How To Make Dog Shampoo: 5 Amazing Natural Recipes

Bath time for our furry friends can be a bonding experience, but a quick glance at the ingredient list on many commercial dog shampoos can leave you scratching your head.

Words like sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances can be concerning, especially for dogs with sensitive skin. If you’re looking for a simpler, more natural way to keep your canine companion clean and healthy, learning how to make dog shampoo at home is a fantastic solution.

Not only do you get complete control over what goes on your dog’s skin, but it’s also often more affordable and environmentally friendly.

This guide is for loving dog owners who want to dive into the world of DIY grooming.

We will explore the benefits of homemade shampoo and walk you through five amazing, easy-to-make natural recipes tailored for different needs—from moisturizing dry skin to repelling fleas. You don’t need to be a chemist to create a safe and effective shampoo for your pup.

With just a few simple, high-quality ingredients from your kitchen pantry or local health food store, you can whip up a batch of shampoo that will leave your dog clean, fresh, and happy.

Why Choose Homemade Dog Shampoo?

Before we start mixing, let’s talk about why so many pet owners are making the switch. The skin is the body’s largest organ, for dogs just as it is for us.

What we put on their coat gets absorbed into their system. This is why learning how to make dog shampoo offers some significant advantages.

1. Control Over Ingredients

This is the number one reason to go DIY. You know exactly what’s in the bottle. You can choose high-quality, organic ingredients and avoid the harsh chemicals, detergents, and artificial dyes found in many store-bought options.

This is especially important for dogs with allergies, skin sensitivities, or existing health conditions. You can tailor the recipe to your dog’s specific needs.

2. Gentler on the Skin

A dog’s skin has a different pH balance than human skin. Human shampoos are too acidic for dogs and can strip away the natural oils from their coat, leading to dryness, irritation, and flakiness.

Natural ingredients like Castile soap, oatmeal, and aloe vera are much gentler and help to maintain the proper pH balance, cleansing the coat without causing irritation.

3. Cost-Effective

While some commercial specialty shampoos can be expensive, the core ingredients for homemade versions are often very affordable and multi-purpose. A single bottle of Castile soap or a container of coconut oil can be used for dozens of batches of shampoo, making it a budget-friendly option in the long run.

4. Environmentally Friendly

Making your own shampoo reduces plastic waste. You can store your creations in reusable glass jars or recycled bottles. Furthermore, the natural, biodegradable ingredients are kinder to our waterways when they wash down the drain.

The Building Blocks of Natural Dog Shampoo

When you learn how to make dog shampoo, you’ll notice that most recipes use a combination of a few core components. Understanding what each one does will help you choose the best recipe for your pup.

• The Soap Base: This is what does the cleaning. It’s essential to use a gentle, natural soap.
  • Unscented Liquid Castile Soap: This is the gold standard for homemade dog shampoo. It’s a vegetable-based soap (traditionally made from olive oil) that is gentle, effective, and biodegradable. Dr. Bronner’s is a popular, widely available brand. Never use dish soap (like Dawn), as it’s a detergent designed to strip grease and will be far too harsh on your dog’s skin over time, even if some sources suggest it for one-off emergencies.
• The Liquid Carrier: This dilutes the soap and adds volume to the shampoo.
  • Water: Simple, effective, and free. Use distilled water if you plan on storing the shampoo for more than a week, as it’s free of minerals and impurities.
  • Herbal Teas: Brewed and cooled teas like chamomile or calendula can add soothing properties to the shampoo.
• Moisturizing and Soothing Agents: These ingredients help to soothe irritated skin and condition the coat.
  • Glycerin: A natural humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air into the skin, keeping it hydrated.
  • Aloe Vera Gel: Famous for its soothing and healing properties. It’s wonderful for dogs with itchy or inflamed skin. Make sure you use a pure gel product with no added alcohol or other chemicals.
  • Coconut Oil: A fantastic natural moisturizer that can help to improve the health and appearance of your dog’s coat.
• Therapeutic Add-ins: These provide specific benefits, from calming to deodorizing.
  • Oatmeal: Colloidal oatmeal (oats ground into an extremely fine powder) is a superstar for relieving itching and irritation from allergies, bug bites, and dry skin.
  • White Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar: A small amount helps to deodorize, combat bacteria and yeast, and leaves the coat shiny. It also helps to balance the pH of the shampoo.
  • Essential Oils: These must be used with extreme caution. While some oils like lavender or chamomile can be calming, many others are toxic to dogs (e.g., tea tree, pennyroyal, pine, wintergreen). When in doubt, leave them out. Always use 100% pure, therapeutic-grade oils, and use only 1-2 drops per cup of shampoo. Always consult your vet before using essential oils on your dog.

5 Amazing Natural Recipes to Make Dog Shampoo at Home

Here are five easy-to-follow recipes for different needs. Each recipe makes about 2 cups of shampoo. You can easily halve or double them. For best results, make a fresh batch before each bath. If you need to store it, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.

A quick tip: Always mix the ingredients in a separate bowl or jar before pouring them into your final storage bottle. This ensures everything is well combined. Shake well before each use.

