Medicated Dog Shampoo

When Do You Need Medicated Dog Shampoo?

Medicated dog shampoo is used for treating different skin conditions present in your pooch. The skin is the dog’s largest organ and it is a breeding ground for all sorts of parasites. While a certain amount of itching and scratching is normal for any dog, it’s when constant and obsessive scratching indicates that something is not right.

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What Causes Dog Itching and Constant Scratching?

The main reasons for dog’s itches and scratches are due to:

Fleas – These parasites are disgusting as they take blood, spread disease, and lay eggs on our dogs. Fleas look like tiny brown specks, but the presence of small black droppings is also a sign of an infestation.

Your dog might have flea when you find him chewing his paws and scratching his armpits, belly, or under his chin when he lies down on the floor.

If you find fleas, you must treat your dog and your home environment since fleas can survive away from the dog. This could include washing bedding, vacuuming furniture and floors, and throwing away the vacuum bag to get rid of any flea eggs.

Fleas thrive in the warm and cozy environment of a centrally heated house. 

Ticks – Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that latch onto your dog’s skin, especially around the face. Ticks look and feel like small warts on your dog’s skin.

Adult female ticks lay groups of eggs, which hatch to form a colony of young ticks attached to grass stems. If a dog comes by, several of these ticks may attach themselves to the dog.

Fungus – In the case of fungus, this can weaken your dog’s immune system resulting in yeast (Candida) spreading throughout the gut and erupting onto the skin, causing red and itchy spots and patches

Mites –  The common mites include house dust mites, surface mites, storage mites, ear mites, harvest mites, Sarcoptes mange mites. Dermatitis can be triggered by dust mites.

Ear mites are exhibited when there is persistent scratching of and pawing of the ears and vigorous shaking of the dog’s head. Check the inside of your dog’s ears for the presence of dark spots and brown waxy discharge. There could also be an unpleasant smell.

Best Medicated Dog Shampoo

If you want good recommendation on medical dog shampoo, check out the following. We have reviewed several types of medicated dog shampoo to bring you the best of the best here for your consideration.

Treatment of Parasites, Fungus & Mites

Starts with washing your dog with a good medicated dog shampoo. A good wash involves lathering your dog and leaving the shampoo on her for up to 10 minutes so that it kills the live parasite and their eggs. Rinse and dry your dog well afterward. In the case of fleas, you should comb your dog thoroughly after washing to remove any dead bugs or eggs.  Thoroughly clean the dog’s bedding, since mites can survive for a short period of time off the dog.

Image showing dog bath time

Based on the above conditions here are the 3 types of dog medicated shampoo we would recommend:

  1. Flea and Tick Shampoo – for treating serious itching and skin inflammation which could be caused by fleas and ticks.
  2. Medicated Anti-inch Shampoo – for treating itchy, flaking, and scaling skin.
  3. Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal Shampoo – for treating dermatitis, acne treatment, Pyoderma, yeast infection, ringworm treatment, and demodectic mange.

Tips For Keeping Your Dog Free of Parasites

  1. Check your dog regularly for mites or fleas, and treat them soonest possible.
  2. Hoover your furniture and upholstery regularly and thoroughly, as flea eggs laid in their thousands are able to survive for long periods in a warm environment.
  3. Wash your dog’s bedding and washable toys when dirty and regularly.
  4. Bring toys in from your garden overnight to keep them away from possible fleas-ridden pets.

Best Dog Shampoo For Itchy Skin

We have evaluated dozens of anti-itch dog shampoo in the market to bring you the best ones. If you want a good recommendation on the best dog shampoo for itchy skin, check out our reviews below.

Highlights:

  • GNC Pets Itch Relief Shampoo takes away discomfort caused by skin irritations and bring relief to itching, scratching, and redness
  • pH balanced formula with high-quality ingredients for conditioning your pup’s coat
  • Contains hydrocortisone to calm the irritated skin
  • Eucalyptus scent leaves your furry friend smelling fresh and clean
  • Made in the USA

Highlights:

  • Nootie’s Medicated Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo formula contains 1% Pramoxine HCL and 1% Lidocaine HCL plus calming colloidal oatmeal to help calm and soothe pain and itching caused by insect bites and other minor allergic problems
  • It helps to restore and relieve your dog’s dry skin from itching and scratching and leave his coat soft and shiny
  • Soap-free formula, and safe to use with topical flea & tick products
  • Made in the USA

Highlights:

  • TropiClean Medicated Dog Shampoo is formulated to effectively soothe dry, irritated and itchy skin
  • Contains natural salicylic acid to exfoliate and eliminate scaly skin and dandruff
  • Enriched with oatmeal, vitamin E, and tea tree oil to moisturize and condition your pup’s skin and coat, leaving a healthy and clean finish
  • Soap-free formula so you can routinely use it to bathe your dog without worry that it will interfere with any flea or tick spot treatments
  • Free of chemical dyes and parabens
  • Safe for pets above 12 weeks old
  • Made in the USA

Highlights:

  • Ark Naturals Neem Protect Shampoo, an environmentally friendly cleanser made from natural botanicals uses all-natural oil from Neem trees to naturally cleanse and moisturize your dog coat without stripping natural oils
  • Relieves itching due to fleas and ticks so your pup won’t scratch as much
  • Contains coconut oil to moisturize the coat, rid the skin of red spots and reduce dermatitis caused by insect bites
  • Doesn’t contain sodium laurel sulfate so your dog’s hair can retain all of its natural oils.
  • Ark Naturals makes grooming solutions that are eco-friendly, natural and safe to support cleaner coat, itch-free skin, and a sweet-smelling pup to cuddle
  • Made in the USA

Highlights:

  • Uniquely formulated to reduce itching caused by skin conditions and seasonal allergies
  • Made using a blend of natural ingredients and enriched with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Calendula Extract, Kava Extract, Chamomile, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, and Almond Oil to calm the itch of allergies, hot spots and dry skin while leaving your dog skin feeling rejuvenated and itch-free. 
  • This premium bathing solution also offers superior performance in deshedding, moisturizing and conditioning sensitive skin.
  • Gentle cleansing formula, safe for topical use on puppy above 6 weeks old
  • Free of chemical dyes and parabens
  • Made in the USA

Highlights:

  • Vet’s Best Allergy Itch Relief Dog Shampoo is designed to soothe sensitive skin and alleviate itchiness from allergies by washing away allergens
  • Veterinarian formulated with a blend of natural ingredients and essential oils like oatmeal, aloe, d-limonene, and tea tree oil.
  • Helps to calm itchy, red skin due to allergies from pollen, flea bites, and other seasonal irritants.
  • Moisturizes skin and soothes incessant itching
  • Safe to be used as often as necessary without drying skin and can be used with other topical flea control products.
  • Made in the USA

Arava Hot Spots & Itch Relief Dog Shampoo

Arava Medicated Dog Shampoo

Highlights:

  • This Dead Sea minerals enriched dog shampoo is made using a unique formula of anti-itch, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal botanical oils, and extracts to gently deep cleanse and beautify your dog’s coat
  • Helps heal hot spots, scrapes and abrasions
  • Designed to treat skin conditions like hot spots, skin infections, mange, and heal scrapes and abrasions
  • The silky, moisturizing formula is safe for puppies and dogs while leaving them with a nice fresh scent
  • High concentration of 28 active natural ingredients
  • Made in USA

Sulfodene Medicated Dog Shampoo & Conditioner For Anti-Itching & Flaking

Sulfodene Medicated dog shampoo

Highlights:

  • Medicated shampoo and conditioner for dogs
  • For fast relief of itching, flaking, and scaling skin
  • Clean and conditions skin and coat
  • Deodorises and gentle for regular use
  • Made in USA

Best Anti-Bacteria & Anti-Fungal
Medicated Dog Shampoo

We have evaluated dozens of anti-fungal dog shampoo in the market to bring you the best ones. If you want a good recommendation on the best medicated anti-fungal shampoo for your pups, check out our reviews below.

Highlights:

  • Antiseptic, anti-fungal shampoo with Chlorhexidine and Ketoconazole
  • Provides deep cleaning to your pup’s skin and coat while alleviating current skin problems and help preventing new ones by combatting harmful bacteria and yeasts
  • Soap-free, paraben-free skin-friendly formula to prevent skin irritation
  • Deodorize and relieve fungal and bacterial infections like ringworm, hot spots, acne, as well as insect bites
  • It also helps to support and speed up healing of the affected area
  • Cleans and leaves a shiny coat and healthier skin
  • Made in the USA

Highlights:

  • This is a cleansing and antiseptic shampoo formulated with Chlorhexidine (antiseptic) and Ketoconazole (anti-fungal) to treat your dog’s fungal and bacterial skin infection
  • It works to disrupt the colonization of micro-organisms on the skin, and delay irritation caused by topical bacteria or yeast
  • This medicated dog shampoo rinses easily, thanks to its low-lather formula  
  • Help fight bacterial and fungal infections while leaving your pup with a clean scent

Anti-yeast, bacteria and fungus treatment shampoo to eliminate odor & effectively treat skin issues.

PetHonesty’s Chlorhexidine Shampoo is great for cleansing, odor removal and an effective treatment for skin infections, wounds, hot spots, rashes, itchiness, and other skin issues.

Made with 2% Chlorhexidine and 1% Ketonazole to treat skin issues and infections, and the addition of aloe soothes the skin and leaves a refreshing scent. It has a light cucumber melon scent to eliminate odor associated with the bacteria and fungus.

This shampoo formulation is gentle but still strong enough to help relieve hot spots, rashes, itchy skin, and heals skin infections and wounds. 

