Grooming Products Survey

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Prince23

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Dear Dog Lovers,

I am now the proud owner of a 10-week old Schapso puppy, she is beautiful but very smelly.

In my professional life I am a cosmetic scientist and whilst browsing the aisles of my local pet store I was horrified to find that many of the dog grooming products did not appear to be labelled properly with an ingredients list.

After conducting a bit of research I was stunned to find that there is currently no EU legislation regarding pet cosmetics. For us humans our cosmetics are heavily regulated and must pass stringent toxicological assessments, be manufactured in GMP environments, be registered on a European portal and prove that they are resistant to bacterial growth. Yet no such legislation exists for our furry, four legged friends.

Now most of the reputable brands did appear to apply the same criteria to pet products but sadly there are many smaller outfits out there that don't. As a pet owner and a cosmetic scientist I am considering developing a new dog grooming range that I would feel as comfortable using on my pets as I would on my children.

Many people I have spoke to appear to use baby products on their dogs but as a scientist I wouldn't recommend this as the physiology of human skin and dog skin is very different. For instance many cosmetic products are designed to be around pH 5 to 5.5 which is the natural pH range of human skin but for dogs it is much more neutral around pH 7.

As dog owners I would really value your input and if you could take 5 minutes out of your busy day to complete a short questionnaire (survey monkey link below) I would be very grateful, thanks in advance.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WHF229M
 
I've answered your survey.I have standard poodles who are bathed every week...in panthene human shampoo and followed up with Pantene conditioner.Ive used this for the last twenty years and have great results..great coats and no itching.
I understand the need to bath oily ,regular coats far less ,with a neutral ph shampoo,to preserve the integrity of the skin,the oils etc..I would only bath a short coated breed as required. Eg every two to three months or so.
my vet was astounded when I told her what I used,but now she has asked me to be their groomer.The wool of a poodle coat is different to a normal dogs coat and has different needs.
 
I have completed your survey but would also like to add that as I show my dogs any product I use has to be show legal, that is leaves no residue in the coat and suitable for my black dogs. I too use a Pantene conditioner
 
Is it only me that finds it strange that somone admitting to buying a mislableld mongrel is looking into changes in product labelling?
Many shampoos are labelled & As a professional groomer & exhibitor I never use ones that don't disclose ingredients - bth from a liability point of view & because I have allergies to some ingredients.
There is no EU requirements for pet cosmetics because the category does not exist.
 
Many thanks to those who have completed the survey and provided valuable feedback it is much appreciated.

S4sugar I think you have misunderstood, I know full well that pet cosmetics are not regulated. My point is that with the millions of responsible and caring pet owners in Europe it is outrageous that it is not regulated in the same manner. The idea of an ingredients list is to allow consumers to make informed decisions about the products and chemicals they purchase. Why should it be any different for animals?

I just find it astounding that some manufacturers do not follow the same rules.

As for a mislabelled mongrel, don't be such a snob, she may be a mongrel but she is my mongrel and I wouldn't have her any other way.
 
Prince23 said:
Many thanks to those who have completed the survey and provided valuable feedback it is much appreciated.

S4sugar I think you have misunderstood, I know full well that pet cosmetics are not regulated. My point is that with the millions of responsible and caring pet owners in Europe it is outrageous that it is not regulated in the same manner. The idea of an ingredients list is to allow consumers to make informed decisions about the products and chemicals they purchase. Why should it be any different for animals?

I just find it astounding that some manufacturers do not follow the same rules.

As for a mislabelled mongrel, don't be such a snob, she may be a mongrel but she is my mongrel and I wouldn't have her any other way.
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You asked about pet cosmetics when I think you mean pet shampoos & coat products which do come under EU directives ( If only for the people applying them.)


As for a snob - no I have no problems with mongrels but I do have big issues with the morons paying for mongrels with made up cutesy names. I have done rescue ofr over 30 years - real breeds have reputable breeders & breed rescues to give back up but these crosses are swamping the shelters in droves. Maybe not your's but by buying one you have, possibly inadvertently, made way for someone to breed more. BTW £5 to breed rescue says it's parents were not health tested for the health problems the two breeds have in common?
 
Satin blaze..I don't know if you've seen the ad on TV for Pantene ...the girl shaking her shining locks. I often grin and think they should show our dogs after a groom with Pantene...they'd sell a lot more product,it really is wonderful on their coats.
I loved the conditioner on my little sylkie terrier too,it left a shine that won her a few prizes when we showed her.
 
