Is Wahl Doggie Deodorant Really ‘All-Natural’? Class Action Plaintiffs Say No

A Wahl Doggie Deodorant class action lawsuit claims that Wahl Clipper Corporation has engaged in deceptive marketing of its line of pet grooming products.

The defendant produces Wahl Dog Shampoo, Wahl Doggie Deodorant, and other canine grooming products that they have allegedly represented as “100% Natural.” Plaintiffs allege that these products actually contain synthetic ingredients, and they have accused the defendant of misleading advertising.

In 2012, defendant Wahl launched a line of grooming and hygiene supplies for dogs and cats, resulting in an increase of sales of approximately 300 percent over the next five years, according to the complaint. Among these products are a number of specialty shampoos (including “Odor Control,” “Shed Control” and “No-Rinse Waterless” varieties) and spray deodorants. Plaintiffs say the package label on these products stated that they were “100% Natural” or “Natural,” suggesting to health-conscious consumers that they were free of artificial ingredients.

Consumers who paid extra for what they believed to be “all-natural” products now claim that the defendant’s products contain numerous ingredients that are considered synthetic under federal regulations.

What Constitutes ‘Natural’?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, natural ingredients are “extracted directly from plants or animal products as opposed to being produced synthetically.” Synthetic ingredients, according to the USDA, are “formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources.”

Plaintiffs in the Wahl Doggie Deodorant class action lawsuit claim that the products contained artificial ingredients as well as the natural oils and essences mentioned on the product labeling. Among the allegedly synthetic ingredients are:

• Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, a “wetting agent” derived from coconut oil (commonly used in liquid detergent and dish soap)
• Glycerin, or glycerol, used to improve consistency and keep a product moist
• Polysorbate-20, an emulsifier
• Potassium Sorbate (E202), essentially a preservative
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), used to make a soap or detergent product more effective when used with hard water

Plaintiffs claim that they relied on Wahl’s advertising and marketing claims, believing the products to be free of artificial ingredients. They further allege that a “reasonable consumer would not understand – nor are they expected to understand – that these ingredients are synthetic.”

Have You Purchased Wahl Pet Grooming Products?

According to the complaint filed in December 2017, Wahl is in violation of consumer protection laws across the country. The plaintiffs further allege breach of express (written) warranty and unjust enrichment by taking unfair advantage of consumer concerns over the effects of artificial ingredients in the products they regularly use. Their complaint states that had they clearly understood that the products contained synthetic ingredients, they would not have agreed to pay the higher price charged by the manufacturer.

Wahl now joins many other grooming and food product companies that have been challenged for their assertions of “all-natural” ingredients, implicating products like applesauce, soda and bed bug spray.

You may be eligible to joint a Wahl Doggie Deodorant class action lawsuit investigation if you purchased one or more of the products at issue in the belief that it contained only natural ingredients.

The Wahl Doggie Deodorant Class Action Lawsuit is  Christina McAllister, et al. v. Wahl Clipper Corporation, Case No.2017L48, Circuit Court Whiteside County (Illinois).

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.

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