Ha! It’s not what you think!
About a year ago, I stopped shampooing my hair. Now, I don’t mean that I stopped washing my hair, I just stopped using shampoo. I now use baking soda, water and apple cider vinegar. I also switched our dogs to the same no-poo method of bathing them.
There are many advantages to the No Poo method.
- You save money. There’s no expensive pet shampoo or conditioner to buy.
- You probably already have baking soda and apple cider vinegar in your cubbard.
- No Poo is a safe, non toxic way to keep your pet clean.
- While you do want to rinse out the baking soda, it’s no big deal if you don’t get it all out. If left to dry on your pet, shampoo can cause dry skin.
This is what I do. We have large dogs so I use gallon jugs ( I reuse the apple cider vinegar jugs once they’re empty). If you have a small dog or a cat you can probably use half gallon or smaller.
- Prepare a gallon jug with about 1/4 cup of baking soda. Fill with warm water. No one likes a cold bath.
- Prepare another gallon jug with 1/4 cup (ACV) apple cider vinegar, then fill with warm water. Sometimes I add 1-2 drops of essential oil like lavender or tea tree. Or, I may add some Neem for Cats, or Neem for Dogs to soothe the skin and repel fleas.
- Before wetting your dog with water, sprinkle on some baking soda and massage it in to the skin. Rinse well with water.
- Take the jug with the baking soda/water and pour it on. Saturate all areas. Again, rinse well with water.
- Rinse with the ACV mixture, saturating well but avoid getting in the eyes. This step may cause stinging if your pet has any sores on his skin. Do not use on open wounds.
If my dog has had excessive itching I will use Witch Hazel instead of ACV. Witch Hazel can be used full strength between baths also to relieve itching.
That’s all there is to it. You now have a clean dog. You didn’t pour any chemicals into the environment. You saved money. Your dogs feels good. You feel good.
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I’ve been trying to find advice like this before. My dogs have very sensitive skin and react to harsh chemicals. Thank you. I will try it.
When I have bathed my cat using flea and tick shampoo, the smell does not get out, and I worry for her. Inevitably, she is barfing up something awful for the next few days.
Now, I just bathe her weekly with water only, and take her out to dry in the sun and give a good 20-30 minute brush. She is happy as a clam, and her coat has an amazing shine. It is becoming a ritual. Howling in the water, howling while being carried to the park, but then great quiet and happiness once we get to our place to sit.
Too bad New York summers give way to winters…