The 7 Best Cat Shampoos That Are Gentle Yet Effective
If your cat has gotten into some mischief (as they’re often prone to doing) or they’ve been sick, a bath might be in order for your furry friend. The best cat shampoos are specially formulated to help remove dirt and odors from your pet’s fur, leaving them fresh-smelling and clean. For most cats, the Burt's Bees Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo is the best option, as it has a moisturizing, hypoallergenic formula that’s suitable for all ages.
The best cat shampoos are specially formulated to help remove dirt and odors from your pet’s fur, ... [+]
Now, before you go filling up your sink or bathtub, it’s important to note that most cats—unlike dogs—don’t need regular bathing. “Cats typically spend about half their waking hours grooming, so they’re naturally fastidious,” says Jo Myers, DVM, a veterinarian at pet telehealth company Vetster. “If your cat is healthy and seems to stay clean on its own, bathing doesn’t provide any benefits.” Sometimes, though, a bath is necessary. “If your cat’s coat becomes unusually soiled, such as after a bout of diarrhea,” it might be time, says Myers. To ensure you’re picking out the right shampoo for your pet, make sure the formula you’re eyeing is made exclusively for cats, as they have a more acidic skin pH than dogs. It’s also wise to check the ingredients to ensure the formula doesn’t have chemicals that can be harmful to cats, such as essential oils and flea-killing pesticides. Ahead, here are the best cat shampoos to get them squeaky clean.
Best Cat Shampoo Overall: Burt's Bees Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo
Best Cat Shampoo For Fleas: Vet's Best Flea And Tick Shampoo
Best Cat Shampoo For Shedding: Shed-X Shed Control Shampoo
Best Cat Shampoo For Kittens: Burt's Bees Kitten Shampoo
Best Cat Shampoo For Sensitive Cats: John Paul Pet Oatmeal Shampoo
Best Cat Shampoo For Odor: Arm & Hammer 2-In-1 Deodorizing & Dander Reducing Shampoo
Best Waterless Cat Shampoo: Vet's Best Waterless Cat Bath
Best Cat Shampoo Overall
A Hypoallergenic Formula For Any Cat
MOST POPULAR
AMAZON
Burt's Bees Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo
$6
$6 At Chewy$11 At Amazon$15 At Walmart
Volume: 10 ounces | Suitable for: All ages | Benefits: Hypoallergenic; skin-moisturizing
For an occasional bath, you can’t go wrong with the popular Burt's Bees Cat Shampoo. This hypoallergenic shampoo is pH balanced specifically for cats, and it’s free from potentially irritating ingredients like fragrances, sulfates, colorants and harsh chemicals, so it’s a good choice for pets with sensitive skin. The formula includes nourishing shea butter and honey to help moisturize your cat’s skin and leave their coat shiny, and it’s suitable for cats of all ages, including kittens. Just lather it up on your pet with water, work it into their coat, then rinse off for a quick and easy clean.
Pros:
pH balanced for cats
Free from potentially irritating ingredients
Suitable for cats of all ages
Cons:
Doesn’t lather very much
Best Cat Shampoo For Fleas
A Plant-Based Wash To Help Control Pests
AMAZON
Vet's Best Flea And Tick Shampoo
$14
$14 At Chewy$14 At Walmart$20 At Amazon
Volume: 12 ounces | Suitable for: 12 weeks and up | Benefits: Natural ingredients
If your cat has fleas, it’s a good idea to visit their veterinarian, who can provide a prescription flea and tick medication—the most effective option for killing off the tiny pests. In the interim, a flea shampoo like this one from Vet’s Best can help to control the insects, as it helps to kill fleas, flea larvae and ticks. This shampoo is only recommended for cats over 12 weeks old, and it uses natural ingredients like clove and cottonseed oil to kill the fleas on contact. At the same time, it cleans and deodorizes your pet, leaving behind a light, fresh scent.
Pros:
Helps kill fleas, larvae and ticks
All-natural ingredients
Leaves a light, fresh scent
Cons:
Can irritate sensitive skin
MORE FROM FORBES VETTED
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$7$10SAVE $3 (30%) Buy From Amazon Volume: 8 ounces | Suitable for: All ages | Benefits: Controls shedding; long-lasting scent You can help combat seasonal shedding with the Shed-X Shed Control Shampoo. It’s formulated to help cleanse your cat’s coat while releasing excess hair to minimize the fur left behind on your floors, furniture and clothing. It also helps to boost your cat’s skin and coat health with ingredients like omega fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E, which can help to control shedding in the long-run. This shampoo is safe for cats of all ages, and it has a pleasant ginger and tangerine scent that should last for several days after you bathe your kitty. Pros: Cons:
Helps release loose hair
Boosts coat heath to minimize shedding
Long-lasting ginger and citrus scent
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
AMAZON
$7$10SAVE $3 (30%) Buy From Amazon Volume: 8 ounces | Suitable for: All ages | Benefits: Controls shedding; long-lasting scent You can help combat seasonal shedding with the Shed-X Shed Control Shampoo. It’s formulated to help cleanse your cat’s coat while releasing excess hair to minimize the fur left behind on your floors, furniture and clothing. It also helps to boost your cat’s skin and coat health with ingredients like omega fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E, which can help to control shedding in the long-run. This shampoo is safe for cats of all ages, and it has a pleasant ginger and tangerine scent that should last for several days after you bathe your kitty. Pros: Cons:
Helps release loose hair
Boosts coat heath to minimize shedding
Long-lasting ginger and citrus scent
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