DIY Dry Shampoo for Dogs

Anyone else on that “not wash your hair for 3 days” train? I used to wash my hair basically every day, because I always thought it got too greasy too fast. Turns out that washing your hair every day actually strips too much of your hair’s natural oils; this, in turn, causes your scalp to overproduce oil to compensate. So, I was basically making my hair greasy by over-washing. The same thing is true for many dogs, which is why I’m sharing my super simple DIY dog dry shampoo.

Dry shampoo might already be a part of your beauty routine (it’s definitely part of mine!), but lots of people take their dogs straight to the bath when they start to stink a little. There are plenty of commercial dry shampoos for dogs on the market, but many of these contain fragrances and perfumes that can be irritating to both you and your dog. If the smell is strong to you, imagine how potent it is to your dog!

This recipe for homemade dry shampoo for dogs is made with only 3 ingredients, one of which is optional. The ingredients are are pet-safe and non-toxic, and I can tell you from personal experience that this DIY dog dry shampoo works.

Why Use Homade Dry Shampoo For Dogs Instead of a Bath?

Bathing your dog with soap too frequently can cause skin irritations, as well as an overproduction of skin oils resulting in stronger dog odor. If you have a dog with a weatherproof coat (think working dogs like aussies, huskies, labrador retrievers, goldens, etc), over-bathing them can remove the weather-proofing element from their coats. What makes a dog’s coat weatherproof is a balance of natural oils. These oils help repel dirt and water, keeping your dog clean (and dry) as they swim, hike, and play. Even if your dog is wet, you might notice that under the outer layer of fur, the fluffy undercoat and skin are still relatively dry!

Additionally, bathtime can be very stressful for many dogs. Even with counterconditioning and lots of positive reinforcement, many dogs still dislike bathtime. By opting for a dry bath for dogs rather than a traditional bath, we can limit these stressful experiencees! Dog dry shampoo is no more stressful than brushing.

Of course, there are instances where your dog does require a bath. June, for example, has seasonal allergies, and frequent baths with a probiotic shampoo helps reduce her itching. Also, you should always give your dog a good rinse if they are muddy, have been playing in salt or chlorinated water, or if they rolled in something gross (like poop or a dead animal). However, many times you don’t need to use soap for this (although I would in the case of poop or a dead animal). A solid rinse with clean water is usually enough to the trick!

If your dog is starting to stink or their fur is feeling a little greasy, reach for this homemade dry dog shampoo before filling up the tub!

How to Make Dry Shampoo for Dogs at Home

To make your own homemade dog dry shampoo, combine 1 cup baking soda with 1 cup organic cornstarch. If you want to make a diy dog dry shapoo without cornstarch, try arrowroot powder instead. You can add a couple of high quality drops lavender essential oil for a light scent and a little anti-microbial action if your dog is not sensitive fragrance. Mix well and voila! That’s it! You can store in a glass jar until ready to use.

Baking soda is a powerful, non-toxic deodorizer and an incredible multi-purpose tool, and this diy dog dry shampoo is just one of many ways I use this simple ingredient. Seriously, I could write a whole blog post on why all dog moms need to keep baking soda on hand!

Cornstarch and arrowroot powder both help to absorb excess oils without stripping them out of your dog’s coat. Fun fact: I used plain cornstarch for my own dry shampoo for years with really positive results!

Lastly, lavender is one of the few essential oils that is not toxic to dogs (though the lavender plant IS toxic). It has some antibacterial properties and may even offer the same calming effects as it does for humans. Just keep in mind that dogs are more sensitive to fragrances than we are, so just a couple of drops is all you need.

NOTE: many essential oils are TOXIC to dogs, so do your research if you want to change the scent. Lavender is not considered toxic,and I’ve not had any issues with it. HOWEVER, you can also skip the addition of essential oils altogether, as baking soda has deodorizing properties.

How to Use Dog Dry Shampoo

To use for a dog dry bath, simply sprinkle this dog dry shampoo lightly onto your dog’s coat and massage it in with your fingers. A little can go a long way, so start sparingly. I actually like to use a fine mesh strainer to sprinkle the doggie dry shampoo more evenly, in the same way you would dust a cake with powdered sugar. Work it into the coat with your fingers and let sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then, brush it out.

If your dog has sensitive skin, definitely leave the essential oil out and do a test patch before covering their whole body in it. Additionally– and this might be obvious, but better obvious than sorry– do not put this on your dog’s face. I mean, you shouldn’t spray yourself in the face with dry shampoo, right? Right! You can always wipe down your dog’s face with a warm wet cloth if it needs to be cleaned off.

DIY Dry Shampoo Recipe

This diy dry shampoo for dogs couldn’t be simpler. I like to make a batch and then store it in a jar for whenever I need it. You can use this diy dry dog shampoo on your dog, yourself, or sprinkle it on carpet, rugs, and even your couch to deodorize and absorb excess dirt and oil. 

Save this Diy Dog Dry Shampoo Recipe for Later