If you’re a pet parent, you know how important it is to keep your furry friend clean, healthy, and smelling fresh. While there are many commercial dog shampoos on the market, making your own dog shampoo at home is a cost-effective and natural alternative. Homemade shampoos are a great way to control the ingredients that come in contact with your dog’s skin and coat, especially if your dog has sensitive skin or allergies. Here’s everything you need to know about making shampoo for your pup at home.

Why Make Dog Shampoo at Home?

First of all, why might you want to make dog shampoo at home? For starters, it gives you complete control over the ingredients, ensuring that you’re using only safe, natural products. This is a great way to reduce the amount of harsh chemicals that your furry friend is exposed to. Homemade shampoo is also much more affordable compared to store-bought options, especially since you likely already have many of the ingredients in your kitchen. Plus, you can easily tweak the recipe to meet your dog’s specific needs, whether it’s dealing with sensitive skin, flea problems, or dryness.

Basic Shampoo Recipe Ingredients

To get started with homemade dog shampoo, you don’t need a lot of complicated ingredients. Many recipes use a combination of the following ingredients:

• Castile soap (to bind the ingredients together)
• Vinegar (to deodorize and add shine to your pup’s fur)
• Baking soda (to balance the acidity between the vinegar and water)

Using these ingredients as a base, dog owners can mix and match additional ingredients based on the type of shampoo their dog needs.

Homemade Shampoo for Dogs with Sensitive Skin

For dogs with sensitive skin, using a gentle, soothing shampoo is essential to avoid irritation or allergic reactions. Not only are oats a healthy food for your dog to eat, but they’re also an excellent, dog-safe ingredient that makes a sensitive-skin-friendly shampoo. To make this recipe, add the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Store the mixture in a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. Then, rub it onto your dog’s wet coat in the bath. After letting it sit for a few minutes, rinse it off with warm water.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of whole, natural oats
• 4 cups of warm water
• 1 tsp of Castile soap
• 1 tbsp of fresh rosemary

DIY Flea Repellant Shampoo

A DIY flea-repellant shampoo offers a natural and effective way to protect your dog from pesky fleas without relying on harsh chemicals. Ingredients like vinegar and lavender are known for their flea-repelling properties, making them a safe, non-toxic solution for your pet. To make this shampoo, mix together the ingredients and stir well. Store in a tightly sealed container until you’re ready to use. Use this shampoo in the bath by applying it to wet fur. Let it sit for about five minutes, and then rinse it thoroughly.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of hot water
• 1 teaspoon of lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1–2 tsp of Castile soap

Homemade Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin

For dogs suffering from dry skin, a moisturizing shampoo helps hydrate and nourish their coat. Using this shampoo as needed can soothe dry, itchy, and flaky skin or prevent it from happening in the first place. To make this shampoo, combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Apply it to your pup in the shower, lather it into their coat, and then rinse thoroughly.

Ingredients:

• 1 quart of water
• 1 cup of vinegar (either white or apple cider vinegar)
• 1/3 cup of glycerin
• 1 cup of baby shampoo
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel

Things to Keep in Mind

When making homemade dog shampoo, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, homemade shampoos are more prone to bacterial growth compared to store-bought products. Because of this, it’s best to make a fresh batch for each bath. Additionally, aim to get an unscented version of Castile soap. Be cautious when using scented ingredients, as some, like tea tree oil, are toxic to pets.

If you notice dry, irritated skin or a frizzy coat after a bath, it might mean the recipe is too harsh for your dog’s skin, and you should switch to a dog-specific shampoo. And, remember, human shampoos should never be used on dogs, as their skin has a different pH balance. Homemade dog shampoo is a great, affordable option for keeping your pup clean, but make sure to use the right ingredients and techniques to keep them happy and healthy.