(ARA) – Now that spring is here, your dog will be outside a lot more, and will probably need baths more frequently. But have you ever considered what is in the soaps and shampoos and other products you buy for your pet?

Many of the things you buy for your human loved ones – like food, medicine and beauty products – are regulated by agencies that make sure those products are safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that accurate ingredient lists be put on human items like shampoos and soaps. The story is different for pet supplies for dogs: Products are only regulated if they’re classified as a drug.

That could mean that what’s on the label doesn’t match what’s in the product. Worse yet is the fact that manufacturers might not honestly list ingredients in the product which could be harmful for your dog. A short ingredient list is a red flag that you might not be buying an honest product.

“Without a thorough and honest ingredient list, it can be hard to recognize that some pet shampoos are actually products made for humans, just re-labeled,” says Lorenzo Borghese, who founded Royal Treatment pet products out of concern for the skin problems his own dog was experiencing. He notes that while that might not sound too bad, human soaps are bad for dogs’ skin.

For those looking for a natural dog shampoo, the problem of incomplete labels is frustrating, and even more so when trying to help a pet with skin and coat problems. Borghese’s Royal Treatment line of shampoos and conditioners was formulated with ingredients that are ideal for animals’ sensitive skin, all of which are listed on the label. Because the products are sold on television they have to meet rigorous standards and have complete and verified ingredient lists.

The same problematic lack of regulation that affects topical pet care products also makes it difficult for pet owners to know whether pet health supplements are safe and effective.

For pet owners who want to take care of health issues like joint stiffness or a poor coat, it’s almost impossible to verify whether the supplement they’re giving their pet has the ingredients it claims in the active quantity listed on the label.

Working with renowned veterinarian Dr. L. Phillips Brown, Borghese also launched a line of supplements for dogs with the same principles of providing verifiable ingredients that are ideal for pets.

Knowing precisely what you’re giving your dog is important. It can be difficult to take the guess work out of shopping for pet supplements and care products, but the most important thing to demand is information about the exact ingredients in everything from food to shampoo to supplements. Armed with that knowledge, you can give your pet a healthy, happy life. For more information on pet-safe products, go to www.royalpetclub.com.