You could have a number of reasons for wanting to lather your pup with a homemade natural shampoo in lieu of a commercially prepared cleaner. You might be concerned about dousing your doggy with all manner of chemical detergents and sulfates that could affect her skin and coat as well as her health. Or maybe you're going green and making your dog's shampoo from natural ingredients appeals to you because you will not only be confident of what you're putting on your dog's hair but what is getting washed down the drain as well.
Dissolve the lye in the distilled water in the bowl.
Add the remaining ingredients to the lye water and stir with the wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed.
Pour the shampoo into the bottle and place the lid on securely.
Tips
Essential oils are effective insect and parasite repellents. Others that are dog-safe are cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary and thyme. Substitute different essential oils for different shampoo fragrances depending on your dog's mood.
Homemade natural pet shampoo doesn't have preservatives to keep it fresh indefinitely. Only mix the amount you will use in a month or two or give part of a batch away as gifts to dog-parent friends.
Tips
Essential oils are effective insect and parasite repellents. Others that are dog-safe are cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary and thyme. Substitute different essential oils for different shampoo fragrances depending on your dog's mood.
Homemade natural pet shampoo doesn't have preservatives to keep it fresh indefinitely. Only mix the amount you will use in a month or two or give part of a batch away as gifts to dog-parent friends.
Items You Will Need
- 1 1/2 cups lye
- 3 cups plus 1 tablespoon deionized or distilled water
- 2 1/8 cups coconut oil
- 1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons palm oil
- 2 cups shortening
- 1 tablespoon lavender essential oil
- 1 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cypress or pennyroyal essential oil
- 1/2 teaspoon citronella or lemongrass essential oil
- 1 large glass bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 empty, clean bottle with a cap
References
Tips
- Essential oils are effective insect and parasite repellents. Others that are dog-safe are cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary and thyme. Substitute different essential oils for different shampoo fragrances depending on your dog's mood.
- Homemade natural pet shampoo doesn't have preservatives to keep it fresh indefinitely. Only mix the amount you will use in a month or two or give part of a batch away as gifts to dog-parent friends.
Writer Bio
Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.