Worth knowing · Sunscreen ingredient

UV filters

Also appears on labels as: ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, octinoxate, octyl methoxycinnamate

Octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate), a sunscreen chemical that absorbs UVB light.

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Where it comes from: Synthesized.
Why it's in the product: In a coat product it protects the color or the formula from sunlight.
Safety and toxicity: In rat studies it acted like a weak estrogen at high doses in feed (Schlumpf and colleagues, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2001) and lowered thyroid hormone levels (Klammer and colleagues, Toxicology, 2007; Axelstad and colleagues, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2011). FDA says it needs more safety data before calling it generally safe and effective in sunscreens for people. A pet licks its coat.

General reference, not veterinary advice. Dose, breed, and existing conditions change the answer, so talk to your vet before changing what your pet eats. Think we got this wrong? Tell us and we log it publicly.

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