Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo
Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo is recognized for its skin-soothing, hypoallergenic formula designed specifically for small animals with sensitive or irritated skin; it combines cleansing with gentle moisturizing to reduce inflammation and pruritus without aggressive detergents. Compared with the other veterinary-strength options here, Epi-Soothe stands out technically for daily-use tolerance and post-procedural comfort, offering a veterinarian-trusted, mid-priced maintenance option that complements stronger medicated shampoos like Malaseb rather than replacing them.
Calms itching (soft hug)
Gentle pH formula (tearless)
Calms itching (soft hug)
Gentle pH formula (tearless)
Review Summary
"Users praise its gentle, soap-free formula for calming itchy, inflamed skin and improving coat condition with repeated use; some note it's pricier than alternatives but consistently effective long-term."
Hydrates coat (silky feel)
Gentle, soap-free formula designed to soothe itchy and irritated skin.
Hydrates coat (silky feel)
Gentle, soap-free formula designed to soothe itchy and irritated skin.
Increased Safety & Security
Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo is recognized for its skin-soothing, hypoallergenic formula designed specifically for small animals with sensitive or irritated skin; it combines cleansing with gentle moisturizing to reduce inflammation and pruritus without aggressive detergents. Compared with the other veterinary-strength options here, Epi-Soothe stands out technically for daily-use tolerance and post-procedural comfort, offering a veterinarian-trusted, mid-priced maintenance option that complements stronger medicated shampoos like Malaseb rather than replacing them.
Calms itching (soft hug)
Gentle pH formula (tearless)
Hydrates coat (silky feel)
Gentle, soap-free formula designed to soothe itchy and irritated skin.
pH-balanced and hypoallergenic to minimize further irritation on delicate coats.
Calms itching (soft hug)
Gentle pH formula (tearless)
Hydrates coat (silky feel)
Gentle, soap-free formula designed to soothe itchy and irritated skin.
pH-balanced and hypoallergenic to minimize further irritation on delicate coats.
Douxo S3 Calm Shampoo
Douxo S3 Calm Shampoo uses Ophytrium and a lipid-repair approach to actively restore the skin barrier and reduce itching in small animals, positioning it as a premium, skin-repair focused choice for chronic dermatologic cases. Technically it emphasizes barrier restoration over brute antimicrobial action, so while it can be costlier than basic antiseptic shampoos, its targeted, skin-health-first profile often reduces the need for repeated medicated courses compared with cheaper antiseptics.
Soothes skin (Ophytrium)
Reduces redness (calm coat)
Soothes skin (Ophytrium)
Reduces redness (calm coat)
Review Summary
"Owners report it reduces itching and soothes sensitive skin while leaving fur soft and not over-drying; a minority say it can be less effective for severe infections and may require adjunctive therapy."
Restores microbiome (balance)
Formulated to rapidly reduce itching and inflammation in small animals.
Restores microbiome (balance)
Formulated to rapidly reduce itching and inflammation in small animals.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Douxo S3 Calm Shampoo uses Ophytrium and a lipid-repair approach to actively restore the skin barrier and reduce itching in small animals, positioning it as a premium, skin-repair focused choice for chronic dermatologic cases. Technically it emphasizes barrier restoration over brute antimicrobial action, so while it can be costlier than basic antiseptic shampoos, its targeted, skin-health-first profile often reduces the need for repeated medicated courses compared with cheaper antiseptics.
Soothes skin (Ophytrium)
Reduces redness (calm coat)
Restores microbiome (balance)
Formulated to rapidly reduce itching and inflammation in small animals.
Includes skin-barrier supporting actives (omega nutrients and phytosphingosine) to restore epidermal health.
Soothes skin (Ophytrium)
Reduces redness (calm coat)
Restores microbiome (balance)
Formulated to rapidly reduce itching and inflammation in small animals.
Includes skin-barrier supporting actives (omega nutrients and phytosphingosine) to restore epidermal health.
Malaseb Medicated Shampoo
Malaseb Medicated Shampoo delivers strong antifungal and antibacterial activity (commonly used against Malassezia and bacterial overgrowth) and is a go-to veterinary-strength therapeutic for confirmed infections in small animals. Financially and clinically it tends to be a cost-effective prescription-level treatment for acute or resistant infections, providing a more aggressive pharmacologic approach than barrier-focused products like Douxo or enzyme-based alternatives such as Zymox.
Kills yeast/bacteria (medic!)
Controls odor (clinic-grade)
Kills yeast/bacteria (medic!)
Controls odor (clinic-grade)
Review Summary
"Many reviewers call it a go-to medicated shampoo for fungal and bacterial infections — fast and reliable when used as directed; common complaints are a medicinal odor and potential drying without follow-up conditioning."
Reduces scaling (scalp rescue)
Medicated formula containing proven antifungal and antibacterial agents for yeast and bacterial infections.
