Have you tried different anti-fungal shampoos, oral meds, anti-itching meds, Benadryl, expensive vet-recommended shampoos, but still your dog is showing any of the following symptoms?
- Greasy sores on the skin
- Flakes
- Hair loss
- Itching
- Dandruff
- Bumps along his skin
- Skin irritation
- Bumps along his skin
- Skin irritation
- Patches of hair loss with crusty lesions
- Skin rash or hotspots
- Dermatitis
- Infections on the skin from scratching
- Yeast breakout
If you mark a tick on any of these issues, it means your dog is undergoing serious health concerns that should be treated right away. To do that, vets recommend changing the diet, giving your dog some antibiotics or anti-infection medications, and grooming your dog regularly.
These steps make sure that your dog stays healthy. But what about the hair loss, skin patches, and bad skin conditions that your dog has? Obviously, relying only on the internal treatments is not going to bring back the coat and skin that your dog had.
Therefore, it is imperative that you go for external treatments as well, such as bathing your dog with a shampoo that contains Chlorhexidine—an anti-bacterial agent that fights skin problems and promotes healthy skin growth.
Let’s see what dog product manufacturers have to offer you.
Top 8 Chlorhexidine Shampoo For Dogs
We have combed through the market to find the best anti-bacterial shampoos available for dogs. Note that, as a part of the Amazon Affiliate Program, we earn a commission from the qualified purchases. However, we do not endorse just any product; we are consumers ourselves and would recommend products that are vetted and suggested by our product research team.
Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Chlorhexidine Shampoo For Dogs
Key Features
Active Ingredients: Chlorhexidine and phytosphingosine salicyloyl (0. 05%), lipacide c8g (2. 5%) and Chlorhexidine (3%)
Type: Liquid
Prepared for: All types of coats
Scent: Perfume
| What’s Best About It | Flaws But Not the Deal Breakers |
|---|---|
| Possesses anti-dandruff properties to control cutaneous disorders associated with pyoderma | Can be expensive |
| Formulated using antiseptic foaming solution | Because of bottle design, sometimes, the lid opens during transportation and shampoo might leak |
| Protects the skin from irritations | |
| Keeps follicles hydrated and prevents loss of moisture | |
| Anti-inflammatory | |
| Suitable for frequent use | |
| Good for sensitive skin |
Davis Chlorhexidine Shampoo For Dogs
Key Features
Active Ingredients: Chlorhexidin 4% Chlorhexidine gluconate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate with ethanol, pH Adjuster, Natural Coconut-based lathering agent
Type: Liquid
Prepared for: All types of coats
Scent: Natural floral fragrance
| What’s Best About It | Flaws But Not the Deal Breakers |
|---|---|
| Formulated for moderate to severe skin conditions associated with allergies, bacteria, and hot spots | Avoid contact with your dog’s eyes, else will cause irritation |
| Contains deep cleansing agents | Contains artificial preservatives and sulfates as lathering agents |
| Keeps coat moisturized | Medicated smells can be overwhelming for some dog parents |
| Gentle on your hands and doesn’t cause stripping/drying Has a nice bottle design | |
| Promotes healthy skin and coat |
Labs Curaseb Chlorhexidine Shampoo
Key Features
Active Ingredients: Chlorhexidin2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Ketoconazole, Lauramine Oxide, Aloe & Vitamin E
Type: Liquid
Prepared for: All types of coats
Scent: Cucumber melon
| What’s Best About It | Flaws But Not the Deal Breakers |
|---|---|
| Fights against yeast, fungal, and bacterial | Is irritating for eyes, open sores, or mucous membranes |
| Effectively treats skin infections & hot spots | Not much effective for susceptible dogs |
| Soothes and nourishes rashes, redness, and dry skin irritations | |
| Deodorizes the smelly body and cleans face folds, wrinkles, paws, and underarms gently | |
| Relieves itching and scratching |
Pet MD Medicated Chlorhexidine Shampoo For Dogs
Key Features
Active Ingredients: Chlorhexidin2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate, 1% Ketoconazole, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Fragrance
Type: Liquid
Prepared for: Adult
Scent:
| What’s Best About It | Flaws But Not the Deal Breakers |
|---|---|
| Helps relieve skin infections and skin conditions, such as hot spots, ring worms, acne, as well as superficial cuts, abrasions, and i/nsect bites. | Avoid eyes and insides of ear while bathing |
| Coat-friendly formula—free of soaps or parabens to prevent irritation | Not for otic use |
| Safe for use with topical flea & tick treatments. | May leave a pink tinge on dog’s coat that can be diminished by washing |
| Has a light smell—like cough syrup |
Stratford Pharmaceuticals KETO-C Medicated Shampoo
Key Features
Active Ingredients: Chlorhexidin2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate, 1% Ketoconazole, Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer, Fragrance
Type: Liquid
Prepared for: Adult
Scent:
| What’s Best About It | Flaws But Not the Deal Breakers |
|---|---|
| Relieves from bacteria and skin conditions, such as yeast, ringworm, and other dermatological conditions | Not easily available in market as its for veterinary use only |
| Deep cleanses your dog’s fur and deodorizes it | Can be too pricey |
| Creates a rich lather | Strong fragrance |
| Good for resolving and controlling skin breakouts |
PetHonesty Antibacterial & Antifungal Chlorhexidine Shampoo For Dogs
Key Features
Active Ingredients: 2% Chlorhexidine, 1% Ketoconazole, Aloe, Sodium Alpha Olefin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Octyl Phenol Ethylene Oxide, Fragrance
Type: Liquid
Prepared for: All types of coats
Scent: Cucumber melon
| What’s Best About It | Flaws But Not the Deal Breakers |
|---|---|
| Gentle on dog’s skin but effective against itchy skin, rashes, and hot spots while healing skin infections and wounds | Some users complained that the product comes in a regular flip-flop bottle instead of advertised pumps |
| Eliminates odors associated with the bacteria and fungus | Sometimes, it gives out a bubblegum or cotton candy scent |
| Soothing aloe relieves from itchiness, redness, and irritation caused by skin infections, rashes, wounds, hot spots, and bug bites | |
| The shampoo bottle comes with a cap and insert pump for easy use |
Note:
This manufacturer donates 10% of its profits to two non-profits that protect the lives of animals and train dogs to help people combat PTSD and learning disabilities.
