Coconut oil has a lot of health benefits for dogs, especially for their skin and coat. It's no wonder that many grooming product manufacturers are adding this ingredient to their shampoos and conditioners. Isle of Dogs has created an entire line around this super ingredient, and I wanted to see if it was really worth the hype.
The list of skin and coat benefits from the use of coconut oil is unbelievable. A few key advantages of using grooming products that include this oil are:
- minimizes dog odor
- helps to clear up skin allergies, itchy skin and dry coat
- reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions
- aids in coat health and makes it look glossy
- promotes wound healing
No wonder more and more companies are including coconut oil in their shampoos and conditioners! With all of these added benefits comes a steeper price tag, though. Just remember that when it comes to dog grooming supplies, the cheapest products are usually dangerous.
Many common ingredients found in the cheapest dog shampoos and conditioners are toxic to our pets. I know what you're thinking – “That can't be true! Companies aren't allowed to use toxic chemicals in their products, right?”
Unfortunately, the regulations in the pet industry are extremely broad. This leaves a loopholes that companies can find to use cheap ingredients to make their products. The cheaper the cost to them, the cheaper the product is for consumers. And, we all know that many consumers shop based on price alone.
Don't be one of those consumers!
I was originally attracted to Isle of Dogs' products because of their shampoos and conditioners that are soap-free, sulfate free and paraben free. Unfortunately, after checking the ingredients closely after receiving the products, I found a few ingredients that I was concerned about.
The bottom line is that these products are safer than many on the market, but they aren't the top-of-the-line. Of course, every dog owner is on a budget, so if you can't afford the 100% natural options out there, these products are a much safer alternative than the bottom of the barrel products you can purchase at big box stores for $2 a bottle.
Now, let's talk about the details…
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Isle of Dogs CocoClean Grooming Products
Do these products work?
Yes! They absolutely do, and I was impressed by the way they cleaned my dog's coat. It's easy to work the shampoo right down to the skin to remove all the dirt and debris stuck in your pup's fur.
The conditioner left my dog's coat shiny and smooth, and the scent is not overpowering.
The shampoo offers a nice lather, and it also rinses easily. I do not like pet shampoos that are thick and waxy. They cling to the coat and take a long time to rinse out. Not only does this mean you need to use more water, it's also a hassle if you have a dog that doesn't particularly enjoy taking baths.
The brush spray left my Labrador smelling nice for about 3 days. As far as a dog perfume-type product goes, that's pretty good.
I was also pleased with the amount of shampoo and conditioner needed to cover my Labrador. She has a double coat, and I have to use a large quantity of some shampoos to clean her entire body. These products from Isle of Dogs work down into the coat easily and spread nicely, meaning that you can use less product to get the job done.
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Are they safe?
Now, let's talk about the ingredients. If you watched my video review above, you know that there are a few products listed on the ingredient label that caught my attention.
I'm picky about the grooming products that I use with my dogs, and over the years I've found that there are certain ingredients that you should stay away from when shopping for dog shampoos and conditioners.
First, let me tell you about the healthy, beneficial ingredients in these products. They are all made with coconut oil, as I mentioned in the beginning of this article.
They also contain other ingredients that are known for aiding in skin and coat health like:
- shea butter
- aloe vera
- almond oil
- added vitamins
But, not all the ingredients are beneficial. While the research is still unclear, some common ingredients found in dog grooming products (including the CocoClean line) may be dangerous for pets.
Keep in mind, this is not the only shampoo to contain questionable ingredients. In fact, almost every dog shampoo on the market contains one or more of these ingredients.
So, which ingredients stood out to me? The first is DMDM hydantoin. It is a an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative. When formaldehyde began to develop a poor reputation, it was reformulated into other compounds that could be used in products without having to list formaldehyde as an ingredient.
These products also contain artificial fragrances. Some pets are allergic to these fragrances and will develop a rash or suffer dry skin because of them. Some experts believe that they may also lead to issues with the reproductive and endocrine systems, but no research has been completed to prove this hypothesis.
Finally, these dog grooming products contain polysorbate 20. It starts as a natural compound, sorbitol, which is a sugar alcohol that is derived from corn syrup. Then it is treated with ethylnene oxide, a known carcinogen.
The bottom line
As I said before, the bottom line is that these products from Isle of Dogs are safer than many on the market, but they aren't 100% healthy or natural. However, they're also cheaper than 100% natural grooming products. The shampoo and conditioner sell for just $8.99 for an 8.4 ounce bottle.
We're all on a budget, so if you can't afford the 100% natural options out there, these products are a much safer alternative than the bottom of the barrel products you can purchase at big box stores for $2 a bottle.
Isle of Dogs products are also made in the U.S.A and 100% biodegradable. These grooming products fall into the middle of the pack as far as shampoos and conditioners go. They're affordable and made with some ingredients that are extremely beneficial for your pet's skin and coat.
My advice would be to educate yourself on all of the ingredients in any product that you buy for your Fido. That's the only way you'll have the peace of mind in knowing that you're using a product that won't harm your canine companion.
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