• 90 ml (6 tbsp) of Castile-style liquid soap (It's good for a thousand and one things and one bottle lasts a very long time!)
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) of unpasteurized honey or maple syrup
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) of vegetable glycerin
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) of organic apple cider vinegar
• 60 ml (4 tbsp) of water*

* Some dogs with very short coats are prone to skin irritation, dry skin, atopic dermatitis and other annoyances that make them itchy and sorry for themselves.

In those cases, you can replace the water with an oat flake decoction. Just grind the flakes into a powder, then pour boiling water over them. Let sit for 5 minutes, strain through an old, unpresentable pair of pantyhose and let cool before adding the amount you want to the recipe!

NOTE: As for quantity... You won't use the same amount for a toy poodle and a Bouvier des Flandres, obviously. Adjust the recipe to your dog's size!

1. In the bottle, pour all the ingredients except the vinegar and the water.

2. In a bowl, mix the vinegar with the water, then add one or two tablespoons of the first mixture. Stir gently to blend.

3. Pour the contents of the bowl into the bottle.

4. Don't shake the bottle like you're a wannabe Starbucks barista; it would make the soap foam for nothing.

5. Let sit at least 24 hours before using.

Wash your pup as usual. Don't wash a dog more often than every 3 to 4 months! Why? Because dogs secrete oils that protect them from the sun and parasites and make their coats waterproof (for some). Washing our furry friends too often strips away that protection, and they're more at risk of getting bitten, developing irritation or catching sunburns.

“

Can I use the shampoo I wash my hair with to wash my dog?

”

Nope! Check the FAQ at the bottom of this page about that. We get into pH and all that jazz.