4-Legger USDA Certified Organic Dog Conditioner Wins the 2020 EcoExcellence Awards

We are excited to announce 4-Legger won the 2020 EcoExcellence Awards for best grooming product for the 3rd YEAR IN A ROW! 

Restore, Our USDA Certified Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioning Rinse for Dogs took home the prize! 

Thank you to all of our amazing customers who voted! If you didn't know 4-Legger had an organic dog conditioner, read on!  For years many of you had asked us to develop a dog conditioner, so we did but it’s not what you think of when you consider traditional conditioners. It’s so much more!

The Problem With Dog Traditional Dog Conditioners

The problem with conditioners that are made for dogs are the ingredients and because there are no regulations for what is in dog grooming products, these toxic ingredients are often disguised with misleading terms like "natural conditioners". Additionally, they’re basically human conditioner being marketed for dogs.

For this blog post, we searched for "dog conditioner" on Amazon.com and found one of the best sellers.

Here are the ingredients: Purified water, Polyquatemium-37, Cetrimonium Chloride, Natural Collloidal Oatmeal, Jojoba Oil, Glycerin, Silk Protein, Shea Butter, Pomegranate Extract, Fragrance, DMDM Hydantoin, Tetrasodium EDTA, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5. 

• Cetrimonium Chloride: Has strong linkages to allergies and immune toxicity. In a peer reviewed publication, this ingredient is linked to reports of reproductive toxicity in animals. It is also an environmental toxin.
• Fragrance: A "catch all" for added scent that generally means it has a lot of ingredients linked to allergies and immune issues. Most have links to organ system toxicity and are not friendly to the planet (ecotoxicology). 
• DMDM Hydantoin: Used as a preservative that slowly releases small amounts of antimicrobial formaldehyde over time. Many dogs have or can develop formaldehyde allergies/sensitivities. It also may cause skin or eye irritation. Formaldehyde is linked to cancer. 
• FD&C Red #40 & FD&C Yellow #5: Artificial colors are synthetic dyes generally produced from petroleum. While the dyes may be FDA-approved for use in cosmetics, they do have linkages to organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) and are known to bioaccumulate (can build up in the system). If that doesn't convince you to avoid it, FD&C and D&C colors are bituminous coal derivatives that are continuously tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties. Learn more. That’s a hard No!

 Our Conditioner is Made with Oversight by the National Organic Program

4-Legger isn't your traditional dog grooming company. We chose to make all of our products with third party oversight by the National Organic Program. Every ingredient in our organic dog conditioner is traced from seed to shelf. 

The ingredients in our dog conditioner were selected based on their beneficial properties to improve your dog's skin and coat and help to restore their natural skin and coat balance. It is not a “creme rinse” which is what most people think of when considering hair conditioner.

The Ingredients in 4-Legger's USDA Organic Dog Conditioner

Ingredients in 4-Legger's USDA Certified Organic Conditioning Rise for Dogs:

Purified water, vodka (organic), apple cider vinegar  (raw, unfiltered, organic), guar gum (natural plant based, organic), lemongrass essential oil (organic), sweet orange essential oil (organic), xantham gum (natural gum), olive oil (extra-virgin organic), shea butter (organic), ylang ylang essential oil (organic), thyme essential oil (organic), rosehip seed oil (organic), organic henna herb powder (colorless), sage leaf herb (organic), bilberry leaf herb (organic) 

Our conditioning rinse is packed full of benefits. Here are just some of them: 

• Relieves itchy skin
• Relief for Yeasty Skin 
• Naturally helps to deter fleas (a spritz on the legs, feet and belly before the walk and you're good to go)
• Helps resolve dog “frito feet”
• Cleans your dog's ears
• Helps your dog transition to our USDA Organic Dog Shampoo when needed
• Removes the build-up of synthetic grooming products from your dog's coat
• A great de-shedder (in fact our groomers tell us it is the best de-shedder they have ever used)

The #1 Question About Our Conditioning Rinse

We've had a lot of question about the vodka in the conditioner.

Some people just can't believe they are reading it correctly. Yes, there is organic vodka made from USDA organic sugar cane!

Organic vodka is a natural preservative, and a natural astringent that will cleanse the skin to relieve itchy skin, reduce dander and tighten the pores. It also has the ability to seal the hair cuticle which will manage and reduce the appearance of frizz, resulting in a softer and shinier coat.

The organic vodka is diluted by the other ingredients. So, while organic vodka is 40% alcohol, when diluted the alcohol content is reduced to 0-2 proof (0-0.5% alcohol) making it very safe and an extremely low portion of the total volume. 

The rest of the ingredients in our conditioner are just as safe and beneficial. 

Our Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw and unfiltered. ACV is known to help relieve itchy skin, clean and tighten pores, soften and soothe the skin and reduce the presence of bacteria and fungus. Apple cider vinegar for fleas has been well documented as a naturally safe and effective solution. 

Our organic guar gum and organic xanthum gum are natural conditioners and detanglers. 

Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil is a natural flea deterrent known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties. Lemongrass is a natural astringent (cleanser) with toning qualities which help stimulate blood circulation and tone up dermal tissue.

Organic Sweet Orange Essential Oilis packed with natural Vitamin C to promote the production of collagen (repair skin) and is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and bacteria, lift the spirits and promote healthy skin. 

Organic Olive Oilis rich in vitamins, minerals, natural fatty acids, and antioxidants. Known for its ability to nourish, rejuvenate, and protect the skin without blocking the pores.

Organic Shea Butter is an amazing humectant and emollient.  It helps provide and retain moisture, is an anti-inflammatory, natural sunscreen, and helps to revitalize & heal damaged skin.

Organic Ylang Ylang Essential Oilhelps to calm the skin and reduce inflammation.

Organic Thyme Essential Oilreduces inflammation and is helpful for fungal, yeast, viral and bacterial conditions and improves circulation. It supports a compromised immune system and help encourage the body to fight off germs naturally. 

Organic Rose Hip Oilis harvested from the seeds of Rosa canina (rose bushes) this oil is full of nutrients including vitamins A, C and E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids (linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acid) that hydrate, heal and rejuvenate dry and itchy skin without blocking the pores.

Organic Henna Herb Powder (colorless) adds shine and definition to your dog's coat while deeply conditioning the hair follicle leaving your dog's coat smooth, silky, and shiny! Our neutral colored non dying Henna is also thought to have antibacterial, antiviral and inflammatory effects. 

Organic Sage Leaf Herbhas antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that make sage an excellent toner. It can also help to regulate sebum production while the strong antioxidants provide protection against free radicals that damage skin cells. 

Organic Bilberry Leaf Herbis an anti-inflammatory, astringent and antiseptic to clean, tighten, and nourish the skin as well as antioxidants to help strengthen and protect it. Very hydrating and full of flavonoids and vitamins.

Learn more about our USDA Certified Organic Conditioning Rinse. 

So you can see, this is not your ordinary conditioner - it is so much more and we are thrilled to have been recognized in the EcoExcellence Awards 2020 with this amazing product.  Thank you for helping us earn this award and for continuing to support 4-Legger in our mission to create clean, safe, healthy and nontoxic products for the dogs in our lives.

With much gratitude,

Melissa