Most of the time, our stinky dogs just need a good bath. Sometimes, however, they have a skin problem and need something a bit stronger than your typical doggy shampoo. Many different things can cause a dog’s skin to become itchy, inflamed, red, or sore, including bacterial or fungal infections, parasites like fleas or mites, and allergies. Unusual conditions like lupus or pemphigus can also present with raw, scabbing lesions, and these require aggressive immunotherapeutic treatment.

The only way to know for sure what is causing your dog’s skin problems is to visit your vet. Sometimes, they will need to look at samples under a microscope or take biopsies. Other times, they will prescribe antibiotics or recommend a medicated shampoo. Be aware that if an infection is quite deep or severe, shampoo may not be enough to treat it alone, but it can at least remove microbes from the surface and help manage or treat milder infections.

So, if you find yourself in need of a good-quality antibacterial and antifungal dog shampoo, we have a list of the best products available on the market. Read on to learn everything that you need to know to make an informed decision on which shampoo you should buy—taking your vet’s advice into account, of course.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Antibacterial and Antifungal Dog Shampoos

1. Pet MD Micoseb-CX Anti-fungal Medicated Pet Shampoo — Best Overall

Having a combination of powerful ingredients, Pet MD Micoseb-CX Anti-fungal Medicated Pet Shampoo is well-priced, is safe for use on puppies, kittens, and horses, and provides relief from a wide range of skin complaints, including hot spots, yeast, ringworm, and mange.

Miconazole is a particularly potent antifungal against Microsporum canis (ringworm), and Malassezia pachydermatis, the most common yeast problem seen in dogs. The fragrance-free, aloe-infused formula means it is less likely to irritate even the most sensitive skin and helps tackle greasiness, scaly skin, odor, and hair loss.

It wins our vote for best overall antibacterial and antifungal dog shampoo because it provides soothing relief to the issues commonly seen in dogs with allergic skin disease, yeast overgrowth, and pyoderma, and it is safe to use in puppies and kittens.

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2. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo — Best Value

When it comes to budget-friendly options, Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo is the best antiseptic and antifungal dog shampoo for the money. The formula works quickly to soothe redness and dryness within 5 to 10 minutes of use. It’s pH-balanced and doesn’t contain any parabens, dyes, or soap, and it doesn’t interfere with topical flea and tick treatments.

The formula also contains moisturizing ingredients, like aloe vera and lanolin, to prevent drying out the skin and causing further skin irritation. However, even though the formula is gentle on the skin, it’s not made for puppies under 12 weeks old. So, it’s more suitable for adult dogs.

Unlike many other antiseptic shampoos, this one doesn’t use chlorhexidine, which is a huge selling point for people or dogs that are sensitive to this particular ingredient.

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3. PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Cleansing & Odor Remover Dog Shampoo — Best Ethical Company

PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Cleansing & Odor Remover Dog Shampoo uses a powerful and effective combination of chlorhexidine, ketoconazole, and aloe vera to treat bacterial and fungal infections and heal the skin and coat. It can also be used to treat hot spots, minor skin wounds, and bug bites. Your dog will feel alleviation from itchiness and skin inflammation, and the formula is designed to be gentle on sensitive skin.

The Pet Honesty brand is a veteran- and family-owned small business that cares for dogs and offers support for adults with learning disabilities and those who suffer from PTSD. Plus, a portion of its profits go to no-kill animal shelters.

While this shampoo has a nice cucumber melon scent, it doesn’t work exceptionally well with deodorizing odors for long. It also doesn’t lather easily, so it can be difficult working it through your dog’s coat.

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4. Douxo S3 PYO Antiseptic Antifungal Chlorhexidine Dog & Cat Shampoo — Premium Choice

Douxo S3 PYO Antiseptic Antifungal Chlorhexidine Dog & Cat Shampoo is a high-quality medicated shampoo that’s free of parabens, dyes, and nanoparticles. It’s made without any soaps or sulfates and uses natural ingredients to treat skin infections and inflammatory dermatological diseases. It also works to soothe, clean, and strengthen the barrier of the skin, and it has moisturizing ingredients that nourish the skin and help detangle the coat.

