February 8th, 2022 by Sarah Miles

However much we love our dogs, few would argue that our beloved pets are usually total stink bombs. They love to jump into the muddiest water and roll in the foulest of... well, you know what. Therefore, they tend to need bathing a lot.

So, what do you do if you bring them home from their walk in a less than fragrant state and you’re all out of dog shampoo? Or perhaps you’re just cynical about the need for a specially formulated dog shampoo and suspect it’s just a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money on stuff you don’t really need?

The question is then, can you just use human shampoo on dogs? The answer is, yes, you can, but that doesn't mean you should. If it's used occasionally in an emergency it won’t do any harm, however, it’s not recommended for regular or long term use and that is down to the different types of skin that dogs and humans have.

pH balance of the skin

All skin has a pH level according to how acidic or alkaline it is. Human skin is usually between 5.5-5.6, which is slightly acidic. Dog skin is between 6.2-7.4 which is more neutral. Both human and dog skin has a layer called the acid mantle, which protects the top layer of skin from contaminants like viruses and bacteria. It also helps keep the skin hydrated by absorbing water and reducing dehydration. The pH balance of the skin is vital for maintaining the acid mantle, and therefore the health of the skin. Human shampoo is designed to maintain the acidic pH balance of human skin but is disruptive to dog skin pH levels.

Pretty Pooch Hydrating Oatmeal Dog Shampoo 250ml x 2

Price: £12.59

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This can compromise the acid mantle and not only cause the skin to dry and become itchy and flaky (which in itself can lead to abrasions and increase the chance of infections) but can also make your dog vulnerable to parasites, bacteria, and viruses.

Skin sensitivity

You may think that the covering of hair that a dog has, as well as their propensity to throw themselves into all manner of water, mud, and (let’s face it) poop, would indicate that their skin is pretty robust but actually dog skin is generally more sensitive than human skin. This is due to them only having around 3-5 layers of skin cells whereas we have 10-15. You can see, therefore, why maintaining the acid mantle is so crucial for dogs.

The benefit of using dog shampoo

Just as human shampoo is formulated for our slightly acidic skin, dog shampoo is designed to preserve their neutral skin. Many of them also have ingredients that tackle the really pungent stuff that can otherwise linger for days!

Pretty Pooch Dog Shampoo 2L - Baby Powder Fragrance

Price: £12.95

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What you need to know

Before you start panicking that you’re a bad dog parent for using human shampoo, it’s important to bear the following things in mind:

Occasional use of human shampoo in an emergency when you have no dog shampoo, and an especially stinky dog is ok. Ones that have natural ingredients such as aloe vera or colloidal oatmeal will usually be kinder to the skin than very chemical-based ones (usually the cheaper ones). Buying dog shampoo doesn’t seem quite such an unnecessary expense when you consider it’s an alternative to your best salon shampoo!

Whichever shampoo you use, always take extra care to rinse it away thoroughly. That’s not always easy with a wriggling dog who doesn’t like baths and a thick coat of hair, but any product left on the skin can cause irritations, especially if it’s human shampoo.

Keep an eye out for any signs that your dog’s skin has become irritated, such as them scratching or areas of red or broken skin.

Another benefit of dog shampoo is the way it will condition their coat as well, making them easier to groom not to mention the envy of other dog owners down the park!