Lite Green by Sebrina Smith
Follow me on Twitter

If you have a dog, you probably battle what I lovingly like to call SPS or Smelly Pooch Syndrome.

Some dogs, it seems, like to go out and roll in something smelly if they get the chance - whether it be a muddy, freshly-mulched and fertilized flower bed or some dead thing of unknown origin, they will find a way to bring it into the house on their backs if at all possible. And then some dogs, like our sweet Bubu pug, just smell. For no real reason we could ever find, he was just a little smelly. But, in a good way, you understand.

Point is, most dog owners battle SPS. And we spend a small fortune trying to find a workable solution to the problem. Commercial pet bath concoctions are expensive. And I never liked the idea of putting chemical soaps on Bubu. He had very sensitive skin and allergies to boot, so I always thought harsh chemicals would irritate the problem even more.

That’s why I do like the idea of making my own homemade doggie wash. Fewer chemicals are better for the environment and for your pet. Less expensive is better for your wallet.

Keep a few things in mind when making and using your homemade doggie wash:

Be aware of the pH level of the cleaning agent you use. A healthy level of pH for dogs is between 6.2 and 8.6, a bit higher than for humans. Too high a pH level will dry out your dog’s skin. Too low, and you won’t be cleaning effectively. (Thanks to k911.com for all kinds of good info.)

Make a different solution for puppies. They need a gentler cleanser.

Don’t let your homemade doggie wash get in your pet’s eyes or ears, because even a gentle cleanser could harm delicate eye tissue and you never, ever want water to get into your pups ears.

And remember, dogs should only be bathed about every six weeks (yes, even the smelly ones!) So if odor is a problem between baths, sprinkle your pooch with a little baking soda, massage it into his coat and give him a good brush. It will shine up his coat and eliminate smells without stripping the natural oils from his skin. One other benefit of baking soda - it kills fleas naturally.

Don’t store your homemade doggie wash in the laundry room or outside in hot weather. Keep it in a cool, dark place and it will last almost indefinitely.

Store your homemade doggie wash in used human or dog shampoo bottles that have been throughly rinsed. Soak the bottles in warm water to remove the old label and use a magic marker to re-label. Use a funnel to pour ingredients into the bottles when mixing your homemade doggie wash.

Homemade Doggie Wash

• 1 cup of dish soap (Palmolive, Dove or Ivory are good choices.)
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup glycerine

Mix soap and vinegar in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake slightly to mix, being careful not to create a sudsy mess. Add glycerine and water and shake gently to mix. Close container tightly and label. Shake well before each use. (Source: ehow.com)

Homemade Doggie Wash 2

• 1 cup clear antibacterial soap like Dial
• 1 cup white vinegar

Mix together in container and shake well. (Source: hubpages.com.)

Homemade Puppy Wash

• 4 cups of water
• 1/3 cup of glycerin
• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup gently dish detergent like Dove or Ivory for sensitive skin.

Mix first 3 ingredients together in a container. Slowly add the dish soap and stir gently, so the solution doesn’t foam up to much. Cap tightly and label. Shake well before each use. (Source: dailypuppy.com.)

The Result? A healthy, happy and beautiful pooch!