16 Homemade Dog Shampoo

Taking good care of our furry friends is part of responsible ownership. One of the best ways to care for your dog’s skin and coat is to make your own dog shampoo.

High-quality commercial dog shampoos do work. However, they carry other risks that you may want to avoid for the long term.

Some commercial dog shampoos may contain ingredients that can dry or irritate sensitive skin.

Making your own dog shampoo allows you to control the ingredients and keep the formula simple and gentle.

With a few simple homemade dog shampoo ingredients, you can make a cleanser that’s easy on your pooch.

Always patch test any homemade shampoo on a small area first, and stop using it if your dog’s skin looks red, flaky, or more irritated.

Dogs with skin disease, open sores, fleas, yeast infections, or severe itching should be checked by a veterinarian.

The following recipes are collected from various online sources and shared for informational purposes.

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How To Make Dog Shampoo

1. DIY Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs

What You Need

• Blender, coffee grinder, or food processor
• Plain, unflavored oatmeal
• ½ – 1 cup oatmeal for medium to large dogs
• ⅓ cup oatmeal for small dogs
• Warm water
• Bathtub
• Optional: 1 cup high-fat milk
• Optional: 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil

Instructions

1. Put the oats in a blender, coffee grinder, or food processor and grind them on the highest setting until they’re a fine powder.
2. To test the texture, stir 1 tablespoon of ground oats into a glass of warm water. If the water becomes milky, it’s the right consistency.
3. If it doesn’t look milky or smooth, continue grinding the oats until you have a silky, fine texture.

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2. Homemade Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs

What You Need

• Blender or food processor
• Plain, unflavored oatmeal
• Epsom salt (optional)
• Airtight container
• Bathtub or sink
• Cup for scooping water
• Towel

Instructions

1. Blend or process the desired amount of oatmeal in a blender or food processor until it is a very fine powder, similar to flour.
2. Pour the ground oatmeal into an airtight container. This allows for easy storage of the oatmeal at room temperature between baths.
3. Fill your bathtub or sink with warm water to about chest level for your dog.
4. Mix in a half cup of ground oatmeal and Epsom salt. Stir the mixture to ensure that the ingredients are dissolved.
5. Add your dog to the tub and slowly pour the water over them. Be careful to avoid their eyes, nose, and mouth.
6. Allow your dog to soak for at least 5 – 10 minutes so that the healing ingredients can penetrate the skin.
7. You can towel dry your pet at this point, or you can drain the tub and shampoo and rinse your pet’s coat.

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3. Homemade Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin

What You Need

• Bottle with a tight-fitting lid
• 1 ½ cups of water
• ½ cup of natural liquid Castile soap
• ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil or olive oil
• 2 tablespoons pure aloe vera

Instructions

1. Add the Castile soap, vinegar, vegetable glycerin, your oil of choice, and aloe vera into the bottle and shake well to combine.
2. If you wish, you can add 4 – 5 drops of a skin-safe essential oil for scenting. Do not use tea tree, pennyroyal, or wintergreen.
3. During bathing, wet your dog with warm water, apply the shampoo, and rub it in thoroughly all over the dog’s coat down to the skin.
4. Rinse the dog well, making sure the water runs clear and avoiding the eyes. Towel dry and brush or comb as normal.

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4. DIY Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin

What You Need

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• ¼ cup aloe vera juice or gel
• 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
• A few drops lavender or chamomile essential oil

Instructions

1. Mix the water, vinegar, aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, and essential oil in a clean spray bottle with a secure lid.
2. Shake vigorously until everything is mixed, and the aloe and oils are dispersed throughout the water.
3. Lightly apply the rinse to your dog’s coat and rinse thoroughly after a few minutes. Avoid getting it in your dog’s eyes, ears, and mouth.

