Medicated Dog Shampoo Usage & Recommendations
I’m a professional dog trainer, but I’m also a licensed cosmetologist and I’m always looking for a medicated dog shampoo that works! To help you find the best medicated dog shampoo for your pet, let’s discuss medicated dog shampoo usage and recommendations.
When to Use Medicated Dog Shampoo
When a gentle cleansing shampoo is not enough to remove flaky skin or deodorize your dog’s skin, then you may want to try a medicated dog shampoo. You can find medicated grooming shampoos everywhere with over-the-counter and vet-only options available too.
Over-the-counter medicated dog shampoos work well for dogs with mild skin conditions. For dogs with red skin, ooze, missing hair, pustules or bumps, seek advice from your veterinarian. Inflamed skin is painful, and using an unknown grooming product can certainly make it much worse.
RELATED: Dogs with Dry Skin
Medicated Dog Shampoo Usage
Medicated dog shampoos contain ingredients targeted for specific skin issues. Choose from anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial or anti-septic shampoos. These dog shampoos can ease persistent skin infections, ringworm, hot spots, yeast infections, fleabite dermatitis and other skin inflammations. Make sure to follow the bottle’s directions thoroughly, as most need contact time with skin to work their magic.
Now, medicated shampoos can be tricky. If your dog’s skin condition is caused by fungus, using a product designed to soothe hot spots won’t benefit your dog, but instead make it worse. Before choosing a medicated dog shampoo, know what skin condition you’re dealing with. 🙂
Over-the-Counter Medicated Dog Shampoo
If your dog’s skin condition is mild, choose an over-the-counter medicated shampoo. Personally, I’ve had great luck with Espree’s Tea Tree and Aloe medicated shampoo. This shampoo has natural ingredients to soothe irritated skin while leaving a fresh clean scent.
My Recommendation
Stella is a Miniature Bull Terrier, and this dog breed is notorious for skin issues. Stella eats a balanced raw diet. However, she still develops stinky yeast infections and flare-ups around her feet, face, ears and groin area. Veterinary skin scrapings have confirmed yeast is the culprit. And when flare-ups appear, it can take months to return her skin back to normal.
Then, I found PhytoVet CK Antiseptic Shampoo. It’s my favorite by far! It’s gentle enough for weekly bathing, doesn’t contain harsh detergents (soap-free) and restores the skin barrier. Combined with DOUXO Seborrhea Spot-On Pipettes, I can now prevent flare-ups from happening. So, if you share your home with a yeasty dog, check out this medicated dog shampoo!
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