We all know there are some awful ingredients found in personal care products for people and kids. The same can be said of pet grooming products. The only difference is that these chemicals can hurt your dog even more.
One obvious reason is that dogs like to lick their coat and paws frequently. Whatever chemical residue remains on your pet’s fur after a bath will eventually wind up in their digestive system, and into their internal organs. This includes harmful chemicals, which may lead to certain illnesses such as cancers.
Secondly, dogs and cats are more sensitive to these substances than humans are. This has to do with how their internal organs work and the makeup of their skin.
Did you know that the grooming products you apply to your pet’s coat and paws can also be absorbed into their blood stream through their skin and lungs?
For all of the above reasons, it is important to take a close look at the ingredients in the grooming products you are choosing for your dog or puppy.
Here Are 6 Ingredients To Avoid:
1) SULFATES-
Typically these go by the names – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate. These are widely used in human and pet shampoos as surfactants and create a rich lather that many people associate with efficacy. However, these ingredients are harsh on the skin and coat and are believed to be absorbed into the internal organs where they tend to stay for up to one week.
Best Option: Choose a sulfate free dog shampoo and sulfate free coat spray
2) ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCES & PHTHALATES-
These are often petroleum based and are used because they are cheap and plentiful. Many companies choose to not list the ingredients in their artificial fragrances, nor are they required to. Instead, companies may use the word “fragrance” or “natural fragrance” to hide hundreds of toxic ingredients including phthalates. Phthalates are known to be hormone disruptors that can lead to reproductive cancers in pets and humans. If the product label does not specify what is in the fragrance then that is a red flag.
Best Option: Choose a dog grooming product scented with natural essential oils that is phthalate free.
3) ARTIFICAL DYES OR COLORANTS:
Synthetic dyes and colors are used to make a product more visually appealing. There is no benefit to using a product that has been artificially colored because these dyes are made from cheap ingredients that can be made of coal tar and may contain heavy metal salts like arsenic and lead. They can also irritate and inflame the skin and create allergies and breakouts, including hotspots.
Best option: Don’t buy dog shampoos and other dog grooming products with chemical colors like Blue 1, Green 3, FD&C Yellow 6, to name a few.
4) MINERAL OILS
Mineral oil is petroleum based, and will clog pores and inhibit skin from being able to breath. It will also interfere with your dog’s ability to produce their own natural oils found on the skin.
Best option: Choose canine grooming products that contain safe high quality natural oils like olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or sweet almond oil.
5) PARABENS
Parabens are used as preservatives in dog shampoos and other grooming products to extend shelf life and prevent microbial growth. Parabens are widely used because they are cheap and readily available. The most common parabens go by the names methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. Parabens penetrate the skin and are linked to certain cancers and reproductive issues, and tumor growth. Parabens are also bad for the environment.
Best option: Avoid all dog grooming products that contain anything with the word “paraben” in it. Look for safe dog bath time products that are paraben-free instead.
6) ISOTHIAZOLINONES
Isothiazolinines are synthetic biocides used as preservatives that are used for controlling microbial growth in water containing solutions. There are many variations of this chemical including Benzisothiazolinone, Octylisothiazolinone, Isothiazolinone, Mehtylisothiazolinone, Triethylisothiazolinone, and Biethylisothiazolinone to name a few.
They are known to be allergens and are cytotoxic (toxic to cells) to humans, and are also toxic to marine environments.
Best option: Avoid all dog shampoos, coat conditioners, dog wipes, dog coat sprays, including urine and clean up puppy sprays that contain anything with the word “thiazolinone” in it.
Lastly, a telltale sign that you may be using the wrong kind of grooming products for your dog or puppy is the development of irritated, flaky, or dry skin. Whether it is a dog or puppy safe shampoo, coat conditioner for dogs, coat and bedding sprays, or dog wipes, the ingredients in your canine’s products really do count.
Choose dog-grooming products that are plant based, gentle, hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly like BarkLogic. BarkLogic is safe for dogs of all breeds and sizes and is safe for puppies too!
All BarkLogic products are sulfate free, phthalate free, dye free, paraben free, do not contain mineral oil or isothiazolinones, and are naturally scented with essential oils. BarkLogic is also Cruelty free & Vegan!
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