Skin So Soft on Dogs: Is It a Good Idea? (Read This First!)
Okay, so I've got this dog, right? A fluffy little terror named Max. And Max, bless his cotton socks, attracts bugs like nobody's business. Fleas, ticks, you name it, they all want a piece of Max. I'd tried everything - the usual flea collars, the sprays, even those ultrasonic things. Nothing seemed to work for long, and I hated putting all those harsh chemicals on him.
Then, I stumbled upon something in my mom's bathroom: Skin So Soft. I remembered her using it as a kid to keep mosquitoes away. And a lightbulb went off. Could this work on Max? I figured I'd give it a shot, but cautiously, of course.
First, I did some digging online. I wanted to see if anyone else had tried this and, most importantly, if it was safe. I found a bunch of mixed opinions. Some people swore by it, others said it was a no-go. There wasn't a clear-cut "yes" or "no" from the experts, which was a little frustrating.
Next, I talked to my vet. He said that while Skin So Soft wasn't specifically designed for dogs, the original formula shouldn't be toxic in small amounts. He warned me to watch for any skin irritation or allergic reactions. That was enough to get me to, at least, try a test.
So, I diluted the Skin So Soft bath oil with water. I used a spray bottle. Made it a very mild solution, just a few drops of Skin So Soft in a whole bottle of water.
Then, I did a patch test. I sprayed a tiny bit on a small area of Max's fur, near his back leg, and waited. I kept an eye on him for a full 24 hours. No redness, no itching, no weird behavior. Seemed all clear!
Feeling a bit braver, I sprayed him lightly all over, avoiding his face and, you know, sensitive areas. I rubbed it in gently to make sure it got down to his skin. I did this after his bath, when he was nice and clean. It worked pretty good!
The Results
- Fewer Bugs: It definitely seemed to repel some of the bugs. It wasn't a miracle cure, but I noticed fewer fleas and ticks latching onto him.
- Shiny Coat: His fur looked amazing! Super soft and shiny, which was a nice bonus.
- No Irritation: Thankfully, Max didn't have any negative reactions to the diluted Skin So Soft.
I wouldn't rely on Skin So Soft as my only line of defense against fleas and ticks. It's more of a supplemental thing, in addition to his regular flea and tick preventative. But, for a little extra protection and a beautiful coat, it seems to do the trick. Always, always do a patch test first and keep a close eye on your furry friend for any signs of trouble.
