Can dog shampoo be used on cats?


The bathroom and hygiene in general of cats is one of the frequently asked questions by caregivers, since there are many doubts that can assail them on this subject. In this article we are going to focus on explaining whether dog shampoo can be used on cats or not, commenting on the importance of proper use of cosmetic products and the consequences that can arise from improper use, since, although both species accompany us in our homes, their skin and their care are different.

If you've ever wondered if you can use your dog's shampoo on your cat, read on!
 

The importance of the cat's fur

Although we do not usually give it much importance, the skin and hair fulfill basic functions for the health of our cat. They provide thermal protection, a barrier against all kinds of external aggression, as well as intervening in communication and in the sense of touch. It is therefore important to maintain proper hygiene which, in the case of cats, is practically going to be reduced to brushing them more or less frequently depending on the needs of their hair, since they are the ones in charge of cleaning themselves every day. .

On the other hand, we must make sure that wounds, alopecia or parasites such as fleas and ticks do not appear, so, along with frequent brushing, we have to implement a deworming schedule according to our veterinarian's guidelines and take our cat to his consultation. If we see any anomaly.

Cats do not usually need to be bathed, perhaps for this reason caregivers do not have information about the products they can use to do so and, thus, the question arises as to whether dog shampoo can be used on cats. In the next section we explain it.



Tips for bathing a cat


Although, as we have said, the normal thing is that the cat does not need to go through the bathtub, there may be situations in which this is essential. To clean it, if necessary, we must have everything necessary at hand, such as towels, shampoo and even a dryer if the cat accepts it.

Currently on the market we will be able to find a wide variety of shampoos for specific use for cats, such as those formulated for long hair, black hair, antiparasitic or for different dermatological conditions. All these shampoos are manufactured by experts and tested to ensure maximum respect for our cat's skin and hair, while offering optimal results, providing a soft, shiny and, in short, well-groomed coat.

If we want to bathe our cat, we only have to choose between one of these varieties, for which we can consult our veterinarian or feline groomer. Therefore, to the question of whether I can bathe my cat with dog shampoo, we have to answer, with nuances, in the negative. In the next section we explain why you can't use dog shampoo on cats.


Can I bathe my cat with dog shampoo?


Dog shampoo cannot be used on cats on a regular basis. Although dogs and cats seem similar to us in terms of skin and hair, the truth is that they have differences in terms of pH, thickness and structure. The pH of cats is more acidic than that of dogs, approximately 6 versus 7.5 (that of humans is on average 5), although this figure varies according to the part of the body.

This difference is taken into account when preparing the shampoos, just as the composition will be different depending on the species and, although nothing should happen if we occasionally use a shampoo with a pH different from that of the skin or a shampoo of dogs in cats, we cannot use dog shampoo in cats on a regular basis, since it can be harmful because, not being adapted to the dermatological needs of cats, it can cause irritation and affect the balance of the skin, increasing production of sebum to counteract the aggression caused by an unsuitable shampoo. Thus, even if we bathe our cat, if we do it with an inappropriate shampoo we will worsen its appearance.

In addition, if we use a dog shampoo that contains permethrin, widely used as an insecticide, we can poison our cat, since it is a very sensitive species to this substance. In that case, with contact with the skin we could observe wounds, irritation or itching. If the cat also inhales the substance, respiratory paralysis and even death can occur. If it is ingested or comes into contact with the skin in considerable concentrations, we would see symptoms such as hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, ataxia (lack of coordination), respiratory difficulty, etc. It is reason for urgent veterinary consultation.



If I don't have cat shampoo, what can I use?

We have already said that it is not usually necessary to bathe our cat, especially if we brush it regularly, but, on occasion, the cat can stain considerably or get sick and stop grooming itself. In those cases, if we don't have cat shampoo, what can be used?

Here we explain what to do and we show you some tricks to clean a cat without bathing it:

  • Dog shampoo can be used on cats in a completely exceptional way if the damage of leaving it dirty is greater than that of using the shampoo. Remember to check the composition to make sure it does not contain permethrin, as we could cause poisoning.

  • We can try to remove the dirt using only water.

  • If we have chlorhexidine at home we can dilute it in water according to the instructions on the package and bathe our cat with the mixture. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that is usually used for skin problems, it is not for regular use but it would be useful for an emergency.

  • If the dirt is limited to one area, we can only clean the affected area.

  • It is a good idea to always have specific wipes for animals or dry shampoo (for use in cats) at home to use in emergencies if we do not have "traditional" shampoo for cats.

  • In all cases, we must ensure that we completely remove the product from the skin, since if the cat ingests the remains it could become intoxicated.