Homemade Dog Shampoo: 4 Simple Recipes

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

This recipe is a bit of work to whip up, but you’ll like the results. It capitalizes on the soothing properties of oatmeal. Once applied to dry skin, be sure to rinse it thoroughly, particularly if your pup has a dense coat.

Print recipe

Prep time

5 min

Mixing Time

2 min

Total time

7 min

Equipment

• Food processor or coffee grinder
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon

Ingredients

• 4 cups warm water
• ½ cup baking soda
• 1 cup uncooked oatmeal

Instructions

1. 1Grind the oats into a fine powder using a food processor or coffee grinder.
2. 2Mix everything together.
3. 3Apply to a dry coat and let it sit for a few minutes.
4. 4Rinse thoroughly.

Notes

Application: Dry Skin

This recipe is adapted from the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Image Credit: Davizro Photography, Shutterstock

2. All-Purpose Shampoo

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

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

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