No Blue Dish Soap Please! Degreasing a Pet

Very commonly we are faced with that greasy or greasy/smelling pet and we reach for the dish soap to solve the problem. In reality, if you remove all the grease you actually make it worse! The body produces grease/sebum because something is not right with the skin and hair. Removing it just sends the body into shock because the “grease” is a reaction or a symptom, not the disease. Some pets will over-produce as a response to irritation while others will produce grease because they were already dehydrated. Either way, you didn’t fix it.

Here are a few ways to address a “grease” issue:

• Oil dissolves oil – use a plant based oil (made for pets; not cooking oils)
• Use a CLOSE-OPEN-CLOSE technique: hydrating conditioner – shampoo – hydrating conditioner
• Address bacterial or yeast (fungal) issues with the proper shampoos
• Look for the source of the problem: blood work with a veterinarian

No pet should ever be degreased with a heavy detergent!!!

Why Dish Soap Is the Wrong Tool for a Greasy Pet

Dish soap is designed to cut grease from pots and pans. On a pet, it strips away nearly all of the natural oil (sebum) on the skin and hair at once. That leaves the skin dry and unprotected, and the body often responds by producing even more oil. The pet looks clean for a day or two, then becomes greasier and smellier than before.

Except in true emergencies such as a pet covered in motor oil or another toxic substance, where your veterinarian should guide you, a pet should not be degreased with a heavy detergent.

What Causes a Greasy Coat?

Greasy skin is a symptom, not the disease. Common reasons a pet overproduces oil include:

• Seborrhea, a disorder of skin cell turnover that causes greasy or flaky skin
• Skin irritation or allergies, which trigger the skin to protect itself
• Dehydration of the skin and hair, often from harsh shampoos or skipping conditioner
• Bacterial or yeast overgrowth, which often adds a strong odor. See why some skin infections just won’t go away
• Hormonal or metabolic disease, such as thyroid problems. See relief from hormonal skin disease

How to Degrease a Pet Without Stripping the Skin

1. Let oil dissolve oil. Work a plant-based oil made for pets (not a cooking oil) into the greasy areas first. Like dissolves like, so the oil loosens built-up grease gently.
2. Use CLOSE-OPEN-CLOSE. Apply a hydrating conditioner, then a shampoo, then a hydrating conditioner again. The first conditioner protects the hair, the shampoo cleanses, and the final conditioner restores the sebum layer.
3. Give products time. Dilute Iv San Bernard products about 1 part product to 3 parts water and leave them on for about 5 minutes before rinsing.
4. Address bacteria and yeast with the proper shampoos if odor or infection is present.
5. Find the source. If greasiness keeps returning, ask your veterinarian about blood work to look for an underlying cause.

Browse our de-greasing products and pet-safe oils. For cats, watch our degreasing cats video.

Degreasing Cats and Specific Breeds

Cats can develop greasy coats, especially along the back and tail base, when they are older, overweight or unable to groom themselves well. Breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds and West Highland White Terriers are also known for oily skin. The same gentle principle applies to all of them: dissolve, cleanse gently, and always restore hydration.

When to See Your Veterinarian

Book a veterinary visit if the greasy coat comes with hair loss, red or crusty skin, a strong odor, itching, ear infections, weight change or increased thirst. These can point to an infection or an underlying medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to wash a dog with dish soap?

Dish soap is not recommended for routine use on pets. It strips the natural oils from the skin and hair, which can dry the skin and cause the body to produce even more oil.

How do you degrease a dog’s greasy coat?

Work a pet-safe plant-based oil into the greasy areas to dissolve built-up oil, then use a CLOSE-OPEN-CLOSE bath: hydrating conditioner, shampoo, then hydrating conditioner again.

Why is my dog’s coat so greasy?

Greasy coats are a symptom of something else, such as seborrhea, allergies, dehydrated skin, bacterial or yeast overgrowth, or a hormonal condition. If it persists, a veterinarian can help find the cause.

Why does my greasy dog smell bad?

A strong or musty odor with greasy skin often means bacteria or yeast are overgrowing. These need to be addressed with the proper shampoos and, if severe, veterinary care.