“UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL A PART OF ONES SOUL REMAINS UNAWAKENED’!
It is a fact that we love our pets. We share our homes with them, our food, our problems, take them for walks and some of us even share the sofa and bed with our furry “besties”, but are we paying attention to what’s in that shampoo we’re washing them with? Bathing our four legged friends is important, however it is essential to choose products wisely and always opt for toxic free formulas, as numerous pet shampoos contain a whole host of poisonous, harmful chemicals. Many dogs often suffer terrible reactions to the chemicals in conventional solutions, resulting in skin problems, such as, dry flakey patches, itching, and allergies, even licking their skin raw in an attempt to relieve irritation. When you stop and scrutinise the labels of these commodities it really is no surprise! Listed below are 3 of the most common and toxic ingredients frequently found in dog shampoos that should be avoided at all costs:
1. SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) or SLES (sodium lauryl ether sulfate)
SLS and SLES are anionic detergents and surfactants found in many dog and human shampoos. They are inexpensive and very effective foaming agents. The problem is that they are completely unnecessary and are irritants that have been shown to cause eye or skin irritation in experiments carried out on animals and humans.
2. Synthetic Fragrances:
Primarily made from petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances attempt to duplicate the smell of a specific plant, fruit or herb. A 1986 report by the National Academy of Sciences found that 95 percent of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins and synthesisers capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Instead of utilising essential oils in the solutions, which are natural scents, derived from plants, large manufacturers deem these too expensive and so prefer to use cheap synthetic fragrances.
3. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHA is a preservative and stabilizer; U.S. National Toxicology Program, a part of the National Institutes of Health, has classified BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” based on evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. It’s used in dog shampoos to extend the products shelf life. If it’s carcinogenic for humans, it’s carcinogenic for dogs, too.
What follows is a more complete list of chemical ingredients to avoid in your dog’s shampoo… and in your own shampoo as well! Read all product labels carefully. A common rule of thumb is if you can’t pronounce it and there are more than 3 syllables, it should be avoided at all costs!
Chemical Ingredients to Avoid:
Diaminobenzene, Methylisothiazolinone, Dioxins, Artificialcolors, Benzalkonium, ChlorideBenzethonium Chloride, Diethanolamine, Methicone, Triethanolamine, Propylene Glycol, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Sodium Hydroxide
These ingredients are only the tip of the iceberg, and can be found in most commercially manufactured cleansing products. The truth is we don’t need these noxious chemicals in our shampoos. Clever marketing and advertising campaigns have programmed us to believe that all shampoo’s must create plenty of lather to be effective. Don’t be fooled, they don’t. Once again, I stress, scrutinise labels and purchase non-toxic, natural, safe products. Because they are worth it. You can not put a price on your health, or your loved ones!