Dogs have a different Ph than ours, learn all about the use of human shampoo in dogs and take care of your pet’s health in the best possible way.
Can you use human shampoo on dogs? Maintain the pH of your dog’s skin
We will start with what human skin and dog skin are like. A very important component of the skin is the so-called acid mantle.
It is a slightly acidic layer that covers the skin and acts as a barrier to protect the porous upper layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, from environmental contaminants such as bacteria and viruses. The stratum corneum is responsible for keeping the outer body well hydrated, absorbing water, and not allowing excessive evaporation to occur.
1. When we bathe, using soaps and shampoos, we wash away this layer of acidic oil.
This is why most human shampoos and soaps are formulated with moisturizers to replace the protective layer that has been removed, at least until the skin can recover around 12 hours later.
The acid mantle can also be defined as the relative pH balance of the skin. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with levels below 6.4 considered highly acidic and levels above 6.4 considered highly alkaline.
The normal range of skin pH levels for humans is 5.2 to 6.2, meaning it tends to be acidic, and shampoos and skin care products are specifically formulated to maintain this balance.
Now consider the relative pH balanced for dogs. Depending on the breed, gender, climate, and body size of the dog, pH levels range from 5.5 to 7.5, tending toward a more alkaline concentration.
Therefore, if a shampoo formulated for human skin is used on a dog, the dog’s acid mantle will be affected, creating an environment where bacteria, parasites, and viruses can proliferate.
Unknowingly, many pet owners will repeatedly wash their dogs due to odor caused by bacterial growth, making the problem worse as the skin’s acid mantle/pH level becomes more unbalanced. Also, if the shampoo makes the skin feel dry, your dog will scratch the skin, creating abrasions for bacteria to invade. It quickly becomes a vicious cycle.
2. What can I wash my dog with?
Just as you would look for a shampoo that helps maintain the pH balance of your scalp, you should also focus on finding a pH-balanced shampoo that is specifically balanced for a dog’s skin.
Dog shampoos should be in the neutral range, around 7. Many shampoo manufacturers will list the pH level on the label, but at the very least, they will clearly state that the shampoo is pH balanced for dogs.
Read labels, making sure no artificial fragrances or colors are added to the shampoo. Your dog can be a big, strong guy and still have sensitive skin.
Look for natural skin moisturizers like vitamin E, aloe vera, honey, and tea tree oil. The fragrances to look for should be natural; Chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus are a few examples of clean, pleasant fragrances, some of which also do double duty as bug repellants.
If you can find organic or natural dog shampoos, even better, but don’t just rely on the front label. Again, read the ingredient list.
3. Your dog does not need to be shampooed on a regular basis.
A good cleaning every few months is all your dog needs (you can give him water baths in between), so you can splurge on a shampoo with quality ingredients when weighing the total time you’ll be using it.
One bottle can last a year, even if you only shampoo your dog once a month. So stick with the good stuff and you won’t mind when your dog drops his paws into your lap for a friendly hug.
