What Is a Natural Way to Wash a Stinky Puppy?

You don't have to wash your pup with flowery shampoos.
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If you’ve got a little stinker on your hands and want to clean him up without resorting to perfumes and harsh chemicals, a solution is most likely already in your home. Combine a few common ingredients to make a powerful but natural deodorizer that won’t harm your pal.

Soak your puppy thoroughly, so he’s wet down to the skin. You can use cold water, but your pup is more likely to be comfortable if you use water that is pleasantly warm, so adjust the temperature accordingly.

Pour 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide into a bucket. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda and stir with a large spoon. Be prepared for lots of bubbles. If the bucket is too small the contents may foam up over the sides.

Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent. Stir everything together well, making sure the baking soda is completely dissolved.

Rub the mixture into your puppy’s coat. If he has particularly stinky areas, pay special attention to those. Be sure to get under his legs, around his neck and chest and all along his belly.

Rinse your puppy completely with water. Make sure to get all of the deodorizing mixture off of him. Check by sliding your hand against his coat. It shouldn’t feel soapy or slick.

Mix 1 cup of white, distilled vinegar with 2 gallons of plain water. Pour this all over your puppy as a final rinse. Dry him without washing out the vinegar.

Tips

  • If your puppy really stinks, suds him up twice, with a good rinse in between. If he’s gotten into something really smelly, or perhaps had a close encounter with a skunk, it may take multiple washings to get all of the odor out of his coat.

    For very large puppies, or those with lots of hair, make a double or a triple batch of deodorizing shampoo. Use it all immediately, since it loses its effectiveness if it sits around for long.

    When selecting dish washing detergent, choose one that cuts grease well. This lets the mixture remove any oil in the pup’s coat and will help to get rid of excess dirt and anything else that might be clinging to his fur and causing him to stink.

Warnings

  • Never let your puppy drink the peroxide, either alone or mixed with anything else. While this natural product won’t poison your little guy, it will make him vomit.

    Never mix the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a closed container. When these ingredients are combined they release mountains of bubbles, enough that it could result in an explosive reaction if the air can’t escape.

    Don’t get the deodorizing mixture on your clothes, since it may cause fading.

Warnings

  • Never let your puppy drink the peroxide, either alone or mixed with anything else. While this natural product won’t poison your little guy, it will make him vomit.

  • Never mix the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a closed container. When these ingredients are combined they release mountains of bubbles, enough that it could result in an explosive reaction if the air can’t escape.

  • Don’t get the deodorizing mixture on your clothes, since it may cause fading.

Tips

  • If your puppy really stinks, suds him up twice, with a good rinse in between. If he’s gotten into something really smelly, or perhaps had a close encounter with a skunk, it may take multiple washings to get all of the odor out of his coat.

  • For very large puppies, or those with lots of hair, make a double or a triple batch of deodorizing shampoo. Use it all immediately, since it loses its effectiveness if it sits around for long.

  • When selecting dish washing detergent, choose one that cuts grease well. This lets the mixture remove any oil in the pup’s coat and will help to get rid of excess dirt and anything else that might be clinging to his fur and causing him to stink.

Items You Will Need

  • 1 qt. hydrogen peroxide
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • Large spoon
  • 1 tbsp. dishwashing liquid
  • Bucket
  • White vinegar