Hartz dog shampoo and cat shampoo are having a resurgence of accusations, claiming the injury or death of consumers’ pets because of dangerous chemicals in their products. Hartz isn’t a stand-alone example; many pet products are being used by owners who neglect to read instructions and research, resulting in injured pets.
Hartz is a pet brand found all over America. The Ida B. Wells High School’s (IBW) local Fred Meyer on Barbur Boulevard has a stock of both Hartz flea shampoo and flea collars.
What most Portlanders don’t know is that Hartz has been under heat for dangerous chemicals in their products, pyrethrins and tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), respectively.
These ingredients have been reported to cause seizures, neurological problems, hair loss, pain and death to animals. Videos of pets having seizures after using the product have been posted to TikTok, inciting other pet owners to share their own horror stories about Hartz.
TikTok user Everythingtank shows her dog after using Hartz flea and tick shampoo. Their bulldog’s fur is seen missing in patches with raw, red skin.
Chris Bautista also made a TikTok video about how his cat almost died after using Hartz. People in the comments shared their own similar stories with consistent side effects.
“I tried the flea medicine a while back [had four or more stars at the time] and my cat’s hair started coming out and had a horrible rash,” said TikTok user Jan. Another comment, by WatchListenLearn said, “Almost killed our cat too. We used the drops [spot treatment] exactly as instructed. He had never and has never had convulsions and drooling other than that single dose.”
This information is not new. Hartz has been criticized for its products for a while now. As early as 2005, the Hartz brand was forced to change and label its cat and kitten product ingredients by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Hartz has had several lawsuits, recalls and fines. In 2024, Hartz and Walmart were fined a combined $29,033 for violating multiple safety rules for pesticides. Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C., a law firm, filed a class action lawsuit against multiple pet products, including Hartz, that contained pesticides. Even in 1987, Hartz was sued for $90,000 for 496 pet injuries and 75 pet deaths.
“With all these regulations, how are we still allowing this?” said IBW teacher, Izabella Peña. Because of the extensive research she did when she had a daughter, that instinct transferred over when she adopted a dog. “My way of life is that I don’t trust things,” said Peña.
Other pet pesticide products have been reported to hurt pets, as well. In fact, many sources recommend asking a veterinarian before using any medicated shampoos. On the Hartz bottle, it has a recommended dosage and a warning not to use on young or old animals due to their vulnerability.
This brings up the question of whether the brand or the consumer is at fault. There is limited information on whether the owners who reported hurt dogs used these products as recommended.
As the EPA said, “As with any pesticide product, all label directions and precautions should be carefully followed to ensure the product is used correctly.”
But even so, most people are confident that store products are safe, especially pet owners.
Gilbert Gallagher, a senior at IBW said he and his family don’t look into the products they give their dog. “We just give her whatever is around.”
In fact, he believes dog soap is a gimmick. He said his family uses Trader Joe’s 3-in-1 human shampoo on his dog. Anna Kraeuter, also a senior at IBW, agreed with Gallagher, and said her dad also uses a similar human shampoo on their dog.
Dogs should not be using shampoo for humans; it can lead to drying out their skin. This shows how little research some pet owners do for their pets.
Gallagher wasn’t aware that Hartz and other products that could harm animals were being sold in stores, he said, “I could be killing my dog, that’s terrifying.”
It is also worth mentioning that many other products include the same possibly dangerous chemicals that Hartz has been criticized for. Including: “Adams Flea and Tick” shampoo and “Fido’s Pyrethrin” shampoo.
Hartz and other products have been around for years, both relieving dogs of fleas and harming them. Veterinarian prescribed flea medication, non-medicated baths and flea combs are safe choices. There are also flea shampoos with no pesticides.
If pet owners are more prudent and do their research, they can avoid harmful side effects and find safer alternatives for their pets.
