What is in FurBabies™ Botanicals Products?

What's in FurBabies™ Botanicals pet skincare? Every product in the range is built from plant oils, butters and botanicals, each chosen for a specific job: to moisturise and condition skin and coat, to cleanse gently, or to make grooming a calmer, more pleasant ritual. This page explains what each ingredient is, why it's in the formula, and, where research exists, what the science actually shows.

We don't use synthetic fragrance, formaldehyde, SLS, SLES, parabens or mineral oil. Everything in our products is plant-derived and vegan.

The ingredients below appear across our Rinse-Off Shampoo, No-Rinse Shampoo, DermaRenew Lavender Serum, DermaProtect Rose Serum, Paw, Nose & Wrinkle Balm, Multipurpose Balm, Joint & Muscle Massage Rub and DentaShield Spray.

Plant oils and butters

Vitellaria paradoxa — Shea Butter

Pressed from the nut of the African shea tree, shea butter is a rich, velvety emollient that locks moisture into dry skin. It is naturally loaded with antioxidant vitamin E (tocopherols), and research shows the amount varies with the climate where the shea is grown [1]. It also contains plant compounds called triterpenes. In our balms it forms the soft protective layer that keeps moisture in after lighter oils have sunk in, which is ideal for dry, cracked paw pads and skin folds. Found in: DermaRenew Serum, Paw, Nose & Wrinkle Balm, Multipurpose Balm.

Simmondsia chinensis — Jojoba

Jojoba is technically a liquid wax rather than an oil, which makes it exceptionally light and stable. It glides through the coat and sinks in without a trace of greasiness, so it conditions without weighing fur down. Found in: DermaRenew Serum, Paw, Nose & Wrinkle Balm, Multipurpose Balm.

Persea gratissima — Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is packed with nourishing oleic acid and natural plant sterols. It softens rough, dry skin and smooths frizzy, unruly fur, and it adds moisture without leaving the coat heavy. Like other plant oils, it naturally contains vitamin E. Found in: DermaRenew Serum, Paw, Nose & Wrinkle Balm.

Theobroma cacao — Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is a firm, rich butter that melts at body temperature and leaves a soft, protective layer that helps stop skin drying out. It keeps paw pads and skin folds supple. Is it the same as chocolate? No. Cocoa butter is the fat pressed from the cacao bean. Theobromine, the compound that makes chocolate dangerous to dogs, is concentrated in the cocoa solids, which is why white chocolate (made from cocoa butter) is far lower in it than dark chocolate. Used thinly on the skin in a balm, it isn't a chocolate-poisoning risk, but as with any product, don't let your pet eat the pot. If you're worried about chocolate itself, use our chocolate toxicity calculator. Found in: Paw, Nose & Wrinkle Balm, Multipurpose Balm.

Virgin Cocos nucifera — Coconut Oil & MCT Oil

Virgin coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a fatty acid small enough to penetrate the hair shaft itself. In hair research comparing coconut, sunflower and mineral oil, coconut was the only one that reduced protein loss from both healthy and damaged hair [2]. For pets, that means stronger, glossier, easier-to-brush fur with less pulling. MCT (fractionated) coconut oil is a lighter, thinner version that gives a fast-absorbing, non-greasy feel, which is why we use it in the serums and shampoo base. Found in: all products.

Daucus carota — Carrot Seed Oil

A revitalising oil long prized in skincare for dry, tired-looking skin. Its signature compound is carotol, which makes up around two-thirds of its aromatic oil in one analysis [3]. (Carrot seed oil is different from the orange carrot root oil, which is where carrot's beta-carotene comes from.) Used at carefully controlled concentrations for dogs. Found in: DermaRenew Serum.

Calendula officinalis — Calendula-Infused Oil

Calendula (pot marigold) has been a favourite in gentle skincare for generations, valued for soothing and comforting dry, delicate skin. We infuse the flowers in a light seed oil pressed from Vitis vinifera seeds, in which linoleic acid makes up roughly 54–70% of the fatty acids [4]. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, a natural part of the skin's own protective oils. Heard grapes are toxic to dogs? That warning is about eating the fruit, grapes and raisins. This is a light oil pressed from the seeds, used in a thin layer on the coat, not a food. Found in: DermaProtect Rose Serum.

Azadirachta indica — Neem Oil

Pressed from the seeds of the neem tree, neem is a rich, earthy oil used in traditional Indian skincare for centuries. It conditions and adds richness to our balm and cat serum formulas. Found in: DermaProtect Rose Serum, Multipurpose Balm.

Aromatic botanicals

Lavandula angustifolia — Lavender

Lavender gives DermaRenew and our Rinse-Off Shampoo their light, calming scent. There's real research behind the calm: in a veterinary study, dogs who got over-excited on car journeys rested more and were quieter when they could smell lavender [5]. It helps turn grooming into a calm, pampering ritual, which matters for dogs who find bath time stressful. Found in: DermaRenew Serum, Rinse-Off Shampoo.

Pelargonium rosae — Rose Geranium

Rose geranium gives our DermaProtect serum and No-Rinse Shampoo their soft, floral scent, and is used at a low, carefully controlled dilution. It brings a fresh, clean finish to the coat. Found in: DermaProtect Rose Serum, No-Rinse Shampoo.

Salvia sclarea — Clary Sage

Clary sage has a warm, herbal, gently sweet aroma, and it rounds out the scent of our serum, balm and massage rub. Found in: DermaProtect Rose Serum, Multipurpose Balm, Joint & Muscle Massage Rub.

Ormenis multicaulis — Moroccan Chamomile

Chamomile is one of skincare's classic soothing botanicals, with a sweet, herbaceous scent that suits sensitive-skin formulas. Found in: Multipurpose Balm.

Gentle cleansers and conditioners (shampoos)

Panthenol (Provitamin B5)

Panthenol is a widely used humectant and conditioner. It draws moisture into skin and coat and leaves fur soft, smooth and easier to brush, which gives our shampoos their conditioning feel without silicones. Found in: Rinse-Off Shampoo, No-Rinse Shampoo.

Coco-Glucoside — Gentle Surfactant

Coco-glucoside is a 100% plant-derived, biodegradable cleanser made from coconut oil and fruit sugars, and one of the mildest cleansing agents available. We chose it instead of SLS and SLES so our shampoos clean without stripping the skin's natural oils. Found in: Rinse-Off Shampoo, No-Rinse Shampoo.

SCI (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate)

SCI is a mild, coconut-derived cleanser that gives the rinse-off shampoo a richer lather. It is much gentler than harsh sulphate detergents like SLS. Found in: Rinse-Off Shampoo only.

Glycerine & Pentylene Glycol

Glycerine is a well-tolerated humectant that draws moisture into the skin. Pentylene glycol is a plant-derived moisturiser that also helps keep the product itself fresh, which is how we keep our shampoos free from parabens. Found in: both shampoos.

Joint & Muscle Massage Rub

Our massage rub is designed for a warming, comforting massage routine for older and stiff dogs. Its botanicals give it its distinctive aroma and the warming and cooling feel that makes massage time enjoyable.

Boswellia carterii — Frankincense

A warm, resinous botanical, prized in massage blends for its rich, grounding aroma. Found in: Joint & Muscle Massage Rub.

Cedrus atlantica — Atlas Cedarwood

Woody and warming, cedarwood gives the rub its deep, comforting base note. Found in: Joint & Muscle Massage Rub.

Zingiber officinale — Ginger

Ginger brings a spicy, warming sensation that makes a massage feel cosy on cold days. Found in: Joint & Muscle Massage Rub.

Arnica montana — Arnica

Mountain arnica is one of the best-known botanicals in massage and sports rubs. Found in: Joint & Muscle Massage Rub.

Mentha piperitae aetheroleum — Peppermint

Peppermint gives a fresh, cooling tingle that contrasts with the warming botanicals. It is used at a careful, low dilution. Found in: Joint & Muscle Massage Rub, DentaShield Spray.

