Most dog owners assume the shampoo and grooming products used on their pets are regulated in the same way as the cosmetics we use ourselves.

In reality, this is not the case.

Under UK law, cosmetic products are defined as substances intended for contact with the human body. Products intended for use on animals are not included within this definition and therefore do not sit within the same cosmetic regulatory framework.

Human cosmetic products must comply with strict rules around safety assessments, ingredient restrictions, and product registration. These requirements help ensure transparency and consumer protection.

Despite the size of the pet care industry, there is currently no dedicated regulatory framework for pet cosmetic products equivalent to that which governs human cosmetics.

At the same time, millions of households across the UK regularly use grooming products on their dogs.

Dogs also have different skin characteristics from humans. Their skin is generally thinner and has a different pH balance, meaning poorly formulated products can contribute to irritation, dryness, and disruption of the skin barrier.

What are we calling for?

We are calling for the current regulatory position to be reviewed and for clearer standards to be introduced for pet cosmetic products:

• A clear regulatory framework for grooming products used on animals
• Appropriate safety assessment requirements
• Greater transparency around ingredients used in pet grooming products

Sign the petition

Dog owners deserve confidence that the products they use on their pets are safe and properly formulated.

If you believe grooming products used on dogs should meet clear and consistent safety standards, please sign and share this petition.