Dogs need to be washed regularly to limit bad odors and to keep their coat silky and shiny. Commercial shampoos aren’t bad options, but some contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your pet’s sensitive skin and even cause allergic reactions. Other options, made with natural and high-quality ingredients, are interesting but can be expensive.
So, whether you’re on a tight budget or just looking for an alternative and more environmentally friendly way to wash your pooch, homemade dog shampoo could become your new best friend! And it’s also a great way to know all the ingredients that go into the composition of the shampoo for your four-legged friend.
When preparing these homemade dog shampoos you should keep in mind that while essential oils smell amazing, some can be toxic to dogs. A very small amount of certain essential oils is safe to use, but please avoid the temptation of adding any extra drops to enhance the shampoo’s smell.
Check out our 5 simple homemade dog shampoo recipes made with ingredients that are safe for your pup that you can easily make today!
The 5 Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipes
1. Oatmeal Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
Oatmeal Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
Materials
- 1 cup of oatmeal
- ½ cup of baking soda
- ¼ cup of warm water
Instructions
- Grind the oatmeal in a coffee grinder or food processor until it has the consistency of flour.
- Pour into a large bowl and add the baking soda.
- Add lukewarm water and mix all the ingredients well.
- Pour the mixture over your dog's wet coat and leave for a few minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry your dog thoroughly.
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2. Coconut Oil Dog Shampoo for Softer Coat
Giving your pet a bath can be a difficult task, but the first step is to choose a great shampoo. We love Hepper's Shampoo Products, both of which are natural, pet-safe options specially formulated to clean your pet's skin and coat without causing irritation. Both formulas are also free of things like dyes, soaps, sulfates, and phthalates. Your pet will enjoy the soothing aloe vera and oatmeal, and you'll love the clean, fresh scents!
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| Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo | Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo | |
| Natural Ingredients |
Natural Ingredients:
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Natural Ingredients:
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| Made in USA |
Made in USA:
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Made in USA:
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| Safe for cats & dogs |
Safe for cats & dogs:
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Safe for cats & dogs:
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| Soothes dry skin |
Soothes dry skin:
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Soothes dry skin:
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| Waterless, no rinsing required |
Waterless, no rinsing required:
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Waterless, no rinsing required:
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At Pet Keen, 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 company!
3. Aloe Vera Dog Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
4. Essential Oils Dog Shampoo for Odor Control
5. Super Hydrating Homemade Dog Shampoo
How to Make Homemade Dry Shampoo for Your Dog
Dry shampoo is ideal for washing your dog when you’re short on time and for waiting between baths. Baking soda removes dirt and accumulated oil from the coat.
The only ingredient you need is baking soda! Place a very small amount on his coat, rub gently then brush to remove residue.
Why Can’t You Use Human Shampoo for Your Dog?
It’s a matter of pH.
This is because the shampoos we use are formulated specifically to maintain the relatively acidic pH levels of human skin. On the pH scale that goes from 0 to 14 (0 being the most acidic level and 14 being the most basic), the pH of human skin varies between 5.2 to 6.2.
As for dogs, normal pH levels range between 5.5 to 7.5, so their skin is more alkaline. Therefore, if a human shampoo is used on a dog, the pH of its epidermis will be disturbed, which will create an environment favorable to bacteria, parasites, and viruses. This type of shampoo can also irritate your pup’s sensitive skin and cause itching and redness.
Homemade Dog Shampoo Tips
Summary
As you can see, making a natural, safe, inexpensive dog shampoo that respects the pH of your pooch’s skin is not rocket science. Just gather a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, mix them up in a spray bottle, and voila!
- See Also:Â 10 Best Dog Shampoos for Odor Control
Featured Image Credit: Aleksandr Finch, Shutterstock