For what the evidence says about massage, weight and other ways to help stiff, older dogs, read natural pain relief for dogs and our guide to muscle loss in senior dogs.

DentaShield Teeth & Gums Spray

Gallic Acid

Gallic acid is a natural plant polyphenol and antioxidant, found naturally in plants such as tea. Found in: DentaShield Spray.

Commiphora abyssinica — Myrrh

Myrrh resin has been used in mouth-care products for thousands of years and gives DentaShield its distinctive, fresh, resinous taste. Found in: DentaShield Spray.

DentaShield is designed to make daily mouth care easier and leave breath fresher. It works alongside tooth-brushing, not instead of it.

Full product ingredient reference

Frequently asked questions about our ingredients

Is lavender safe for dogs? Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most widely used botanicals in dog grooming, and we use it at a carefully controlled dilution. Its scent may even help dogs settle: in one veterinary study, dogs who got over-excited in cars rested more and were quieter around lavender. As with any new product, try a small area first.

Is coconut oil safe for dogs? Coconut oil is a common, gentle base in pet grooming products, and it is used across our whole range. It conditions the coat, and in hair research it was the only oil tested that reduced protein loss from hair. If your dog has a skin condition, ask your vet before starting any new product.

Is cocoa butter toxic to dogs? Cocoa butter is the fat pressed from cacao beans, not chocolate. The compound that makes chocolate toxic to dogs, theobromine, is concentrated in the cocoa solids. Used thinly on the skin in a balm, cocoa butter isn't a chocolate-poisoning risk, but keep pots out of reach so your dog can't eat one.

Are FurBabies™ Botanicals products suitable for cats? Yes. Many of our products are made for both cats and dogs, including our Rinse-Off and No-Rinse Shampoos, the Paw, Nose & Wrinkle Balm and DentaShield Spray, and our DermaProtect Rose Serum is formulated especially for cats and sensitive dogs. Every botanical we use is at a low, carefully controlled dilution, and the Rinse-Off Shampoo is washed away after use. Cats can be more sensitive to some botanicals than dogs, so check each product page for species guidance.

Are the products vegan? Yes. Every ingredient across the FurBabies™ Botanicals range is plant-derived and vegan.

What we deliberately leave out

Here's something most owners don't know: pet shampoos and balms aren't covered by the cosmetics rules that apply to products for people. Ingredients that have been restricted in human cosmetics can still turn up in products for your dog or cat. So we've set our own standard. Every FurBabies™ Botanicals product is free from all of the following, including under the other names they hide behind on ingredient labels.

Tip: take this table with you when you shop. If you see any of these names on the back of a pet shampoo or balm, you'll know what it is.

References

1. Maranz S, Wiesman Z (2004) Influence of climate on the tocopherol content of shea butter. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. doi:10.1021/jf035194r
2. Rele AS, Mohile RB (2003) Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. Journal of Cosmetic Science 54(2): 175–192. library.scconline.org
3. Özcan MM, Chalchat JC (2007) Chemical composition of carrot seeds (Daucus carota L.) cultivated in Turkey: characterization of the seed oil and essential oil. Grasas y Aceites 58(4): 359–365. doaj.org
4. Ali S, Unver A, Kara Z (2012) The fatty acid and tocopherol constituents of the seed oil extracted from 21 grape varieties (Vitis spp.). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 92(9): 1982–1987. doi:10.1002/jsfa.5571
5. Wells DL (2006) Aromatherapy for travel-induced excitement in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 229(6): 964–967. PubMed 16978115
6. Cocamidopropyl betaine (2008). Dermatitis 19(3): 157–160. PubMed 18627690
7. Goossens A, Aerts O (2022) Contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers: a clinical review and update. Contact Dermatitis 87(1): 20–27. doi:10.1111/cod.14089
8. DermNet. Allergy to quaternium-15. dermnetnz.org
9. DermNet. Contact allergy to propylene glycol. dermnetnz.org
10. US Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 589.1001: Propylene glycol in or on cat food. codes.findlaw.com

Have a question about a specific ingredient or whether a product suits your pet? Get in touch. We're always happy to go into more detail.