It’s well known that cats are meticulous groomers. Watch your cat on any given day and you’ll spot him licking himself from head to tail. A cat has ample flexibility, a barbed tongue that acts as little combs, as well as saliva that functions as a natural detergent. All of these features allow it to get rid of dirt, dander, and other debris from their skin, fur, and coat.
Can cats use human shampoo? A short answer is NO! Humans and cats have different pH tolerance levels, meaning human shampoo may be too aggressive and drying on cats’ skin. This could result in skin-related issues such as dry, flaky skin or painful irritation for your feline friend. There’s cat shampoo that specially formulated for their skin, so why cause unnecessary harm or pain to your cat?
While cats are pretty capable at getting rid of the dirt themselves, there are, however, some instances when your cat might need a little help such as:
- if they’ve rubbed against something too dirty like a massive pile of mud, sticky, or dangerous/toxic for them to lick off themselves
- if they are sick, which makes self-cleaning difficult
- long-haired breeds require thorough cleaning since unkempt hair can easily become matted and a breeding ground for parasites
- it’s important to use the right products when bathing your cat, which brings us to our topic of today: cats and human shampoo.
Cats aren’t the biggest fans of baths or even water for that matter. But as I said, sometimes there’s no way around it. Choosing the right grooming materials is important when cleaning your cat. Much like humans, cats experience adverse reactions and allergies to the chemical content of certain products. In addition to possible skin irritation, keep in mind that your cat will go back to self-cleaning after you have bathed it. Since this involves licking, your cat may ingest harsh chemicals that could be harmful to their health. Let me explain the difference between human and cat skin, as well as human and cat shampoo so you can find an answer to this question and many more interesting details.
Can I Use Human Shampoo On My Cat?
We’ve already established that human shampoo is not safe for cats. Let me take you through a more in-depth look at the reasons why:
There’s a difference between human and cat skin:
Human skin is much more acidic with a pH level of about 5.5 while a cat’s skin is slightly alkaline with a pH of about 7.5. It may not seem like a big difference but using the wrong type of shampoo can damage your cat’s skin, making it dry and itchy. Much like our skin, a cat’s skin acts as a natural barrier against infection, therefore, compromising it can be detrimental to their health. Additionally, humans have distinct glands that are made for sweat while cats don’t. This means they each require different ingredients in their shampoo.
Difference between human and cat shampoo
Shampoos are mostly species-based as they cater specifically to the needs of those they are designed for. Just by reading through the label, you’ll notice a subtle difference in the ingredients. Human shampoos tend to be harsher while cat shampoo is gentler. Human shampoos contain fragrance and essential oils, which can be overwhelming and toxic for the cat.
As I mentioned earlier, both animals have different pH levels. Human shampoo is made to match its pH level while cat shampoo is made to match theirs. Using shampoos interchangeably will only irritate and damage your cat’s skin. Cat shampoo also contains ingredients that human shampoo doesn’t as they are meant to deodorise and keep fleas away.
Human shampoo is not tested on cats
Many human shampoos are often tested on animals. However, given the different skin composition between humans and cats, human shampoo isn’t tested on cats. For this reason, we are not actually aware of all the side effects cats may experience after using human shampoo.
When you combine all these factors, you quickly realise that human shampoo could potentially result in adverse effects for your beloved cat. Long-term skin problems have been linked to a lower immune defence in cats. That’s because the open sores/skin make it easier for bacteria to cause infection.
No shampoo is better than human shampoo. If you must clean your cat and you don’t have cat shampoo, simply use warm or saline water to clean the fur. You do not want to take chances using something that could potentially result in adverse reactions/effects for your beloved cat, especially when there are safer alternatives.
What if I’ve already washed my cat in human shampoo?
As I said earlier, human shampoo is not always tested on cats so the symptoms will vary depending on the brand. Common side effects include redness, hair loss, scratching, irritation, or discomfort. Contact the vet immediately to discuss if a visit is necessary. If your cat shows signs of diarrhoea, lethargy, or vomiting, seek medical care immediately. As for skin irritation/conditions, make sure the vet clarifies what is causing it. If it’s because of the human shampoo it should clear up once you stop using the shampoo.
Are There Human Shampoos That Are Safer On Cats?
Some people believe that some human shampoos are less aggressive and can, therefore, be used for cats. Let’s find out how true that is:
Is baby shampoo safe for cats?
Baby shampoo is made keeping the baby’s sensitive skin in mind. Most of them claim to be gentler, which makes some think that if it’s less aggressive on baby’s sensitive skin then it might be good for cats’ sensitive skin. Baby shampoos contain far fewer chemicals that are less harmful to felines, as well as moisturisers that can help prevent your cat’s coat from being too dry. The problem is they are heavily scented