Homemade French Bulldog Shampoo Recipes for Dry Skin
Does your frenchie have a case of itchy, dry skin? Nothing is worse than seeing your canine companion feeling uncomfortable and scratching himself. What can you do?
In this article, we’ll look at some homemade dog shampoos you can make with ingredients you may already have on hand! These are excellent remedies to help soothe your dog’s dry skin.
Why Not Buy French Bulldog Shampoo for Itchy Skin?
Some pet parents may wonder about just buying ready-made dog shampoo for dry skin at the store. They may be short on time, or not want to deal with mixing homemade shampoo, etc. In fact, there are many benefits to making your dog shampoo at home! Let’s take a look:
- Save money: store-bought dog shampoos can be expensive. However, making shampoo for your fur baby can save money. This is especially the case when buying a shampoo for specific purposes, such as dog shampoo to soothe itchy skin. Making it at home is much cheaper.
- Customized ingredients: when you make dog shampoo at home, you can customize the ingredients to meet your dog’s needs. If your dog has allergies, it’s much easier to avoid those ingredients by making your doggie shampoo.
- Organic & biodegradable: unlike some pet shampoos, you can go with organic and biodegradable ingredients. Natural ingredients won’t harm the environment like the chemicals used in some shampoos. You can choose ingredients that are completely natural as well as organic. Then you’ll have a canine shampoo that’s healthy for your fur baby, without harming the environment.
- Skin conditions: if your fur baby has a skin condition, you can easily use ingredients from home to make shampoo. You can clean your dog and soothe his skin at the same time.
These are some of the main benefits of making your dog’s shampoo at home!
What Causes Dry Skin in Dogs?
Dogs can develop dry skin for several reasons, including:
Allergies: caused by food, and the environment can cause dry, itchy skin in dogs. Dogs can have seasonal or all-year-round allergies. Some of the most common allergies in dogs include pollen, foods, feathers, grass, dust, pollen, and flea saliva. If a dog has dry skin caused by allergies, he may begin to scratch and scratch, leading to other conditions such as atopic dermatitis and secondary skin infections.
Parasites: you may be surprised to learn that parasites can cause dry skin in dogs. Parasites such as Demodex mites, canine scabies, cheyletiellosis (also called Walking Dandruff), and even lice can cause your dog to develop dry skin.
Skin infections: both fungal and bacterial skin infections can cause dry skins in dogs.
Systemic health issues: dogs can also develop dry skin due to certain metabolic diseases such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease.
So, if your canine companion has dry skin, and the homemade shampoo recipes don’t provide him with relief, then be sure to get an appointment with the vet. Dry skin can indicate an underlying health problem, which could be a severe threat to your dog’s health.
Homemade French Bulldog Shampoo Recipes for Dry Skin
Now, let’s look at some homemade dog recipes that can help soothe your fur baby’s dry skin. These recipes are easy, and you may have the ingredients in the pantry already. If not, then these ingredients are easy to find in most grocery stores.
One note of caution: you may find recipes for homemade dog shampoos online that include essential oils. It’s not a good idea to use essential oils on your dog if he has allergies, sensitive skin, etc. And some essential oils can be toxic to dogs.
For these reasons, if you’d like to try an essential oil in your fur baby’s homemade shampoo, then be sure to check with the vet first. This way, you’ll know if it’s the right ingredient to include and that it’s safe for your dog.
1). Aloe Vera and Glycerin Shampoo
Ingredients:
- 1-quart of water
- 1 cup of baby shampoo or nontoxic dish soap
- 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup of glycerin
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to combine thoroughly. Spray on your dog, then gently work it into his fur. You may want to let it sit for a few seconds, and then rinse it off completely.
2). Coconut & Castile Soap Dog Shampoo for Itchy Skin
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Dr. Bonner’s Pure Castile Soap
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Put all ingredients into a plastic bottle, then put on the lid and shake until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. If the mixture seems too thick, you can thin it out by adding a little bit of warm water.
To use on your dog, just pour out the normal amount of shampoo you usually use. Work the shampoo into his fur, making sure it gets down to the skin. Then rinse like normal.
3). Oatmeal Canine Shampoo for Dry Skin
Note: only use this shampoo if your dog is not allergic to oats.
Ingredients:
- I cup uncooked oatmeal
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1-quart warm water
Instructions:
First, place the oatmeal into a coffee grinder (or a food processor or blender) until it looks like flour.
Next, pour the ground oatmeal into a large bowl, then mix in the soda.
Then pour in the warm water and still until well mixed.
To use on your fur baby, wet him down with warm water and then pour on the shampoo. Use the same amount as you would normally use. Work the shampoo into this fur, and be sure it gets all the way down to his skin. Let the shampoo stay on for a few minutes (if your dog will allow it!) and then rinse him thoroughly.
We hope these homemade dog shampoos for dry skin will bring some relief to your dog. Remember, if the shampoos don’t work, then it’s time to take your dog to the vet. Your dog may have an underlying condition and/or may need prescription shampoo and medications to help him feel better.