Healthy Homemade Dog Shampoo

Do you know what’s lurking in your pet’s shampoo? Actually, many of the same troublesome ingredients that our found in human beauty products. I had never really considered it before, but I have become so accustomed to scanning ingredient lists on beauty products, that when I inadvertently read a label on a dog shampoo I was purchasing (an “all-natural” one at that), I had a major “what?!!!” moment. I saw creepy parabens listed, and when I started looking at other brands saw the usual list of shady characters including sodium lauryl sulfate and the ever mysterious fragrance. If I won’t use those ingredients on my kids or myself, why would I use them on my dogs?

I looked around to see what other DIYers were washing their dogs with, and found a few interpretations of a formula that combines a mild dish soap, glycerine, vinegar and water. Sounds good! Using an all-natural dish soap (Seventh Generation, Ecover, etc.) will work to clean, glycerine is a humectant and emollient, and vinegar will boost shine and remove odor.

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup glycerin
1 cup all natural dish soap
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 quart water

Mix ingredients into a large bottle, shake, and use as needed.

For tips on how to bathe your dog, see this guide on Petplace.com.

Read more: Pets, Everyday Pet Care, dog, parabens, Shampoo, SLS

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sarah W.

5:51AM PDT on May 15, 2011

can you add drops of oils for different fragrances like coco nut, vanilla, tea tree. lavendar, orange?

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sandra s.

5:12PM PDT on May 12, 2011

well with a large gigantic hairy old english sheepdog,ill definately try it out.

Gita S.

12:31AM PDT on Oct 3, 2010

Thanks for the information.

Chris S.

8:44AM PDT on Sep 20, 2010

Does this work for cats as well? Just want to be sure before I whip this up to find out that I'll be using it for myself instead. Lol.

Courtney C.

4:24PM PDT on Jun 1, 2010

Awesome.

Daisy B.

8:17AM PST on Dec 29, 2009

Vanilla! That sounds wonderful; I'll have to try it. I have a gingerbread-scented dog shampoo and cologne that I got from my groomer, and it is wonderful to smell at Christmas.

RebeccaAWAY S.

1:56PM PST on Dec 22, 2009

I checked with my vet and added a few drops of Vanilla oil to this. Boy, do I have the best smelling dog in the world. She smells like a fresh baked cookie LOL! AND you don't have to worry about this hurting their skin if they have skin troubles, my vet said this was a great mix.

Past Member .

7:47PM PDT on Apr 13, 2009

I accidently went to the Made from Earth skin care website when looking for something for my research paper, and it was one of the best accidents i ever had. I tried their Organic Tea & Protein Shampoo and loved it….It has a great scent and is gentle on my scalp. Compared to the $30-40i I used to spend on organic shampoo this is an even match at a cheaper price. Best for use to make your hair fuller and fresher….

Joan D.

3:26PM PST on Feb 25, 2009

Going organic with your pet is a great idea. If you must wash your dog outside, you might want to consider using a drinking water safe hose.(look in the camping department at walmart) Why quibble about shampoo ingredients when your spraying your pet with plasticizers?

Caralien S.

10:34AM PST on Dec 31, 2008

Daniel: glycerin used to be found in the lotion or first-aid aisle in drugstores (near Corn Huskers lotion or other eczema treatments); most health food stores also carry it for both edible (ie for lip products) and topical uses

If you have a big dog and wash them outside, use a (new) plant sprayer with the garden hose. Add in your soap mixture (we'll use my soapnuts liquid come spring), attach to hose, and you have a shampoo sprayer.