I would like to purchase a natural dog shampoo such as 4-legger but I would like to understand how they are fragranced and do they contain any artificial colours?
4-Legger Shampoos are high quality, organic dog shampoos from the US. These dog shampoos are free from artificial colours, fragrances and any toxic additives.
When it comes to fragrance the 4-Legger shampoos rely on essential oils, such as lavender or lemongrass for their scent, rather than artificial chemicals. But, those essential oils are added for their known health benefits for your pet. The fact the shampoos smell great is a bonus!
When it comes to natural ingredients any scent is therefore natural. and it will not last as long as synthetic fragrances or products that use synthetic ingredients to unnaturally extend the length of time the scent may last.
In terms of the colour of 4-Legger shampoos - the organic ingredients take on their natural color. They have an amber colour but none are exactly the same. Their colour and scent comes from the natural ingredients in the bottle. And, the colour can change over time which is perfectly natural.
So if you are looking for a certain and consistent result then this will require you purchasing a product that uses synthetic and/or artificial ingredients, but this is never in the best interest of the long-term health of your dog.
Also did you know that there it is belief that every dog will react differently when shampooed and the result may differ from one dog to the next. When synthetic ingredients are used, there is validity to that even though it’s not the healthy choice. Every dog is different and some will naturally have a "nicer" body odour than others. A “stinky” dog is giving off all kinds of clues that their baseline health may not be optimal and in this situation you don't want to use products that will “mask” their natural odour, whilst simultaneously creating even more of a burden on an already over-taxed immune system. Using synthetic fragrances and products that include synthetic ingredients does exactly that.
So why does this matter for your dog's health?
Did you know that a dog's skin is thinner and more absorbent than human skin, which means toxins absorb faster and in higher concentrations in dogs than in people.
Chemicals in skin products have been linked to:-
- Allergic reactions & skin irritation
- Respiratory issues
- Hormone disruption (from phthaltes which are used to bind fragrance molecules to shampoo to make the scent last longer)
- General distress - as dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than humans a heavily scented shampoo can be too powerful for them causing distress and discomfort.
You may not notice the damage right away, only realising there is a problem when you dog starts to:-
- Constantly scratch or bite their skin
- Develop rashes or hot spots
- Experience recurring ear infections
- Suffer from long-term health issues
And also remember if you are using a dog shampoo which is blue in colour with a strong tropical scent and you aren't using gloves, then you will also be absorbing these chemicals into your skin.
So the bottom line is, it’s a choice between prioritising the long-term health of your dog versus the consistency and certain “look & feel” of a shampoo that uses synthethic ingredients that has been unnaturally manipulated into a scent that will last longer.
The Bottom Line: Choose Clean Grooming for Your Dog
You don’t need artificial colors or overpowering fragrances to have an effective shampoo. You just need real, organic ingredients that work naturally. So:-
- Read the labels carefully – avoid shampoos that state “Fragrance” or “Colour,” or chemical preservatives as these may contain hormone-disrupting phthalates. If your shampoo has a "beautiful" scent and a vibrant colour then it is highly likely that the product is hiding toxic chemicals that could be harmful to your dog.
- Look for the Organic Certification statement, in the case of 4-Legger on the back of the bottle – which is a guarantee of safety and required to be there if the product has met the organic standards (in the USA for 4-Legger Shampoos) and been officially certified organic (to USA standards in the case of 4-Legger Shampoos).
- Choose transparency – Brands that don’t provide the full ingredient list may be hiding something.
Give your dog the safest, most natural grooming possible and make the switch to 4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoos which contain NO synthetic colors, artificial fragrances, or hidden toxins.
Here is the link to the full 4-legger range.
