Our Promise: Products You Feel Good Using on Your Best Friend

The Commitment to Organic and Safe Dog Shampoo by 4-Legger

In 2014, 4-Legger embarked on a mission to transform the pet grooming industry to make it more transparent and safe.

We started by creating a list of ingredients that would never be found in any of our all-natural dog shampoos.

The list (below), originally crafted on a humble notepad, continues to serve as the cornerstone of their commitment to quality and safety. It was also the start of the pet shampoo ingredient database

Why Are Ingredients In Dog Shampoo So Important?

Many manufacturers argue that toxins in dog shampoo don't matter or that the small amount of a toxin in an ingredient poses no threat. However, as cases of cancer, hormone disruption, and other diseases in dogs continue to rise, 4-Legger firmly believes that any amount of synthetic chemicals exposed to dogs is too much.

The Shocking Rise of Cancer In Dogs

The rate of cancer in dogs is 5x that of humans: For every human that is diagnosed with cancer, 5 dogs are diagnosed with cancer.

prevent cancer in dogs

50% of Dogs Over the Age of 2 Will Die From Cancer

The 2 most common cancers are:
1: Mast Cell Tumors (a form of skin cancer)
2: Melanoma - Skin and mouth cancer

percentage of canine cancer that is genetic

Only 5% of Canine Cancer Is Genetic

Yes... only 5% of canine cancers are hereditary (some breeds have higher rates and some lower).

 

percentage of canine cancer that is attributed to environmental toxins

95% of Canine Cancer Is Attributed to Environment and Lifestyle

This means ... 95% of canine cancers are in our control and we can reduce exposure by reducing exposure to environmental toxins.

 

Having lost a dog to cancer, we think ANY amount of these synthetic chemicals being exposed to our dogs when there are viable, safe, and effective alternatives is too much.   

The Pet Grooming Industry

The pet grooming industry is not regulated and manufacturers can say a product is all natural, pure, safe and non-toxic, or organic when it is in fact full of environmental toxins.

We committed our lives to making the grooming industry safer, one healthy bath at a time by educating pet parents and creating truly safe and non-toxic products pet parents could trust.

What Ingredients Will You Never Find in a Bottle of 4-Legger Organic Dog Shampoo?

4-Legger's unequivocal answer to this question encompasses all those harmful components that typically populate the contents of conventional dog grooming products.

4-Legger takes immense pride in delivering an authentically natural dog shampoo, crafted with organic ingredients. Our dedication to quality and safety is unwavering, underscored by the fact that all of our shampoos, our healing balm, dog conditioner, and our touch up sprays are all Certified to USDA Organic Standards.

Why is Certified Organic Important to 4-Legger?

Certified organic dog grooming products go through a much higher level of scrutiny. 4-Legger developed the world's first aloe-based USDA Organic Dog Shampoo to give pet parents the confidence that their products are truly all-natural, safe, and non-toxic when they see the USDA seal.

Our ingredients are carefully selected for sustainability and ethical harvesting/growing practices. They are reviewed throughout their lifecycle, from where and how they are grown to how they are processed, transported, packaged, and shipped. All of 4-Legger's products are made in the USA in small batches to ensure quality.

Certified organic dog grooming products also verify the absence of GMO ingredients, pesticides, herbicides, artificial colors, or artificial fragrance. Only truly natural ingredients go into the bottle and, of course, on your dog.

In their blog and newsletter, 4-Legger provides further insights into their ingredients, tips to help pet owners make informed choices when it comes to the well-being of their beloved furry family members.

From the Humble Notepad To An unwavering commitment of quality

Our Original List of Banned ingredients

Here is our original list of banned ingredients that we vowed would never be in a bottle of 4-Legger!

The words "organic" and "natural" are not regulated.

Only 2% of dog grooming products are truly all natural and organic.

To meet this criteria, the product must be certified as organic through the National Organic Program.

Most companies use a blend of organic ingredients and synthetic chemicals and make claims they are all natural and organic.

Why Are Synthetic Chemicals Bad?
Synthetic chemicals have been linked to itchy skin, allergies, hormone disruption and cancer. 

What to Look For?

The phrase "derived from" when talking about an ingredient such as "derived from coconut oil" or "derived from plants"

  • Caprylhydroxamic Acid
  • Coco-glucoside
  • Decyl Glucoside

What Are They?

GMOs are genetically modified
organisms like corn, soy, wheat, etc. The DNA was altered to make them less susceptible to disease, application of herbicide, drought resistant, etc.

Why Are They Bad?
GMOs have been responsible for the "superweeds" and "superbugs" that are resistant to less toxic methods. GMOs can only be killed with more toxic poisons.

What to Look For?
A lot of companies that make the claim of using a "naturally derived" ingredient use GMO crops because they are cheaper and they are only using a chemical derived from the plant - not the whole plant.

What Are They?
Parabens are synthetic preservatives that prevent growth of bacteria or mold. They are frequently found in dog shampoo.

