Pet Owners Challenge ‘Natural’ Labeling on Wahl Dog Grooming Products

Wahl dog grooming products are advertised as either “100% Natural” or “Natural,” but allegedly contain synthetic additives and ingredients, according to a pending class action.

At least one lawsuit has been filed against Wahl because a consumer said she paid more for Wahl dog grooming products and chose them over comparable products because the Wahl brand was promoted as “100% Natural” or “Natural.” She alleges Wahl misrepresented the true nature of the ingredients.

Some consumers have become increasingly concerned about chemicals in food, cleaning supplies, bath and beauty lines, and household goods. The sale of products labeled “natural” increased six percent to $117 billion in 2010, according to the Natural Products Association.

A growing number of consumers believe products that are labeled natural are considered to be safer, healthier alternatives to products that might have chemicals in them. As a result, these consumers are willing to pay more for the natural choice.

Ingredients in Wahl Dog Grooming Products

According to the lawsuit filed last year, Wahl’s products that are labeled “100% Natural” or “Natural” contain a variety of synthetic ingredients. The plaintiff alleges that among these ingredients:

• Sodium laureth sulfate is a synthetic surfactant that foams easily.
• Cocamidopropyl betaine is a foam booster used in shampoos, and is also used in cosmetics as an emulsifier and thickening agent. It might be listed as CAPB in the ingredients list, and is known for its antiseptic properties.
• Polysorbate-20 is a synthetic emulsifier.
• Glycerin can be plant-derived, but it is subject to complex factory processing to the point that federal regulations recognize it as a synthetic texturizer, often used as a filler or thickening agent.
• Potassium sorbate is a preservative that is used to inhibit mold and yeast. It is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, which is found naturally in some berries, but nearly all of the potassium sorbate used in the world is synthetic.

Among the Wahl dog grooming products that allegedly have one or more of the synthetic ingredients, but are labeled “100% Natural” or “Natural” are:

• Wahl Dog Shampoo – Oatmeal Formula Coconut Lime Verbena
• Wahl Dog Shampoo – Odor Control Purifying Formula
• Wahl Dog Shampoo – Shed Control Shed Reducing Formula
• Wahl Dog Shampoo – Puppy Gentle Formula
• Wahl Doggie Deodorant – Powder Scent
• Wahl Doggie Deodorant – Eucalyptus Spearmint
• Wahl No-Rinse Waterless Dog Shampoo – Calming Formula – Lavender Chamomile
• Wahl No-Rinse Waterless Dog Shampoo – Oatmeal Formula – Coconut Lime Verbena
• Wahl Dog Shampoo – Four in One Calming Formula

Consumers who rely upon the words “100% Natural” and “Natural” to choose such labeled products over the competition wouldn’t expect to know the true origins of the listed ingredients, according to the lawsuit that has been filed over Wahl grooming products.

A consumer who reads the label – but does not pick apart the ingredients list – is apt to believe the Wahl dog grooming products are free of synthetic ingredients.

The class action argues that because Wahl grooming products is labeled as containing only natural ingredients prominently on the label, the consumer who pays more for the all-natural product is deceived into doing so.

An experienced attorney can help you determine whether the Wahl dog grooming products you purchased might be eligible for this investigation into possible unfair, fraudulent or illegal business practices.

Join a Free Wahl Dog Shampoo Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased Wahl Dog Shampoo or Doggie Deodorant because of the “Natural” or “100% Natural” claims on the product labels, you may qualify to join this Wahl Dog Shampoo class action lawsuit investigation.

Learn More