If your dog has a dry skin condition, you might help him out by switching to a specially formulated dog shampoo. Because specialty shampoos can be expensive, however, you might consider making your own homemade dog shampoo. Homemade dog shampoo requires only a few ingredients, and it has another benefit: You can customize the recipe so it will help soothe and repair your dog's dry skin.
Step 1
Prepare 1 cup of oatmeal according to the directions on the package. Allow the oatmeal to cool to room temperature before you continue. The oatmeal will help to moisturize and soothe your dog's dry skin.
Step 2
Pour the oatmeal into a blender or food processor and pulse it until the oatmeal is smooth.
Step 3
Transfer the oatmeal into a large mixing bowl and stir in 1 quart of lukewarm water. Use a whisk to stir the ingredients until they are well combined.
Step 4
Whisk in 1 cup of baking soda or apple cider vinegar. Either of these ingredients will help to combat odor in your dog's coat. If your dog does not have a problem with odor, you may omit these ingredients.
Step 5
Stir in 2 teaspoons of all-natural liquid dish soap if you want your dog shampoo to have a bit of lather. For dogs with sensitive skin, choose an unscented dish soap.
Step 6
Add 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil to your shampoo to help soothe and repair your dog's dry skin.
Step 7
Whisk the mixture until the ingredients are fully combined, then pour the shampoo into your preferred storage container. You may choose to store the shampoo in one large container or separate it into individual squeeze bottles for ease of use.
Step 8
Apply the oatmeal shampoo mixture to your dog's coat after you have thoroughly wet him down. Let the shampoo sit for five to 10 minutes, then rinse it out and towel-dry your dog.
References
Warnings
- Avoid over-bathing your dog. Bathing your dog too frequently can cause his skin to dry out and, if he already has dry skin, it could exacerbate the problem. Many veterinarians recommend no more than 4 or 5 baths a year. For a handful of breeds, though, more frequent bathing is OK.
Writer Bio
Katherine Barrington has written on a variety of topics, from arts and crafts to pets, health and do-it-yourself projects. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English with a creative writing concentration from Marietta College.