Dog shampoos are not just expensive, they also contain many chemicals that are not-so-great for your dog’s skin. Homemade dog shampoos are safe and as effective as store-bought ones, and what’s more – you control the ingredients that go into making them. Unlike what you think, making your own dog shampoo isn’t complicated. Here are 5 simple and inexpensive recipes (with instructions) that are safe on your pooch’s skin and will leave his coat shiny as new.
Recipe 1: Dish Soap And White Vinegar
This is a simple recipe with just two ingredients from your kitchen: White Vinegar and Dish Soap. Dish soaps that are meant to remove kitchen grease, are as effective on the accumulated oils and dander on your dog’s skin. Choose a dish detergent that doesn’t have a strong smell and artificial ingredients. White vinegar, on the other hand has antibacterial properties and helps deodorize your dog’s fur. It also helps keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Here’s how you go about making this shampoo:
Take two cups of warm water and half a cup of white vinegar. Mix well and add ¼ cup of dish soap. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. Your shampoo is ready! Wet your dog’s fur with lukewarm water and use the shampoo generously on his skin to create a thick lather, taking care not to let it get into his eyes (white vinegar stings). Work the mixture onto his coat to remove dirt. Rinse and towel dry for a shiny new dog!
Recipe 2: Oatmeal Shampoo
This shampoo contains oatmeal, which is known for its soothing and healing properties and is great if your dog has a dry skin or gets frequent skin allergies. This simple recipe has 3 ingredients: oatmeal, baking soda and water.
Grind 1 cup oatmeal until it becomes like flour. Add half a cup of baking soda to the oatmeal. Finally, add 1 quart warm water and mix the ingredients well. Your shampoo is ready for use! Wet your dog, work the mixture into a lather and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it off and drying your dog.
Recipe 3: Flea Shampoo
Here’s a recipe that has essential oils like lavender and lemongrass that are known to have anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. This shampoo is an effective flea repellent. The ingredients required for this recipe are: 10 ounces of water, 2 ounces of aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon of castile soap, and 2 drops each of these 4 essential oils – peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary.
Mix all the ingredients and pour the mixture into an empty bottle and shake well. Wet your pooch’s fur with warm water and work the mixture onto his skin making sure it doesn’t get into his eyes. Rinse thoroughly and your great smelling pooch is ready for a cuddle!
Recipe 4: Rosemary Shampoo
This shampoo promises to leave your dog’s coat shiny and smelling great. The lavender essential oil in it also makes it effective against fleas.
Boil 2 cups of water with a couple of rosemary stems. Once the water cools, remove the stem and add a tablespoon of Organic Extra Virgin Coconut oil, 5 tablespoons of Mild Baby Soap, and 3-4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil. Pour the ingredients in a bottle and shake well. The mixture should look like thick milk. Apply it on your dog’s wet coat just like using a normal shampoo and rinse well for great results.
Recipe 5: Dry Shampoo
This is a great shampoo to use between baths and when you’re pressed for time and not able to give your dog an elaborate bath. The powdery stuff gets rid of the oils and dander that have accumulated on your dog’s coat and leaves him shiny and clean and smelling like cookies! It has three simple ingredients and is very easy to make. Use it only if
your dog doesn’t have any skin issues.
Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch and add 6 drops of vanilla essential oil. Your dry shampoo is ready for use! Just sprinkle it on your dog generously and rub it into his fur with your hands. The baking soda and cornstarch will absorb the excess oils from the skin and the essential oil will leave your dog smelling great.
All of these DIY shampoos are best made in small quantities and used within a couple of weeks, as they use fresh ingredients and are made without preservatives. They need to be stored in a cool and dark place.
