Washing Turtles: Is Dawn Dish Soap Safe?

It is not recommended to use Dawn dish soap to wash a turtle or clean its tank. While Dawn is marketed as safe for animals, it is only non-toxic for certain species. The soap contains methylisothiazolinone, a biocide that is highly toxic to freshwater and marine organisms, including turtles. Additionally, turtles absorb water through their anuses, so using soap can cause them to ingest it, leading to an upset stomach.

Dawn dish soap is toxic to turtles

The presence of methylisothiazolinone in Dawn dish soap is a cause for concern. This chemical is a biocide, which means it is designed to kill undesirable organisms, similar to insecticides and herbicides. While it is registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency, it has been deemed "practically non-toxic to birds" but highly toxic to freshwater and marine life.

The marketing campaigns for Dawn dish soap often feature animals, leading consumers to believe that the product is safe for all creatures. However, it is important to understand that what is non-toxic for one species may not be safe for another.

When cleaning a turtle's cage, it is recommended to use products specifically formulated for reptiles. These products are designed to effectively clean and disinfect the habitat while being safe for turtles. Regular maintenance, such as removing uneaten food and partial water changes, should also be practised to maintain good sanitation.

In summary, Dawn dish soap should not be used to clean turtles or their habitats due to its toxic ingredients, particularly methylisothiazolinone, which is harmful to aquatic life.

Methylisothiazolinone is a biocide that kills bacteria, viruses and other pathogens

It is unsafe to wash a turtle with Dawn dish soap or any other soap. While Dawn may not be harmful to mammals and birds, it is toxic to aquatic organisms such as turtles. Even the residue of this soap poses a threat due to its highly toxic nature.

Methylisothiazolinone is a biocide, which means it kills undesirable organisms, much like insecticides and herbicides. It is a common chemical found in a broad range of products, including shampoos, sunscreens, and liquid soaps. Its purpose is to control microbial growth in water-containing solutions and prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products.

Methylisothiazolinone is an organic compound with the formula S(CH)2C(O)NCH3. It is a white solid and belongs to a class of heterocycles known as isothiazolinones. While this chemical preservative helps prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing pathogens, it has also been associated with adverse health effects in humans.

Methylisothiazolinone has attracted attention due to its allergenic properties, particularly its link to contact dermatitis. It was named "Contact Allergen of the Year" in 2013 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. The compound has also been associated with lung toxicity, possible neurotoxicity, and cytotoxicity. In rats, exposure to high concentrations of methylisothiazolinone resulted in symptoms such as significant weight gain and death, caused by reddened lungs and swollen intestines.

Due to these health concerns, the use of methylisothiazolinone has been scrutinized and restricted in certain products. The European Union and Canada have implemented bans or voluntary restrictions on the use of this compound in leave-on cosmetic products, and the EU has limited its concentration in rinse-off products.

Salmonella is a bacteria that turtles can carry, which can make humans very ill

It is unsafe to wash a turtle with Dawn dish soap. The soap is toxic to turtles and can be harmful, or even dangerous, to use with aquatic organisms.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans. It is very common for reptiles, including turtles, to carry Salmonella without showing any clinical signs. The bacteria are part of their normal gastrointestinal flora.

People can get Salmonella by coming into contact with turtles or their habitats. The germs can be present on the turtle's body, in the water they live or swim in, and on any surfaces the turtle has been placed on, such as countertops, tabletops, or carpeted floors.

The symptoms of a Salmonella infection in humans can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. In severe cases, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, potentially leading to death if left untreated.

To reduce the risk of Salmonella infection, it is important to practice good hygiene and sanitation. This includes washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after handling a turtle or anything in their habitat. It is also recommended to keep turtles out of homes with young children or people who have weakened immune systems. Regular cleaning of the turtle's enclosure and proper disposal of any feces are critical to reducing the risk of Salmonella transmission.

Additionally, it is important to supervise children handling turtles and ensure they do not kiss or lick the turtle. The sale of small turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches has been banned in the US since 1975 due to the risk of Salmonella infections in children.

How to bathe a tortoise or semi-aquatic turtle

It is important to note that Dawn dish soap is toxic to turtles and should not be used to bathe them.

Tortoises and semi-aquatic turtles require regular bathing, and it is important to have a dedicated tub for bathing them. This is because they can harbour salmonella bacteria, which can make humans very ill, and it is resistant to disinfectants.

You should bathe your tortoise at least 3-4 times a week, and some experts recommend daily bathing when the weather is warm. For semi-aquatic turtles, an occasional bath is enough, unless they are shedding or developing algae on their shell.

• Place your tortoise or turtle in a plastic bucket, wash tub, or kitty litter pan. Ensure the tub is large enough for your pet and fill it with lukewarm water, preferably de-chlorinated, to the depth of their chin. You can rest the bowl on a book to create a "deep" and "shallow" end, with their head at the shallow end.
• Let your tortoise soak for 10-20 minutes. During this time, they will rehydrate by drinking and absorbing water through their tail, and they may also pass waste.
• Pour out the soiled water and refill the tub with clean water.
• Use a toothbrush to gently scrub their shell, legs, tail, neck, and plastron (belly). Be careful not to scrub too hard, especially on more sensitive areas like the neck. Pay special attention to areas of buildup and remove all dirt between the scutes or scales.
• Rinse your tortoise or turtle thoroughly with lukewarm water and dry them with a towel. You can then return them to their enclosure.
• Dispose of the bathwater by flushing it down the toilet, not the sink, to avoid the risk of salmonella contamination. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling your pet and their bathwater.

Remember to never use soap or shampoo on your tortoise or semi-aquatic turtle unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian. This is because turtles 'drink' and absorb water through their anuses, so they would ingest the soap, likely causing an upset stomach.

How to bathe an aquatic turtle

It is important to keep your aquatic turtle clean, but you should avoid using soaps or shampoos, which are unsafe for aquatic animals. Dawn dish soap, for example, is toxic to turtles.

• Fill a dedicated turtle-washing tub with lukewarm, room-temperature water. A plastic bucket or wash tub is ideal, but make sure it is only used for bathing your turtle. Turtles can carry salmonella bacteria, which can be harmful to humans, so do not use your sink or bathtub.
• Add enough water to reach your turtle's chin, or more if you want it to be able to swim around.
• Place your turtle gently in the tub.
• Scrub your turtle's shell with a toothbrush, paying special attention to any areas of buildup. Remember that turtles can feel their shell, so be gentle.
• Use the toothbrush to carefully scrub your turtle's legs, tail, and neck, as these areas are more sensitive.
• Finally, scrub the turtle's plastron (belly), ensuring you remove all dirt and algae between the scutes or scales.
• Rinse your turtle with clean, de-chlorinated water and return it to its tank or enclosure.
• Dispose of the bathwater by flushing it down the toilet, not the sink, to avoid the risk of salmonella contamination.

You should also regularly clean your turtle's tank to prevent bacteria development. Remove any uneaten food daily and perform partial water changes. Every 2-3 weeks, empty the tank completely and use a reptile water conditioner to ensure the water is safe for your turtle.

Frequently asked questions