If you can successfully treat your dog’s skin problem with a medicated shampoo, it’s better for the dog, antibiotic resistance protocols, and for your wallet. The first step is to know what condition you’re dealing with.
The shampoos recommended in this article are available without a prescription. If they don’t work, see your veterinarian because your dog may need a prescription shampoo.
Itchy Dog Due to Fleas
If your dog is itchy, rule out external parasites like fleas first. A flea shampoo will kill the fleas on your dog at that moment and destroy the flea eggs on your dog’s skin, but there is no residual effect. That means, as soon as your dog dries, there’s nothing to deter the fleas from returning. So, take care of fleas, mites, and mange, first with a veterinary visit and prescription oral or topical preventatives.
Best Shampoo for Itchy Skin
Many dogs have mild seasonal allergies or simply itch from contact allergens or bites from insects like black flies or mosquitos. Some shampoos contain hydrocortisone, which is excellent for inflammation caused by allergies.
A good dog shampoo for itchy skin usually also contains aloe vera or colloidal oatmeal. Both are soothing anti-inflammatory ingredients that help reduce the itch and heal the irritation. So, don’t just grab a shampoo that claims it’s good for your dog’s skin. Read the ingredients label before you purchase and look for these ingredients.
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hot Spot & Itch Relief Medicated Shampoo is one of the best choices for dogs with itchy skin due to allergies. This product contains colloidal oatmeal, lidocaine, and hydrocortisone. It has worked well for my dogs.
Virbac Epi Smooth also includes colloidal oatmeal, and I have had success with this product against itchy skin due to allergies.
Note: Your dog might react to any shampoo due to an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients. If your dog is itchier after a bath, switch to a different shampoo. If your dog has particularly sensitive skin, use the shampoo to wash a small area first rather than giving the dog a full bath and wait 24 hours to see if there’s a reaction. Many dogs may require some oral medications to truly control itching. If the shampoo doesn’t work, consult your veterinarian.
Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
Seborrhea (with dandruff) can have a dry skin or an oily skin basis. For dry skin problems, a moisturizer like aloe vera can be helpful. With oily skin, consider a shampoo with benzoyl peroxide, like Davis Benzoyl Peroxide Shampoo.
Antifungal and Ringworm Shampoos
Fungal infections, yeast infections, and bacterial infections are all possible causes of skin problems. Dogs with these skin infections may not seem overly itchy but have inflamed areas of skin, moist eczema, and a bad odor. They are clearly uncomfortable and unpleasant to be around. Dogs with mild yeast or fungal infections may respond to a medicated shampoo, but others will also need an oral medication.
I like shampoos with a mix of ketoconazole and chlorhexidine like VirbacKetochlor. Yeast and fungal infections often go hand in hand with bacterial infections. Th ketoconazole can attack the yeast and fugal parts, while the chlorhexidine goes after the bacteria.
MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo is considered effective against ringworm, but, to be honest, I have rarely seen ringworm on dogs, as opposed to cats.
It is extremely important to know what is causing your dog’s skin problem. If you purchase a shampoo for bacterial infections and your dog has a yeast infection, your results will not be the best. A veterinary visit for everything but a mild itch is well worth the investment. Your veterinarian will do a skin scrape, possibly a culture, and look at the cytology of the abnormal skin. For mild cases of skin problems, topicals may be all you need. More severe conditions often require oral medications as well.
When using a shampoo, be SURE to follow the directions exactly. If the directions say to leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes before rinsing, you need to adhere to that even as you wrestle your unhappy dog in the tub. Otherwise, you may not get the expected positive result. DO NOT USE DOG PRODUCTS ON CATS! It could be fatal. It is also not a good idea to use human products on dogs though usually not with such severe consequences.
