DIY Homemade Sunscreen for Your Dog

Dogs often love the things that can hurt them: the frisbee that hits them square in the eye, the Giardia-breeding puddle they want drink from, and the sun. Yes, dogs have sun sensitivies just like humans.

Not only can the sun leave dogs susceptible to heat stroke, it can also burn sensitive areas of their skin like their nose, belly, and areas where there's little fur to protect them.

Keeping your dog's skin protected against the sun is easy with a dab of sunscreen, but not all sunscreens are safe for dogs. Many human sunscreens contain zinc oxide, which is toxic to dogs if they were to--say, lick the dab of sunscreen on their nose.

Many pet retailers sell dog-friendly sunscreens, but you can also make your own homemade dog sunscreen.

Homemade All-Natural Sunscreen for Your Dog

3 TBSP Sesame oil
2 TBSP Coconut oil
1 TBSP Emulsifying wax or natural beeswax (use more for thicker lotion)
1/2 cup pure green or black tea brew (or half & half)
1 tsp Calcium Montmorillonite Clay
3 TBSP Pure Aloe Vera (no alcohol)
6 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil
5 drops Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Essential Oil
2 drops Carrot Seed (Daucus carota) Essential Oil
2 drops Myrhh (Commiphora myrrha) Essential Oil
2 drops Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) Essential Oil
1 drop Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) Essential Oil

Mix sesame oil, coconut oil & wax in a double broiler and heat until melted.  Remove from heat and mix in essential oils.

In a bowl, mix tea brew, aloe vera, and calcium montmorillonite clay together and bring to lukewarm temperature on stove or in microwave.

Whisk vigorously while slowly adding tea mixture into the oil mixture.

Pour into a dark glass jar and store in the refrigerator.

Apply only as much as necessary on exposed areas and reapply after swimming.  Your dog will need a bath after their day in the sun is done.

Caution:  Experts recommend diluting essential oils considerably for use with pets. Please do not increase the amount of individual ingredients without increasing carrier oil and do not overuse.  Resist the urge to add citrus oils for scent as they can actually increase UV damage.  Avoid eye area and do not apply directly to genitalia.  Keep all essential oils out of reach of pets and children.

via "Natural Sun Protection for Dogs (With Homemade Sunscreen Recipe)"

When sunscreen is not handy, provide your dog with plenty of shade and hydration, maybe opting for trails and paths in shady, wooded areas with water access.

Happy Trails, Rad Pack! 

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Five Clever DIY Dog Costumes Made from Rad Dog Gear

Why should kids get to have all the fun on Halloween? Dogs are part of the family too! So, we decided to tap into our inner Pinterest and come up with some clever ideas for homemade dog costumes using our very own Rad Dog gear as part of the costume.

Here's what we came up with:

1. The Ball and Chain. Use a black Rad Dog Double Duty Leash and attach plastic "ball and chain" to the end of it (found at many dollar stores and costume shops, or just paint some foam ones from the craft store). Let your dog carry their own burden this Halloween!

2. Cold Weather Rescue Dog. Attach a mini-keg to your St. Bernard or Malamute by zip-tying it to their Release 'n Run leash/collar in one. Bonus points because you don't have to attach a separate leash to their costumed neck wear. You can even fill the keg with water, and carry around a pocket bowl for on the move, trick-or-treat hydration!

3. Skeleton T-Shirt. Cut your Rad Dog Unleashed T-Shirt into a festive skeleton or ghost design for you or your dog to wear. Or, make matching ones!

4. Doggie Park Ranger. Arm your dog with Rad Dog Waste Bags, a "Pick up Your Poop" sign, and a park ranger hat, and "Poof!" You have a clever, funny, and relevant dog Halloween costume. Just be sure to practice what you preach, and "leave no trace" behind on the sidewalks. 

5. Red Cross Doggie. What better costume than a dog willing to help another dog in need? Just add a red cross to their back, a feed bag full of emergency assistance food, and a stethoscope and you've got a First Aid doggie!

Remember, as with any article of clothing, gear, or accessory, be sure there is nothing attached to your dog's costume that could cause them any harm or danger such as loose pieces around their neck,  choking hazards, or items that will endanger their mobility. Keep a watchful eye on your dog when in costume, and, as tempting as it may be, keep them out of the candy bowl!

Happy Halloween, Raddies! Woof or Treat!

DIY Homemade (Organic) Dog Shampoo

Organic:

•   Of or relating to an organism, a living entity.

•   Produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.

What, if anything, is more organic than a dog?  In the wild, they live off the earth.  They spend their days in the sun, mud, rain, and snow. They are happy sleeping on a bed of dirt.  And, they cleanse their body naturally, with the help of their fur and a little earth.

As beautiful as this naturalism is, there comes a time when even the most organic dog owners says it's time to give them a bath. When that time arrives (and we are thinking mud season probably qualifies as "that time"), why not give your dog an all-natural cleanse with these organic, homemade dog shampoo recipes?

Easy Organic Dog Shampoo Recipe

• Liquid organic/all-natural hand soap or dish soap
• White vinegar 

Mix equal parts liquid soap and white vinegar in a shampoo bottle (bonus points if you re-use an old shampoo bottle).  Remember that the color and scent of the dish soap will affect the outcome of the shampoo, so we suggest using a color-free or light-colored, nice smelling liquid soap.

All-Natural, Organic Homemade Dog Shampoo Recipe

• 1C oatmeal - OR - oat flour
• 1C baking soda or 1/2C of liquid castile soap (veggie fat cleanser)
• 1Qt of warm water

 Using a food processor or blender, make a powder out of the oatmeal (you can skip this step if using oat flour). Add flour mixture to the baking soda/castile soap and water and mix in a large container with a tight lid.  Shake well and use immediately. Mixture should sit on dog's coat and skin at least five minutes before rinsing.

You can modify this recipe by adding coconut, sweet almond, jojoba or olive oil to the mixture to provide moisture to the skin, and to help de-tangle and condition the fur.  You can also add a couple drops of aloe vera gel or essential oils to the mixture. 


Tough play means dirt-soaked fur. Make a shampoo that is as organic as the earth that got your dog dirty! Stay squeaky-clean fellow Rad Dogs--but don't be afraid to get a little dirty, too!

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