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Even the most fastidious pet parent has occasionally stared down a pet covered in mud—with no bathtub in sight. In a pinch, it might be tempting to reach for baby wipes, hand wipes, or even the cleaning wipes you keep stored under the kitchen sink. After all, these handy options tend to be more available (and frequently cheaper) than what you’ll find at a pet store.
But while these wipes might solve the immediate problem of keeping your dog or cat from tracking dirt and grime through your house or car, are cleaning wipes safe for pets? To get the scoop on what wipes are best for our furry companions, we got the advice of three expert veterinarians: Athena Gaffud, DVM at Veterinarians.org; Iram Sharma, DVM and Writer at PupVine; and Alex Schechter, DVM at Burrwood Veterinary in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Are Cleaning Wipes Safe for Pets?
It’s not a good idea to reach for a canister of disinfecting cleaning wipes for your furry friend.
“Household cleaning wipes are definitely not advisable to use on pets!” says Dr. Gaffud.
Dr. Sharma agrees: “I would not recommend household cleaning wipes. In fact, I urge pet owners not to use these ever.”
Closing out a unanimous vote against household cleaning wipes, Dr. Schechter explains, “Cleaning wipes should not be used on pets, as they may have harmful ingredients or could dry out their skin.”
Are Clorox wipes safe for pets?
Bleach, one of the main ingredients in Clorox wipes, is particularly hazardous for pets, says Dr. Gaffud, and should be avoided. Bleach isn’t good for a pet’s skin, and it’s even more dangerous if ingested, which, if we’re honest, is likely. Wiping your dog’s fur or paws with cleaning wipes may remove dirt and grime, but it also leaves some of the cleaning solution behind for our pets to lick off.
Are Lysol wipes pet-safe?
They may not have bleach in them, but Lysol wipes contain several other harsh chemicals that are dangerous for pets. So while they’re perfect for cleaning doorknobs and countertops, you should never use them on your dog or cat.
zoranm via iStock
Are Human Wipes Safe for Pets?
It’s clear that disinfecting wipes are a bad idea for keeping our pets clean. But what about human wipes? After all, if they’re safe for us, they’re safe for our pups and kitties, right? And baby wipes are extra gentle, so shouldn’t they be okay? According to our experts, that’s not quite the case.
Are adult wipes safe for pets?
Maybe, but not necessarily—it’s best to avoid using them on our furry friends.
To understand why human wet wipes aren’t the best choice for our pets, it’s helpful to understand the differences in our skin. All skin (human, canine, or feline) is covered with a thin layer called the “acid mantle.” This layer acts as a barrier, protecting our skin from becoming infected by the millions of bacteria and other toxins we encounter daily.
The acid mantle is, per its name, slightly acidic, but the acidity, or pH level, is different in humans than in dogs and cats. Dogs, for example, typically have a pH level somewhere between 5.5 and 7.5, while humans usually fall between 5.2 and 6.2.
When we bathe, we wash away the acid mantle along with any dirt and sweat that has built up. This would put our skin at risk for infection, but soaps and shampoos are designed to help restore the protective barrier at the same time. The right formula to rebalance and protect the skin varies by species. That’s why it’s always recommended that dogs and cats use specialized shampoos, and cleansing wipes are no different.
Chalabala via iStock
“Being kind to your pet’s skin and coat is an essential feature of a decent pet wipe,” says Dr. Schechter. “This means that the wipe should have a pH level of 7 and contain no harsh chemicals that could irritate or aggravate a dog’s allergies.”
Alcohol, which is commonly found in human hand sanitizers and wipes, is one of the main chemicals of concern. But Dr. Schechter notes that there are other ingredients to be cautious of as well, such as fragrances and preservatives. Dr. Gaffud explains that these types of “irritating compounds might disrupt skin pH and cause skin problems.”
Are baby wipes safe for pets?
Made for young children’s delicate skin, baby wipes are often much gentler on the skin than those for adults. But proper pH is still an issue, and our experts say that even baby wipes should be avoided as much as possible. However, all three agree that it’s better to use baby wipes for pets than adult wipes—but only in rare cases, when a pet-safe alternative isn’t available, and only if you first confirm that the ingredients are safe.
Tatiana Dyuvbanova via iStock
Do You Need Different Pet Wipes for Different Situations?
The short answer is yes, it’s a good idea to buy pet wipes specific to your friend’s need. And there are a lot of different needs out there.
You might use pet wipes for muddy paws, gunky build-up in their eyes, dust and dander on their fur, a bit of poo remaining after a potty break, and more. They’re great for a quick refresh between baths and helpful in removing dirt and allergens from your pet’s coat.
Pet wipes are even more important for pets dealing with certain skin conditions, a fear of water, or mobility issues that make bath time uncomfortable or unsafe.
“Different pet wipe can serve different purposes,” says Dr. Sharma, “so it’s important to choose the right wipe for the task at hand.”
Do eyes and ears need different wipes from fur and paws? What about butts?
