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If your dog has been diagnosed with a yeast, fungal, or other kind of skin infection, a medicated bath with an antifungal dog shampoo might be recommended by your vet.
To understand how to choose an antifungal dog shampoo, we spoke with Dr. Sara Ochoa, a vet contributor to Hound Games, and Dr. Gavin Casper, Managing Veterinarian of General Practice at Hometown Animal Hospital.
Before starting any treatment, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your dog’s vet so they can determine the underlying cause of any infection or skin irritation. “Never try to diagnose or treat a fungal infection on your own without having your vet in the loop,” said Dr. Ochoa. “We can identify the fungus and make sure you get the right shampoo and any other medications needed to fully kick the infection.”
Using Dr. Ochoa and Dr. Casper’s insights, we compiled a list of the best antifungal dog shampoos that help combat various conditions, from ringworm and yeast infections to bug bites and sensitive skin. Not sure where to start? Hop down to our explainer on how antifungal shampoos work.
Best for Ringworm: Virbac KetoChlor Medicated Shampoo
“If your dog does develop a fungal infection, the specific ingredient in the shampoo matters,” said Dr. Ochoa. “For ringworm, go with chlorhexidine combined with an antifungal.”
This antifungal shampoo is a good choice for treating ringworm because it’s made with two simple yet effective ingredients that help combat fungal and bacterial skin issues: chlorhexidine and ketoconazole. The frequency and use of the shampoo depends on your veterinarian’s treatment plan, so it’s best to discuss with them how often you should bathe your pup and how much to use.
“Fungi love warm, moist environments,” said Dr. Ochoa. “So when a fungus gets on your dog’s skin, it can set up shop and start growing if conditions are right. Not fun! Regular baths with a mild shampoo help keep trouble fungi away by getting rid of excess oil and dirt.”
What we like about it:
- Made with only two ingredients
- Helps reduce bacteria and yeast on the skin
- Reviewers note it has a low lather
Best for Yeast Infections: Davis Miconazole Pet Shampoo
“For yeast, you want an antifungal like miconazole,” said Dr. Ochoa. Davis’ Miconazole Pet Shampoo is formulated with 2% miconazole nitrate to help eliminate the infection and reduce skin scaling. It also contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera to provide soothing relief to dry, irritated skin while it heals.
This shampoo is free from dyes and fragrances and is best when kept on your dog’s coat for 10 minutes. Like with any infection, it’s important to see your doctor to confirm the cause, as it may require more than just a topical treatment. “Fungal infections often require an oral antifungal medication,” notes Dr. Casper.
What we like about it:
- Made in the USA
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Treats ringworm, superficial skin infections caused by yeast, and scaling due to seborrhea
Best for Sensitive Skin: Veterinary Formula Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo
If your dog tends to have reactive and sensitive skin, this pH-balanced dog shampoo is an excellent choice. “It’s key to stay on top of any allergy issues or skin problems your pup has, as these can create the perfect breeding ground for fungi,” said Dr. Ochoa.
Formulated with ketoconazole, benzethonium chloride, and aloe vera, this medicated antifungal shampoo from Veterinary Formula helps soothe and deodorize a dog’s skin, relieving symptoms caused by fungal and bacterial skin infections.
Even if your dog is prone to skin issues, it’s always best to have your vet see them if something new pops up or an issue worsens. “The root cause of a fungal infection must be uncovered in order to determine how it can be prevented in the future,” said Dr. Casper. “A veterinary consult is always recommended before any at-home therapies are recommended.”
What we like about it:
- Free of parabens
- Ideal to use for skin infections like dermatitis and pyoderma
- Recommended for dogs 12 weeks or older
Best for Fungal and Bacterial Infections: Dechra MiconaHex + Triz Pet Shampoo
If your dog has both a skin infection and dry, damaged skin, this Dechra MiconaHex + Triz shampoo is one of Dr. Casper’s favorite options. It contains medicated ingredients, including 2% miconazole and 2% chlorhexidine, along with barrier-repairing ceramides to help add moisture back to your pet’s skin.
“I recommend MiconaHex or Ketochlor antifungal shampoos,” said Dr. Casper. “Many of these have an antifungal and antibacterial component because fungal skin infections can have a bacterial component as well.”
Not only is it helpful in treating bacterial and fungal infections, but according to reviews, the unique formula effectively relieves skin issues related to allergies.
What we like about it:
- Active ingredients include miconazole and chlorhexidine gluconate
- Lemongrass and lavender oils give it a light, natural scent
- Made in the USA
Best for Insect Bites: Pet MD Medicated Shampoo
Bug bites and the great outdoors can cause skin infections and issues sometimes. “The source of most fungal infections is soil,” said Dr. Casper. “Most owners think it is because they didn’t dry their dog well enough after a bath, but they are usually due to some underlying cause such as atopy (doggy eczema), food or environmental allergies, endocrine or metabolic diseases or if they are immunocompromised.”
Pet MD’s Medicated Shampoo includes active ingredients, like chlorhexidine gluconate and ketoconazole, that help heal skin infections and kill common types of bacteria and yeast that plague pets. It is free from soap and parabens and can treat skin conditions like superficial cuts, abrasions, bug bites, hot spots, and ringworm.
