Disclaimer: All the products mentioned in this post have been gifted to me by BellyDog. I have agreed to try these products out and give my honest opinion. Cavalcadia only shares products we trust, use, and believe in.
In May I was approached by a lovely representative from BellyDog, asking me if I wanted to review their products.
After taking a proper look, I quickly realized that this was a real deal, not a scam or a fraud. I’ve actually managed to catch a brand’s attention and they’d like to hear what I have to say, yay!
So obviously I started doing research about the company and viewed their social media profiles and online reviews. I was convinced, this is legit, this is good!
In early June I received a package from Germany, BellyDog had sent me seven products of my choosing to test out. I chose essential and therefore practical products every dog owner could benefit from.
I’ve been using the products daily/weekly and now I have my opinions to share. Some products stood out from the bunch positively, let’s take a closer look!
About BellyDog
BellyDog is a German pet product company, specializing in natural grooming products for dogs and caters to customers all over Europe and UK.
Our products are researched, produced and tested all under one roof in Hamburg, Germany. That is what makes Belly so special, it allows us to closely monitor our production and therefore guarantee the best products for your four legged friend.
BellyDog
With a solid commitment to using natural ingredients, plant-based formulas, and recycled packaging, BellyDog strives to create a better future for pets, their owners, and the planet.
Their comprehensive range of products covers various categories including care, wellbeing, problem solvers, and bath time, ensuring that all of your dog’s needs are met.
Why I Selected These BellyDog Products
When the opportunity to try and review these products arrived, I browsed through the BellyDog catalog. I really like the fact that all the products are plant-based, affordable, and made from quality ingredients.
BellyDog has a wide range of dog care products and I wanted to choose products, that are practical for mainly daily and weekly use.
I wanted to help my readers navigate what the essential grooming products for their dogs could be, so the products aren’t merely stored in a cabinet but are actually used regularly, making them practical and essential.
Use the BellyDog discount code ‘CAVALCADIA’
to get 10% off!
Product Reviews
I chose a variety of grooming products ranging from shampoo and conditioner to ear, eye, and paw care. I’ve been using all these products for a month now and I’ve formed a solid opinion of them.
Next, I’ll be reviewing them individually:
Dirty Dog Shampoo Peach Blossom
I’ve never used a deep cleansing shampoo for dogs before. It has been on my shopping list but I promised myself to use already existing products before purchasing a deep cleansing shampoo. Well, now I don’t have to thanks to BellyDog!
BellyDog Dirty Dog shampoo has a mild but very lovely peachy scent to it. The texture of the shampoo is grainy due to the jojoba beads that help in exfoliating. I haven’t used a shampoo that has exfoliating beads in it before but I did like it.
The beads dissolve rather quickly so I’d like them to be more prominent in the product. The shampoo lathered well and the dog’s coat felt clean after rinsing. I didn’t feel like I needed to wash the dog’s long ears twice.
The ingredient list is solid with many hydrating ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera leaf juice, panthenol, and jojoba seed oil.
Pros and Cons of the Product
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mild yet lovely peach scent | I’d like a bigger sized bottle of this shampoo |
| All types of coats and breeds | Jojoba beads could be more prominent |
| Contains hydrating ingredients | Not for puppies |
| No Parabens, sulfates, or phosphates | |
| Affordable | |
| Vegan formula |
Who Is This Product For?
Deep-cleansing shampoos are perfect for dogs that occasionally require thorough washes, particularly those who love outdoor activities or swimming. It’s important to note that this type of shampoo is not intended for weekly use.
I find it particularly effective for my spaniel, whose long ears often brush the ground as we venture outside. During our daily explorations, this shampoo ensures that all the dirt and grime gathered from sniffing and rummaging through various places is completely removed.
How to Choose A Shampoo For Your Dog
Consider your dog’s specific needs: puppies, sensitive skin, or particular breeds might require specially formulated shampoos. Look for a product specifically formulated for dogs, as human products can disrupt their skin’s pH balance.
Check the ingredients: avoid harsh chemicals, artificial colors, and fragrances that could irritate the skin. Look for natural ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, or chamomile which are gentle and beneficial.
Shine Bright Natural Conditioner
When it comes to grooming products for dogs, I always smell them first. I don’t like too heavily scented shampoos or conditioners because dogs can smell everything so much better than we humans.
The BellyDog Shine Bright conditioner has a stronger scent than the shampoo but it’s not overpowering. This product is guava and cucumber-scented, and you can definitely smell the guava in it.
I’ll admit when I poured the conditioner out of the bottle, I immediately thought uh-oh, this is too watery. But let’s not judge too quickly.
The product was easy to distribute because it was so liquid. The downside was, I also used quite a lot of conditioner to saturate all the needed areas.
The instructions say to leave the conditioner on for 2 minutes before rinsing but I left it for 5 minutes like I leave all the conditioners I use.
The Shine Bright conditioner has a good ingredient list as well, containing keratin, glycerin, and seed oils.
Pros and Cons of the Product
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mild yet lovely guava scent | I’d like a bigger sized bottle of this product as well |
| Good for all coat lengths | Not intensively moisturizing |
| Good quality ingredients | The consistency is quite watery |
| No Parabens, sulfates, or phosphates | |
| Affordable | |
| Vegan |
Who Is This Product For?
This is a good-quality conditioner for weekly use due to it not being as intensively moisturizing as marketed.
Actually, I’d say this conditioner is good for all coat lengths. It’s just that medium to long-coated dogs occasionally need more conditioning than this product can provide.
How to Choose A Conditioner For Your Dog
Identify your dog’s coat type and skin condition, considering factors like hair length, texture, and any skin issues like dryness or allergies.
Look for a product specifically formulated for dogs, as human products can disrupt their skin’s pH balance.
Read the product’s ingredient list, opting for natural, hypoallergenic ingredients and avoiding harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances.
Detangle & Glossy Leave-In Conditioner
After the bath, I usually like to blow dry my cavalier’s coat so the grooming results look their best. While the coat is damp, I spray some sort of conditioning spray lightly as I’m brushing through the fur.
The BellyDog Detangle & Glossy conditioner spray has a mild and fresh scent to it. The ingredients are moisturizing and nourishing, full of aloe, panthenol, glycerin, and oat protein.
This product isn’t necessarily bad, but I have an issue with how the leave-in conditioner is dispensed from the bottle. When I started using it, I noticed that it doesn’t come out as a fine mist and doesn’t distribute evenly. It seems like a thin stream instead.
As a result, during my first attempt, my dog’s back ended up getting quite sticky because the product oversaturated that area.
I also tried an alternative method with the spray product. Instead of spraying it directly on my dog’s coat, I sprayed it onto a brush and then brushed it through the coat. While this was a better approach, it still posed the risk of making the coat sticky.
For my third attempt, I washed my dog with BellyDog products again and when it came time to blow dry the coat, I decided to spray the product onto my hands and then apply it to my dog. I found that this method worked best for us!
Pros and Cons of the Product
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good moisturizing ingredients | Not distributing the spray evenly |
| Vegan | |
| No parabens, sulfates, or phosphates | |
| Affordable |
Who Is This Product For?
Dogs with long, curly, or coarse hair, such as Shih Tzus, Afghan hounds, poodles, and Yorkshire terriers, can greatly benefit from conditioning detangling sprays as they are more prone to matting and tangling.
Breeds with double coats, like huskies or golden retrievers, could also use these products to help manage their dense undercoats.
Dogs that frequently engage in outdoor activities, which can result in more debris in their fur, can also benefit.
It feels like my cavalier brings the whole forest with her from our outdoor adventures. Brushing with conditioning spray helps get rid of any debris stuck in her coat.
Clean Ears – Ear Cleaning Solution
An ear-cleaning solution is one of the weekly dog grooming essentials in this household.
