Our dogs are especially prone to a variety of skin conditions from flea bite dermatitis to skin infections and a whole lot more. While there are medications that can be given to relieve the symptoms, sometimes all that is needed is a good medicated dog shampoo. We’ve put together a short list of the 5 best medicated dog shampoos in the market today to help you determine the most appropriate for your pet.
10 Top-Rated Medicated Dog Shampoos
1 Veterinary Formula Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic
- Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, micronized sulfur, and tar
- Colloidal oatmeal and allantoin
- Safe to use with topical flea and tick treatments
- For seborrheic dermatitis, certain fungal and parasitic skin infections
If your dog is diagnosed with seborrhea due to certain fungal species, then you might want to consider SynergyLabs’ Veterinary Formula Clinical Care. Unlike Duoxo and Curaseb Clinical Care comes with Salicylic acid that is well-known for its keratolytic properties. This agent is what helps dissolve the various substances that are causing the cells of the skin to stick together. This also helps increase skin hydration which works exceptionally well with its other ingredient, allantoin. Clinical Care also contains tar and micronized sulfur which serve to improve the anti-seborrheic, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties of Salicylic acid.
The addition of colloidal oatmeal helps enhance the moisturizing and skin healing properties of allantoin while giving it exceptional relief from itching. The other good news is that Clinical Care can be safely used with topical flea treatments so you can be sure you’re protecting your dog from these pests while addressing its skin condition.
2 Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Pet Wash Shampoo
- Soap-less and detergent free
- 100% biodegradable made with recycled materials
- Paraben and cruelty-free
- 100% money back guarantee
Finding a brand that really cares about the welfare of your pet may look almost impossible, but looks can be deceiving anyway. Products such as the Pro Pet Works All Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo + Conditioner are formulated with your pet in mind. It comes highly recommended by reliable veterinarians you can trust and caters to the needs of pets that require extra skin care. It’s no secret that some dogs occasionally get allergic to certain foods, environments or insect bites. While this is normal, it can be quite discomforting as we may not know what they are feeling.
Thankfully, this oatmeal shampoo will surely help to relieve symptoms. It doesn’t contain any alcohol, chemicals, sulphates or colours; it’s an all-natural formula for sensitive and agitated skin. With ingredients like Aloe Vera and almond oil, it provides moisturising and soothing benefits for dogs with dry and itchy skin. It’s extremely gentle on the skin but tough on germs and dirt leaving your dog smelling divine all week long.
3 Pet MD Antiseptic And Antifungal Medicated Spray
- Anti-fungal and anti-microbial
- Deodorises
- Has astringent qualities to dry up affected areas
- Made in federally regulated manufacturing facilities
For a more intense treatment that tackles stubborn fungal and bacterial infections, the Pet MD- Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Spray is a trusted choice. It’s a fast action skin reliever that is topically applied to dogs that suffer from skin infections such as acne, hot spots and ringworm. This formula works great for target application; pet parents can easily position the bottle directly at affected areas and spray-on a dose of this soothing medicated goodness. Not only is it great for cleaning and disinfecting, but it will also leave your pet smelling fresh and amazingly clean in between washes. It takes the foul odor caused by unaddressed skin issues replacing it with a mild refreshing feel and fragrance.
The formula itself is quite gentle on the skin, there is no stinging or burning sensation felt when it’s sprayed on. It gently but effectively takes care of all antifungal infections as well as minor cuts, wounds, abrasions and bug bites. The spray is perfect for areas that are typically harder to reach such as face and finger folds, the underarms and groin area. Guaranteed to powerfully kill the bacteria and yeast that are mostly responsible for causing skin infections, it is definitely the top choice for severe skin cases.
4 Douxo Chlorhexidine Medicated Dog Shampoo
- Active ingredient: 3% Chlorhexedine gluconate, 0.5% Climbazole, and 0.05% Phytosphingosine salicyloyl
- Anti-pyoderma, anti-seborrheic dermatitis, and antiseptic formula
- For relief of skin irritations, skin dehydration, and other signs of skin infections
Sogeval’s Duoxo is a veterinarian-recommended dog shampoo that is formulated for the management of certain skin infections caused by organisms that are vulnerable to the antiseptic properties of Chlorhexedine. The addition of Climbazole in the formulation also extends the antiseptic properties of Duoxo by targeting susceptible fungal and yeast species especially those that cause canine eczema and dandruff.
Phytosphingosine salicyloyl, on the other hand, is a kind of pro-ceramide that is formulated to provide additional control of symptoms associated with seborrheic dermatitis in dogs as well as other types of pyoderma. Duoxo not only kills susceptible microorganisms on your dog’s skin, it also helps nourish it and minimize itching, irritation, and other signs of skin inflammation.
Check out our guide on Medicated Grooming Products.
