Natural Dog Shampoo, By The Numbers
Math does nothing for me. And while it's entirely possible that my distaste for the subject may stem partly from the fact that I have no talent for it, I'll go out on a limb and say that even if I were able to handle numbers without the use of a calculator, I still wouldn't be a fan. Although, I do have to admit that numbers serve a purpose – even when it comes to explaining the relevance of natural dog shampoo, of all things.
What do numbers do? For one, they can actually make things easier to understand, since they make for a more objective argument in contrast to the subjective language of words. And much like artists who paint by the numbers, statistics serve as guides that eventually allow an audience to see the bigger picture.
The following is a paint-by-the-numbers guide to dogs, dog skin problems, natural dog shampoo, and what have you. Let's see what picture comes out of it.
Here are some random doggie numbers to get us started:
A quality pure breed would set you back 500 to 1,000 bucks.
The average cost of owning a dog? Approximately 14,000 dollars, based on a lifespan of 11 years.
Despite the above numbers, the estimated number of dogs in the United States has hit a whopping 68,000,000.
What's the percentage of US households that own a dog? 40.
And an educated guess as to how many of these households know how to properly care for their dog? Less than 50 percent.
Considering these percentages, maybe it's best to move on to some need-to-knows about dog care.
Dog skin is 3 to 5 cell layers thick – 5 to 12 layers thinner and around 2 to 5 times more sensitive than human skin, which is 10 to 15 cell layers thick.
Because of their skin's sensitivity, a shampoo with a pH balance of below 7 is ideal for dogs.
On the other hand, the typical pH balance of human shampoo goes beyond 7, with some of the more popular products boasting a pH balance as high as 9.5.
Despite the considerable difference, however, a lot of people still use their shampoo on their dogs, unwittingly exposing them to a host of skin problems.
And though the percentage of dog owners who know that using the wrong shampoo can be detrimental to their dog's health isn't particularly high, it should be no less than 100.
Owners should also know that there are 160 different types of known dog skin disorders to date, and a number of them can be caused by continued exposure to chemicals in a bad lather.
More statistics to consider include the average number of dollars spent on trips to the vet in a 12-month span. (It's 196.)
Meanwhile, the average number of dollars spent on dog grooming products that can help prevent dog skin problems (including dog shampoo for allergies) is only 25.
And the cost of natural dog shampoo, a dog shampoo for allergies and also one of the best grooming products for preventing skin disorders and giving your dog a healthy, shiny coat? Less than 20 bucks.
Getting the picture yet? To understand the importance and practicality of natural dog shampoo, all you have to do is the math.