How to Make Your Own Natural Dog Shampoo

Making your own products for dog and home not only can save you money, but also gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment., especially if that product works as well, if not better, than a commercial brand.

Making your own dog shampoo means you know what is and what isn't on your pet. Simple ingredients, and a scent that you choose makes your own shampoo mixture nice to use and also deodorizes your dog as well.

The ingredients listed are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. Lets get started.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup Dawn dishwashing detergent
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 ounces glycerin
• 20 drops patchouli scented oil
• Large plastic squirt bottle
• For flea control add 20 drops citronella, cedar, rosemary, lemongrass or eucalyptus

Instructions

1. Pour all ingredients into squirt bottle. Shake and mix well. With each use, shake bottle.

2. 

   Dawn is recommended by veterinarians to help remove and repel fleas. Apple cider vinegar deodorizes the skin and hair. Glycerin replaces oil back into the hair to make it shine and returns the hair to its natural dirt repellent ability. Patchouli is a great fresh scent that gives the dogs coat a pleasant smell. This mixture will make your dog smell super nice for days.

3. To use: Wet your dog down with warm water. Use about 1 tablespoon or more according to the size of your dog, and work into coat. Rinse. Lather again, and rinse. Lather one more time and rinse. Shampooing the first times loosens the dirt in the coat. The second lather removes the dirt, and the third time, freshens the coat for a longer lasting cleanliness.

4. 

   I have successfully used this homemade mixture for many months without any problems of my dogs skin. But be sure and take notice if your dog shows signs of skin irritation or dry skin after several uses. You may need to switch to a dry shampoo mixture, which can also be home made.

   This shampoo doesn't lather like commercial brands, but if you prefer more suds, add ½ to 1 cup of tearless baby shampoo. I like to use the baby shampoo, alone, around my dogs face so that the homemade soap doesn't irritate their eyes.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add vanilla, lavender, or other essential oils that you prefer to scent this mixture instead of patchouli.

• Glycerin can be found at many herb stores or local drug stores.

• Be sure not to get into your pets eyes.

• Be sure and mark "dog shampoo" on bottle.