4 DIY Dog Shampoos With Coconut Oil You Can Make Today!

If you’re looking for a dog shampoo that’s skin-friendly and sweet-smelling, there are quite a lot of options out there, but if you want to get back to basics and make your own dog shampoo using coconut oil, you’re probably wondering how to go about it.

Fortunately, creating your homemade dog shampoo isn’t that challenging, but to make it even easier, we’ve found four recipes for dog shampoo using coconut oil that you can make yourself. 

Before we dive in, there are a few important things to be aware of. While homemade dog shampoos can be a budget-friendly option, they may not be suitable for every dog, and dogs with allergies, skin infections, sensitive skin, or other dermatologic conditions may experience irritation from certain ingredients. If your dog has ongoing skin problems, excessive itching, redness, hair loss, or a diagnosed skin condition, consult your veterinarian before using a homemade shampoo. If any signs of irritation occur, discontinue use, wash your dog thoroughly with plain water, and speak to your vet for advice.

What Is Castile Soap?

Many of these DIY recipes use castile soap, which is a specific formulation rather than a brand.

Castile soap is special because it is an ultra-versatile, 100% plant-based "true soap". Unlike synthetic detergents, it is biodegradable, non-toxic, and free of animal fats. It’s an effective cleaner whilst also being gentle on skin, making it an ideal choice to use as a basis for a dog shampoo.

The 4 DIY Homemade Dog Shampoos with Coconut Oil

1. Fragrant Dog Shampoo with Coconut Oil

This simple dog shampoo recipe smells great, is easy to create, and you can customize the scent with a dog-safe essential oil if desired. It’s affordable, effective, and customizable, and it’s all-natural and an excellent moisturizer. If you try this simple dog shampoo, you may never get store-bought brands again.

2. Sensitive Skin Shampoo

Not every pup can handle all the different chemicals and cleaning products in store-bought shampoos. Luckily for those dogs, there are formulas like this sensitive skin shampoo that do a great job of getting them clean while protecting their sensitive coat.

Oatmeal is the key ingredient here, but you need to get the right kind. It’s ground oatmeal, and you’ll need to grind it even further into flour. This gives the shampoo the maximum soothing benefits. The coconut oil is also excellent for their skin and coat.

This shampoo has awesome cleaning power, but while oatmeal may help soothe some dogs' skin, it may not be appropriate for dogs with yeast infections, as moisture-retaining products can sometimes worsen symptoms in affected areas. If your dog has ongoing skin problems, consult your veterinarian before using any homemade shampoo.

3. Extra-moisturizing shampoo

Sometimes all you want is a shampoo that will leave your dog with the softest coat possible. If that’s the case, this extra-moisturizing shampoo is exactly what you’re looking for. With coconut oil and aloe vera, it’s a masterful blend of moisturizing power in a single shampoo.

It also uses essential oils and fragrance oils for the scent, which means you can customize it to whatever you’re looking for, as long as the oils are safe for dogs, because some are not. The most important part of this process is picking out the dish soap. If you go with a regular dish soap, you need to pay special attention that it’s both unscented and uncolored.

Many pet owners prefer castile soap over dish soap in homemade shampoo recipes, as dish soaps can be drying or irritating for some dogs' skin.

You can also substitute it for castile soap, which is recommended in many other recipes because it’s a natural ingredient that’s gentle on your dog’s skin and coat.

4. Super-Natural Shampoo

If you’re making your shampoo, it’s probably because you want it to be as natural as possible. While every option on this list only uses natural ingredients, this super-natural shampoo takes it a step further.

This shampoo also has natural skin-soothing properties, especially if you take the time to thoroughly grind the oatmeal before mixing it with the rest of the recipe. Remember, oatmeal-based shampoos may not be the best choice for dogs with active yeast skin infections because oatmeal contains carbohydrates that may support yeast growth on the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Coconut Oil Get Rid of Ear Mites in Dogs?

No. Coconut oil has not been proven to eliminate ear mites in dogs, and placing coconut oil into a dog's ear canal is not a recommended treatment. If your dog has ear mites, veterinary-approved medications are the safest and most effective way to eliminate the infestation.

What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil has some potential skin and coat benefits, which is why some people include it as an ingredient in your DIY dog shampoo. First, it helps prevent skin flaking. It can help moisturize dry skin and improve coat condition and softness in some dogs.

How Long Can You Leave Coconut Oil on Your Dog?

While you can safely leave coconut oil on your dog for 20 to 30 minutes to maximize benefits, you don’t want to leave it for longer than that. Coconut oil is thick, and if you leave it on for too long, it’ll clog up pores; prolonged use may contribute to skin irritation or worsen skin problems in some dogs, especially those prone to skin disease.

Final Thoughts

With any of these natural formulas, you can create your dog shampoo in no time and get your pup clean with your very own shampoo.Try them out for yourself, and see how effective they can be — and they’re great for your wallet too!

Related Read: Does Dog Shampoo Expire? What You Need To Know!

Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock