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Choose natural dog grooming products

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Choosing natural dog grooming products isn’t just beneficial to your pets | pet’s health—it’s also an eco-friendly choice that curtails the production of toxic chemical cleaning agents, deodorants, fragrances, and other polluting substances.

Find it! Natural dog grooming products

Along with the rising popularity of natural and organic dog food, dog parents are reaching for natural dog grooming products when it comes to bath and "beauty" time. Natural grooming products—from shampoos, conditioners, balms, soaps, sprays, and even colognes—eschew harsh, man-made detergents, deodorants, and fragrances and instead rely on botanicals to keep Fido clean, content, and agreeably scented.

Before you buy

Although natural dog grooming products are gentle, earth-friendly, and nontoxic, dogs, like humans, have specific—possibly latent—allergies that may be triggered by certain botanical ingredients. If your dog is known to have sensitive skin, take heed and opt for hypoallergenic products. And if unsure about how a certain product may affect your dog’s skin, check in with your veterinarian or groomer for further advice.

It also must be noted that the term "natural" isn't regulated or specifically defined nor does is necessarily mean that the ingredients of a specific grooming product have been grown under organic-certified conditions. This is sometimes the case, but not always, so be sure to check the labeling or contact the manufacturer directly with any lingering queries if you want Otis and Opal to go truly organic.

Choosing natural dog grooming products helps you go green because…

  • They pose little or no risk to your dog by substituting synthetic, man-made chemicals with natural, plant-based products.
  • Some provide natural aromatherapy that not only makes your dog smell good but wards off pests such as fleas and ticks. Chemical-based repellents often contain organophosphates, pesticides that pose health risks to dogs and humans alike.
  • They don't contribute potentially hazardous chemicals to the environment, either through use or when manufactured.
  • Many natural dog grooming products are made by socially conscious and eco-friendly companies.

Dogs are among the most popular pets in the US. About 44 million American households own a dog, totaling nearly 73 million pet dogs. Within the $40 billion pet industry, dog owners spend on everything from food and medicine to toys and accessories to grooming and walking services. The average dog owner spends upwards of $215 per year on food alone.[1]

Due to a nationwide pet food recall in the spring of 2007, consumer demand for natural pet foods has soared; demand for natural pet products—grooming supplies included—has also grown. Natural pet care products represented one-fifth of sales in 2007 and experienced a 19 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2003 to 2007. It’s expected that natural pet care products will rise at a CAGR of 10 percent from 2007 to 2012. It's estimated that approximately 48 percent of pet-owning households in the US are opting to buy eco-friendly and natural pet products.[2]

Glossary

  • organophosphates: Phosphorus-containing organic compounds used in insecticides, herbicides, and nerve gas.

External links

Footnotes

  1. American Pet Products Manufacturers Association - Industry Statistics & Trends
  2. MarketingVOX - Sales of Natural Pet Products to Reach $1.3 Billion in 2007