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.
It is worth noting that you shouldn’t shampoo your dog too often since the suds dry out their skin, and we recommend not using products that you’d use on your own hair. Many dogs have sensitive skin, and the pleasant scents you enjoy can be an olfactory overload for your pet.
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
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Food processor or coffee grinder
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Mixing bowl
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Spoon
Materials
- 4 cups warm water
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
Instructions
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Grind the oats into a fine powder using a food processor or coffee grinder.
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Mix everything together.
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Apply to a dry coat and let it sit for a few minutes.
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Rinse thoroughly.
Notes
2. All-Purpose Shampoo
- Application: All-purpose
- ½ cup of liquid Castile soap
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 4 cups of water
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Lather into your dog’s wet coat and then rinse thoroughly.
This all-purpose shampoo will gently clean your dog’s coat with baking soda to absorb odors. Avoid soaps with essential oils 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
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup of unscented liquid Castile soap
- 4 cups of water
- Mix all the ingredients together and then lather into your pet’s fur before rinsing thoroughly.
- Don’t apply to pets with broken skin.
This recipe contains several ingredients that can calm irritated skin. The vinegar smell will dissipate rapidly, but is great for reducing yeast overgrowth in the skin.
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. 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 when your budget allows for it.
Our Favorite Products
Selecting the right shampoo and conditioner makes the world of a difference when grooming your pup. Our favorite products are the duo by Hepper. The Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is formulated with aloe and oatmeal to soothe skin and hydrate the coat. The Pet Conditioner works at eliminating tangles and taming frizz and static. Both products are pH-balanced and formulated with pet-friendly ingredients, free of harsh soaps, chemicals, and dyes. Give this duo a try to heal and nourish your dog's coat, and leave them with an irresistible just-left-the-spa cucumber and aloe scent.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock
