4-Legger's FAQ
For your convenience, we've compiled frequently asked questions here. If you don't see the answer to your question, please contact us!
Question About 4-Legger
Q : What if I am not completly satisified with my product?
A : We are confident that you will be very happy with your purchase. However, if for any reason you are not, we offer the Wagging Tail Guarantee - we will refund your purchase for any reason. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Q : Are 4-Legger's Products Really Organic?
A : We get it. There are a LOT of dog shampoo companies that claim to have all natural and organic products, you need to do your homework! Our organic dog shampoo really is organic - USDA Certified through the National Organic Program.
We don't use a few organic ingredients and then make misleading claims. Our PRODUCTS are USDA certified to organic. You can rest assured that you are getting a true all natural dog shampoo!
Q : Is 4-Legger cruelty free?
A : Yes! We are Certified Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny. All of our ingredients are safe and non-toxic! We do test 4-Legger first on ourselves to see if we like the essential oil blends. Once we are happy with the blends we do a lot of dog washing to make sure your pups will love it as much as we do!
Q : Why do our products cost more than other products?
A : It is a fact. We don't deny it. When your source ingredients are organic, non-GMO, sourced with quality and integrity they do cost more. Your furry family is worth every penny.
Q : Are 4-Legger's Ingredients Vegan?
A : They are. Learn more about our ingredients.
Q : Does 4-Legger Manufacture Products In The United States?
A : Our products are manufactured in the United States. We do manufacture in the USA. Our ingredients are responsibly sourced from around the world. They are very carefully selected for their very high quality (certified organic being one of the deciding factors of course), sustainability, environmental impact, and purity. Where possible, we purchase from within the United States.
Q : Is 4-Legger A Green Certified Business?
A : We are green business certified.
Questions About Our Organic Shampoo
Q : What Is The Difference In The Shampoos?
A : The difference is primarily in the bases.
- USDA Organic Base: Organic Aloe Juice, Organic Saponified Oils of Coconut, Shea Butter, Olive, Sunflower, and Jojoba, Organic Vegetable Glycerin, and Organic Rosemary Extract.
- Organic to Food Standards: Saponified Organic oils of Coconut, Olive, and Jojoba, and Rosemary Extract.
Q : Does 4-Legger contain sulfates or other potentially toxic ingredients?
A: No. Our shampoo does NOT contain ANY of the ingredients commonly found in traditional pet shampoos. 4-Legger will never contain ANY of the following ingredients - you have our promise!
- Artificial fragrance,
- artificial colors,
- sulfates,
- formaldehyde,
- Cocomide DEA, MEA, or TEA,
- Cocamidopropyl betaine,
- isopropyl alcohol,
- Isopropyl (SD-40) alcohol,
- isothiazolinone preservatives (Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone),
- parabens,
- mineral oil,
- polyethylene glycol,
- PEG-40,
- propylene glycol,
- sodium benzoate preservatives,
- sodium lauerth sulfate,
- sodium lauryl sulfate,
- ammonium lauryl sulfate, or polysorbates!
Q : Does 4-Legger dry out skin and strip the natural oils from my dog's coat?
A : 4-Legger will not dry your dog's skin or strip the natural oils. In fact, it will do quite the opposite! Over the years, soap has gotten a bad reputation because manufacturers who produce soap sell the glycerin that is developed during the soap making process (saponification). Glycerin is natural humectant - it absorbs water from the air and attracts moisture to the skin and hair. Only the highest quality soaps retain the glycerin. Other manufacturers sell the glycerin or use them in other products that they manufacture like lotions to treat dry skin as they command higher prices!
Also, these poor quality and mass market soaps usually have free alkali in them, making them harsh and drying. This is great for shelf life - and it increases the lather. It is also drying to the skin.
Free alkali will find every last bit of the natural oils in your dog's skin and coat and saponify them (turn them into soap), leaving your dog dry and "squeaky clean". Too high a coconut oil percentage in the formulation. the addition of artificial color and fragrance increases the probability that the soap will be drying.
4-Legger retains 100% of the glycerin in the product and there are no free alkalis in our formulations.
Q : Why is the consistency of the shampoo so thin?
A : Great question. The short answer is we left out the bad stuff!
Here is the longer answer: The ingredients that make non-organic shampoo thicker are not allowed in organic products. These thickeners are inferior products (sulfates) that are less expensive, more used to what the consumer is used to, but pose health risks when used on your dog.
