Can You Use Human Shampoo on Dogs?

Bath time is an essential time for pups, whether it’s to scrub off mud or to maintain healthy skin and fur.

The rules for bathing dogs safely and effectively have changed in recent years.

Currently, you can find entire aisles dedicated to dog shampoos at your local pet store. While having multiple options can be helpful, it can also become overwhelming to choose which product is best for your pup.

So, can’t you just use human shampoo that you have at home on your dog?

Is Human Shampoo Safe for Dogs?

No. Veterinary dermatologists agree that human shampoo isn’t good for dogs. Though human and dog shampoo look similar, a dog’s skin and hair is drastically different from that of their pet parents—both in structure and function.

Dogs have more hair follicles (the pore around the root and strand) than we do, and the follicles are organized differently.

A dog’s skin has a third of the cell layers of a human’s and the cells are replaced more frequently. Because of this, these cells are more prone to injury from contact with irritating substances.

Human skin is more acidic than dog skin and human shampoos are made to support this acidity.

The pH (the measure of acidity) of the skin is extremely important in maintaining normal bacterial and cell health. It helps us stay healthy and helps us to avoid yeast and bacterial infections.

If you use a human shampoo on your pup, you may begin to alter your dog’s skin pH, making them prone to flaking, dryness, and infection.

Human shampoo may also be harder to rinse out of your pup’s coat due to certain ingredients. Additionally, any remaining shampoo that isn’t washed out can irritate your dog’s skin.

Can You Use Head and Shoulders® Shampoo on Dogs?

In the past, vets would recommend Head and Shoulders® shampoo for dogs with severe dandruff from seborrhea.

Today, we have much better veterinary products that treat dandruff while still supporting the unique characteristics of a pup’s skin.

Ingredients like salicylic acid, coal tar, benzoyl peroxide, and Ophytrium help improve the skin barrier and keep a dog’s surface-level skin cells happy.

Ask your vet if products like Veterinary Formula® Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Shampoo or DermaBenSs® Shampoo for Dogs are right for your pup.

Can You Use Dawn Soap for Dogs?

Dawn dish soap isn’t toxic and can be used to treat fleas in puppies and kittens too young for flea prevention—but it shouldn’t be used repeatedly as a shampoo.

Be sure to ask your vet what shampoo you can use regularly for your dog.

Dog-Safe Shampoos

There are many safe dog shampoos available to purchase.

If your shampoo isn’t on the list below, ask your vet if they recommend one of these:

For Normal Skin

For Itchy/Dry Skin

If your pup has an active skin infection or any other health issues, your vet may recommend and prescribe a medicated shampoo.

Let your vet know if your dog’s skin isn’t responding to the shampoo you are using. If your pet is hard to bathe, they may also suggest a mousse, spray, or topical wipes.

There’s No Dog Shampoo. What Can I Use?

It’s highly recommended that you buy dog shampoo in large amounts so that you aren’t in a situation where you’re stuck without it.

However, if you’re in a pinch, bathing your dog with a safe substitute is not the end of the world.

A common substitute for dog shampoo is baby shampoo, since it’s formulated to be gentle on the skin. Johnson’s or Burt’s Bees are both safe baby shampoos to use with your pup.

Unfortunately, you need a lot of it to get a good lather going, so it’s not practical for frequent use on your pup.

Dawn dish soap can also be used for dirty dogs that need to be cleaned quickly for when you don’t have doggy shampoo on hand.

Human hand soap should be avoided because it can be irritating to your dog’s skin.

Unscented baby wipes can be used on short-haired breeds and for surface-level dirt on the skin.

These work especially well on the face or under the tail. It’s recommended you keep a good supply of dog grooming wipes on hand, however, so you aren’t using human wipes every time you need to wipe down your pup.

Be very careful not to get any of these products in your dog’s eyes.

If your dog has particularly sensitive skin, rinse their dirty fur with water until you can get them a safe, dog-specific shampoo.