Dog Shampoo Substitutes

Dog shampoo can be costly and for some dogs, the preservatives in the shampoo cause irritation to the skin. In some instances it may just be simpler to use products that you have at home to bathe your dog so he looks and smells his best. There are a couple of very simple dog shampoo substitutes that any dog lover can put to use.

  1. Dry Shampoo Substitutes

    • Many dogs do not like to get wet and this makes bath time miserable for the dog and the owner. Instead of struggling, you can use a dry shampoo substitute that will clean and deodorize your dog in between normal washings. It's important to remember that dry shampoo is effective, but it should only be used between normal washings as most dogs really do need a wet shampoo from time to time to get really clean.

      A simple and effective dry dog shampoo substitute is baking soda. Simply sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda all over the back of the dog. Then run a brush from head to the tail in the direction that the hair grows. This will work the baking soda down to the skin and also brush out any excess. This takes just five or ten minutes and it will have your dog looking and smelling much better.

    Homemade Dog Shampoo

    • You can create your own dog shampoo if you haven't had much luck with commercial dog shampoo. You can do this by combining eight ounces of moisturizing dish soap, eight ounces of water, eight ounces of apple cider vinegar, and two ounces of glycerin. Mix these ingredients together and use as much or as little as you need. The shampoo cleans and deodorizes and is cheaper than the shampoos on the market.

    Conditioning the Coat

    • If your dog has a dry coat you may need to condition it. You can make your own conditioner that will have your dog's coat feeling soft and silky again. Bring four cups of water to a boil, with two teaspoons of dried rosemary and one teaspoon of dried lavender. Allow the mixture to cool completely and then pour it slowly over your dog. No need to rinse -- this is a leave-in type of conditioner that will help to soften and moisturize your dog's dry coat.