Just because we can, doesn’t mean that we should.
Yes, dawn dish soap can technically kill fleas…
But here’s what it also does:
🔹 Strips natural oils.
Dawn dish soap is a degreaser, it is designed to cut through grease. It can strip away the natural oils on the skin, leading to dryness, itchiness, irritation and hair loss.
🔹 Contains chemicals I wouldn’t use on myself—let alone my pets
To be honest, I won’t even use Dawn on my dishes because of the harsh ingredients. I definitely wouldn’t use it on my beloved pet. Here’s why:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
These foaming agents help cut grease—but they’re harsh. They dry out skin and can damage your pet’s protective skin barrier.
Fragrance (Parfum)
This vague term can represent hundreds of synthetic chemicals—many of which are known irritants and allergens.
Dyes (like Blue 1)
Bright blue looks nice in a bottle, but adds no cleaning value and can be irritating to pets—Some studies have linked synthetic dyes, including Blue 1, to health issues in humans and rodents, including tumors, allergies, and hypersensitivity.
Methylisothiazolinone & Methylchloroisothiazolinone
These preservatives help keep soap shelf-stable, but they’re linked to allergic skin reactions and may even have neurotoxic effects.
PS.—-The US doesn’t require cleaning product manufacturers to list every ingredient, and some ingredients are “proprietary”
| So why do wildlife rescuers use it? Yes, Dawn is sometimes used to clean wildlife after oil spills—but that’s an emergency, life-or-death situation. When a duck is covered in oil, fast removal is critical.For something like fleas (or even skunk spray), there are far safer and more effective options made specifically for pets. Want to ditch the dish soap? Our favorite brand is Kin + Kind—they make both flea & tick shampoo and skunk shampoo that are safe, effective, and gentle. So safe, in fact, I’d use it on my own hair.Because your pet deserves more than what’s under the kitchen sink. 💛 |