What Can I Use Instead of Dog Shampoo?

Your dog had a great time at the dog park. He dug some holes, rolled around in the dirt and ran his legs off with his buddies. Now you are home, and your dog is a filthy mess. You have no dog shampoo on hand, and your dog really needs a bath. With little effort, you can make your own dog shampoo.

  1. Considerations

    • Commercial dog shampoos can contain chemicals that can cause dryness in your dog's skin. Also, dog products for grooming tend to be expensive. If you already feel like ingredients are better for your dog, you can create your own gentle dog cleaning agent.

    Regular Shampoo

    • You can make a homemade dog shampoo by mixing 1 cup mild dish detergent with 1 cup white or apple cider vinegar. Pour these into a large bottle, even an old big shampoo bottle of yours, and shake. Add 1/3 cup glycerin (optional, if you do not have it) and 1 qt. water. Give your dog a bath, using about the same amount as any shampoo. Rinse him well.

    Soothing Shampoo

    • If your dog has a tendency toward dry skin, you can make him a homemade, soothing shampoo out of common cooking ingredients. Mix together one 16-oz. box of cornstarch, 10 drops lemon juice or oil, and 1 1/2 cup corn meal in a container. Apply and massage this homemade shampoo into his skin. Let it stand and soak on his body for a few minutes before brushing it away. Rinse your dog twice with warm water.

    Flea shampoo

    • If you see a flea or flea dirt on your dog, you can make him a shampoo with natural flea repelling ingredients. However, if you do not have oils of peppermint, white cedar, eucalyptus and citronella on hand, you will need to purchase these items.

      To make this fragrant shampoo, mix 2 cups warm water with 2 tbsp. of each of the oils, and add 1 cup vinegar. Wash your dog and rinse him, too. He will smell wonderful to you, but the fleas will not like the way he smells.

    Bonus Ideas

    • You can add vanilla extract or vanilla oil to the basic regular shampoo, and your dog will smell like a freshly baked cookie.

      You can make a homemade conditioner by boiling 2 tsp. dried rosemary with 1 tsp. dried lavender leaves in 4 cups of water. It must be completely cool before you spray or rub the mixture on your dog. No rinsing is needed; the mixture is supposed to remain on your dog.