Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Chlorhexidine is used in dogs for Wound lavage, surgical prep, skin antisepsis, Interdigital dermatitis (foot soaks), Dental home care rinse, Pyoderma (topical therapy). Routes documented in dogs: TOPICAL. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Chlorhexidine in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Nolvasan, CHX Guard
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPICAL | Use 0.05% for wound lavage, 2-4% for surgical scrub | q12-24h | As needed | Wound lavage, surgical prep, skin antisepsis | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1470 (2026-08-01). |
| TOPICAL | 0.05% chlorhexidine foot soaks for interdigital infections | q24h | Daily soaks for 10 minutes | Interdigital dermatitis (foot soaks) | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1470 (2026-08-01). |
| TOPICAL | 0.12% oral rinse for dental home care | q12h | Ongoing dental care | Dental home care rinse | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1470 (2026-08-01). |
| TOPICAL | 2-4% shampoo or 0.5-1% leave-on conditioner for superficial pyoderma | q24-48h | During treatment course | Pyoderma (topical therapy) | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1470 (2026-08-01). |
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Cationic biguanide that disrupts bacterial cell membranes. Broad-spectrum bactericidal with residual activity on skin.
TOXIC to cats at concentrations >0.05% for mucous membranes. Ototoxic — never use in ear canal if tympanic membrane is ruptured. Dilute appropriately for wound lavage (0.05%). Inactivated by organic matter.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Chlorhexidine dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: TOPICAL Use 0.05% for wound lavage, 2-4% for surgical scrub q12-24h; TOPICAL 0.05% chlorhexidine foot soaks for interdigital infections q24h; TOPICAL 0.12% oral rinse for dental home care q12h; TOPICAL 2-4% shampoo or 0.5-1% leave-on conditioner for superficial pyoderma q24-48h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Chlorhexidine in dogs: TOPICAL.
Cited course lengths for Chlorhexidine in dogs include: As needed; Daily soaks for 10 minutes; Ongoing dental care; During treatment course. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Chlorhexidine is indicated in dogs for: Wound lavage, surgical prep, skin antisepsis, Interdigital dermatitis (foot soaks), Dental home care rinse, Pyoderma (topical therapy).
These are general warnings for Chlorhexidine across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC to cats at concentrations >0.05% for mucous membranes. Ototoxic — never use in ear canal if tympanic membrane is ruptured. Dilute appropriately for wound lavage (0.05%). Inactivated by organic matter.
Why a species-specific page? Chlorhexidine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.