Are you out of dog shampoo and searching for safe dog shampoo alternatives? One of the most common questions pet parents ask is: “Can you use dish soap to wash a dog?” Dish soap often shows up as a quick fix when looking for dog shampoo substitutes, but is it really safe for your pup’s skin and coat?
Dish soap is a versatile household product used to clean everything from dishes and clothes to cars—but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your dog. In this blog, we’ll explore whether dish soap is safe for dogs, the potential risks of using it as a dog shampoo replacement, and healthier, vet-approved alternatives for keeping your pup clean.
How To Make Your Own Homemade Dog Shampoo When You're In A Pinch!
When you’re in a pinch and run out of dog shampoo, you can safely make a DIY dog shampoo with gentle, pet-friendly ingredients you probably already have at home. The key is to use mild, natural cleansers that won’t strip your dog’s coat of oils or irritate their skin.
Here’s a safe, quick recipe:
🧴 DIY Dog Shampoo Recipe (Safe for Occasional Use)
Ingredients:
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2 cups warm water
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¼ cup unscented Castile soap (gentle, natural cleanser)
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½ cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (balances pH, adds shine, reduces odor)
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Optional: 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (soothes skin)
Instructions:
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Mix all ingredients in a clean bottle or jar.
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Shake well before use.
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Wet your dog’s coat with lukewarm water.
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Massage the homemade shampoo into the fur, avoiding eyes and ears.
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Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
⚠️ Important Tips
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Don’t use human shampoo or dish soap regularly — they’re too harsh for a dog’s skin.
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Avoid your own essential oils (like tea tree, peppermint, or eucalyptus) unless approved by a vet — many are toxic to dogs.
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Spot test first: Try a small area to ensure your dog doesn’t react.
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Use this DIY mix only occasionally, not as a permanent replacement for a formulated dog shampoo.
👉 Long term, the safest option is always a vet-approved or all natural dog shampoo designed specifically for canine skin and coat, like PRIDE+GROOM.
⚠️ALWAYS, test the ingredients or mixture on the small patch of the dog’s skin, as they can cause irritation or allergic reactions.
See also: What To Do When You're Out Of Dog Shampoo
What Kind of Soap is Safe for Dogs?
Itchy skin is one sign that your pet may be suffering from an allergy or ailment. To avoid irritating your dog's skin, choose soaps that don't strip it of its natural oils. The healthy oils in a dog's skin can be stripped away by the toxic chemicals in Dawn dish soap, which is designed to remove oil spills and grease from kitchen surfaces. Dogs tend to wiggle and move around a lot when being bathed. If Dawn gets into your dog’s eyes it can be quite hazardous.
WARNING: We do not recommend using Dawn to wash your dog. It's better to use soap that doesn't contain harsh chemicals and won’t strip the dog's skin of its natural oils.
Vet-approved shampoos are available for dogs, and can help alleviate a variety of problems your dog may have.For example, try a flea repellent shampoo to get rid of fleas that can cause inflammation. Or try the PRIDE+GROOM FINAL COAT conditioner after shampooing to seal in shine and extend the life of the wash.
To get rid of fleas, dogs need to be washed with shampoo and rinsed in warm water. Fleas are a common problem for pet owners, so it's important to keep an eye out for them. A veterinarian should be consulted if the flea infestation becomes out of hand.
It is possible to make homemade shampoos out of Dawn dish soap, but it must be diluted in order to avoid harming the dog's skin and coat. Even though veterinarians don't advocate Dawn dish soap for dog baths, it can be used sparingly in a mixture with other components and ONLY after the test on the small area of dog’s skin.
Is Dawn Dish Soap Safe For Dogs To Lick or Ingest?
Dawn dish soap is a detergent and can cause poisoning in dogs if they lick it off their fur. Even in small amounts, over an extended period of time, this can lead to GI upset in your pet. Symptoms of detergent poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drooling. If you use Dawn dish soap to wash your dog's body, they may lick their coat while the soap is still on and ingest it. This can be toxic to your dog.
If you think your dog has ingested Dawn dish soap, take them to a vet immediately. Try as hard as possible for your dog to avoid licking Dawn dish soap as it can be very harmful to them. Dawn dish soap may be used to clean up animals who were victims of an oil spill is an extreme situation and does not mean Dawn dish soap should be used as a regular shampoo for your dog.
We strongly recommend you NOT USE Dawn dish soap to wash your dog!
Is It Safe to Wash Your Dog with Dish Soap?
Many dog owners use dish soap to wash their furry friends, but is this really a safe practice? Dish soap is designed to remove grease and grime from dishes, and it can be very effective at removing dirt and stains from dog fur. However, dish soap is also quite harsh, and it can strip away the natural oils that protect your dog's skin. As a result, washing your dog with dish soap on a regular basis can leave their skin feeling dry and irritated. If you do decide to use dish soap to wash your dog, be sure to use a milder formula and rinse them thoroughly afterwards. You should also avoid getting any soap in their eyes, as this can cause irritation.
To be clear - using dish soap is NOT suitable for your dog.
Is Dish Soap Toxic for Dogs?
You may be concerned about whether dish soap will harm a dog's eyes. The answer is YES!!!!.
