Why You Should Not Use Baby Wipes For Dogs
Are baby wipes safe for dogs? Baby wipes may be convenient and readily available almost anywhere but they are not for dogs, as the name so suggests. Though baby wipes were made specifically for a baby’s sensitive skin, they may cause harm when you use them regularly on your furbaby.
Dog Wipes vs Baby Wipes: Different pH Levels
Can I use baby wipes on my dog? Using baby wipes on dogs once or twice may not be harmful but if you use it on them regularly, it will eventually disturb your furbaby’s skin’s pH levels. The pH level of a dog’s skin is different from the pH levels of a human’s skin. According to Dr. Jerry Klein, veterinarian and American Kennel Club Chief Veterinary Officer, a dog’s skin pH level is higher than a human’s natural skin.
Using baby wipes on dogs often can possibly lead to concerns like skin infections and skin cracks. Repeated skin pH level disruption may also cause your dog’s skin to become dry and itchy, plus your dog’s constant scratching or licking of a specific area may make only it worse. For this reason, wipes for dogs are much safer and better for regular use than baby wipes.
3 Things to Avoid When Using Baby Wipes on Dogs
Sensitive areas include the dog’s mouth, face, and ears. You can use a baby wipe to gently wipe dirt away from the outer ear. However, never push the baby wipe into the dog’s ear for a deep clean. They’re not designed for that purpose and may leave too much moisture in the ear canal.
An accumulation of moisture in the ear canal is a breeding ground for ear infection.
There are some dog breeds that are just plain sensitive to many things. These are the dogs who may also have food allergies, allergies to flea saliva, or other sensitivities.
Dogs have different pH levels than humans, which is why they make dog wipes especially for our canine friends. Human wet wipes can be used occasionally. However, if your dog develops an itchy rash, stop using the wipes.
You can use baby wipes on a dog as long as you avoid the eyes and open cuts or abrasions.
Soap and alcohol in certain products may sting. If your dog suffers from any skin allergies (mild or severe), avoid any kind of wipes. In that case, you’re better off using a damp cloth or dog-approved skin cleansers
If it’s safe to use on your baby, it should be safe to use on your dog. Again, it should be something used in a pinch, not on a regular basis.
There are all kinds of fantastic wipes on the market, both for dogs and humans.
Deciding which one to use is really a matter of what’s been added to them. Otherwise, some human wipes may not be all the different from some baby wipes.
Companies know that their customers are pretty savvy. Years go, we may not have questioned it too much. But now, we know what to look for.
Cottonelle wipes, for example, are hypoallergenic, free of alcohol, plastic fiber, parabens, harsh chemicals, and flushable.