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Is your furry friend sporting some luxurious, curly locks or have hair that craves moisture? We’ve got just the solution for getting your dog’s coat to be soft and plush. A quick and easy homemade dog conditioner.
Our dog Moose has a ton of curly hypoallergenic hair. We love using Ethique’s dog shampoo bar and dog conditioner bar because using bars makes the distribution of soap much easier during his showers. But since he has such a thick curly coat, he needs a bit more moisture to keep his hair nice and soft. So we came up with a homemade dog conditioner rinse to pour over him at the end of his shower.
Why Make Your Own Dog Conditioner?
Creating your own dog conditioner offers a personalized touch to your pet’s grooming routine. It allows you to tailor the ingredients to their specific needs. Our natural, DIY conditioner brings numerous benefits to your furry friend.
Emollients
- Aloe: Moisturizing properties help keep your dog’s coat well-hydrated and enhance the natural shine of your dog’s coat. It’s also perfect for curly hair.
- Vegetable glycerin: A natural humectant, which means it helps to attract and retain moisture. This is particularly beneficial for dogs with dry or brittle fur, as it can lock in moisture and prevent further drying. Glycerin also softens the hair, making it more manageable and easier to groom. This is especially useful for dogs with long or curly coats. It also contributes to a healthy, glossy appearance, enhancing the overall sheen of your pet’s fur.
- Jojoba & coconut oil: Moisturizes the fur and skin, preventing dryness and flakiness. These oils help de-tangle knots and mats as well as soften the coat, leaving it silky, smooth and shiny.
Essential Oils
- German Chamomile: When applied topically, it can help soothe skin irritations or inflammation on your dog’s skin or coat. It is gentle on the skin and has mild antibacterial properties as well as antifungal which helps keep yeast away. The scent is calming and relaxing.
- Lavender: Has a pleasant, fresh scent that can help neutralize or mask odors. This oil is is gentle on the skin and can help alleviate minor irritations, itchiness and has antiseptic properties.
- **Rosemary: Is known for its potential to promote hair health. It may help maintain a shiny and lustrous coat for your dog. It has a pleasant, fresh, and herbaceous scent that can contribute to a naturally fragrant and pleasing-smelling dog conditioner as well as help repel fleas and ticks.
**Warning: Rosemary essential oil may not be suitable for dogs that are prone to seizures. If your dog has a history of seizures or epilepsy, it's best to consult with a veterinarian before using products containing rosemary essential oil. While rosemary is generally considered safe for most dogs, individual sensitivities can vary. Prior consultation with a healthcare professional concerning any use of essential oils will help ensure the safety and well-being of your pet.
With this conditioner, your dog can enjoy a spa-like grooming experience at home, and they smell so fresh and natural.
The best part? You can rinse it out, leave it in, or even use it as a de-matting spray for your dog. It’s that versatile. Plus, it’s human-friendly, perfect for curly-haired folks who know the value of moisture. And speaking of human hair, Ethique also has a human line of products that our whole family uses as well. Shampoo bars are the best!
This recipe takes almost seconds to create, so next time you want to give your dog some extra love, make up a batch. And please let us know what you think, because we think it’s the bees knees. We can’t get over how soft our dog Moose is after using this rinse. Enjoy those beautifully moisturized locks!
Homemade Dog Conditioner
Equipment
Materials
- 1 tablespoon natural dye free aloe
- 1/2 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
- 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
- 1 drop German chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 drop rosemary *essential oil, IMPORTANT: do not use if your dog suffers from seizures
- distilled water
Instructions
- Add these ingredients to a 12-16 ounce container or jar.
- Top it off with water. If you plan to keep the spray for an extended period, use distilled water.
- Give it a good shake, then apply it to your pet’s or your hair.
- Rinse off or leave on depending on your needs.
Notes
- Leave-in/Rinse: Use this as a leave in conditioner or a conditioning rinse.
- Spray: This spray can also be used as a de-matting spray for your dog.
- Essential Oils Optional: Feel free to leave out the EOs; the rinse will still be moisturizing and conditioning without them.
- Human Friendly: The rinse is human-friendly as well, perfect for curly-haired folks who know the value of moisture.
*Warning: Rosemary essential oil may not be suitable for dogs that are prone to seizures. If your dog has a history of seizures or epilepsy, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian before using products containing rosemary essential oil. While rosemary is generally considered safe for most dogs, individual sensitivities can vary. Prior consultation with a healthcare professional concerning any use of essential oils will help ensure the safety and well-being of your pet.