Bacteria and moisture can easily get trapped underneath the floppy spaniel ears so I like to wipe them clean with a proper solution about once a week. That’s why I chose to test this product.
The BellyDog Clean Ears solution has a pleasant scent to it and does the job well. The used cotton pads show how well the product cleans the outer parts of the ear.
I was about to say how I wish this product could be used in the ear canal directly.
As I was writing this, I noticed they have changed the formula and the new product can be used in the ear as well outside the ear. That makes the BellyDog ear-cleaning solution more effective!
Once again the ingredients are gentle and effective with glycerin, aloe, lactic acid, and vinegar for its antiseptic properties.
Pros and Cons of the Product
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reduces the risk of ear infections | I haven’t tested the new better formula |
| Effectively cleanses ears | This can not be administered to the ear canal |
| Affordable | |
| Good proper ingredients | |
| Vegan | |
| Plant-based mix with antiseptic properties |
Who Is This Product For?
All dogs can benefit from regular ear cleaning to maintain their health, but certain breeds with long, floppy ears like basset hounds, spaniels, and beagles are more prone to ear infections due to reduced airflow, so they benefit greatly from regular ear cleanings.
Dogs that swim frequently, such as labradors and golden retrievers, also need frequent ear cleanings to prevent infections caused by trapped moisture.
Also, dogs with allergies, which often manifest as ear issues, can benefit from regular ear cleanings to reduce symptoms and avoid secondary infections.
Just be careful your dog is not allergic to the ingredients in the ear-cleaning solution!
No Tears – Stain Remover
I have incorporated this BellyDog No Tears natural stain remover into my grooming routine now, and I’ve been using it before administering eye drops. I take a cotton pad and spray it generously with the solution.
Because of Halla’s big spaniel eyes, they are susceptible to drying and tearing. To combat this, I regularly use some sort of eye rinse and eye drops on her to get rid of dried mucous, pollen, and other irritants that can lead to dog eye infections.
Then I wipe around the eye area, but I don’t put the product directly to the eye because this is not an eye rinse! Wiping around the eye area effectively removes dried mucus and debris.
As usual, I looked at the ingredients. They are great for this sensitive area and full of moisturizing properties like glycerin, panthenol, aloe, and vitamin E.
This product delivers exactly what it says it does, and is one of my most used products from BellyDog!
Pros and Cons of the Product
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Safe for puppies | Not an actual eye rinse so be careful |
| Affordable | |
| Vegan | |
| Great ingredients | |
| Gentle and effective |
Who Is This Product For?
Dog breeds that have protruding eyes, long hair around the eyes, or skin folds on the face, such as pugs, bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and Pekingese, can benefit from regular use of eye cleaning solutions to avoid infection and discomfort.
Dogs with tear staining, a common issue in breeds like Maltese or Bichon Frise, can also benefit from these solutions.
Senior dogs or dogs with eye conditions like dry eye or conjunctivitis can find relief with regular eye cleaning.
High Five – Paw & Nose Cream
I mainly use paw cream on my dog when the cold Nordic winter hits us. But I do recognize that the little dog paws could benefit from moisturizing all year round!
I was surprised at how thick this BellyDog High Five paw & nose cream was, but it’s not a bad thing. It’s actually better this way, a thicker formula is better for the rough paw pads.
As I mentioned about the scents in dog products, I really like this has none! The ingredient list looked promising, glycerin, aloe, shea butter, sweet almond oil, and mango seed butter.
The key to paw creams is to massage them carefully! Take a few minutes to actually massage the product onto the paw pads, nose, or any rough area.
This is how you can prevent your dog from licking the product off or the paws from making a greasy mess on the floors.
I used this product three times a week and saw a difference in my dog’s metacarpal pads (the biggest paw pads).
Pros and Cons of the Product
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Can’t see how much product is left in the packaging |
| Vegan | Only 50 grams of cream in the bottle |
| Carefully massaged doesn’t leave greasy floors | |
| Unscented | |
| Nourishing ingredients |
Who Is This Product For?
