Is baby shampoo safe for cats? The answer is yes, but you need to know how much your cat can take without causing an upset stomach. Most people are familiar with the term “baby-safe” when it comes to household products. The Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) require manufacturers to ensure that products meant for use by babies and young children will not harm them.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

Well, it is if we consider the fact that their safety standards are much higher than ours when it comes to product labeling. For baby products to be labeled as “safe” or “unsafe” for babies, they must pass the AAPCC (American Association of Poison Control Centers) toxicity tests. The reason why they are stricter is due to how their smaller body weight and internal organ functions differ from adults. There are five basic categories of household products; cleaners, polishes, cosmetics, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Soap, shampoo, hair dye, and cosmetics are categorized as cosmetics. Baby shampoo is included in this category.

There is no reason to worry about using baby shampoo on your cat unless you feel that it is being overdosed! A little goes a long way when using it for cats so be generous when applying the shampoo. A little bit of that baby-smelling shampoo is enough to produce a rich lathering on your cat’s body and you only need a few drops! Cat’s skin is highly sensitive and harsh chemicals can cause serious damage to them. Pets in general are known for licking their coats or bodies after being scrubbed with soaps. That’s why the baby-safe soap must be mild and unscented. The ingredients should not contain anything that will irritate your pet.

If you are using natural baby shampoo, it is highly recommended that you test it out first on an inconspicuous portion of your pet’s coat to make sure there are no allergic reactions or adverse effects. Shampoos containing ingredients such as grapefruit, avocado, coconut, olive oil, and apricot are perfectly safe for use on cats because all these are very mild in nature.