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There are many rumors about what is and is not toxic to pets, especially felines. You might think that it is okay to use hand soap on your cat to clean off dirty spots. Just a quick wash should be okay, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Like many typical household cleaners, hand soap contains detergents that can be harmful to cats. While those soaps might be okay to use on your hands, they should generally not be used on your feline.
Avoid Using Household Cleaners Around Your Cats
Detergents are found in a variety of home cleaners. These are powerful chemicals designed to do specific jobs. Dish soap, laundry soap, and hand soap all contain chemicals that are designed to break down dirt and grime. The things that give these products their cleaning power are the same things that are potentially harmful to your cat. That includes typical hand soap.
One of the reasons you should not use hand soap on your feline friend is that they lick themselves clean. Humans never lick hand soap off of their hands, so we do not think that it is harmful. But it can be. Cats will try to lick themselves clean and are usually fastidious in their grooming. If you need to use soap to get rid of grease or oil on your cat, ideally, you should use a cat shampoo. If you don’t have access to one, bar hand soap can be used as long as you rinse it off thoroughly.
What Are the Signs of Harmful Soap Ingestion?
Signs of harmful soap ingestion include excessive drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, signs of an irritated mouth, or visible burns on the mouth.1 If your cat is experiencing any of these signs after getting into hand soap, you should consult your veterinarian right away.
Even if you did not try to wash your cat with hand soap, they can still occasionally get into it on their own. Spilled cleaners are also a potential hazard for felines. If you spill any hand soap or other detergents, keep your pet away from the spill and clean it up immediately.
If you suspect that your cat got into harmful detergent or if you used hand soap on your cat, do not panic. The effects are not fatal, but they should be closely monitored for clinical signs. Monitor your cat for at least 2 hours. If signs do present, you should schedule a visit to your vet. If your cat has any soap on them, you should wash it off with plain water.
What Soaps Should I Use on My Cat?
Cats rarely need to be bathed by humans. In fact, you should only wash your cat if your vet tells you to or they got covered in something that is not safe for them to groom off. Felines are good about keeping themselves clean and are typically picky about their coats. In most cases, dish soap and water would only be recommended for cleaning off oily substances if you don’t have cat shampoo to hand.
If you do need to bathe your cat, it is best to use shampoos and cleaners designed specifically for use on felines. If your cat has a skin problem, your vet can suggest what shampoo they think is best. Otherwise, you should find cat shampoo at your local pet supply store. In a pinch, Dawn dish soap has been cleared for use on animals, including felines. But it is still not advisable to use dish soap on your pets unless you absolutely must.
If you have any questions, always consult your veterinarian before making decisions on your own. You can also utilize online resources like the Pet Poison Helpline for further guidance.
- See Also: Can You Use Dog Shampoo on Cats?
Conclusion
Yes, hand soap can be toxic to cats if they ingest it. If you must wash your cat with soap, make sure to rinse it off well. Cats will lick the potent detergent off their skin, which will potentially cause health issues if not rinsed properly. The only soaps you should use on your cat are special shampoos designed for use on household felines. Cats and people are quite different. Products that people use on a regular basis are not necessarily safe for pets, even if they seem harmless.
Featured Image Credit: Sincerely Media, Unsplash
