There’s nothing more stressful than looking at your dog struggle with skin conditions.
Yeast, allergies, bacterial infections, or straight-up fungus – things that will make your dog’s skin itch. If they get to a sufficiently severe point, they may become worse conditions that may even make your dog WHINE.
That’s why you need to use an antifungal dog shampoo.
OR DO YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR DOG SUFFER?
But Let’s not get that far.
Most fungal infections are mild and often do not cause trouble (unless they’re left untreated). A quality antifungal dog shampoo helps you reduce the itching or annoyance and prevent the condition from worsening.
Want to know which shampoos make this happen? Check them out below!
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! Stratford Pharmaceuticals KETO-C
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Smiling Paws Pets Antibacterial & Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs & Cats
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Quadruped Yucca-Med Tearless Concentrate Shampoo Gallon
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Arava Natural Medicated Antibacterial Antifungal Dog Shampoo
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Pet MD Medicated Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Nature’s Specialties Medicated Shampoo
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
6 Best Antifungal Dog Shampoos Reviews in 2022
#1. Stratford Pharmaceuticals KETO-C Antifungal Shampoo
A combination of chlorhexidine and ketoconazole (two of the BEST ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS) makes the Keto-C Shampoo your best choice. By far.
Say your dog is struggling with itching. A bacteria infection in the skin is bothering its underside. Your dog can’t stop scratching.
The solution? A QUICK BATH with Keto-C and your dog will feel BETTER ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.
This formula comes with high-quality ingredients that solve fungal infections quickly. Plus, it lasts a long time. Your dog won’t suffer from fungal infections any time soon after the bath.
AND THE SMELL. Its cucumber-melon scent makes your dog the best-smelling pooch around. And this smell LASTS. You may even let your sleep with you…
Did we mention the lather that stays behind in your dog’s fur? It promotes super-soft hair and soothed skin so the pain goes away and the hair gets better.
WORTH CONSIDERING: This is a 1-gallon bottle. Yes, you read that right – enough shampoo to bathe your dog for months (or several dogs without worrying about emptying the bottle).
What We Liked
- Stops itches and rashes right away
- High-end ingredients are safe
- A huge 1-gallon bottle lasts a long time
- Super-pleasant smell
What We Didn’t Like
- A bit more expensive than others
#2. Smiling Paws Pets Antibacterial & Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs & Cats
It doesn’t matter what’s happening to your dog. Mange, hotspots, ringworm, yeast, fungus, or any kind of bacteria in the skin. This Antibacterial & Antifungal Shampoo SOLVES THEM ALL.
The effectiveness comes from a SUPERB FORMULA. It’s made of the best ingredients out there – KETOCONAZOLE and CHLORHEXIDINE. A combination that deletes any fungal infection from your dog’s skin almost instantly.
It is not an exaggeration when we say it helps with EVERYTHING. Itching, pain, rashes, hot spots, and much more – there’s no fungal or bacterial condition capable of resisting the Smiling Paws Pets shampoo’s effectiveness.
AND IT IS CHEAP! You won’t have to pay a fortune. This one costs the same as other shampoos but gives you TWO BOTTLES (16 ounces each).
Isn’t that enough? High-quality formula and affordable cost – WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?
ALSO HELPFUL: It does not only help with infections. Your dog will also enjoy a deodorizing and moisturizing effect. Both skin and fur will feel and smell a lot better after a bath.
What We Liked
- Deep deodorizer and cleanser
- It helps with most infections
- Surprisingly affordable for its quality
- Safe and easy to use
What We Didn’t Like
- The thin formula may require extra application on thick furs
#3. Quadruped Yucca-Med Tearless Concentrate Shampoo Gallon
You get the best experience with your dog: cure any skin ailment while preventing your dog from feeling uncomfortable in the process.
It all comes down to the UNIQUE addition of YUCCA.
What is yucca?
Well, it is Yucca Schidigera, a tuber that many people eat in South America. It also works as a cortisone-boosting ingredient that boosts the skin’s immune properties. Alongside the antifungal ingredients and other anti-bacterial agents, the shampoo does everything.
Your dog won’t have to suffer from seborrhea, dermatitis, hot spots, itches, rashes, or whatever. And what’s even better, it is also soothing.
