5 Best DIY Dog Shampoo Recipes (Natural & Chemical-Free)

Is your dog scratching constantly or dealing with dry, flaky skin? Commercial dog shampoos often contain harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that can irritate sensitive skin or worsen existing conditions. Making your own DIY dog shampoo gives you complete control over what touches your pet’s skin—and it’s surprisingly simple.

These homemade dog shampoo ingredients are natural, affordable, and likely already in your pantry. Whether your pup needs relief from itchy skin, a deep clean after rolling in something questionable, or just a gentle bath, these five recipes will keep your furry friend clean, comfortable, and smelling fresh.

Why Make Homemade Dog Shampoo?

• pH Balance Matters: Dogs’ skin has a pH level between 6.2-7.4, which is more neutral than human skin (5.5-5.6). Human shampoo is too acidic and can disrupt your dog’s natural skin barrier, leaving them vulnerable to irritation, dryness, and infections.
• Natural Ingredients Work: Oatmeal shampoo works well for dogs with dry, itchy skin due to its hydrating properties, while ingredients like coconut oil, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar each serve specific purposes—from cleaning and deodorizing to moisturizing and balancing pH.
• Cost-Effective: Most DIY dog shampoo recipes cost just pennies per batch compared to $10-$20 bottles of specialty shampoo.
  

1. Classic Oatmeal Shampoo for Itchy, Irritated Skin

Best For: Dogs with dry, itchy skin, allergies, or sensitive skin conditions

Why It Works: Oatmeal contains natural compounds that reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin. When ground into a fine powder, it creates a gentle cleanser that removes dirt without stripping natural oils. This oatmeal shampoo recipe for dogs is the go-to solution for pets suffering from constant scratching or hot spots.

Homemade Dog Shampoo Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats (ground into fine powder)
• ½ cup baking soda
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for extra moisture)

How to Make It

1. Grind the oats: Use a food processor or coffee grinder to turn rolled oats into a flour-like powder. This step is crucial—larger pieces won’t dissolve and will stick to your dog’s coat.
2. Mix dry ingredients: Combine the oat powder and baking soda in a large bowl. The baking soda neutralizes odors and helps maintain a balanced pH.
3. Add water slowly: Pour in warm water gradually while stirring to prevent clumps. Mix until you achieve a smooth, pancake-batter consistency.
4. Optional honey boost: If your dog has extremely dry skin, add 1 tablespoon of honey. It acts as a natural humectant, drawing moisture into the skin.
5. Store properly: Pour into a mason jar or squeeze bottle. Shake well before each use as ingredients may settle.

How to Use

• Wet your dog’s coat thoroughly with warm water
• Massage the DIY oatmeal shampoo for dogs into their fur, avoiding eyes and ears
• Let it sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the oatmeal to work
• Rinse completely—any residue can cause itching
• Towel dry or use a blow dryer on cool setting

Storage: Lasts 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. Make fresh batches for best results.

2. All-Purpose DIY Dog Shampoo with Essential Oils

Best For: Regular bathing, general cleaning, and light deodorizing

Why It Works: This gentle formula cleans effectively without harsh chemicals. The castile soap provides cleansing power while remaining mild enough for frequent use. Dog-safe essential oils add a fresh scent and can offer additional benefits like flea deterrence.

DIY Dog Shampoo Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water
• ½ cup liquid castile soap (unscented or lavender)
• ¼ cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
• 5-10 drops dog-safe essential oil (lavender, chamomile, or cedarwood)

Essential Oil Safety Note: Not all essential oils are safe for dogs. Avoid tea tree oil in high concentrations, citrus oils, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, pine, and ylang-ylang as these can be toxic. Always dilute oils properly and never apply undiluted essential oils directly to your dog’s skin.

How to Make It

1. Warm the coconut oil: Melt coconut oil in microwave for 10-15 seconds until liquid (not hot).
2. Combine in bottle: Add castile soap, vinegar, and melted coconut oil to a squeeze bottle or mason jar.
3. Add essential oils: Drop in your chosen essential oils for scent and therapeutic benefits. Lavender calms and soothes, while cedarwood naturally repels fleas.
4. Add water last: Pour in warm water, leaving some space at the top.
5. Mix gently: Close container and gently tilt back and forth to mix—don’t shake vigorously or you’ll create excessive foam.

How to Use

• Shake bottle gently before each use
• Wet dog’s coat completely
• Apply shampoo and work into a light lather
• Focus on dirty areas like paws, belly, and behind ears
• Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear

Pro Tip: The vinegar smell disappears once your dog is dry and helps restore the natural pH balance of their skin.

Storage: Keeps for 4-6 weeks at room temperature in a sealed container.

3. Moisturizing Aloe & Coconut Oil Shampoo for Dry Skin

Best For: Dogs with extremely dry, flaky skin or those recovering from skin irritation

Why It Works: Coconut oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties that help treat various types of itch, while aloe vera provides immediate cooling relief and deep hydration. This combination creates a powerful DIY dog shampoo for dry skin that addresses both the symptoms and underlying causes of dryness.

