Cosmetics For Dogs: Risks And Dangers
When we talk about the use of cosmetics for dogs, we must distinguish two topics and not confuse them. The first and most complex concerns the experiments conducted on dogs and other animals in the laboratories associated with the cosmetic industry.
Secondly, there is the widespread use of cosmetic products for dogs and other pets. What needs to be taken into consideration?
Experimentation of cosmetics on dogs
Undoubtedly, animal testing is one of the biggest controversies regarding the cosmetics industry.
While significant progress has been made in terms of legislation, reality shows that these tests continue to be performed globally.
Worldwide, over 115 million animals are used for this type of experiment every year.
Taking into account the European Union alone, around 12 million animals are used in the cosmetics industry every year.
The new law
However, a law has been passed since 2003 banning animal testing in the EU. Its implementation initially included two phases, and both have already been put in place.
The first phase was implemented in 2009 and its aim was to eradicate this type of testing in the European cosmetics industry, as well as to prevent the import and export of products tested on animals from that date.
The second phase was implemented in 2013 and specifically concerns products that need to be tested for toxicity. However, the legislation gives these manufacturers 10 years to fully implement the second stage requirements.
A trap law
But then, why do there continue to be so many animal experiments if there is a law that prohibits them?
If we carefully read the text of this law, we will find a “clause” that producers cling to in order not to respect it. By claiming that they do not have a sufficiently reliable alternative method, brands can continue to experiment on animals.
The Risks of Testing Cosmetics on Dogs
The permissive attitude of many people towards animal experiments is usually based on ignorance. In fact, many believe that testing on animals means applying a cream to their skin to see if there is an allergic reaction.
Unfortunately, however, cosmetic experimentation goes much further and seriously endangers the health of animals. In addition to the annoying symptoms of an allergy, animals are exposed to a number of dangerous chemicals during these tests to measure the level of toxicity in relation to human health.
In other words, they are poisoned in a controlled environment to test their body’s reaction to the components of the cosmetics. Other tests can lead to irreversible genetic damage and the development of malignant tumors in the animal’s body.
It would be unthinkable to carry out this same type of testing on humans. Yet millions of animals are subjected to these tests every day around the world. We are facing the great ethical problem of experimenting with cosmetics on dogs and other animals.
Precautions with the use of cosmetic products for dogs
The pet friendly industry is showing exponential growth around the world. Clothes, shoes, cosmetics, jewels, costumes, furniture, toys, gastronomy… Today we find an infinity of products and services designed specifically for our best friends.
But when we talk about the use of this type of cosmetics on dogs, what risks and precautions should we consider?
First, we must be very careful in choosing the beauty and hygiene products we use to take care of our dogs.
In pet shops and supermarkets today we find: shampoos, conditioners, creams, soaps, perfumes and even whitening products for the hair. It is always advisable to read the label of each product carefully to identify the components.
The ideal would be to choose products that do not contain alcohol. In fact, alcohol can irritate the skin and mucous membranes of dogs.
Nor should we use cosmetics and human hygiene products to bathe or perfume our dogs. Remember that the ingredients in these products can cause allergies and poisoning.
Beware of humanization!
Humanization is an increasingly frequent and worrying phenomenon in dog training. While it may seem tender to treat a dog like a child, in reality we are not respecting his nature and are hurting him.
Logically, they need our dedication to preserve their physical and mental health. For this reason, some cosmetics may be useful in basic care, but we must know how to recognize the limits and not overdo it.
Dogs are dogs and should have the freedom to behave and live as such.
This does not mean that they are better or worse than people; they simply deserve to be respected with their particularities, needs and differences.
