10 Best Antibacterial Shampoos for Dogs

It’s common for dogs to suffer from skin infections, especially for those that like to roll around in the dirt and have some fun. If that’s Fido, then you might consider buying an antibacterial shampoo for dogs.

If a dog is suffering from a bacterial infection, you’ll see a host of symptoms. These include agitation, itching, hot spots, dry skin, skin biting, and pawing on the ears. To help with that, you should certainly invest in a nice dog antibacterial shampoo.

However, buying a medicated dog shampoo isn’t as simple as you’d think. There are lots of factors to consider and ingredients to ponder upon. Great for you… we’ve already done most of the legwork and compiled a list of the best antibacterial shampoos for dogs.

10 Best Antibacterial Shampoos for Dogs

So till now, we’ve talked all about antibacterial shampoos and how to choose them. But that’s not why you were here, right? You want a list to choose from. So, without further ado, here are the best antibacterial dog shampoos.

Our Best Pick:

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Our best pick among all the products below is Truseb Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Shampoo. Its affordable price, effective antibacterial properties, and antifungal benefits brought this product to our top spot. Here are the rest of the list and their pros and cons. 

1. DERMagic Shampoo Bar

Now, this is something you don’t get to see every day. DERMagic made this shampoo in the form of a solid bar. Now, how does that help? For starters, you don’t have problems shampooing hard-to-reach places. All you need to do is scrub the dog and lather him up. Also, you don’t have to worry about the amount of shampoo to use.

This formula is particularly effective against hot spots. Why, you ask? Well, that’s because they use Bentonite Clay in their formula which is a known detoxifying agent. People have used this clay for centuries as a natural remedy and many pieces of research have proved its efficacy as well.

There’s a lot to love in this antibacterial dog shampoo. However, what catches my eye, in particular, is the use of natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Even for perfume, they’ve used essential oils and have kept the formula free from artificial scents. Another important point they make about this shampoo bar is that dogs groom themselves by licking. So, you would want to use a shampoo that includes natural and healthy ingredients like this one.

Customers, in particular, are raving about how pleasant this shampoo smells and its soothing properties.

#dermagicpetproducts hashtag on Instagram • Photos and videos

2. Curaseb Antifungal & Antibacterial Chlorhexidine Shampoo

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The Curaseb Chlorhexidine Shampoo by Bexley Labs is one of the top choices in the industry. Even though Bexley Labs isn’t a big name, its quality is certainly comparable to the giants in the pet industry. This shampoo is not just useful for killing bacteria, but fungi as well. It’s specifically useful for dogs that suffer from ringworm. Along with that, it has a refreshing smell as well. This is handy when your dog gets a foul odor due to bacteria.

There are lots of things to love in Curaseb. However, what I like the most is how they provide premium quality at an affordable price. They even mention that on their product listing. Also, this antibacterial shampoo for dogs comes with an irresistible guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the product, then you can simply return it for a full refund! Even if the bottle is empty… they’re happy to give you your money back. That’s some crazy product confidence right there. What’s even great is that this shampoo often starts showing results within a week.

With that said, some customers found that the label bleeds ink when it gets wet. However, it’s not that big of a deal if the product works fine.

Curaseb | Dog & Cat Health (@curaseb) • Instagram photos and videos

3. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Medicated Shampoo for Dogs

This veterinary formula contains lots of useful ingredients like Sulfur, coal tar, and salicylic acid. These ingredients are useful for dry, scaly skin in dogs. Also, this formula contains soothing agents like allantoin and oatmeal which can reduce skin irritation and redness. Since this is an antiseborrheic shampoo, it helps against dog dandruff as well. The manufacturer recommends that you use this shampoo 2-3 times a week initially. Once your dog gets a bit better, you can transition to once a week. The initial intensity helps dogs heal faster.

If you think that’s great, then hear me out. This vet-recommended dog shampoo includes no dyes, soap, or paraben. These qualities make it a great shampoo for dogs that are suffering from bacterial infections. Also, the pH balance in this shampoo is perfect for dogs. This is vital for all types of dog shampoos.

Make sure you let the shampoo sit for the recommended amount of time. That waiting time is important for the shampoo to show its complete efficacy.

