When shampooing your dog by yourself, you may have run out of dog shampoo product and used human soap. We also hear stories of people using soap because the dog shampoo is not suitable for their dogs. Is it really safe to use human soap on dogs? In this issue, we will introduce some points to keep in mind when using soap for dogs and how to make soap for dogs.
An image of bathing a cute dog
Can I use human soap on my dog?
You will probably buy shampoo products for your dog at home centers, online stores, trimming salons, and pet stores. They are sold with claims such as “for dogs,” “hypoallergenic,” and “safe for licking.” In fact, unlike shampoo for humans, shampoo for dogs is not regulated, and there is no obligation to label the ingredients.
Actually, unlike human shampoos, there are no regulations on the labeling of dog shampoos, and there is no obligation to label ingredients. In other words, it all depends on how conscientious each manufacturer is about dogs.
When you look at the list of ingredients, you may find that some of them are questionable to use, and that a shampoo product you thought was good for your dog may have caused skin problems.
However, using a shampoo made for humans, whose skin is slightly acidic, on dogs, whose skin is slightly alkaline, would be too irritating.
Soaps for human use, which are required to list their ingredients, are currently attracting attention. Soap eliminates the need for rinsing and reduces shampooing time and stress on the dog. The question then becomes, is it safe to use human soap on dogs?
The answer is that they can be used as long as certain conditions are met. Let’s take a closer look at soaps that can be used on dogs.
Check the ingredients
First, check the ingredients of the soap. Soap for humans is a drug, quasi-drug, or cosmetic, so it always lists its ingredients and full list of ingredients. The raw material needed to make soap is a reaction of fats and oils and a base (alkali), called saponified base.
In addition to saponified base, the main ingredient, raw materials include edetate, dibutylhydroxytoluene, benzalkonium salt, triclosan, sodium hydroxide, colorants, preservatives, fragrances, titanium oxide, EDTA-4Na, beef fat, pork fat, glycerin, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil and honey, among others.
The basic premise is that the products are safe for use on dogs’ skin and are free of preservatives, quality stabilizers, fragrances, colorants, and disinfectants. It is important to check carefully what ingredients are listed on the label, and if you see an ingredient you are not sure about, use the Internet function on your cell phone to look it up on the spot.
Basically, if it says “saponified base” or “pure soap content,” or only “sodium fatty acid,” “glycerin,” or “water,” it is “pure soap” and completely additive-free.
If there are other ingredients such as plant oils or honey, the soap has moisturizing effects, so you should consider which one is best for your dog’s skin and choose the one that best suits your dog’s needs.
Use additive-free soap
If you are going to use human soap for your dog, choose additive-free soap. The definition of “additive-free” is vague, and some soaps claim to be “additive-free” simply because they do not use fragrance or coloring agents. Therefore, it is important to check the list of ingredients and raw materials carefully.
Many dog owners have probably heard or seen that dog skin is very delicate. The reason for this is that dogs’ skin is only one-fifth to one-sixth the thickness of human skin.
If the detergent is too strong, it will remove the oils and bacteria necessary for the skin and weaken the skin’s ability to protect its surface.
Many soaps contain chemical ingredients as additives, but all chemical ingredients are unnecessary for dogs. Not only do they cause dandruff and itching due to dryness, but they can also cause skin problems such as eczema, dermatitis, fungus, alopecia, atopic dermatitis, and worsening coat condition.
For additive-free soaps, choose those with “no chemical additives” or “completely additive-free,” as well as purchase face soaps (facial soap) and baby soaps with minimal irritation.
Even if additive-free, common bath soaps (cosmetic soaps) are made for humans to wash their bodies, so they are a little less cleansing, but should not be used for dogs.
Points to Keep in Mind When Making Dog Soap
There are some things to keep in mind when making dog soap by hand. Dogs’ skin is very delicate, so it is not always okay to use anything that is naturally derived. Surprisingly, there are many things that should not be used, so be sure to keep them in mind.
Some oils should be avoided
The reason why plant oils are used in dog soap is to moisturize the skin. But if you make a mistake in choosing the right oil, it will have the opposite effect. Oils left on the dog’s skin and coat can oxidize, and microorganisms can grow… This can damage the skin.
Oils high in unsaturated fatty acids oxidize quickly and should be avoided. In particular, oils high in linoleic acid and linolenic acid oxidize at half the speed. Please be careful not to use them.
Oils that should be avoided:
Rosehip oil, kukui nut oil, walnut oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, soybean oil, wheat germ oil, cottonseed oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil, apricot kernel oil, corn oil, sweet almond oil, sesame oil
Do not use optional materials even if they are well-meaning
Do not use scrubbing ingredients that are effective in removing dirt, such as charcoal or clay, even if they are well-meaning for your dog, as they can damage the dog’s skin.
There are essential oils that should not be used
Some essential oils have positive effects on dogs, such as relaxing, promoting energy, deodorizing, and repelling insects. However, there are also many essential oils that are too potent and can be harmful to dogs.
Dogs with heart disease and pregnant dogs need to be especially careful, and even if they are healthy, essential oils with aldehydes, which are skin irritants, ketones, which are neurotoxic, and phenols, which are hepatotoxic, should not be used.
Owners are becoming more and more aware of the need to use products that are as good as possible for the health of their dogs…. More and more pet owners are switching from dog shampoos to human soaps. However, human soaps are made for the human body. Ordinary soaps are synthetic chemical detergents and should not be used on dogs.
However, soap also has advantages. When shampoo agents are used, the alkalinity of the shampoo agent must be neutralized by a rinse or conditioner afterwards, but the alkalinity of soap is quickly converted to neutral by rinsing well, shortening shampooing time and reducing damage to the skin.