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Between muddy paws, drool, and the occasional accident, your dog’s bed, blankets, and toys can get dirty fast. And if you’ve shopped for laundry supplies lately, you may have noticed a growing number of detergents made specifically for pets, with promises to tackle odors and stains while being gentler on your dog’s skin.
But are they actually any different from the detergent you already use? Most of us aren’t looking to add another expense to our bills for household essentials. So I spoke to two veterinarians to find out what sets pet laundry detergents apart from regular ones, and which ones are the best if you find that you should be using one of these formulas to clean your furry friend’s things.
What is pet laundry detergent?
Pet laundry detergent is exactly what it sounds like: detergent sold with your pet’s things in mind. “Pet laundry detergents are products marketed specifically for washing things pets use, such as bedding, blankets, crate pads, washable toys, towels, and clothing,” says Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian at Vetster, a pet telehealth company.
That doesn’t mean your dog’s bed needs its own special soap, though. “Pet laundry detergent is more of a marketing term than a necessity, and most pets do not need a detergent specifically formulated for them,” says Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance. “If owners do choose a pet-specific product, one potential benefit is that it may contain enzymes or other ingredients designed to break down pet-related stains and odors, which can be especially useful for washing bedding, towels, and toys.”
The best laundry detergents for pets
If you decide a pet-specific formula is right for your household, there are plenty of options to choose from. To help narrow them down, I rounded up highly-rated pet laundry detergents. Each made-for-pets detergent in this list is designed to tackle the stains and odors that come with washing your dog’s (or cat’s) bedding, blankets, and toys. NBC Selected editors also shared the detergents they use for their pets below.
This powder detergent uses enzymes to break down pet urine, sweat, oils, and other protein-based stains, the kind of formula Cahn says can be especially useful for bedding, towels, and toys. It’s designed to neutralize stubborn stenches like wet dog smell, and it works in standard and high-efficiency washers. A 2-pound bag handles up to 64 loads, according to the brand, so even though it’s a bit pricey it should last you a while.
This detergent is a triple-concentrated, low-sudsing liquid that’s safe for high-efficiency washers, and the brand says it tackles tough odors, stains, and heavy soils. A 64-ounce jug handles up to 96 washes, so depending on how often you wash your fur babies’ things, you’ll likely have it for several months.
This liquid detergent uses a blend of enzymes to lift stains and odors that come from urine, feces, blood, saliva, and vomit. It’s free of dyes and fragrance, the type of formula Myers says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests for pets with sensitive skin. It also comes in a lightly scented version and they both work in high-efficiency washers. You’ll need 1 to 2 ounces for a regular-size load, so this 32-ounce bottle may not last as long as some of the others on this list.
This isn’t a detergent on its own but an additive you pour in with your regular detergent. It’s designed to remove tough pet odors from beds, blankets, carriers, and collars in a single wash, according to the brand, and it works in standard and high-efficiency washers. You only need no more than a capful for light odors, so unless you have a furry friend who gets into really stinky things, this 98-ounce bottle will last a long time.
NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans uses this detergent for her entire family, including her 3-year-old silky terrier Minni. “Thankfully she doesn’t shed, but she does start to smell like a corn chip factory between baths. Every time I bathe her, I wash her blankets, harnesses, bedding and favorite toys in this,” she says. “I’ve never had an issue getting odors out — though, she is only 7 pounds. I just love that she isn’t particularly sensitive, so I don’t need to invest in anything outside of what we already buy.”
Evans does have a bag of Active Pet Laundry Detergent that she got from a colleague to test. “If ever there’s a smell or stain that my tried-and-true won’t remove, I’m switching to this,” she says.
I recently switched my entire family over to this laundry detergent — including my 7-year-old French bulldog, Myko. It’s gentle enough for my kids, as well as Myko’s sensitive skin. French bulldogs are notoriously prone to allergies and Myko frequently has little red patches of irritation. The last thing I want is lingering detergent on her favorite blanket or harness to further inflame her skin. This detergent is free of chemicals, but still manages to get out gross pet odors, stains and more.
What is the difference between pet detergent and regular laundry detergent?
Despite the special labels, pet laundry detergents may not be all that different from what’s already in your laundry room. “Veterinary hospitals have been washing enormous quantities of animal bedding for a very long time without requiring a special category of pet detergent,” says Myers. “Based on the evidence we currently have, I wouldn’t tell pet owners they need a special detergent simply because the laundry belongs to their pet.”
In fact, public health guidance points to the detergent you already own. “The CDC’s guidance on cleaning and disinfecting pet supplies specifically recommends ordinary laundry detergent for machine-washing soft pet items and says it’s okay to wash pet items with your clothes,” says Myers. “For pets described as having sensitive skin, the CDC says detergent without dyes or fragrance may be a good choice.” So if your dog’s skin is easily irritated, a free-and-clear formula, whether or not it’s labeled for pets, may be the better pick.
Frequently asked questions
Pet laundry detergent will work on most of the soft goods your dog uses every day. “Basically, you can use pet laundry detergent on anything belonging to your pet that the manufacturer says can go in the wash, including removable bed covers, blankets, crate pads, towels, washable fabric toys, and pet clothing,” says Myers.
Before you toss something in, check its care label for washing and drying instructions, since some items, like beds with foam inserts, may need to be washed in pieces or by hand.
“Some breeds are more likely to develop allergic and other skin diseases, but that’s not the same thing as certain breeds needing special laundry detergent,” says Myers. That said, Cahn does say that certain breeds have a higher predisposition to atopic dermatitis and other skin problems, including bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers, Chinese shar-peis, dalmatians, golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, Lhasa apsos, Scottish terriers, shih tzus, and West Highland white terriers.
“For a dog with diagnosed allergies or otherwise sensitive skin, it is reasonable to choose an unscented, dye-free detergent, and make sure that the laundry is thoroughly rinsed,” says Cahn.
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Meet our veterinarians
At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Jo Myers is a veterinarian at Vetster, a pet telehealth company.
- Dr. Liza Cahn is veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty, home and lifestyle. I have written about how often you should wash your makeup brushes, portable washing machines and more. I am also a dog mom to Myko, my 7-year-old French Bulldog, who has very sensitive skin. For this story, I interviewed two veterinarians on how pet laundry detergents differ from regular detergent.
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