Can You Use Baby Shampoo on Dogs?
Baby shampoo, such as Johnson and Johnson, may be used on dogs. Baby shampoo is typically gentle and free from harsh and irritating ingredients. It also has the added benefit of being “tear free,” meaning it will not damage a dog’s eyes if a small amount is inadvertently splashed into them.
Every dog is an individual, and it is always possible for a dog to have an allergy to a shampoo, even human baby shampoo.
Is human shampoo safe for dogs?
While the shampoo that you use to wash your hair with might seem like a gentle and appealing option for your dog, human shampoo can actually be damaging to their coat and skin if used regularly. There are several critical differences between dog skin and human skin; these differences mean that the two species require different types of shampoo for the best results.
Human skin and canine skin differ significantly in pH (acidity). Sources vary, but human skin is acidic, with a pH of 4 to 6.0. Dogs, in contrast, have more alkaline (or basic) skin than this. Human shampoos are pH-balanced to work well on our acidic skin, while canine shampoos are pH-balanced for alkaline skin. Therefore, using human shampoo on your dog could negatively impact the pH of your dogs skin, leading to problems.
Dogs also have small amounts of natural oils in their coat, which keep their fur shiny and protect against potentially harmful bacteria and other microbes. Most human shampoos will strip these oils from your dogs coat. Human shampoos are designed to remove the large amounts of grease from our hair, so this will have quite a drying effect on your dog’s skin and coat.
Human shampoos also tend to be quite heavily perfumed, which could irritate your pet’s skin and overwhelm their sensitive sense of smell.
Will baby shampoo kill fleas on dogs?
Any shampoo, including baby shampoo, can reduce flea numbers on your dog. Creating a lather and allowing it to sit on your dog for several minutes can effectively drown or suffocate fleas. When you rinse your dog, these dead fleas will also wash off.
While this may seem like a good idea, it is not a very effective method for dealing with a flea problem. As soon as your dog returns to your home or yard, new fleas will jump onto them. Sadly, it takes more than a bath to break the flea life cycle! Bathing your dog does not provide any residual benefits. Instead, talk to your veterinarian about a prescription flea preventative for your dog.
These treatments, which are often given year-round, will treat your dog’s current flea infestation while also preventing reinfestation. There are several flea preventatives available. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best one for your dog depending on your budget, their lifestyle, and whether you find tablets or spot-on treatments easier to give.
Can You Wash Your Dog With Baby Shampoo?
If you have a smelly dog on your hands, you are likely searching for a safe solution to banish their odor. Maybe you don’t have a dog shampoo on hand or you’ve run out of your trusted canine cleanser and you might be searching your cupboards for other dog-safe options. If you come across a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo, you might wonder if this is an acceptable option for your pup.
Baby shampoo may not be as harsh as regular human shampoo when used as a shampoo for dogs, but it doesn’t mean it should be your go-to dog shampoo. Let’s dive into why you should only use dog shampoo for your canine friend and what can happen if you use baby shampoo for your dog’s next bath.