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5. Homemade Dog Shampoo with Coconut Oil

What You Need

• 3 cups water
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 – 3 teaspoons coconut oil
• ½ cup shaved Castile bar soap (or 5 tablespoons liquid Castile soap)
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• Mason jar
• Small strainer

Instructions

1. Add water and rosemary sprigs to a small pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 10 minutes.
2. Strain the rosemary leaves out of the hot water and pour the hot water into a mason jar.
3. Add the coconut oil (amount depending on the thickness of your dog’s coat), stirring until the coconut oil has completely melted.
4. Add the shaved or liquid Castile soap to the hot water and stir until completely melted or blended.
5. Add the lavender essential oil and stir again. Allow the shampoo to cool at room temperature before use on your dog.

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6. How To Make Dry Shampoo for Dogs

What You Need

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup organic cornstarch
• Optional: 2–3 drops lavender essential oil
• Glass jar for storage

Instructions

1. Mix the baking soda and cornstarch, or arrowroot powder, for a cornstarch-free option, in a clean bowl.
2. Add the 2 – 3 drops of lavender essential oil only if your dog is not bothered by scent. Stir until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
3. Store the finished dry shampoo in a glass jar with a lid.

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7. DIY Dog Shampoo with Vinegar

What You Need

• 2 cups warm water
• ½ cup white vinegar
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Add the hot water, vinegar to the spray bottle. Shake the bottle gently to mix the ingredients.
2. Spray your dog’s coat thoroughly with warm water, then apply the cleaning mixture and massage it into the coat so it reaches the skin.
3. Rinse your dog off completely, then towel dry.

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8. DIY Dry Dog Shampoo Homemade

What You Need

• 1 cup cornstarch
• ½ cup baking soda
• 5 – 10 drops lavender essential oil
• Shaker with holes
• Optional: flour sifter

Instructions

1. Mix in a clean bowl the cornstarch and baking soda, until the powders are evenly combined.
2. Drop in the lavender, a few drops at a time, gently stirring to maintain a dry and lump-free mixture.
3. If you have one, sift the mixture through a flour sifter to remove lumps and leave you with an even, fine powder.
4. Transfer the finished dry shampoo to a shaker. A mason jar with small holes poked in the lid will work well.
5. Sprinkle a little bit over your dog’s dry coat and massage through with your fingers, being careful to avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth.

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9. DIY All Natural Dog Shampoo

What You Need

• 1 cup natural liquid dish soap
• 1 cup organic apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 ounces glycerin
• Empty container

Instructions

1. Pour the dish soap, apple cider vinegar, warm water, and glycerin into the bottle.
2. Close the lid tightly and shake well until all of the ingredients are well-blended and have formed a smooth liquid.
3. Dampen your dog with clean water, apply the shampoo to his coat, and rub gently to form a rich lather.
4. Rinse well, making sure that no soap residue is left behind, and then towel dry.

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10. Easy DIY Dog Shampoo

What You Need

• ½ cup fragrance-free dish liquid
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup water
• Plastic bottle with lid

Instructions

1. Add the dish liquid, apple cider vinegar, and water to a plastic bottle. Screw the lid back on tightly.
2. Shake the bottle to mix well before using.
3. Wet your dog with warm water and lather with the shampoo. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry.

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11. Homemade Flea Shampoo

What You Need

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 4 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine baking soda and cornstarch. Stir to mix the powders.
2. Add four drops of lavender essential oil. Stir well to incorporate.
3. Sprinkle the dry shampoo onto your dog’s coat, applying it to the neck, stomach, and groin areas.
4. Massage the powder into the fur, being careful to avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth. Brush through for even distribution.

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12. Castile Soap Dog Shampoo Recipe

What You Need

• 1 ½ cups water
• ½ cup natural liquid vegan Castile soap
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil or olive oil
• 2 tablespoons pure aloe vera
• Bottle with a tight-fitting lid

Instructions

1. Add the Castile soap, vinegar, vegetable glycerin, oil of your choice, and aloe vera to the bottle. Pour in the water.
2. Place the lid on the bottle and shake until the ingredients combine into a consistent shampoo.
3. Shampoo your dog by wetting their fur, applying the shampoo evenly, and rinsing thoroughly.

