Banning cosmetic testing on animals is an undeniable ethical advance. But how do you prove the efficacy of a product designed for animals themselves without ever testing it on them? Welcome to one of the most fascinating, and unsettling, paradoxes of modern cosmetics.
Animal wellbeing is a societal shift, not a trend
Gentle shampoos, protective paw balms, detangling sprays, food supplements… Shelves are filling with products that reflect a new reality: our pets have become full members of the family. Their comfort, health and even appearance are now priorities. But this evolution raises a delicate question: how do you guarantee the safety and efficacy of these products without ever testing them on those they are meant for?
A blurred boundary
In Europe, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 formally bans animal testing for cosmetic products, a major victory for animal welfare. But when a product is created for a dog, a cat or a horse, the boundary blurs. To prove a product is effective and well tolerated, it has to be evaluated on the animal, an approach that clashes with the convictions of many brands coming from human cosmetics. One of them recently told us: “How do we reconcile our ethical commitment with the fact that the animal cannot give consent?”
A middle way
At SYRES we think this debate deserves better than a dead end. Testing must not mean constraining. There is a middle way, respectful and rigorous, founded on behavioural observation and transparency. Concretely, our studies rest on:
- non-invasive tests, without constraint or discomfort;
- attentive, benevolent behavioural observation;
- a reasoned selection of the products to be tested;
- personalised follow-up for each animal, always under expert supervision.
Our conviction is simple: advancing science must never come at the expense of respect for living beings. Should we rethink how we validate pet care products? Between science, ethics and a love of animals, the debate is only beginning.
Originally published in French by SYRES France on 28 October 2025: read the original article.
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