Can You Use Head & Shoulders on Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Safety & Risks

Using Head & Shoulders on your beloved pup is not a wise choice, even though the origin of this idea is from old practices. It is true that in the past, some veterinarians recommended Head & Shoulders shampoo for dogs suffering from severe dandruff due to seborrhea. However, there are now better products available that treat dandruff while respecting the unique characteristics of dogs' skin.

Like any other human shampoo, Head & Shoulders can disrupt the delicate pH balance of your dog's sensitive skin, irritating it and causing rashes.

Let's discuss this topic in more detail.

Is Head & Shoulders Bad for Dogs?

Head & Shoulders uses a blend of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate to gently cleanse hair and get rid of dirt. It also contains zinc pyrithione, which is the key active ingredient in preventing the dandruff-causing microbe, Malassezia globose, from irritating the human scalp.

The presence of this active ingredient likely explains why many vets recommended this shampoo for dogs suffering from severe dandruff problems. Today, though, there are veterinary products that are better suited to the coats and sensitive skin of our canine companions.

Cocamidopropyl betaine is one ingredient in Head & Shoulders that it is best to avoid when it comes to your pooch.  It can cause irritation to the skin and can be damaging if it gets in the eyes.

Since this shampoo must achieve the right human pH balance, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid are in the final blend. All these ingredients may be great for human hair and scalp, but they’re less great for your pup's skin, mainly due to improper pH balance.

Why Can’t You Use Human Shampoos on Your Dog?

There are a few reasons that human shampoo is not recommended for use on canines.

1.Human Shampoos Disrupt the pH Balance of the Dog’s Skin

Both dog and human skin have a protective layer of cells called the acid mantle, which serves two main roles: to protect the skin against viruses and bacteria and to keep the body hydrated.

When we bathe, the acidic coat is washed away. This is why most soaps and shampoos contain specific ingredients to protect and moisturize the skin until the acid mantle renews itself naturally.

But to renew itself, the acid mantle needs a good balance between acidity and alkalinity: this is called pH balance. The normal pH balance for dogs is between 6.4 and 9.1, which is fairly neutral to basic. As for humans, the normal pH balance is between 5.5 and 7.2, which is more acidic to neutral.

So, what happens when you use your shampoo on your pup? A pH that’s too acidic can disrupt your dog's acid mantle, making their skin more vulnerable to germs, bacteria, and viruses. It can also make their skin dry and flaky, which can cause your dog to experience itching, intense scratching, pain, and rashes. The skin abrasions then open the way for even more bacteria to enter the skin through these wounds, leading to possible infections.

2. Human Shampoos Contain Chemicals That Are Too Harsh for Dogs’ Sensitive Skin

Dog skin is much more sensitive than ours. It only has about three to five layers of skin cells, while human skin has 10 to 15 levels! As a result, harsh chemicals found in human shampoos are more likely to irritate dogs' skin while stripping away their protective oils.

3. Human Shampoos Are Hard to Rinse Out Completely Due to Certain Ingredients

Human shampoos can be difficult to completely rinse out of your dog's coat due to certain ingredients. This can further irritate your dog's skin while leaving a sticky film on their coat.

What to Do When You Run Out of Dog Shampoo

If you find yourself in an emergency bathing situation and you're out of dog shampoo, washing your dog with a human substitute is possible. Good alternatives to dog shampoos are baby shampoo or in an emergency original Dawn dish soap. In any case, be careful not to splash your dog's eyes with these products, even though they are generally gentler than most other options on the market.

It’s worth noting that pH balance can vary based on breed, sex, color, time of year, and desexing status. meaning your pup may have more acidic skin than other dogs. That said, you can't be certain until they develop skin problems from using human shampoos, so it's best not to rely on this fact. Still, if this is a rare occurrence, your dog will likely be perfectly fine.

Tips for Keeping Your Dog’s Coat Healthy

If you don’t want to end up in a situation where you have to rely on human shampoo to bathe your dog, make sure to stock up on proper dog shampoos.

There are a lot of pet shampoos on the market, but not all of them will keep your pet's skin and coat happy and healthy. The Hepper Pet Shampoo products are pH balanced and made with natural, safe ingredients like soothing oatmeal and aloe vera. Our shampoos will keep your pet clean, smelling fresh, and fully moisturized! The hardest part is deciding whether to get to traditional shampoo or the rinse-free version! Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right option for your pet’s next bath!

Image	Product	Details
	Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo	Safe for Dogs & Cats Soothing Oatmeal Lightly Scented	Check Price
	Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo	Waterless cleaning Natural ingredients & pH balanced Fresh scent	Check Price

Bottom Line

There are better products than Head & Shoulders for cleaning your dog. All shampoos designed for humans can disrupt the acid-base balance of your dog's skin and irritate their sensitive skin. If your dog has serious dandruff problems, it's better to call your veterinarian than to buy a shampoo designed to treat human scalps.

That said, if you are in an emergency situation and are out of dog-friendly products, using a bit of baby shampoo on your pup won't hurt them—as long as it remains an occasional thing.

Featured Image Credit: Iriska16, Shutterstock