What we like about it:
- Active ingredients include 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 1% ketoconazole
- Soothes skin conditions like ringworm, acne, hot spots, and dermatitis
- Made in the U.S.A.
Best for Itch-Relief: Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Medicated Shampoo
Dermabliss’s medicated antifungal shampoo is formulated by veterinarians to help dogs “ditch the itch.” Not only is it effective in addressing a range of skin concerns, but several reviewers noted that their pets’ fur was especially soft after use.
It contains ingredients like chlorhexidine and ketoconazole to treat bacterial, yeast, and fungal infections while providing soothing benefits to itchy, irritated, and inflamed skin. “Basically, just use a shampoo made for the type of fungus making your dog itchy,” said Dr. Ochoa. “Follow what your vet recommends, and you can’t go wrong.”
What we like about it:
- Active ingredients include 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 1% ketoconazole
- Deodorizes as it treats infections
- Useful for a range of skin issues, including bacterial, yeast, and fungal infections
Best Hydrating: Douxo S3 PYO Shampoo
This antiseptic cleanser includes chlorhexidine and ophytrium, a natural ingredient that protect the skin’s barrier, that both treat bacterial and fungal infections. Many reviewers note that this hydrating shampoo helped to stop their dog from itching and has a mild scent.
Like with any shampoo, it’s important to read the directions and follow your veterinarian’s advice for optimal benefits. “Be sure to leave the shampoo on your dog for a few minutes before rinsing—this gives the ingredients time to work their magic,” said Dr. Ochoa. “And you may need repeat baths. Patience pays off!”
What we like about it:
- Free from soaps, sulfates, parabens, and dyes
- Moisturizes and detangles
- Contains 3% chlorhexidine
Best All-Natural: Arava Natural Medicated Dog Shampoo
Made with all-natural ingredients, this Arava Natural medicated shampoo is chemical-free, relying instead on a non-toxic formula with Dead Sea minerals. Reviewers describe the scent as pleasantly herbal and comes in a convenient two-pack.
While many dogs’ skin issues improved after use, a few pet parents reported an allergic reaction to the ingredients. Pet parents should always monitor their pet’s response to new products and seek veterinary care if issues worsen.
What we like about it:
- Contains botanical oils and extracts with antifungal and antibacterial properties
- Gently cleans and moisturizes a dog’s coat
- PH balanced with a light scent from essential oils
How Do Dogs Get Fungal Infections?
More than five million species of fungi can be found throughout nature. That means that our dogs (and every other living creature on the planet) likely interact with any number of these organisms every day. Luckily, most pose no harm to you or your pet. However, when dogs encounter the wrong fungi, they could end up with a fungal infection, leading to discomfort or even severe illness.
Systemic fungal infections impact a dog’s internal organs. Aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and cryptococcosis are among the systemic infections that make dogs sick. They often occur when a dog inhales harmful fungal spores from their environment. Localized fungal infections are more common and affect a dog’s outer organs. These external infections include ringworm and yeast dermatitis.
Ringworm causes red, itchy sores on the skin. It’s extremely contagious and can easily pass to humans as well as to other animals without proper treatment and sanitization.
Yeast dermatitis is also called a yeast infection. It is often caused by an overgrowth of the yeast that naturally occurs on the body, so it’s not contagious, but it is uncomfortable. Yeast dermatitis frequently affects the paws and ears and leads to ear infections, irritated skin, hair loss, and an unusual musty odor.
If your dog is constantly scratching, a localized fungal infection may be to blame, but you’ll want to take a trip to your veterinarian to be sure. While medications are required to treat systemic fungal infections, vets usually recommend antifungal dog shampoos for localized infections.
MRBIG_PHOTOGRAPHY via iStock
How Antifungal Dog Shampoos Work
Antifungal dog shampoos are medicated with powerful substances intended to kill the fungus causing your dog’s issues. Many products include ingredients like aloe vera that work to soothe irritated skin and provide comfort to your pet as well. Some also help to deodorize, reducing or eliminating the corn-chip smell that many dogs with yeast and fungal infections give off.
Dogs who are prone to fungal infections may benefit from regular baths with a medicated shampoo to prevent issues from returning. In addition, dogs suffering from allergies, hot spots, and bacterial infections such as pyoderma may also find comfort in an antifungal bath, thanks to the shampoo’s soothing elements and versatile formulas.
Antifungal dog shampoos can usually be purchased without a prescription. Even so, it’s always recommended that you get a diagnosis from your veterinarian before treating your dog for any skin discomfort. Using the wrong products could make your pet’s skin problem worse, and severe infections may require additional treatment such as a topical or oral medication.
When using a medicated shampoo, it’s also important to read the ingredient label and follow the instructions carefully. Many antifungal dog shampoos require you to wait at least 10 minutes before rinsing in order to work effectively.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts, including Dr. Sara Ochoa, a vet contributor to Hound Games, and Dr. Gavin Casper, Managing Veterinarian of General Practice at Hometown Animal Hospital.
We prioritized quality ingredients and vet recommendations when choosing products. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