1. The Basic “Go-To” Shampoo (For All Dog Types)

This is the perfect starter recipe. It’s gentle, effective, and suitable for most dogs with normal skin and coats.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of distilled water
• 1/2 cup of unscented liquid Castile soap
• 1/4 cup of pure aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin

Instructions:

1. Pour the water into a clean jar or bowl.
2. Slowly add the liquid Castile soap. Pouring it slowly prevents too many bubbles from forming right away.
3. Add the aloe vera gel and glycerin.
4. Gently stir or swirl the mixture until all the ingredients are fully combined.
5. Pour the finished shampoo into a reusable bottle.

2. Soothing Oatmeal Shampoo (For Itchy & Dry Skin)

If your dog is constantly scratching due to allergies or dry skin, this oatmeal-based shampoo can provide incredible relief.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of whole, uncooked oats (or 1/2 cup colloidal oatmeal)
• 2 cups of distilled water, boiled
• 1/2 cup of unscented liquid Castile soap
• 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Oatmeal Base: If using whole oats, grind them into a very fine powder using a coffee grinder or a high-powered blender. This creates colloidal oatmeal, which dissolves better and is more effective.
2. Place the oatmeal powder in a heatproof bowl. Pour the 2 cups of recently boiled water over the oats and stir well.
3. Let the mixture sit for at least 15-20 minutes, allowing the oats to infuse the water.
4. Strain the Mixture: Pour the oat-water through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth into a separate bowl to remove any gritty bits. You want a milky, smooth liquid.
5. Slowly stir in the Castile soap and the melted coconut oil until everything is well combined.
6. Transfer to your bottle. The consistency will be slightly thicker and creamier than the basic recipe.

3. Deodorizing and Flea-Repellent Shampoo (For Smelly Pups)

This recipe uses the power of vinegar and a specific essential oil to help neutralize strong odors and make your dog a less appealing target for fleas.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of distilled water
• 1/2 cup of unscented liquid Castile soap
• 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar (ACV)
• 1-2 drops of pure lavender essential oil (optional, for calming and repellent properties)

Instructions:

1. Combine the water and apple cider vinegar in a mixing bowl.
2. Slowly pour in the Castile soap while gently stirring.
3. If using, add the 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil. Do not overdo it.
4. Stir until fully incorporated. The vinegar will cut down on the sudsing action of the soap, which is normal.
5. Pour into your shampoo bottle. Be sure to avoid getting this shampoo in your dog’s eyes, as the vinegar can sting.

4. Waterless “Dry” Shampoo (For Quick Clean-Ups)

Sometimes your dog isn’t dirty enough for a full bath but needs a little freshening up. This waterless shampoo is perfect for in-between baths or for dogs who hate water.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of cornstarch or arrowroot powder
• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• A few drops of a dog-safe essential oil like chamomile or lavender (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) and the baking soda.
2. If using an essential oil, add a few drops and whisk everything together thoroughly to distribute the oil and break up any clumps.
3. Pour the powder mixture into a shaker bottle, like a clean, empty spice jar or a parmesan cheese container.
4. To Use: Sprinkle the powder lightly onto your dog’s dry coat, avoiding their face and eyes. Gently massage it into the fur and down to the skin. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to absorb oils and odors.
5. Thoroughly brush the powder out of your dog’s coat. It’s best to do this outside to avoid a mess.

5. Extra-Moisturizing Shampoo (For Dull, Brittle Coats)

This recipe is packed with moisturizing ingredients to help restore shine and softness to a dry or lackluster coat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of brewed and cooled chamomile tea (as the water base)
• 1/2 cup of unscented liquid Castile soap
• 1/4 cup of pure aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil

Instructions:

1. Brew a strong cup of chamomile tea and let it cool completely.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooled chamomile tea, Castile soap, and aloe vera gel.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil and vitamin E oil together.
4. Slowly drizzle the oil mixture into the soap mixture while stirring continuously to emulsify them as much as possible.
5. Pour into your bottle. You will need to shake this shampoo very well before each use, as the oils will naturally separate from the water-based ingredients over time.

How to Bathe Your Dog with Homemade Shampoo

Using your new shampoo is easy, but here are a few tips for the best results:

1. Brush First: Before the bath, give your dog a thorough brushing to remove any loose fur, mats, and tangles.
2. Get Them Wet: Thoroughly wet your dog’s coat with lukewarm water, from their neck down to their tail.
3. Lather Up: Apply your homemade shampoo and work it into a gentle lather. Remember, natural shampoos often lather less than commercial ones—this is normal and doesn’t mean it’s not working. Massage it deep into the coat and skin.
4. Let it Sit (Optional): For medicated shampoos like the oatmeal or flea-repellent recipes, let the lather sit for a few minutes to allow the active ingredients to do their work.
5. Rinse Thoroughly: This is a crucial step. Rinse until the water runs completely clear and you can no longer feel any slippery residue on the coat. Leftover shampoo can cause skin irritation.
6. Dry Off: Towel dry your dog as much as possible, then let them air dry in a warm spot or use a pet-safe blow dryer on a low, cool setting.

Conclusion: A Clean Dog and a Clear Conscience

Learning how to make dog shampoo is a simple, rewarding way to take an active role in your pet’s health and wellness. By using gentle, natural ingredients, you can create customized solutions that address your dog’s specific skin and coat needs without exposing them to harsh chemicals.

Whether you need a soothing oatmeal bath for an itchy pup or a quick freshen-up with a dry shampoo, these recipes provide a safe, effective, and affordable alternative to store-bought products.

So next time your furry friend needs a scrub, reach for your homemade creation. You’ll not only have a clean and great-smelling dog but also the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what you’re putting on their skin. Happy mixing!