As Murphy’s Law would have it, your dog will likely find the one muddy spot in your yard when you are unable to make it to the pet store. That’s when a homemade dog shampoo comes in handy. Luckily, you can put something together quickly with a few ingredients you undoubtedly have on hand. You don’t need fancy essential oils or exotic chemicals to get a decent product that works and keeps your pooch clean without irritating their skin.
We don’t recommend using these products on a regular basis since the suds dry out your pup’s skin and strip their natural oils. Next time, invest in a moisturizing, pH-balanced product designed for dogs, as this will support their coat even with weekly bathing. We recommend not using products that you’d use on your own hair since they are not designed for dog skin, which is thinner and less acidic than ours.
So, how can you make a quick homemade dog shampoo? Check out a few recipes just below.
The 4 Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipes
1. Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Equipment
- Food processor or coffee grinder
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
Materials
- 4 cups warm water
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
Instructions
- Grind the oats into a fine powder using a food processor or coffee grinder.
- Mix everything together.
- Apply to a dry coat and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
Notes
2. All-Purpose Shampoo
| Application: | All-purpose |
- Bar of Castile soap
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 4 cups of water
- Mix water and baking soda.
- Work the mixture into your dog’s wet coat and then use the Castile soap to lather up your dog.
This all-purpose shampoo will gently clean your dog’s coat with baking soda to absorb odors. Avoid soaps with additional ingredients to ensure they’re safe for your pet. This shampoo will produce a decent amount of lather, so make sure to rinse your pup thoroughly. Avoid getting any suds near your dog’s eyes or in their ears. This recipe includes inexpensive ingredients, making it an affordable option.
3. Shampoo for Dogs With Sensitive Skin
| Application: | General use |
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera inner gel extract or leaf pulp
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- Bar of Castile soap
- 4 cups of water
- Mix all the liquid ingredients together and then lather your pet’s fur with Castile soap before rinsing thoroughly.
- Don’t apply to pets with broken skin.
This recipe contains several ingredients that can calm irritated skin. You need to take care with the aloe vera ingredients as the latex of the leaf includes components that are toxic to dogs. The latex may be present in aloe vera juice. The gel-like inner center of the leaf is safe for dogs, so this is the portion you should use in your homemade shampoo.
4. DIY Dry Shampoo
| Application: | Dry shampoo |
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1 cup of cornstarch
- Mix the two powders together before applying the mix to your dog’s dry coat.
- Let it sit for several minutes before brushing it out of the coat.
A mixture of baking soda and cornstarch is something you may have even used yourself in a pinch. It does an excellent job of absorbing excess oil and odors, although it won’t do a great deal for a muddy dog. We suggest using it outside because it’s messy, especially if your dog shakes their body. Some versions of this recipe call for adding essential oils. We’ve deleted this ingredient because of the safety concerns of applying it directly to an animal’s skin.
Conclusion
Homemade dog shampoos ensure you’re ready to bathe your pet whenever your pup makes it necessary. Their convenience and the ability to mix up the amount you need make them worthwhile options. Our recipes may be simple with few ingredients, yet they get the job done to keep your pooch looking their best. However, we still recommend buying an actual pet shampoo that’s specifically formulated for dogs as soon as possible.
Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock
The 4 Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipes
