3 Simple Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipes

It is really important to practice good hygiene – not only for yourself but also for your dog! It can be super hard to get dogs to shower but not anymore with these 3 simple homemade dog shampoo recipes. My dog is a sweetheart, but he literally switches his personality when it comes to taking a shower. If you have a dog who is always excited to shower, consider yourself lucky! However, if your dog is one of those dramatic breeds – mine is a husky (very dramatic) – then it can be super hard to get them to shower. Nonetheless, it is important to keep them clean!

I’ve tried all the DIY shampoo recipes in this guide, so don’t worry; you’re not going to face a problem! There are also a few questions at the end of the article which will answer what’s on your mind! I remember feeling very confused when it came to taking care of a dog for the very first time. If you thinking like, what can I use to wash my dog if I don’t have dog shampoo? then you must go for easy DIY dog shampoo. You will soon get used to it and have all of the ingredients to these homemade dog shampoo recipes at your fingertips! The recipes used are perfect for any budget and any breed of dog! You’re going to have a blast while making these shampoos, and of course, you can ask your dog to join, as well!

1. Homemade dog shampoo to get rid of fleas

Why does a dog get fleas in the first place? It is important to take dogs out on a walk every day. This is when they could come in contact with these fleas. Fleas have very strong legs, so they can jump onto your dog’s skin and act as a parasite. They will feed on their blood and jump from one host to another. It is important to get rid of them, especially if you have more dogs or cats around the house. If your dog doesn’t go out much, it could be you bringing in the fleas from the outside. How can you get rid of them?

The simple and most effective solution would be to use an anti-flea shampoo. The ones found at the store can be very strong, so if your dog has sensitive skin, those things are a big no! My husky had a problem with fleas, and I decided to use this method as he has very sensitive skin.

The following DIY dog shampoo recipe would work well for bigger dogs (or dogs with less sensitive skin). This mixture is a little strong, so you might need to do a patch test first and wait a while to see how your dog reacts to it.

Water – one quart
White vinegar – one cup
Baby shampoo/ non-toxic dish soap – one cup
Spray bottle

This method is the one I used for my husky as he was a baby back then, and I didn’t want to use something too strong that will strip his natural oils. However, I can use the method mentioned above now as he’s a little older.

Water – half a cup
Vinegar – quarter cup
Baby shampoo – quarter cup

2. Dog dry shampoo

It is scientifically proven that it’s actually better if your dog doesn’t shower very frequently. Think about it – the more that they shower, the more chemicals are used on their skin from those shampoos. Even though these are homemade recipes, they also chase the same chemical reactions to clean the skin. Dry shampoo is a perfect way to clean them up from time to time. It will be a very nice feeling when you rub the dry shampoo into their skins – a lot like being petted!

Baking Soda
Corn Starch
Essential Oils

As you can already tell, this homemade dog shampoo is perfect for sensitive skin, as no powerful ingredients are being used here. How can you use it? Sprinkle the powder into your hands and lightly pat it onto your dog’s skin. Once you’ve applied it on all the oily/unclean areas, just massage it in. This isn’t going to remove mud or dirt – it’s only to be used to give a refreshing and clean look to your dog if it’s looking a little oily.

3. DIY dog shampoo for dry skin

You might have made the mistake of bathing your dog more than how much is required. Don’t worry; everyone makes that mistake when they first start taking care of a dog. If it has led to dry and itchy skin, it’s a great idea to use this homemade dog shampoo recipe! It’s going to moisturize their skin and make it soft and nice. You can easily find all of these ingredients at any market near your house. I got them from Walmart but had to order glycerin from Amazon!

Water
Castile Soap
Vinegar
Glycerin
Alovera Gel

Mix this all together and use it as a regular dog shampoo.

How often should your dog shower?

I would recommend that your dog should only shower once a month. Excessive use of soap and shampoo can make their skin to be stripped of its natural oils. This can lead to dry and flaky skin. In case your dog gets dirty – by going into the mud, jumping into dirty water, etc. – it is a good idea to clean them up by using homemade dog shampoo for the dry skin mentioned above. It has aloe vera in it, which is going to moisturize their sensitive skin. Use a dry shampoo if you’re in the go as it’s not as strong as an actual shampoo.

Why is it better to make a shampoo at home?

Store shampoos have many different chemicals added to them. That can leave your dog’s skin super dry and itchy. It is certainly always better to be aware of the ingredients going into something that you’re going to apply to your pet’s skin. Secondly, the store-bought stuff is also super pricey, and it never hurts to save some extra coins, right? You can also use that money to buy your dog some treats or toys! They’re going to be a lot happier to get a toy than a boujee shampoo that they know nothing about.

Can dogs be allergic to the ingredients?

Unfortunately, yes. Allergies are actually quite common when it comes to dogs. This is why I strongly recommend you to make stuff at home so you can really try it out and see the reaction of everything. You never know what they out in those store-bought shampoos, so it will be almost impossible for you to find out which chemical is making their skin itchy. It can be a good idea to do a patch test and see if that certain idea swells up. Redness or hives are also a sign of chemical reaction. Once you spot the ingredient, never use it in any DIY recipe again.

Conclusion

So, are you all ready to try out these amazing 3 simple homemade dog shampoo recipes? Your dog is going to have a lot more fun showering with these shampoos! If you know your dog’s favorite scent – it is a great idea to use it in the form of essential oil. Make sure to add very little as essential oils tend to dry out the skin, as well. This way, your dog would be excited to smell the scent (dogs have a very strong smelling scent) and will cooperate when you want to clean him up. These shampoos would work perfectly as a present for a dog mom, as well!

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