Wondering

[nemicky]

If i use Human Shampoo will it hurt the dog?

[FemmeFugazi]

I use two different shampoos on my dogs.

I usually use a mild baby shampoo, which I started using on my German Shepherd. He had terribly sensitive skin and almost any shampoo would irritate his skin and break him out in a rash. Even pet shampoos that were supposed to be hypoallergenic.

Our vet advised us to use baby shampoo for Smokey and I just started using it for Cookie (our Border Collie mix) too.

After Smokey died I got into using the oatmeal shampoo for Cookie because it made her coat a lot shinier and softer. Now I use that, or the baby depending on what I have on hand. And our newest dog- Donut- a little mutt who looks like a mix of boxer, beagle, and a bit of pit bull - seems to do fine with either one.

[therese83]

I have two dogs one doesnt seem to need washing at all, she doesnt lick herself, but she is always spotless with a glowing (non stick?) coat.  The other (long hair) has hair that soaks up the mud completely.  He is like a sponge and I have to wash him, he goes brown when supposed to be white.  It depends on the dog . BTW, my two dogs are doing great! since I came on here.  I am learning a lot.

[dominosarah]

I only bathe the beagle a couple times a year is all.  She stays clean playing in the rain and snow!!!!  Are we supposed to bathe them alot??  She doesnt smell and her skin and hair are nice and soft.

[ginger899]

Don't ask me how my dog smells so clean, sweet and nice, because....(you are all going to hate me for this and think it is disgusting)...I do not bathe her very often. I only remove any dirt (usually on her legs and belly) with warm-ish plain water, then dry her afterwards. Her skin is in good condition generally (though she did get a bit of dandruff during her pre-season shedding session, which has finished now, and her skin is healthy and fine again) I bathe her with a safe insecticidal shampoo I got from the vet, only occasionally during the summer, when she goes in long grass, and can pick up nibbling insects.
Most of the time she gets washed by the rain. As a result her fur when dry, is soft and silky-smooth, and shiny. And she doesn't get the natural dog-oils stripped from her skin too often. I always think those natural oils are there for a purpose.
Yet she does smell sweet and pleasant. Good enough for me to have her sleep in my bed!  

[April2]

I've always used baby shampoo on all my pets for years and never had a problem. I mainly did it because it's so much cheaper and I figured it's milder than most shampoos.

[trish934]

hi!

nemicky i agree with all the past comments to your question but, still hear me out! i personally tried using human shampoo on my dog lol simply because i loved the way it smelt and at the time lady was always getting herself dirty and smelly. However after a the third bath i noticed she scratched vigorously at the entire body. of course i couldn't call the vet to inform him of this problem! so i explained to my friend what was the problem she loved dogs know few things on canines as well. what she told me was happening was the human shampoo extract natural oil that a dog's integumentary system produces. the constant itching then causes the skin top become red swollen and swore. which maybe painful; i about it if you itched a spot to long wouldn't you bruise! same with them. Anywhere one bottle dog shampoo goes along way.
Right now lady's using a medicated sulfur and other chemicals shampoo because of my stupid decision don't try it please and in the end it will cost u more.

[dominosarah]

I use the oatmeal shampoo i get at the vet and doesnt have much smell to it at all and the beagle STILL goes outside and rolls in dried up worms afterwards!!!!

[Jaybay]

I agree with both comments above.  The problem with using human shampoos is that they have fragrances that can be irritating not only to the dog's skin, but to his nose as well.  Many times skin allergies can be traced to non-dog-formulated shampoos, so it's best to stick with products manufactured for dogs.  The best shampoos will have little to no fragrance at all.

[dominosarah]

I was always told that you should get shampoo made for dogs due to the ph difference.

[peekawho]

Regular, mild human shampoo is fine to use on your dog occasionally.