kin+kind Charcoal Dog Shampoo
Lower concern; liquid pet shampoo has minimal PFAS risk, though brand makes no statement.
This charcoal dog shampoo is a rinse-off liquid with no waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick properties that would require PFAS. The brand provides no PFAS policy disclosure.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water-based liquid shampoo with charcoal
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What kin+kind Charcoal Dog Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
Kin+Kind Charcoal Dog Shampoo is a water-based liquid formulation with activated charcoal as the primary functional ingredient. Charcoal itself is inert and non-toxic; it works by mild abrasion and absorption rather than chemical action. The product is designed for topical animal use only, so systemic absorption hazards are minimal. Water-based liquid shampoos have simpler formulation profiles than solid bars or powder products, reducing the likelihood of concentrated problematic additives.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant byproduct)
Water-based shampoos may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of ethoxylated surfactant manufacturing. Kin+Kind does not publish ingredient lists or testing data confirming absence. Risk is low for topical animal use but unknown without transparency.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Product is scented; brand does not specify fragrance type (essential oil vs. synthetic) or component allergens. Dogs with sensitive skin or allergic history may react. Fragrance allergens in pet products are common but variable by formulation.
Preservative contamination and microbial growth
Water-based liquids require preservative systems to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in the bottle. Kin+Kind does not disclose preservative type or concentration. If preservative efficacy is inadequate, product could harbor pathogens, particularly if left open or stored improperly.
Skin irritation from charcoal particles or abrasives
Activated charcoal can cause mild irritation or dryness if particle size is too coarse or concentration too high. No recalls or reported incidents for this product, but charcoal-based pet shampoos occasionally trigger itching or flaking in sensitive dogs.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Charcoal itself is not a common vector for heavy metals in finished products. No recalls or testing data for Kin+Kind charcoal shampoo indicate contamination. Risk is low for this product type but unconfirmed without third-party assay.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kin+Kind markets itself as a pet wellness brand emphasizing natural ingredients but does not publish detailed ingredient safety certifications, third-party testing results, or explicit PFAS avoidance statements. The brand has no widely documented safety recalls or regulatory actions on record for this product line. Transparency is limited compared to premium pet care brands that pursue certifications like USDA Organic or independent safety audits, though absence of disclosed problems is not equivalent to rigorous vetting.
How it compares in its category
Pet shampoos are lower-risk personal care products than human cosmetics because they are not ingested and contact only external skin and fur. Kin+Kind's charcoal formulation sits in the mainstream pet shampoo segment; it lacks the premium certifications of brands like Earthbath or Burt's Bees for pets, but also lacks the chemical complexity of medicated or flea-prevention shampoos. Charcoal as an active ingredient is trendy but functionally equivalent to standard gentle surfactants for most dogs.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent separation or degradation of the water base. Use as directed; do not apply to eyes or broken skin. If your dog has known sensitivities to charcoal or fragrance, patch test on a small area first. Replace if the product shows visible separation, discoloration, or unusual odor, which may indicate microbial contamination or formulation breakdown.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Kin+Kind has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More shampoo grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.