Key takeaways:
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic solution used on dogs to kill unwanted bacterial and fungal growth on the skin. This helps treat many types of skin infections.
Dogs rarely experience side effects from chlorhexidine. A sensitivity or an allergy that causes redness or irritation on the skin are possible but rare.
There are many products containing chlorhexidine for dogs. Always use them as directed.
Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic used on dogs to remove unwanted bacterial or fungal growth from the skin. It can be used for several reasons, from keeping wounds clean to treating skin infections.
Below, we’ll discuss what chlorhexidine is, the types of products it can be found in, how it is used for dogs, and some possible side effects to look out for.
Chlorhexidine for dogs at a glance
Common names | Chlorhexidine |
What it treats | Skin infections, hot spots, tick bites, mouth bacteria |
How it comes (forms) | Topical solution, shampoo, wipes, mousse, spray, oral rinse |
Dosage | 2%-4% chlorhexidine for infections, less than 1% chlorhexidine for dental bacteria |
Common side effects | Skin irritation, worsening redness or skin irritation |
Average cost |
What is chlorhexidine for dogs?
Chlorhexidine is a topical antiseptic solution used on a dog’s skin. It works against bacterial and fungal growth that can cause skin infections in dogs. Chlorhexidine gluconate is one of the most common forms.
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This medication works by stopping bacteria and fungi from growing on your dog’s skin or in their mouth. As a result, chlorhexidine stops the organisms that lead to infections, helping to protect or treat your pup.
Chlorhexidine may be used alone or with other medications as part of a larger treatment approach. There are also products that combine chlorhexidine with other medications to increase their effectiveness. Chlorhexidine is often combined with miconazole or ketoconazole, for example, to treat fungal infections.
What is chlorhexidine used for on dogs?
There are many times when it may be helpful to use chlorhexidine on your dog. These include the following.
Skin infections
Chlorhexidine can treat skin infections caused by bacteria or fungi. It is especially effective against skin issues caused by the following bacteria:
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Malassezia
Hot spots
Hot spots occur when your dog repeatedly bites or scratches at the same itchy spot on their skin. This can create a wound that needs treatment to heal effectively. One at-home treatment for hot spots is chlorhexidine, which prevents your dog from developing an infection.
Is it fungus? There are many culprits that can cause infections. Check out this list of signs your dog’s infection may be caused by fungus.
Common causes of itching: Notice your dog scratching when the seasons change? Your dog may have seasonal allergies.
Hot spot help: Itchy dogs may lick or bite so much that they develop a hot spot. Chlorhexidine can help prevent infection, along with these other at-home remedies.
Tick bite wounds
When you remove a tick from your dog, it’s a good idea to use an antiseptic to clean the wound. Chlorhexidine can treat your dog’s tick wound to help prevent an infection.
Bacteria in the mouth
A chlorhexidine oral rinse for dogs may also help lower bacterial overgrowth in the mouth, a common cause of bad odor and dental disease. These products have a much lower percentage of chlorhexidine, usually less than 1%.
Sterilization before surgery
Chlorhexidine typically appears as a dark-blue solution. This form is most often used in veterinary hospitals to clean and prepare the skin for procedures such as surgery. It’s also used in clinics to clean wounds and infected areas. Chlorhexidine is even used by many veterinarians to clean their own hands before starting a sterile medical procedure.
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What is the dosage of chlorhexidine for dogs, and how is it given?
When included in products, chlorhexidine comes in different concentrations. Most products contain 2% to 4%. At least a 2% concentration is used to treat infections on a dog’s skin.
Chlorhexidine comes in a number of forms for dogs, including:
Many sprays and wipes are used once or twice a day, especially to treat an infected area. Chlorhexidine shampoos and mousses are used less often, usually a couple of times a week.
You can get many forms of chlorhexidine without a prescription from your veterinarian. Other times, your dog may need a prescription-strength chlorhexidine product. Your dog’s vet will give you instructions on what to buy.
How to give your dog chlorhexidine
How to use chlorhexidine for dogs depends on the product form:
Chlorhexidine solution may be sent home by the vet to help clean infected areas on your dog’s skin. Or it may be used as a foot soak for wounds or infections on the feet, toes, and nails.
Chlorhexidine wipes are used to clean paws, nail beds, skin hot spots, or other small areas to kill bacteria and fungi. A chlorhexidine spray for dogs may be used in a similar way on smaller areas of concern.
Chlorhexidine shampoo for dogs is usually used to reduce bacteria and fungi when multiple areas of the body are affected or when infections affect the hair coat.
Chlorhexidine mousse for dogs can be used on larger areas of the skin and the hair coat.
Does chlorhexidine need to be rinsed off?
You don’t need to rinse off most chlorhexidine products. They often work best when they stay in contact with your dog’s skin over time. This is necessary to kill unwanted bacterial or fungal growth.
An exception is chlorhexidine shampoo for dogs, since it has a soapy part. But chlorhexidine shampoo should not be rinsed off right away. It should be left to sit on the
skin for at least 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing.
How often can you use chlorhexidine for dogs?
How often you can use chlorhexidine for dogs depends on what form of product is being used and its purpose. Products that contain chlorhexidine have instructions and guidelines for how often to use them. Your veterinarian will also give you directions on how to use these products.
What are the risks and side effects of chlorhexidine in dogs?
Most dogs tolerate chlorhexidine very well when it is used as directed. But in rare cases, some dogs may develop:
Skin irritation
Worsening redness or skin irritation
If your dog’s skin irritation or redness worsens, it’s important to tell your veterinarian.
Here are some other tips and precautions for using chlorhexidine on your dog:
Chlorhexidine should not be used in the eyes and must be used very carefully around the eyes and face.
Chlorhexidine may be used to clean wounds initially, especially if your dog has an infection. But don’t use chlorhexidine long term on healing wounds, because it can impair and delay healing.
Most chlorhexidine solutions and other products for dogs should not be ingested. Chlorhexidine is not especially toxic to dogs, but digestive upset can occur.
To avoid oral or stomach irritation, stop your dog from licking or chewing an area just treated with a chlorhexidine product for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
If using for oral and dental health, be sure the chlorhexidine is a low-percentage solution designed for oral use.
People can also have a sensitivity to chlorhexidine. If you have a known sensitivity, wear gloves when using chlorhexidine on your dog.
The bottom line
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic solution widely used to help kill unwanted bacteria and fungal growth on the skin of dogs. Chlorhexidine oral rinse solutions may also be used to lessen bacteria in the mouth.
Chlorhexidine for dogs comes in many forms to help treat conditions at home. It’s safe when used as directed, except in rare cases when a dog may be sensitive to it or allergic. Because there are so many chlorhexidine products for dogs, be sure to follow product instructions and your veterinarian’s recommendations.
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References
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Carlotti, D. N. (2004). Shampoo therapy in veterinary dermatology. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2004.
Carlotti, D. N. (2006). Optimising topical therapy in the dog. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2006.
Fossum, T. W. (2013). Open wound management for nurses/technicians. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings.
Gatellet, M., et al. (2021). Performance of daily pads containing ophytrium and chlorhexidine digluconate 3% in dogs with local cutaneous bacterial and/or Malassezia overgrowth. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Legendre, L. (2014). Medical and nutritional management of dental disease. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings.
Loeffler, A., et al. (2011). Comparison of a chlorhexidine and a benzoyl peroxide shampoo as sole treatment in canine superficial pyoderma. Veterinary Record.
Plumb, D. C. (2018). Chlorhexidine, topical. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook.
Today’s Veterinary Practice. (2014). Treating resistant skin infections in dogs.
