Warm weather appeals to everyone, including our beloved canines! These furry friends tend to get dirty fast and pick up the weirdest odors. I find my dog needs to be bathed once a week during this season! This DIY Dog Shampoo gets rid of unpleasant smells.
All-natural pet care products keep your pet healthy and keep your home toxin-free. Your dog’s fur will look good as new with a few simple ingredients and some amazing smelling essential oils!
Table of Contents:
- Are Essential Oils Safe for Dogs?
- Say No to Artificial Fragrances
- Homemade Dog Shampoo Ingredients
- How to Make DIY Dog Shampoo
Are Essential Oils Safe for Dogs?
Humans aren’t the only ones who can benefit from the use of essential oils! Your family pet will enjoy them just as much as you do. Animals are more sensitive to scent than we are, so there are certain precautions you must take. Our good friend and Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, Janet Roarke, gave us an in-depth report about using essential oils with pets.
To summarize…
A good rule of thumb is to avoid the following essential oils for dogs:
- Melaleuca (Tea Tree)
- Birch
- Camphor
- Wintergreen
Dr. Roark also says you should use caution when using “hot” essential oils on your pet.” Hot” essential oils include:
Generally speaking, the smaller your dog is, the more diluted you would make your mixture. Introduce your pet to EOs slowly, and never apply them neat.
With these minimal guidelines in mind, your pet will thrive with the use of essential oils!
Say No to Artificial Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances are added to most dog shampoos to neutralize odors and give fur a clean scent. These fragrances are known irritants to humans, but they impact our furry friends as well! The EWG released a report showing that the simple label “fragrance” is an umbrella term for over 3000 different components. (1) Many of these elements are known carcinogens.
Most people find that at least one fragrance element causes them to react badly. These reactions manifest in cold-like symptoms, rashes, migraines, and lung irritation. Dogs can have the same reactions to these toxins as people!
Artificial fragrances can cause your dog to experience coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and even lack appetite. When you expose your animals to synthetic fragrances, you’re also exposing yourself.
This recipe uses essential oils to create a wonderful fragrance that benefits your dog from the inside out. You’ll notice the difference in their coat after just one application! The best part is that you can have your kids help wash the dog without worrying if they’re exposing themselves to toxins. Everyone wins!
Homemade Dog Shampoo Ingredients
This DIY dog shampoo uses simple ingredients to create a fantastic formula that will nourish your dog’s fur. Many conventional dog shampoos strip all sebum from the coat, leaving it matted and vulnerable to the elements. This recipe moisturizes and helps dogs look and feel their best!
Oats: Oatmeal has been used for decades in home remedies for humans, and it makes the perfect addition to this pet shampoo. Oatmeal is high in phenols, balancing the skin’s PH and relieving itching and flaking. (2)
If you’ve ever had the privilege of taking an oatmeal bath, you know how moisturizing oats can be. You may already have this cost-effective ingredient in your pantry!
Vitamin E Oil: This ingredient is full of antioxidants and can help relieve dandruff. It makes the fur shine without leaving it greasy! It can also help heal skin wounds, which many dogs experience from time to time. (3)
Mama Z’s Oil Base or Your Favorite Carrier Oil: I created my oil base while pregnant. I wanted something to pamper my body and support it during pregnancy and postpartum. This base is a blend of fantastic carrier oils that nourish skin from the inside out.
The recipe makes a huge batch that lasts years! I recommend keeping it on hand, as it’s a key ingredient in many of my DIYs. If you don’t have my oil base pre-made, you can use your favorite carrier oil.
Lavender Essential Oil: If you have a pup that struggles with anxious feelings, lavender EO is an excellent choice for them! It’s relaxing and full of antioxidants to soothe and heal irritated skin. (4) Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils because it’s such a multi-tasker.
This calming EO is a great way to introduce your pet to the world of essential oils.
Green Tea: Green tea can assist with hair regrowth in humans, and seems to help leave fur looking sleek. (5) When paired with lavender, this earthy scent creates a beautiful fragrance blend that leaves your pet smelling great for days!
How to Make DIY Dog Shampoo
This recipe comes together in minutes and is so easy to make. You’ll love having a non-toxic option at your fingertips!
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1½ cups warm purified water
- 1 drop lavender essential oil
- 1½ teaspoons vitamin E oil
- 1½ teaspoons Mama Z's Oil Base or carrier oil
- 1 green tea bag
- Supplies:
- Blender
- Mixing bowl
- Glass jar
- Place the oats and water in a blender and process until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the lavender essential oil, vitamin E oil, and oil base. Add the blended oats and mix well.
- Empty the green tea bag contents into the mixture and whisk until smooth.
- Store in a glass jar. Use as you would any other dog shampoo.
You can use any or a combination of these:
Avocado, Fractionated Coconut, Grapeseed, Jojoba, Sweet Almond.
Step One: Blend the Oats
Blend the oats and warm water in a blender until smooth.
Step Two: Add the Oils
Mix the lavender oil, vitamin E, and carrier oil in a glass jar or measuring cup. Add the oats to the container and mix well.
Step Three: Add the Green Tea Bag
Empty the green tea bag contents into the shampoo mix and stir to combine.
Step Four: Store and Use
Store in a glass jar. Use as you would a regular dog shampoo! Enjoy your fresh-smelling, naturally clean pet.
