Problems With Kote-Glo No Rinse Shampoo for Dogs

Pet shampoo manufacturers don't need to release the ingredients of their products like pet food companies do, making it difficult to know if a potential problem exists in the grooming products you use. Although the makers of Kote Glow No Rinse Shampoo for dogs do not fully disclose its ingredients, the product's partial list includes surfactants, a carcinogenic chemical commonly used in soaps and shampoos for pets and people.

  1. Identification

    • Surfactants create lather and improve cleansing, and may be synthetic, animal- or plant-based. The molecules comprising these surfactants are divided into two chemical groups: one attracts dirt and the other water. They team up to remove dirt from the hair shaft and scalp.

    Potential Problems

    • According to Laura Boston, president of Animal Sense Pet Products Inc., many of the chemical surfactants in dog shampoos are petroleum-based and known carcinogens, but many cause cancer only after excessive and prolonged exposure, Boston says. "A better option is to choose a shampoo that uses natural surfactants and non-toxic, natural ingredients."

    Product Claims

    • It's possible that Kote Glow No Rinse Shampoo contains non-toxic, natural surfactants -- but this is not indicated on the label -- However, the product claims its proprietary blend of surfactants is pH-balanced and safe for dogs, cats and other pets. A shampoo that is pH-balanced is desirable, according to Drs. Foster and Smith.

    Grooming Tips

    • Every dog has different grooming needs from breed to breed, coat to coat. One thing is true across the board: dogs in the wild didn't need frequent bathing and neither does the domestic dog, according to "The Whole Dog Journal." Keeping your pet clean promotes health, but frequent bathing can strip natural oils from a dog's coat and exacerbate skin irritation in sensitive dogs. If your dog's skin or coat doesn't appear healthy, is dull, flaky or inflamed, talk to your veterinarian about the right grooming products to help improve its health.