While most cats keep their fur clean, they are unable to remove fleas, ticks, or other vermin that become lodged in their fur.
It’s critical to give cats a bath at least once every few months to keep their skin clear of bugs. But what if you are out of cat shampoo.
Can you use dove soap on your cat?
In short No, Dove soaps can’t be used on cats because humans’ skins and cats’ skins have different pH levels. Dove soap will strip away the natural and important body oil produced by cats’ skins, leaving their fuzzy coat dry and flaking, perhaps causing itchy, unpleasant skin issues.
This article will inform you why you should avoid using dove soap on your cat.
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Is Dove Soap Safe For Cats?
No, dove soap is not safe for cats.
If you run out of cat shampoo and need to give your cat a quick bath, you could use the same dove soap that you use on your cat to bathe him instead of cat shampoo.
However, because all soaps/shampoos/cleaning products aren’t good for cats, you might be wondering if you can bathe your cat with dove soap.
Because the pH levels of human and feline skin differ, Dove soaps cannot be used on cats.
Dove soap will strip away the natural and important body oil produced by cats’ skins, leaving their fuzzy coat dry and flaking, perhaps causing itchy, unpleasant skin issues.
It may cause you to wonder whether you can clean your cat with Dove soap bars, Dove unscented soaps, Dove sensitive soaps, or Dove body wash.
As a result, the facts for each type of Dove soap are explained explicitly and separately below.
1. Dove Unscented Soap
Dove offers unscented soaps for both adults and children. It’s relatively safe to bathe your cat using fragrance-free baby Dove soap rather than adult Dove unscented soap, as long as you use the fragrance-free baby Dove soap.
Even if it’s the baby Dove soap, using unscented Dove soap on your cat isn’t always the best option.
2. Dove Body Wash
Dove body wash is primarily intended for use on human bodies rather than cats, and the chemicals employed in its production are also intended for human skin rather than cat skin. As a result, you won’t be able to clean your cat with Dove body wash.
Dove body wash also contains moisturizers that are difficult to remove from a cat’s coat, which is another reason why you should never use it on your cat.
3. Dove Bar Soap
You cannot bathe or clean your cat with Dove bar soap since the pH level of Dove bar soap is only suited for human skin, not for cats or dogs.
As a result, if you put Dove bar soap on your cat’s skin, it will strip away the essential oils that the skin produces naturally to nurture it.
And it will leave behind dry, flaky skin, which can cause irritation and illness.
4. Dove Sensitive Soap
Dove-sensitive soap is also developed for individuals with sensitive skin, therefore the chemicals are only for people with sensitive skin, and the pH level is also balanced for human skin.
As a result, it’s not good for a cat’s skin, and you should never use Dove sensitive soap on it.
Difference Between Dove Soap And Cat Shampoo
Following are the differences between dove soap and cat shampoo: –
| Dove Soap | Cat Shampoo |
| Dove soap, or any other type of human soap, is not recommended for cats and should not be used on a regular basis. It may contain parabens, sulfates, and colorants that are harmful to your cat’s skin and health, even if it has mild formulations. | Cat shampoos, on the other hand, are created with cats in mind. It maintains their hair looking healthy and shiny without irritating their sensitive skin. |
| Dove soap is produced with the PH level of human skin in mind, which is around 5.5 and acidic. | Cat shampoos are created with the PH level of the cat’s skin in mind, which is around 7.5. Your cat should only use a shampoo that is suited for their PH level to avoid allergies and irritations. |
| Dove soap contains a variety of chemicals to achieve a variety of aims, like moisturizing the face, but it also contains chemicals and substances that are hazardous to cats. | Cat shampoo, unlike dove soap, contains cat-friendly ingredients and contains fewer harsh chemicals. |
Why You Shouldn’t Use Dove Soap On Your Cat?
You shouldn’t use dove soap on your cat because Dove soap is fairly highly toxic to cats because this soap is designed and made with ingredients that only suit human skins and clean human skins, not cats.
Cats, fortunately for humans, are excellent at keeping themselves clean.
Our naughty cats, on the other hand, occasionally get themselves in situations that are far dirtier than they can handle.
You’ll want to clean them up promptly if they get something hazardous on their coat, like automobile oil, so they don’t consume any poisons.
You may find yourself in a dilemma if you don’t have cat shampoo on hand and wonder if your human soap will work on your cat.
Because the pH levels of a human’s skin and a cat’s skin differ, you can’t use Dove or other human soaps on your cat.
Dove soap can strip a cat’s skin of its natural oils, leaving its coat dry and irritated. Ivory soap, on the other hand, is the only brand that is safe to use on a cat.
Since Dove soap is marketed as a mild, relaxing cleanser for all skin types, many cat owners and some veterinarians believe it is safe for cats.
It’s important to remember, though, that Dove was created for human skin, and the benefits it provides are specifically for humans.
