So you’ve found yourself in a situation in which you need to need to bathe your cat (or a stray cat you found) and, lo and behold, you only have dog shampoo. Maybe you’ve never even had cat shampoo because your kitty pretty much takes care of themselves hygiene-wise. Perhaps you just ran out and haven’t had a chance to buy more.
Whatever the situation, you just want to make sure you’re not going to harm your feline friend in the process. So, you’re probably wondering if it is safe to use dog shampoo on cats. In this article, we’ll address this question and show you how you can avoid this situation in the future.
Cat shampoo vs. dog shampoo: Are they really that different?
Yes, they are! Cat skin and dog skin, contrary to popular belief, are not that different in regards to their pH, however, cats have much more sensitive skin. They also tend to lick themselves when bathed, so any shampoo residue left behind may get ingested
Due to all these factors, cat shampoo is formulated to be milder than dog shampoo.
So, CAN you use dog shampoo on cats?
The question is quite tricky as it depends on the dog shampoo. It is important to highlight that cats are very sensitive to what they ingest so ingredients that might be safe for dogs may be harmful for cats.
There are two major problems with using dog shampoo on cats. First and most importantly, some medicated flea shampoos for dogs contain ingredients such as permethrin, that are lethal to cats. Also even normal dog shampoo can be poorly tolerated if some of these ingredients are ingested while grooming after bathing, causing diarrhoea and vomiting. It is not worth risking the health of your feline friend in order to get them clean.
Secondly, dog shampoo formulations can be quite harsh on cat’s skin and can contain ingredients that are unsuitable for use in cats, such as: essential oils, tea tree oil, selenium sulphate, and tar. This can lead to dry, irritated, or inflamed skin that can give rise to further problems such as self trauma from scratching.
In short, the answer is no, you shouldn’t use dog shampoo on cats unless under veterinary supervision. Given the potential for these products to contain toxic ingredients that can kill cats or make them ill; it’s best to steer clear and just use warm water if you need to bathe your cat urgently. You should ask your vet before using any dog product on your cat.
In contrast, cat shampoos can be used safely on dogs, although your dog may not get as clean as when you use a dog specific shampoo as these products tend to be milder. But at least they are unlikely to suffer ill effects.
Besides dog shampoo, what else should I avoid using to wash my cat?
You should never use regular human shampoo, body wash, soap, or detergent to wash your cat as they can cause significant skin inflammation. These products have additives and dyes that are irritating to dogs’ and cats’ skin and are formulated to be pH adjusted for more acidic skin.
You should also not use medicated or prescription shampoos that are intended for another pet without agreement from your vet, even if they are the same species. Doing so can cause harm if used on a pet that doesn’t have the condition that the shampoo was designed to treat.
The only exception would be if your cat has gotten something that water will not remove, like tar, oil, or paint, in their fur; in which case it may be advisable to clip your cat's fur. This is best done at your local vet practice as they will have suitable clippers to safely remove the affected areas of fur without cutting or damaging the skin.
So what should I use to bathe my cat?
Every cat owner should have a cat-friendly shampoo on hand for those unexpected moments where you need to give them a bath. You essentially have two options when choosing a product for bathing a cat: (1) a shampoo formulated for cats or (2) a universal shampoo designed for use on both dogs and cats, such as DOUXO® S3 CARE shampoo. The latter can be especially convenient for people who own both cats and dogs.
Takeaways
- Dog shampoo is too harsh for cat skin and can contain ingredients that are toxic to them. Dog shampoos should NOT be used on cats.
- Do NOT use regular human shampoo, body wash, soap, or detergent, as it can dry out their skin and cause issues.
- You can bathe a cat in just warm water, if you do not have a suitable shampoo available.
- If something water resistant such as oil or paint has been spilt on your cat, take them to your vet to have the fur clipped out professionally and safely.
- As a pet owner, you should own a shampoo that is suitable for your dog or cat; there are shampoos on the market that can be used for both species, such as DOUXO® S3 CARE shampoo.
DOUXOⓇ S3 Care - for every day use
DOUXOⓇ S3 Care has been developed for routine bath times that has been specially formulated for cats and dogs. The unique, patented formulation contains a natural ingredient called Ophytrium which maintains a healthy skin barrier, promotes a healthy skin microflora and keeps their skin supple and hydrated.
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DOUXO® S3 Care is safe and well tolerated in cats and dogs.
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Free from controversial ingredients such as: Soap, sulphate, paraben, colourant, phthalates and nanoparticle
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An adjusted pH to promote a rich and diverse microbiome (bacteria, fungi and other microbes that live on the skin)
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Hypoallergenic fragrance selected by pet owners: Coco+Vanilla - fragrance of summer - 97% of owners love the texture and smell!
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Thanks also to the close collaboration with pet owners during the process to select the fragrance and ergonomics of the packaging, DOUXOⓇ S3 is designed with maximum customer satisfaction
