Can You Use Baby Shampoo On Dogs

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.

What Is Baby Shampoo?

Baby shampoo is a gentle cleanser that is safe enough to use regularly on a baby’s delicate body. Not only does it cleanse a baby’s hair and skin without irritation, but it’s also free of any chemicals that can burn a baby’s eyes, ears, or mouth. Baby shampoo achieves this by having a pH level that is closer to neutral, being more diluted, and by having surfactants that are much less concentrated. This is why baby shampoo does not lather up as well as adult shampoo, as the surfactants are responsible for the lather effect.

Why Is Human Shampoo Bad For Dogs?

Before we dive into whether or not you can use baby shampoo for your dog’s next bath, let’s first explore why human shampoo is so bad for dogs. To understand why human shampoo damages a dog’s skin, you should first understand what sets human and dog skin apart.

The first difference between human skin and dog skin is that while humans have 18-20 cell layers that make up their epidermis, dogs have about 8-10 cell layers. This means that it’s much more likely for your dog’s skin to fall victim to irritation, especially if the oil levels on the surface of their skin are disturbed. In addition to having fewer protective cell layers of the epidermis, a dog’s skin’s pH level is vastly different from that of a human. The acid mantle on top of a human’s skin has an acidic pH, while the acid mantle in dogs is much more neutral.

Human shampoo may relieve your dog’s current odor but can lead to many unnecessary complications. Since human shampoo is created for a more acidic mantle, it can significantly disrupt a dog’s skin pH and protective barriers. Using shampoo for humans on dogs can thus cause irritation, skin infections, and even skin parasites.

Is Baby Shampoo Safe For Dogs: Should I Use It?

Best Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Lillian Ruff Calming Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner

• Shampoo-conditioner set that is paraben, dye, gluten, and sulfate-free
• Lavender brings a gentle cleansing effect
• Conditioner helps to restore the coat's luster and keep it looking healthy

Check Amazon

Now that we’ve explored the details of baby shampoo and the risks of usage on dogs, we can better determine whether or not baby shampoo is a safe option for dogs. Baby shampoo is indeed much gentler than adult shampoo, but is it soft enough for dogs?

Baby shampoo might be gentle enough for babies and those with sensitive skin, but there are better options for our canine friends. While it may be much more diluted than adult shampoo and contain fewer surfactants, it still isn’t created with a dog’s skin in mind. It can still disturb a dog’s pH balance, increase the risk of skin irritation, and make them more susceptible to skin infections and parasites. It might be an excellent option for people with sensitive skin, but not for our canine friends.

Is Baby Shampoo Better Than Other Human Shampoo For Dogs?

Suppose you are in an emergency bathing situation and only have adult or baby shampoo to choose from. In that case, baby shampoo will be the safer option for your dog. One bath with baby shampoo is unlikely to cause severe skin irritation for your dog. Still, if repeated, the baby shampoo could be cause for concern more. If you have nothing else on hand and can only depend on baby shampoo, your pup will likely be fine with one bath. Just be sure to prepare for the next dog bathing emergency by purchasing a dog shampoo and keeping it on hand for the future.

Final Thoughts

Dog shampoo is the only safe option for dogs, so we always suggest keeping a bottle in your home for their future bathing needs! Baby shampoo is much more gentle than most adult human shampoos on the market, but it isn’t ideal for regular use in dogs. Using baby shampoo for an emergency bath will likely be fine, but just be sure that this does not become a regular bathing routine for your pup.

Up Next:

• Can You Use Your Human Shampoo On Dogs? What Science Says?
• The 4 Best Oatmeal Dog Shampoos 2022: Reviewed and Ranked
• We Found the 7 Best Dog Shampoos (Updated) for 2022

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Danielle W Press/Shutterstock.com