The pH balance, the acid mantle and a dog’s skin
The top layer of skin, called the stratum corneum, is protected by a thin layer known as the acid mantle, which prevents the skin from coming into contact with viruses, bacteria and contaminants. The acid mantle is also responsible for keeping the body hydrated by absorbing water and reducing evaporation. As bathing and washing strips the skin of its acid mantle, most shampoos and soaps contain ingredients that moisturise and protect the skin until the acid mantle renews itself. For the acid mantle to work efficiently, there needs to be a proper balance between acidity and alkalinity, known as the pH balance.
Dogs and humans have very differing Ph balances. The normal skin balance for humans on the pH scale is 5.5 to 5.6 which leans to the acidic side, whereas dogs have a normal balance of 6.2 to 7.4 which is more neutral. As human shampoo is tailored to a more acidic acid mantle, using it on dogs can disrupt theirs, leaving their skin dry and flaky and more seriously, vulnerable to parasites, bacteria and viruses. The irritation can encourage scratching too which can lead to abrasions and wounds forming and an increased chance of bacteria taking hold. So, whilst it might seem like a good idea to use human shampoo on your dog, it can actually be very damaging to their skin.
What can I use as a substitute for dog shampoo?
If an emergency bath is essential, you’re out of pet shampoo and clean warm water isn’t working, use regular human shampoo as a very last resort. Where possible, look out for pH levels and try to choose a shampoo with a neutral pH range as close to 7 as possible. Human shampoo won’t harm your dog as a one-off but is definitely not recommended as a long term bathing solution. Keep away from human shampoos with added fragrance or colour, as these will be particularly harsh on your pet’s skin.
First of all, let’s recap why dog shampoo is special?
Dog shampoo is not the same as the human shampoo. Dogs have a different PH balance than humans thus it has been created specifically for dogs in order to keep a dogs skin and coat healthy. It is important to understand that when you substitute dog shampoo with something else – this may damage your dogs coat in a long term in addition to causing skin irritations in dogs. Nevertheless, if you have no other choice – here are some ideas.
Can You Use Human Shampoo on Dogs?
Let’s set the scene: It’s B-A-T-H time and you’ve finally managed to get your dog in the water. Congratulations, the hard part is over! Now it’s down to business. First question: Can you use human shampoo on dogs?
Many pet owners simply give their dog a brush over and rinse when it comes to bath time, which is fine depending on their level of activity. If your dog spends most of their time around home then there isn’t much reason to thoroughly wash them frequently. If they get their paws a bit dirty, then sure, a rinse of their legs can help. If they’re outside all day or if they’re a working dog, then they’ll need to have a thorough wash a little more often. No matter what they do, for a proper clean you really need to lather them up with shampoo – and it has to be the right shampoo.
There are many myths surrounding the appropriateness of using regular shampoo on dogs and we definitely do not endorse it. Regular shampoos have a higher acidity that will absolutely ruin your dog’s skin over time. They have more chance of harming your dog’s sensitive areas and they may also contain a fragrance that your dog won’t like such as citrus. Understandably there will be times when in an emergency you may need to wash your dog without any dog shampoo and in this case, a very small amount of regular shampoo can suffice.