9 Best Hot Spot Shampoos for Dogs In 2026: Reviews & Top Picks

Hot spots can be an irritating and uncomfortable skin condition for our canine companions. These red, inflamed patches of skin often appear suddenly and can quickly grow larger if not treated promptly. While more severe cases require veterinary care, mild hot spots can often be soothed and treated at home with a high-quality medicated shampoo.

As a veterinarian and dog lover, I‘ve seen firsthand how the right shampoo can provide much-needed relief for itchy, irritated skin and help hot spots heal faster. But with so many products on the market, it can be tricky to know which dog shampoos are truly effective and which are just hype.

To help you find the best dog shampoo for your pup‘s hot spots, I‘ve rounded up my top recommendations for 2024. But first, let‘s take a closer look at what causes hot spots and what to look for in a good medicated shampoo.

What Causes Hot Spots in Dogs?

Also known as acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis, hot spots are localized areas of skin inflammation and bacterial infection. They occur when the normal skin barrier is damaged from scratching, licking, or biting, allowing bacteria to invade and leading to further irritation.

Some common triggers for hot spots include:

Allergies (flea allergy dermatitis, food allergies, environmental allergies)
Ear or skin infections
Parasites like fleas or mites
Excess moisture trapped in the coat
Boredom or stress that leads to excessive licking

Certain breeds with thicker coats, like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Saint Bernards, may be more prone to developing hot spots. However, any dog can get them.

Hot spots tend to be very painful and itchy for dogs. If left untreated, they can quickly grow and spread as your dog scratches and licks at the lesion. This is why it‘s so important to start treatment right away using a medicated shampoo and to keep the area clean and dry.

What to Look for in a Hot Spot Shampoo

A good hot spot shampoo should help soothe itching and inflammation while gently cleaning the skin and coat. Look for products that contain skin-calming natural ingredients like:

Colloidal oatmeal: Helps relieve itching and moisturize the skin
Aloe vera: Has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
Hydrocortisone: Reduces inflammation and relieves itching
Lidocaine: Provides topical pain relief
Chlorhexidine: An antiseptic that helps treat bacterial infections
Ketoconazole or miconazole: Anti-fungal ingredients

Avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals, sulfates, parabens, artificial fragrances or dyes which can further irritate your dog‘s sensitive skin. Look for a gentle formula that is free of soap and detergents.

The 8 Best Dog Shampoos for Hot Spots in 2024

Now that you know what causes hot spots and what to look for in a shampoo, here are my top picks for the best medicated dog shampoos to get the job done.

Vetoquinol Vet Solutions Universal Medicated Shampoo

As a veterinarian-strength shampoo, this powerful formula contains a blend of active ingredients to tackle hot spots and other skin infections. Chlorhexidine and ketoconazole work together to treat both bacterial and yeast infections, while colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera soothe inflammation.

This shampoo lathers well and rinses easily without stripping the coat of its natural oils. While more expensive than over-the-counter options, a little goes a long way, and many users saw a significant improvement in their dog‘s hot spots after just a few uses.

Pros:

Veterinary-grade ingredients
Treats both bacterial and fungal infections
Colloidal oatmeal and aloe soothe irritation
Lathers and rinses well

Cons:

More expensive than some options
Requires a veterinary prescription

Curaseb Chlorhexidine 4% Shampoo

Another strong medicated option, Curaseb contains 4% chlorhexidine, one of the most effective antiseptics for treating hot spots and other skin infections. This extra-strength formula also includes ketoconazole to combat yeast and aloe vera to soothe inflamed skin.

Many users found this shampoo to be very effective at clearing up hot spots quickly when used 2-3 times per week. It has a pleasant cucumber melon scent. However, it may be too harsh for dogs with very sensitive skin.

Pros:

4% chlorhexidine for strong antibacterial power
Ketoconazole treats yeast
Aloe vera soothes irritation
Pleasant scent

Cons:

May be too strong for very sensitive skin
Some found the scent overpowering

Strawfield Pets Chlorhexidine Shampoo with Aloe Vera

This affordable medicated shampoo is another good choice for treating hot spots and skin infections. It contains 2% chlorhexidine to fight bacteria plus 1% ketoconazole to tackle fungus and yeast. Aloe vera and vitamin E are added to soothe and moisturize irritated skin.

This shampoo has a light fresh scent and lathers up well. Most users were impressed with how well it helped to heal hot spots and relieve itching. However, some found it left their dog‘s coat feeling a bit dry.

Pros:

2% chlorhexidine and 1% ketoconazole
Aloe and vitamin E soothe and moisturize
Light, fresh scent
Affordable price

Cons:

Some found it drying on the coat
Scent may be too strong for sensitive noses

Dechra DermaBenSs Shampoo

Dechra DermaBenSs is a potent combination of antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory ingredients to provide relief for hot spots and infected skin. It contains benzoyl peroxide to flush out the hair follicle, sulfur and salicylic acid to control bacteria and fungus, and colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritation.

This shampoo is a good choice for more severe or resistant skin infections. However, it may be too drying for frequent use on dogs with already dry skin or coats. It also has a strong medicinal smell.