The addition of spearmint reduces unwanted smells. Yucca itself also helps with that. Plus, the lack of odor from skin conditions stays for long. You won’t have to keep bathing your dog every day going forward.
The best of all? It reduces inflammation. Pain goes away, and discomfort dissipates – your dog will feel better right away.
WHAT’S MORE: It’s fearless! Your dog won’t have to struggle with irritation in case a shampoo particle drops in its eye.
What We Liked
- The tearless formula is amazing
- It’s safe for kittens and puppies
- Improves most skin itches and irritations
- Super-pleasant scent
What We Didn’t Like
- Mild effectiveness
#4. Arava Natural Medicated Antibacterial Antifungal Dog Shampoo
A shampoo that doesn’t cause even the slightest of issues while healing unwanted skin conditions – the Arava Medicated Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs is not to dismiss.
The effectiveness comes from a unique mix of ingredients, using dead sea minerals as the main agent. Alongside 28 other ingredients, the effectiveness is UNDOUBTEDLY among the BEST.
You can eliminate many things off your dog’s skin: Mange, hot spots, seborrhea, dandruff, ringworm, and much more. Regardless of how severe the infection, Arava works like a charm, so you can rest assured your dog will feel better in no time.
IT’S REFRESHING TOO. Get your dog to smell like never before, thanks to a moisturizing and deodorizing formula. The dead sea minerals reduce foul odors exponentially, so your dog smells better too.
Lastly, you get the advantage of entirely natural ingredients: no side effects.
What else is there to ask for?
EXTRA FACTS: This shampoo may help in the healing of superficial wounds. Those skin rashes and hot spots that cause discomfort to your dog will go away after using this shampoo.
What We Liked
- Treats infections and skin ailments
- Refreshes and deodorizes the skin
- Completely natural formula
- Heals superficial wounds
What We Didn’t Like
- It could be harmful to dogs with sensitive skin
#5. Pet MD Medicated Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs
Graded by veterinarians, this is one of the few shampoos professionals recommend for a significant reason: it works incredibly well.
The formula is the typical chlorhexidine (2%) with ketoconazole (1%) mix, perfect for removing fungal infections while acting directly on the wounds or skin affections. As a result, your dog gets cleaner and healthier skin after.
This one is a bit special. Instead of working only on body skin issues, it also works ON THE FACE and other more fragile areas. You can use it without worries as long as you do it carefully.
There are also astringent ingredients. That means your dog gets drier skin over time – eliminating the resurface of possible fungal infections via oils. And sure enough, it causes little to no itch/irritation, so your pup can enjoy a pain-free bathing experience during and after.
PLUS, you get a decent fragrance. This shampoo comes with artificial scents that give your dog a rejuvenating aura. Its fur will smell better right away.
DON’T MISS THIS: It helps with a ton of conditions related to the skin. This includes less common acne, cuts, insect bites, and other lesions that may cause discomfort.
What We Liked
- Prevents infections for long
- Removes oils and bacteria
- Solves a wide array of skin issues
- Free of pain or discomfort
What We Didn’t Like
- Some bottles may turn the fur pink
#6. Nature’s Specialties Tar and Sulfur Medicated Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs
Many people consider sulfur and coal tar to be a bit dangerous and less effective. But they’re not.
As long as you don’t use them on cats or tricky body areas, then your pets will be completely safe.
And what’s more important, you get all the benefits from sulfur and coal tar—two of the best ingredients on antifungal shampoos.
The USP Refined Topical Coal Tar acts directly on flakes and other contaminants in the skin. This reduces inflammation and other issues exponentially (and over time).
And then you get USP Bio-Sulfur. It removes the grease on the dog’s skin to prevent infections and other conditions.
Together, you get the ability to get rid of your dog’s affliction while preventing further problems. This could be anything from eczema to psoriasis, seborrhea, acne, hot spots, and just whatever.
PLUS: It has a decent smell of aloe vera (it also helps soothe skin after a bath).
What We Liked
- Surprisingly strong and effective
- Removes bacteria and grease
- Works on most skin conditions
- It has a pleasant fragrance
What We Didn’t Like
- Not safe for other animals
What to Consider When Buying Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs?
You shouldn’t be buying just any shampoo you see out there.
It should be the BEST ANTIFUNGAL SHAMPOO FOR DOGS. And for that, you need to know precisely what to look for.