Strawfield Pets Store Chlorhexidine Shampoo for Dogs
Key Features
Important Ingredients: 2% Chlorhexidin4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Nonoxynol-12, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Peg-150 distearate
Type: Liquid
Prepared for: Adult
Scent: Herbal
| What’s Best About It | Flaws But Not the Deal Breakers |
|---|---|
| Otic-friendly. No-sting ear cleaning solution to disinfect your dog’s ears | Doesn’t produce a good amount of lather |
| Destroys yeast and fungus on your dog’s skin | It has a very light scent and may not overcome doggy odor |
| Effectively treats skin conditions such as flaky skin, dandruff, rash, and redness of irritated skin | Takes time to completely rinse off |
| Removes eggs and prevents future parasites | The shampoo is thick, needing to be mixed with water to spread on coat easily |
| Produces a soothing sensation to relieve the itchy skin while leaving behind a light scent | |
| Relieves yeast infections, allergies, wounds, skin infections, dermatitis, acne, pyoderma, ringworm, mange, hotspots, dandruff etc. |
VetWELL Ketoconazole Chlorhexidine Shampoo For Dogs
Key Features
Important Ingredients: 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate, 1% Ketoconazole, Oatmeal, Aloe, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Type: Liquid
Prepared for: Adult
Scent:
| What’s Best About It | Flaws But Not the Deal Breakers |
|---|---|
| The combination of aloe and oatmeal soothes and moisturizes your dog’s skin | Contains sulfates |
| Proven effective against yeast infection on your belly and staph lesions Produces good lathers | Not for otic use |
| The scent lasts for long | Will cause irritation in your pet’s eyes or mucous membranes |
| Is expensive |
What Is Chlorhexidine Shampoo for Dogs?
A Chlorhexidine shampoo for dogs contains Chlorhexidine, an anti-bacterial agent that fights bacteria, fungi, and yeast on dog’s skin. It provides relief to dogs having skin conditions and also promotes healthy skin and coat.
Is Chlorhexidine Shampoo Safe for Dogs?
Yes, these shampoos are safe for your dog. However, you need to strictly follow the instructions regarding how to dilute (mix with water) the shampoo. Your vet will suggest the type of combination based on the type of skin conditions your dog is grappling with.
Is Chlorhexidine 4% Safe for Dogs?
It depends on your dog’s current skin situation. But, safe or not, let your vet decide it.
You probably have noticed that chlorhexidine shampoos for dogs come in a variety of labels that state 4% or 2% chlorhexidine.
Chlorhexidine gluconate 4% in dog shampoos means that the shampoo will provide antiseptic action and a persistent antimicrobial effect against a range of microorganisms.
Chlorhexidine gluconate 2% in dog shampoos is to clean the skin by killing or preventing the growth of bacteria on the coat.
How Often Should I Bathe My Dog With Chlorhexidine?
3 to 4 times a week until the microbes are completely destroyed, and the risk of your dog catching skin infections is completely eliminated. But again, let your vet decide it.
However, do check the specifications on the shampoo for how long it can keep your dog’s skin hydrated and moisturized. Shampoos such as Douxo Chlorhexidine, VetWELL Ketoconazole Chlorhexidine, PetHonesty Antibacterial & Antifungal Chlorhexidine Shampoo have natural ingredients that won’t dry out your dog’s skin even if you use them frequently.
What Is the Best Antiseptic for Dogs?
Based on the list of active ingredients, formula, and users’ reviews and rating, Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Chlorhexidine Shampoo For Dogs is the best antiseptic shampoo for dogs.
How Do You Apply Chlorhexidine to Dogs?
Follow these instructions to apply Chlorhexidine to dogs.
- Dilute 2 tablespoons of chlorhexidine solution per gallon of purified water.
- Use the required amount of this solution to thoroughly rinse the infected areas on your dog’s skin
- Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes. If the shampoo is not for otic use then avoid ears also. Flush immediately if the contact happens.
- Wipe away the excess shampoo
- Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water
Note:
Usage instruction may vary from product to product. Before giving your dog a bath, read the instructions labeled on the shampoo carefully.
What Does Chlorhexidine Gluconate Do For Dogs?
Chlorhexidine Gluconate in chlorhexidine shampoo for dogs protects dogs from the attacks of a wide range of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, ringworm, and yeast, etc. It’s an antiseptic and antimicrobial action that keeps a dog’s coat protected and healthy.
