5 Best medicated dog shampoos for dog’s skin problems





When shopping for antiseptic dog shampoo, there are so many choices available that it may be difficult to pick the right one for your pup. You have to take your dog’s coat and skin types into consideration when making your choice. Maybe your canine needs a detangling shampoo or a product for dry skin? There’s a specific brand for most cases, including a best medicated dog shampoo.

Video: Medicated Dog Shampoo by Nootie Review, Worked EXCELLENT on my dog's skin yeast infection

Why use a medicated shampoo for dogs?

Best Medicated Dog ShampooCanines are naturally curious, and they love to explore. These are two of their best traits, but it’s also the reason why our furry companions are so good at getting themselves into trouble.

If their curiosity takes them somewhere that allergens are present, your pooch may end up with a rash or his skin allergies acting up. These allergies are the most common reason to use a medicated and/or anti-itch dog shampoos, or a type of veterinary dog shampoo that’s prescribed.

How to use medicated dog shampoos?

The best medicated dog shampoo can clear up rashes, hot spots or inflammation. It will work to clean your dog’s skin gently and calm any health conditions that may be making him uncomfortable. However, these shampoos must be used as advised on the bottle or recommended by your veterinarian when bathing your dog for a specific reason.

Remember to avoid using any type of human shampoos on your canine.

“All grooming products (human and animal) are designed to maximize cleaning and minimize irritation. Human products work best on human skin and veterinary products are designed to work best on dog skin. The chemistry of a dog’s skin and fur are different than the chemistry of a human’s skin and hair.” – Dr Terese DeManuelle, vet dermatologist at VetMed.

Choosing the right shampoo for your canine companion isn’t easy. If your dog is seen by a veterinary professional for his skin condition, you may be prescribed the best medicated dog shampoo for the job. Otherwise, you’ll need to do a little research on your own.

If your dog doesn’t have underlying health issue that is causing his skin condition, he may just need a specialized regular shampoo for dogs. If you need help selecting one of these products, you can reference one of our many articles on the topic including:

If bathing your dog is a new task, you may not be comfortable with it just yet. It will certainly save you a lot of money on professional pet grooming services, and it’s a great way to build a trusting bond with your pet.

Need pointers and tips on giving your pooch a bath to make this chore a success? I recommend you check out our video instructions on How To Bathe A Dog.

What’s the Best Medicated Dog Shampoo?
5 Options for Dealing With Your Dog’s Skin Problems

1Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Shampoo

Best Medicated Dog ShampooNot only is this prescription-type dog shampoo from Douxo useful for pet grooming, it is beneficial as well in preventing and treating a variety of skin disorders in animals. This medicated shampoo contains such tongue-twisting formulas as chlorhexidine, lipacide, and phytosphingosine salicyloyl to fight superficial and acute skin conditions that are commonly associated with pyoderma.

  • Read reviews of other pet owners

Lipacide, in particular, moisturizes and restructures the skin by coating it with lipo-protein. This protects the skin from irritation, severe inflammation and dryness. To ensure the best results, directions must be followed carefully.

A host of users recognize the dramatic results they got after using this best medicated dog shampoo to treat various skin maladies in their dogs. They found it extremely effective in addressing constant itchiness and acute bacterial or yeast infections that usually led to skin irritations, thickened skin and hair loss. They love that Duoxo Chlorhexidine PS Shampoo has restored their pets’ healthy skin and shiny coat.

Most users usually observed positive results in just over a week or two of using the anti-itch dog shampoo. Possibly due to the advanced stage or due to a particular type of infection, few customers needed to wait three long weeks to a month to see improvement. At three weeks, their dog still had staph wounds although the affected area has not worsened. While they had to wait for what seemed like forever, the infection did clear up. It was noted that the shampoo was immediately effective when applied to treat a skin condition at its early stage.

PROS:
  • Beneficial in preventing and treating a variety of skin disorders in pets
  • fights superficial and acute skin conditions associated with pyoderma
  • Contains lipacide, which moisturizes and restructures the skin by coating it with lipo-protein
  • Users found it effective in addressing itchiness and bacterial and yeast infections
CONS:
  • Usually takes 1-2 weeks before results are noticeable- some customers waited 3-4 weeks before seeing results

Best Medicated Dog ShampooMost helpful dog owner’s review (read the full review): “Our 12 year old dog has BAD enviromental allergies during the spring/summer, where she is constantly itching and biting herself which results in hair loss and small open sores. We have been using Malaseb shampoo in the past but this year the allergies were exceptionally bad so after reading about it amazon.com and the user reviews I decided to try it. It is AMAZING, Cleo’s itching decreased dramatically after the first bath and even more so after the 2nd bath in 1 week…

2DermaPet Benzoyl Peroxide plus Shampoo (DermaBenSs)

Best Medicated Dog ShampooAn enhanced version of DermaPet’s DermaBenSS product, Benzoyl Peroxide plus Shampoo has added Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant. This shampoo is the only Benzoyl Peroxide formula on the market today that contains both sulfur and salicylic acid in an all-natural base.

