If your dog keeps scratching, has scabby patches, or smells off no matter how often you bathe him, a regular shampoo isn't going to fix it. You need a medicated dog shampoo formulated to tackle fungal infections, bacterial overgrowth, allergies, or stubborn dandruff at the source, not just mask it with fragrance. Skin infections in dogs are common across Indian climates, especially during monsoon season, when skin, coat and tummy troubles spike, and picking the wrong bottle off a pet store shelf often makes things worse.
This list gets straight to what works. We've rounded up the 8 best medicated shampoos available in India right now, covering antifungal shampoos for dogs with skin infections, hot spots, mange, and chronic itching, so you can match the right formula to your dog's specific problem instead of guessing.
Each pick includes what condition it treats, active ingredients to look for, and how to use it correctly, since even the best medicated shampoo dog owners buy won't help if it's rinsed off too fast or used on the wrong skin type. We'll also flag when a vet visit matters more than another bath. If you're building a broader skin and coat routine for your dog, our own natural pet grooming products at Robyn & Travis Co. pair well with the treatments below once the infection clears up.
1. Robyn & Travis Co. Velvet Wash Nourishing Shampoo
Our own Velvet Wash is not a medicated shampoo, and it isn't a substitute for a vet-prescribed antifungal or antibacterial wash. If your dog has an active, oozing or diagnosed infection, start with one of the vet-grade options further down this list. Where Velvet Wash earns its spot is what comes after: a gentle, nourishing wash for dry, dull or sensitive skin once the infection has cleared, so regular baths don't undo the recovery.
Key ingredients and how they work
Velvet Wash cleanses with plant-derived cleansers instead of sulphates, and pairs them with three human-grade botanicals: cold-pressed argan oil, rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids for shine and a smoother coat; unrefined shea butter, which conditions and moisturises to relieve dryness; and açai berry extract, an antioxidant-rich botanical that helps nourish skin and coat. It is free from sulphates, SLS, parabens and alcohol, so it cleans without stripping the natural oils the skin needs.
Like every Robyn & Travis Co. grooming product, it's made in India with human-grade, plant-based ingredients.
A shampoo that cleans without stripping the skin's natural oils does more for long-term coat health than one that just smells good.
Best for
Velvet Wash works best as a maintenance shampoo for dogs with dry, sensitive or itch-prone skin, for coats left dull or coarse after a course of medicated washes, and for dogs who deal with dryness in India's dry winter months. It's suitable for all coat types and life stages. Always follow your vet's advice on when to switch from a medicated wash.
How to use
- Wet the coat thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Dilute a small amount of Velvet Wash with an equal amount of water.
- Massage it into the wet coat to build a lather, working down to the skin and avoiding the eyes.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water and repeat if needed.
- Towel dry. For pets with known sensitivities, do a patch test before the first full bath.
Price in India
Velvet Wash is ₹544 for a 300 ml bottle on the Robyn & Travis Co. store, and it ships free, since every order above ₹499 gets free shipping across India. For better value, it comes in the Shiny Coat Duo with Coatzy Omega Blend (₹899) and in the Complete Grooming Bundle with the Peach & Aloe Dry Bath Spray and Triple Treat Balm (₹1,049, against ₹1,252 bought separately).
2. Himalaya Erina Coat Cleanser Shampoo
Himalaya's Erina Coat Cleanser has been a fixture in Indian vet clinics for years, and it's usually the first medicated shampoo for dog owners reach for when a vet mentions mild fungal or tick-related skin issues. It's widely available, affordable, and gentle enough for regular use, which makes it a practical starting point before moving to stronger antiseptic formulas.
Key ingredients and how they work
The shampoo combines neem and turmeric, two ingredients with long-standing use in Indian veterinary care for their antibacterial and antifungal action. Aloe vera and a touch of natural oil round out the formula to prevent the dryness that plain antiseptic washes often cause. It doesn't contain a heavy-duty prescription antifungal like ketoconazole, so treat it as a supportive wash rather than a cure for a confirmed infection.
A gentle antifungal wash controls surface-level flare-ups, but it won't clear a deep-seated infection on its own.
Best for
This works well for dogs with mild tick infestations, minor fungal patches, and general coat hygiene in humid regions where skin problems crop up often. It's also a solid choice for puppies once they're old enough for regular baths, since the formula is milder than most medicated pet shampoo for dogs aimed at adult infections.
How to use
Wet the coat fully, apply the shampoo, and massage it in for a couple of minutes before rinsing. Vets typically recommend using it twice a week during an active flare and once weekly for upkeep afterward. Always rinse thoroughly, since leftover residue can irritate skin that's already sensitive.
Price in India
A 200ml bottle usually costs between ₹150 and ₹220, making it one of the cheapest medicated options on this list and an easy one to keep on hand.
3. Keramed Vet Shampoo
Keramed Vet Shampoo shows up on a lot of Indian vet prescription slips, especially for dogs with confirmed fungal or bacterial skin infections rather than just mild irritation. Vets tend to reach for it because it contains ketoconazole and chlorhexidine, two active ingredients that show up in clinical dermatology protocols rather than over-the-counter pet aisles.
