| Humans spend literally billions of dollars every year on | | | | that daily bathing would dry the skin. Given the fact |
| skin and hair care. The vast number of products | | | | that many dog shampoos contain compounds such as |
| available covers the gamut from shampoos, | | | | butyl acetate, ethyl acetate and toluene, the old |
| cosmetics, hairdressings, creams and treatments, | | | | school thinking was right. For example, butyl acetate |
| including pet products. As the market as grown, so | | | | is a chemical solvent often used in shampoos as a |
| has concern about the chemicals and compounds | | | | foaming agent. Butyl acetate is also used in products |
| used in these products. | | | | such as nail polish and upholstery shampoo. Toluene is |
| As more ingredient information has been available to | | | | another chemical solvent that has found its way into |
| consumers, many questions are being raised about | | | | many products like dog shampoo. These and many |
| overall product safety. Concerns about chemical | | | | other chemicals are not only skin irritants, but may |
| exposure and possible health risks are driving the | | | | actually contribute to increased rates of cancer and |
| market in different direction. | | | | organ disease. |
| Many established producers have responded by | | | | Routine grooming is one of your dogs best defenses |
| changing the formulation of some products, while | | | | against skin irritation and infection. From daily brushing |
| new companies have entered the market. The | | | | to regular bathing, our dogs depend on us. Daily |
| marketing of products that contain natural and | | | | brushing is a natural way to stimulate glands in the |
| botanical ingredients is a growing trend in the skin and | | | | skin that produce essential oils needed to maintain a |
| hair care market. Many pet owners are discovering | | | | healthy skin and coat. Daily brushing helps to remove |
| the value of replicating what animals instinctively do | | | | dead skin cells, dirt and other debris from the fur. |
| to care for their skin and coats. | | | | The other benefit to daily brushing is that most dogs |
| Concerns about human exposure to various chemicals | | | | really enjoy it. Most of us like a good massage or |
| have spilled over to the pet care industry. Part of | | | | having our back scratched, and our canine |
| multi billion dollar market segment, many pet | | | | companions are no different. The time spent |
| grooming products are also changing. Professional pet | | | | grooming contributes to the bonding and trust that |
| groomers have responded to the concerns of their | | | | develops between dogs and their humans. |
| customers by switching to natural shampoos and | | | | Brushing and grooming on a daily basis gives us a |
| other grooming products. | | | | chance to be on the lookout for rashes, hot spots |
| For example, many dog breeds are prone to skin | | | | and other skin irritations. Once certain skin conditions, |
| irritations. Traditional grooming products often contain | | | | such as a yeast infection, take hold, the condition is |
| harsh chemicals that can make these conditions | | | | harder to treat. Left unattended, skin irritations can |
| worse. Shampoos and conditioners that adversely | | | | quickly become a pathway for infection, jeopardizing |
| alter the pH balance of the animals coat are of | | | | the over health of your dog. |
| particular concern. Like humans, animal fur and skin | | | | As dog owners, we have a very important |
| has naturally occurring oils that can stripped away, | | | | responsible and our canine friends look to us for |
| leaving the skin dry and the coat brittle. Some | | | | proper care. Take the time educate yourself about |
| animals, like their human counterparts, may develop | | | | grooming products that are made without harsh |
| allergic reactions to the ingredients in certain | | | | chemicals. Taking a natural approach to preventing |
| shampoos and conditioners. | | | | and treating skin irritation in dogs is one way we can |
| An old school of thought about bathing our dogs was | | | | keep our dogs healthy, well groomed and happy. |