Cats are known for being fastidious groomers, spending much of their waking hours meticulously cleaning and caring for their coats. As cat owners, we want to help them maintain soft, healthy fur. This leads many of us to wonder: can I use my own Dove soap on my cat?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: you should not use human soap like Dove on cats. The pH balance and ingredients are not suited for feline skin and fur.
Why You Should Not Use Dove Soap on Cats
The Wrong pH Balance
A cat’s skin has a more acidic pH between 5.5 and 7, while human skin tends to be more alkaline with a pH around 5.5 to 6.5. Dove soap and other soaps formulated for human skin have a pH around 8-10, which is much more alkaline.
Using an alkaline soap like Dove can disrupt your cat’s protective acid mantle, leading to dryness, irritation, and itchiness.
The acid mantle is important as it helps regulate moisture and bacteria on a cat’s skin. Disrupting this balance makes cats more prone to secondary skin infections. Vets recommend using grooming products specifically formulated for cats that match their more acidic pH levels.
Harsh Ingredients
Dove soaps and body washes contain ingredients like sulfates, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that are too harsh for a cat’s sensitive skin. Sulfates like sodium laureth sulfate can cause skin and eye irritation.
Fragrances, no matter how lovely smelling to humans, can also irritate a cat’s skin.
Instead, look for gentle, soap-free cat shampoos made with natural ingredients like oat proteins and aloe vera. Avoid products with added colors, fragrances, and masking perfumes. A good rule of thumb is if a shampoo smells strongly to you, it will definitely smell overwhelming to your cat!
Overdrying
The formulas of Dove bar soaps and body washes are designed to thoroughly cleanse human skin. But they are too aggressively cleansing for the sensitive skin of cats. The ingredients and soap base can strip away the natural oils in a cat’s coat leading to dry, flaky, irritated skin.
A cat’s skin relies on those oils for protection and moisture retention. Overdrying with harsh soaps makes cats prone to itchiness and skin conditions like dandruff. It’s best to use only gentle, moisturizing shampoos made for cats.
Limit baths to only when truly needed and brush cats regularly to lift dirt instead.
Health Risks of Using Dove Soap on Cats
Skin Irritation
Using human soaps and shampoos on cats can lead to skin irritation and dryness. Dove soap contains ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate which are harsh detergents. These can disrupt the natural oils in a cat’s skin and coat, causing itchiness, flaking, and irritation.
The skin on cats is more delicate than human skin. Repeated use of Dove soap can strip away protective oils, leading to redness, inflammation, and even infections in some cases.
Some signs of skin irritation from using Dove soap include excessive licking of the fur, scratching, development of hot spots or rashes, and hair loss. Stop using the soap if you notice any adverse reactions.
It’s best to stick to a gentle, veterinarian-approved cat shampoo formulated for their sensitive skin.
Gastrointestinal Issues if Ingested
Cats spend much time grooming themselves. If you wash your cat in Dove soap, they will likely ingest some of it when cleaning their coat. Consuming detergent soap can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The detergents may also irritate the lining of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
Sodium lauryl sulfate found in Dove soap is known to have toxicity if eaten in large amounts. It can potentially damage cell membranes, leading to ulcers in the digestive tract. While a small lick of Dove soap won’t harm cats, repeated grooming after washing can result in building up of detergents in the body, causing gastrointestinal distress.
Anxiety from Scent
Cats have a powerful sense of smell much stronger than humans. The added perfumes and fragrances in Dove soap can be overpowering for your cat. This unfamiliar smell can cause anxiety and stress, making grooming a negative experience.
It’s best to minimize use of scented products on cats. Opt for a mild, fragrance-free cat shampoo instead. Check that your cat is not showing signs of stress like hiding, lack of grooming, reduced appetite or meowing when using any new product. Discontinue use if the smell seems to bother them.
Signs Your Cat Had a Bad Reaction to Dove Soap
Scratching or Overgrooming
If your cat starts scratching or overgrooming after being bathed with Dove soap, it likely indicates irritation or discomfort. The harsh detergents and fragrances in human shampoo can strip the natural oils from a cat’s skin and coat, causing itchiness and irritation.
Increased scratching, licking or chewing at the skin are signs your cat is trying to soothe its irritated skin or remove any residue left behind by the soap. This overgrooming behavior can lead to hair loss, skin damage or infection if not addressed.
Flaky or Oily Skin
You may notice your cat’s coat becoming flaky, dry or oily after using Dove soap. The skin may also appear reddened or irritated. Human shampoo often has a higher pH than a cat’s natural skin pH, disrupting the acid mantle that protects the skin.
This can allow moisture to escape and bacteria or yeast to overgrow, leading to skin issues. An improper pH balance can also deactivate the beneficial enzymes in your cat’s skin that regulate oil production.
Too much grooming in response to skin irritation may also remove protective oils, causing dryness or flakes.
