You carefully check the ingredients in your personal grooming products, right!

Have you ever considered what’s in the dog grooming products you use for your dog?

If you use the wrong products it can have a harmful effect on your dog.

A significant shift towards organic products for personal use has been evident recently.

Organic products specifically designed for dogs have increased over recent years.

Its increasing popularity may even make organic products for dogs the ‘new normal’.

The shift towards organic products generally, and grooming products specifically, is for two important reasons.
    1.The impact on the environment
    2. Negative effects of chemicals on our health.

These two factors play a big role in changing from chemical based to environmentally friendly pet products.



Why are they so important?

Synthetically manufactured non-organic products generally require the use of chemicals including fertilizers and pesticides which, in turn, use more energy.

Manufacturing of non-organic products is associated with increased CO2 emissions.

High levels of CO2, when released into the environment, can seriously damage important ecosystems.
The other major consideration is the harmful effects synthetically produced chemicals can have on your dog’s health.

Next time you pick up the grooming products you are about to use on your dog or puppy, look for these ingredients.

Artificial Colors

Artificial colors are generally produced from a variety of synthetic chemicals.
Ingredients like coal tar, which is a cancer causing carcinogenic, or petroleum. Both products can be contaminated by harmful ingredients like lead and arsenic and have been linked to behavioral problems and skin issues.

Artificial Fragrances:

Artificial fragrances are often linked to diabetes, obesity and even breast and liver cancer.
Much like the artificial colors, they are often made from a variety of synthetic chemicals.

Many fragrances are known to contain hormone disruptors which can be associated with abnormal cell reproduction.

Phthalates:

Phthalates can occur naturally, but most phthalates used for the manufacturer of
products are synthetic.
It is a chemical which can be used to soften hard plastics to make them pliable.
Some phthalates are known as endocrine disruptors.
These have been shown to cause cancer.
Further studies have shown a link between exposure to phthalates and interference with the reproductive system.

Parabens:

Parabens are preservatives. They are prevalent in everything from food to beauty products. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has listed Parabens as a Category 1 Priority Substance which interferes with normal hormone function.

Research has also shown a link to cancer and male reproductive dis-function.

Sulphates:

The suds in shampoo and other similar products are created by the use of Sulphates.

Since the 1930’s we have considered the lather created by these products to be associated with cleanliness.

The lather is quite unnecessary to the cleaning process.

Complaints like lung irritation and severe skin and eye irritation can be caused using Sulphates. Although Sulphates are not as dangerous as some of the other ingredients used in grooming products their use should be monitored.

Conclusion:

The most important thing you can do for your dog is be fully informed.
Knowing what is best for your dog and being aware of what can harm them will ensure you both have a long and happy relationship.
Similar to humans, your dog's skin is their largest organ.

To treat it properly you need to keep harmful chemicals as far away from them as you can.

So, next time you choose the next dog grooming product, remember this article.