Highlights:

  • Eliminates smelly odor
  • Heals skin infections & wounds
  • Alleviate rashes and hot spots
  • Reduce skin inflammation
  • Calm itchiness, redness and soothes irritation brought on by infections, rashes, wounds, hot spots and bug bites with aloe vera

Dechra Medicated Dog Shampoo

Dechra Medicated Dog shampoo

Highlights:

  • Treats topical fungal and bacterial skin infections
  • Anti-microbial, anti-fungal and moisturizing shampoo 
  • Ceramides as active ingredient helps in moisturising and restoring dry, damaged skin
  • Made in USA

Arava Natural Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal

Arava Medicated Dog Shampoo

Highlights:

  • Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-yeast, anti-itch medicated dog shampoo
  • Helps heal hot spots, scales  and abrasions 
  • Deep cleanse keeping skin folds cleaner and healthier
  • 28 natural ingredients
  • Made in USA

Bexley Labs Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal

Bexley Labs Antifungal shampoo for dogs

Highlights:

  • Effective anti-yeast, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal medicated shampoo
  • Eliminates yeast, bacteria, fungus, ringworm, pyoderma
  • Paraben and soap free
  • Deodorizes with pleasant cucumber melon scent
  • Made in USA

Best Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs

We have evaluated dozens of flea and tick dog shampoo in the market to bring you the best ones. If you want a good recommendation on the best medicated dog shampoo for flea and tick, check out our reviews below.

Hartz Dog Flea & Tick Shampoo

Hartz medicated dog shampoo

Highlights:

  • Triple active formula that kills fleas, ticks and flea eggs for up to 30 days  
  • For use on dogs or puppies 12 weeks and older
  • Rich conditioning formula that conditions your dog’s coat and restore its shine.
  • Made in USA

Highlights:

  • Formulated to effectively kill flea eggs, adult fleas, ticks and lice
  • Contains Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) that kill and prevent flea re-infestation
  • Perfect for dogs with sensitive skin, thanks to its soothing ingredients like aloe, coconut extract, oatmeal, and lanolin that help condition your dog’s skin and coat while leaving a fresh, pleasant scent
  • Safe for use on all dogs including puppies of 12 weeks of age & older
Highlights:
  • Advanced Strength flea and tick shampoo for dogs and puppies 12 weeks or older
  • 2x Flea Killing Effectiveness – Kills fleas, flea larva, flea eggs, and ticks on contact and cleans and deodorizes your dog’s coat
  • Gentle on Skin – Does not contain harsh chemicals  but rather 100% natural essential oils and plant-based ingredients
  • No added fragrance or colors –  Natural rosemary and peppermint scent that is easy to lather & rinse.
  • Made in the USA

Highlights:

  • Formulated using natural botanical extracts like cedar oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil to fleas and ticks on contact 
  • Enriched with Oatmeal to nourish, moisture, and revitalize your pup’s dry coat and leave the coat smooth and soft
  • 100% safe and non-toxic, suitable for dogs of all ages including puppies
  • Provides lasting and effective protection against fleas for up to 7 days
  • Made in the USA

Highlights:

  • TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo Plus Soothing  kills fleas, ticks, larvae, eggs by contact with natural pest-fighting ingredients like lemongrass oil, cinnamon oil, and cedarwood oils
  • Enriched with Cocoa Butter to help soothe irritated skin.
  • Has 5 Natural Essential Oils – Clove oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil and sesame seed oil for long lasting pest-fighting effects and a pleasant citrus smell. 
  • Repels pests from your furry pal for up to 7 days

Medical Dog Shampoo FAQs

There is no one best medicated dog shampoo as it all depends on the skin irritation and conditions of your dog.  For mild skin conditions, a more generic medicated dog shampoo can be used. For specific conditions, you might have to choose flea & tick shampoo or the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal shampoo.

Do read the ‘Directions for Use’ with the specific medicated shampoo in use.  Normally, you can bathe your dog 2 to 3 times a week for a start, reducing to once a week.  Advice can be obtained from your veterinarian too.

Dogs feel good after a bath and often start running around.  Some of the reasons are that dogs are releasing their pent up energy after a bath, they are expressing relief that the bath is over, and these running can help to dry them off.  You will see this zooming around happily which we often called this condition as Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAP).

A high quality flea  & tick shampoo can kill fleas, ticks, flea eggs, flea larvae and lice.  These often include a insect growth regulator that kill and prevent flea development for up to 28 days. Do treat infested areas as soon as you notice a problem to stop the flea life cycle.

Fungal infections commonly affecting dogs are ringworm and yeast infection.  Ringworms can caused itching, flaky skin and hair loss. Yeast infection also caused abnormal excessive itching and scratching.  Fungal infections need to be treated quickly to prevent the infection going in the deeper layers or structure of the body.  Consult your vet to determine the dog fungal infection is recommended.  In addition, anti-bacterial anti-fungal dog shampoo can helps to kill yeast and fungus associated with these skin conditions.

Conclusion

You love your dog and don’t wish your dog to suffer from any bacteria infection, fungal infection, fleas and ticks symptoms. Wash away your dog’s discomfort by using suitable medicated shampoos as shared above and what you get is a rejuvenated, refreshed, revitalised healthy dog!

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