4. Truseb Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Dog Shampoo

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When it comes to skin infections, Truseb is a major competitor of Curaseb, our number one product on this list. Pet Health Pharma has added Chlorhexidine Gluconate in this shampoo. This makes it great for a host of dog skin problems. It’s also useful for cuts and bug bites along with dog dandruff. Not to mention, this shampoo comes highly recommended for ringworm as well. With such antibacterial and antifungal properties, it’s naturally great at reducing odor due to infections.

If you’re anything like me, then you’d be scared of trying dog shampoos that aren’t made in the USA. However, that’s totally not a problem with Truseb. The manufacturer, Pet Health Pharma, makes this medicated shampoo in an NASC-inspected facility in the USA. That, in itself, speaks volumes for the quality of this shampoo. If your dog is allergic and frequently runs into skin problems, then this shampoo is the way to go.

5. Earthbath Natural Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo

If you’re an eco-friendly person who cares about the environment, then Earthbath’s All-Natural Shampoo is for you. It’s completely natural and biodegradable as well. This means you can keep your dog itch-free and save the world… all at the same time. What’s more, this dog shampoo is soap-free which is great for your pet’s health. The Earthbath Natural Pet Shampoo is one of the mild options in the market. That’s why a lot of pet owners go to this option to treat everyday rashes and irritations.

Since this one’s “all-natural” the ingredients used in it are safer than chemicals. On top of the list, we have Tea Tree Oil along with other useful soothing agents like Aloe Vera. Ingredients like these are what contribute to the soothing ability of this shampoo. Customers just can’t get their hands off of their furballs after using this shampoo. However, this one doesn’t have that much of a long-lasting scent.

6. Dechra Miconahex & Triz Pet Shampoo

Dechra uses ceramides for skin moisturizing and repairing. A 2003 research proved how important ceramides are for skin function. What’s interesting about this shampoo is that it keeps soothing and repairing the skin, even after rinsing. With chlorhexidine, trizEDTA, and miconazole, it’s great for skin infections involving both bacteria and fungi.

Even though we’re reviewing antibacterial shampoos, this one’s especially known for its antifungal properties. If your dog licks or bites itself excessively, then this is the shampoo you need to go with. Unlike many other antibacterial shampoos for dogs, this one shows results right after the first wash.

7. PetMD Antiseptic & Antifungal Medicated Dog Shampoo

PetMD is one of the biggest online presences in the pet world. So, as a dog owner, you can rest assured that their product is worth its name. It’s made in the USA and in small quantities so that only fresh batches reach dog lovers. By using this formula, you can easily kill most of the bacteria and fungi that cause skin infections. It’s also great for soothing and moisturizing skin. If you skim through its ingredients, you’ll find chlorhexidine and Ketoconazole, both of which are fantastic against skin infections.

From what customers have to say, this is one of the fastest products in the market. So much so, that many consumers found their dog’s allergies healing within a week. However, it seems as if this might not be the best choice for white dogs. The color in this shampoo seems to leave a slight pink tinge. This isn’t even noticeable for dogs with colored coats. But we can’t say the same for a white pooch.

8. Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo

This natural formula uses organic coconut which is fantastic for dog skin. Coconut is especially useful for soothing skin and so it reduces itching to a great extent. Not to mention, research suggests that coconut oil is also great for healing skin wounds. With that said, this formula is tear-free and very gentle on the skin and eyes. As for its scent, it uses chamomile extract combined with green apple. Needless to say, both these scents are a perfect match. As if that wasn’t enough, the manufacturer throws in a 100% money-back guarantee for unsatisfied customers. What more could you ask for?

While making this product, Friends Forever used a number of natural ingredients like Lavender, Tea Tree Oil, and Flax Seed Oil. Don’t forget to top that off with the satisfaction that this shampoo is completely formulated in the USA. Customers have particularly appreciated how simple this product’s ingredients are. Yet, they’re as powerful as any medicated dog shampoo out there.

9. 4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo

Hunting for organic, itch-relief dog shampoo for your sensitive pet? Take delight in the benefits 4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo offers! This hypoallergenic wash is suitable for sensitive dogs who react to many chemical-based products. It contains coconut oil that offers anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Additionally, it also has aloe vera and lemongrass to soothe your dog’s skin. On top of that, this non-toxic dog shampoo is free from harmful ingredients and artificial thickeners. 

