Natural Hair and Mane Care for Dogs, Cats, and Horses

The well-being of coats and manes is primarily based on the animal’s own natural mechanisms. Dogs, cats, and horses produce fatty acids that reach the skin and hair. These fatty acids protect the skin and support the structure of the coat.

A healthy and glossy coat or mane mainly results from these naturally produced fatty acids. Proper coat and mane care supports this natural process and improves coat structure, manageability, and appearance.

Natural Oils for Coat and Mane Care

Natural oils provide effective and skin-friendly care for coats and manes. Some oils can penetrate the hair shaft and strengthen the hair structure from within, rather than only forming a surface layer.

Natural oils also enhance shine and improve manageability. One of the most well-known and valued oils is argan oil, also called Moroccan oil.

By combining natural oils and their derivatives in the right proportions, products can effectively:

Detangle matted coats
Care for manes and tails
Support coat structure
Enhance natural shine

Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care – Tangle-Free Coat, Mane, and Tail Maintenance

The natural oils in SOLHEDS Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care Spray form a protective layer around the hair. Unlike silicone-based products, the layer is breathable.

For regular tangle-free maintenance, 2–5 applications per week are usually sufficient. For stubborn tangles, such as behind a dog’s ears or in the “breeches” area, follow this method:

Spray Derma9 generously on the tangle.
Massage the product thoroughly into the coat.
Detangle with a comb afterward.

Shine can be added by lightly spraying and wiping or brushing. Finer coats need less product. The spray can also be diluted if necessary.

Derma9 leaves a surface that repels moisture, snow, and dirt. It also helps prevent snowball formation and makes it easier to keep light-coloured coats clean.

Clean Coat Improves Product Effectiveness

For best results, wash the coat or mane thoroughly before using Derma9 Luxury shine&care. Washing removes residues from previously used products.

Silicone-based products, often used on horse manes and tails, can form a coating that reduces the effectiveness of new treatments.

Spray Derma9 on a clean, towel-dried coat, mane, or tail. Follow-up treatments can also be applied to dry coats and manes.

Note: Removing silicone residues effectively requires a strong anionic shampoo, such as dishwashing liquid.”

Effects of Derma9 Multi-Purpose Spray

Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care is a skin-friendly multi-purpose spray that:

Adds shine to coats, manes, and tails
Forms a dirt- and snow-repellent surface
Facilitates detangling
Reduces static
Moisturizes coat and skin
Reduces dandruff

Derma15 Lusterious Conditioner – Intensive Coat and Mane Treatment

During washing, Derma15 Lusterious Conditioner can be used for intensive care. This rinse-off conditioner supports coat structure, moisturizes coat and skin, and adds exceptional shine.

The conditioner also improves combability and helps keep tangles under control. Extending the treatment time provides more intensive care for coats, manes, and tails.

Derma9 Spray and Derma15 Conditioner together support the coat’s natural protection and reduce:

Dirt accumulation
Snowball formation
Matting and tangles

At the same time, coats, manes, and tails gain a healthy, glossy appearance.

For horses, a show-ready mane and tail effect can be achieved by treating with Derma15 before competitions.

Thanks to their lightweight formulas, the products do not weigh the coat down. Compared to silicone-based products, they increase volume and natural fluffiness.

Static Coat and Post-Clipping Care

Reducing Static in the Coat

During winter, coats easily become static due to dry air.

Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care helps reduce static electricity. Lightly spray Derma9 onto the horse’s, dog’s, or cat’s coat to smooth the hair and reduce static.

Static in equipment, such as blankets or rugs, can be discharged by rubbing them with a used horseshoe.

Caring for the Coat After Clipping

Horses are often clipped during winter to prevent excessive sweating during exercise. After clipping, the coat often stands upright, increasing friction under blankets. This can cause rubbing and discomfort, and the coat may lose some of its natural protective properties.

Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care provides light conditioning and slip to the clipped coat, allowing:

Better blanket movement and fit
Reduced risk of rug rubs, rubbing or chafing
Support and care for the clipped coat

If the spray comes into contact with the skin, it also provides gentle skin care.

Mane and Tail Care – Detangling and Breakage

Detangling and managing breakage

Detangling a horse’s mane and tail can often be a challenging task, especially for breeds with abundant hair. Breeds such as Friesians and many native breeds are known for their thick manes and tails, which require consistent maintenance. Thick manes and tails are prone to tangling, which can lead to breakage if not properly cared for.

Silicone-Based Detanglers and Their Effects

Silicone is commonly used in detangling products. Its effect comes from a plastic-like coating that wraps around the hair, making combing easier.

However, silicone-based products come with some drawbacks:

Large molecule size can weigh the hair down
Silicone accumulates over time in the mane and tail
Thick silicone layers can increase hair breakage
Residues on the skin may clog follicles and hinder hair growth

Removing Silicone Residues Before Natural Oil-Based Care

If silicone residues are present, they should be washed out before using natural oil-based products.

Silicone usually requires a strong sulfate-based cleanser (such as dishwashing liquid) for removal. These should be used carefully to avoid contact with the skin. Silicone coatings are nearly impermeable, which prevents natural oils from bonding with the treated mane, tail, or coat.

Natural oil-based products work differently: they wear off naturally, are easy to wash out, and do not block the skin.

Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care for Mane and Tail

Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care leaves a subtle, glossy, and dirt-repellent finish on coats, manes, and tails. It detangles while conditioning, making grooming easier.

Derma9 is designed to be skin-friendly, so incidental contact with the horse’s skin is not a concern.