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13. DIY Dog Shampoo for Yeast

What You Need

• ¾ cup green tea
• A few drops lavender essential oil
• 2 tablespoons all-natural Castile soap
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Mix the green tea, lavender essential oil, Castile soap, and apple cider vinegar in a bottle or jar.
2. Shake the bottle vigorously until the ingredients combine into a uniform solution.
3. Work the shampoo into a full lather on your dog’s coat and massage it all the way down to the skin.
4. Allow the shampoo to set on your dog for ten minutes before rinsing completely with warm water.

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14. DIY Medicated Dog Shampoo

What You Need

• Finely crushed sulfur powder
• Glycerin soap base
• 1 teaspoon Rhassoul clay
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon neem oil
• 1 teaspoon lanolin
• Protective gloves and goggles
• Heat-safe mixing container
• Soap molds

Instructions

1. Combine sulfur with sticky lanolin to prevent sulfur clumping when you integrate it into your soap mixture.
2. Melt down your glycerin soap base until it is in a liquid state, then mix in the Rhassoul clay, apple cider vinegar, and a few drops of neem oil.
3. Mix in the sulfur and lanolin mixture into the hot mixture, stirring constantly until all the ingredients are dissolved and incorporated.
4. Add to small soap molds made for single use, then let cool and harden.
5. Once set, remove from molds and store wrapped until ready to use, and make sure they stay dry and clean.

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15. DIY Deshedding Dog Shampoo

What You Need

• 1 cup wheat flour
• 3 cups oatmeal
• 2 eggs
• ⅙ cup olive oil
• ⅙ cup honey
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 banana
• Large mixing bowl

Instructions

1. Combine the wheat flour, oatmeal, eggs, olive oil, honey, milk, and banana in a big mixing bowl.
2. Use a spoon or a whisk to stir the ingredients together until the mixture becomes uniform and smooth.
3. Dampen your dog with lukewarm water and apply the mixture all over the body. Work it well through the skin and into the coat.
4. Massage the shampoo through the fur to ensure an even coating and to help the dog relax. Don’t get any in the eyes, nose, or ears.
5. Rinse the mixture off thoroughly with lukewarm water. Be sure the water runs clear and no residue is left behind.

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16. DIY Dog Shampoo for Shedding

What You Need

• 4 cups water
• 2 – 3 tablespoons unscented soap
• 1 cup vinegar
• A pot
• A bottle for storage

Instructions

1. Heat 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Slowly stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of unscented soap. Make sure the soap is dissolved.
2. Add 1 cup of vinegar and stir until all the ingredients are blended.
3. Cool the soap to room temperature. Then transfer the soap to a bottle and use as needed.

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Safest Ingredients for Homemade Dog Shampoo

When making homemade dog shampoo, it is important to choose ingredients that are gentle on a dog’s skin and safe if a small amount is licked during grooming.

Dogs have more sensitive skin than humans, so mild and simple ingredients are usually the best choice.

Some of the safest ingredients commonly used in homemade dog shampoos include oatmeal, liquid Castile soap, aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, coconut oil, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar when properly diluted.

Colloidal oatmeal is especially popular because it can help soothe itching and calm irritated skin.

Aloe vera and glycerin help moisturize dry coats, while Castile soap provides gentle cleansing without harsh detergents.

It is generally best to avoid strong fragrances, harsh detergents, and essential oils unless they are specifically labeled as pet safe and used in very small amounts.

Simple formulas with only a few ingredients are often the safest and most effective option for maintaining a healthy coat and skin.

If your dog has persistent itching, skin infections, hot spots, or allergies, it is always best to consult a veterinarian before using homemade products.

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Conclusion

Homemade dog shampoo allows you to control what goes onto your dog’s skin and fur, avoiding all those unneeded chemicals and additives.

Now that you have learned how to make dog shampoo at home, you will be surprised by how easy and quick the whole process is.

When you pick safe homemade dog shampoo ingredients, you not only help improve your dog’s skin health, but also minimize unnecessary shedding.

Spend a little time in preparation to make bath time a much safer, gentler, and more satisfying experience for you and your pet.

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