We pet owners all LOVE our furry friends don't we? Getting a dog is without doubt one of the best additions a family can make.
Whether they're a mutt or a perfect pedigree, they keep us company at home but also encourage us to get off our butts and take them for a walk. Entertainment and a friend to play with for the kids. And simply a friendly face when you return from work in the evening.
Though some are better trained than others of course, we love them no matter what. One of our Staffies will sit on the doormat when she comes in, waiting for her feet to be cleaned so that she can get a treat. The other one...well, not so much!
At team Cheeky we've been dog owners for years now and many customers buy our reusable wipes as cleaning wipes but also as pet wipes for dogs, to clean mucky paws, fur and skin when they return home from a walk. However there's some confusion around whether wet wipes for humans can be used on pets.
We thought a guide to using pet wipes would be helpful for that reason. Our ultimate guide to pet wipes covers:
We find that our pet wipes are brilliant when we've been out for a seafront walk and the pup has decided to take a sandy paddle. Or maybe we've been in the forest and have a mucky pup from taking a paddle in a puddle! Either way, pet wipes are great for cleaning feet before getting in the car or back into the house.
As your pet gets older, it's often the case that they begin to suffer continence issues and can't reliable get themselves outside to wee and poo. If that's the case you'll find dog and cat wipes really useful for cleaning up afterwards.
When your pet is in season, they may leave spots of blood behind them for several weeks. Using pet clean wipes allows you to gently wipe them often, avoiding mess on your carpets and furniture, but without leaving your pet sore.
apply water to the pet wipes to make them properly wet through
if you're at home you can apply a small amount of pet shampoo to the wipe
wipe whichever part of your pet needs cleaning
rinse with water and repeat
use a dry pet wipes to gently rub your pet dry
pop the soiled pet wipes into the washing machine
wash, dry and reuse
Can You Use Baby Wipes on Dogs?
No, it is not recommended that you use baby wipes on dogs, or any other pets. That's because the pH level on human skin is different to dogs so baby wipes are unsafe because they may cause irritation or itching. In addition because dogs will tend to lick their paws after washing, the ingredients in baby wipes may not be fit for doggy consumption.
It's also worth checking the ingredients on some disposable pet wipes, some of which contain Propylene Glycol, AKA anti-freeze, which is far from ideal to use on paws which may be licked!
For this reason, thesprucepets recommend a damp towel as being safe to clean your pet. Which is why we developed our range of reusable wipes which are used with simply water for effective, gentle cleaning.
Can You Use Antiseptic Wipes on Dogs?
No, you should not use antiseptic wipes on dogs, cats or any other pets. Again, that's because human skin varies from dog and cat skin and what is fine for us may well cause their skin to dry out or irritate them. Instead, try using our reusable pet wipes with some pet-friendly antiseptic spray.
Are Alcohol Wipes Safe for Dogs?
No, alcohol wipes are not safe for dogs, or other pets. In fact, Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) which is contained in alcohol wipes, if ingested is toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, disorientation, incoordination, and in severe cases, collapse, respiratory depression and seizures.
And although in theory our pets shouldn't have access to enough alcohol wipes to cause them harm, we all know of pesky pups who get into things they definitely shouldn't!
What Wipes Are Safe for Dogs?
Wipes made solely for pets are the only wipes you can safely use on your dogs paws, cat wipes, or other pets. Wipes which are safe for dogs, cats and other pets should be:
large enough to clean easily
stay moist to make cleaning quicker
fragrance free, no strong scent which may deter some animals
natural ingredients, no nasties
be eco-friendly and not contain plastic
What Wipes Are Safe for Cats?
Pet specific wipes are safe for cats, including Cheeky Pet wipes. It's not recommended to use baby wipes on cats because some ingredients in baby wipes may cause irritation or harm to cats, including lavender, aloe and Propylene Glycol.
'compostable' which means that they are only biodegradable under home composting conditions. They won't biodegrade quickly if in landfill inside a plastic bin bag for example
Are Pet Wipes Safe for Dogs & Cats?
Yes, wipes that are made specifically for dogs, cats or other pets are safe. However as mentioned above you shouldn't use wipes designed for humans on dogs or cats because it might irritate or dry out their skin.
It depends. Some dog wipes can be used on cats and some can't. The best advice is to check the side of the packet where it will normally show which animals the wipes can be used on. The good news is that Cheeky Reusable Pet Wipes can be used on cats or dogs as they use just plain water or a little of your pet's favourite shampoo.
No, we wouldn't recommend that you use disposable pet wipes on humans because human skin pH is different to pet skin. However you can use Cheeky Reusable Pet Wipes which are safe for humans as they are used with just plain water which is nature's best cleanser!
We hope you've enjoyed finding out more about pet wipes. If you're interested in reusable wipes kits for humans, our range of reusable baby wipes, baby hands & faces wipes and toilet paper alternative kits are available here at Cheeky Wipes Australia.
Perhaps that seems like a step too far? Our reusable makeup removing pads are the easiest eco-swap!
About the author: Helen Rankin is Mum to 4 humans and pet parent to 2 delightful Staffies. She founded Cheeky Wipes back in 2008 after using disposable baby wipes gave her a horrid eczema flare up. Since then the product range has expanded to include period pants, reusable sanitary pads and the latest addition, reusable puppy pads. The team were thrilled to be recognised for their hard work protecting our planet with the Queens Award for Enterprise in Suatainable Development in 2021.
.svg)