Here are some factors to consider:
#1. Active Ingredients
This is what does the disinfection and most of the cleaning of the skin. A quality active ingredient gets the job done for your dog half the time. You will still need the antifungal agent (more on that later), but this one will make the most significant difference.
- Ammonium Sulfate
This is what scientists call a keratolytic or keratoplastic agent. It removes scales and replaces cells in the skin. Ammonium sulfate works pretty well for most conditions.
- Chlorhexidine
It disinfects the skin, removing oils and killing yeasts. You can expect it to last up to 2 days on your dog’s skin (preventing further damage).
- Sulfur
Alongside salicylic acid, sulfur degreases the skin, removing oils and yeasts in the process. You may also find it alongside coal tar.
- Coal Tar
It helps with skin irritations and flaky or dry skin. Not as familiar as other ingredients, it is one of the best at reducing itching.
- Benzoyl Peroxide
It’s also a degreaser; benzoyl peroxide treats bacterial infections and removes yeast-related oils.
- Phytosphingosine
This is a new ingredient, barely found out there. You may find shampoos made with this active agent that reduces irritation, improves hydration, and strengthens the skin.
- Ethyl Lactate
It reduces skin oils. Ethyl lactate often comes from natural sources, so it’s one of the safest ingredients you can get.
#2. Antifungal Agents
An active ingredient does most of the job, but it doesn’t eliminate the problem. This is where the antifungal agent enters into action. Here are some to consider:
- Ketoconazole
You will find ketoconazole on a wide array of shampoos (for both pets and humans). It’s one of the most effective and safest to use. The agent works directly on fungal cells to remove them.
- Zinc Gluconate
It helps with wounds and inflammations. You won’t find it easily, yet it is a pretty helpful oil-reducer and fungal killer.
- Zinc Pyrithione
More of an antimicrobial, zinc pyrithione removes yeasts and acts directly on microbes in the skin.
- Selenium Sulfide
It slows down the growth of fungal infections and removes bad agents. It is one of the most potent antifungal ingredients out there.
- Salicylic Acid
Removes dead cells and other fungal side effects, making sure they can’t reappear. It is an excellent treatment for dermatitis.
#3. Moisturizer or Conditioner
A shampoo that removes fungal infections should also leave your dog’s skin and hair healthier. Here’s where moisturizers and conditioners enter.
Most of the ingredients include straight-up moisturizers like
- Propylene glycol
- Aloe vera
- Castor oil
- Coconut oil
- Sodium lactate
There are many others, but these are the most common and worth your money. If the shampoo you’re getting comes with at least one of these, your dog will appreciate it.
#4. Soothing Ingredients
It’s not just about eliminating the infection and making the hair better. You also want your dog to feel minor itch and pain going forward. And for that, nothing works like a soothing agent.
Here are some to consider:
- Aloe vera
- Honeysuckle
- Coal tar
- Ginseng extract
- Shea butter
- Oatmeal
These ingredients will reduce inflammation, itchiness, and pain. Your dog will feel better almost immediately after bathing.
#5. Deodorizing Add-ons
Skin infections often come with severe side effects, like foul odors. These can make petting your dog a bit disgusting, so deodorizers always come pretty helpfully.
There are tons to look for here. But the best are almost always the natural ones. Consider all these:
- Essential oils (coconut, eucalyptus, jojoba, etc.)
- Spearmint
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lavender
- Dead sea minerals
- Cucumber-melon
- Rosemary
- Chamomile
It’s worth noting that natural deodorizers are softer on your dog’s skin, causing little to no trouble. But they may go away faster too. Artificial ingredients aren’t the most pleasant or the easiest on your puppy’s skin, but they last longer.
#6. Medicated vs. Veterinary Grade
You will often notice that some shampoos use “Medicated” and others use “Veterinary-Grade,” making you think they’re different.
Well, veterinary-grade shampoos typically contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than shampoos that only say medicated. This often makes them prescriptive products, which you may not be able to get without a veterinary’s prescription.
A medicated shampoo is not necessarily less intense or useful, though. Medicated refers to the antifungal or anti-bacterial ingredients, so veterinary-grade shampoos are also medicated. However, medicated is often used to mean it is helpful to treat skin conditions (depending on its components).
Some shampoos are still antifungal without saying medicated. This happens when the ingredients are entirely natural. You may expect slightly less potent effects from these, and you may be able to buy them for cheaper.