Coat and Mane Care Products

Silicone-Based Grooming Products – What Owners Should Know

Many coat, mane, and tail care products for animals contain various types of silicone as the active ingredient. Silicones used in animal grooming products are often of lower quality than those used in human hair care products, and their concentrations can be considerably higher.

The effect of silicone in coat, hair, and horse mane products comes from the coating it forms around each hair or strand. This coating is plastic-like and essentially impermeable, giving a shiny, polished finish and acting as an effective detangler for matted coats or horse tails.

Properties of Silicone and How to Remove It

The slickness of silicone-based products is easy to observe: if sprayed on a surface, it creates an extremely slippery layer. The same property makes silicone effective for detangling coats and manes.

However, removing silicone from the hair or mane is not as simple. It usually requires a strong anionic (sulfate-based) cleanser, such as heavy-duty grease-cutting detergents. These are similar to products used to remove silicone from cars.

Repeated use of silicone-based products can lead to accumulation in the coat and mane, which is why it is important to avoid contact with the animal’s skin. The impermeable layer that forms on the skin can interfere with natural skin functions and may contribute to various skin issues.

Other Ingredients in Grooming Products

Many ingredients used to enhance the appearance of a dog’s coat, a cat’s coat, or a horse’s mane and tail are not naturally compatible with the skin or hair. For example, silk or pearl derivatives are sometimes used in cosmetic-style grooming products but can be potential allergens for animals.

Other common additives that may not be safe include:

Colour-enhancing products
Hair colour removers
Whitening coat treatments
Fat or grease removers

These products often carry chemical warnings, such as:

Flammable
Keep away from open flames
Corrosive

Practical Safety Guidelines for Animal Grooming

A simple rule when selecting grooming products:
If you wouldn’t feel comfortable using the product on your own hair or skin, it shouldn’t be used on your animal either.

Cats and dogs groom themselves by licking, which places extra demands on product safety. Safe grooming for dogs, cats, and horses relies on products with well-known, skin-friendly ingredients and no chemical hazard warnings.

Special attention is required when selecting grooming products for cats, as many ingredients can be harmful or even toxic. Always avoid products with incomplete ingredient lists or only a few natural-sounding ingredients (e.g., “lavender”) if chemical warnings are present.

All SOLHEDS Derma grooming products are safe for cats, dogs, and horses.

More Information on Animal Grooming Product Safety

For further guidance on what to consider regarding the safety of animal skin and coat care products, see here.

How Do I Care for My Dog’s Coat?

Keep your dog’s coat clean, healthy, and tangle-free, ensuring that all grooming products are safe for a dog that licks itself.

A gentle and skin-friendly wash can be achieved with SOLHEDS Derma4 Gentle Shampoo, which is also available in a fragrance-free version.

For effective coat conditioning, use the rinse-off Derma15 Lusterious Conditioner together with the leave-in Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care. Both products care for the coat and skin, add a beautiful shine, and make brushing and detangling easier.

How to Care for a Cat’s Coat That Tangles Easily

Regular coat maintenance is essential for cats whose coats tangle easily. Brushing and detangling can be made easier with safe grooming and detangling products suitable for cats.

A gentle and skin-friendly wash can be achieved with SOLHEDS Derma4 Gentle Shampoo, which is also available in a odourless version.

Why Does a Dog’s or Cat’s Coat Become Static in Winter?

During winter, the air is typically much drier, which also makes the coat drier. As a result, static electricity builds up more easily in the coat.

How Can Static in the Coat Be Reduced?

Static in the coat can be reduced by using moisturising and conditioning grooming products that help prevent the buildup of static electricity.

The rinse-off Derma15 Lusterious Conditioner is an effective coat conditioner, while the leave-in Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care provides ongoing care for the coat. Both products moisturise the coats of dogs and cats as well as the coat of horses, helping to reduce static effectively.

How Do You Detangle a Horse’s Tail Without Breaking the Hair?

Regular care and cleanliness are essential for maintaining a healthy mane and tail. Long, thick tails can also be braided to help protect them from wear and breakage. Silicone-based detangling products may accumulate in the mane and tail, increasing their weight and making the hair more prone to breakage.

Using proper conditioners and detangling products helps care for and strengthen the mane and tail while making combing easier without pulling or breaking the hair.

Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care conditions both the mane, tail, and skin while improving combability and leaving a beautiful shine. The product is safe for horses. For additional care and intensive treatment, Derma15 Lusterious Conditioner can also be used to support healthy, manageable manes and tails.

How Do You Care for a Horse’s Coat After Clipping?

After clipping, the hair is shorter and often stands upright, which reduces the coat’s natural slip and can increase friction under blankets, leading to rug rubs, rubbing or chafing. Clipping also reduces the coat’s natural protective properties. Using appropriate conditioners can restore slip and safely care for the coat.

Be cautious with silicone-based products, as their buildup on the coat can pose risks to skin health.

SOLHEDS Derma9 Luxury Shine & Care conditions both the coat and skin, improves coat slip, and is safe for horses.

How Can I Care for My Cat’s, Dog’s, or Horse’s Coat Without Harsh Chemicals or Silicone?

There are safe and natural alternatives for maintaining coats and manes. SOLHEDS Derma grooming products provide a safe, natural option for caring for the coats of cats, dogs, and horses.

These products enhance shine, improve combability, and naturally support and protect the coat. They are designed for different coat types and help maintain the coat’s natural properties without harsh chemicals or silicone.

Coat and Mane Care for Dogs, Cats, and Horses