5 Homemade Dog Shampoos

Dogs need to be bathed regularly to limit bad odors and keep their coats 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, high-quality ingredients, are great but can be expensive.

So whether you’re on a tight budget or just looking for an alternative, more eco-friendly way to wash your pooch, homemade dog shampoo could be 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 making these homemade dog shampoos, you should keep in mind that while essential oils smell great, some essential oils can be toxic to dogs. A very small amount of some essential oils is safe to use, but avoid the temptation to add extra drops to improve the scent of the shampoo.

Discover our 5 simple homemade dog shampoo recipes made with puppy-safe ingredients that you can easily prepare today!

dog paw divider

The 5 homemade shampoos for dogs

1. Oatmeal dog shampoo for dry skin

  • 1 Chopped off rolled oats
  • ½ Chopped off baking soda
  • ¼ Chopped off hot water
  • 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 onto your dog’s wet coat and leave for a few minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly and dry your dog thoroughly.

2. Coconut oil dog shampoo for a softer coat

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • ¾ cup of water
  • ½ cup of castile soap
  • 5 drops of lavender oil
  • 5 drops rosemary oil

Instructions:

  • Mix and stir all the ingredients in a bowl.
  • Apply the mixture with your fingers or a brush to your dog’s damp coat.
  • Distribute the product over the entire coat, avoiding the eyes.
  • Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • Repeat if necessary.

3. Dog shampoo with aloe vera for sensitive skin

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
  • 1 cup baby shampoo
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • ⅓ cup glycerin
  • Hot water

Instructions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
  • Spray your dog avoiding contact with his eyes.
  • Massage the product into your dog’s coat with your fingers.
  • Rinse thoroughly.

4. Dog shampoo with essential oils for odor control

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons castile soap
  • ½ tablespoon of vitamin E
  • 5 drops of peppermint essential oil
  • 3 drops of tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
  • Spray your dog’s coat, taking care to avoid his eyes.
  • Leave the product on your dog’s coat for a few minutes.
  • Rinse well.

5. Homemade super moisturizing dog shampoo

Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons castile soap
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 2 tablespoons of glycerin
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons of water
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions:

  • Combine castile soap, coconut oil, honey and glycerin in a bowl.
  • In another bowl, combine water and vinegar.
  • Pour the water and vinegar mixture into the other bowl to obtain a slightly fluid mixture.
  • Let stand 24 hours. (Note: The shampoo smells a little strong at first, but the smell will fade afterward).
  • Wash your dog with the mixture and rinse it well.

How to make homemade dry shampoo for your dog

Dry shampoo is great for washing your dog when you’re short on time and for waiting between baths. Baking soda removes accumulated dirt and oil from the coat.

The only ingredient you need is baking soda! Put 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 the most basic), the pH of human skin varies between 5.2 and 6.2.

As for dogs, normal pH levels range between 5.5 and 7.5, so their skin is more alkaline. Thus, if a human shampoo is used on a dog, the pH of its epidermis will be disturbed, which will create a favorable environment for 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

  • No need to pre-prepare a large batch of these dog shampoos. These homemade recipes don’t keep very long, so it’s best to mix the ingredients just before bathing.
  • For small dogs, it is better to make a half recipe.
  • A dog should not be bathed every day because his skin already secretes oils that protect his coat. By washing your pooch too often, you deprive him of this natural protection.

Conclusion

As you can see, making a natural, safe, inexpensive dog shampoo that respects the pH of your pooch’s skin isn’t rocket science. Just gather a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, mix them up in a spray bottle and voila!

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