Reduces scaling (scalp rescue)
Medicated formula containing proven antifungal and antibacterial agents for yeast and bacterial infections.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Malaseb Medicated Shampoo delivers strong antifungal and antibacterial activity (commonly used against Malassezia and bacterial overgrowth) and is a go-to veterinary-strength therapeutic for confirmed infections in small animals. Financially and clinically it tends to be a cost-effective prescription-level treatment for acute or resistant infections, providing a more aggressive pharmacologic approach than barrier-focused products like Douxo or enzyme-based alternatives such as Zymox.
Kills yeast/bacteria (medic!)
Controls odor (clinic-grade)
Reduces scaling (scalp rescue)
Medicated formula containing proven antifungal and antibacterial agents for yeast and bacterial infections.
Clinically used to control Malassezia dermatitis and seborrheic conditions.
Kills yeast/bacteria (medic!)
Controls odor (clinic-grade)
Reduces scaling (scalp rescue)
Medicated formula containing proven antifungal and antibacterial agents for yeast and bacterial infections.
Clinically used to control Malassezia dermatitis and seborrheic conditions.
$30-60 CAD
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo offers a broadly effective, widely available antiseptic/antifungal option for small animals at a budget-friendly price point, making it a practical first-line or maintenance therapy in clinics and homes. Compared with specialized products on this list, it trades some of the advanced skin-repair or enzymatic technologies for affordability and accessibility, giving clinics and owners a reliable, lower-cost alternative for routine fungal or bacterial skin management.
Broad antiseptic action (clinic-strength)
Fights fungi (ringworm zap)
Broad antiseptic action (clinic-strength)
Fights fungi (ringworm zap)
Review Summary
"Customers find it an affordable, effective alternative to prescription medicated shampoos with solid antiseptic/antifungal action for many cases; some report a strong scent and occasional drying of the coat."
Soothes irritation (fast relief)
Broad-spectrum antiseptic and antifungal action to help manage skin infections.
Soothes irritation (fast relief)
Broad-spectrum antiseptic and antifungal action to help manage skin infections.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo offers a broadly effective, widely available antiseptic/antifungal option for small animals at a budget-friendly price point, making it a practical first-line or maintenance therapy in clinics and homes. Compared with specialized products on this list, it trades some of the advanced skin-repair or enzymatic technologies for affordability and accessibility, giving clinics and owners a reliable, lower-cost alternative for routine fungal or bacterial skin management.
Broad antiseptic action (clinic-strength)
Fights fungi (ringworm zap)
Soothes irritation (fast relief)
Broad-spectrum antiseptic and antifungal action to help manage skin infections.
Good option for pre- and post-procedural cleansing as well as ongoing therapeutic washes.
Broad antiseptic action (clinic-strength)
Fights fungi (ringworm zap)
Soothes irritation (fast relief)
Broad-spectrum antiseptic and antifungal action to help manage skin infections.
Good option for pre- and post-procedural cleansing as well as ongoing therapeutic washes.
$25-45 CAD
Zymox Enzymatic Shampoo
Zymox Enzymatic Shampoo relies on an enzymatic (LP3) system to reduce microbial load and inflammation without traditional antibiotics or high-concentration antiseptics, offering a non-antibiotic technical advantage for small animals with recurring or chronic issues. While typically priced at a premium versus plain antiseptics, its enzymatic mechanism and gentler profile make it a valuable adjunct or follow-up treatment to medicated shampoos like Malaseb, potentially lowering long-term treatment costs by reducing relapse.
Enzymatic cleaning (bio power)
Non-antibiotic action (gentle heal)
Enzymatic cleaning (bio power)
Non-antibiotic action (gentle heal)
Review Summary
"Users appreciate its enzyme-based, non-steroidal approach that helps chronic skin issues with fewer side effects and good overall tolerance; results vary with severity and some prefer traditional medicated shampoos for heavy infections."
Safe on wounds (suture-friendly)
Enzymatic LP3-based technology works without traditional antibiotics to reduce bacteria and yeast.
Safe on wounds (suture-friendly)
Enzymatic LP3-based technology works without traditional antibiotics to reduce bacteria and yeast.
Increased Safety & Security
Zymox Enzymatic Shampoo relies on an enzymatic (LP3) system to reduce microbial load and inflammation without traditional antibiotics or high-concentration antiseptics, offering a non-antibiotic technical advantage for small animals with recurring or chronic issues. While typically priced at a premium versus plain antiseptics, its enzymatic mechanism and gentler profile make it a valuable adjunct or follow-up treatment to medicated shampoos like Malaseb, potentially lowering long-term treatment costs by reducing relapse.
Enzymatic cleaning (bio power)
Non-antibiotic action (gentle heal)
Safe on wounds (suture-friendly)
Enzymatic LP3-based technology works without traditional antibiotics to reduce bacteria and yeast.
Helps break down biofilms and reduce odor while supporting natural skin healing.
Enzymatic cleaning (bio power)
Non-antibiotic action (gentle heal)
Safe on wounds (suture-friendly)
Enzymatic LP3-based technology works without traditional antibiotics to reduce bacteria and yeast.
Helps break down biofilms and reduce odor while supporting natural skin healing.