What are effective DIY alternatives to commercial grooming products?
Written by
Robert Brown
Reviewed by
Prof. Henry Webster, Ph.D.Effective do-it-yourself grooming options provide safe and inexpensive alternatives to the commercial preparations we buy, using ingredients that are likely to be found in any home. As a professional groomer for fifteen years, I have worked out recipes to produce preparations that will take the place of the expensive specials without the bad effects of harmful chemicals. These preparations apply to most pets if they are properly prepared and also tested. It is always best to consult one's veterinarian before trying something new. This applies especially to those with sensitive skin.
Calming Sprays
- Lavender spray: 10 drops essential oil + 1 cup distilled water
- Chamomile version: 2 tea bags steeped in 1 cup boiling water cooled
- Apply lightly behind ears before stressful events
Ear Cleaners
- Vinegar solution: 1 part white vinegar + 3 parts filtered water
- Green tea alternative: Brewed unsweetened tea cooled to room temperature
- Use cotton balls not swabs applying small amounts
Skin Soothers
- Oatmeal bath: 1 cup ground oats + 2 cups warm water strained
- Aloe vera gel: Pure inner leaf gel applied to hot spots
- Avoid citrus ingredients causing photosensitivity
Proper dilution guarantees safety and efficiency. Essential oils should be measured accurately to avoid skin irritation. Vinegar varnishes require correct levels of acidity. All mixtures must be tested on small patches of skin before application over the entire area. Monitor pet reactions for twenty-four hours after the mixtures are used for reactions such as redness or itching.
Correctly store DIY concoctions so they retain their potency. Light-sensitive ingredients, such as essential oils, should be kept in dark glass bottles. Perishable ingredients, such as aloe mixtures, must be refrigerated. Be sure to label the containers clearly with the ingredients and the date made. Most DIY solutions are good for two weeks, except vinegar blends, which last about a month.
Recognize which do-it-yourself alternatives work best. While slight matting is managed with mild detanglers, heavy matting should be removed with professional products. Calming sprays can help to relieve animals having mild anxiety problems, but not those that have extreme phobia problems. For the skin problems that persistently afflict the pet, however, the advice of the veterinarian should be sought and the owners should rely on rather than trust only do-it-yourself cures.
For the best hair care, combine DIY solutions with the right tools. Homemade detanglers work best with hair brushing using slicker brushes so as not to tangle them. To use ear cleaners, use the hemostatic forceps to pluck out the unwanted hairs. Calming sprays used in conjunction with positive reinforcement during training sessions will enhance the effectiveness of both.
Read the full article: 10 Must-Have Pet Grooming Tools for Pros