Dr. Sharma explains that ingredients, as well as the concentration of each ingredient, vary depending on the intended use of the wipe. “For example, eye and ear pet wipes are formulated with gentle ingredients that won’t cause irritation or discomfort.”
Dr. Schechter highlights another reason to use a variety of wipes for your pet, rather than one all-purpose product: “Using specific wipes for different purposes can help prevent the spread of bacteria or other pathogens.”
He uses paws and eyes as an example; by using the same wipe on a dog’s paws as on their face, you could be giving bacteria a free ride to a more vulnerable spot on the body, resulting in infection.
Marut Khobtakhob via iStock
Do dogs and cats need different wipes?
While many pet wipes are safe for both cats and dogs, they’re not always interchangeable, and pet parents should make sure to choose the right wipes for their pet’s species.
“Just like you wouldn’t feed your dog cat food, you should not use cat wipes on dogs, and vice versa,” says Dr. Sharma.
Cats and dogs have different pH levels in their skin, and they don’t react to smells and ingredients in the same way. Plus, there are practical differences to consider: dogs are, on average, much larger than cats, and may need bigger wipes to get the job done.
Do kittens and puppies need different wipes than adult pets?
In general, a high-quality pet wipe is safe for dogs and cats of all ages, says Dr. Gaffud. Dr. Schechter adds that skin changes throughout a pet’s life may call for slightly different formulas: gentle wipes may be best for puppies and kittens, while moisturizing additives can help to keep an older dog feeling good.
What Makes a Good Pet Wipe?
The most important factor in a good cleaning wipe that’s safe for pets is the ingredients, say our experts. Even if the wipes are being sold as pet-safe, it’s important to read the label to be sure.
“It’s not okay to use pet wipes that contain alcohol, antiseptics, sulfates, parabens, and other strong chemicals that are harmful to pets,” says Dr. Gaffud. Also on the list of ingredients to avoid? Synthetic fragrance, phthalates, phosphates, and dyes.
On the positive side, she says that “a good pet wipe should be hypoallergenic, odorless, made of environment-friendly materials without plastic, and contain natural ingredients that are safe for ingestion.”
Pet wipe ingredients that are generally safe include:
- aloe vera
- water
- vitamin A
- vitamin E
- chamomile
- glycerin
- coconut oil
marcoventuriniautieri via iStock
Wipes for every pet and situation
Once you know that a wipe is generally safe for use with pets, you can start to get more specific to your cat or dog’s needs.
“Cats are more sensitive to smells,” says Dr. Sharma, making it extra important to use an unscented wipe for your feline friends. Furbliss Unscented Pet Wipes check the boxes for a cat-friendly clean with no added fragrance.
Dogs, on the other hand, may benefit more from large wipes with cleaning and deodorizing properties. Nature’s Miracle Deodorizing Bath Wipes are 7 inches by 8 inches and help to knock out stinky dog smells with no sulfates, parabens, or dyes. Deodorizing is also essential when it comes to your pet’s butt; Glandex Rear-End Wipes match powerful deodorizers with soothing moisturizers for cleaning and comfort.
For eyes and ears, wipes should be extra gentle and non-irritating. Miracle Care Eye Wash Pads and Pet MD Advanced Ear Wipes (both suitable for dogs and cats) are good examples.
For your pet’s paws, skin, and coat, moisturizing ingredients are key. For cats, Burt’s Bees Dander Reducing Wipes include aloe vera and colloidal oat flour, while Burt’s Bees Multipurpose Wipes are infused with honey for dogs.
No added fragrance makes these Furbliss pet wipes a good choice for cats and dogs with sensitive noses.
Who Shouldn’t Use Pet Wipes?
Who shouldn’t use pet wipes? Well, humans, for one. Just as wet wipes for humans aren’t good for our pets, their wipes aren’t the best choice for us either.
But for our pets, Dr. Gafffud recommends that you skip the wipes on open wounds, when there is a skin rash or other skin disease, or in cases of allergic flare-ups. In those cases, it’s best to follow the recommendations of your pet’s veterinarian.
Both Dr. Sharma and Dr. Schechter note that while pet wipes are useful in many situations, it is also possible to overuse them. Too many swipes can result in dry, irritated skin—and they’re no substitution for a proper bath, either. In most cases, Dr. Sharma recommends using plain water to clean your pet instead.
As an alternative to wiping down muddy paws, you might try a paw cleaner to remove dirt and grime, or booties to help keep paws clean from the start. Rain jackets ward off the dreaded wet dog smell, while dry shampoos or even a good grooming session offer another cleansing solution when bath time simply isn’t possible.
And of course, there’s always the option of embracing our lovable little stinkers, dust, dander, and all—with appropriately-timed baths to support good health and hygiene, of course.
How We Chose
The pet wipes featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts.
Following our experts’ advice, we prioritized high-quality, natural formulas free of fragrances and harsh chemicals. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.