There are a hundred varieties of store-bought dog shampoos (check out our buyer’s guide for organic shampoos), and there are a thousand unknown chemicals that go into making these products. While some might be good for your dog, others are bound to be incompatible with your dog’s skin and lead to issues like dry skin conditions, itchy skin, fungal infections, etc.
Yes, there is the convenience of taking a product off the aisle and using it without any hassle, but when it comes to taking extra effort, homemade dog shampoos will always have a higher score.
Homemade dog shampoo will also help deal with an active pet’s rather dirty coat without leaving him dry for days.
When you think about your dog’s food, you make sure that there are no compromises made and your dog is either having store-bought organic food or homemade healthy food. The same applies to dog shampoos. Dog coats are not meant to withstand the attack of chemical substances that these shampoos abound in. This is precisely why homemade dog shampoo is recommended by most veterinarians. You know exactly what is going on inside it and in what amount.
Here is a list of 5 easy and basic homemade dog shampoos that you can make and store for days.
Shampoo For Dry And Itchy Skin
If your dog is prone to skin dryness, itchiness and allergies, then you could either use oatmeal or glycerine and aloe vera extracts to make a shampoo that cleans thoroughly and also eases the symptoms. Oatmeal is specifically meant for irritated skin because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Recipe For Making Shampoo For Dry And Itchy Skin
Mix ground oatmeal and baking soda in a bowl and stir while adding warm water to the mix. Work up a lather on your dog’s skin after pouring warm water on it, and clean gently.
You could also try mixing 1 cup of dish soap, 1 cup of vinegar, and ⅓ cup of glycerine. Mix the ingredients in 1 quart of water and keep it in a spray bottle for spraying onto your dog’s coat before rinsing him clean.
Antibacterial Shampoo
Before you are tempted to use essential oils on your dog’s skin, it is important to understand that all essential oils are not designed to suit your dog. Some oils, including lavender, lemongrass, and cedarwood, are safe to be used on your dog’s skin. These oils have antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-parasitic properties that can keep infections and insects at bay.
Recipe For Making Antibacterial Shampoo
Combine 10 ounces of water, 2 drops each of lavender, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils, 1 tablespoon of castile soap, and 2 ounces of aloe vera gel in a bottle. Shake the mixture vigorously. Wet your dog’s coat with warm water and create a lather with this homemade shampoo. Rinse well, pat and blow-dry for fresh-smelling cuddles.
Odor Removal Shampoo
Getting rid of odor from a dog’s coat is quite the task. Fortunately, we have a foolproof recipe that you can follow.
Recipe For Making Odor Removal Shampoo
Combine 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide and ¼ cup of baking soda along with a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Make use of this mixture to shampoo your dog right away. This cannot be stored, so use it instantly and discard the rest.
Regular Shampoo For Normal Skin
If your dog has normal skin without any episodes of allergies and such, you could stir up this recipe for regular usage that includes simple ingredients like dish wash soap, white vinegar, etc. Ensure that you use dish wash soaps that do not have strong smells and contain more natural ingredients.
Recipe For Making Regular Shampoo For Normal Skin
Mix two cups of warm water, ½ a cup of white vinegar, and ¼ cup of mild dish soap in a spray bottle. Shake till bubbles rise up, and let the bubbles recede before using.
For A Shiny Coat
If your dog has been lacking that shine on its coat, then you could try this simple recipe for instantly lustrous fur.
Recipe For Making Shampoo For A Shiny Coat
Boil around 2 cups of water with a rosemary stem in it. Let it cool down, strain it, and store it in a glass bottle. Add extra virgin coconut oil, mild liquid soap, and lavender essential oil, and shake it all together.
Final Thoughts – Make Your Pooch Scentalicious
Now you know these homemade recipes, you can make organic and chemical-free shampoos to pamper your pooch all day long!
