What kind of dog shampoo do you use on your dog? I make my own all natural DIY dog shampoo. It's easy to make, cleans well, and it kind to your best friend's coat!
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Our Rescue Dog
I may be biased, but I think we own the world’s best dog. His name is Gus and he is a 7 year old German Shepherd/Collie mix.
I can’t take credit for making him the world’s best dog. We adopted him in 2011 from the West Side German Shepherd Rescue in Los Angeles, CA.
He was 2.5 years old and fully trained, but had been relinquished by his former family because he was “itchy.” He was skinny, dirty, and shy but we could tell he was a sweet goober of a dog.
We brought Gus home, switched him to corn-free dog food, started washing him with all-natural shampoo, and the itching stopped.
We have all been crazy in love ever since. I’m so glad we get to be his forever family!
Dog Allergies and Itchy Skin
Like any dog, Gus has a few minor issues. He is allergic to corn and if he gets any in his diet he turns into a big itchy mess.
Gus also has seasonal allergies that cause him to scratch and lick his paws relentlessly during the summer and fall. He is especially sensitive to yard fertilizers and herbicides so we only use organic products on our lawn and try to avoid grass that has been treated with harsh chemicals.
We help keep Gus's allergies at bay by regularly washing his paws after walks and bathing him frequently. Since he is prone to skin issues we make our own gentle dog shampoo to wash him.
DIY Dog Shampoo
Ingredients
- ½ cup Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid, Free & Clear (or another gentle, non-toxic, non-scented dish detergent)
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
Directions
Combine ingredients in a plastic bottle, shake together and use to wash your dog. Wet dog with warm water, apply shampoo and massage, then rinse well (as you should with all dog shampoos). This recipe makes enough to wash our 70 lb dog several times.
Warnings
- Patch test this wash on one small part of your dog to check for allergic reactions.
- Your dog will smell slightly vinegary after his or her bath but will smell like nothing (but a clean dog) when dry. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer.
DIY Dog Shampoo Cost
- $3.50 for 25 ounces of Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid, the recipes uses 4 ounces or $0.56.
- Organic vinegar cost approximately $3 for 16 ounces or $0.75.
- The water comes from my tap, $0.
That’s $1.31 for 3 dog washes or about $0.44 a wash.
Our old dog shampoo cost around $8 for 4 washes or $2 a wash and contained a lot of unknown ingredients.
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Michelle Bisbee says
This came just in time! Amber(our Golden love), has itches and smells and I have been looking for something different to try washing her with! Her next bath will be with this shampoo.
Jennifer Miller says
Will you come wash our dogs for us? You can test it out on really big, furry dogs!
Cynthia says
Hi I just made a batch for my Golden Max and after he dried there wasn’t a smell but just in case I took a few drops of peppermint oil and ran it through his fur. His coat looks pretty good so far and he is naturally soft so no change there my only concern is he is still flaking. I wonder if I use this once a week his super dry skin (and hot spot) will subside. Thanks again!
Bren says
So glad it worked! I try to wash less and brush more for flakes. What works for your dog?
Christine says
Would Castile soap work instead of the 7th generation, or would it be too harsh?
Bren says
You can’t use Castile in this recipe because it will break down in the vinegar. You can read more about it in my Green Cleaning Ingredients You Should Never Mix post. If you want to use Castile you can wash the dog in diluted unscented Castile and then rinse with vinegar mixed with water.
Jo says
Do you need to refrigerate after you mix everything?
Bren says
No, you should not need to refrigerate.
Bren says
No, you should not need to refrigerate.
Patty says
I use a natural dog shampoo with tea tree oil, but it is spendy! Could I add a few drops of tea tree oil to this?
Bren says
I have never added tea tree oil, but you should be able to add a few drops. Make sure to read this about tea tree oil and pets and this about tea tree oil toxicity in pets before you add any to be safe.