Abstract: A veterinary antibacterial composition is described which is viscosity stabilized, aqueous, topically adherent and forms a relatively tough, self-supporting film that adheres to the animal until removed by water washing. The composition is an aqueous solution of:an aliphatic sulfate or sulfonate salt detergent;lactic acid or a food grade salt thereof;a bactericidal food grade organic acid selected from benzoic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid and lower alkanoic acids, and food grade salts thereof;a veterinarily acceptable food grade pectin or gum; anda veterinarily acceptable water soluble emollient selected from short chain aliphatic polyols of up to six carbon atoms;The composition is suitable, for example, as a teat dip and bacterial control approaching 100% is demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo testing.