Kin+Kind · Shampoo
kin+Kind Flea & Tick Shampoo Lemongrass
Lower PFAS concern for a liquid pet shampoo with no water-repellent or non-stick claims.
Kin+Kind's flea & tick shampoo is a rinse-off liquid product with no disclosed water-resistant, stain-resistant, or coating technologies, the primary PFAS risk vectors in personal care. The brand makes no PFAS claims and offers no third-party verification.
Shop Kin+Kind on Amazon →Material
aqueous shampoo base with botanical actives (lemongrass)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Kin+Kind Flea & Tick Shampoo is a water-based formulation featuring lemongrass as the primary botanical active ingredient. The product contains surfactants (cleansing agents), preservatives, and fragrance compounds derived from or mimicking lemongrass essential oil. Unlike synthetic pesticide-based alternatives, botanical shampoos rely on plant-derived compounds for insect-repelling activity, which generally carry lower acute toxicity but require more frequent reapplication and may cause contact irritation in sensitive animals.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kin+Kind markets itself as a natural pet care brand but maintains silent positioning on PFAS use or avoidance. The brand does not prominently disclose third-party certifications (such as EPA Safer Choice, USDA Organic, or cruelty-free seals) on widely available product information. No major recalls or safety controversies for this specific product are on public record. Ingredient transparency is limited to standard product labeling without detailed breakdowns of preservative systems or fragrance constituents.
How it compares in its category
Pet flea shampoos range from synthetic pyrethroid-based formulations (higher efficacy, stricter EPA oversight) to plant-extract and essential-oil formulations (lower chemical load, variable efficacy). Kin+Kind sits in the botanical segment, competing with brands like Earthbath and Burt's Bees for Pets. Botanical options typically cost more, require more frequent use, and appeal to owners seeking gentler chemistry; they are less regulated than EPA-approved pesticide shampoos, which means fewer safety guarantees but also lower systemic toxin exposure.
If you buy it
Apply only as directed on the label, typically 1-2 times weekly for flea prevention or management. Avoid contact with the animal's eyes and ears; rinse thoroughly after the recommended contact time. Monitor your pet for signs of skin irritation, excessive scratching, or allergic reaction, particularly if the animal has sensitive skin or known sensitivities to plant oils. Store in a cool, dark place and replace if the product separates significantly, develops an off odor, or exceeds its shelf life, typically 12-24 months for liquid formulations.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Preservative system toxicity (formaldehyde releasers)
Aqueous shampoo bases typically use preservative systems such as imidazolidinyl urea, dmdm hydantoin, or methyl/propyl parabens to prevent microbial growth. While these are generally recognized as safe at regulated levels, formaldehyde-releaser preservatives can trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in susceptible animals. No specific allergen labeling for this product's preservative system
Essential oil and fragrance allergenicity
Lemongrass essential oil and lemongrass-derived fragrance compounds are common allergens in sensitive skin. Dogs and cats lack certain liver enzymes for efficient metabolism of some volatile plant constituents, potentially increasing irritation or sensitization risk. The product does not disclose whether the fragrance is pure essential oil, synthetic lemongrass isolates, or mixed; sensitivity vari
Botanical pesticide efficacy and residue
Lemongrass has documented repellent properties against certain flea and tick species, but efficacy is lower and shorter-duration than synthetic pesticides. Incomplete rinse or application on wet fur may leave residue; if ingested during grooming, botanical actives at high concentration pose low but non-zero risk of gastrointestinal irritation.
Microbiological contamination if unmaintained
No recalls or contamination events on record for this product. Standard liquid shampoo hygiene (sealed cap, cool storage, prompt use after opening) prevents bacterial or mold growth. Risk is minimized by the preservative system and aqueous base, though opened bottles left in warm, humid bathrooms face generic contamination risk common to all liquid personal-care products.
Ingestion toxicity if swallowed in quantity
Accidental ingestion of shampoo during application is a routine concern in pet care. Lemongrass shampoo is generally of low acute toxicity, but surfactants and essential oil at high dose can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, drooling, or vomiting. Kin+Kind does not prominently display toxicity guidance; contact poison control or a veterinarian if significant ingestion occurs.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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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.