Dog Shampoo DIY

If you’re looking for some homemade dog shampoos or dog shampoo DIY, you’re at the right place!

Homemade dog shampoos are as effective as the ones you find in stores and not to forget they are cost-effective too!

Using a correct dog shampoo is as important as potty training and hence it becomes necessary to ditch the human shampoos and get a dog shampoo.

Before we start with the instructions to make a dog shampoo at home, some things that you should keep in mind are:

It should be known that bathing is one of the dog’s least favorite activity. Dogs should be bathed only when necessary.

It should be known that bathing is one of the dog’s least favorite activity. Dogs should be bathed only when necessary.

It should be known that bathing is one of the dog’s least favorite activity. Dogs should be bathed only when necessary.

The frequency of baths depends on the activities of a dog. If she is an indoor dog then she may need a bath less frequently. Whereas dogs who play outdoors in mud or swamps are more likely to stink and need baths more frequently.

When do you know that your dog needs a bath? If your dog has mud stains or smells bad, that’s a sign that you should give her a bath.

NEVER use human’s shampoo on a dog. If you use human shampoo on a dog then it may cause irritation to your dog’s skin because of its acidic nature.

The pH level of humans is 5.5- 5.6 but that of a dog is 6.2-7.4 which is slightly basic.

DIY Dog Shampoo Recipes

With all the above things known, let start with the types of shampoo you can easily make at home.

1. Dog Shampoo With Oatmeal:

Oatmeal is known to have antioxidant, moisturizing and healing properties.

It can help dry or itchy skin by soothing it.

Use this shampoo if your dog has dry, flaky skin, sunburns, or flea and tick problems.

To make a dog shampoo with oatmeal, you need these ingredients:

• Oatmeal
• Warm water
• Baking soda

Mix one part of finely blended oatmeal with 4 parts of warm water and one part of baking soda.

Rub this paste onto your dog’s skin.

This paste won’t have a lather like other shampoos but it is a great recipe to soothe your dog’s skin. Wet your dog with warm water.

Apply the paste on her coat.

Let it soak in for about 5-10 minutes then rinse thoroughly and dry.

This can also be used as a shampoo against dandruff.

Caution: Do not let your dog taste the baking soda. It
can be toxic.

2. Homemade Dog Shampoo With Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil acts as an amazing moisturizer and helps to prevent against fungi or yeast infections.

Coconut oil for dog’s paws act as a treatment for cracked or itchy paws and further helps in soothing the paws.

This can be used as a dog yeast infection shampoo.

To make a dog shampoo with coconut oil, you require:

• Coconut oil
• Castile soap
• Distilled water
• Essential oil (Lavender oil)

Add ¼ part of coconut oil to ½ part of castile soap and ¾ part distilled water.

Add 5 drops of lavender oil for fragrance.

This is optional as it isn’t suitable for all dogs.

Ask your vet if it is a good idea to use essential oils for bathing your dog.

After mixing these items properly, lather it up on her coat and rinse thoroughly.

You can repeat the process if you feel the need to do so.

3. Basic Dog Shampoo:

Bathing your dog with coconut oil or oatmeal every time wouldn’t be a good choice.

To substitute them, a normal shampoo can be used to keep your dog clean.

To make this shampoo, you would require:

• White Vinegar
• Dish soap
• Warm water

Dish soap is generally used for removing grease and oil in the kitchen.

So, it will remove all the dirt and oil from the coat and the skin of your dog.

White Vinegar acts as an antibacterial liquid and makes the coat shiny and soft.

Mix 2 parts of warm water with ¼ part dish soap and ½ part white vinegar.

Gently massage on the coat of your dog.

Create a lather and rinse off after some time.

Dry off the coat.

4. Shampoos For Dry Skin:

Dry skin lacks moisture and is prone to becoming flaky.

Aloe Vera and glycerine have moisture-retaining properties.

We can use these two ingredients to make a shampoo for dogs with dry skin.

To make this dog shampoo, we need the following ingredients:

• White/ apple cider vinegar
• Warm water
• Aloe Vera
• Baby shampoo or mild dish soap
• Glycerine

Mix 1 part of baby shampoo/dish soap with 1 part of vinegar.

Add 1/3 part of glycerine and 4 parts of water.

Mix this with 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel.

Apply this mixture to the dog’s coat and rinse off thoroughly.

This can be used without the glycerine as well.

5. Dog Shampoo Against Fleas:

The best way to remove fleas is by keeping the coat of the dog scented.

This shampoo has to be used only when you notice fleas sitting on your dog.

To make this shampoo, you will need the following ingredients:

• Warm water
• Vinegar
• Dish soap
• Essential oil

Mix all the ingredients and store in a shampoo bottle or a container.

Work up to create a lather then rinse off thoroughly.

Some essential oils may be poisonous to your dog so make sure you refrain from using them to make this concoction.

Precautions To Be Taken In General:

• Before bathing your dog with the homemade shampoo, check its effect on a small area, If there is any kind of itching, redness or irritation then discontinue using it further.
• These shampoos are not meant for long time use so make sure you use it as soon as you make it. Store it in a cool dry place if at all it has to be stored.
• Essential oils which are SAFE include Lavender, Copaiba, Frankincense, Peppermint, and petitgrain.
• NEVER use these essential oils on your dog’s skin:

1. Tea tree oil
2. Pennyroyal oils
3. Cinnamon
4. Pine
5. Citrus
6. Wintergreen
7. Sweet birch and
8. Ylang ylang

• Before bathing your dog, brush his coat once to remove the tangles and other dirt particles.

• After bathing your dog, put an absorbent towel around him and prevent him from going to the cooler temperatures until he is dry. He may also want to shake himself to dry up.

• You must be aware of what products your dog may be allergic to, ask the vet before trying on any product on your dog. It is better to prefer the product with more natural ingredients than using the one with chemicals.

• Protect their ear by putting cotton balls in their ears. Water running down their ears can cause an ear infection.

• Make sure your dog steps on the anti-slippery mat to prevent injuries while bathing.

• However, if you’re not so sure about using homemade dog shampoos and want to buy a shampoo from the store then you must consider these points before buying one.

• Needs: Before buying a shampoo, choose what you need it for. Different shampoos have specific functions depending on the user.

• Age: If you have a puppy then you may want to buy a puppy shampoo which has a mild formula for cleaning and is tear-free.

• Skin Condition: If your dog is allergic to some ingredient then your vet must have recommended a dog shampoo which is medicated to avoid those ingredients. Also if your dog has a dry, flaky or itchy skin then a moisturizing shampoo will make the skin better.

• Colour: A dog’s coat may get dull because of pollution and other factors. Shampoos which are designed to brighten or whiten should be considered to retain color and shine of the coat.

• Odor: A shampoo with scents must be avoided because it contains chemicals which at times may be harmful. You may want to buy a deodorizing shampoo for dogs who like to play near stinky surroundings.

• Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoos: These shampoos are useful for dogs with super-sensitive skins.

They are free of most of the chemicals so they develop less lather and can be rinsed off easily.

Now that you know what all to consider you can move ahead with bathing your dog or buying a shampoo for them!

Have any other suggestions about what works and what does not?

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