There are hundreds and hundreds of store-bought dog shampoos, by known and less known brands. In most of them, you can find at least one chemical compound that simply has to be involved in the making process.
Some of them are great, some are less good, and than there are those that are hard to define either as good or bad.
So rich and diverse offer can often create confusion and misleading, so many dog owners simply go for what they know is good. Simply said, they go for what they have made.
Homemade Dog Shampoo
Homemade dog shampoo may not be the first thing that crosses your mind when you start thinking about getting a dog. But, once you realize what are the prices on professional grooming services, you will start thinking about dog budget.
Also, there is a significant number of dogs that are simply not fond of visiting dog saloons and prefer home-based grooming services. Interestingly, this is most common needs in dogs with anxiety and those dogs that went through some kind of trauma.
Moreover, some dogs just don’t like being away from home, especially if they are left alone with the groomer.
Benefits Of Using Homemade Dog Shampoo
Although your dog may not be a fan of bathing or even water, you should acknowledge a few moments that can be more than beneficial when it comes to bathing your dog at home. If you think that commercial products are better, you should seriously think about these benefits of using a homemade shampoo:
- Homemade shampoo is cheaper.
- Homemade shampoo recipes are safe for any breed.
- You can try new homemade dog shampoo with every bath.
- It’s easy to make homemade dog shampoo.
- You can make homemade dog shampoo without worries, like – what if my kid grabs it?
- You will finish everything at home. This is important if your dog is not fond of being bath by strangers or being left alone with them, or even if you don’t have to drive him to the groomer’s salon.
- You won’t hurt your dog’s skin if you have often baths.
The great thing about making homemade dog shampoo lies in the fact that you can make one shampoo for every condition id dogs, such as shampoo against fleas, dry skin, and overall, regular shampoo that you can use for bathing any breed, including small breeds and long-haired breeds.
How To Make Homemade Dog Shampoo?
One of the great things about homemade dog shampoo is the fact that most of the ingredients that you actually need to make this safe, and occasionally even organic, shampoo are available on hand.
So, most of the ingredients are actually in your house already, just waiting for you to mix them! Those ingredients are commonly baking soda and vinegar.
Other ingredients are usually easily found in any local grocery store, as they are mostly olive-oil based, castile soap or glycerine, with a sugar-based alcohol compound.
In many cases, homemade dog shampoo requires minimal preparation and are extremely simple and easy to make.
Homemade Dog Shampoo For Normal Skin
The fastest and the easiest recipe is to mix apple cider vinegar with water. This mix is equally beneficial both for outside and inside use. This homemade dog shampoo is specific because it’s 100% safe to use. Moreover, in most cases, dogs won’t dislike it so you can re-make it over and over again. This shampoo is a true pet-friendly cleaning solution and can be used in treating fleas.
In addition, its also an amazing way to get rid of pests. This is also a budget-friendly shampoo and you need just a spray bottle and the rest can be found inside your kitchen. After all, you do buy vinegar for yourself and your family members. The fact that it can be used on your dog as well is just a plus.
How to use this homemade dog shampoo? Make sure to mix vinegar and water in the right portion, put in a spray bottle, and spray your dog. Make sure to avoid eyes and ears. Once you spray your dog, let him air dry, and that’s it. He will shake off anyway, so no need to use towels. So, if you are using this shampoo for killing fleas primarily you should repeat this for a period of a couple of days.
Good to know: Keep water and vinegar ratio 1:1. If your dog dislike the smell, put ratio to 1:3.
Antibacterial Homemade Dog Shampoo
Many people are tempted to use apply essential oils on a dog’s skin. But, what you should be well aware of is to understand that not all essential oils are safe for dogs or suitable for their skin, including cedarwood, lemongrass, and lavender. Overall, these oils have anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, and antiseptic properties.
So, the best recipe with essential oils would be:
- 10 ounces of water
- 2 drops of, for example, lavender or peppermint
- 1 tablespoon of Castile Soap
- 2 ounces of aloe vera gel
Mix it all up in a bottle and shake. Wet dog’s coat with warm water and put this shampoo on a dog’s skin. Make sure to rinse it well, pat and blow dry or (for summer days) let him air dry. Also, bear in mind that you don’t overdo and occasionally use this fast homemade dog shampoo for fresh-smelling cuddles.
Homemade Dog Shampoo For Dry And Itchy Skin
Dogs are known for suffering from dry skin. In most cases, dry skin can cause balding, hot spots and a number of many different problems. Although your canine may suffer from itchy skin, he still needs his bath, but the trick is to treat him with right shampoo that will nurture his skin, and not create additional problems.
Therefore, natural and homemade dog shampoo for your dog is natural choice:
- 2 cups of water into a clean/sterile jar
- add 2 spoons of castile soap (liquid one, of course)
- add 2 spoons of Aloe Vera gel
- add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and shake the jar
- add 2 – 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Mix it and shake the jar once again and wash your dog with it.
Good to know: This shampoo is also good if your dog has a sensitive skin.
Homemade Dog Shampoo For Odor Removal
Dogs can smell occasionally, all the time, and from time to time. Their bodies are simply different, so basically they do not smell, but they just have a different smell.
However, if they ‘stink’ maybe they just put themselves into something or the walk was extremely long on a hot day, or they simply jumped into some dirt. So, for those situations, you should have a shampoo that’s fast to make, cheap, eco-friendly and of course, non-toxic.
