivity of the fur, making it glossy and soft.
Why Sensitive-Coat Dogs Benefit From Gentle Formulas
If your dog has sensitive skin or a delicate coat, regular grooming products might leave them itchy, red, or uncomfortable. Our Pet Head Sensitive Soul Conditioner is specially designed for dogs with sensitive skin. It conditions the fur while caring for the skin underneath.
The formula is pH-balanced specifically for dogs, vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harsh additives. It contains plant-derived ingredients including oatmeal extract, calendula, marula oil, and aloe vera, ensuring complete care for your dog.
Ingredients in Pet Head Sensitive Soul Conditioner
Here’s what’s inside our Pet Head Sensitive Soul Conditioner that helps with sensitive coat care:
Oatmeal Extract
Oatmeal is a time-tested ingredient for sensitive-skin dogs. It helps soothe discomfort caused by dryness, allergies, environmental triggers, or over-scratching. Oatmeal extract forms a protective, moisture-retaining layer on the skin, which reduces redness and restores comfort. For dogs who flinch when brushed or constantly nibble at their coat, oatmeal extract provides gentle, natural relief.
Calendula Extract
Calendula is a soothing botanical ingredient for delicate coats and skin. It helps calm the appearance of sensitive skin and is suitable for dogs with sensitivities. Calendula helps improve the look of dry, flaky patches and provides a comforting sensation during grooming. If your dog’s skin tends to look red or feel uncomfortable, this ingredient helps maintain a calm, balanced appearance.
Marula Oil
Marula oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It absorbs quickly into the fur to replenish lost moisture and strengthen each strand. This ingredient gives that post-bath softness where your hands glide through your dog’s coat. Marula oil also helps protect the fur from dryness and brittleness. If you have a long-coat dog or one whose fur feels dull, marula oil can help restore that silky texture.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties. Aloe vera helps keep the coat soft and manageable by adding natural moisture and improving overall texture. It contributes to a smoother, shinier appearance and supports an easier brushing experience. Aloe vera hydrates dry skin, enhancing its appearance and provides comfort to the dog.
These ingredients make Sensitive Soul Conditioner a soothing and moisturising option for dogs whose skin cannot tolerate harsh formulas or products with incorrect pH balance.
Safety Aspects of Pet Head Dog Conditioners
Free from Harsh Ingredients
The Sensitive Soul formula is free from parabens, harsh surfactants, and artificial dyes. This means fewer potential triggers for your dog’s skin and a smoother grooming experience.
pH-Balanced for Dogs
One of the most important safety features of Pet Head conditioners is proper pH balance. Understanding pH is essential for protecting your dog’s skin.
Dogs have different skin pH than humans or cats. Dogs have more alkaline skin, while humans have more acidic skin, and cats fall somewhere in between.
Dogs’ more alkaline skin means that using products formulated for human pH disrupts your dog’s skin barrier, strips protective oils, and can cause dryness, irritation, or infection. Pet Head Sensitive Soul Conditioner is specifically pH-balanced for canine skin, maintaining the skin’s natural protective function while conditioning the coat.
Gluten Free
For dogs prone to allergies or sensitivities, Pet Head Sensitive Soul Conditioner is gluten-free, helping to reduce the risk of reactions for dogs with gluten sensitivities.
Vegan & Cruelty Free
Our Sensitive Soul Conditioner contains no animal-derived ingredients. None of our products are tested on animals or ever will be.
How to Use Dog Conditioner Correctly
Here’s a complete dog bath routine using Sensitive Soul Shampoo and Conditioner:
- Shampoo: Wet your dog thoroughly. Massage the pH-balanced Sensitive Soul Shampoo in gently and rinse well
- Conditioner: Apply the Sensitive Soul Conditioner and massage it into the coat. Rinse thoroughly
- Dry & Groom: Towel dry or blow dry on a low heat setting. Then brush through to detangle
Following this routine with pH-balanced products ensures your dog gets the full benefit of the conditioner.
Which Dogs Benefit the Most From Conditioner?
Long-Coat Breeds
Breeds with long or flowing coats tend to trap dirt, develop mats, and experience dryness more easily. A detangling dog conditioner like Pet Head’s Furtastic Conditioner makes brushing easier, helping you glide through the coat rather than pulling.
Curly or Double-Coated Breeds
These breeds have an outer coat and a soft undercoat which benefit from a moisturising dog conditioner like Pet Head’s Quick Fix Leave-in Conditioner. This spray formula doesn’t require rinsing and is enriched with argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera, helping keep both layers healthy and reducing the risk of dry spots or irritation where the coat is dense. It can be used on wet or dry coats, making it ideal for maintaining undercoat moisture between baths.
Short-Coat Dogs Prone to Dryness
Even dogs with short fur can suffer from dry, dull coats or flaky skin. A gentle conditioner like our Sensitive Soul Conditioner helps lock in moisture and restore that healthy sheen, even when the fur is short.
Related Grooming Products to Complete the Routine
Here are complementary products for a complete dog grooming routine:
Pet Head Sensitive Soul Shampoo
If your dog’s skin reacts to weather changes or grooming products, this pH-balanced shampoo is designed for delicate skin. Our Sensitive Soul Shampoo gently cleanses without stripping natural oils.
What makes it effective:
- Oatmeal extract calms irritation and leaves skin feeling comfortable
- Marula oil delivers lightweight moisture, leaving every strand soft and silky
- Aloe vera soothes, hydrates, and supports skin health
- Calendula extract soothes irritation and supports skin recovery
- pH-balanced specifically for dogs.
The formula foams well, rinses easily, and leaves your dog fresh and nourished.
Pet Head Oatmeal Soothing Cream
For targeted care of dry areas, Pet Head Oatmeal Soothing Cream is a preventive solution designed specifically for maintaining healthy skin between baths. This lightweight, fast-absorbing formula combines three carefully selected moisturizers – Castor Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Colloidal Oatmeal – to soften and hydrate dry skin.
The naturally derived, plant-based formula keeps skin looking healthy and hydrated, providing all-season protection. Apply to dry areas as needed, particularly to skin folds, paws, elbows, noses, and any areas prone to dryness. The cream is lick-safe, so there’s no concern if your dog grooms the area after application.
Pet Head Sensitive Soul Spray
Our Sensitive Soul Spray is a lightweight leave-in spray that keeps the coat soft and manageable between full baths. It works well after brushing, before walks, or anytime your dog’s coat needs refreshing. The mist is gentle, hydrating, and infused with the same skin-loving ingredients as the rest of the Sensitive Soul range.
Use it to:
- Extend that post-bath softness
- Reduce static and flyaways
- Keep coats fresh
- Add a gentle scent that lasts
- Maintain hydration without making the coat greasy
Sensitive Soul Wipes
For days when your dog needs freshening up but you don’t have time for a full bath, Sensitive Soul Wipes are useful. These soft, gentle wipes remove dust, light dirt, drool marks, and paw dirt.
Ideal for:
- Quick face clean-ups
- Freshening paws after walks
- Tidying up long-haired coats that attract dust
- Sensitive skin needing a mild, non-irritating wipe-down
Each wipe is enriched with soothing ingredients, so even dogs with easily upset skin can be cleaned comfortably between baths.
On All Paws Paw Butter
A grooming routine isn’t complete without caring for paws and noses. Dogs walk on grass, gravel, warm pavements, and cold floors. Their paw pads can become dry, cracked, or rough without proper care. Noses can also become dry and uncomfortable – you may notice your dog licking their nose frequently, which is often a sign they’re trying to soothe discomfort.
Our On All Paws Paw Butter is a deeply nourishing formula created to moisturise and protect paws and noses without leaving them sticky or slippery. It comes in two variants, Oatmeal and Coconut, both containing oatmeal extract, shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera.
Ideal for:
- Dry seasons
- Hot weather when pavements can dry out paw pads
- After long walks or hikes
- Dogs who need soft paws and moisturised noses to match their freshly groomed coat
Packed with plant-derived moisturising ingredients and soothing oils, it’s a gentle final step in your dog grooming routine.
FAQs
What does a dog conditioner do?
A conditioner smooths the coat’s outer cuticles, helps lock in moisture, detangles hair, and reduces friction. When pH-balanced for dogs, it also helps maintain healthy skin.
Can I use conditioner on my dog?
Yes, using a dog-specific conditioner is safe and beneficial. Ensure it’s formulated for dogs with the correct pH balance, not human use, and appropriate for your dog’s skin type.
What is the best conditioner for dogs with sensitive skin?
Look for one that is pH-balanced for dogs, free from harsh chemicals, and contains soothing ingredients. Pet Head Sensitive Soul Conditioner is formulated for this need.
How often should I use dog conditioner?
Apply conditioner after every shampoo session. Most dogs are bathed every 3-4 weeks depending on coat type and activity level.
Can I use human conditioner on my dog?
No. Human skin has a different pH than dog skin – humans have more acidic skin while dogs have more alkaline skin. Human conditioners are too acidic for dog skin and may disrupt the natural balance, strip oils, and cause irritation. Always use products formulated specifically for canine skin pH.
What ingredients help maintain a healthy coat?
Soothing and nourishing ingredients like oatmeal extract, aloe vera, marula oil, vegetable proteins, and calendula extract all help to moisturise, soothe, and strengthen the coat while maintaining proper pH balance.
What’s the difference between leave-in and rinse-off conditioner?
Rinse-off conditioner is applied during a bath after shampooing and then rinsed out. It provides deep conditioning, detangling, and moisture restoration. This is ideal for dogs with long coats, thick undercoats, or those prone to tangles and mats. The conditioning ingredients have time to penetrate the hair shaft during application before being rinsed away.
Leave-in conditioner is a lighter-weight spray formula applied after bathing or between baths and left in the coat without rinsing. It can be used on wet or dry coats to:
- Keep coats smooth and manageable between washes
- Make brushing easier and less uncomfortable
- Add light moisture and reduce static
- Provide ongoing detangling support
- Extend that post-bath softness
Standard rinse-off conditioners tend to be richer and heavier, providing intensive conditioning. Leave-in formulas are lighter in weight and feel, designed for regular maintenance without buildup.
Both types should be pH-balanced for dogs. The choice depends on your dog’s coat type and grooming needs – many owners of long-coated dogs use both: a rinse-off conditioner during baths for deep conditioning, and a leave-in spray between baths for daily maintenance.
Pet Head Quick Fix Range Options:
For time-conscious pet owners, the Quick Fix range offers convenient conditioning solutions:
Quick Fix Leave-in Conditioner: A spray formula enriched with argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera. Apply to wet or dry coats without rinsing – ideal for maintaining coat softness between baths or making daily brushing easier.
Quick Fix 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner: Combines cleansing and conditioning in one step, perfect for busy schedules or dogs who don’t tolerate lengthy bath times. While it won’t provide the same intensive conditioning as separate products, it offers convenience while still being pH-balanced for dogs.
The Quick Fix range also includes biodegradable, plant-based wipes for quick touch-ups when you don’t have time for bathing or conditioning.
Is oatmeal beneficial in dog grooming products?
Yes, oatmeal is known for its soothing properties, particularly helpful for dogs with sensitive or itchy skin. It works best in products that are also pH-balanced for dogs.
Can conditioner help reduce tangles and mats?
Yes. Understanding how conditioner works helps explain why it’s so effective at preventing tangles and mats.
How Hair Conditioner Works:
Before conditioning:
- The hair cuticle (outer layer) is lifted and rough
- The hair appears dry, dull, and frizzy
- Strands tangle easily due to friction between rough cuticles
After conditioning:
- The cuticle is smooth and sealed
- The hair looks shinier, softer, and healthier
- Strands are detangled and more manageable
By smoothing the hair cuticles and reducing friction between individual hairs, pH-balanced conditioners make brushing easier and help prevent tangles and mats from forming. This is especially important for long-coated breeds whose hair is more prone to tangling.
Regular conditioning not only makes grooming sessions easier and more comfortable for your dog, but it also helps maintain coat health by reducing the pulling and breakage that occurs when brushing through tangled, unconditioned fur.
Do long-coat dogs need conditioner more often?
Long-coated breeds often benefit from regular conditioning because their coats are more prone to tangling, dryness, and damage due to length and volume. Using a properly pH-balanced conditioner helps maintain coat health.
Is dog conditioner suitable for puppies?
Puppies have more delicate skin which needs a conditioner formulated especially for them, like our Pet Head Mucky Pup Conditioner, which is pH-balanced for young canine skin.
Can conditioner help with dry or dull coats?
Yes. Proper conditioning with pH-balanced products restores moisture, smooths the fur, and helps rebalance the natural oils in the coat, giving a healthier appearance and feel.
Why is pH balance important in dog conditioner?
Dog skin has a different pH than human skin – dogs have more alkaline skin while humans have more acidic skin. Using products with the wrong pH disrupts your dog’s skin barrier, making them vulnerable to dryness, irritation, and infections. pH-balanced conditioners maintain your dog’s natural skin protection while conditioning the coat.
Can I use cat conditioner on my dog?
No. Cat skin has a different pH than dog skin. While cat products are closer to dog skin pH than human products are, using cat conditioner on dogs can still disrupt your dog’s skin balance. Always use products formulated specifically for dogs.
Enriching pets’ lives – Devoted to the physical and mental wellbeing of companion animals.
At Company of Animals, we’ve spent over four decades understanding what pets truly need. Founded by world-renowned animal psychologist Dr Roger Mugford, whose pioneering work in canine behaviour included training the Queen’s corgis, the company is now led by Dr Emily Mugford BVetMed CertAVP(SAM) MRCVS – CEO and Veterinary Surgeon.
Dr Emily Mugford brings extensive veterinary expertise and real-world experience as a former veterinary practice owner to Company of Animals. Her veterinary qualifications and deep understanding of animal health ensure that every product we create is grounded in clinical knowledge and genuine care for animal wellbeing. From our facilities in Chertsey, Surrey, we continue the legacy of science-based pet care.
Whether you’re caring for a dog with sensitive skin or simply want to give your companion the gentlest care possible, the right grooming products – properly pH-balanced and backed by veterinary insight and decades of expertise – help keep your dog comfortable, healthy, and looking their best.