4Legger Organic Dog Shampoo is also a great option for environment-conscious dog owners. This product is sourced naturally and organically so it’s not harmful to the planet. In fact, the company has won the EcoExcellence Award thrice already. However, this product can leave an oily or waxy coating on the dog’s fur after use. This may easily mix up with dander. The product has a lemongrass scent which may not be appealing to everyone. 

4-Legger Organic Dog Products (@4leggerz) • Instagram photos and videos

10. SensoVet Anti-Fungal & Anti-Bacterial Medicated Shampoo for Dogs & Cats

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Treat skin infections with ease at home using SensoVet Anti-Fungal and Anti-bacterial Medicated Shampoo. This antiseptic product boasts both anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Also, it contains 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 1% ketoconazole. It offers fast relief to itching from allergies, irritation, and infection. It also deeply cleans killing any bacteria on the surface. Aside from deodorizing, it also helps restore the shine on your pet’s coat. This dog shampoo is effective in treating skin issues due to ringworms, yeast, hotspots, and acne. 

Since this shampoo is medicated, you’ll need to take precautions if you are using other products such as anti-flea treatments. Read instructions carefully to avoid side effects from product reactions. Also, the chemicals in this shampoo may irritate open wounds. It is also best to test a tiny amount first to check if your dog is allergic before using it on its whole body. 

SensoVet (@sensovet_usa) • Instagram photos and videos

What is an Antibacterial Dog Shampoo?

Antibacterial dog shampoos are a special type of shampoos containing antibacterial properties. As a result, they kill bacteria that have infected your dog’s skin. You might’ve guessed by now that these shampoos are medicated. And as always, before medication, you need to fully understand what your dog is suffering from.

Generally, I’d advise you to always consult your vet before buying a medicated shampoo. After a thorough examination, your vet would be able to tell what sort of bacteria are attacking your dog. With that information, you can make a much better decision. Your vet might also warn you against certain ingredients in these shampoos that can help you avoid a major health compromise.

Antibacterial vs Antifungal Dog Shampoo

I’ll try keeping this simple. Antibacterial shampoos are used for bacterial infections while antifungal is used for fungal attacks. Since the parasite in both cases is different, the ingredients and medication vary as well.

Ringworm disease is a common type of fungal infection in dogs. Dogs that suffer from this disease get small lesions on their bodies. These are red but aren’t necessarily itchy. You might even see some bald spots on your dog’s skin. In such a disease, it’s common for vets to prescribe an antifungal dog shampoo.

On the other hand, your dog can suffer from bacterial infections due to extra moisture, skin folds, or sweating. So, your dog’s surroundings certainly play a vital role here. At times, the existing bacteria in your dog’s body (that are beneficial otherwise) can turn against Fido if they multiply at a rapid rate. A bacterial infection in dogs may also occur due to an allergy or hormonal imbalance.

It’s safe to say that the symptoms for each infection vary. However, the basic difference between antibacterial and antifungal dog shampoos is the type of parasites they kill.

When to use Antibacterial Shampoos for Dogs

Well, to understand their usage, you need to know that there are two types of antibacterial shampoos for dogs.

1. On one hand, there are the ones that you can buy over the counter without a prescription. Although you shouldn’t buy them without need, yet their ingredients don’t pose that much of a risk if misused.
2. On the other hand, you also have medicated shampoos that you can only purchase with a prescription.

So, when to use antibacterial shampoos really boils down to what type of shampoo you’re buying. Regardless, I always suggest paying the vet a visit so he can properly diagnose your dog. If the vet does believe that your dog has an antibacterial infection, then he might suggest that you buy a medicated shampoo as well. At times, they can also suggest soothing lotions that reduce itching and agitation for your dog.

Here are some common symptoms of bacterial skin infections in dogs:

• Itching
• Licking
• Redness
• Skin biting
• Pawing on the ears
• Foul-smelling discharge from ears
• Dry and scaly skin
• Dandruff

If your vet sees one or more of these symptoms, then he’d probably direct you towards treatment and a medicated shampoo.

How to Choose the Right Antibacterial Shampoo for Dogs

With antibacterial dog shampoos, there are lots of technicalities involved. A layman would certainly find it hard to understand the active ingredients in these shampoos. And even if he does, there’s no way he can tell if it’s useful in his dog’s case.

But in this section, we’ll try making things a bit easier for you and explaining how you can choose the right antibacterial shampoo for your dog.