5 Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo For Dogs
- Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo
- Natural Ingredients; Aloe Vera and Vitamin E
- Veterinarian formulated Shampoo
- For dogs with sensitive skin
Some dogs will go as far as biting and chewing into their skin to find relief to an annoying itch and the sight is not pretty. Watching your pet in this state can be very heartbreaking, however, this situation can quickly change if the right product is used. Most pet parents swear by the effectiveness of the Vet’s Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo for Dogs. The feedback gotten from the use of this product is mostly positive while the rest still attest to an undeniable relief from dis-heartening symptoms.
The formula itself is soap-free and gentle on all skin types but mostly suitable for extremely sensitive skin. It works up a good lather that seeps into the skin to tackle itching and bad odors and rinses out quite easily. Being a veterinarian formulated shampoo, it is an effective and complete treatment that leaves your dogs’ coat well moisturised and deodorised. Have a fun time using this non-sting shampoo on your canine companion and reap the joyful results after a few baths.
6 Bexley Labs Curaseb Chlorhexidine Shampoo For Dogs
- Active ingredients: 2% Chlorhexedine gluconate and 1% Ketoconazole
- Anti-bacterial, anti-yeast, and anti-fungal activity
- Broad-spectrum veterinary formula
- Paraben-free, pleasant scent formulation
Curaseb has almost the same formulation as Duoxo, except that it contains Ketoconazole instead of Climbazole. Regardless, both are very effective antifungal and anti-yeast agents that can help your dog with its fungal and yeast infections. Curaseb doesn’t contain Phytosphingosine salicyloyl, however, and as such may not be as effective in the management of certain symptoms associated with seborrhea. Additionally, its Chlorhexedine content is slightly lower than Duoxo at 2%.
Still, knowing that it has a broad spectrum of activity can sure give you the peace of mind you need in treating and controlling the various skin conditions of your pet. It does come with aloe vera, though so you can feel confident about improving your pet’s coat.
7 Paws & Pals Oatmeal, Shea Butter & Aloe Vera Shampoo
- Tear-free formula that offers additional safety
- Naturally-occurring vitamins, such as B-5
- Won’t inflame your dog’s eyes or nose
- Soothes dry, irritated skin with oatmeal
- Moisturizes, cleanses and deodorizes
For a worry-free bathtime, we would wholeheartedly recommend this dog shampoo from Paws and Pals. Created with your dog in mind, and with a newly updated ingredients list to provide the best care for your pet pal, this choice offers complete peace of mind when bathing your dog. Completely vegan and made with organic, natural ingredients, this dog shampoo offers more than simple cleanliness.
Using oatmeal, the shampoo works to relieve dry and itchy skin for your pup. At the same time, it will moisturize and deodorize your pet’s coat, while softening their fur. And, with the addition of natural oils, extracts and vitamins, the company promise a no-tear formula that doesn’t irritate or inflame their sensitive nose and eyes.
8 Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Dog & Cat Shampoo
- Active ingredient: 2.5% Benzoyl peroxide
- Natural cleansing and moisturizing oils
- Keratolytic and pet coat degreaser formulation
- For demodectic mange, canine acne, and seborrheic dermatitis
Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Pet Shampoo acts like Salicylic acid since it is also a keratolytic. In human applications it is especially used in the management of mild to moderate acnes. The same function can also be used in dogs. However, its principal effects are indicated in the management of the various skin manifestations of demodectic mange and seborrhea. Its Benzoyl peroxide formulation is suspended in a variety of natural oils to allow for a more effective cleaning of the skin, flushing out microorganisms and debris, and nourishing the skin to help facilitate healing and regeneration. The same formulation also serves as a natural degreaser so that excess oils will not further aggravate the seborrhea.
9 Dechra DermaBenSs Shampoo For Dogs, Cats & Horses
- 12oz bottle
- Only BP shampoo that contains both sulphur and salicylic acid
- Enriched with nutritional stabilizers and Vitamin E
- Anti-microbial shampoo
Some skin diseases, allergies and outbreaks could be life-threatening, and sometimes you’re advised to `put your pet down’ to deliver them from the throngs of the disease. It doesn’t help to use regular soap-based shampoos and conditioners for their delicate and probably agitated skin. A mild formula packed with powerful natural ingredients is required to soothe and provide fast relief from persisting infections.
The Dermapet Benzoyl Peroxide Plus Shampoo is an all-natural formulated wash that intensely flushes out stubborn microbes, bacteria and fungi from the coat of your pet. Some of these infectious organisms stick hard on the skin and hair follicles causing persistent agitation and itching to the dog. However, this moisturizing blend contains sulphur and salicylic acid which powerfully aid in wiping out unwanted guests. Every wash is followed by a fresh, herbal fragrance that keeps your furry or not so furry friend smelling amazing all week. This shampoo will also deeply moisturize as well as treat hot spots, greasy skin, staph infections and skin fold infections. Get ready to have your bubbly, happy and active fuzzy friend back.
