How to Make Olive Oil Shampoo for Dogs Yourself

While many commercial pet shampoos contain harsh detergents and chemicals, homemade olive oil shampoo provides a gentle option that benefits your dog's skin and coat in many ways. Combining olive oil with other ingredients can create a softening, soothing and restorative shampoo with ingredients you control.

  1. Why Use Olive Oil in Shampoo?

    • Olive oil softens your dog's coat and offers nourishment to his skin. It contains antioxidants and vitamins, and is rich in polyphenols, compounds known for combating damage-causing free radicals. Olive oil's impressive nutrient profile can help protect your dog against skin problems including eczema and psoriasis. Olive oil also contains squaline, a natural moisturizer, along with chlorophyll. A Japanese study with extra virgin olive oil found it protected hairless mice exposed to damaging sun rays.

    Castile-Based Soaps

    • Many homemade soaps begin with castile, a broad term for soaps made purely from plant oils. Castile is available in most health food stores. To make an 8-ounce batch of olive oil soap with castile, use 2 ounces of liquid castile, 6 ounces of water and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Combine all ingredients in a jar, bottle or other container with a top, and shake vigorously. Shake all recipes before each use to re-emulsify the ingredients.

    Glycerin-Based Soaps

    • Glycerin is another nontoxic plant-based cleaner that can form the base of your olive oil shampoo. Like olive oil, glycerin has moisturizing properties. To make an 8-ounce container, combine 8 ounces of glycerin soap base with 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, and shake. If your dog's coat feels like it needs more olive oil after his first bath with your homemade recipes, add a few more drops to the mix until you achieve the perfect ratio.

    Apple Cider Vinegar & Baking Soda Base

    • Apple cider vinegar and baking soda work together to clean and moisturize. Olive oil rounds out the moisturizing effects, while contributing those famous health benefits. To make an 8-ounce container of baking soda and vinegar-based olive oil shampoo, combine 4 ounces of baking soda, 4 ounces of apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil. As with the other recipes, you can always add a few drops of olive oil if needed.