Why Are They Bad?
They have been linked to hormone disruption and can cause environmental damage. They have also been found to cause red skin rashes, and
allergies.

What To Look For?

  • Methylparaben
  • Propylparaben
  • Ethylparaben
  • Butylparaben

What Is It?
Petroleum ingredients or petrochemicals ingredients that are made from crude oil and oil. They are commonly used
to make ingredients.

Why Are They Bad?
They commonly contain a contaminant called 1,4-dioxane, a substance linked to cancer and toxicities in the body.

What To Look For?

  • PEG (polyethanol glycol)
  • DEA (diethanolamine)
  • Mineral Oil
  • MEA (ethanolamine)
  • Butylparaben
  • EDTA
  • Ingredients with "propyl" in it like cocamidopropyl betaine
  • Fragrances (95% come from petroleum)

What Are They?
Ingredients generally made from
petroleum (petrochemicals), they are low cost cleaners, foam boosters, and thickeners commonly found in grooming products. 

Why are they bad?
Sulfates (detergents) are linked to skin irritation and skin allergies. they may also be contaminated with dioxane - a byproduct of the manufacturing
process known to cause cancer.

What To Look For?

  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate
  • Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
  • Sodium Coco Sulfate
  • Coconut based surfactant
  • Natural Cleaner
  • Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
  • TEA
  • Lauryl Sulfate
  • MEA

What To Look For On The Label:
Dimethicone, Dimethyl silicone (and other names)

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).

What Are They?
Synthetic dyes generally made from petroleum.

Why are they bad?They have linkages to organ system toxicity and are known to bioaccumulate in the body. 

What To Look For

  • FD&C
  • D&C
  • Color

What Are They?
Ingredients generally made from
petroleum (petrochemicals), they are low cost cleaners, foam boosters, and thickeners commonly found in grooming products. 

Why are they bad?Sulfates (detergents) are linked to skin irritation and skin allergies. they may also be contaminated with dioxane - a byproduct of the manufacturing process known to cause cancer.

What To Look For

  • DMDM Hydantoin
  • Caprylhydroxamic Acid
  • Quaternium-15
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • Methylisothiazolinone (MIT or MI)
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
  • Isothiazolone
  • 5-chloro-2-methyl

All of 4-Legger's products are vegan.

We don't have any animal products in any of our ingredients. 

What Are They?
Ingredients generally made from
petroleum (petrochemicals), they are low cost cleaners, foam boosters, and thickeners commonly found in grooming products. 

Why are they bad?
Sulfates (detergents) are linked to skin irritation and skin allergies. they may also be contaminated with dioxane - a byproduct of the manufacturing
process known to cause cancer.

What To Look For?

  • Cetyl alcohol
  • Stearyl alcohol
  • PPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate

What To Look For On The Label:
Cocamide DEA, Cocamide MEA, DEA, TEA

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
A
foam producer that started as a coconut and has been chemically altered
into a moderate cancer causer, hormone and thyroid disruptor and an
organ toxin due to contamination issues in manufacturing.

What To Look For On The Label:
Cocamidopropyl betaine or Cocomide betaine

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
A synthetic surfactant associated with irritation & allergic contact dermatitis. Reactions could be due to the ingredient itself or impurities. Nitrosamines (a common contaminant) are known to cause cancer. 

What To Look For On The Label:
Tetrasodium EDTA or EDTA

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
Used as a preservative - organ system toxicity (non-reproductive). Increases the ability of other chemicals penetrating skin. 

What To Look For On The Label:
DMDM Hydantoin, Doazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium-15

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
Formaldehyde is a known cancer causing agent. While slow releasing versions do release formaldehyde more slowly - they are still releasing formaldehyde! 

What To Look For On The Label:
Fragrance

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
Your dog's sense of smell is 50 times more sensitive than yours.

Artificial fragrances can lead to compromised immune function, allergic reactions, neurotoxicity, and cancer.

Commonly found in dry dog shampoo.

What To Look For On The Label:
SD-40, isopropyl alcohol, rubbing alcohol, isopropanol, 2-propanol, and propyl

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
Destroys the skins moisture balance & causes irritation. Makes susceptible to bacterial & viral infections. Nerve toxin, lung & heart irritant, and liver toxin.

What To Look For On The Label:
Mineral oil

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
A byproduct of distilled gasoline - made from crude oil - it coats the
skin and inhibits its ability to release natural oils or eliminate
toxins. 

What To Look For On The Label:
Phthalate

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
Help bond fragrance to the soap (surfactant) base. Known male and female hormone disrupters, linked to birth defects, asthma, neuro-developmental problems in newborns, fertility issues, & obesity. Banned from children's toys. 

What To Look For On The Label:
Polysorbate-20
Polysorbate-80

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
Bind oil with water and dissolve fragrances into a solution. Commonly contaminated with the cancer causing 1,4-dioxane. 

What To Look For On The Label:
Propylene glycol

Why We Don't Want it In Our Products:
Used as a humectant (moisture retention). Strong skin irritant and
liver/kidney toxin.

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