Hello, Hydra!

Having groomed dogs and cats for 37 years, I have chosen grooming products that work well, and I tend to stick with those brands. However, I recently had an opportunity to try out some of the Hydra product line and received a nice sample pack.

One of the samples was an odor-neutralizing shampoo. A Shih Tzu came in that smelled strongly of old ashtray. Its fur was coated with oily nicotine residue, and I knew from experience that this is an odor that is extremely difficult to remove. I planned to put this new product to the test and gleefully lathered up that pup. To be honest, I did not feel confident that this pleasantly scented shampoo would stand a chance in removing the intense odor from this dog’s fur. I washed, rinsed lightly, then repeated. Meanwhile, I tried out the Hydra Eye and Face cleaner on his crusty little head, working the shampoo in well around the lip folds, beard, and under-eye area.

After thorough rinsing, I worked a little Hydra Flash Thermo Active Mask through the coat to replenish the natural oils the shampoo would remove. After drying the dog, I took a tentative sniff to see how well the odor-neutralizing shampoo worked. To my surprise, all I could smell was a clean dog! I buried my face in the dog’s coat and inhaled deeply. No cigarette odor remained! The little guy’s hair was soft, clean, sweet-smelling, and easy to style. The Eye and Face cleaner had done an excellent job removing the dried eye discharge and whatever interesting food residue he’d been collecting in his beard, as well, and his face smelled clean and sweet.

I took the whitening shampoo for a spin on a dingy toy poodle, and thanks to the optical brighteners, she came out looking several shades lighter.

The Ultra Dematting and Finishing spray does not leave the coat feeling greasy or looking clumpy and is excellent for combatting static.

Hydra shampoos come in concentrated formulas, so they are economical to use, and they include an ingredient list on the bottles. Most are labeled to be safe for cats as well as dogs. The light, fruity scent rinses to leave the hair smelling fresh but not overly perfumed. The product line is broad, from ear cleaner to coat powder, and they even offer toothpaste.

The Hydra line of products got high marks from this seasoned groomer. I look forward to enjoying them in our studio in the future.