My two-year-old fur babies and I have one thing in common — we both dislike the groomer. I don’t like the cost, and my dogs freak out whenever they go.
Fortunately, there’s a way out of this headache — a DIY dog shampoo. Making your own lets you control the ingredients, and it can also prevent irritation since many soaps can cause dry skin and have a lot of preservatives. Of course, before diving into any homemade dog shampoo project, chat with your veterinarian to ensure that the ingredients are recommended for your breed. Or, you can do a small spot check on your dog and continue the next day. In addition to showing you how to make your own dry shampoo for dogs, you’ll also get step-by-step instructions on how to apply it.
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1. Make your own dog shampoo with baking soda, cornstarch, and lavender essential oil.
Baking soda for pets is perfectly safe and effective. It’s a natural cleaner and disinfectant and doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals. The cornstarch is great for absorbing dirt and oil, and the essential oil just adds a freshness (and a chill experience for your dog). So, as far as ingredients for a dry shampoo for dogs, these are economical and safe.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 C. baking soda
- 1 C. cornstarch
- 3-5 drops lavender essential oil
- Dog brush
- Towel
- Dog treats
- Empty bulk spice container or a plastic storage bowl and lid you can poke holes in
Make sure the container to hold the ingredients is clean and doesn’t have any lingering smells in it. Poke a few holes in the container’s plastic lid to create a makeshift shaker top. You’ll need it later.
Step 1: Before applying the dog shampoo, thoroughly brush your dog for a smooth application.
Remove any clumps of matted fur, snarls, and dead hair with your dog’s regular grooming brush or an old hairbrush. Doing this will allow the dry dog shampoo to penetrate better (it won’t be trapped in matted fur) and go on smoother.
Step 2: Sprinkle a healthy amount of shampoo all over your pooch.
Now that the hair is combed through, time to shake, shake, shake that dog shampoo. Apply it liberally, avoiding his/her face and eyes. Start from the back of the ears and go to the tail.
Step 3: Work the dry dog shampoo through your dog’s coat with your fingers.
Let the shampoo sit for about five minutes, giving the baking soda and cornstarch time to soak up the oils and odors from his or her skin and fur. This is a great time to gaze into your fur baby’s eyes and tell him/her how much you love them. That way they don’t shake off the shampoo.
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Step 4: Brush out the bulk of the homemade dog shampoo from your dog’s fur.
Imagine how much you like your hair rubbed! Your dog should be able to stand still enough for you to tackle this task. Like in tip 1, you’ll want to thoroughly and gently comb their fur to remove the dry dog shampoo.
Step 5: Rub down your dog’s coat with an old towel.
Your dog is going to want to shake off the dry shampoo — totally fine — and a towel will just about get the rest of it. Be sure to follow the ear-to-tail path to make sure that all of the shampoo is off. Ideally, all of these steps are performed outside so the breeze can carry any extra shampoo away.
Step 6: Blow dry any remaining dog shampoo from your dog’s coat.
Blow drying your dog’s coat will remove excess dry shampoo. Just be sure to set your dryer to the warm or cool temperature setting (not hot). By now your pooch has been very patient, so hopefully you have a few treats ready to go!
Step 7: Enjoy your pet’s shinier, flea-free coat and better skin, courtesy of your DIY dry shampoo for dogs.
Not only does lavender oil make your dog smell fresh, it also protects your dog from fleas. If you use it as a DIY flea shampoo for dogs, it’s perfect for a pet suffering from dry skin or one that just plain hates traditional baths.
If your dog is resistant to this type of bath as well, simply give him a regular supply of treats to help ease the process.
2. Create a gentle, non-toxic oatmeal shampoo for dogs.
Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs Ingredients:
- ⅓ C. colloidal oat powder
- ⅓ C. arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 5-10 drops of essential oil
- an empty spice shaker
Directions:
- In a bowl, mix all ingredients together.
- Funnel the mix into the empty spice container.
- Generously shake on your dog’s fur.
- Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a brush to disperse it thoroughly.
3. Assemble oatmeal, coconut oil, honey, and water for a DIY dog conditioner.
Just like human hair, a dog’s hair needs conditioner to retain shine and moisture, and it also helps soothe itchy, dry skin. While this isn’t a dry hair product — like the dog shampoo — it’s still effective, hypoallergenic, and is made from natural ingredients like these:
DIY Dog Conditioner Ingredients:
- ¼ C. ground oatmeal
- 2 T. coconut oil
- 1 T. honey
- ¼ C. water
- 2-3 drops of essential oil (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. This leave-in conditioner is perfect for a post-bath (dry or not) finish or an everyday freshen up. Now you have a homemade dog shampoo and conditioner at your fingertips.