Best Dog Shampoos for Yeast Infection
There’s nothing worse than knowing that your dog is struggling with something physically. You may keep watching your dog chewing, licking or biting themselves all through the day, and you may wonder ‘what’s wrong?’ Sometimes, it can come down to things such as skin infections, especially yeast infections.
Yeast infections can be particularly difficult to treat, but thankfully having a good dog shampoo for a yeast infection can make a massive difference. There are a lot of options out on the market, however, so you may find it difficult to narrow down what will be the best option for you. To save you hours of arduous research, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled this handy ranking of the best dog shampoos for yeast infections, in addition to a buyer’s guide to help you to make the best decision for your dog.
In a hurry? This is our winner!
- GENTLE SOOTHING – Helps promote a healthy skin and coat free of flaky, dry, or overly oily skin that may be caused by environmental stressors.
- FAST ACTING – Works fast with powerful ingredients that help shed dry skin and hydrate your pet's skin. Wash and soak on skin and coat for 10-15 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times weekly.
- VET-RECOMMENDED – This paraben, dye, and soap-free pet shampoo has gentle cleansers and is made without damaging detergents. Oatmeal and Allantoin add hydration and nourish the skin.
- FORMULATED FOR DOGS – Specifically formulated for dogs, this pH-balanced shampoo is unlike human shampoos that are developed at a lower pH level (more acidic).
- APPLICATION: This product is intended for topical use only. Read directions carefully before applying. Test on a small area prior to using. Not suitable for cats.
Best Dog Shampoos for Yeast Infection – Reviews
If your dog is suffering with a fungal or bacterial infection, then this medicated shampoo may be just what they need. This shampoo is ideal for helping to treat various skin problems such as mites and other parasites, scaly plaques and oily exudate. By doing so, the shampoo removes many of the conditions required for yeast overgrowth to occur.
The shampoo uses coal tar to treat any flaking and scaling on the skin, and because of this it’s a great choice for other skin conditions such as oily or seborrheic dermatitis. As it gets rid of the dead skin and any other things on the dog’s skin, it thus also reduces the amount of itchiness that your dog experiences.
It also includes salicylic acid. This is essentially an ingredient that’s used to cure acne in humans, and it has similar functions for dogs as it has an antiseborrheic activity, healing any rashes. It also includes colloidal oatmeal, which is an anti inflammatory ingredient, and allantoin which will keep your dog’s skin well hydrated.
- Doesn’t come with any harmful ingredients for dogs
- Quick results
- Can be used effectively even after applying flea or tick removal creams
- The ingredients are toxic to cats, so it’s important that the shampoo is kept out of their reach
The Curaseb Antifungal and Antibacterial Chlorhexidine Shampoo is a product made in the USA that is able to work against fungus, bacteria and yeast to help to make your dog’s skin healthy. It’s also the ideal shampoo if your dog has allergies because it will also target any secondary infections that could arise.
As the name suggests, the shampoo uses an antiseptic known as Chlorhexidine. This component is generally used in surgical prep, and it works effectively against topical microorganisms such as different species of yeast. It also contains ketoconazole, which is an antifungal that means that the chances of yeast becoming a further bother for your job are pretty nonexistent if you use this shampoo.
The other main ingredient that is present in this shampoo is aloe vera, designed to soothe your dog’s skin. Of course, it certainly helps that this ingredient also has antibacterial and antifungal properties too. If you aren’t pleased with the product the brand also offers a money back guarantee.
- Ideal for use against skin allergies
- Nice smell that isn’t super strong
- Doesn’t contain any harmful soaps or parabens
- Not all dogs react well to the ingredients if they have red skin and itching
Say goodbye to yeast infections with the Vetoquinol 411608 Sebozole Shampoo. This shampoo contains sebozole, which is essentially a combination of chloroxylenol and miconazole nitrate. This solution has antifungal properties, and it is also an antiseptic and disinfectant solution. Generally it is used to sterilize surgical instruments.
In addition to these ingredients, the shampoo contains salicylic acid. The shampoo is effective against fungal infections, yeast infections and more. If you put the shampoo on the skin for a longer period of time it will also deep clean, helping to keep your dog’s coat shiny and clean for a longer period of time.
If your dog struggles with flaky and dry skin then this sebozole shampoo is perfect for them. Your dog won’t need to worry about itching for much longer. Not only this, but perhaps one of the greatest things about this shampoo is that it is not only ideal for dogs, but it can even be used on cats and horses too. It also doesn’t smell too bad, like a lot of antifungal shampoos do.