Dawn itself states that if dish soap gets in your eyes, you should "rinse immediately and thoroughly with plenty of water." The company advises getting medical attention if symptoms worsen”. We’ve all experienced the discomfort of soap in your eyes before!
The possibility of your dog consuming dish soap is far more dangerous. If Dawn gets in their eyes, they might bark or complain, but will you be able to know if they swallow it?
Again, Dawn advises acting quickly to dilute dish soap if it is ingested via drinking water. When any symptoms first emerge or persist, you should consult a doctor immediately.
PRO TIP: Always keep a spray bottle filled with water handy. If you think your dog may have ingested Dawn (or anything else toxxic for that matter) spray water in their mouth SIDWAYS. You don’t want to push the poison further down their throat.
According to Medical News Today, symptoms of soap poisoning may include:
- Inability to inhale and exhale
- Swollen lip, throat, and/or tongue
- Extreme abdominal discomfort
- Anxiety and discomfort in the gut
That therefore begs the important question: Is using dish soap to bathe your dog really worth it?
Reasons Some People Use Dish Soap on Dogs
Why might you be considering using dish soap in the first place? Most likely, it’s either because dish soap is cheaper than dog shampoo or it’s simply the most convenient option at the moment.
How Does Dish Soap Kill Fleas On Dogs?
While Dish soap can definitely help kill fleas on dogs we never recommend it as a first choice. Dish soap is a powerful cleaning tool that can break down the grease and grime that build up on dishes over time. But did you know that dish soap can also be used to kill fleas on dogs? The soap breaks down the fleas' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die. And, because dish soap is safe for use around pets and children, it's a great option for treating flea infestations.
To use dish soap for fleas on dogs, create a gentle solution by mixing 1 part dish soap with 4 parts water. Apply the mixture evenly to your dog’s coat, working it thoroughly into the fur and skin. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. For effectiveness, you may need to repeat this flea bath every few days until the infestation is under control.
In addition to killing fleas, dish soap can temporarily soothe irritation from flea bites. Its cleansing action helps wash away dirt, debris, flea dirt, and dried blood, leaving your dog’s skin cleaner and less itchy.
Precautions You Should Take When Using Dish Soap to Kill Fleas on Your Dog
Fleas are a nuisance for both people and pets, but luckily there are several ways to get rid of them. One popular method is to use dish soap. Dish soap is effective at killing fleas, but it can also be harsh on your dog's skin. Avoiding dish soap is the best way to keep your dog’s health good.
Start wetting your dog's coat with warm water to avoid irritation. Then, apply a small amount of dish soap to a flea comb and work it through your dog's fur. Be sure to avoid the eyes, ears, and mouth. Once you have combed the entire coat, rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. You may need to repeat this process a few times to remove all fleas. Some owners also like to add a few drops of essential oil to the dish soap to help repel future fleas. With just a little care, you can safely treat your dog for fleas using dish soap.
Which Dish Soap Kills Fleas on Dogs?
All dish soaps contain some form of soap, which is a detergent. When you wash your dishes with dish soap, the soap breaks up the oils and dirt on your dishes. Dish soaps also usually contain fragrances and dyes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all dish soaps to be safe for human health and the environment. However, not all dish soaps are created equal. Some dish soaps may be more effective at cleaning dishes than others, but they may also be more likely to cause skin irritation.
When killing fleas on dogs, any dish soap will do the trick. The soap will kill the adult fleas, but it will not kill the flea eggs. To prevent flea infestations, it is important to regularly bathe your dog with a proper flea shampoo created with your dogs’ pH balance and skin and coat needs in mind.
Conclusion
Dish soap is an effective and inexpensive way to kill fleas on dogs. The soap works by breaking down the fleas' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die. Dish soap is also safe for use around pets and children. That said, we do not recommend it.. To use dish soap to kill fleas, mix 1 part soap with 4 parts water and apply the solution to your dog's coat. Gently work it into the fur and leave it for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. You'll need to repeat this process every few days until the fleas are gone.
Some dogs may experience irritated skin from the dish soap. If this occurs, rinse the area with cool water and avoid using dish soap in the future.
WHO IS PRIDE+GROOM?
PRIDE+GROOM was born because a group of New York City dog lovers wanted the same level of grooming products for their dogs that they themselves enjoyed. They looked (hard) but nothing was up to snuff. Or sniff. Like so many, we love our families and take pride in our homes, and we consider our pets to be integral parts of those entities. That said, we could not find an effective way to coif them that was on par with the way we tended to our children, our homes, or ourselves. These beloved pets are allowed on the furniture and in our beds, and yet even when fresh from the groomer, we knew they did not smell or feel as good as they could.
With the development of our coat-specific shampoos, conditioner and deodorizing spray, we think we found just the way to say thanks for being the best and the sweetest MVP of the house. Skin and coat health is very important to us.
PRIDE+GROOM is the first dog grooming brand launched under a beauty platform, with formulas made in a clean beauty and scent lab. We know beauty is not only skin deep. We did a ton of research to create the entire line. Each product is formulated with its own unique blend of essential oils sourced from around the world.
IN DOG WE TRUST
Shop our entire line: www.prideandgroom.com
