Can I Use Baby Wipes on My Dog? Vet-Reviewed Canine Facts & FAQ

Baby wipes—once you have them, you wonder how you ever survived without them! Even though their primary purpose is to clean up messy diapers, many parents also use them to wipe down dirty hands, clean up small spills, and take care of any small cleaning job.

But when it comes to your pet, paws off! Baby wipes aren’t a good choice for cleaning your dog, and you should always use a damp washcloth or a pet wipe instead. Read on to learn about why you shouldn’t use baby wipes to clean your dog and what the alternatives are.

Baby Wipe Drawbacks

You’d think that if baby wipes were good enough for a newborn baby, they’d be safe for dogs too. But that’s not actually true. Babies and dogs have some pretty big differences, and their needs when it comes to cleaning are pretty different too.

First, baby wipes are made for human skin pH. Dogs and humans have different skin pH levels with canine skin being more alkaline than human skin. Baby wipes are formulated with the pH of human skin in mind and so repeated use may disrupt a dog’s skin pH level and lead to irritations and dryness.

The other reason to avoid baby wipes is because they can have harsh chemicals that can hurt your dog. Even though they’re safe enough to go on a baby’s bottom, baby wipes aren’t meant to be eaten. That’s fine for babies—they won’t get much if there is any wipe residue in their mouth. But there’s a much higher chance of your dog licking its own fur and getting cleaning chemicals in its mouth because of it. Although some wipes (especially natural or gentle formulas) are safer than others, it’s still best practice to keep your dog away from them.

Baby Wipes vs Pet Wipes

So if you can’t use baby wipes, what can you use? One option is to use a wet washcloth. But there’s also a purpose-made substitute—pet wipes. There are lots of pet wipes on the market, including our own Hepper Wash Wipes. Unlike baby wipes, pet wipes are designed to match the pH of your dog or cat’s skin and fur, ensuring that they won’t irritate or dry out your pet’s skin. They also are made of safe, gentle ingredients to protect your dog’s safety. Some pet wipes also include dog-safe moisturizing ingredients. They’re a great way to keep your dog clean with minimum hassle.

Types of Pet Wipes

If you do want to get pet wipes, there are two main types: reusable and disposable. Reusable pet wipes are soft washcloths made of dog-safe materials. You can dampen them with water to clean up after your pet. Reusable pet wipes are usually very similar to eco-friendly washcloths made for cleaning, and a standard washcloth makes for a good substitute.

Disposable pet wipes look and feel more like baby wipes, but they’re meant to be gentler on dogs than a baby wipe. Their pH is formulated to moisturize and soothe doggy skin and fur, not dry it out or irritate it. They generally are made of all-natural ingredients that won’t hurt your dog if the area is licked after using the wipe. They also are unscented or use natural scents. Disposable pet wipes are a great choice if you want all the convenience of baby wipes without putting your dog at risk.

Pet Wipe Uses

There are lots of reasons why owners love using pet wipes. They are great for an overall clean if you don’t have time for a bath or your dog gets a little ripe in between baths. They can also be used for spot cleaning to get rid of dirt, mud, or grease on your pet’s fur. Another common use for pet wipes is as a paw cleaner—you can give your pet’s paws a quick clean when they come in from the outdoors to save your floors from dirty paw prints.

Last Thoughts

Baby wipes might be convenient, but they aren’t ideal for dogs. While an occasional wipe to remove a bit of surface dirt is unlikely to cause a problem, repeated use could disrupt the pH of your dog’s skin and cause skin irritations. Luckily there are many pet wipes especially formulated for the job and a wet washcloth works well too!

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Featured Image Credit: ND700, Shutterstock