We are fortunate to be grooming pets in an era where we have a gracious plenty of products to choose from when it comes to getting pets clean. This was not always the case, and many seasoned groomers remember the days when we had to resort to using products designed for use on humans or even household cleansers to wash pets. For the most part, it seems that groomers have embraced the wide range of shampoos designed and manufactured specifically for animals, but there seems to be one niggling little holdover. Dish soap.
Groomers who use dish soap on pets give the following reasons for their choice:
• They like the price point. A large number of dogs can be washed with a small bottle of dish soap, making it economical. Dish soap is designed with ingredients that remove dirt and grime, and it does do this effectively.
• It is a good degreaser. Since dirty dishes are often greasy dishes, dish soap is made with chemicals that target and wash away grease and oils. One famous brand of dish soap even advertises their product being used to remove oil from wildlife after spills. Groomers say, “If it’s safe for birds, it’s fine for dogs.” However, the company states that they do not recommend that it be used on dogs.
• Dish soap can kill fleas. It does this by disrupting the waxy coating that protects the flea’s exoskeleton. Once the exoskeleton is damaged, the flea drowns.
So, why should groomers choose to use shampoos that are manufactured specifically for use on dogs and cats over dish detergent? Read on.
• Dish detergent contains chemicals called surfactants that are strong enough to handle the dirt and grease on pots and pans. These chemicals can be harsh on a pet’s skin and coat. They will remove the natural oils that are there to maintain healthy skin. Remember that a dog’s skin, or integumentary system, is the largest organ of the body. Disrupting the balance of that organ can cause dryness, irritation, itching and possibly lead to infection. Prolonged, repeated use (i.e., every time the pet is groomed) is inviting trouble.
• Depending on the brand, dish soaps have a pH ranging from 7 to 11, with the higher number belonging to brands that are the most effective degreasers. Normal dog skin has a lower pH. Using detergent with a high pH can cause skin irritation by disrupting the natural balance of the skin.
• Let’s consider the following scenario. You wash Flopsy, an oily coated little mix with a few fleas with dish soap. The next day you get a call from Flopsy’s veterinary office. He is there with irritated skin. The doctor wants to know what products you used during grooming. As a paid pet care professional, would you rather tell them that you used products specifically designed and made for use on dogs, or do you want to have to tell them you used dish soap? As an educated and caring groomer, I know what I’d prefer!
There are many choices of shampoos that will safely degrease and clean pets, as well as slay fleas, while still being gentle to the skin. They may not be as economical to use as a jug of dish soap, but they are safer and clearly a more professional choice. Price your work accordingly and buy pet specialty products.