Key ingredients and how they work
The formula pairs ketoconazole, an antifungal that disrupts the cell membrane of yeast and fungal organisms, with chlorhexidine, a broad-spectrum antiseptic that targets bacteria on the skin's surface. Together they treat mixed infections where fungal and bacterial overgrowth happen at the same time, which is common in dogs with skin folds or chronic ear and paw licking. This combination is stronger than the neem-based washes covered earlier, so it's not meant for daily use on healthy skin.
Mixed fungal and bacterial infections need a shampoo that fights both organisms at once, not two separate washes.
Best for
This shampoo suits dogs with a vet-confirmed fungal or bacterial infection, ringworm, seborrhea, or persistent musty odor that hasn't responded to a milder wash. It's a good fit for breeds prone to skin fold infections, like Bulldogs or Shar Peis, and for dogs recovering from mange where secondary infections have set in.
How to use
Apply the shampoo to wet fur, working it into affected areas, and leave it on for a full 10 minutes before rinsing, since ketoconazole needs contact time to work. Most vets recommend use twice weekly for two to four weeks, then a reassessment before continuing or stepping down to a maintenance wash. Don't use it longer than prescribed without checking back in, since overuse can dry out skin that's already compromised.
Price in India
A 200ml bottle typically runs between ₹350 and ₹450, and it's usually stocked at veterinary pharmacies rather than general pet stores.
4. Virbac Sebolytic Shampoo
Virbac Sebolytic is built for a different problem than the fungal washes above. It targets seborrhea, the flaky, greasy skin condition that leaves dogs with either dry white flakes or an oily, waxy coat that smells rancid within days of a bath. Vets often prescribe it alongside a diagnosis rather than as a general-purpose medicated shampoo dog owners pick off a shelf, since seborrhea usually needs a specific approach rather than a blanket antifungal wash.
Key ingredients and how they work
The formula centers on salicylic acid and sulfur, both keratolytic agents that break down excess skin cells and loosen dried flakes so they wash away instead of building up. This combination also helps normalize oil production in dogs whose sebaceous glands run overactive, which is the root cause behind most chronic seborrhea cases. Unlike the antifungal shampoos covered earlier, Sebolytic doesn't primarily fight yeast or bacteria; it manages the skin's own overproduction, though it's often paired with an antimicrobial wash when a secondary infection is present.
Flaky, greasy skin usually isn't an infection on its own, it's an oil-production problem that needs a keratolytic shampoo to fix.
Best for
This shampoo suits dogs diagnosed with seborrhea oleosa or sicca, breeds prone to it like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, and dogs with persistent dandruff that hasn't cleared with milder washes.
How to use
Wet the coat, apply generously, and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly, since the active exfoliants need time to loosen buildup. Use twice weekly initially, tapering to once weekly for maintenance as flaking reduces.
Price in India
A 200ml bottle generally costs between ₹450 and ₹600, and it's mostly stocked through veterinary clinics or specialty pet pharmacies rather than general retail.
5. PetBen Dog Shampoo
PetBen has built a name in Indian veterinary circles for treating skin conditions that other shampoos struggle with, particularly mange and severe mite infestations. It's a stronger, more clinical formula than the general antifungal washes covered above, and it's usually recommended when a vet has already confirmed parasites are behind the itching rather than a fungal or bacterial cause alone.
Key ingredients and how they work
The formula's core actives are benzoyl peroxide and sulfur, a combination that works through both antimicrobial and keratolytic action. Benzoyl peroxide flushes out clogged hair follicles and kills surface bacteria, while sulfur helps dissolve crusty scabs and loosens dead skin that mites and mange lesions leave behind. This makes PetBen more aggressive than a standard medicated shampoo for dog owners use for routine dandruff, so it's not meant for daily washing or for puppies with sensitive skin.
When mange or deep-seated mites are the problem, you need a shampoo that flushes follicles clean, not one that just softens the coat.
Best for
This shampoo suits dogs with confirmed mange, folliculitis, or scabby crusted lesions, along with breeds that develop recurring skin infections due to deep skin folds or dense double coats. It's also used post-surgery in some clinics to keep incision sites clean, though that should always follow a vet's specific instructions rather than general label guidance.
How to use
Wet the coat completely, apply the shampoo directly to affected patches, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly, since shorter contact times reduce its effectiveness against mites. Vets typically prescribe use twice weekly for two to three weeks, followed by a follow-up check before continuing.
Price in India
A 200ml bottle usually costs between ₹300 and ₹400, and it's primarily available through veterinary pharmacies rather than general pet retail shelves.
6. TropiClean Medicated Oatmeal and Tea Tree Shampoo
TropiClean brings an imported option into this list, and it's a favorite among Indian groomers who want something gentler than the prescription-strength washes above but still stronger than a basic oatmeal shampoo. It's positioned for dogs with itchy, irritated skin that hasn't tipped into a full-blown infection, making it a good middle-ground pick before you need a vet-grade formula.
Key ingredients and how they work
The formula combines colloidal oatmeal with tea tree oil and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to calm itching while supporting the skin's natural barrier. Tea tree oil brings mild antifungal and antibacterial properties, though at a gentler concentration than the ketoconazole or chlorhexidine washes covered earlier, so it works best as a supportive treatment rather than a cure for an active infection. The oatmeal base also helps soothe hot spots and reduces the urge to scratch, which matters since constant scratching is often what turns mild irritation into a secondary infection.
Calming the itch early often prevents the scratching that turns mild irritation into a full infection.
Best for
This medicated pet shampoo for dogs suits dogs with seasonal allergies, mild hot spots, dry and flaky skin, or general itchiness without a confirmed fungal or bacterial diagnosis. It's also a solid pick for dogs who react poorly to stronger medicated formulas but still need more than a plain moisturizing shampoo.
How to use
Wet the coat thoroughly, work the shampoo in with a focus on itchy or flaky areas, and let it sit for about 5 minutes before rinsing well. It's mild enough for weekly use during flare-ups, tapering to once every two weeks for general maintenance.
Price in India
Since it's an imported product, pricing runs higher than domestic options, typically between ₹900 and ₹1,300 for a 592ml bottle depending on the retailer and import duties at the time of purchase.
7. Sulfodene Medicated Shampoo and Conditioner
Sulfodene is another imported name that's found its way into Indian pet pharmacies, mostly through online sellers rather than local vet clinics. It's built as a two-in-one wash, combining medicated cleansing with a conditioning step, so dogs with dry, irritated skin don't come out of the bath feeling stripped and scratchy.
Key ingredients and how they work
Sulfur and salicylic acid form the backbone here, the same keratolytic pairing you saw in Virbac Sebolytic, working to loosen scaly patches and calm surface bacteria at once. What sets this apart is the built-in conditioner, which layers on moisturizing agents right after the medicated wash instead of requiring a separate product. That matters because plain sulfur washes tend to leave coats dry and dull, and this medicated shampoo dog owners use for flaky skin skips that trade-off.
Combining the medicated wash and conditioner in one step means dogs with dry skin don't lose moisture just to treat an infection.
Best for
This shampoo works well for dogs with dry, flaky skin paired with mild bacterial irritation, seasonal dandruff, or coats that turn brittle after repeated medicated baths. It's also a reasonable pick for owners managing a long-term skin condition who want fewer products in their bathing routine rather than a separate rinse-out conditioner every time.
How to use
Apply to a wet coat, massage in thoroughly, and leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing. Twice-weekly use suits an active flare, dropping to once a week once the skin looks calmer and less flaky.
Price in India
Expect to pay between ₹800 and ₹1,100 for a 400ml bottle, since import costs push the price above most domestic medicated pet shampoo for dogs on this list.
8. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic Shampoo
Veterinary Formula rounds out this list as a solid antiseptic option for owners who want a broad-spectrum wash without a prescription. It's positioned between the gentle neem-based shampoos and the stronger vet-only formulas, making it a practical choice when you suspect a minor bacterial issue but haven't gotten a vet diagnosis yet.
Key ingredients and how they work
The formula uses chlorhexidine as its primary antiseptic, the same broad-spectrum ingredient found in Keramed Vet Shampoo, paired with aloe vera and lanolin to offset the drying effect antiseptics usually have on skin. Chlorhexidine breaks down bacterial cell walls on contact, which helps with surface-level infections and general odor control, though it doesn't carry the antifungal punch of a ketoconazole-based wash. This makes it a good general-purpose medicated dog shampoo rather than a targeted treatment for a confirmed fungal case.
An antiseptic shampoo works best as a first line of defense, not a substitute for treating a diagnosed infection.
Best for
This shampoo suits dogs with minor cuts, hot spots, mild odor from bacterial overgrowth, or general skin cleanliness needs after outdoor play in humid weather. It's also a reasonable pick for multi-dog households where one pet has a mild flare-up and you want a shared bottle that won't irritate the healthier dogs.
How to use
Wet the coat, lather thoroughly over affected areas, and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing completely. Use twice weekly for active irritation, then scale back to once weekly or as needed once the skin settles.
Price in India
Imported pricing puts a 473ml bottle between ₹1,000 and ₹1,400 depending on the seller, making it one of the pricier options here but still cheaper than a vet consultation if the issue turns out to need more than a wash.
Giving your dog's skin the care it needs
Matching the right medicated dog shampoo to your dog's actual problem matters more than grabbing whatever's on the pet store shelf. Fungal infections need ketoconazole or chlorhexidine, seborrhea needs salicylic acid and sulfur, and mild itching often just needs oatmeal and tea tree oil to calm things down before they escalate. Get a vet's read on anything that looks like an active infection, oozing patch, or crusted lesion before reaching for a bottle, since the wrong wash can stall healing or mask a bigger issue underneath.
Once the infection clears and your dog's skin settles, that's where ongoing care takes over. A gentle, natural routine keeps flare-ups from coming back and supports the coat between medicated washes. Pick up the Complete Skin & Coat Regimen for itchy, dry skin to build a routine your dog's skin will actually thank you for, long after the itching stops.
