Disclaimer: Always check with your vet on what “human topical treatments” your dog can and cannot use as information may vary based on their medical needs and health conditions.
If there’s one thing we’re all guilty of, it’s self-prescribing ointments and over the counter medications for ailments that’s “not serious enough” to see a doctor for. Especially when it comes to bumps and bruises, scrapes, muscle aches and rashes, we’ve all got a handful of creams and ointments we turn to as the first line of self-prescribed treatment.
All’s safe and fair of course until our doggos appear to be having a similar issue and we start asking ourselves if we can apply this ointment on them. Here are some situations where you should NOT be using human topical creams on your dog:
- Severe wounds or infections: for large, deep wounds or signs of infection, consult your vet.
- Allergic reactions: discontinue use if redness, swelling, or itching occurs.
- Eye area: avoid applying near eyes; use eye-specific products.
- Sensitive or broken skin: consult a vet if your dog has sensitive or raw skin.
- Underlying health issues: consult your vet if your dog has health conditions or is on other medications.
Read on to learn whether we should be using human topical creams on our pets and which is safe or will do more harm than good.
Table of Contents
1. Bepanthen
Is Bepanthen safe for dogs?
Yes, Bepanthen is generally safe for dogs when used topically, as it contains dexpanthenol (a form of Vitamin B5), which helps with skin healing.
Used for:
2. Sudocrem
Is Sudocrem good for dogs?
Yes, Sudocrem can be safe for dogs when used correctly and in small amounts. It contains zinc oxide, which can help soothe and protect the skin, making it effective for treating minor skin irritations, such as:
Sudocrem can be used for:
3. Hydrocortisone
Is Hydrocortisone safe for my dog?
Hydrocortisone can be safe for dogs when used topically and in appropriate amounts but should only be used for short periods (usually no more than a few days) as prolonged use can cause side effects, such as thinning of the skin). It is commonly used to treat:
Hydrocortisone can temporarily be used on:
4. Calamine Lotion
Is Calamine lotion good for dogs?
Yes, Calamine lotion can be safe for dogs when used properly and in small amounts.
Calamine Lotion is usually used for:
5. Crystaderm
Is Crystaderm safe for dogs?
Not ideal because Crystaderm is a topical cream commonly used to treat skin irritations and minor wounds in humans. While it is not specifically designed for dogs, it can be used in some cases for mild skin issues, such as:
Crystaderm can be applied, in very small amounts to:
For safety, it’s best to use pet-specific products that are formulated for dogs. If Crystaderm is recommended by your vet, follow their instructions carefully.
6. Campho - Phenique
Is Campho Phenique good for dogs as well?
No, Campho-Phenique is not recommended for use on dogs. It contains active ingredients like camphor and phenol, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested or absorbed in significant amounts. Avoid for its serious side-effects.
Campho - Phenique's active ingredients can cause side effects:
If your dog has a skin issue, it’s best to consult your veterinarian for a safer, dog-specific treatment. If you suspect your dog has ingested or been exposed to Campho-Phenique, contact your vet immediately.
How Petchef helps avoid health issues for your dog
When it comes to itchiness, rashes, hot spots and other skin problems, many of those are attributed to negative and/or allergic reactions to artificial ingredients in commercial dog food, especially kibbles.
Which is why at Petchef, we ensure that all the ingredients that go into our dog food recipes are made of fresh, clean ingredients only! All the meals tailored for dogs contain:
It’s completely free of preservatives, additives, fillers and grains! If you’d love for your dog to eat the food they were born to eat, come have a chat with our friendly pet nutritionist to find the ideal meal for your pet. Or sign up on our site directly and order a batch of food for to try for 2 weeks.
As long as you remove the seeds and offer only small portions, guava can be a healthy, occasional treat for your dog. Always observe how your dog reacts after trying new foods and consult your vet if you’re unsure about your dog’s diet.
7. Savlon
Can Savlon be used safely for my dog?
Yes, Savlon, a common antiseptic cream, contains ingredients like cetrimide and chlorhexidine, which are generally safe for dogs when used topically in small amounts:
Savlon can be safely used on dogs for:
8. Human Antiseptic
Are human Anti-septics safe for dogs?
Not ideal and should be used with caution. Some human antiseptics contain ingredients that can be toxic, irritating, or unsuitable for dogs like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine-based solutions.
Some antiseptic creams or solutions (e.g., those with chlorhexidine or betadine) can be used to clean minor wounds in dogs to help prevent infection. Certain antiseptic products can also help sooth and disinfect small skin irritations.
There are many antiseptic products formulated specifically for pets, which are safer and more effective for treating common skin conditions and wounds in dogs. This is especially important as dogs tend to lick their wounds hence there’s risk of ingestion.
9. Human Anti-fungal Creams
Are anti-fungal creams safe for dogs?
Human antifungal creams can sometimes be safe for dogs, but it’s essential to be cautious. Some antifungal creams contain ingredients that may be harmful to dogs (e.g., steroids or alcohol), while others can be used effectively for treating fungal infections.
Here’s when human antifungal cream might be safe for your dog:
10. Dettol
Is Dettol safe for dogs?
No, Dettol, a common antiseptic and disinfectant, is not safe for dogs. It contains ingredients like chloroxylenol and terpineol, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested or absorbed through their skin.
Here’s why Dettol is not safe to be used on your dog:
11. Lidocaine
Is Lidocaine safe to use on dogs?
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic used in both humans and animals to numb areas of the body, but it must be used with caution in dogs.
While lidocaine is sometimes used in veterinary medicine, it can be toxic to dogs if not used properly or in appropriate doses, causing symptoms like vomiting, seizures, lethargy, and even heart problems.
Always use it with a proper consult from your vet and Never Use Over-the-Counter Lidocaine meant for humans on dogs without veterinary guidance.
12. E45
Is E45 cream good dogs?
Yes, E45 cream, a popular emollient used to treat dry and itchy skin in humans, is generally safe for dogs for external use in small amounts, provided there are no harmful ingredients or allergic reactions.
E45 cream is primarily used to treat skin conditions such as:
For dogs, it can be used to relieve dry or irritated skin, minor rashes, or flaky patches, but you should always check with your vet before applying it, especially if the skin issue is more serious.
13. Vaseline
Is Vaseline good for dogs?
Yes, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is generally safe for dogs when used externally in small amounts for specific purposes
What Vaseline can be used for:
Summary on using human topical creams on dogs
Congrats, you’ve made it to the end of the article and you’re convinced to try using your human topical cream on your doggo’s condition. Here’s how to safely apply topical creams on your dog:
- Clean the area: wash with lukewarm water and mild soap, then pat dry.
- Apply a thin layer: use a small amount of Bepanthen and apply a thin layer to the area.
- Massage gently: lightly massage to ensure absorption, avoiding too much pressure.
- Monitor: ensure your dog doesn’t lick the area. Use a cone if needed as ingesting large amounts can lead to stomach upset.
- Repeat: reapply 1–2 times a day until healed or as advised by your vet.
If you’re unsure or the issue doesn’t improve, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet for further guidance.
