Can You Use Baby Shampoo on Dogs? What Dog Parents Should Know

Baby shampoo is known for its “no tears” formula, and with all that gentleness, you may assume that baby shampoo is safe for your dog. But the truth is that baby shampoo is OK to use in a pinch, only in a blue moon, but pups really should be washed with dog-specific shampoo.

Long-term use of other products, too, can lead to skin problems for your dog. Let’s talk about what makes baby shampoo OK for occasional use, but also why it isn’t good to use all the time.

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Can you use baby shampoo on dogs?

Marketing for baby shampoo is filled with smiling, happy, squeaky-clean babies. It makes sense that you would want your dog to partake in all that joy, but baby shampoo isn’t something you should use regularly on your dog. It’s OK for the occasional bath when you’ve run out of dog shampoo, but it’s not for regular bathing.

What is baby shampoo?

Most of us have a scent memory of baby shampoo. The mere thought of it can bring a smile to our faces, but there’s more to baby shampoo than just a smell. Baby shampoo is designed to be gentler on sensitive skin in a few ways.

• Dilute: Baby shampoo contains more water than adult shampoo, so potentially irritating cleaning agents are in lower concentrations.

• pH: Adult skin has a lower pH (~5.7) than that of a baby (6.5 to 7). The more acidic nature of adult skin means that it can tolerate harsher cleaners that also have a lower pH. Baby shampoo, on the other hand, has a pH closer to neutral (7), so it is less irritating to a baby’s skin.

• Milder cleansers: Most adult shampoos use sulfate cleaners because they work well on dirt and grease, but they can also strip natural oils, causing dryness and irritation. Baby shampoos use milder cleansers, such as amphoteric surfactants, that can still clean but don’t cause as much skin irritation.

Some baby shampoos are also free from dyes and fragrances in order to decrease their irritability level even more. If baby shampoo is on your shopping list, choose one that doesn’t contain any unnecessary extras, such as colors or scents, and look for one with natural ingredients for the best results.

Is baby shampoo safe for dogs?

A dog’s skin hovers around that neutral 7 pH, meaning it’s neither acidic nor basic. That should mean that using a baby shampoo would be the perfect complement, and for the most part, it is. Baby shampoo tends to be much less irritating to your dog’s skin than adult shampoo, but there’s more to it.

Potential risks of baby shampoo for dogs

A baby’s skin is delicate, and so is a dog’s. There are many similarities between the two skin types. But similarities don’t mean exact matches: Long-term use of shampoo made for a baby can still make your dog’s skin a little off balance.

The subtle differences in pH between a baby and a dog mean that using a product meant for one can throw off the bacterial composition and hydration of the other’s skin.

Long-term use of baby shampoo on dogs can lead to:

• Skin dryness

• Skin irritation (redness, swelling, itching, flaking)

• Allergic reactions (leading to a rash)

• Residue (incomplete rinsing that leaves behind chemicals that further irritate the skin)

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When might baby shampoo be acceptable for use?

Baby shampoo is definitely more gentle than adult shampoo, and it’s close enough that occasional use usually doesn’t cause major upsets on your dog’s skin. But that doesn’t mean it should replace a dog-specific product. Reserve the use of baby shampoo for those times when you run out of dog shampoo midway through a bath, or when your dog shows up with mud from nose to tail, and your dog shampoo bottle is empty.

Also, don’t be afraid to use a little baby shampoo if your dog has gotten into an irritating substance, such as a pesticide, chemical cleaner, or petroleum product. The irritation from leaving those products on their skin will likely be far worse than anything they get from using baby shampoo.

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What to do if your dog has a reaction to baby shampoo

Even gentle products can be irritating, especially if your pup has overly sensitive skin. A reaction to baby shampoo can look like:

• Intense itching

• Redness and swelling of the skin

• Flakes and dryness

• Hair loss

• More serious reactions such as intense swelling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing

If your dog is having trouble breathing, seek veterinary care immediately. Otherwise, start by giving your dog a good rinse to remove as much of the shampoo and residue as possible. Next, consult your vet. They may recommend giving them an antihistamine, like Benadryl, or something a little stronger, such as an anti-inflammatory.

Bathing with a soothing oatmeal-based shampoo may help relieve some of the residual itching and dryness, or your vet may recommend a medicated option to decrease the inflammation.

After that, stick to dog-specific products. Baby shampoo just may not be for them, even in a pinch. Also, be aware that bathing your puppy too frequently can cause skin dryness and irritation as well.

Bottom line

Baby shampoo is a milder, gentler option than adult shampoo, but it isn’t something to regularly use on your dog. You can use baby shampoo if needed in a pinch, but long-term bathing should be done with a dog-specific product. If your dog develops a reaction to baby shampoo, rinse thoroughly and contact your veterinarian.

References

• Kearney, Kristeen. “About Skin pH and Why it Matters.” Healthline. 25 Aug 2022. https://www.healthline.com/health/whats-so-important-about-skin-ph.