Finding a dog shampoo that cleans well without drying or irritating the skin can be frustrating. Over the years, I tried many commercial dog shampoos on my own dog, only to deal with flaky skin and ongoing irritation.
Because I’ve been making soap for years, I eventually asked myself a simple question:
If I can make gentle soap for people with sensitive skin, why not create a mild shampoo bar for dogs too?
That’s how this gentle dog shampoo bar recipe came to be.
This gentle dog shampoo bar is designed for pet owners looking for a simple, low-waste alternative to liquid dog shampoo.
This recipe focuses on simple, cleansing oils and a solid bar format that many pet owners prefer for ease of use, reduced waste, and better control during bathing.
Why Choose a Solid Dog Shampoo Bar?
Many dog owners find solid shampoo bars easier and gentler to use than liquid shampoos.
Benefits of a dog shampoo bar include:
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Easier application without over-saturating the skin
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Less product waste compared to liquid shampoo
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Long-lasting and economical
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Plastic-free and eco-friendly
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Simple ingredients you control
When using a solid bar, the soap is applied primarily to the fur rather than poured directly onto the skin, which can help reduce irritation for some dogs.
Important Safety Note (Please Read)
Dogs can react differently to soap ingredients, fragrances, and essential oils.
This recipe is shared for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition.
Always:
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Patch test new products
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Avoid use on puppies under 12 weeks
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Consult your veterinarian if your dog has ongoing skin issues
Gentle Dog Shampoo Bar Recipe (Essential-Oil-Free Base)
This essential-oil-free base recipe is suitable for dogs with sensitive skin and can be used on its own.
Oils (by weight)
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250 g Coconut Oil
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175 g Olive Oil
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300 g Palm Oil
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450 g Vegetable Shortening
These oils were chosen for their cleansing ability, mildness, and durability in a solid bar.
Lye Solution
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225 g water
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160 g sodium hydroxide (lye)
⚠️ Always follow proper lye safety procedures when making soap.
Optional: Essential Oils (Use With Extreme Caution)
Many dogs tolerate shampoo bars without any essential oils at all. For dogs with sensitive skin, skipping essential oils is often the safest choice.
If an experienced soap maker chooses to add scent, it should be optional, minimal, and never required.
Optional maximum addition (do not exceed):
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1 teaspoon lavender essential oil per full batch
Do not use essential oils on:
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Puppies
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Dogs with respiratory sensitivity
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Dogs with skin irritation without veterinary guidance
Never use eucalyptus, citronella, peppermint, tea tree, or clove oils in dog shampoo.
If you’re unsure which essential oils are appropriate to use around pets, see my detailed Essential Oils & Dog Safety Guide for important safety information and oils commonly avoided around dogs.
Basic Soap-Making Instructions
Follow standard cold process soap-making steps:
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Prepare your lye solution and allow it to cool safely
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Melt and combine oils
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Bring oils and lye solution to trace
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Add optional essential oil (if using)
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Pour into molds
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Insulate and allow to set
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Unmold and cure for 4–6 weeks before use
If you’re new to soap making, follow your trusted cold process soap instructions carefully.
Mold Options & Yield
This recipe works well in:
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Round molds
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Loaf molds
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Silicone cavity molds
If poured into a 2½-inch round tube mold and cut into approximately 1¼-inch bars, the batch yields about 15 solid shampoo bars.
How to Use a Dog Shampoo Bar
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Wet your dog thoroughly
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Gently rub the bar over the fur (avoid eyes, nose, and mouth)
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Lather lightly and rinse well
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Use only as needed — not daily
Always discontinue use if irritation occurs.
Dog Bathing Essentials for a Stress-Free Wash
Having a few simple grooming tools ready ahead of time can help make bath time calmer and safer for both you and your dog.
Non-Slip Bath Mat
A non-slip bath mat helps keep dogs steady during bathing and reduces the risk of slipping, especially in tubs or outdoor wash areas.
Gentle Dog Grooming Brush
Brushing your dog before bathing removes loose fur and helps shampoo distribute more evenly through the coat.
Dedicated Dog Towels
Using towels reserved for pets helps absorb moisture quickly and keeps bath time mess contained.
Essential-Oil-Free Dog Shampoo (Alternative Option)
Some dogs respond better to vet-formulated, essential-oil-free shampoos instead of homemade products—especially those with sensitive skin.
Between-Bath Cleaning Options
Between full baths, some pet owners use gentle paw cleaners or pet-friendly cleaning wipes to help keep paws and coats clean after walks or messy outings.
