Can I use human shampoo on my cat?

No. Human skin and cat skin have different pH levels, and human shampoos (including baby shampoo and dandruff shampoo) are formulated for human pH. Using them on a cat strips the natural oils that protect the cat’s skin, leading to dryness, flaking and sometimes worse irritation than what you were trying to fix. Anti-dandruff shampoos for humans often contain ingredients (zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide) that are toxic to cats. If your cat genuinely needs a bath, use a shampoo specifically formulated for cats, or talk to your vet for a medicated option.

When to call a vet: if you’ve already used human shampoo and your cat has skin irritation, redness or excessive scratching, see your vet.