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Dogs need to be washed regularly to limit bad odors and to keep their coat silky and shiny. Commercial shampoos aren’t bad options, but some contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your pet’s sensitive skin and even cause allergic reactions. Other formulas made with natural and high-quality ingredients are effective but can be expensive.
So, whether you’re on a tight budget or just looking for an alternative and more environmentally friendly way to wash your pup, homemade dog shampoo could become your new best friend! When preparing these homemade dog shampoos you should keep in mind that while essential oils smell amazing, some can be toxic to dogs.
A very small amount of some essential oils is safe to use, but please avoid the temptation of adding any extra drops to enhance the shampoo’s smell. Check out our 5 simple homemade dog shampoo recipes made with ingredients that are safe for your pup that you can easily make today!
The 5 Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipes
1. Oatmeal Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
Oatmeal Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
Materials
- 1 cup of oatmeal
- ½ cup of baking soda
- ¼ cup of warm water
Instructions
- Grind the oatmeal in a coffee grinder or food processor until it has the consistency of flour.
- Pour into a large bowl and add the baking soda.
- Add lukewarm water and mix all the ingredients well.
- Pour the mixture over your dog's wet coat and leave for a few minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry your dog thoroughly.
2. Coconut Oil Dog Shampoo for Softer Coat
- ¼ cup of coconut oil
- ¾ cup of water
- ½ cup of Castile soap
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 5 drops of rosemary oil
- Combine and stir all ingredients in a bowl.
- Apply the mixture with your fingers or a brush to your dog’s wet coat.
- Distribute the product over the entire coat, avoiding the eyes.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Repeat if necessary.
Giving your pet a bath can be a difficult task, but the first step is to choose a great shampoo. We love Hepper's Shampoo Products, both of which are natural, pet-safe options specially formulated to clean your pet's skin and coat without causing irritation. Both formulas are also free of things like dyes, soaps, sulfates, and phthalates. Your pet will enjoy the soothing aloe vera and oatmeal, and you'll love the clean, fresh scents!
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
For Bathing
 |
Hepper Oatmeal Pet Shampoo |
|
Check Price |
For In-Between Baths
 |
Hepper No-Rinse Pet Shampoo |
|
Check Price |
At PangoVet, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
3. Aloe Vera Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 cup of baby shampoo
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup of glycerin
- Warm water
- Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Spray your dog avoiding contact with their eyes.
- Massage the product into your dog’s coat with your fingers.
- Rinse thoroughly.
4. Essential Oils Dog Shampoo for Odor Control
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons castile soap
- ½ tablespoon of vitamin E
- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 3 drops of tea tree essential oil
- Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Spray your dog’s coat, taking care to avoid their eyes.
- Leave the product on your dog’s coat for a few minutes.
- Rinse well.
5. Super Hydrating Homemade Dog Shampoo
- 6 tablespoons of Castile soap
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of glycerin
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons of water
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
- Combine castile soap, coconut oil, honey, and glycerin in a bowl.
- In another bowl, combine water and vinegar.
- Spoon the water and vinegar mixture into the other bowl to obtain a slightly fluid mixture.
- Let stand 24 hours. (Note: the shampoo smells a little strong at first, but the smell will subside).
- Wash your dog with the mixture and rinse it well.
How to Make Homemade Dry Shampoo for Your Dog
Dry shampoo is ideal for washing your dog when you’re short on time and for waiting between baths. Baking soda removes dirt and accumulated oil from the coat.
The only ingredient you need is baking soda! Place a very small amount on your dog’s coat, rub gently, then brush to remove residue.
Why Can’t You Use Human Shampoo for Your Dog?
The shampoos we use are formulated specifically to maintain the relatively acidic pH levels of human skin. On the pH scale that goes from 0 to 14 (0 being the most acidic level and 14 being the most basic), the pH of human skin varies between 5.2 and 6.2.
As for dogs, normal pH levels range between 5.5 to 7.5, so their skin is more alkaline. Therefore, if a human shampoo is used on a dog, the pH of their epidermis will be disturbed, which will create an environment favorable to bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Human shampoo can also irritate your pup’s sensitive skin and cause itching and redness.
Homemade Dog Shampoo Tips
- No need to prepare a large batch of these dog shampoos in advance. These homemade recipes don’t last very long, so it’s best to mix the ingredients just before bathing.
- For small dogs, it is better to make a half recipe.
- A dog should not be bathed every day because their skin already secretes oils that protect their coat. By washing your pup too often, you’ll deprive them of this natural protection.
Summary
As you can see, making a natural, safe, inexpensive dog shampoo that respects the pH of your dog’s skin is not rocket science. Just gather a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, mix them up in a spray bottle, and voila!
- See Also: 10 Best Dog Shampoos for Odor Control
Featured Image Credit: Aleksandr Finch, Shutterstock
