The 5 best medicated dog shampoos in 2024
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Dog baths provide many benefits, including removing dirt and grime, eliminating odors, and creating special human-animal bonding time. A bath with one of the best medicated dog shampoos can also treat skin problems from allergies and infections and provide much-needed relief from skin irritation.
For this guide, we evaluated 15 medicated shampoos for dogs, according to our veterinarian-informed selection criteria. Our top pick is Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo. This shampoo treats several conditions, from parasitic and fungal infections to flaky and itchy skin, and moisturizes dry skin.
As a veterinarian, I understand the complexities of skin conditions in dogs. Even with this curated list of shampoos, you should first visit your veterinarian, who will diagnose your dog's skin condition and recommend a medicated dog shampoo if appropriate. Be aware that a prescription medicated dog shampoo may be the best choice over an over-the-counter (OTC) shampoo. Always follow your veterinarian's instructions for using any shampoo. If you're looking for a nonmedicated formula, we cover them in our guide to the best dog shampoos.
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Our top picks for the best medicated dog shampoos
Best medicated dog shampoo overall: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo for Dogs - See at Chewy
Best dog shampoo for bacterial infections: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Shampoo for Dogs and Cats - See at Chewy
Best antifungal shampoo for dogs: Pet MD Medicated Shampoo for Skin Conditions - See at Chewy
Best flea and tick shampoo for dogs: Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo with Precor - See at Chewy
Best dog shampoo for skin allergies: 4-Legger Natural Shampoo - See at Chewy
Best overall
The inevitable irritation created by skin problems can make dogs feel miserable and needs to be resolved quickly and effectively.
"A medicated shampoo is used to treat numerous skin conditions, such as bacterial and fungal infections and allergic disease," says Dr. Joya Griffin, a veterinary dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Group in Louisville, Kentucky. However, just treating the condition isn't enough. The skin also needs moisturizing to be restored to good health.
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo treats multiple skin conditions, including parasitic and fungal infections, seborrhea (greasy, flaky, itchy skin), and general dermatitis (skin inflammation). It also contains oatmeal and allantoin to soothe, hydrate, and heal the skin. This shampoo's ability to treat multiple skin conditions and heal the skin, all at a reasonable price, made it our top choice.
The shampoo contains salicylic acid, coal tar, and micronized sulfur, which work together to treat skin infections and reduce seborrhea symptoms. "Shampoos that contain sulfur or salicylic acid can be used for seborrheic conditions," says Griffin. However, she warns that salicylic acid can cause dryness and irritation.
Free of soap and dyes, this shampoo is safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age and does not remove the best flea treatments for dogs that are topical medicines.
Best for bacterial infections
Bacterial skin infections, broadly termed "pyoderma," have several potential causes. These causes include a break in the skin from injury or constant scratching, a change in the skin's normal bacterial population, and excessive moisture on the skin.
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Shampoo contains the antibacterial agent benzethonium chloride to treat bacterial skin infections, along with ketoconazole to treat fungal infections. Many medicated dog shampoos that treat skin infections contain antibacterial and antifungal agents.
This shampoo was our top choice for several reasons. For example, it effectively treats both antibacterial and antifungal infections. In addition, the shampoo contains lanolin to reduce skin itching and flaking, as well as aloe vera to soothe and heal itchy and irritated skin. Also, the shampoo does not remove topical flea and tick treatments. To have these positive product characteristics, it impressed us that the shampoo costs less than $10 for 16 ounces.
Although the shampoo does not lather as thickly as other medicated dog shampoos we reviewed, it has a mild, non-medicinal scent and rinses out easily. It is safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age.
Best for fungal infections
Fungal skin infections, such as ringworm and yeast dermatitis, occur less commonly than bacterial skin infections in dogs. Our top choice for medicated dog shampoos for fungal infections is Pet MD Medicated Pet Shampoo. Not only does it contain the antifungal agent ketoconazole, but it also contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera to soothe and moisturize infected skin that has become itchy and irritated.
An additional ingredient, chlorhexidine, is an antibacterial agent that can treat skin conditions like bacterial dermatitis. Chlorhexidine also has antifungal properties, giving the shampoo a slight edge in antifungal activity over Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Shampoo. In addition to these functions, chlorhexidine can help treat minor skin injuries, such as those caused by superficial cuts and insect bites.
Safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age, the shampoo has a pleasant peppermint scent that can last long after the bath. If you have a white dog, be aware that the shampoo could discolor your dog's fur.
Best flea and tick
Flea and tick control is a cornerstone of responsible pet ownership. Veterinarian-prescribed flea and tick preventatives are the best choice for preventing these pesky parasites, and pet owners should use them as the primary form of flea and tick prevention.
Flea and tick shampoos have a role to play, though. Dr. Tierra Price, a shelter veterinarian and founder of BlackDVM Network, notes that these shampoos can be very effective at killing adult fleas and ticks. Our experts concur, however, that flea and tick shampoos are not good at prevention. "Flea and tick shampoos have very little residual activity and are not effective in preventing infestations," says Griffin.
Keeping this in mind, we reviewed several flea and tick shampoos that could complement prescription flea and tick preventatives. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo came out at the top of our list due to its strong anti-parasitic agents, natural moisturizing ingredients, and refreshing coconut scent.
The shampoo uses synthetic pesticides, like S-methoprene and pyrethrins, to kill fleas at any life stage for up to 28 days. Its formula is also effective against other parasites, like ticks and lice. At the same time, natural oatmeal helps moisturize skin that's irritated and itchy from scratching.
It's safe for puppies 12 weeks of age and older. However, some of its ingredients, like pyrethrin, are toxic to cats. So, if you have a cat in the house, it's best to reach for another option from our guide to the best flea and tick shampoos for dogs.