Hair Loss
Excessive scratching or licking due to skin irritation can cause hair loss and bald patches. The detergents in Dove strip away protective oils, leading to a dry, itchy coat that cats will scratch or chew at aggressively.
Hair loss may start at the base of the tail or around the hind legs where your cat can reach to groom. Using Dove too often destroys hair follicles and causes breaking or shedding. Hair loss can also result from skin inflammation, infection or overgrowth of yeast or bacteria.
See your vet if hair loss occurs, as skin issues require medical treatment.
Skin Redness or Sores
Skin redness, scabs, oozing or open sores can sometimes occur after using human shampoo like Dove. The fragrances, detergents and preservatives can irritate sensitive skin, especially if the cat has allergies or skin disease.
Bathing too frequently with harsh cleansers strips protective oils and causes the skin to crack or become inflamed. Scratching irritated skin can create red, raw spots or openings for infection. Skin irritation can also lead to feline acne around the chin and mouth.
Seek veterinary care if skin sores or infections develop after using Dove soap.
How to Bathe Your Cat Safely
Use Cat Shampoo
When bathing your feline friend, it’s imperative to use a gentle, non-irritating cat shampoo. Human shampoos often contain ingredients that can dry out cats’ sensitive skin. A specifically formulated cat shampoo will clean effectively while preserving your cat’s natural oils.
Some popular options include Burt’s Bees Natural Cat Shampoo and TropiClean Oatmeal & Tea Tree Pet Shampoo.
Brush First
Before bathing a cat, be sure to thoroughly brush its coat first. This will remove tangles, loose hair, and surface dirt. Brushing stimulates blood circulation as well. Use a cat-specific brush like the Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. Brush in the direction of hair growth while being gentle.
This step preps the coat and skin for a deeper clean.
Go Slowly
When washing your cat, it’s crucial you take things slowly and gently. Cats generally dislike water immersion. Place your cat inside the empty tub first so it can get used to the environment. Talk soothingly and give rewards. Only add a few inches of lukewarm water.
Use a detachable nozzle to control water stream. Pour water slowly over the cat’s body rather than directly on its head. Shampoo a small area at a time. Allow your cat to take soothing breaks. Stay calm and patient throughout the process.
Rinse Thoroughly
After washing with cat shampoo, you must rinse extremely thoroughly. Any traces of shampoo left on the skin or coat can become quickly irritating. Rinse each part of your cat’s body until the water runs completely clear. This may take several minutes.
Be sure to gently lift and scrub areas like the chin and tail to remove all soap residue. Thorough rinsing also helps remove loose hair and dander. You can follow with a pet conditioner to add extra shine and softness after rinsing if desired.
Dry Completely
Once washed and rinsed, it’s vital to dry your cat fully. Use an absorbent pet towel or hair dryer on low setting to gently blot moisture and air dry the coat. Never let your cat go outdoors with a damp coat as this can lead to dangerous chilling. Ensure ears, paws, legs, and belly are completely dry.
This post-bath step keeps your cat warm and comfortable. Reward your cat during the process so it associates bath time with positive experiences.
When to See the Vet After Bathing
Skin Irritation Persists
Bathing your cat with Dove soap can lead to skin irritation in some cases. Signs of skin irritation include excessive licking, scratching, redness, and hair loss. If the skin remains irritated for more than a day after bathing, it’s best to call the vet.
The vet can examine your cat and provide medications to soothe the irritated skin. Leaving skin irritation untreated can allow secondary infections to develop, leading to more significant problems.
Respiratory Issues
Some cats may experience respiratory issues after being bathed with Dove soap, especially if water gets in their nose. Signs of respiratory distress include wheezing, coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge.
If your cat has trouble breathing after a bath, contact your vet right away, as this can quickly become an emergency. The vet may prescribe medications to open airways and reduce inflammation. Always avoid getting water in your cat’s nose when bathing to prevent soap-induced respiratory irritation.
Lethargy or Appetite Changes
Lethargy and appetite changes after bathing may indicate a reaction to the Dove soap. Cats who seem unusually tired and are not interested in food or treats post-bath may have absorbed chemicals through their skin. Call your vet if lethargy and appetite changes last more than 24 hours after bathing.
Bloodwork may be needed to check for damage to internal organs. Never bathe a cat who already seems lethargic or is not eating well, as they are more vulnerable to toxicity.
Vomiting or Diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea can occur after bathing if your cat licks residual soap off their coat or consumes grooming water contaminated with Dove soap. These gastrointestinal signs warrant a call to your vet, who can provide anti-nausea medicine and recommend a bland diet until symptoms resolve.
Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so prompt veterinary attention is key. To prevent exposure, always rinse soap thoroughly and use clean water for post-bath grooming.
Conclusion
While using your own Dove soap on cats may seem harmless, human shampoos are the wrong pH balance and contain ingredients that can irritate feline skin. Cats are fastidious groomers, but when they do need bathing, be sure to use a gentle cat shampoo and take care not to overdry their skin.
With some caution, you can keep your cat’s coat clean, soft, and healthy.