10 Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo
- Works to relieve fungal infections
- Helps to relieve bacterial infections
- Includes aloe vera to help soothe the skin
- Paraben-free for a more natural solution
- May relieve dermatitis and pyoderma
Antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial, this shampoo covers a triple-attack of skin conditions that may affect your dog. Designed to help combat skin conditions which are commonly found in wrinkly dogs and dog with sensitive skin, this dog shampoo does a brilliant job of keeping you and your pooch happy and healthy.
With added aloe vera, not only does this shampoo work against fungal and bacterial infections in your dog’s skin, it also soothes as it cleanses. Paraben-free to help combat dryness and irritation, this shampoo for dogs with sensitive skin can help alleviate the symptoms of dermatitis and pyoderma.
Best Medicated Dog Shampoo: Buying Guide and FAQs
Buying a medicated dog shampoo can be easy if you consult your veterinarian about which particular product to use or the active ingredient to look for. However, different brands of medicated dog shampoos can carry the same active ingredient with some opting to add a few other agents in their formulations. This can make choosing the best medicated dog shampoo quite challenging. But if you go through our buying guide and FAQ section, you’ll find that it really isn’t that difficult to zero-in on the best medicated dog shampoo.
What is Medicated Dog Shampoo?
As the term implies, these are types of hair (or coat) care products that contain substances designed specifically to treat or manage a certain health condition of the skin and coat. These can include skin inflammation, irritation, itching, dry and crusty skin, and even hot spots, among others. They are basically shampoos that you apply onto your dog’s coat, massage onto its skin, and leave it on for a couple of minutes for the active ingredient to exert its action. Like any other topical medications, there are certain things that you have to observe. For instance, you’re only supposed to use these if there really is a condition on your dog that can be effectively managed by such a shampoo. Once the problem has resolved, you can stop using the medicated shampoo altogether.
Benefits of Medicated Dog Shampoo
If you’re wondering what good is it to apply medicated shampoos on your dog, then consider the following benefits.
Addresses a Specific Problem
Conventional shampoos are basically indicated for general hair care and grooming. Medicated shampoos have a more specific function. For instance, there are shampoos that are intended for the treatment of dandruff or even seborrhea. If your dog doesn’t have either condition there is no need to use the medicated shampoo. There are also shampoos that contain broad-spectrum antiseptics which can help kill a wide variety of microorganisms. While its broad-spectrum activity connotes a more general purpose, it can still be considered as addressing a very specific problem – that of microorganism-related skin and coat conditions.
Provides Immediate Relief from Certain Symptoms
Since medicated shampoos are topical applications intended for superficial problems, the effects can be immediate. Unlike medications that still need to go through the dog’s stomach and absorbed through the blood to reach the target site, medicated dog shampoos provide immediate relief to your pet’s symptoms such as itching and skin redness.
Safer Alternatives to Systemic Medications
The main issue with oral preparations or even injectables is that their active ingredients do not only affect the problematic site; they also affect other cells that are susceptible to such ingredients. That is why the side effects of oral and injectable medications are more profound than topical preparations. For dog shampoos, it is very rare that you get a side effect since it only works on the outer surface of the skin. Unfortunately, if the medication does get into mucus membranes such as the eyes, the potential side effects can occur.
Popular Medicated Dog Shampoo Types
To further help you gain a more refined understanding of the type of medicated shampoo that is appropriate for your pet, you’ll need to learn some of the more popular types of medicated dog shampoos.
Antiseborrheic
One of the clinical manifestations of seborrheic dermatitis is dandruff that is so stubborn that no ordinary shampoo can ever get rid of it. Dandruff is almost always accompanied by reddish skin and scaly patches on your dog’s skin. While it is not known what exactly causes seborrheic dermatitis, experts agree that it can be caused by certain species of fungus-like Malassezia which are typically present in the oil produced by your dog’s skin. In some cases, an abnormal response in the dog’s immune system can facilitate the proliferation of these fungal species.
You may also like our ultimate guide on Dog Shampoo for Dandruff.
Antiseborrheic shampoos help by either killing the fungus that causes flaking in the skin or dissolving the various substances that stick these flakes onto the skin. These typically contain Salicylic acid, sulfur compounds, tar-based compounds, benzoyl peroxide, and selenium sulfide, among others. Some of these agents also serve as degreasers which can help reduce the severity of seborrhea.
Antibacterial
The skin is home to a host of bacterial species that are not really pathogenic as long as your pet’s immune system is able to strike a balance between the normal bacterial flora and pathogenic organisms. Unfortunately, in the event that your dog’s immune system is compromised, there’s a possibility that pathogenic bacteria will overwhelm normal bacteria. Additionally, in the presence of breaks in the skin even normal bacteria can turn pathogenic as they invade the deeper structures of your dog’s skin.
