Dog mx hot spot and anti itch shampoo

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Dog baths provide many benefits, including removing dirt and grime, eliminating odors, and creating special human-animal bonding time. Baths can also treat skin problems from allergies and infections and provide much-needed relief from skin irritation.

Medicated dog shampoo can help provide relief quickly and effectively. This type of shampoo is specially formulated with active ingredients like antibacterial agents to treat common skin conditions. Depending on the type and severity of skin problem, you can use these shampoos either alone or in addition to veterinarian-prescribed medications.

As a veterinarian, I understand the complexities of skin conditions in dogs. They can be challenging to diagnose and treat, in part because the skin's reactions (redness, itching, flaking) are similar across allergies and infections. There are also many medicated dog shampoos on the market, making it daunting to sift through all the options.

For this guide to the best medicated dog shampoos, we evaluated 15 products, according to our veterinarian-informed selection criteria. 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. 

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Best medicated dog shampoo overall: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo, $8.96 on Chewy
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo is a mild-scented shampoo that treats various skin problems while hydrating and healing the skin.

Best dog shampoo for bacterial infections: Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Shampoo, $9.85 on Chewy
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Shampoo quickly treats bacterial and fungal skin infections and soothes the skin with natural aloe vera and lanolin.

Best antifungal shampoo for dogs: Pet MD Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Pet Shampoo, $17.99 on Chewy
Pet MD Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Pet Shampoo effectively treats fungal and bacterial skin infections and provides healing for dry skin and minor skin injuries.

Best flea and tick shampoo for dogs: Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies, $9.99 on Chewy
Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies contains powerful ingredients to kill adult fleas and ticks while being gentle enough to clean, deodorize, and soothe itchy and irritated skin.

Best dog shampoo for skin allergies: 4-Legger Organic, Hypoallergenic, Lemongrass & Aloe Dog Shampoo, $16.98 on Chewy
4-Legger Organic, Hypoallergenic, Lemongrass and Aloe Dog Shampoo uses all-natural ingredients to clean, moisturize, and condition the red, itchy skin of dogs with skin allergies.

Best medicated dog shampoo overall

Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo is a mild-scented shampoo that treats various skin problems while hydrating and healing the skin.

Pros: Free of soap, treats multiple skin conditions, safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age, does not remove topical flea and tick treatments

Cons: Salicylic acid may dry out the skin

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 Joya Griffin, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist 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. The 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's symptoms. "Shampoos that contain sulfur or salicylic acid can be used for seborrheic conditions," says Griffin. However, she adds, "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 topical flea and tick treatments.

Best dog shampoo for bacterial infections

Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Shampoo quickly treats bacterial and fungal skin infections and soothes the skin with natural aloe vera and lanolin.

Pros: Free of soap, treats multiple types of skin infections, reduces itching and flaking, soothes and heals the skin, safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age, does not remove topical flea and tick treatments, mild scent

Cons: Lather is not thick

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 ketaconazole 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 oz.

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 dog shampoo for fungal infections

Pet MD Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Pet Shampoo effectively treats fungal and bacterial skin infections and provides healing for dry skin and minor skin injuries.

Pros: Contains ketoconazole to treat fungal infections, contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera to soothe and moisturize the skin, safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age, helps heal minor skin injuries, light mint scent

Cons: May discolor white fur

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 Antiseptic and Antifungal 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 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 shampoo for dogs

Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies contains powerful ingredients to kill adult fleas and ticks while being gentle enough to clean, deodorize, and soothe itchy and irritated skin.

Pros: Contains permethrin to kill adult fleas and ticks, oatmeal soothes irritated skin, safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age, lathers well

Cons: May not work for as long as the product label indicates (10 days), scent may not last long

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. Price, a shelter veterinarian and spay/neuter surgeon, 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. Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies earned our top spot for this category, with its quick pest-killing activity, natural oatmeal to heal irritated and itchy skin, and a pleasant ginger scent.

The shampoo contains permethrin to kill adult fleas and ticks, including deer ticks. "Permethrin is a good ingredient to look for in flea and tick shampoos," says Price. Unlike pyrethrin, which also kills fleas and ticks, permethrin is safe to use in households with cats (pyrethrin is toxic to cats). This shampoo has some residual activity—up to 10 days—but you should not rely  upon this activity as a sole source of prevention.

Safe for puppies at least 12 weeks of age, the shampoo lathers well and leaves a dog's coat feeling soft after a bath.

Best dog shampoo for skin allergies

4-Legger Organic, Hypoallergenic, Lemongrass and Aloe Dog Shampoo uses all-natural ingredients to clean, moisturize, and condition the red, itchy skin of dogs with skin allergies.

Pros: Free of synthetic ingredients, lemongrass has antimicrobial activity, does not remove topical flea and tick treatments, safe for puppies and adult dogs, USDA-certified organic, biodegradable, cruelty free, sustainably sourced

Cons: More expensive than other dog shampoos for skin allergies, may feel sticky and leave a residue

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 that 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.

Our medicated dog shampoo research methodology

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 rated 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 through 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 rated highly if their active ingredients were veterinarian-recommended to treat a specific skin condition, such as a bacterial or fungal infection.
• Scent: Shampoos that had pleasant, non-medicinal scents rated more highly than those that had an off-putting scent to pet owners.