- Possible to use it for cats and horses in addition to dogs
- Not a bad smell
- Ideal for treating infections specifically in areas like the belly and the feet
- It can be difficult to lather the shampoo
The Arava Natural Medicated Dog Shampoo is ideal for helping to prevent fungal, bacterial and yeast infections. This formula is able to deal with any problem areas on the skin for these problems, and it’s also perfect for helping to make sure that your dog’s coat remains luscious and shiny.
The shampoo contains 28 active ingredients in total, and all of these are totally natural so if you do prefer to take more of a holistic approach to health then this shampoo will be ideal for you. Some of these ingredients include botanical oils and extracts that are very effective against yeast and fungus. It also includes Dead Sea minerals, and this is ideal for wounds as it acts as an antiseptic.
In addition, the shampoo also contains flaxseed and oatmeal, which helps to hydrate the skin, in addition to tea tree oil. The formula also has a nice herbal scent that you are sure to appreciate.
- Softens your dog’s coat
- Works well against hair loss and itching
- Doesn’t come with any harsh ingredients that may dry out the skin
- Not every user is fond of the herbal scent
The Dechra Miconahex + Trix Pet Shampoo treats not only yeast infections, but other fungal infections and ringwor. It contains miconazole, chlorhexidine and TrizEDTA as the primary active ingredients.
The shampoo is essentially antimicrobial in action but it can also help to enhance the effects of other antibiotics. It contains ceramides, and these remove any allergens and bacteria off the surface of the skin. They also help to get rid of any odors and toxins that may have made their way onto your dog’s skin. Your dog’s skin will also be well hydrated with this formula.
Of course, there are also a few other benefits. Namely, the shampoo has a long term action even once you’ve rinsed it off, so it’s effective for quite some time. It also helps to decrease any smells that may come with yeast infections. It also doesn’t smell of anything which is ideal if you have a particularly sensitive nose.
- Long term action
- Reduces odors of yeast infections
- No smell
- In order for it to work, you will need to bath the dog around 3 or 4 times a week – not all dogs will be happy with this!
Best Dog Shampoos for Yeast Infection – Buyer’s Guide
Dog Yeast Infection
Yeast develops naturally on the skin for dogs, and it’s also called Malassezia. Similarly to other bacteria, it is useful because it can improve the dog’s health, but with too much of it your dog can become uncomfortable. It may result in some major problems if it remains untreated.
Causes
There are a number of different things that can cause yeast infections in dogs. The first thing is allergies. Allergies can cause problems for the immune system, and your dog can end up scratching. This can in turn disrupt the natural barriers of the skin that would help to stop microscopic organisms from making their way in.
Bacterial infections can also be a precursor to yeast infections. Bacteria can cause things like rashes and lesions and these can create the perfect environment for yeast infections. Endocrine disorders such as diabetes and lupus can also attack the immune system which means your dog could be more likely to get yeast infections in their skin.
Certain medications such as antibiotics and steroids can also contribute to yeast infections as they can suppress the immune system, or they can affect the amount of beneficial bacteria in the body. Things like fleas and mites can also be problematic as they can cause your dog to itch, creating the perfect conditions for yeast overgrowth.
Signs of Yeast Infections
Spotting the signs of a yeast infection in your dog can be the first step into getting them treatment. Some common signs of yeast infections include:
- Sores and lesions
- Greasy coat
- Irritated, red skin
- Itchiness
- Ear and skin inflammation
- Unpleasant smelling discharge
- Hair loss
- Head shaking and tilting
If you happen to notice any of these symptoms in your dog, you should speak to your veterinarian as yeast infections can cause a lot of problems when they aren’t treated properly.
Things to Consider When Buying Dog Shampoos for Yeast Infections
Before you look for a dog shampoo for yeast infections, it is first very important to get a correct diagnosis from your veterinarian. Usually they will suggest the correct course of action and in some cases they may require oral medications, but generally a lot of dogs recover well with antibacterial dog shampoos.
There are a couple of things that you should keep in mind when buying a dog shampoo for yeast infections, however.
Treatment Options
Ointments and Creams
If your dog has an infection in one specific area of the skin, creams and ointments are usually ideal. If your dog has an infection inside the ears, for example, ointments are great for that. Sometimes drops are also suggested.
