A Pinterest recipe that caught my eye. “Kills fleas? What and who is the killer?” I wondered.
The recipe is simple. Water, White vinegar and Dawn dish soap. Since water and white vinegar are both considered safe, Dawn detergent must be the ultimate bug killer. I am well-versed in the benefits and drawbacks of detergent, but I would not wash my dog in a chemical-laden detergent if there were no fleas. I decided to investigate.
Don’t use on your dog if skin problems already exist. After that, keep a close eye on your dog to see if there is a reaction.
As a long-time dog owner, I am aware of the fact that fleas can be problematic. But a detergent wash is dangerous to your dog. Despite the fact that this recipe specifically targeted Dawn, most commercial detergents do contain all of the surfactants, cleaners, and flea killers.
The surfactant is what actually kills the fleas. When added to water, a surfactant, such as detergent, lowers the surface tension. This makes it ‘wetter’ and allows it to spread further. A flea may start to flail and even manage to escape if it encounters plain water, saving it from certain death. A flea is tiny and covered in a wax layer that repels water and even prevents it from getting into its respiratory system. However, if you add a few drops of Dawn or another similar detergent, they are doomed. Their exoskeleton becomes compromised and that makes the flea drown. However, life is not simple. Even though the dog’s fleas may be dead, that accounts for only about 5% of the issue. The other housemates are having a party and aren’t being socially distant either. They are getting it on and very quickly. Carpets, beds, couches…all the cozy places are perfect for reproduction. It follows that you must clean the entire house, not just the dog.
The good news is that the Dawn recipe will kill fleas when you wash your dog. The bad news is that fleas will continue to spread and will eventually find your dog again. The Bad: The harsh detergent may cause your dog’s skin to suffer.
Since dogs’ skin contains less oil than that of humans, dish soap can cause their skin to become so dry that skin infections may result. A dish soap wash is the last option unless your pet is in full-on flea party mode and your vet reluctantly agrees. Dish soap should not be used as your pet’s primary cleanser on a regular basis. It is not a prevention for fleas. Talk to your vet about flea control. Their special soaps are much gentler.
Or, do as we do. Your dog will adore how real soap feels against their skin. It cleans and adds nutrition. You can use any good soap and a little neem oil as a cleanser to help keep fleas away and maintain healthy skin.
Miracle oil neem is used in the gardening sector to repel more than 20 insects. Neem oil on dogs is an excellent prevention. Excellent options include our emu-neem soap and our nori-neem soap. Our shampoo bars are excellent choices (to which you may add a few drops of pure neem oil). Furthermore, be ready for a potential skunk encounter in addition to the flea problem: Tuxedo Meets Pepé Le Pew
Should You Use Dawn Dish Soap to Wash Your Dog?
Dawn is a strong soap that tackles your dirty pots and pans. However, its not the same when it comes to your dog, according to Lorraine Rhoads, an environmental biologist at Dogtopia. “Dawn dish soap can be a safe choice to bathe your dog in rare circumstances, but it is not recommended as a regular shampoo.” Your dogs skin can be sensitive to allergies, have different coat conditions, and even different pH levels than human skin, so this strong soap can be very irritating to their skin.
In addition, Jenna Mahan, RVT, director of claims and underwriting at Embrace Pet Insurance, says that Dawn “works well to strip oils, and while you do not want your pet to be oily, they need to retain some of their natural oils for skin comfort and protection.”
What about the adorable duckling that appears on Dawn bottles? “Professional wildlife rescue and rehabilitators have used this product to safely and effectively remove oil from the feathers and fur of animals that have found themselves in very sticky situations,” explains Rhoads. Dawn’s ability to combat grease makes this use beneficial in the sad situation where wildlife is in need of assistance. “.
So instead of using Dawn in your regular bath, use a mild dog shampoo instead. Mahan notes, however, that “Dawn is great for degreasing if your pet has been exposed to oil or sprayed by a skunk Dawn can assist in removing the oily bonds that cause the odor to linger. “.
Dawn Dish Soap Is Safe But Is It Effective?
Most of us are probably aware that wildlife caught in oil spills is frequently cleaned with Dawn dish soap. It is gentle enough to clean even young animals while being powerful enough to handle the worst messes your dog may come across. Dawn will clean your dog, but there’s a catch, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.
If your dog gets a toxic substance on their skin or coat, particularly one with an oil or petroleum base, your veterinarian may occasionally use or recommend Dawn dish soap to bathe your dog.
FAQs
The short answer is No. Dawn Platinum Soap is not safe for your dog.
Compared to the normal Dawn soap, the Platinum variant is more concentrated, has more ingredients, and cleans faster.
This simply means that applying Dawn Platinum to your dog will multiply or triple the detrimental outcomes we have already mentioned (i.e. removing your dog’s natural oils, interfering with the acid mantle of his skin, leading to severe soap poisoning, etc.)
Additionally, as was already mentioned, adding ingredients raises the likelihood that harmful chemicals will be present.
We hope you can see where the Dawn Platinum variant could lead your dog’s health.
The best course of action is to use canine-specific products.
FAQ
Is dishwashing liquid harmful to dogs?
According to Rhoads, “Like any cleaning product, Dawn dish soap could be harmful when ingested,” dish soap is toxic to dogs. ” Dawn can also be irritating to your dog’s eyes. If this occurs, gently wash your pet’s eyes. If the eyes appear red or swollen and remain itchy, contact your veterinarian.
What dishwashing liquid can you use on dogs?
In addition to removing accumulated oils from your dog’s skin and coat that can make him look and feel less than his best, Dawn is made to cut through kitchen grease. Lavender-scented Dawn dish detergent, which is sold in stores, not only removes excess oils but also keeps fleas away.
What can I use to wash my dog if I don’t have dog shampoo?
Probably the most widely used alternative to dog shampoo is human baby shampoo. Dogs can use it and it won’t remove the natural oils from their coat. Just be sure to rinse well after using a tiny amount. Dish soap is a common dog shampoo substitute.