No doubt, you have ever found yourself in a situation where your dog got very dirty, but at the moment, you had neither dog shampoo nor the opportunity to go out shopping. Therefore, you were wondering if one bath with shampoo for humans would cause harm to your dog? The answer is no. However, you must be careful not to get into the habit of doing so, as bathing the dog on a long-term basis with the shampoo you use can cause serious health problems in your dog.
We have listed below the reasons why human shampoo is harmful to dogs. Anyone who owns a dog would be curious about this topic.
1. Maintaining the pH Balance
Human shampoos are made specifically for human skin, and the dog’s skin is different from human skin. More concretely, these shampoos are made for the acid mantle of humans. What exactly does acid mantle mean? The acid mantle is a slightly acidic film on the surface of the skin. It serves as a protective barrier for the topmost layer (stratum corneum) against bacteria, viruses, and other foreign bodies that try to penetrate the skin, and it keeps the skin hydrated. The acid mantle consists of sebum, sweat, dead skin cells, etc. When we remove the acid mantle by bathing, it regenerates.
However, maintaining the right balance between acidity and alkalinity is very important. The term for this is known as pH balance. The pH balance in dogs is different compared to the pH balance in humans. It means that the normal pH in humans is between 5.5 and 5.6 and is more acidic, unlike dogs, which have a neutral pH between 6.2 and 7.4.
When it comes to human shampoos, even baby shampoos damage dogs’ skin because they are too acidic for their skin. They destroy their acid barrier that protects against foreign bodies, exposing dogs to various infections, viruses, and bacteria. Besides, their skin feels dry and scaly, which can lead to frequent scratches and abrasions, simplifying the bacterial and viral infections.
2. Dogs Have More Sensitive Skin
The skin of these animals is considered more sensitive compared to ours. While we have 10-15 layers of skin cells, dogs have only 3-5. Using a shampoo that contains improper pH levels with aggressive chemicals can affect a dog’s skin and remove the protective oils from the skin. The absence of this protective layer can dehydrate the skin and cause various dermal irritations.
Human shampoos are formulated to keep people’s skin acidic, while dog shampoos are supposed to act by keeping the skin natural. Products for humans can cause imbalanced pH levels of the dog’s skin and lead to fungal infection.
Although dog shampoos may seem a little more expensive, it is worth trying to get them, as they are very crucial for their health. Also, keep in mind that washing your dog is one of the most important responsibilities of owning a pet.
3. Allergies
Furthermore, it became evident that dogs with allergies have a modified skin structure, making them more prone to skin problems. It is extremely important to choose a shampoo that will provide hydration and maintain fatty acid levels in their skin.
Once a skin condition causes a canine to produce too much oil, its skin develops a thick, greasy texture making it weaker at fighting off infections.
4. Human shampoo Ingredients
One of the reasons why the use of shampoo for humans is harmful to dogs is the included harmful chemicals, such as artificial dyes, artificial fragrances (phthalates), formaldehyde, etc. We have all heard that cosmetics, including shampoos, contain a variety of components that do harm even to human skin. Imagine how these products would affect the skin of your pets.
Rather than using human shampoo, you should consider giving your dog’s skin real herbal and organic choices like Aloe Vera, comfrey, tea tree oil, colloidal oatmeal. Visit www.superdog.net to discover more about natural products for your pets and find the easiest way to care for your dog’s skin and coat with the right products.
When it comes to ingredients, every scent added to dog shampoos is created from safe and non-toxic materials, thus posing no threat to your dog’s skin. However, it is necessary to read the information on the label carefully before buying a shampoo. There are many types of shampoos for different types of fur. Keep in mind that the acidity and pH levels differ between different types of dog breeds before choosing products for your pet. Therefore, choose the most suitable product for your dog breed.
5. Human Shampoo does not remove smell of dogs
Shampoos for people do not remove the smell of dogs. In fact, the smell is caused by the spread of bacteria on the pet’s skin. As a result, owners may seek solutions to this problem by bathing the dog more often, and using unsuitable shampoos will cause its condition to worsen even more. We have already mentioned that shampoos for people are harmful to dogs, but it is also important to know that frequent bathing also causes harm to their skin.
To sum up, if you want to avoid health problems in your best friend, follow the above tips and try to pay more attention to his health. Shampoos for dogs not only do not harm their skin, but they even help them fight some health problems that have already occurred. Besides, these products are produced with fragrances made from natural ingredients that remove the bad smell from their body without burning and drying their skin. On the other hand, shampoos for humans will cause imbalanced pH levels of the dog’s skin; they dry it, make it prone to viruses and bacteria as well as do not remove the odor.
If your dog has health problems such as skin infections and you do not know how to choose the right shampoo, consult a veterinarian. With good care and the use of proper shampoos for the dog’s skin, which is the largest organ in the body, you will help them stay in good health.
