How to Make Soap for Dogs

Do you think your dog is better off bathing with homemade soap than any brand picked off the shelf? Well, making soap for your dog requires a level of expertise that is thankfully not unattainable, as long as you know what you are doing and are determined.

Before making your dog’s soap, there are a few things to consider. What do you seek to achieve with the soap? Do you need to repel insects or attain a shinier coat? This is where the essential oils come in, and while they may not be as effective as chemical pesticides, they are natural and have a nicer smell. Let's break down some of the benefits of these oils before dropping the recipe and instructions on how to make soap for dogs.

Essential Oils for Dog Soaps

 

Lavender: Lavender is famed for its sweet smell, and it also repels fleas. It is one of a few essential oils that are considered safe when diluted for dogs, but not all essential oils are safe for pets.

Cedarwood: Cedarwood is a sweet-smelling base that blends in well with the other oils and is flea and mosquito repellant.

However, be cautious while shopping for essential oils as some are reported to be a bit harmful to pets.

Materials Needed for Dog Soap:

•                3/4 cup of distilled water

•                1/4 cup of lye (also known as 100% sodium hydroxide)

•                2/3 cup of olive oil

•                2/3 cup of oil blend (sunflower or safflower works)

•                1/8 cup of castor oil

•                1/8 cup of white distilled vinegar or lemon juice

•                A few drops each of the essential oils earlier listed

Instructions:

•                Pour the lye into the distilled water, stir it in, and set aside till required.

•                Blend the essential oils together, boil using mild heat where the temperature is below 100°F.

•                While stirring constantly, add the oils to the lye mixture.

•                Stir for at least five minutes, using a stick blender where necessary until it has a yogurt-like consistency.

•                Pour in the cup of castor oil, white distilled vinegar or lemon juice, and the drops each of the essential oils.

•                Properly blend all ingredients.

•                Pour into molds and leave for at least 24 hours to cool and form.

•                Cure for 3 to 4 weeks.

With that, your dog's soap is ready for use. While this may seem time-consuming, it is worth it as dogs are known as man's best friend hence the best is required to keep yours clean and healthy. Besides, dogs unlike humans, bathe only occasionally and a few bars of homemade soap can last for quite a while before new batches are required. Or, if you don’t want to make your own dog soap, try Doggie Shampoo Soap Bar by Good Earth.

###

Photo by Autri Taheri on Unsplash