Can you use human shampoo on dogs?

[mississippi_leg_hound]

My dog hates getting a bath, so I always try to catch her when she doesn't see it coming. Often that means, using my shampoo on her. But her skin tends to be dry and flaky. Is there a healthy and affordable dog shampoo I should have on hand?

 

[Danielle DeGroot]

Hello. This is an excellent question. Using human shampoo on your pup is not the best idea unless it specifically says it is safe to use on pets. Some natural ones like Burt’s Bees or baby shampoo can be ok if you are in a bind if your pup rolled in poo etc.) but as a general rule, you should try and stick to pet-specific shampoos. I personally like oatmeal-based shampoos for my dogs because they are gentle and help keep the skin soft and moisturized. We cover some of the best all-natural dog shampoos in this guide. Additionally, if you want to make your own pet shampoo, you can follow our DIY pet shampoo recipe here.