DIY Dog Shampoo Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water
• ½ cup liquid castile soap
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
• 3 tablespoons pure aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

How to Make It

1. Melt coconut oil: Warm coconut oil in microwave for 15-20 seconds until completely liquid but not hot to touch.
2. Combine liquids first: In a large bowl or bottle, mix warm water, castile soap, and apple cider vinegar.
3. Add moisturizers: Pour in melted coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and glycerin. The glycerin acts as a humectant, pulling moisture into your dog’s skin and keeping it there.
4. Mix thoroughly: Stir or shake gently until all ingredients are well combined. The mixture may look slightly cloudy—this is normal.
5. Transfer to container: Pour into a squeeze bottle or pump dispenser for easy application.

How to Use

• Wet your dog thoroughly with lukewarm water
• Apply shampoo generously, focusing on dry patches
• Massage deeply into skin for 2-3 minutes to allow ingredients to penetrate
• Let sit for 5 minutes for maximum hydration
• Rinse completely—coconut oil can leave residue if not rinsed well
• For best results, towel dry gently rather than rubbing vigorously

Pro Tip: Coconut oil is safe for dogs to ingest and actually helps clean their teeth, so don’t worry if your dog licks their coat after bathing.

Storage: Keeps for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. Warm slightly before use if coconut oil solidifies.

4. Natural Anti-Flea Herbal Shampoo

Best For: Dogs prone to fleas or for preventive care during flea season

Why It Works: Essential oils of lavender, peppermint, cedar, lemongrass, and eucalyptus repel fleas and are safe in small amounts. This homemade formula uses herbs and oils that naturally deter fleas while cleaning your dog’s coat without harsh pesticides.

Homemade Dog Shampoo Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water
• 1 cup liquid castile soap
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (or 1 tablespoon dried)
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops cedarwood essential oil

Important Safety Note: Never use tea tree oil at full strength, pennyroyal, wintergreen, or citrus oils on dogs as these can be toxic. Always dilute essential oils properly.

How to Make It

1. Brew herbal infusion: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add rosemary and lavender buds, remove from heat, and steep for 30 minutes until completely cool.
2. Strain thoroughly: Pour the herbal tea through a fine-mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove all plant material. Leftover herbs can stick to your dog’s coat.
3. Mix base ingredients: In a bottle, combine the cooled herbal infusion with castile soap.
4. Add essential oils: Drop in lavender, rosemary, and cedarwood oils. These provide concentrated flea-repelling power.
5. Shake well: Mix thoroughly before each use as oils will separate.

How to Use

• Start shampooing at the neck and work down to prevent fleas from fleeing to your dog’s head
• Work into a lather, paying special attention to areas where fleas hide (base of tail, belly, behind ears)
• Leave shampoo on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing—this is important for killing fleas
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water
• Follow with a flea comb while coat is still damp to remove dead fleas and eggs

Usage Frequency: Use weekly during flea season for prevention, or twice weekly if treating an active infestation.

Storage: Keeps for 3-4 weeks at room temperature in a sealed bottle. Shake before each use.

5. Quick-Refresh Dry Shampoo (No Water Needed)

Best For: Between-bath freshening, winter months when bathing is difficult, elderly dogs who can’t tolerate full baths, or last-minute cleanups

Why It Works: Baking soda is a powerful, non-toxic deodorizer, while cornstarch and arrowroot powder absorb excess oils without stripping them from your dog’s coat. This waterless solution extends time between baths while keeping your dog smelling fresh.

DIY Dog Shampoo Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for grain-free option)
• 5-8 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

How to Make It

1. Mix dry ingredients: Combine baking soda and cornstarch in a bowl, stirring until evenly distributed.
2. Add essential oil (optional): If using lavender oil, place a small amount of the powder mixture in a separate bowl, add drops of oil, and use a fork to work it in thoroughly. This prevents clumping.
3. Combine everything: Mix the scented portion back into the main batch, stirring well to distribute fragrance evenly.
4. Store properly: Transfer to a jar with a shaker lid (like a large spice jar) or keep in a sealed container and apply with your hands.

How to Use

• Sprinkle a small amount into your dog’s coat, using a fine mesh strainer to help distribute powder evenly
• Use your fingers to work the powder into your dog’s coat like a massage, let sit for 10 minutes
• Brush out completely—run your hand through the coat against natural growth to check for grittiness, and keep brushing until hair is no longer gritty
• Pay extra attention to odor-prone areas: behind ears, chest, and base of tail

Pro Tip: Use outdoors or in a bathtub to contain the powder mess. Your dog will naturally shake off excess, which is actually helpful.

Storage: Lasts indefinitely when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

DIY Dog Shampoo Recipes That Make Grooming Easier

At the end of the day, making your own pet-safe shampoo isn’t just fun — it gives you control over ingredients, fragrance, and skin sensitivity. Whether you’re tackling dryness, itchiness, or just giving your pup a weekly refresh, these DIY dog shampoo recipes help you care for your furry friend with confidence.

For more pet-friendly guides, clever home hacks, and easy DIY projects, Sweet Purrfection is your go-to blog for pet lovers, cozy home decor ideas, and practical DIY tips.