Best for skin allergies
Skin allergies are common in dogs. Many substances in the environment, such as pollen and dust, can land on a dog's skin and trigger an allergic reaction that causes persistent itchiness. Left unmanaged, skin allergies, which occur either year-round or during warm-weather months, can lead to severe skin problems that require intense veterinary care.
Dog shampoos for skin allergies, also known as hypoallergenic shampoos, are free of ingredients and fragrances that could worsen or trigger the allergies. 4-Legger Organic, Hypoallergenic, Lemongrass, and Aloe Dog Shampoo is our top choice for medicated dog shampoos for skin allergies. As a USDA-certified organic shampoo, it is free of synthetic ingredients. The shampoo's natural ingredients, including aloe vera and essential oils, work together to provide effective relief for itchy and irritated skin caused by allergies. The shampoo's lemongrass has natural antimicrobial activity.
The shampoo is safe for puppies and adult dogs and has a light, non-medicinal scent. Although the shampoo is pricey, we believe it is well worth the higher cost, given that it contains 100% natural ingredients and has the added antimicrobial activity provided by the lemongrass. The other shampoos we evaluated for this category do not contain ingredients that can also treat skin infections.
How we selected the best medicated dog shampoos
We asked our two veterinary experts to provide their clinical expertise on medicated dog shampoos. They gave their insight on indications for medicated dog shampoo and how the active ingredients in these shampoos work to treat various canine skin conditions.
We also researched basic information about common skin conditions in dogs, including infections, allergies, and parasitic infestations, such as mites, fleas, and ticks.
These are the selection criteria that we used to evaluate the shampoos and select our top choices:
- Ingredients: We analyzed the ingredient list for each shampoo to identify the active ingredients (e.g., ketoconazole for treating fungal infections). We gave preference to shampoos that also contained natural ingredients for soothing and healing the skin.
- Safe for puppies: A puppy's skin is more sensitive than an adult dog's skin, so we looked for shampoos that were gentle enough to be used on puppies. Shampoos rated higher if their use was safe in puppies and lower if they were indicated only for adult dogs or did not provide a life stage or age indication on the product label.
- Ease of use: We read numerous customer reviews to determine how easy the shampoos were to use in the real world. Shampoos that pet parents enjoyed using rated higher than those that received customer complaints, such as not lathering well.
- Effectiveness: We evaluated each shampoo's ingredient list to determine whether the active ingredients were effective for the shampoo's intended purpose. Shampoos were rated highly if their active ingredients were veterinarian-recommended to treat a specific skin condition, such as a bacterial or fungal infection.
- Scent: Shampoos with pleasant, non-medicinal scents were rated more highly than those with scents that may be off-putting to pet owners.
Medicated dog shampoo FAQs
Will an over-the-counter medicated shampoo treat my dog's skin infection?
Of the many OTC medicated dog shampoos very few contain the active ingredients available in prescription dog shampoos to treat skin infections effectively, according to Griffin. "Without clinical studies to back up the efficacy of OTC medicated dog shampoos, these shampoos can be a 'hit or miss' regarding having the right combination of active ingredients to be effective," says Price.
Will an anti-itch shampoo work for my dog?
"Most OTC anti-itch shampoos do not contain the ingredients, such as hydrocortisone and pramoxine, that most effectively combat the itch," says Griffin. "[T]hese shampoos don't have much long-term residual anti-itch activity, making frequent bathing necessary," she adds.
Will a flea and tick shampoo for dogs prevent fleas and ticks?
Our experts agreed that flea and tick dog shampoos effectively kill live fleas and ticks but are not good at flea and tick prevention.
How often should I bathe my dog with medicated dog?
Griffin says it is a common misconception to bathe dogs only infrequently, such as once a month. You can bathe dogs several times a week, or even daily, if needed. More frequent bathing can shorten the time to see therapeutic results and would not dry out the skin, if the shampoo contains high-quality ingredients.
How long should I leave a medicated shampoo on my dog during a bath?
A medicated dog shampoo must stay on the skin for 5 to 10 minutes to be most effective. Griffin advises owners to apply the shampoo all over, paying particular attention to the problem areas. After this timeframe, thoroughly rinse the shampoo with clear, lukewarm water.
How will I know if a medicated dog shampoo is working?
Medicated dog shampoos rarely work overnight and are most effective when used according to a veterinarian's instructions. "Consistency is key in achieving therapeutic benefit," says Griffin. Price says it may be necessary to use the shampoo for one to two weeks before seeing significant improvements, such as healed skin lesions and reduced redness and itchiness. If a dog's skin condition isn't getting better or worsens, Price advises discontinuing the shampoo and contacting your veterinarian.
Can I use the medicated dog shampoo instead of expensive medication?
It depends. "In some conditions, such as seborrheic skin problems, a medicated shampoo can be used alone to provide therapeutic benefit," says Griffin. According to Price, additional medication is necessary for deep skin infections, severe inflammatory responses, and chronic skin conditions that cause persistent inflammation.
Glossary
A pet owner's ability to clearly describe a dog's skin condition helps a veterinarian diagnose the problem and develop a treatment plan. "A pet owner may come in and say, 'My dog has a rash,' which is not very helpful in diagnosing the condition," says Price.
Our experts suggested a few skin-related terms that are helpful for pet owners to know:
Antimicrobial: an agent that kills or stops the growth of microorganisms
Atopy: skin allergies
Chlorhexidine: antimicrobial agent
Crusts: scabs, which can be composed of dried blood, pus, and serum
Dermatitis: skin inflammation
Discharge: fluid
Ketoconazole: antifungal agent
Miconazole: antifungal agent
Papules: small, raised bumps on the skin
Seborrhea: overproduction of sebum from the skin's sebaceous glands, causing the skin to become greasy, scaly, flaky, red, and itchy