I meant cosmetics which is defined as any product designed to deodorise, cleanse, moisturise, condition or improve the appearance of the hair, skin or teeth by direct application and not oral consumption.
These are covered by the EU Cosmetics legislation which in my 15 year experience does not include pet products. If you are aware of a directive (which can not be legally enforced) or legislation within the EU regarding pet shampoos and coat products it would be very interesting to have a read. I am not aware of it nor are any of the chemical suppliers I work with.

I can assure you I am a very responsible pet owner and moranically purchased my mongrel from a reputable breeder who breeds both Pedigree and cross breeds. The vetinary history for the parents was available and only 1 litter a year from the mother.

Keep up the good rescue work, genuinely very admirable work that I salute you for. We did look at our local dogs home first but they were nearly all staffies or large dogs. We were specifically after a small dog that would suite a young family. And also a puppy as we have 2 cats (from cats protection).

Please let's not turn this into a slanging match I genuinely respect what you do and value your opinion into my project if you are happy to do so. And please point me in the direction of the directive you mentioned as I am keen to see how it stacks up versus the human one. Many thanks.
 
I bet your puppy is gorgeous, (I just googled a picture.)

Can't help with your survey as my dogs get what ever shampoo I'm using and jet washed with the garden hose.

I do agree with your point about labelling though. Too many dog and horse products have labels that are misguiding or selective with the truth.
 
s4sugar said:
Is it only me that finds it strange that somone admitting to buying a mislableld mongrel is looking into changes in product labelling?
Many shampoos are labelled & As a professional groomer & exhibitor I never use ones that don't disclose ingredients - bth from a liability point of view & because I have allergies to some ingredients.
There is no EU requirements for pet cosmetics because the category does not exist.
Click to expand...

Out of interest what products do you use - for pet and show grooming?
 
As a professional groomer and a new owner of a show poodle pup, I find this interesting. Many of the products I use come from abroad, where the legal requirements are different.

I would suggest that you perhaps get in touch with Barbra Bird, in Arizona who has a keen interest in shampoo chemistry. She would be an easy find by googling.
 
satinbaze said:
I have completed your survey but would also like to add that as I show my dogs any product I use has to be show legal, that is leaves no residue in the coat and suitable for my black dogs. I too use a Pantene conditioner
Click to expand...

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time complete the survey it is really appreciated. Do you know where I could obtain a copy of the requirements for show legal products? It would be interesting to read and help immensely with my project.

Out of interest how do you interpretate "no residue"?
How do judges assess this?
Is no residue specifically meant as a leave on product or does it apply to wash off?

Interesting on the Pantene lovers, maybe this should be the performance benchmark for my development. Don't get me wrong I am not saying people shouldn't use human products on their pets after all it maybe the safer option knowing that they are heavily regulated. What I mean is that the design intent of these products is for humans. Human skin and hair is physiologically very different to dogs so I think it is vitally important to understand these differences to create the perfect dog product. If Pantene works well now imagine if they could understand the physiology of a dog and apply their formulation and chemistry expertise, they may come up with an even better product just for dogs?

Interestingly looking at the ingredients list for Pantene classic shampoo it contains a number of ingredients that are designed to coat the hair and leave a residue for soft silky effect. Polyquaternium-76 is a cationic conditioning agent, the idea is that one side of the molecule is positively charged and the other side contains a slippy compound. Hair is naturally anionic (negatively charged) so basically the molecule sticks to the hair leaving the slippy compound exposed leaving a soft feel. Ingredients like Glycerin and Panthenol are humectants that coat the skin and hair and attract atmospheric moisture to re-hydrate. Pantene classic conditioner also contains similar ingredients that do the same job.

Apologies for the chemistry lesson and don't be alarmed all these chemicals are perfectly safe to use but I am just intrigued as to the show standards of no products that leave a residue. As a cosmetic scientist it would probably be hard to find any human shampoo or conditioner that doesn't contain chemicals designed to leave a residue or coat the hair. Particularly conditioners as it is the intended design to rehydrate the hair and leave it silky smooth.

Thanks again for taking the time to complete the survey it is much appreciated :)
 
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I have always thought the forbidden residues were hairspray or chalk,and even illegal colorants added prior to a show.
I avoid shampoos and sprays with too much silicone,added to make the coats super slippy / shiney as it does leave a residue on the hair .
Anyway here is one of my "Pantene girls.".
IMG_0628.jpg

And another
IMG_1236.jpg
 
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Check the kennel club website for details of what they consider legal products. I use a black dog shampoo that enhances the black dogs but says it leaves no colorants in the coat. The kennel club has just reinstated coat testing especially for things such as hairspray and colours.
 
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