Another great thing about this shampoo is that it has a hypoallergenic fragrance, so your dog’s coat will smell fresh and clean without irritating their nose. It also lathers well, making it easy to work through the coat. The only downside is the shampoo pump design. The plastic isn’t that durable and tends to break easily.

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5. Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Medicated Shampoo Antibacterial & Antifungal Medicated Dog & Cat Shampoo

Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Medicated Shampoo Antibacterial & Antifungal Medicated Dog & Cat Shampoo works exceptionally well for dogs with dry and itchy skin. It promotes overall skin and coat health and has ingredients that help soothe and nourish skin affected by dermatitis and hot spots. It also contains ingredients to help deodorize scents, but the fragrance can be a bit overpowering for some dogs and humans.

The shampoo itself lathers nicely and is easy to incorporate into your dog’s coat. It also rinses well and helps minimize the amount of time your dog spends in the bathtub.

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6. KetoChlor Medicated Shampoo for Dogs & Cats

KetoChlor Medicated Shampoo for Dogs & Cats is an effective medicated shampoo that contains chlorhexidine gluconate and ketoconazole to treat bacterial and fungal infections. These active ingredients work to disrupt the colonization cycles of microorganisms on the skin and help alleviate some skin irritation.

The formula is safe for both dogs and cats, and it doesn’t have any age restrictions, so it’s a good option for young puppies and multi-pet homes. It’s also intentionally made to have a low-lather composition so it’s easy to rinse off, and your pet will be left with a refreshing and sweet mountain flower scent.

As with most medicated shampoos, this one can irritate the eyes, so it’s important to be careful when using it around your pup’s face.

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7. Pet MD Antiseptic & Antifungal Medicated Dog, Cat & Horse Shampoo

Pet MD Antiseptic & Antifungal Medicated Dog, Cat & Horse Shampoo is formulated to treat a variety of bacterial and fungal infections, including acne, hot spots, and ringworm. It can also help soothe insect bites and protect minor wounds from bacterial infections.

The formula is gentle on the skin and is free of parabens and soaps, which lowers the risk of skin irritation. It also has a deodorizing component to neutralize odors from fungal infections. The active ingredients work together to treat skin infections and prevent them from reappearing.

Keep in mind that this shampoo is not intended for puppies younger than 12 weeks old and is better suited for adult dogs.

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8. Alpha Paw Antibacterial & Antifungal Medicated Dog & Cat Shampoo

Alpha Paw Antibacterial & Antifungal Medicated Dog & Cat Shampoo is effective in treating ringworm, mange, pyoderma, and other skin conditions caused by bacterial and fungal infections. It has a light, gentle scent and components that work to deodorize normal dog odors and smells caused by fungal infections. The formula also includes aloe to help the skin stay moisturized between baths and reduce redness and itchiness.

The shampoo doesn’t have harsh chemicals, parabens, sulfate, or soap. It’s also safe to use on cats and horses. Overall, it’s a versatile medicated shampoo. Its only shortcoming is that it’s usually priced on the more expensive side.

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9. Davis Maximum Chlorhexidine Dog & Cat Shampoo

Davis Maximum Chlorhexidine Dog & Cat Shampoo is designed for dogs with particularly stubborn skin conditions. The main ingredient is chlorhexidine in a 4% concentration, which is the highest on this list. Even as it eliminates the microorganisms causing the skin issues, the moisturizing ingredients minimize skin irritation. It’s also suitable for puppies, cats, and kittens.