When to Choose Store-Bought Alternatives
Some dogs do better with vet-formulated, essential-oil-free shampoos, especially if they have ongoing skin sensitivities.
Homemade products are not always the best solution for every dog — and that’s okay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Shampoo Bars
Can I use human soap on my dog?
Human soap is formulated for a different skin pH and may cause dryness or irritation in dogs. Dog-specific formulas are generally preferred for regular grooming.
Is an essential-oil-free dog shampoo safe?
Many dogs tolerate essential-oil-free shampoo bars very well, particularly those with sensitive or easily irritated skin. Keeping ingredients simple can help reduce the risk of irritation.
How often should I bathe my dog with a shampoo bar?
Most dogs do not need frequent bathing. Occasional use as part of a regular grooming routine is usually sufficient unless otherwise advised by a veterinarian.
Can I use this shampoo bar on puppies?
This recipe is not recommended for puppies under 12 weeks of age. Always consult your veterinarian before using any grooming product on young animals.
Why does this recipe recommend avoiding certain essential oils?
Some essential oils can be irritating or harmful to dogs, especially when inhaled or applied to the skin. Dogs process aromatic compounds differently than humans.
What should I do if my dog has a reaction to a shampoo bar?
Stop using the product immediately and rinse thoroughly with plain water. If symptoms persist, contact your veterinarian for guidance.
Not every dog is suited to homemade grooming products.
Some dogs respond better to veterinarian-formulated, essential-oil-free shampoos — especially those with ongoing skin sensitivities.
Final Thoughts
This gentle dog shampoo bar recipe is designed for pet owners who prefer:
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Simple ingredients
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Low-waste grooming options
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Greater control over what touches their dog’s skin
Every dog is different. When in doubt, simplicity and caution are always the safest path.
Important Note:
This information is for educational purposes only.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Updated Feb 2026
© 2019 – 2026, Tes. All rights reserved.
Wow this is just amazing. Instead of buying it I can just make everything at my home. This recipe is something new that I never heard before reading this article today. The recipe was so simple and easy to follow through. I’m going to try it out and see if I can make it properly.
Thank you so much for sharing this article.
Let us know how you make out Sujandar. It’s always great to hear from people once they have tried a recipe. Have a great day!
This is really innovative and something I’ve never once heard of, though I’ve done some research, recent research, on making one’s own soap in favor of opting for store-bought brands. I’ve never heard of such for dogs. I also agree on your take for homemade bar soap, especially due to the chemicals found in liquids. This was actually what I’ve been researching and looking for alternative ways for making soap. The more awareness that is spread regarding potentially harmful chemicals found in liquids and body wash, I feel your entire site, not just the one article, is a fantastic and growing niche.
Thanks Todd for you comments. I have been doing this for over 30 years now, because of my skin, and I am seeing more and more people wanting to do the same and get rid of the chemical products. I make simple soaps nothing fancy. Just plain natural soap.
Making your own dog soap bar sounds like a really great idea. I agree that bought shampoos can often be irritating to dogs.
I am a great believer in using essential oils for many purposes, including natural remedies, and I think your choice of which oils to use is great. I do have one question though – I am not sure what you mean by “shortening”. That is something with which we in the UK are not familiar, so I would be grateful for a definition.
I am really impressed by your skill as a soap-maker, and I will certainly try some of your recipes.
Very many thanks for a great post.
Chrissie 🙂
Hi Chrissie in the UK shortening is sold as Flora or Cookeen I believe. It is a Vegetable Shortening. Thanks for stopping by the site and keep us up to date on the soaps you make. Have a great day!
Hello,
This formula for dog shampoo can I use it for myself too. I know it may not be so rich as the commercial products but I’ll feel good knowing I produce what I use.
I’m I on the right path of do you think this is a disaster I’m embarking on?
Hi Louis, you certainly could use this recipe for yourself, but how about checking out these other recipes. You may want to try one of them. Soap Making Recipes
Makes perfect sense to me that you made your own bar soap for your dog. Curious how well it cleans the dog, besides just the benefit of insect repellent properties?
Can I use this on my cats, I have six of them along with my three dogs?
How long does it take to set, after you pour into the molds before it is ready to use?
Thank you for this useful information for our pets.
Hi Curtis, I’m not sure I would use it on my cat. Cat’s don’t like lavender oil, although you could scent them with anything you like. Once the soap have been poured it will set in about 24 hours, then unmold and leave to cure for 4 weeks. You can find the instruction link on the recipe page – Directions to make soap
I never thought about making my own soap for my dog.However, I have heard that some essential oils can be harmful to dogs. I’m guessing all these lavender, eucalyptus, and citronella aren’t toxic for your dog?Isn’t there a risk of getting it in your dog’s eyes, though? What should you do if you get it in your dog’s eyes?
