The Nothing List is the “what’s out” panel printed on every Furrytail box. It names the ingredients we chose not to use, product by product: sulphates, parabens, MIT and synthetic fragrance in the shampoos; permethrin, DEET and fipronil in the anti-tick spray. Below is every item on it, what it usually does in a formula, why we left it out, and what we use instead. The full ingredient list, by name, is on the back of every pack.
What is on the Nothing List?
The list is word for word from each product’s carton.
| Product | What’s left out |
|---|---|
| Gentle Daily Shampoo (all three scents) | Sulphates, parabens, MIT (methylisothiazolinone), synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrance |
| Dry Foam Shampoo | Synthetic surfactants, parabens, MIT (methylisothiazolinone), synthetic fragrance |
| Paw Cleaner | Synthetic surfactants, parabens, MIT (methylisothiazolinone), synthetic fragrance |
| Refreshing Mist | Synthetic fragrance, alcohol (in harmful concentrations), synthetic preservatives, parabens, heavy fragrance allergens |
| Anti-Tick & Flea Spray | Permethrin, synthetic pyrethroids, DEET, fipronil, synthetic pesticides |
The shampoos and Dry Foam are made for dogs and cats, so their cartons end with “Nothing your pet doesn’t need.” The Paw Cleaner, Mist and Anti-Tick & Flea Spray are for dogs only, so theirs end with “Nothing your dog doesn’t need.”
Why leave out sulphates?
Sulphates such as sodium lauryl sulphate are strong, high-foaming cleansers. They are cheap and they lather well, which is why so many shampoos use them. A strong cleanser can also take more of the coat’s natural oils with it than a gentle bath needs to.
What we use instead: our shampoos clean with amino acid-derived surfactants. They are milder and they foam less, so expect less lather and use two passes: the first lifts dirt, the second cleans. A rich lather is not a sign of a cleaner coat. Our article what we found in most pet shampoos goes further into surfactants, and sulphate-free dog shampoo: does it matter? covers sulphates on their own.
Why leave out synthetic surfactants?
The Dry Foam Shampoo and Paw Cleaner are no-rinse, so whatever cleans stays on the coat or the paw. Their cartons list synthetic surfactants as left out. Like the bath shampoos, they clean with amino acid-derived surfactants.
Why leave out parabens?
Parabens are preservatives that have been used in cosmetics for decades. They stop bacteria and mould growing in a water-based formula. Some parabens are no longer allowed in cosmetics in the EU, while others are still permitted within limits. Many pet parents now look for paraben-free labels, and we would rather not ask you to weigh it up.
What we use instead: a probiotic ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, keeps the shampoos, Dry Foam and Paw Cleaner stable. The probiotic question explains what that does and doesn’t mean.
What is MIT, and why leave it out?
MIT (methylisothiazolinone) is a preservative used in many rinse-off and leave-on products. It is one of the most widely reported causes of contact allergy from cosmetics in people, and the EU no longer allows it in leave-on cosmetics and caps how much can go into rinse-off ones. It is on the Nothing List of the shampoos, Dry Foam and Paw Cleaner.
Why leave out synthetic preservatives?
Every water-based product needs preserving, or it spoils. The Gentle Daily Shampoo and Refreshing Mist cartons list synthetic preservatives as left out. The shampoos use the probiotic ferment above; the Mist’s preservatives are listed by name in its ingredient list on the back of the pack.
Why leave out synthetic fragrance?
A dog’s or cat’s nose is far more sensitive than ours, and a heavy perfume can make bath time harder. Synthetic fragrance is on the Nothing List of the shampoos, Dry Foam, Paw Cleaner and Mist. Every Furrytail scent is built within International Fragrance Association (IFRA) guidelines, to sit close to the coat rather than fill the room. Our article is dog perfume safe? covers scent and pets in more detail.
What is left out of the Refreshing Mist?
The Mist is a leave-on spray for dogs, so its list is about what lingers on the coat:
- Synthetic fragrance
- Alcohol (in harmful concentrations)
- Synthetic preservatives
- Parabens
- Heavy fragrance allergens
It is a light, water-based mist. Spray from about 25 cm, 3–5 sprays.
Why leave permethrin, DEET and fipronil out of a tick spray?
The Anti-Tick & Flea Spray is for dogs. It helps deter ticks and fleas with plant-derived actives: vetiver, hinoki cypress, eucalyptus and neem. Its carton lists five things left out:
- Permethrin, an insecticide common in dog flea and tick products. It is highly toxic to cats, which matters in any home with both. Our guide can I use dog shampoo on my cat? explains why.
- Synthetic pyrethroids, the wider family of insecticides that permethrin belongs to.
- DEET, an insect repellent made for people. It is not meant for use on pets.
- Fipronil, an insecticide used in many spot-on flea and tick treatments.
- Synthetic pesticides of any kind.
A deterrent spray is not a treatment. It does not kill ticks or treat an infestation, and it does not replace the parasite control your vet recommends. Use it alongside regular tick checks. Never use it on cats. More in natural tick repellents for dogs.
What doesn’t the Nothing List mean?
The list says what isn’t in the bottle. It does not make promises it can’t keep:
- It doesn’t mean “chemical-free”. Everything is made of chemicals, water included.
- It doesn’t mean nothing synthetic is inside. Every Furrytail formula has a Natural Origin Index of 99.5%, calculated under ISO 16128-2. That measures where ingredients come from, not whether something is safe or better. How the Natural Origin Index is calculated explains the number.
- It doesn’t mean no pet will ever react. Any product can disagree with an individual animal. Patch test first, keep products away from the eyes, and stop if irritation occurs and see your vet.
- It doesn’t say other brands use these ingredients. Many don’t. The list is about our formulas.
Why print it on the box?
Because you shouldn’t have to take our word for it. The Nothing List tells you what we left out at a glance, and the back of every pack lists everything that is in, by name. Our guide to reading an INCI list shows how to check any label, ours included. You can also read every Furrytail ingredient list on our ingredients page.