Ingredients to avoid

This is a given. But the thing is, most people don’t know what to check when skimming through the ingredients. Generally, you’d want to avoid ingredients that irritate the skin. These include soap, fragrances, and paraben. Now, I’m not saying these are definite irritants for dogs. But for sensitive ones, these ingredients can be a handful.

WashBar‘s bar soap for dogs is a natural grooming product that is revolutionary in its form factor and composition. It is very much safe for dogs thanks to using essential oils such as Neem and Coconut oils. We even spoke with WashBar to confirm that it is usable for dogs with skin conditions (always double-check with your vet). Each WashBar is equivalent to 20fl.oz. of liquid shampoo so it’s an economical move.

Beneficial ingredients

Now, this is where things get tough. Generally speaking, there are two types of antibacterial dog shampoos.

The first type is medicated. In this type of shampoos, you’re looking for ingredients like:

• chlorhexidine,
• salicylic acid,
• coal tar,
• miconazole, and
• trizEDTA.

The second type includes natural dog shampoos with antibacterial properties. In these formulas, you’ll find ingredients such as:

• tea tree oil,
• coconut oil,
• oatmeal,
• essential oils, and
• aloe vera.

Know your dog’s allergies

This is important. You might be using shampoo to reduce allergic symptoms in your dog without knowing that the shampoo is aggravating them. There are some ingredients in shampoos that can cause allergic reactions in dogs.

For example, thousands of dogs are allergic to grains. But despite that, many shampoos use oatmeal as a natural soothing agent. There’s no doubt in my mind about the effectiveness of oatmeal for soothing. However, if your dog is allergic to grains, then there’s nothing worse for him.

Directions of use

Before you start using antibacterial dog shampoo, you’ll need to understand its directions of use. You see, some manufacturers recommend their shampoo to be used once a week. Others might recommend a fortnightly use. Suffice to say the strength of these formulas would vary.

So, it’s never a smart choice to go against the directions of use of the manufacturer. Ideally, you’d want to stick with exactly what the manufacturer suggests.

How to Bathe a Dog With a Medicated Shampoo

After choosing the best dog shampoo, the next step you’ll need to learn is its correct application. Using shampoo on your dog may sound easy. However, because these products are medicated, their usage may differ from normal dog shampoos. So, how should you bathe a dog using a medicated shampoo? Let’s find out.

You can bathe your dog in your bathtub, like most dog owners do. However, you may also choose to bathe outdoors when the weather is good so you have more space. For small breeds, you may opt to bathe them in the sink. Keep your dry towels ready wherever you decide to bathe your dog. 

Here are the simple steps in bathing your dog with medicated shampoo: 

• First, thoroughly wet your dog’s fur with warm water. Rinse hard-to-reach areas to make sure they are clean.
• If your dog is dirty, clean him with a normal shampoo first. It’s vital to rinse off any mud or dirt from your dog’s skin before applying the medicated shampoo. Additionally, medicated shampoos may not have the same cleansing properties as over-the-counter dog shampoo brands.
• Rinse the normal shampoo off your dog’s fur. 
• Start applying the medicated shampoo beginning with more severely affected or difficult-to-reach areas like the paws, groins, and armpits. Then continue to apply it to the rest of the body. 
• After covering your dog’s coat completely with the medicated shampoo, leave it on for 10 minutes. However, this may vary depending on the product or the advice of your vet. Use a timer and make sure to follow the exact minutes needed. Leaving it on for too long may irritate your dog’s skin. 
• Rinse the product completely. Wipe your dog’s body with a dry towel. 

After bathing your dog, you may notice his skin getting pink or red than usual. This may be normal due to the increase in skin circulation. However, if the change in your dog’s skin color lasts for a few hours or days, it may be an allergic reaction. Contact your vet immediately. On the other hand, you may notice relief and visible improvement in your dog’s condition after a few baths. 

Antibacterial Dog Shampoos: FAQ

So, in this article, we covered everything about dog shampoos with antibacterial properties. We discussed what makes a good antibacterial shampoo and provided you with a list of some of the best in the market.

However, our discussion was by no means exhaustive. And so, I believe there still might be some questions popping in your head. This section is specifically devoted to those questions.

It pains to see your dog itch and scratch his skin endlessly. With the range of products above, you can now choose the perfect solution to your dog’s skin ailments. However, if you are still unsure, it is still best to seek advice from your vet. Especially if the symptoms still persist or worsen even after trying different products.