How to Make Organic Flea Dog Shampoo

Bathing your dog with a chemical-laden flea shampoo may get rid of fleas but may not be the healthiest option for your dog or your household. Pet shops now sell high-end organic flea shampoos infused with essential oils, but that might not be the best option for your pocketbook. However, you can combine affordability with health by mixing up your own organic flea shampoo, which will repel fleas while leaving your dog smelling fresh.

Step 1

Bring 2 cups of distilled water to a boil. If you have no distilled water, you can use filtered water, but the shampoo won't clean as well as if you use distilled water.

Step 2

Put 1 ½ tbsp. of dried soapwort root to the water. If the soapwort you are using is whole, chop it. This will help the soapwort release its cleansing compounds into the water.

Step 3

Turn down the heat to simmer and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 20 minutes, then take it off the stove and let it cool to room temperature, which should take about an hour.

Step 4

Pour the mixture through muslin and into a jar to remove the soapwort. Discard the soapwort and retain the liquid, which is your organic flea shampoo base.

Step 5

Select organic essential oils to add to the shampoo that have natural flea-fighting properties, such as cedar, citronella, citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, mint or rosemary essential oils. You can add a single type of essential oil to the shampoo or you can blend them. Either approach works well for flea control.

Step 6

Mix 20 drops of essential oils total into the flea shampoo base. Place the lid on the shampoo jar and shake it to combine the oil with the shampoo. Refrigerate it until you need it. It will last about two weeks in the refrigerator.

Tips

  • Let the shampoo sit on your dog's fur for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

  • If you do not want to make your own shampoo base, purchase a mild organic shampoo with no scent added as the base of your shampoo, such as Herbal Choice's Natural Shampoo.

  • To keep repelling fleas between shampoos, add 20 drops of essential oil into a spray bottle full of distilled water. Spray on your dog or anywhere fleas congregate, such as her bedding, to keep fleas away.

Items You Will Need

  • Pot with cover
  • Distilled water
  • Dried organic soapwort root
  • Muslin
  • Jar with lid
  • Essential oils

References

Resources

About the Author

Yvette Clark has been working as a freelance writer and writing teacher for over 10 years, specializing in animal, nutrition and lifestyle topics. She holds a Master of Arts in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago.