We all know just how mischievous puppies can be.
You look away for a minute and before you know it, they have left behind a trail of destruction that is both annoying and cute.
If they get out of the house, don’t be shocked to find them wallowing in mud.
And you will have no choice but to give them a good wash.
But what do you do when your pup gets all dirty and you have run out of dog shampoo?
Well, if you have a natural soap at home like Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, you can probably use it safely on your dog.
By the way, are you an enthusiast of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap like me?
I love the soap so much and keep at least a bottle of the liquid version on my detergent shelf pretty much all the time.
Anyway, is it safe for our canine friends? Well, let’s investigate if there are any concerns about the soap, especially when it comes to washing your Fido with it.
Quick Facts about Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
- It is pure-castile soap i.e it’s formulated with vegetable ingredients—and not animal fats or synthetic ingredients
- It is non-GMO verified
- It is free of irritants, fillers, or artificial fragrances
- It is non-toxic and biodegradable, making it safe for the environment
- It is formulated with pure essential oils like coconut, almond, jojoba, avocado, castor, and walnut oils
- They come in multiple scents, including eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, almond, rose, citrus, and peppermint.
To be more precise, I will focus on the last scent: Peppermint Castile Soap
Can you Use Peppermint Castile Soap On your Dog?
Yes, you can! Peppermint castile soap is safe to use on your dog for a nuseveralid reasons:
- According to a past official Dr. Bronner’s update on their social media handles, peppermint castile soap is not only safe for dogs but also does much more than just clean your dog’s coat. The soap is also formulated to repel critters like ticks and fleas while leaving behind a cooling sensation and incredibly soft fur.
- The soap is plant-based and free of any synthetic ingredients, which makes it safe for the entire family and it has no harmful effects on the environment—according to Healthline.
Won’t The Essential Oils In The Soap Harm My Dog?
Since Dr. Bronner’s castile soaps are scented with essential oils, you are probably already worried about their impacts on your dog.
Well, I am glad if you do because it shows that you are always cautious about what you use on your furry baby.
Peppermint essential oil (which is used on Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint castile soap) can be quite potent for dogs at high concentrations.
At high concentrations, most essential oils easily get absorbed via the skin of your dog, which will result in a host of health issues, including painful sores and burns.
Learn more from these two posts:
Is Diffusing Peppermint Oil Safe for Dogs?
Which Essential Oils are Toxic to Dogs?
All in all, essential oils are not necessarily bad for dogs—the main issue is the concentration (and the mode of delivery).
Any dog product that is formulated with essential oils should always be diluted to make them safe for dogs.
This fact is also supported by VCA animal hospital vets who agree that essential oils in low concentrations are probably fine for dogs.
Let’s now focus on Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint castile soap: what’s the concentration of peppermint essential in the soap?
Thankfully, the essential oil concentration in peppermint castile soap is only 2%, which makes it safe to use on your dog.
2% essential oil concentration is considerably low and Pet Poison Helpline considers it safe for dogs.
Furthermore, the soap is still going to be diluted further during use. This means that the concentration (which is our main concern) is going to be cut further, making it even safer for our pups.
Finally, considering that you are going to rinse the soap off your dog immediately after bathing him with it, the exposure time of the soap on your dog’s body is also going to be shorter, especially when you compare it to a doggy lotion or any other leave-in doggy product.
In sum, the low initial concentration of Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint castile soap, the dilution aspect when using the soap, and the short rinse-off window all eliminate the concerns about the safety of peppermint essential oil ingredients in the soap.
Dogs Sensitive to Essential Oils
If your dog is sensitive to essential oils or scents of peppermint oil, then just avoid using the castile soap on him.
Remember that your dog has a stronger sense of smell, so things like peppermint oil could be overwhelming for him or make it difficult for him to breathe.
But if you insist on trying Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, I recommend that you opt for the unscented version.
Finally, consider using a small amount to gauge how your dog reacts to the soap. This is also important if you are using Dr. Bronner’s soap on your dog for the first time.
If he manifests a negative reaction, it means that he has sensitive skin and you should avoid using the soap on him.
If nothing significant happens, it means that the castile soap is probably good for him and you can use it normally. (Remember the soap can have a calming effect on itchy skin).
What If the Castile Soap Accidentally Gets In My Dog’s Eyes?
If Dr. Bronner’s soap accidentally gets into your dog’s eyes, mouth, or ears, try to wipe it or rinse it off immediately.
For the most part, a small accident shouldn’t be that big of a deal because the soap is made of natural ingredients and as I have already pointed out, the concentration of essential oils is not too high.
However, you may still want to keep a keen eye on your furry friend just to make sure he is not exhibiting any adverse signs of a reaction to the soap.
If you see any abnormal symptoms, visit the vet for examination and possible treatment.
Final Notes: Hard Facts on Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile Soap’s Effect on Fleas
Another common concern among dog owners when it comes to using Dr. Bronner’s on their pups is: Does Dr. Bronner’s castile soap kill fleas?
The quick answer is YES. It does…But only when it comes into contact with these critters when they are wet i.e when you are washing your pup.
So, once your dog’s fur dries out, the soap won’t have any significant effect on the fleas.
The soap won’t kill flea eggs either.
To kill fleas on your dog, either bathe your dog frequently with castile soap (so that you can constantly kill newly hatched fleas) or opt for products that are known to kill fleas on dogs.
Check the following posts for more ideas: 50 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog
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