What else we considered

• Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Dog and Cat Shampoo: Duoxo Chlorhexidine PS Dog and Cat Shampoo contains several antimicrobial agents. We liked that the shampoo also contains phytosphingosine, which treats seborrhea and reduces inflammation. However, it did not earn our top spot for best overall medicated dog shampoo because it is only for adult dogs.
• Curaseb Chlorhexidine 4% Medicated Shampoo for Dogs and Cats: Curaseb Chlorhexidine 4% Medicated Shampoo for Dogs and Cats is a soap-free, cucumber-scented shampoo that treats various skin infections, including bacterial infections. It also contains natural aloe and vitamin E to soothe the skin, along with glycolic acid to heal dry and scaly skin. This shampoo was certainly in the running for the top antibacterial shampoo but ultimately lost out because the label did not show a minimum age of safe use.
• Dechra Miconahex + Triz Pet Shampoo: Dechra Miconahex + Triz Pet Shampoo is available by prescription only and contains multiple antimicrobial agents. Safe for puppies at least 16 weeks of age, the shampoo also contains several natural ingredients, including lemongrass oils and lavender, and has a natural, herbal fragrance. Although we liked many aspects of this shampoo, its hefty price tag ($30.99 for 16 oz) became the deciding factor in ultimately selecting our top choice, Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Shampoo, which costs significantly less ($8.96 for 16 oz).
• Stratford Keto-C Shampoo: Stratford Keto-C Shampoo contains multiple antimicrobial agents. It provides a deep clean, relieves itching, and resolves bad skin odors quickly. However, the shampoo earned a lower rating because it contains numerous synthetic ingredients, with no natural ingredients listed on the label. Also, several customer reviews noted that the shampoo might stain a white dog's fur and leave an oily residue on the fur.
• Virbac KetoChlor Shampoo: Virbac KetoChlor Shampoo is safe for puppies and adults. We liked that this shampoo contains a patented Spherulite technology that slowly releases the shampoo's ingredients into the skin. The shampoo was a great contender for top antifungal shampoo. But its numerous synthetic ingredients and absence of soothing natural ingredients like oatmeal and aloe vera earned it a lower rating.
• Ovitrol Vet-Kem Plus Dog Flea and Tick Shampoo: Ovitrol Vet-Kem Plus Dog Flea and Tick Shampoo contains several ingredients to kill adult fleas, ticks, and lice: pyrethrin, methoprene, and piperonyl butoxide. It also contains Precor® Insect Growth Regulator, which breaks the flea life cycle. The shampoo's natural oatmeal, aloe, and lanolin soothe dry and itchy skin. It fell short of first place for flea and tick shampoos because of the pyrethrin, which is unsafe to use in households with cats.
• Hartz UltraGuard Flea and Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo: Hartz UltraGuard Flea and Tick Oatmeal Dog Shampoo contains phenothrin to quickly kill adult fleas and ticks and oatmeal to soothe itching. It lathers well, rinses easily, and is safe for  puppies at least six months of age. But the shampoo's scent can  overwhelm, dropping this shampoo out of the first-place spot.
• Vet's Best Oatmeal Medicated Shampoo: Vet's Best Oatmeal Medicated Shampoo contains a combination of natural ingredients, such as oatmeal and tea tree oil, to soothe and heal allergy-irritated skin. It also contains salicylic acid to treat seborrhea. We like that the shampoo is safe for dogs of all ages and doesn't rinse off topical flea and tick treatments. It was a close contender for our top choice of shampoos for skin allergies but fell out of first place because some users found that the shampoo has a medicinal scent.
• Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo: Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo contains all organic ingredients, is soap-free, and is 100% biodegradable. The colloidal oatmeal and aloe soothe allergy-irritated skin. Safe for puppies at least six weeks of age, the shampoo has a natural cherry scent, lathers well, and doesn't remove topical flea and tick treatments. It got edged out by our top choice, 4-Legger Organic, Hypoallergenic, Lemongrass and Aloe Dog Shampoo, because it does not have an ingredient equivalent to our top choice's natural antimicrobial ingredient, lemongrass.

Medicated dog shampoo FAQs

Skin conditions in dogs can be challenging to diagnose and treat, so it is no surprise that pet owners often have many questions about their dogs' skin issues.

With the help of our experts, we came up with common questions about skin problems in dogs and medicated dog shampoos.

Will a medicated shampoo that is available over the counter at a pet store 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," Price added.

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. She adds, "these shampoos don't have much long-term residual anti-itch activity, making frequent bathing necessary."

Will a flea and tick shampoo 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.

I thought that I wasn't supposed to bathe my dog too much. Should I really use this medicated shampoo several times a week?

Griffin noted it is a common misconception to bathe dogs  only infrequently (e.g., 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 at least 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 time frame, thoroughly rinse the shampoo with clear, lukewarm water.

How will I know if the medicated 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 adds  that 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 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. "Additional medication," notes Price, would be needed for deep skin infections, a severe inflammatory response, 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: scab; 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

Our sources

• Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist who works at the Animal Dermatology Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky. Her special areas of interest in veterinary dermatology include feline dermatology and immune-mediated skin disease.
• Tierra Price, DVM, is a shelter veterinarian and high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeon and relief veterinarian in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder of the BlackDVM Network and has special veterinary interests in emergency and critical care.

JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM, is a veterinarian and founder of JPen Communications, a medical communications company that specializes in pet owner education. Her expertise extends across many areas of veterinary medicine, including preventive pet care, nutrition, and common (and not-so-common) dog and cat diseases. Dr. Pendergrass earned her veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, then completed a research fellowship at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Center. During this fellowship, she decided to combine her love of science and writing by becoming a medical writer. After working at medical communications agencies for several years, Dr. Pendergrass transitioned to freelancing. She currently writes for several veterinary publications, including Great Pet Care, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, and All About Cats. She has previously written for PetMD, Pet Coach, dvm360, and American Veterinarian.  Dr. Pendergrass can be reached at http://www.jpencmc.com.

Read more Read less

Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.

Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at .

LoadingSomething is loading.

Thanks for signing up!

Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.

More...