Shampoos
Dog shampoos for yeast infections remain one of the most effective ways to provide treatment for a yeast infection, not to mention that they are highly effective. Generally a medicated shampoo only needs to be on your dog’s skin for around 10 to 20 minutes in total. When you have washed it off you also don’t need to wordy about your dog licking it off.
It’s very important to ensure that you properly bathe your dog afterwards with a shampoo, so keep this in mind.
Active Ingredients
If you’re using a dog shampoo for yeat infections, one of the most important features to consider is the active ingredients inside the shampoo that will fight the infection off. Some ingredients that are designed to kill yeast include fluconazole, ketoconazole and miconazole nitrate.
You don’t necessarily need to spend hours reading the ingredients list before you buy, however, because the manufacturer will generally list the main active ingredient in the shampoo which is what is going to help your dog to recover from the infection. You do need to think about how much of the ingredient is present, however. You can check out other reviews to see what users have said about the effectiveness of the shampoo to give you an indication.
You should always remember that every dog is different – no two dogs are going to react the same way to a treatment. Some dogs may have a more severe infection which may mean that the shampoo doesn’t respond as well to their skin. If you have any concerns, always check again with your vet.
Moisturizers
Keeping your dog’s skin dry is important to avoid yeast infections, but hydration is also equally as important. You should look out for natural moisturizers like aloe vera, shea butter and coconut oil as these ingredients are gentle to the skin and can help to encourage the healing process.
What you really need is to keep your dog’s coat dry, but make sure that it isn’t too moisturized. It can be tricky to put a moisturizer on your dog’s skin if they have a double coat too, so this is another element to consider. Having the right balance between dryness and hydration is thus essential.
Cooling Agents
Your dog’s skin can become irritated and inflamed when they have a yeast infections. As a result of this, you may want to get a shampoo that has cooling ingredients such as aloe vera as this will help to make your dog feel more comfortable. Dogs don’t tend to acknowledge that their scratching can make infections worse so using a cooling agent to prevent them from scratching is pretty important.
Natural Ingredients
The last thing you want is to irritate your dog’s skin any further when they have a yeast infection. Natural ingredients that are free from chemicals are thus the way to go when selecting a dog shampoo for a yeast infection. You should avoid any shampoos that contain harsh ingredients such as alcohol and parabens.
Essential Oils
Essential oils do not only smell great, but can also provide your dog with some natural antibacterial and antifungal benefits too so they’re great to have in a dog shampoo.
Cost
Naturally, cost is always going to be a factor when buying a dog shampoo for a yeast infection. While you shouldn’t necessarily look for the most expensive option for the sake of it, you should also avoid buying the cheapest option out there just because it’s cheap. The shampoo could be cheap because it’s ineffective, so it’s important to be wary.
Always weigh up the price in comparison to the other factors we’ve mentioned on this list as that can help you to understand the true value of the product.
Instructions
When you’re looking for a dog shampoo to fight a yeast infection, it’s always important to look at the instructions of the shampoo. Instructions can help to show you how effective the shampoo will be. This may sound strange, but essentially a medicated shampoo will need a certain amount of time to work on the skin, so you need to be cautious about how effective the shampoo is if it doesn’t give you a long enough waiting time.
When you are shampooing your dog, leave the shampoo lathered on the skin for around five to ten minutes, unless the instructions state otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are yeast infections contagious in dogs?
Fortunately, yeast infections cannot be transmitted from dog to dog. Usually an infection will make its way into your dog as a result of an underlying health condition or via trapped moisture on the body. You don’t need to worry about your dog passing the infection onto you either, so you can treat the infection without needing to worry.
How often should you bath a dog with a yeast infection?
When you are first starting a treatment with a shampoo for a yeast infection, you should ensure that you bath your dog twice a week to begin with and keep the shampoo on the skin for at least 15 minutes. This, of course, is a general guideline – always follow the instructions on the product for the ideal usage.
Will vinegar kill yeast on dogs?
A lot of people recommend using apple cider vinegar to treat a yeast infection in dogs. In order to use this remedy, mix up a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water, then spray it onto your dog’s fur twice a day for one week, or just until the symptoms face away. It’s ideal when matched up with an antifungal dog shampoo. Always make sure that you let the coat air dry so you don’t end up drying the dog’s skin out too much, then apply a thin layer of coconut oil. Hydration is important!