Dogs exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as harsh winters or hot summers (Europe), can benefit from paw and nose creams as they help protect and heal cracked and dry skin.
Dogs with naturally dry noses, such as bulldogs or pugs, or older dogs experiencing dryness or chapping may also benefit. Additionally, active dogs who walk or run on rough surfaces can use these creams to help keep their paws healthy.
Salmon Oil Supplement
I have fed my dogs fish oil supplements for years, and therefore choosing this product was a no-brainer.
Something that annoys me with fish oil pump products is that often the pump leaks and a little bit of the oil trickles down the bottle making everything greasy – this BellyDog Salmon Oil bottle doesn’t. The pump doesn’t leak and the amount of oil that comes out is precise.
Two pumps equal 1 teaspoon = 5ml.
I would hope, that instead of percentages of EPA and DPA, they would display the amounts in milligrams. That would be a more transparent way of displaying the essential fatty acid content because consumers would be able to figure out easily if the product is enough for their dog’s needs.
I did the math, and for a regular household dog, BellyDog’s feeding recommendations do meet the estimated daily requirements 👍.
Pros and Cons of the Product
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Not for puppies |
| Ample 500ml bottle | Not for pregnant or lactating dogs |
| It contains adequate amounts of EPA and DHA for a regular adult dog | Not for seniors |
| Contains both Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids | Not for dogs with severe osteoarthritis |
| Correctly packaged to avoid oxidation and the pump doesn’t leak | Not for dogs with fish allergy |
Who Is This Product For?
For a conscious dog owner who wants to boost their dog’s diet and well-being with a dose of essential Omega fatty acids to support healthy skin and shiny coat.
Dogs with skin conditions, such as dry or itchy skin may benefit from fish oil supplements as they contain Omega-3 fatty acids which promote skin health.
How to Choose a Fish Oil Supplement For Your Dog
I’ve written a comprehensive article about the benefits of fish oil supplements and which dogs benefit from an increased dose of essential Omega-3 fatty acids. Click the link below!
Where Can I Purchase BellyDog Products?
European and UK customers can purchase BellyDog natural grooming products from their website at BellyDog.com!
BellyDog offers free shipping for all purchases over 40€!
Use the BellyDog discount code ‘CAVALCADIA’ to get 10% off!
My Favorites BellyDog Products Tested:
- Dirty Dog shampoo
- No Tears stain remover
- Clean Ears solution
- Shine Bright conditioner
- Paw & Nose cream
- Salmon oil
- Detangle & Glossy conditioning spray
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Often Should I Groom My Dog Using BellyDog Products?
Here is a quick recap and a checklist for the products mentioned in this post
- Shampoo and conditioner – monthly
- Conditioning and detangling spray – weekly
- Ear and eye cleaning solutions – weekly
- Paw and nose cream – daily
- Salmon oil – daily
What Are the Key Benefits of Using BellyDog Products?
BellyDog has good products with proper ingredients. One big thing that caught my attention is the price point!
A dog owner gets all the essential grooming products for under 100€ euros, free shipping, and 10% off with the discount code ‘CAVALCADIA’.
Dog grooming doesn’t have to be expensive. Always buy only what you need, that’s why I chose essential products to review!
Are the Products Suitable for All Dog Breeds?
Yes, they are! There are some differences between washing frequencies and coat conditioning needs, but all dogs benefit from regular bathing and grooming, ear and eye care, and fish oil!
Conclusion
BellyDog sent me a variety of their natural grooming products to test! I chose seven practical dog grooming products, that all dogs can benefit from in their weekly routines.
I have never used BellyDog products before, so this blog post contains my honest first impressions and thoughts. I tested all the products for over a month on my cavalier king charles spaniel girl Halla before writing this review.
If you want to know something exact about a certain product, leave a comment below and I’ll answer with the help of the BellyDog representative I work with!
Thank you BellyDog for sending us the products and letting us write an in-depth review of your products!