For this homemade dog shampoo you will need three things:
- Baking soda
- Container
- Essential oil (this is optional)
Fill the container with 1/4 cup of baking soda and add 2-4 drops of essential oil. On the top of that add another 1/4 cup of baking soda and again 2-4 drops of essential oil. Stir it up and put the lid on. Sprinkle the powder along with your dog’s coat, and rub it thoroughly. Let it sit for a minute or two – or more if your dog is really stinky.
Then simply brush it away. Make sure that the whole powder is gone, and the best way to check it is to run your hand through your dog’s fur in the direction opposite hair’s growth.
Fast fact: This shampoo is also known as dry shampoo.
Homemade Dog Shampoo For A Shiny Coat
Homemade approaches are great if you want your dog to have a shiny coat as well. So, there are simple and more than affordable ways to make your dogs fur clean, soft, shiny and overall healthy. So, the most common homemade shampoos are:
- Vinegar – if you add vinegar to any homemade dog shampoo you will for sure have natural ingredient that provides much-needed antibacterial properties. Moreover, you will have an ingredient that will make your dog’s coat shiny.
- Vegetable glycerin – this is ingredient that will definitely improve the condition of your dog’a coat. In addition, this ingredient will moisture the skin. So, the final result will be dog’s coat that’s clean, shiny, and moreover healthy.
- Essential oils – essential oils are great for refreshment of the body outside and inside, both in humans and dogs. Great things about essential oils is that you can mix them and use to make customized shampoos. If you choose to use lavender you will help fight fleas. But, bear in mind that not all essential oils are great for your dog. Tea tree and pennyroyal can be harmful for your canine.
Homemade Dog Shampoo For Puppies
People often think that puppies have the same need as babies do, but the truth is that they don’t. Moreover, they don’t need even the same amount of bathing as babies do.
Bear in mind that some professionals say that dogs should never be bath, or you shouldn’t overdo with bathing in general. That being said, you should be extra careful when it comes to bathing puppies.
Good to know: Puppies shouldn’t be bathed before they turn 8 weeks.
So, once you have decided to bath your puppy, and moreover to bath him using homemade dog shampoo you should make sure to use only the best ingredients. After all, your puppy deserves only the best.
The best option for your puppy’s shampoo is to be based on essential oils. But, make sure to check the label for any specifics such as how oil was extracted, the country of origin, and names as well. In addition, make sure that the label says ‘100 percent pure essential oil’.
If you need extra information, you can always ask your veterinarian about the use of natural ingredients in your dog’s hygiene.
Homemade dog shampoo for puppies ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon coconut or olive oil
- 1 cup distilled water
- 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
- 1/4 cup castille soap
- 3-4 drops rosemary essential oil
- 5-7 drops lavender essential oil
Combine all ingredients and shake it well to mix the ingredients. Make sure to keep the shampoo in your bathroom cabinet, of far from anyone’s reach,. This shampoo should last for up to 6 months.
To use this shampoo:
- Make sure to prepare you pup for his first bath.
- Wet your dog and squirt shampoo on your dog.
- Rub it well into skin and into the fur.
- Rinse weel.
Good to know: This shampoo is a sulfate free, so you won’t see any bubbles. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s not effective.
Homemade Dog Shampoo – Key Takeaways
Grooming your dog on a regular basis is mandatory if you want your canine to be a healthy and happy dog. A major part of the grooming is bathing.
Although you shouldn’t overdo when it comes to bathing, you should be prepared for it, especially if your canine is extremely active, or if you have a backyard for him to run around, dig and overall explore.
But, bathing is only done right when you have proper bathing equipment, including shampoo. However, with today’s offer of dog supplies on the market it’s difficult to choose the right one. Or to know which one is really good.
So, people often go for homemade dog shampoos. They are cheap, healthy, easy to make, and long-lasting.
The great thing about these shampoos lies in the fact that homemade dog shampoo can be made for a number of different conditions, including dry skin, or even fighting against fleas. But, you should choose carefully your ingredients and keep them away, as they will last for months. So, love it, rub it, and keep it natural.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Dog Shampoo
1. Is It OK To Bathe A Dog With Human Shampoo?
The first rule of dog bathing is always clear and short. It says – DO NOT USE A HUMAN SHAMPOO. Why? Dog’s skin is far different from human skin. Simply said, the pH of dog’s skin is different. In addition, shampoos for humans are more acidic than those for dogs. So, human shampoo can disturb the balance of a dog’s skin.
2. Can I Use Dish Soap To Wash My Dog?
In a number of cases, dish soap is used for making homemade dog shampoos. Many of them can even help with killing the fleas, it all depends on the brand. However, we strongly suggest that you advice with your veterinarian on this one, and not do it by yourself. After all, the safety of your canine comes first.
3. Can You Wash A Dog With Baby Shampoo?
Some claim that baby shampoo is the only safe alternative when it comes to human shampoo. In addition, baby shampoos are designed especially for sensitive skin and are made to be mild shampoo. However, there is, again, the question that you should discuss with your veterinarian.
4. What Shampoo Is Safe For Dogs?
In order for a dog’s shampoo to be safe, it must contain non-toxic ingredients, and it can’t be threatening to dog’s skin in any way. Therefore, always avoid human shampoos.
5. Is It Bad To Not Bathe Your Dog?
Dog’s are not clean all the time. They go out often, they play and often caught other dog’s smell. Basically, you can bath your dog at a minimum of every three months. In the meantime, you can dry wash your dog when necessary.
Don’t overdo with dog’s bathing, as it’s crucial for dog’s to keep their natural oils balance. After all, these oils are responsible for promoting hair growth.