While this soap can efficiently remove filth from a cat’s fur, it is not suited for their skin and can have negative consequences if used on them.
It’s better not to use Dove soap until you know how your cat will respond to it.
There are two key reasons why Dove soap is an ineffective cleaning solution for your cat.
1. Different pH Levels
Every human soap has a specified pH level, and the pH values of different brands differ only slightly.
Soaps are created and manufactured with raw materials that balance out the pH level of human skin, which is considered weakly acidic.
Cats, on the other hand, have a pH level that varies greatly between breeds. Human soaps are not made with a cat’s skin in mind, and depending on the soap and the cat breed in question, they may be overly acidic or alkaline.
The main reason you should avoid using Dove soap on your cat is because of the pH imbalance. Using human soap on a cat can cause dry skin and flaking, as well as severe skin infections if used frequently.
Dove and other human soaps, on the other hand, aren’t merely dangerous when used on a daily basis.
Even a single application might cause skin irritation, leading your cat to scratch excessively and lose additional hair throughout your home.
An irritated, scratchy cat is an unhappy cat, something you don’t want for your feline companion.
2. Harmful Chemicals
Apart from our skin pH levels, humans and cats differ in a number of ways. Our physiology and how our bodies work varies greatly. What is safe for a human can be extremely dangerous for a cat, and vice versa.
Dove soap contains chemicals and essential oils that were created to help our skin seem younger. When swallowed by our cats, however, the same particles might cause serious health concerns.
It’s impossible to put Dove on a cat’s skin since cats constantly lick themselves and are likely to eat the soap particles left on their fur.
Certain essential oils might cause respiratory problems and congestion in cats, so it’s better to stay away from human soaps and shampoos entirely.
While many cat owners praise Dove as a safe cleaning solution for cats, bathing your cats with this soap carries considerable dangers.
As a result, it’s preferable not to use human soap on cats.
Also, check out is witch hazel safe for cats
What Can I Use To Wash My Cat If I Don’t Have Cat Shampoo?
1. Baby Shampoo:
You can use baby shampoo since it is manufactured with a far softer formula than adult shampoos and has no dangerous ingredients; also, it is fragrance-free.
As a result, baby shampoos are safe for a cat’s sensitive skin. Only use a small amount of baby shampoo if you’re in a hurry.
2. Dawn Dish Wash:
Dawn dish soap is commonly used by animal rescue organizations to remove oil from animals impacted by pollution; therefore, if your cat is overly dirty or covered in oily muck, it will work well for washing it.
Other dish soap brands, with the exception of Dawn dish shampoo, are not suggested for use on your cat because they may be hazardous to them.
3. Castile Soap:
Castile shampoos have olive oil as the main ingredient, making it a wonderful alternative to cat shampoo for cats with extremely dry skin, as Castile soap will gently moisturize their skin.
Furthermore, if your cat has been well rinsed, Castile soap is okay to use.
4. Baking Soda:
Baking soda can be used to dry shampoo your cat because it is a waterless cat shampoo. As a result, it will clean your cat’s fur and eliminate unpleasant odors without the use of water.
5. Pet Wipes:
If you have pet wipes on hand, you can use them to clean your cat, and they can also be used as a substitute for cat shampoo.
Pet wipes are not dangerous to cats because they are produced with nearly the same chemicals as a regular pet shampoo or cat shampoo.
6. Homemade Oatmeal Shampoo:
As an alternative, you can prepare a homemade oatmeal shampoo by combining a cup of oatmeal and a cup of baking soda with 4 cups of clean water.
Then, using your fingers, lather the mixture on your kitty’s coat. After 5 minutes, thoroughly clean your cat with lukewarm water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to use when bathing your cat?
While natural cleaners such as neem or other herbal solutions are sometimes recommended for cat bathing, it’s best to use a cat shampoo made specifically for the job. These shampoos are made specifically for cats and do not contain any elements that could irritate their skin or cause them to develop skin issues. Baths are also disliked by cats, who can become wide-eyed and fidgety at any time during the process. Fortunately, most cat shampoos are designed with this in mind, so you can be certain that even if they spill into your cat’s eyes during a wash, they won’t irritate them.
What happens when you use dove soap on a cat?
When you use Dove soap on a cat, it removes all of the essential oils that the cat creates to protect and nourish its skin. As a result of the cat’s extremely dry skin, it will stretch its body, potentially leading to infection. In addition, if the cat eats the soap chemical leftovers, it will have breathing problems.
Final Words
Dove soap is made for human skin, and the pH levels of human and feline skins are completely different, hence Dove soap cannot be used to clean a cat’s skin.
Furthermore, using Dove soap on a cat’s skin will cause it to become dry and flaky by removing the body’s natural oil.
If you have any questions, ask us in the comments section.
