Now more than ever, dog owners want to do the best thing for their pets. This has led to vast shifts in the pet industry, targeting health of pets over cost-effectiveness. The demand for organic dog grooming products has exploded in the past few years. For some owners, it’s a matter of catering to their dogs’ allergies. For some, it’s based in doing the best you can for the environment. Additionally, more owners are concerned about the potential health impacts of chemical-based grooming products on our sensitive furry friends.
Why are chemical-based dog grooming products harmful?
Chances are, your dog has never had a reaction to chemical-based grooming products. They’re common in the pet market, and for years were the only options widely available. However, that doesn’t mean that these products are never harmful. Many dog shampoos and conditioners have bases that can be harsh on your pet’s skin and coat. That doesn’t necessarily make them bad for an occasional bath. But, repeated use for dogs who love to get in the dirt can be detrimental over time, leading owners towards gentler alternatives.
Some ingredients that have been determined as harmful for humans have yet to be banned in pet cosmetic products. This means that, while the chances of the product being harmful are pretty much guaranteed, it’s perfectly legal to use on animals. This includes BHA, a common pet shampoo preservative. This ingredient has been classified as a potential human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Additionally, artificial fragrances can be bothersome to pets. While they may smell pleasant to us, overpoweringly scented grooming products can disturb a dog’s sensitive sense of smell and lead to allergy-like symptoms including sneezing.
There’s also the risk of your dog’s grooming products disturbing your local environment. Some common ingredients, like petroleum products, can pollute waterways.
Benefits of organic dog grooming products
Organic dog grooming products are less likely to contain ingredients not deemed safe for human use (although it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients of any product you purchase for your pet). It’s important to do some research into the brands you buy from. A lack of regulation in the pet grooming industry means that a product can contain a high proportion of processed and potentially toxic chemicals, and still be labeled as organic.
Often, dog grooming products made with harsh chemicals can do damage to your pet’s coat over time. Dogs naturally produce oils that keep their coats in good shape. While not bathing your dog enough can lead to a buildup of these oils, which isn’t ideal, bathing them too frequently or with harsh products can dry out their coat. Using soothing organic products can reduce the risk of dry skin or a dull coat.
Dogs also commonly have sensitive skin that doesn’t accommodate artificial products as well as ours does. Using a trusted brand of organic dog grooming products reduces the risk of skin irritation from an artificial source.
Your choice of dog shampoo also impacts the environment. Using organic dog shampoos and conditioners has environmental benefits through the strict regulatory standards for organic farmers. Avoiding products with potentially harmful ingredients also reassures you that you are not rinsing toxic residue down the drain when you bathe your dog.
Some pet shampoo brands, such as Hartz, have been under fire for many years due to making dogs sick, yet remains on the market. Just because a chemical-heavy brand is well-known doesn’t mean it’s the best option for your dog.
How to choose the right clean dog grooming products
It’s important to examine the organic dog grooming products you wish to use before you bring them home. Some owners aren’t familiar with the definitions of “natural” and “organic” in the pet grooming world, which can lead to confusion surrounding the best products to buy.
To be classified as natural, ingredients must be processed by a small range of methods. These methods include physical extraction techniques such as extrusion or filtration or microbiological or enzymatic methods. These processing methods ensure maintenance of the products’ original properties. The use of the word “natural” in products is regulated differently around the world. In some countries, the term can be used on product packaging even if a minimal amount of natural ingredients make up the final product. Look for a company that has obtained some sort of certification; for example, Doglyness, a popular natural pet brand, is certified by the ECOGEA Institute.
Organic ingredients must be produced without the use of certain chemicals such as pesticides or growth hormones. The intent of growing crops organically is to reduce environmental impact from farming along with keeping harmful components out of consumers’ products. Organic farming faces more heavy regulations; if a product claims that it is organic, the brand will have had to abide by a strict set of guidelines in order to advertise this on their packaging.
Become familiar with terms for harmful products in pet shampoos. Ideally, any product should be free of BHA or sodium laurel sulfate (SLS). You may want to ask for vet recommendations for organic products. If you have questions about an ingredient in your pet products, your vet may also be able to give you guidance on the product’s safety.
Now that you know all about clean grooming products, check out our guide to bathing your dog!
