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Environmentally Clean

Karen M. Alley//September 9, 2013//

Environmentally Clean

Karen M. Alley //September 9, 2013//

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For many pet owners, natural or organic grooming shampoos seem like the right choice for a dog or cat’s skin, which is more sensitive than a human’s.

The natural ingredients clean without drying out their skin, and many products have ingredients that can help reduce itching and even brighten coats. But on top of all of those benefits, choosing natural shampoos is also helping out the environment by putting fewer synthetic chemicals into the  water supply.

It is important for retailers to have a good selection of grooming products available to help meet the demands of customers who are looking for good, safe products for their pets whose coats range from dry to oily and everywhere in between.

For many people who seek out natural and organic products, they’re also mindful of the impact these products have on the environment during the manufacturing process. But with soaps and shampoos, where the impact keeps on going even after the product is made, it makes for a second great selling point for this category: They’re better for the environment.

Wash That Coat

With ingredients like oatmeal, yogurt and peppermint oil, the variety in natural and organic shampoos can leave a pet not just clean just also smelling good.

You will find oatmeal in a lot of shampoos because it’s great for moisturizing and calming itchy skin. Earthbath’s Oatmeal & Aloe shampoo has 3 percent colloidal oatmeal, along with coconut oil and purified water for cleansing purposes.

Other options in their line include Eucalyptus and Peppermint, Green Tea Leaf, Mango Tango and Orange Peel Oil.

“Soap is not good for pets for a variety of reasons: It can dry skin, it leaves residue that irritates skin and it might even wash off topical flea treatments,” Paul Armstrong, president of Earthbath and Sheapet, said. “We use coconut, sugar and vegetable-based cleansers which are ultra-mild and sourced from renewable resources, yet still effective at cleaning away dirt, dander and drool.”

Eco Well Dog’s Happy Tails Canine Spa line also has a colloidal oatmeal shampoo, Comfy Dog, which also includes herbs like comfrey, calendula and botsellia serrata that help alleviate itchy skin.

One thing about natural and organic shampoos is that they will not foam up as much as products with surfactants, but less foam doesn’t mean you’re not getting as clean.

“I like to think of it like you would organic foods,” Dr. Harvey, owner of Dr. Harvey’s Fine Health Foods for Companion Animals, which manufactures an organic herbal shampoo, said.

“Your apple might not look perfect, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste just as good or better than the non-organic apple. So if your shampoo doesn’t foam up, it doesn’t mean it’s not as good as the ones that do.”

His organic Herbal Shampoo uses organic coconut oil for a cleansing agent and calendula and aloe vera for soothing skin, all while getting dogs and cats clean.

Eco Well Dog has found an innovative way to make sure all of their great ingredients have time to do their magic.

Their Bubbles n Beads shampoo has microbeads packed with conditioning vitamins that are released against the skin.

“This ensures the nutrients are right at the follicle where they’re needed, rather than washed down the drain,” Lorna Ladd, marketing director for Eco Well Dog, said.

Aroma Paws offers chemical-free grooming and lifestyle products for pets, including vegan conditioners.

TheirFur Conditioning Treatment is 100 percent vegan, and blended with avocado oil, organic aloe vera juice and all natural refined shea and mango butters to fully condition and restore shine to a dog’s skin & coat.

This luxurious treatment is a leave in deep conditioner and is meant to be used on a dry coat daily or anytime a coat lacks shine. They have formulated this conditioner to be non-greasy and to easily absorb into skin and coat.

Developed in a licensing partnership between Burt’s Bees Licensing and Fetch … for Pet! Burt’s Bees Natural Pet Care features a range of grooming and oral care products that uphold the rigorous natural standards of Burt’s Bees consumer products, but now for pets.

The products are pH balanced for pets and contain no parabans, phthalates, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances or sulfates.

Waterless Clean

Let’s face it, most dogs and cats don’t enjoy getting a bath. But it’s important for their skin and coat to stay clean and get needed nutrients. Pets and their owners will enjoy the ease of getting clean with one of the waterless products available for both dogs and cats.

Happy Tails has its Dry Dog waterless shampoo and Earthbath offers two products, a hypo-allergenic, fragrance free formula as well as its Green Tea Leaf Grooming Foam.

“These products are very popular because they are easy to use,” Armstrong said. “They’re a great alternative to a bath because they require less time and effort, plus the added bonus of no water for cats. They help with allergy issues by cleaning off dander and residual saliva.”

Wipe Away Dirt and Odor

An even more convenient way to clean pets is with wipes. Whether they’re used to clean paws after a trip outside or to wipe down the whole body for a quick clean between baths, they’re easy to use and help keep cats and dogs looking their best.

All-natural and organic options with wipes can give pet owners the confidence the need that the products they’re rubbing on their pets won’t harm their skin.

Earthbath has a line of grooming wipes that complement its shampoos, with Green Tea, Mango Tango, Hypo-Allergenic and Especially for Puppies varieties.

Organic Oscar recently introduced grooming wipes to its brand as well.