  • Read reviews of other pet owners

With natural herb fragrance and moisturizers, this antimicrobial shampoo for dogs helps in the topical management of pyodermas, skin fold ailments, and staph infections. It aids in opening pores and flushing out contagious bacteria from the hair follicles before they can even develop into full-blown conditions.

Customers reveal the shampoo’s efficiency in protecting and treating various pet skin diseases, particularly staph infections and mange. Pet owners have reported serious cases of demodectic mange in their dogs, and demodex mites are notorious for really causing oozing pustules and problematic sores. Through DermaPet Benzoyl Peroxide Plus Shampoo’s flushing ability to rid out hair follicles filled with contagious microbes, users are pleased that they can control any outbreak of infectious diseases on the skin.

A few buyers believe that this anti-itch dog shampoo is not potent enough and opted to find stronger formulations for their dogs’ skin ailments. They do like the non-drying and non-stinging quality of this shampoo. Overall, customers recognize its exceptional flushing quality. For instance, it does not kill mites- instead, it flushes them out from being burrowed deep in the skin. After healing affected spots, hair is given a chance to grow back. There is also no skin drying as is commonly observed from other medicated shampoos.

PROS:
  • Includes Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant
  • Natural herbal fragrance and moisturizers
  • Helps in the topical management of pyodermas, skin fold ailments, and staph infections
  • Aids in opening pores and flushing out contagious bacteria
CONS:
  • Some consumers said this best medicated dog shampoo was not potent enough to clear up their dog’s skin condition

Best Medicated Dog ShampooMost helpful dog owner’s review (read the full review): “Adopted a 3 month old puppy from the animal shelter whose localized demodectic mange around eyes rapidly spread to generalized mange all the way to her tail with oozing sores, thickened skin, hair loss and serious secondary staph skin infection.(She was covered in pustules). Besides treatment from veterinarian with antibiotics & weekly ivermectin shots, veterinarian told me to give the dog a bath every other day with this shampoo. Dramatic results!!..”

3DECHRA DermaBenSs Shampoo

Best Dog Medicated ShampooDechra’s DermaBenSs Shampoo is a 12-ounce formula that helps promote healthy skin in cats, dogs, and horses. It is antimicrobial and anti-seborrheic, and contains vitamin E, salicylic acid and sulfur. It comes with a natural herbal scent and conditioners that make it gentle on the skin.

  • Read reviews of other pet owners

This soap-free dog shampoo is best in topical management of skin infections and inflammation, lick granulomas, greasy skin, oily seborrhea, staph and skin fold infections. Also, it washes out hair follicles where usually lice dig in and breed if left unchecked, thereby causing contagious disorders in pets.

Customers, who have tried countless other products to no avail, were happy to discover Dechra’s DermaBenSs Shampoo’s efficacy on various cases of skin infections. Some of these problematic cases included pus-filled pores that got worse after erupting, inter-digital cysts that flared every now and then, allergies and other bothersome conditions. Continuous use of this best medicated dog shampoo helped these dogs get over their ailments. Users consider the shampoo a miracle for treating what antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines failed to do.

Best Medicated Dog ShampooA minor drawback, observes one user, is that the veterinary dog shampoo leaves her canine a tad too dry. But considering that the dog’s seemingly incurable mange was gone after regular use of the shampoo, the dryness does not seem to be such a big deal. There are many remedies for dryness. In general, customers are only too happy to find the ultimate solution to their dog’s skin problems.

PROS:
  • Can be used on cats, dogs and horses
  • Antimicrobial and anti-seborrheic, as it contains vitamin E, salicylic acid and sulfur
  • Soap-free
  • Treats topical management of skin infections and inflammation, lick granulomas, greasy skin, oily seborrhea, staph and skin fold infections
CONS:
  • One reviewer said this best dog shampoo left her dog’s skin too dry

Best Medicated Dog ShampooMost helpful dog owner’s review (read the full review): ” Well, I have bathed her now with this shampoo twice!!! JUST TWICE!!! In the past 2 weeks! And I am so THRILLED to say that the cyst on her back paw is almost completely GONE!!! I just bathed her last night for the 2nd time and looked at it after she was all dry and couldn’t believe my eyes!”

4Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Pet Shampoo

This shampoo is formulated with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and other ingredients to help relieve infections associated with seborrhea dermatitis – an abnormally increased secretion and discharge of fatty matters – and other skin conditions in pets. This best medicated dog shampoo from Davis Veterinary Products helps in opening and flushing out hair follicles that may contain harmful microbes and removes grease in problem coats.

  • Read reviews of other pet owners

It contains natural fragrance and moisturizers to hydrate the skin and coat. Achieving healthy and enviable coats for pets has never been easier. This deep-cleanser is available in a 12-oz bottle and is recommended for pets suffering from seborrhea dermatitis and acne. It is safe to use for cats and dogs, but it is important to avoid the area around the pets’ eyes or mucous membranes.

Loss of hair due to clogged pores and pyoderma are two of the most common conditions in pets. So a number of customers are just too grateful these infections can be treated using Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Pet Veterinary Shampoo. For these pet parents this stuff works great and is a much better alternative than those noxious baths and meds prescribed by some vets.

Best Medicated Dog ShampooThe formulation can be quite strong, the reason why it must not get into the dog’s eyes and mucous membranes. Wearing gloves is also a must. However, there’s no denying its efficacy judging from the satisfied experience of customers who used this shampoo on their dogs. It works effectively on most skin disorders even without the accompanying medicines from the vets. Thus, it has helped users save on money and time.

PROS:
  • Made with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide
  • Helps relieve infections associated with seborrhea dermatitis
  • Contains natural fragrance and moisturizers to hydrate the skin and coat
  • Safe to use on dogs and cats
CONS:
  • Very potent formula that cannot get into your dog’s eyes or mucus membranes as it will cause damage
  • You will need to wear gloves when applying this best medicated dog shampoo to your pet

Best Medicated Dog ShampooMost helpful dog owner’s review (read the full review): “This shampoo works great. The price on this shampoo is very acceptable for the great job it does on opening the pores and letting the hair follicles grow back. I have a 4 year bulldog that has had mites since he was a pup due to immune system problems. He was losing his hair due to the mites clogging his follicles with feces. This stuff opened his pores and his hair was back in 3 weeks…”

5SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo

Best Medicated Dog ShampooThis best medicated dog shampoo product may be one of the cheapest shampoos on the market, but it is a proven remedy for treating mange and other parasitic conditions in dogs. With combined properties of salicylic acid, micronized sulfur, and coal tar, this dog shampoo from SynergyLabs is proven effective in fighting scaling caused by seborrhea, and against bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections.

  • Read reviews of other pet owners

It also includes allantois and colloidal oatmeal that enhance skin hydration and support healing. However, this shampoo is not recommended for cats because of its coal tar substance. Customers, who have tried every different remedy on their dogs with skin inflammation, were relieved to finally find the solution to their problems.

Video: Medicated Shampoo for DOGS - HOW TO USE IT (and keep the dog in the tub!)

This best medicated dog shampoo has solved cases of mange, seborrhea infections, fungal infections, and scaly, red or greasy skin, to name just some of the skin disorders treated. Best results were observed after continual use of the shampoo. SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Shampoo does not contain parabens, artificial color or soap, so pet owners who look for this feature in products they use, were especially drawn to this brand.

Best Medicated Dog ShampooTo avoid recurring disorders, this anti-itch dog shampoo must be used regularly. As a user observed, the shampoo cleaned their dog effectively and relieved it from itching. However, the miserable situation recurred when other shampoos were used. Summing up, this is an affordable medicated shampoo that cleans and keeps dogs’ skin and coat healthy. It relieves them of inflammation, irritation, sores, fleas and mites, itching, and other skin problems.

PROS:
  • Does not contain parabens, artificial color or soap
  • Made with salicylic acid, micronized sulfur, and coal tar
  • Proven effective in fighting scaling caused by seborrhea, and against bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections
  • Includes allantois and colloidal oatmeal that enhance skin hydration and support healing
CONS:
  • Only recommended for use on dogs
  • Must be used regularly in order to prevent the issue from recurring, but the same could be said for all the best medicated dog shampoo products on this list

Best Medicated Dog ShampooMost helpful dog owner’s review (read the full review + PHOTOS): “…Okay, so after the second bath, their condition got a lot better. There was actual noticeable improvement after about four (4) days. I started bathing them with the shampoo every five (5) which ticked off my vet but I was desperate. My babies needed relief and he was just charging me up the…we won’t say and they were still miserable. Unfortunately for me, I ran out and forgot to order more before time for their fourth (4) bath. Keep your fingers crossed…”


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