If you’re a dog owner, it’s important to know which elements of your pet care could potentially harm our environment. When it comes to grooming, some shampoos and other care products may be advertised as “eco-friendly” or “green,” but that might not always be entirely true. This blog explores research on dog shampoo ingredients that may be toxic to the environment and provides alternatives to help you be a more eco-friendly pet owner.
Toxic Ingredients
Some of the most common dog shampoo ingredients that may cause harm to the environment are mineral oils, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Although these ingredients may seem harmless, they pose many potential concerns for your local waterways and surrounding ecosystems.
Mineral Oils
Mineral oils are usually included in dog shampoo to moisturize or condition a dog’s coat. One of the major issues around mineral oils is that they are non-biodegradable and therefore may remain in the soil or water for a long time after use. If mineral oils enter soil or waterways, they can potentially harm plants or wildlife. Mineral oils can create a petroleum film on the water’s surface, which disrupts oxygen exchange and can block light from reaching deeper parts of the water. This can harm aquatic life by limiting oxygen, obstructing plant growth, and creating an imbalance in the ecosystem. Mineral oils also threaten soil health as they may clog soil pores, reducing aeration and water infiltration.
Parabens
Parabens are chemicals commonly used as preservatives in many food and care items. Their purpose in most dog shampoos is to prevent bacteria and mold growth. But there are several potential concerns to be aware of. If allowed to accumulate in aquatic ecosystems, parabens may create long-lasting negative effects for wildlife. Parabens can disrupt the endocrine system, which may lead to reproductive issues and reduced fertility. In addition, it is not fully understood how the antimicrobial properties of parabens impact naturally occurring microbiomes in aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic microbes often form the base of the aquatic food chain, so their disruption can have wide-ranging impacts on an ecosystem.
Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances are added to dog shampoos to mask the smell of other chemicals and to make our dogs smell good! Although they are common in many everyday products, these chemicals do not break down easily and may pollute the soil, water, and air. In aquatic ecosystems, synthetic fragrances may reduce the ability of animals to eliminate toxins from their system. Although this phenomenon has only been observed in non-human animals, it has implications for human health as well. Another major concern with synthetic fragrances is air pollution. Chemical fragrances react with sunlight to create volatile organic compounds, which create almost as much ozone pollution as fuel burned in the atmosphere. A great alternative to most synthetic fragrances is natural scents from sources like essential oils.
By using shampoos with any of these ingredients, we are risking these potential harms to the environment. Even if your dog is bathed indoors, these chemicals may not be completely removed in the wastewater treatment process. In addition to harming the environment, these ingredients may also impact the health of the dog they are applied to. To learn more about how these ingredients (and more) are harmful to your dogs, take a look at this article, The Most Toxic Ingredients in Dog Shampoo and How to Avoid Them on doglyness.com.
How to Find Good Ingredients
Along with screening for harmful ingredients, it is also important to look for good ingredients when buying a dog shampoo. Consider looking for ingredients that are natural or naturally derived. And beware of “greenwashing,” which is when a company or product claims to be more eco-friendly than it actually is. Always do your research and check for certifications and seals on packaging before purchasing.
A Few More Eco-Friendly Tips
Being an eco-friendly pet owner is important for our community and our environment. Even something as small as a shampoo ingredient can impact an ecosystem. To help protect our watershed and the beautiful environment around us, here are some other steps you can take:
Pick up your dog’s waste and dispose of it in the proper bin. In SLO County, that’s the trash can, not the green waste or compost bin! To learn more about proper pet waste disposal, take a look at our blog titled “Dog Poop Bags: Breaking Down How Dog Waste Bags Break Down.”
Trail etiquette is important for being an eco-friendly pet owner. When walking your dog out in nature, pay attention to which areas allow dogs and whether dogs may be on or off leash. Dogs can leave a lasting impact on wildlife through their noises, smells, diseases, or any other marks that they leave behind. You can learn more about why it’s important to respect leash laws and dog-friendly areas here.
For more tips, visit our blog, “Mutts For the Bay: Eco-Friendly Tips for You and Your Pup”.