What ingredient should not be in dog shampoo? It is a question that most dog owners face daily as they shop for pet grooming supplies. As humans, we may never think twice about what goes into our mouths or how our hands are washed, but we sure shouldn’t do it for our dogs. In fact, dog owners have a responsibility to make sure that they are using dog care products that are both healthy and safe. It is our responsibility to make sure that our dogs are well groomed and that they are clean and free of harmful substances.
Some dog shampoo ingredients may even make your dog sick. Most vigilant pet parents pay very close attention to their dogs food and treats but tend to overlook what goes into a dog shampoo bottle. Not all dog shampoos are made equal. Some of them can actually cause more harm to your beloved pets than help.
One of the ingredients you should avoid is coconut oil. Coconut oil is widely used in many dog grooming products today, despite its harmful properties. The primary culprit of coconut oil is lauric acid, which is also found in many cosmetics and detergents. Lauric acid is the primary component of the bacterial contamination that causes athlete’s foot. While it is true that some dogs do suffer from foot problems caused by the presence of coconut oil in some dog shampoos, the oil itself will not cause any serious health problems for your pets.
Another common ingredient that you should avoid is sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium lauryl sulfate is commonly used as an emulsifier (an agent that brings liquid particles together) in detergents, soaps and shampoos. It is also used in treating dry skin, eczema and psoriasis in humans. While it is a healthy substance, dogs cannot handle prolonged or repeated exposure to sodium lauryl sulfate. They can develop kidney failure, kidney cancer and liver disease if they are exposed to large amounts of this chemical over time.
The third ingredient that you should avoid is surfactants. Surfactants are an essential part of many shampoos because they help to remove dirt and debris from the interior of the hair shaft. Common surfactant chemicals include sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. While these chemicals are necessary to help clean the hair, they can also result in serious health problems like organ system toxicity and allergic skin reactions. These types of symptoms can be deadly if left untreated.
Also avoid these 5 ingredients: dioxane, parabens, fragrances, alcohols and SLS. Dioxane and parabens are endocrine disruptors. Alcohols and SLS are toxic to both internal organs and the skin while fragrances are toxic to both dogs and humans. As far as alcohols go, you will want to avoid distilled alcohol as well as most diet alcoholic drinks because they typically have a high concentration of tannin.
Some of the least popular ingredients on dog shampoo labels are sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium lauryl sulfate is known to cause irritation and redness and to cause diarrhea in dogs. It is also labeled as a “colic releaser”. It has been banned in some countries but remains on the US market.
So what should you look for in your dog shampoo? Look for an all natural formula that contains no chemicals, toxins or hormones. These are the safest possible ingredients for your dog. Look for an easily assimilated protein like dog, beef or chicken proteins. You may be surprised at how easy it is to match these ingredients to your dog’s diet. You’ll be amazed at the benefits to your dog’s health of making these simple changes to his regular diet.
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