If you’re like us, you absolutely support Eco Friendly Dog shampoo and other eco friendly dog products (we wrote about eco friendly dog poop bags, and eco friendly dog beds recently).

But also like us, you probably want to know that companies aren’t just using that label for marketing purposes, and that your hard earned cash is actually helping to preserve the environment.

In this guide, we look at:

• What classifies as an eco Friendly Dog Shampoo, and what criteria an eco friendly dog shampoo might meet
• Compare the classification and criteria to some of the popular dog shampoos on the market
• Provide a summary on whether the more ‘eco friendly’ dog shampoo are worth it

Let’s get to it…

(NOTE: the views in this guide are our opinion only. They should only be taken as informational/educational and not an expert opinion in any way).

Eco Friendly Dog Shampoo: Is It Worth Your Money?

What classifies as an eco friendly dog shampoo, and what criteria an eco friendly dog shampoo might meet?

What probably should be in an eco friendly shampoo:

• Natural and organic ingredients that are biodegradable and non toxic
• Identified as Natural and organic labelling
• Be in the neutral range of ph, which is around 7
• Natural skin moisturizers like vitamin E, aloe vera, honey, and tea tree oil. Oatmeal is another
• Fragrances to look for should be natural; chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus are some examples of clean, pleasant fragrances, some of which also do double duty as insect repellents
• Should be a cruelty free shampoo

What probably should not be in an eco friendly shampoo:

• Non organic, artificial, non natural or synthetic ingredients, additives, fragrances and chemicals
• Specific ingredients that contain parabens, sulfates, and carcinogen causing compounds
• DEA, TEA and MEA and other potentially harmful ingredients and compounds
• Ingredients that don’t breakdown easily or naturally in the environment
• Detergents
• Shouldn’t be tested on animals
• Ingredients that are toxic to wildlife – particularly aquatic animals who are probably most at risk if you are washing your dog and the shampoo is going down a water waste pipe
• Ingredients that are hazardous or toxic in any other way such as that they present a problem for air, water, soil or land animals

How do the popular dog shampoos on the market measure up to the eco friendly classification and criteria?

4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo

Verdict: Eco Friendly

• Contains all natural ingredients. Ingredients are listed as Saponified organic oils of coconut, olive, and jojoba, a natural essential oil blend of rosemary and lemongrass, rosemary extract, and organic aloe vera
• Non toxic
• Hypoallergenic
• Contains nothing synthetic or artificial
• No detergents
• No sulfates
• Cruelty free
• Vegan
• Sustainably sourced
• Biodegradable
• Made in the USA

4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo (on Amazon)

Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo

Verdict: Eco Friendly

• Ingredients include: Purified water, colloidal oatmeal (3%), renewable plant-derived & coconut-based cleansers, organic aloe vera, vitamins A, B, D & E, glycerin, allantoin, food-grade extracts of vanilla & almond, natural preservative.
• 100-percent bio-degradable
• Non ingredients include: Anything that would harm your pet or the environment.
• No soap,
• No gluten,
• No DEA,
• No parabens,
• No synthetic dyes or perfumes,
• No SLS/SLES,
• No phthalates, or enzymes
• Animal cruelty free.
• Sudsy runoff is safe and harmless to plants and animals
• Based on Earthbath.com product description

Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo (On Amazon) 

OxGord Natural Oatmeal Dog-Shampoo And Conditioner

Verdict: Not 100% natural – contains questionable ingredients

• Overall, this shampoo doesn’t contain a full list of natural ingredients even though it is marketed that way. 
• There are a mix of artificial and non natural ingredients in this shampoo that have concerns in relation to contamination, environmental toxicity, use restrictions in cosmetics + more
• Ingredients include: UltraPurified Water,
• Infused with Aloe Barbadensis Extract,
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate – contamination concerns
• Lauryl Glucoside and Cocoamiidopropyl Betaine – suspected to be an environmental toxcin
• Rosemary Leaf Extract,
• Matricaria Flower Extract,
• Glycol Distearate
• Cocomaide MEA – contamination concerns
• Laureth 10 – contamination concerns
• Colloidall Oatmeal,
• Vitamine E, PEG12,
• Dimethicone,
• Borage Seed Oil,
• Organic Shea Butter,
• Glycerin,
• Polysorbate 20 – contamination concerns
• Methylchloroisothi azolinone and Methylisothiazolinone – use restrictions in some countries and eye and skin irritation concerns
• Citric Acid,
• Versene,
• Na2,
• Fragrance

OxGord Organic Oatmeal Dog Puppy Shampoo Conditioner (On Amazon)

Pro Pet Works Hypoallergenic Organic Oatmeal and Aloe Cat And Dog Shampoo Plus Conditioner

Verdict: Not 100% natural – contains questionable ingredients

• Ingredients are: deionized water, surfactant blend derived from natural derivatives (coconut shampoo base), organic aloe vera extract, organic almond oil, hydrolyzed oat proteins, Vitamins A, D, and E, glycerin, (soothes the skin), glyceryl stearate (emulsifies, makes foam, conditions), wheat germ glycerides, blend of cherry botanical extracts, EGDA (conditioner), EDTA (aids ingredients in blending), proprietary blend of coat and skin conditioners and moisturizers, DMDH hydantoin(preservative).
• Synthetic surfactants that are known to be associated with irritation and allergic reactions on the skin. It’s not clear if the surfactants used in this shampoo are synthetic or not
• Artificial colors and fragrances have links to allergies as well as cancer, hormone disruption, and organ system toxicities. 
• Without knowing “what” the proprietary blend of coat and skin conditioners are – it is difficult to evaluate. Both methylchloroisothiazolinone, and methylisothiazolinone are linked to skin irritation and allergies. Worse, they can break down into nitrosamides – which have strong links to cancer and additionally, they are not environmentally friendly ingredients. 
• DMDH is a synonym for DMDM hydantoin – a slow releasing form of formaldehyde. It has links to skin irritation as well as cancer. 

Pro Pet Works Natural Organic Oatmeal Pet Wash Dog Shampoo+Conditioner with Aloe Vera (On Amazon) 

Other benefits of eco friendly dog shampoos

So, we know that generally eco friendly dog shampoos are going to have less toxic synthetic ingredients and additives, and more natural and organic ingredients.

Apart from being better for the environment, natural and organic ingredients will probably also have less chance of being toxic for, or giving a negative reaction to your dog’s skin.

This is good for all dogs, but certainly dogs with sensitive skin, allergies and dogs that have had issues with dog products like shampoos, conditioners and other applications before.

You’d want to confirm this with your vet though.

Summary on whether the more ‘eco friendly’ dog shampoo are worth it

When you consider that there is almost no cost difference or that the natural dog shampoos are sometimes cheaper than the less eco friendly ones, the more eco friendly shampoos we listed above above in our opinion are worth it.

They perform the job they are suppose to – clean your dog’s coat, moisturise the skin and leave them smelling nice.

And, the organic and natural ingredients seem to be better for the environment and your dog.

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