Pros:

Potent antibacterial and anti-fungal power
Good for stubborn infections
Colloidal oatmeal soothes irritation

Cons:

Can be drying with frequent use
Strong medicinal scent
More expensive

Pet MD Antiseptic and Antifungal Shampoo

This veterinary-grade shampoo contains 2% chlorhexidine to treat bacterial skin infections plus ketoconazole to fight yeast. Colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, and vitamin E work to relieve itching and hydrate the skin. It‘s free of soaps and parabens.

Many users found this shampoo to be very effective at clearing up hot spots, although some dogs still needed oral antibiotics for more severe infections. It has a mild clean scent and did not irritate most dogs‘ skin. The bottle is a great value for the price.

Pros:

2% chlorhexidine and ketoconazole
Colloidal oatmeal, aloe, and vitamin E soothe skin
Soap and paraben-free
Mild, clean scent
Great value

Cons:

May not be strong enough for severe infections alone
Some dogs still scratched after use

Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Shampoo

This affordable medicated shampoo from Veterinary Formula contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to treat demodectic mange, 2% sulfur to control seborrhea, and 1% salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin. Together, these ingredients also work well to clean and flush out hot spots.

This strong formula provides relief from itching quickly and helps hot spots dry out and heal. However, it can be quite drying on the coat, so it‘s best for short-term use. Be sure to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner.

Pros:

Effective for treating hot spots, mange, and seborrhea
2.5% benzoyl peroxide unclogs hair follicles
Provides fast itch relief
Affordable price

Cons:

Can dry out the skin and coat
Strong medicinal smell
Not for long-term use

Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Shampoo

Douxo Chlorhexidine PS is a gentle, soap-free shampoo that contains a mild 0.5% chlorhexidine plus 0.05% climbazole to control bacteria and yeast. Phytosphingosine (PS) is a unique ingredient that helps to restore the skin‘s natural protective barrier.

This milder formula is a good choice for dogs with sensitive skin who may not tolerate stronger medicated shampoos. It‘s also safe for more frequent bathing. However, it may not be strong enough to tackle more severe hot spots alone.

Pros:

Gentle, soap-free formula
Contains phytosphingosine to repair skin barrier
Safe for frequent use
Light, pleasant scent

Cons:

Lower chlorhexidine concentration
May not be effective for more severe hot spots

Duoxo Chlorhexidine Shampoo

Similar to the Douxo PS formula, Duoxo Chlorhexidine Shampoo contains a combination of mild antibacterial and anti-fungal ingredients plus phytosphingosine to support the skin‘s natural defenses. It‘s a gentle, soap-free shampoo that is safe for frequent use on sensitive skin.

Duoxo shampoo has a light, pleasant scent and leaves the coat soft and shiny. It provides relief from itching and helps to soothe red, inflamed skin. Like the Douxo PS shampoo, it may not be strong enough to clear up more severe hot spots without additional treatment.

Pros:

Gentle cleansing formula
Repairs skin barrier with phytosphingosine
Safe for frequent use
Light, fresh scent
Leaves coat soft and shiny

Cons:

May not be effective for severe hot spots alone
More expensive than some options

Tips for Bathing a Dog with Hot Spots

Whichever shampoo you choose, there are a few things you can do to help make bath time more soothing for your itchy pup:

Brush your dog first to remove any mats or tangles, being careful not to further irritate hot spots
Use lukewarm (not hot) water and avoid spraying directly on hot spots
Massage the shampoo gently around the hot spots rather than scrubbing
Allow the shampoo to sit on the skin for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly
Pat your dog dry with a clean towel – do not rub the hot spots
Keep your dog contained until the hot spots are fully dry to prevent licking and chewing

When to See Your Vet

Most mild hot spots should start to improve within a few days of using a medicated shampoo. However, if your dog‘s hot spots are very large, deep, oozing, or not getting better with shampoo alone, it‘s time to see your veterinarian.

Your vet can prescribe stronger topical or oral antibiotics to treat the infection, as well as anti-itch medication or an e-collar to prevent further damage from scratching. In severe cases, your dog may need the area clipped and cleaned under sedation.

It‘s also important to work with your vet to identify and treat the underlying cause of your dog‘s hot spots, such as allergies or fleas, to prevent them from recurring.

The Bottom Line

Hot spots can be an incredibly uncomfortable and frustrating condition for both dogs and their owners. But with prompt treatment using a medicated shampoo, you can help relieve your dog‘s itching and inflammation and allow the skin to heal.

When choosing a hot spot shampoo, look for soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera, plus antibacterial and antifungal ingredients like chlorhexidine, ketoconazole, or benzoyl peroxide. Avoid artificial fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals that can further irritate the skin.

The 8 best dog shampoos for hot spots in 2024 include a range of medicated formulas to suit different needs, from veterinary-strength options for stubborn infections to milder shampoos for sensitive skin. Be sure to choose the right formula based on the severity of your dog‘s hot spots and always follow up with your veterinarian for persistent or worsening symptoms.

With the right medicated shampoo and a little TLC, you can help your furry friend feel better fast and get back to living their best tail-wagging life.