Why Would you Need an Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs?
The most common reason is a dog with skin conditions causing itching or pain. This could happen for many reasons, such as:
- Wounds or diseases – you want to keep your dog safe from infections, so you use antifungal shampoo to remove contaminants before it’s too late
- Bacterial infection – either caused by infected agents or wounds that escalate from mild to severe problems if left untreated.
- Yeast infection – causes itching and inflammation from bacteria that most antifungal shampoos can remove.
- Allergies – dogs can suffer from allergies that start with simple rashes from insect bites, parasites, or heat, causing inflammation and itching.
You could use an antifungal dog shampoo for many more things, but these are the most likely scenarios.
ADVICE: Consult your dog’s veterinarian before using ANYTHING. While these shampoos are not often dangerous, you MUST make sure it’s something safe. Some conditions may require something milder or just better.
ALSO READ: 23 Common Dog Skin Conditions
How to Bathe a Dog with Antifungal Shampoo?
You can follow pretty much the same process as a regular bath. This would mean wetting the dog’s coat and applying the shampoo afterward.
BUT, it also depends on what your veterinarian recommends and what condition you’re trying to treat.
Consider the following tips:
- Ask your veterinarian first. Before you use anything on your dog, make sure it’s something your veterinarian is okay with. Some shampoos (either antifungal or not) may cause issues if you aren’t careful.
- Remove dirt and debris before an antifungal bathe. Use regular shampoo for this. This way, you can clean the superficial contaminants before cleaning the affected areas.
- Always apply shampoo with a wet coat. This is the best way to spread and clean as much as you can of your dog’s coat. Remember to use warm water (stay away from hot or cold water).
- Focus on the affected areas. Apply the shampoo generally and gently spread it around, but make sure the portions of the skin with rashes and itches are rubbed first.
- Let the shampoo work. These shampoos are not like the typical product. They require a bit of time to act on your dog’s skin (read the instructions to better understand how much time to wait).
- Rinse the shampoo thoroughly. Please don’t leave any trace of shampoo behind, as it could thicken and cause other issues in your dog’s skin or fur. Use a spray nozzle with a gentle stream to avoid damaging the skin.
- Use a conditioner (optional). Some veterinarians recommend using a conditioner to help the fur recover after the antifungal. This is optional, but it’s often done after rinsing the shampoo.
- Dry your dog well. Use towels over electric driers for this. Avoid sun exposure and other harmful exterior factors that may affect your dog’s skin.
Now you should be ready for your dog to feel anew going forward. A good bathe with an antifungal shampoo should always help with that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is not often recommended because the potency and effectiveness changes. Consult with a veterinarian before you use anything on your dog that may cause damage. Before proceeding, it’s worth taking a good look at the ingredients (like the ones in the above guide).
It depends on your dog’s skin condition. Severe problems like infections may require bathes every few days. Mild conditions typically require weekly bathes instead.
Before you decide how often to bathe your dog, you should consult with a veterinarian. Once again, a professional’s input is always better than taking reigns by your own accord (without knowing whether it could be dangerous).
Antifungal shampoos aren’t dangerous at all so that you can bathe your dog pretty much anywhere. A bathtub or shower works for this. But you can also consider patios, driveways, gardens, grass, or whatever. As long as your dog is not exposed to harmful chemicals or external factors (like scorching sun rays), then you can proceed without worries.
Most skin conditions improve within weeks of the first treatment. Of course, this will depend heavily on how advanced the condition is and what type of shampoo you’re using.
For severe conditions like infections, it’s always wise to wait at least a couple of weeks up to a month to see improvements. But for milder conditions like rashes or inflammation, you may see results within the first two weeks.
Conclusion
So, did you find the ideal antifungal dog shampoo?
You’re now equipped with the knowledge to tackle most skin conditions your dog may suffer from. Whether to help with something right away or in the future, this is the ideal way to go.
Remember to consider these vital points:
- Dog’s skin condition – all shampoos are slightly different and may benefit from a variety of ingredients
- Veterinarian’s input – don’t buy anything before first consulting with your vet
Once you have these two figured out, picking the ideal antifungal dog shampoo won’t be much of a problem.
It’s then time to fix your dog’s ailment… what are you waiting for?
Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.