home made natural shampoo

[Deleted]

Ok so we all know that we shouldn't wash ferrets that offtern but when we do I'm sure we would like to go natural as possible so here a few suggestions for home made natural shampoo

Shampoo
Ingredients:
Liquid antibacterial soap or dish soap
Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
Water
Glycerin

Directions
Mix together, 1 cup liquid antibacterial soap or mild dish soap, 1 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, 1/3 cup glycerin and 1 quart water in a container. Mix all the ingredients well and store in an old shampoo bottle. Use this shampoo while bathing the dog and rinse well. Do not use it on the ears or near the eyes!

OR

First get a container that is 2 quarts, this give enough room to shake the ingredients together.

Mix the following together:
1 Cup ground oatmeal, you can grind this dry in a blender to a flour consistency.
1 Cup baking soda
1 quart warm water
Mix together in container by shaking vigorously until well blended. (Add the water a little at a time to stop the pressure from the baking soda blowing the lid off)
That's it! Oatmeal shampoo, easy simple, and all natural! You could store this in the fridge if you have leftover.
It's nice to be able to do this knowing what's in it, no harsh chemicals or preservatives, and a nice fuzzy coat, or a nice head of hair for you!

[Sherry]

Second one sounds fantastic! I'd avoid the first one because of the first ingredient. Antibacterial soap is alcohol based which will strip the oils even faster. Same for dish soap. It's made to cut grease/oils.

[crazylady]

I agree with sherry I wouldn't use number one on a ferret if I ever washed them ( which I dont lol ) the vinegar in it would also be too harsh on the skin and fur especially if a ferret had a cut or scrape ouch along with the alcohol in there even though a ferrets skin is tough its also sensitive second one sounds fine though just my two penny's worth take care bye for now
Bev

[Deleted]

Only thing I would be worried about is that baking soda is very basic. I've been reading up on natural hair care (for myself) and a good amount of people say that baking soda can be VERY drying. That also seems like a LOT of baking soda in a small amount of water. I think the hair forums recommend something like 1 tbsp to 1 cup.

So if you used a quart of water (4 cups) you'd add 4 tbsp of baking soda. (which is 12 less tbsp than the recipe suggests).

Another thing mentioned is that you should do an acid rinse after a basic rinse, so like lemon juice or vinegar (again, diluted).

Baking soda is used the clarify the hair (which strips it of everything) so conditioner is a big must!

Not much help, I know lol

[mjbez]

I have one ferret that went through a spurt of being super itchy (believed to be linked to her adrenal) and I gave her oatmeal baths. Similar to your second shampoo recipe but I just used 100% colloidal oatmeal and added it to water and gave her a bath. It is safe to use and colloidal oatmeal is a natural and gentle cleanser Mika would smell a little like oats (not too bad) but it made her so soft! She actually really liked her oatmeal baths.... almost falling asleep as she soaked. ;D

[Deleted]

yeah I though that about the 1st one but was not sure I'm trying to find a natural way to shampoo on those 1 off's they need it as the ferret product selection here is nilly zip or nada

[Sherry]

If it's the fact that they've rolled in something yucky, I've found that a simple warm water soak usually takes everything off.

[mjbez]

Jul 21, 2012 3:40:48 GMT -5 @shedeivl said:

yeah I though that about the 1st one but was not sure I'm trying to find a natural way to shampoo on those 1 off's they need it as the ferret product selection here is nilly zip or nada

Like Sherry said, you could try just some warm water. Also, I should clarify, if you are interested in trying the colloidal oatmeal, it is usually found in pharmacy sections of stores. (its meant for ppl not for pets, also my vet did confirm with me that it would be safe) I got mine at walmart. It really does work. It cleanses without stripping any oils. Just make sure it is 100% colloidal oatmeal and nothing else (no fragrance). Or at home you could just grind up oats I suppose, but the stuff you buy is a fine powder and mixes into water like a charm

[Deleted]

I am very excited about this oatmeal bath option I love oatmeal myself and it makes me happy to have more natural alternatives to taking care of basic needs. So satisfying Thank you for this!

[Deleted]

mjbez thanks for sharing where you can get that type of oatmeal. That was my first question when I saw the original suggestion about trying it.

[Deleted]

ah! so helpful....I'm very grateful for this thread, been wondering what my ferrets shampoo alternative was to the store bought crap.