Besides treating bacterial and fungal infections, it works well in providing relief for allergies and hot spots. The shampoo also works fast and reduces the amount of time that your dog needs to stay in the bathtub. Most medicated shampoos state that the product must stay on the coat for 10 minutes before being rinsed off. This Davis shampoo only needs to remain for 5 minutes, so it’s great for impatient dogs (and owners). That said, you’ll need to work in stages, doing your pup’s head and ears first, then their body and tail, and finally, their legs, so the whole process can still take a while.

This product has a nondescript yet pleasant fragrance, but odor control isn’t one of its primary features. Also, the bottle may get damaged and leak during shipping.

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10. Richard’s Organics Anti-bacterial Shampoo

Richard’s Organics Anti-bacterial Shampoo is a safe choice for puppies that are over 8 weeks old. This shampoo contains many beneficial natural ingredients like tea tree oil, which contains antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can also help reduce odors caused by fungal infections, and it contains gentle coconut oil-based cleansers to nourish the skin and help keep it moisturized.

This shampoo doesn’t interfere with topical flea and tick medication. It also has minimal ingredients and may be a gentler option for dogs with allergies or extra-sensitive skin. It has a mild, non-irritating fragrance. However, it doesn’t do the best job of keeping dogs smelling clean for a long period of time.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Antibacterial and Antifungal Dog Shampoo

It’s important to consult your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog has a skin infection. They can diagnose your pet and give you recommendations as to the best treatment option. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind while you shop for antibacterial and antifungal shampoo if that is what your vet recommends.

There are many options when it comes to shopping for antibacterial and antifungal dog shampoos. Some brands make bold claims, but it’s important to remember that there’s really no silver bullet for treating skin infections, especially if you don’t know what you’re treating. It usually takes weeks of consistent applications to see major improvements.

Here are key features to look for when shopping for a new dog shampoo.

Active Ingredients

Most antibacterial and antifungal shampoos will use chlorhexidine gluconate and ketoconazole as their active ingredients. Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antimicrobial, and ketoconazole is a common antifungal medicine, with miconazole seen less often. These ingredients work to destroy microorganisms and disrupt their colonizing cycles, but they only work if you apply them consistently to your dog’s coat. Most shampoos recommend being used about two to three times a week for 4 weeks.

Some dogs (and humans) are allergic to chlorhexidine, so if you or your pet develop a skin irritation after using any products that contain it, you should switch to one without chlorhexidine.

Sensitive Skin Formula

Since your dog’s skin is already irritated from an infection, it’s important to find shampoos formulated for dogs with sensitive skin. You can find some shampoos that have pH-balanced formulas to prevent exacerbating itchiness and inflammation. It’s also helpful to check the label and make sure the shampoo is free of parabens and harsh chemicals. Try to look for products that don’t contain too many ingredients to reduce the risk of causing further irritation to your dog’s skin.

Deodorizing Ingredients

Skin infections can give off odors separate from normal dog smells, so you can find antibacterial and antifungal shampoos that contain deodorizing ingredients. These will specifically target smells triggered by microorganisms. However, just keep in mind that since you’ll most likely be bathing your dog every 2–3 days, long-lasting odor control isn’t the highest priority. You should also see a reduction in odor as time passes and your dog’s skin heals from the infection.

Conclusion

We selected Pet MD Micoseb-CX Anti-Fungal Medicated Pet Shampoo as the best option out of these reviews. It has a formula that’s tough on microorganisms but gentle on the skin, and it’s safe for dogs of all ages. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo is the best budget option because it doesn’t sacrifice quality for affordability. If you want to splurge on your dog and give them a luxurious spa experience, Douxo S3 PYO Antiseptic Antifungal Chlorhexidine Dog & Cat Shampoo is an excellent choice. If you are looking for a product that rates highly on an ethical scale, PetHonesty Chlorhexidine Antibacterial Cleansing & Odor Remover Dog Shampoo is a great option.

All these shampoos are worth trying out for dogs with skin infections. Be sure to consult with your vet about any product you choose, though, to make sure it’s going to be effective.

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Featured Image By: Dikushin Dmitry, Shutterstock