Is Dove Soap Safe For My Cat?

Although it may seem unbelievable, there are many people who have cats in their household and use Dove soap on their pets. In this article, I’ll share the real scoop with you.

If you’re in a pinch and would like to give your cat a quick bath, you may think of using the dove soap that you use on yourself as an alternative way to bathe your cat.

However, not all soaps are safe for cats. The descent question is, can I use dove soap on my cat to bath it?

So now that we’ve finally gotten around to the explanations, let’s answer some questions!

Can I Use Dove Soap On My Cat To Bath It?

Humans and cats have differing pH levels in their skins. If you use a soap like Dove on your feline, the natural oil protecting the cat’s skin will be stripped away.

That means dry, flaky layers, which can lead to itchy and irritated skin conditions. When you’re wondering if you can wash your cat with a soap bar or a body wash or not, the answer is yes!

Below is a detailed outline of the distinctions between each type of Dove soap.

There are Dove unscented soaps for both adults and babies. As long as, you are using the fragrance-free baby Dove soap on your cat to bathe him.

It’s relatively safe because baby Dove unscented soap is more gentle than the Dove unscented soap for adults.

It’s not ideal to use Dove unscented soap on your cat, even if it’s the baby variety.

Dove Body Wash:

Dove body wash is not made to be used on cats. As a result, you can’t use it on your cat to clean them.

The chemicals used for making it are also suitable for human skin only, rather than cats. Thereby, you can’t use Dove body wash on your cat to clean it.

On top of the fact that Dove body wash can’t be washed off a cat’s coat, it also has moisturizers that can leave your cat with an oily coat.

That’s another reason why you should never use dove body wash on your cat.

Dove Bar Soap:

You can’t use Dove bar soap on your cat because it’s not balanced for animals’ skin.

You also shouldn’t use Velcro or fabric softener sheets, which could cause dermatitis from detergents, or bleach, which will make the skin dry and sore.

Dove Sensitive Soap:

Dove sensitive soap is designed for people with sensitive skin, so the chemicals are only safe for people.

This makes it unsuitable for a cat’s skin and you should never use the Dove sensitive soap on your cat’s skin.

Is Dove Soap Harmful To Cats?

Dove soap is highly toxic to cats because it is made specifically for people and not animals. The soap is designed with ingredients that are suited to human skin and just clean human skin, not cat’s skin.

Dove soap also has a pH level that balances for humans only, not for cats.

When cats use a dove soap, all the natural oils will be removed from their skin, which leaves them with flaky, dry skin. The cat’s natural oils will then begin to irritate their sensitive skin.

The soap contains a chemical that can cause breathing problems and congestion in cats, even if they lick their skin after taking a bath. In conclusion, Dove soap is toxic to cats .

2 Reasons Why You Cannot Use Dove Soap On A Cat

You can’t use Dove soap on a cat. We’ll explain why in this blog post. There are 2 major reasons that make it impractical and sometimes dangerous to use Dove soap on a cat:

Different PH Levels:

Every human soap has a particular pH level, which usually ranges between 6 and 8. However, cat soaps or other animal soaps have a different range of pH levels between 4.5 and 6.5.

As such, we do not recommend using Dove soap on a cat’s body to wash it because its pH level is unsuitable for use on a cat’s delicate skin.

Human skin has an acidic pH balance, which is why soap is made with such raw materials. But cats’ skin is very different.

So it stands to reason that soap would not be made for a cat’s skin and could be either too acidic or too alkaline for feline skin. The result could be serious irritation.

So you might be wondering if Dove soap is safe for cats. Well, it can dry and irritate their skin so they will scratch themselves until they have bloody wounds or worse, fungal infections.

Harmful Chemicals:

Dove soap is made with chemicals that are meant for human skin and essential oils, not cats. If a cat ingests those ingredients, it could face dangerous health problems.

Cats lick themselves often, and when they do, they ingest all the soap residues left on their coats.

So by using Dove soap on your cat, it’s ingesting those essential oils in the soap, which may cause breathing problems and congestion.

Plus, it could also be bad for the cat’s internal organs as well. Consequently, don’t use Dove soap on a cat at all.

What Soap Is Safe For Cats? What Should I Use To Wash My Cat?

Most cats love to be bathed, and choosing the best soap for your cat is key.

Cat-specific soaps such as Espree Natural Silky Show Cat Shampoo, Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Shampoo with Shea Butter and Honey, and John Paul Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs and Cats are all safe choices for your pet. You can use any one of these shampoos on your cat.

Castile soap is also a relatively safe soap to use on cats, despite the fact that it doesn’t have lye or fillers.

What Will Happen When You Use Dove Soap On A Cat?

One of the risks of using Dove soap on a cat is it will remove the natural oils your cat produces to keep its skin healthy and supple – which can lead to a dry skin that causes it to stretch.

A stretched skin is more likely to get an infection, especially since cats are known for having super sensitive skin.

Cats who ingest leftover soap chemical residues will often suffer respiratory problems.

If I Don’t Have Cat Shampoo, What Can I Use To Wash My Cat?

Below are 6 alternatives to cat shampoo/soap that you can use.

Baby Shampoo:

You can use baby shampoo because the formula is much gentler than adult shampoo and contains no harmful chemicals.

Baby shampoo also doesn’t contain fragrance, so it’s perfect for a cat’s sensitive skin. A baby shampoo is safe to use in an emergency only.

Dawn Dish Soap:

Dawn dish soap is a good option for animal rescue centers. They use it to wash the oil away from animals that are impacted by environmental pollution.

It’ll work for cats too if their fur is really dirty or oily. But other dish soap brands are not recommended for your cat because they might be harmful.

Castile Soap:

Cat shampoos can be harsh on cats with dry skin; try Castile shampoo instead. It’ll still leave your pet’s coat shiny but will be less drying than other soaps. This is also safe if you rinse it well afterwards.

Baking Soda:

Baking soda can be used to dry wash cats, since baking soda works as a waterless shampoo for felines. This will clean any dirt and get rid of foul odors without the need to use any water.

Pet Wipes:

Pet wipes make caring for your pet so much easier. They can quickly and easily clean your pet without all the hassle of shampooing or bathing them.

If you’re in a pinch, pet wipes can be used as an alternative to a cat shampoo. Think of them as a safe and easy-to-use alternative to shampoos that are made with the same ingredients as a common pet shampoo.

Homemade Oatmeal Shampoo:

A homemade oatmeal shampoo is good for both the hair and scalp. When it comes to your cat’s hair, you can also use a homemade oatmeal shampoo as an alternative.

Just mix a cup of oatmeal and a cup of baking soda with 4 cups of clean water then lather the mixture on your kitty’s coat and massage with your fingers. Keep it in for 5 minutes before rinsing your cat well with lukewarm water.

Final Thoughts

Human skin and a cat’s skin have different pH levels, so Dove soap will not work on a cat.

If your cat’s skin becomes dry or scaly by using the soap, try bathing them with baby shampoo instead.

Is Dove Soap Safe For My Cat?

Is Dove Soap Safe For My Cat?