Review: SkinGuard CP Medicated Shampoo for Dogs, Cats [Watch]

Our 12-year-old Shih Tzu mix named Shelby has sensitive skin. Fleas, pollen and other irritants often have her scratching and licking her skin.

During a recent veterinarian visit, our vet recommended Vethical SkinGuard CP, an antiseptic shampoo for dogs and cats designed to treat superficial and severe skin conditions with chlorhexidine and climbazole.

The medicated shampoo is advertised to clean, protect and help maintain your pet’s skin health. It can only be purchased through VCA animal hospitals as it is distributed exclusively though VCA-Antech, Inc. It's retail price is $28.00 per 8 oz. bottle.

According to Vethical, SkinGuard CP should do the following:

• Gently remove dirt, crusts, scales and pimples
• Control bacteria, yeasts and fungi 
• Eliminate pruritus and itching
• Restore the skin barrier and ceramide levels to stop skin irritation
• Regulate associated seborrhea and inflammation
• Moisturize the pet's skin

SkinGuard CP Review

While the product performed well in reducing skin irritation, eliminating itching and more over time, it does not lather or spread across the skin well. We had to use quite a bit of it to create enough lather to ensure Shelby's entire skin was covered.

Once your pet's skin is covered, the product stays on the skin for 5 to 10 minutes, and then is rinsed off.

The shampoo alleviated Shelby's skin allergy itching for roughly 12 hours. Her skin allergy is/was not severe.  At $28.00 an 8 oz. bottle, it isn't economically feasible to frequently use this product. It may be best to ask your veterinarian for medication to couple with an oatmeal/organic-based soothing shampoo.

Hound and Home gives SkinGuard CP 3 stars. The amount of shampoo that must be used each wash plus the frequency of use does not make this product budget-friendly. It performs OK, but no better than similar medicated shampoos on the market that cost less.

SkinGuard CP Ingredients

The shampoo is hypoallergenic and contains Chlorhexidine 3%, Climbazole 0.5%, Lipacide C8G, and Phytosphingosine-salicyloyl. "Phytosphingosine is a new molecule in veterinary dermatology. It is a natural component of the epidermis and plays a key role in the building and maintenance of the skin defense barrier," the website reads. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and controls excess oils and scaling or crusting of the skin.

Have you used this medicated shampoo for your dog or cat? What was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.