Antibacterial shampoos are especially indicated in skin infections that are caused by susceptible bacteria. Chlorhexidine, benzoyl peroxide, and ethyl lactate are just some of the active ingredients of medicated dog shampoos with antibacterial properties. These do not exhibit specificity to certain bacterial species and are generally considered as antiseptics, fully capable of killing a greater number of microbial species.
Antifungal
Like bacteria, fungi are also present on the dog’s skin. However, they often become pathogenic in cases of immunocompromised states. Fungal skin infections are best treated with imidazole-containing medicated dog shampoos. These substances interfere with the fungus’ ability to synthesize ergosterol which is a very important component of its cell membrane. Without this molecule, fungal species will not be able to mount an effective defense against immune system cells.
Antipruritic
Antipruritic dog shampoos are formulated specifically to help reduce the incidence and severity of itching. Traditionally antihistamines are provided to help relieve itching. However, there are now dog shampoos that contain colloidal oatmeal that works more like a magnet to pull the allergens from the surface of the dog’s skin. These allergens are some of the most common causes of itching because of the stimulation of pro-inflammatory substances.
Cleansing and Moisturizing
While this type of medicated dog shampoo doesn’t actually address a very specific skin condition in dogs, they are valuable in providing deep cleansing of the pores to remove dirt and debris that may clog pores. This can help prevent canine acne as well as seborrhea. Since one of the manifestations of canine skin problems is dry, scaly skin, the moisturizing effects of this type of medicated dog shampoo are also useful. You might think that ordinary dog shampoos also clean and moisturize the skin. The difference is that the cleansing properties of medicated dog shampoos are not attributed to the presence of soap. Hence, they are generally safer and gentler to your dog’s skin.
Medicated Dog Shampoo Side Effects
Medicated dog shampoos are generally safe considering that they are topical applications. However, there will always be a few side effects that can be the direct result of the mechanisms of action of the various active ingredients. Here are some side-effects you should watch out for.
- Skin irritation and itching – these can be observed with tar- and coal-based dog shampoos and those that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
- Skin dryness – this often occurs with salicylic acid- and benzoyl peroxide- containing medicated dog shampoos
- Shedding – some formulations of medicated dog shampoos are highly concentrated that it can lead to light to moderate shedding
- Allergic reactions – these occur if your pet is hypersensitive to any or all of the ingredients of the shampoo. Your dog may show skin redness, itching, and others.
Take a look at our guides on the Best Dog Grooming Clippers and Best Dog Brush for Shedding.
Sources:
- Catherine Barnette, DVM, How to Bathe Dogs with Medicated Shampoo, VCA
- Jennifer Coates, DVM, Do You Need a Medicated Dog Shampoo?, PetMD
Frequently Asked Questions
The only time you should use medicated dog shampoo is when your veterinarian explicitly recommends that you do. While these may look like ordinary shampoos, they do contain certain ingredients that can produce localized side-effects. So why should you use a medicated shampoo for dogs?
First and foremost, it is highly specific for the management or treatment of a particular skin condition. Do take note that not all canine skin conditions have a specific medicated shampoo, so it’s best to always consult your vet.
Secondly, you get to see the effects almost instantaneously. If your pet is always scratching, you’ll notice the frequency of scratching to be somewhat reduced several minutes after shampooing.
Thirdly, the active ingredients included in the formulation of such products are all proven to be effective in their respective indications. Just make sure you understand the type of medicated dog shampoo that is ideal for the type of skin condition that your dog has.
Using a medicated shampoo on your dog is pretty straightforward with a few minor modifications to your regular dog shampooing routine. Depending on the skin condition of your dog and the type of medicated shampoo you are going to use, you can either apply it all over your dog’s coat or just on the affected area. Regardless, the procedure is essentially the same.
Wet your dog’s coat making sure that the water reaches well onto the surface of its skin. It is best to use warm water to help open up the pores of your pet’s skin. Apply your medicated dog shampoo and massage it well onto your dog’s skin. Leave it for about 5 to 10 minutes or whatever manufacturer’s recommendation is. Thoroughly rinse your dog’s coat. Now some products may require you to leave the coat as is to allow for sufficient time for the medication to reach its intended targets before you eventually dry the coat completely.
Depending on your vet’s instructions, you may need to repeat the application several more times or give your dog its medicated shampoo every other day. It is important to adhere to your vet’s instructions.
Dog medicated shampoos are highly-specific dog care products that address certain skin conditions in dogs. They help relieve itching, dandruff, irritation, redness, and many more. This can help your pet feeling a lot more comfortable. That’s why it’s crucial that you know how to choose the best-medicated dog shampoo for your own hound.
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