We can use vegetable guar gum to make organic shampoo thicker; but, it does reduce lather.
We're not thick headed - we chose lather over a thicker consistency! We know our customers value lather!
Q : Can I use 4-Legger on my cat?
A : Yes! You can use 4-Legger on your cat and any other animal in your house (including on yourself)! Yes - we admit it - we wash in 4-Legger!
Q : Can I use 4-Legger products on myself?
A : Absolutely! All of our ingredients are human grade and safe and non-toxic. We use 4-Legger products on ourselves and we get reports of customers doing the same.
One of our customers said that while he bought 4-Legger for his dog he began to use it in the shower- from his head to his toes and while shaving. Since using 4-Legger he hasn't had to add moisturizer after shaving - which he had done for over a century! Way to go 4-Legger!
Q : My shampoo got cloudy when it got cold. Is it safe to use?
A : It is absolutely safe to use. As the temperature drops, jojoba oil may become cloudy and solidify. That is completely normal. It occurs from the hardening of the fats and waxes. Once the product is back to room temperature, it will return to its stable appearance.
Q : Can I use 4-Legger on my guinea pig?
A : Yes, you can! A guinea pig's skin is very sensitive and more alkaline (basic) than a dog or cat so many dog shampoos will be very drying for guinea pigs.
Almost all human shampoos and many dog shampoos are too acidic for a dog or cat (or any small animal). When you use a product that is too acidic (the pH is 6 or lower), the protective layer of a dogs skin becomes irritated and causes them to scratch because they are itchy. Prolonged use of that type of product can actually destroy the protective layer and become a gateway for all kinds of skin infections and other conditions. That's why it is so important to never use human products on dogs, cats, or guinea pigs!
Q : Is it safe to use 4-Legger on my puppy?
A : We recommend using our hypoallergenic dog shampoos on puppies. As with any product, keep it out of their eyes. You can do this by using a wash cloth to carefully wash their face.
Q : How often should I bathe my dog?
A : It really depends upon the dog, climate, breed, level of activity, and of course how much they like to roll in muck! A dog with an oily coat may need to bathed more frequently while dogs with short hair or water-repellent, thick, or double coats can be bathed less frequently.
On average once or twice a month will maintain a healthy coat!
Q : Will 4-Legger damage my concrete or pavers if I wash my dog outdoors?
A : If you live in an area with hard water, the hard water can react with the natural fats from the oils and create a white "film" on your concrete or pavers. The longer the oils and the hard water have to react, the harder it will be to rinse off - making it look like a white film.
To avoid this, wash your dog in the grass! If you do wash on concrete or pavers, we recommend rinsing it off into your yard immediately after you bathing. 4-Legger is 100% biodegradable, safe, and non-toxic. It won't harm wildlife or your 4-Leggers!
If you do forget to wash it off and you do get the white film, you can use vinegar to clean it off! Also, remember you don't need a lot of product for it to work! Go easy when you are pouring it out!
Q : If 4-Legger is non-toxic why does it say "do not ingest" on the bottle?
A : Since 4-Legger's products are certified through the National Organics Program, we must also meet labeling requirements as set forth by the US Food and Drug Administration.
You could ingest 4-Legger and it it is non-toxic but it likely wouldn't taste very good!
All dog shampoo should carry this warning; but, unfortunately since there are no regulations that requires them to do so, they don't!
Questions About Our USDA Certified Organic Healing Balm
Q : How soon will I notice a difference?
A : Most customers will notice a difference after the first bath or after the first application of paw and nose protector. We have had customers tell us that after the first bath their dog wasn't scratching anymore.
There are a lot of factors that can make your dog itchy. Their shampoo is just one of those factors. If your dog is still scratching after use, you should look at their food, allergies, and thyroid health.
One of the dogs in our pack has thyroid issues. She has been helped by adding natural salmon oil into her daily diet.
Q : My dog licks off the paw protector after we apply it. Is it safe?
A : Yes. Our products are safe and non-toxic and while some is licked off, there is likely enough left on the paws after applied for it to do its job. We suggest applying when your dog is winding down to go to sleep, after a big play session, or when distracting them with their favorite toy or a treat.
Q : What is Tocopherol? That doesn't sound very natural.
A : Tocopherol is a derivative of Vitamin E. It is one of the few preservatives approved for use in certified organic products. Most of our products contain Rosemary Extract as a preservative; however, to maintain shelf life some of our products needed additional preservatives.