Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation from dog grooming products used by private owners or by professional pet grooming salons: prevalence and risk factors

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most commonly isolated bacterium from skin lesions of dogs with post-grooming furunculosis (PGF). It is frequently found in human hair and skin care products, and may pose a health risk to consumers. Information regarding the prevalence of P. aeruginosa contamination of dog grooming products is lacking. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of P. aeruginosa contamination in nonmedicated dog grooming products after either home or professional use in pet grooming salons, and to identify risk factors that may be associated with contamination. Materials and methods: Of 117 bottles of grooming products sampled for bacterial culture, 97 were used by pet grooming salons and 20 were used by private individuals. The following suspected risk factors were recorded: bottle size, relative remaining volume, content dilution, expiration date and ingredient list. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 14 of 117 samples [11.97%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.97–19.3%]. Diluted products were contaminated significantly more often compared to undiluted products (odds ratio = 15.5, 95%CI 2.05–117.23; P < 0.01). None of the other variables was significantly associated with P. aeruginosa contamination. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of dog grooming shampoos and conditioners was significantly associated with product dilution. Contaminated grooming products may predispose dogs to severe bacterial skin infections such as PGF.