The 5 Best Antifungal Dog Shampoos in 2024
Quick Guide
If your dog has a fungal or yeast infection (often associated with ear infections), you will need a good antifungal dog shampoo. Keep reading to find out the best antifungal dog shampoo for your dog.
| Quick Look : Top 4 Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs | |||
| Rank | Shampoo | Price | Rating |
| #1 |
 Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo | $.47/oz |
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| #2 |
 | $1.32/oz |
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| #3 |
 | $.48/oz |
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| #4 |
 | $1.57/oz |
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Does your dog have a fungal (yeast) infection?
There are some specific symptoms of a fungal infection that differentiate it from a bacterial infection.
- Your dog’s skin will be greasy and smelly;
- These infections are usually found in moist areas such as your dog’s ears, armpits, paws, and folds of his skin;
- If his ears are affected he may shake his head, scratch his ears, and hold his head to one side;
- His ears may present a brown, waxy discharge;
- Fungal infections often follow a round of antibiotics;
- Fungal infections often seem to plague dogs with allergies;
- These infections are often worse for dogs in the warmer months.
Of course, both bacterial and fungal infections are unpleasant for your dog but you can tell your dog has a fungal infection because these symptoms are different from the symptoms for a bacterial infection.
Dogs, like all of us, come in contact with various micro-organisms on a regular basis. Yeast is always present on your dog’s skin. Most dogs with a strong immune system are able to keep these yeasty organisms in check. However, if your dog’s immune system is weakened in some way – from allergies or illness, for example – the normal yeast present on his skin can grow out of control, leading to a fungal infection. Your dog’s immune system won’t be strong enough on its own to get rid of the yeast overgrowth. He will need some help such as an antifungal shampoo and/or medication from your veterinarian.
Yeast is just one of the fungi that can cause a fungal infection on your dog. There are various fungal infections. Not all of them affect the skin. But dogs with weakened immune systems are almost always more likely to be susceptible to an infection than a dog with a strong, healthy immune system.
Here are the 7 Best Dog Shampoos
What to look for in a Good Antifungal Shampoo for Dogs
Many antifungal shampoos include an antibacterial component. There is nothing wrong with using one of these shampoos on your dog. In fact, in many cases a dog that has a fungal skin infection will also have a bacterial infection. So, using a shampoo that includes medication for both kinds of infections can be a bonus. If you take your dog to the veterinarian she should be able to tell you if your dog has a fungal infection, a bacterial infection, or both kinds of infection.
A good antifungal shampoo will usually have ingredients such as Miconazole (2 percent), Ketoconazole (2 percent), or Selenium sulfide (1 percent). These ingredients are considered to be the most effective antifungal treatments. Ingredients which may be found in antifungals but which are somewhat less effective include Chlorhexidine (2-4 percent) and Povidone Iodine.
Since these are medicated shampoos they can run the gamut with some being more natural and some being more traditional with their other ingredients.
The Best Antifungal Dog Shampoo
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo
Our choice for the best antifungal shampoo is Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo. This shampoo is specially formulated for fungal infections. It features Ketoconazole Usp which is very effective against fungal infections. It has benzethonium chloride to help eliminate bacteria that causes irritation and odor. It deodorizes – since bad skin can sometimes have a bad odor. And it has aloe vera to soothe the skin and help speed healing. It’s 100 percent paraben-free. This shampoo has some 200 positive reviews on Chewy.com.
4 more Really Good Antifungal Shampoos for Dogs
MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo
Another antifungal shampoo we like is MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo. It treats topical fungal and bacterial infections. It’s formulated to fight dandruff, ringworm, yeast, fungus, and bacterial infections. The active ingredients are 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate, 2% Miconazole Nitrate, and TrizEDTA (tromethamine USP, Disodium EDTA Dihydrate) so it’s loaded with ingredients that are recommended to fight fungal infections.
VetMD Medicated Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Fungal Dog Shampoo
VetMD Medicated Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Fungal Dog Shampoo contains the active ingredients Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Ketoconazole which are known for fighting fungal infections. This shampoo is often recommended by veterinarians to help alleviate symptoms associated with bacterial and fungal infections. The skin-soothing formula contains tea tree leaf oil to invigorate the skin; and it has a calming lavender fields scent. It has no artificial fragrances, chemicals, or parabens that could irritate your dog’s skin. It’s pH balanced for your dog’s sensitive skin. Safe to use with your dog’s topical flea and tick treatments.
Vetoquinol Vet Solutions Sebozole Shampoo
Vetoquinol Vet Solutions Sebozole Shampoo has a unique formulation of Miconazole Nitrate (2 percent) and Chloroylenol (1 percent) to provide antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseborrheic activity and help skin conditions associated with infections. Gentle so it can be used more often than some shampoos for infections.
Jax n Daisy Antifungal & Antibacterial Dog Shampoo
If you’re looking for a more natural shampoo to treat your dog’s fungal infection, Jax n’ Daisy gets good reviews. It’s an antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic shampoo that quickly and effectively relieves itchy, irritated skin. The gentle formula includes lemon oil, witch hazel, lavender, rosemary, and chamommile, blended with hemp and grapeseed oils. The active ingredient is Chlorhexidine Gluconate (2 percent). This shampoo helps to relive pain and itching while aiding the healing of your dog’s skin problems caused by bacteria and fungi. Made in the U.S. using high quality, all natural ingredients and essential oils. Enriched with vitamins A, D, and E.
Conclusion
Fungal infections are serious and they can be hard to clear up. If you are unsure about your dog’s skin problem, it’s a good idea to take your dog to see the veterinarian. Your vet can take a sample and give you a definite answer about your dog’s skin infection. If you know your dog has a fungal infection, try one of the shampoos recommended here and see if it helps your dog. These are all excellent antifungal shampoos. Let us know the results!