Hi Garen. Good question, no these oils are not on the list of essential oils harmful to dogs. I am careful still not to get the soap near my dogs eyes, and being that it’s a bar it is easier to control where the suds go as you rub it on the dog. If you were to get some in your dogs eyes, I would flush them with water just as you would your own. I hope this answers your questions and thanks for stopping by the site.
Thanks for sharing this information. It’s true that bar soap are easy to use than liquid soap. I even enjoy using bar soap than liquid soaps. I really love this product . Please can you tell me where I can get it and the price. I will be looking forward to your reply. Thanks for sharing this information.
You can purchase a Dog Shampoo Bar here Dog shampoo the prices can vary from $10.00 to $24.00 a bar depending of course on the size of the bar.
Hey there Tes,
for quite some time my dog was suffering from the exact same issue- dry, flaky skin. And only after numerous attempts at enormous amount of different shampoos, I’ve finally been able to find the one which provided somewhat decent results in terms of keeping the skin nice, moist and soft. It’s not perfect by any means- it’s still not in the state which I would love the skin to be, although it is a substantial improvement compared to what it was before I’ve discovered this shampoo. Therefore I am really happy that I’ve stumbled across Your article, which by the way I found to be very helpful and descriptive, so I can try out this home-made shampoo and see whether it is capable of resolving this issue with the dry skin ( I really hope it does so my little furry friend would not have to suffer from flaky skin ever again).
I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that this home-made shampoo which You cover here help prevent mosquitos and ticks attacking pets, great stuff! I am all for natural self-made supplements and I am really interested in seeing how my dog’s body reacts to the natural home-made remedy in comparison to the shampoo which like You’ve mentioned- often contain chemicals. And who knows- maybe these chemicals are the reason for the irritated skin, that might be the reason in many of the cases I think. Organisms tend to usually treat & process natural supplements better than the ones with chemicals, so I will definitely not be surprised if that’s the case here.
Keep up the great work Tes and best of luck to You 😉
Your poor dog, having to suffer with this. I too am glad you found my page and please let me know how it goes with the shampoo bar. The natural way if for sure the best. Using what natural intended. Take care
I really love this website. I checked out several articles and it is amazing how wide and diverse the topic “soap” is. Never new there are so many types of soap!
I like the main picture on the homepage, the lavender colors have a very soothing effect and I was instantly attracted to the topic.
The articles are written in a way that they are easy to understand (not too technical) and the ideas stick with you right away. There is a tremendous amount of information on this website : first for people who really want to start making their own soap and for people who are interested in natural and organic body care products.
I like the fact that the author shares her soap making recipes.
Since my topic is healthy lifestyle for pets I even found a homemade soap for dogs that I could try myself.
The main menu of the website shows clearly the different categories the author is blogging about, and besides soap it is other topics connected with “soap” , like hair care and skin care. It gives you a clear picture what this website is about and it’s an amazing variety of articles.
I also like the advertisement/affiliate links added to the pages and the product reviews because the brands advertised are not off-topic but give a complete and informative choice to the reader.
Great work!
Andrea
Andrea thanks so much for the wonderful comments. I’ve been working hard at this site and comments like yours make it so worth while. I’m happy to share my knowledge and experience as I believe in trying to keep as natural as we can with eating, skincare and so one. Thanks for stopping by my site.
By “shortening” do you mean lard?
You can use either. I have substituted lard when I don’t have shortening. Just make sure when you change any of the oils to check the soap calculator
I’ve been making handcrafted soap for a long time and I want to make a doggie soap bar. The trouble I’m having is there is conflicting information concerning essential oils that are safe for dogs. I made a soap using 43oz of oil (coconut oil, beef tallow, olive oil, neem oil and castor). I used 1.30oz of Rosemary EO and .65oz of peppermint EO. The conflicting info is on peppermint. Some say it’s safe and others say it’s very toxic to dogs. Do you know? Any help is appreciated.
Hi JW,
I originally had peppermint oil on my safe list for pets, but have since removed it as this is a soap-making site. Peppermint oil can be safe for a dog when diluted with water to use as a relief for stomach upset, but to have it on their skin or inhale it is not safe. In fact, most of the essential oils that dogs have a reaction to are from inhalation.
Essential Oils that are safe for Dogs