A method for controlling bacterial enteropathogens in an animal comprising treating said animal with a composition comprising Xm(ClO3)n in an amount effective to inhibit growth of enteropathogenic bacteria, wherein X is a cationic moiety and m and n are independently selected from integers necessary to provide a net valency of 0, which said composition is not toxic to non-pathogenic bacteria which lack respiratory nitrate reductases capable of reducing chlorate ion, and further wherein said treating comprises applying a composition of said Xm(ClO3)n onto said animal.