Best Cat Shampoo – Buyer’s Guide
Cats are some of the cleanest animals in the world. Cats constantly clean themselves meticulously, spending from one-third to fifty percent of their waking time on this activity. Their flexible spines make it possible to reach every place of their body.
If not needed, it’s better to leave your cat to her own devices and let her clean herself in her own way. However, there might be occasions when a bath and shampooing are needed.
Why you may need to shampoo your cat
Some of the most common reasons why owners may need to shampoo their cats are:
– A cat became very dirty and despite cleaning herself the dirt doesn’t go away
– A cat is a long-hair and she can’t handle thorough cleaning (as short-hair cats do)
– A cat has some health problems that require regular bathing
– A cat is elderly and doesn’t clean herself as often as she used to
– A cat has dry, flaky skin and dander
– A cat has fleas
– A cat is about to take part in the cat exhibition or to be sold
Don’t use human shampoos or soaps on a cat
You should never use human shampoo or soap on your cat. Products used by humans contain ingredients and scents that can trigger dermatological conditions.
Cat’s skin produces natural oils which help maintain a healthy balance between skin and hair. Aggressive cleaning with human shampoos and soaps may destroy it.
How to choose the best cat shampoo
When choosing the best cat shampoo, you should first of all bear in mind the reason you want to shampoo your cat. Is it because you want to clean off the dirt, untidy the knots, make your cat smell nice, make your cat’s fur more soft and shiny, get rid of the fleas, get rid of dander, and so on.
Secondly, you should always bear in mind the following aspects:
– Is the shampoo effective for the reason you want it to use? For example, will it untidy the knots, get rid of fleas, make your cat’s fur shinier?
– Is the shampoo safe for a cat? Does it contain any toxic ingredients for cats?
– Doesn’t the shampoo smell bad or too intensive for a cat?
– Is the shampoo suited to your cat’s skin?
– Can the shampoo be washed away easily?
Without further ado, let’s see what are the best cat shampoos on the market.
Best Cat Shampoo – Reviews
1. John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Dog & Cat Shampoo – Best cat shampoo for sensitive and dry skin
John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Dog & Cat Shampoo is a gentle cat shampoo specially formulated for dry and sensitive skin.
The shampoo is formulated with aloe, hydrolyzed oat protein, and chamomile, ingredients that delicately cleanse and at the same time soothe and moisturize dry and flaky skin. The product is also especially PH balanced for pets and paraben-free.
Cat owners who used this product said that it leathers well (a bit of a product goes a long way) and that it easily washes out. They also reported that the shampoo leaves the cat’s fur soft, silky and shiny, without the signs of flaky skin.
The shampoo has a very pleasant almond scent, however, people who used the product report that the fragrance doesn’t linger on the cat after the bath. There is also a similar version of this shampoo with the lavender mint scent if you prefer that.
- Effectively cleanses cat’s fur from dirt and odors
- Soothes and moisturizes dry and flaky skin without irritation
- Pleasant almond scent
- PH balanced for pets
- Paraben-free
- For both cats and dogs
- For cats in all life stages
- The almond fragrance will not linger on the cat’s fur after washing (it isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but some cat owners wished this pleasant almond scent lingered on their cats’ fur after the bath)
2. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hypoallergenic Shampoo – Best cat shampoo for allergies
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hypoallergenic Shampoo is formulated with gentle coconut-based cleansers, Vitamin E, lactic acid, and allantoin that are ideal for cats that have allergies, or sensitive and irritated skin.
The shampoo doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, dyes, or artificial fragrances. It is also sulfate, paraben, dye, and soap-free so you can be assured it will not irritate the sensitive skin of your allergic kitty. The product has an appropriate pH for cats and dogs and will not wash away topical flea treatments.
Cat owners who used this shampoo said that it made their cats’ fur soft, and shiny and that it didn’t dry out their skin. They said that the shampoo leathers well and has barely any scent, so it’s good for cats that are very sensitive to fragrances.
The shampoo is tearless, so it won’t irritate your cat’s eyes in case some foam gets into your cat’s eyes.
- Hypoallergenic
- Will not wash away topical spot-on flea and tick treatments
- pH balanced for pets
- Sulfate, paraben, dye and soap-free
- Tearless formula
- For both cats and dogs
- This product will leave no scent on your cat (which desn’t isn’t necessrily a bad thing, but some people wish it did)
3. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo – Best cat shampoo for dander
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo is an effective cleanser for dry and flaky skin that reduces dander and itchiness.
The formula of the shampoo contains oatmeal and aloe vera which relieve itchiness, combat skin irritation, moisturize and soothe dry, flaky skin, effectively getting rid of the cat’s dander. The shampoo is soap-free and pH-balanced.
The product has a nice vanilla & almond scent that leaves a nice smell on a cat’s fur after washing, effectively getting rid of any offensive odors.
Cat owners who used this shampoo praised it for leaving their cat’s fur smooth, shiny, and pleasantly smelling, getting rid of dander and flaky skin.
This shampoo will not wash off topical flea applications and is safe for both cats and dogs over 6 weeks. The product is 100% biodegradable, paraben, and phosphate-free.
- Effectively cleanses cat’s fur from flaky skin and dander
- Soothes and moisturizes dry and flaky skin and reduces itchiness
- Pleasant almond & vanilla scent lingers on a cat’s fur after washing
- PH balanced for pets
- For both cats and dogs
- 100% biodegradable, paraben, and phosphate-free
- There were some fake versions of this product reported on Amazon. Always check if you buy a product from a reputable seller.
4. Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Deodorizing & Dander Reducing Shampoo – Best cat shampoo for a nice smell
Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Deodorizing & Dander Reducing Shampoo effectively cleans cat’s fur from dander and eliminates cat odors.
The shampoo is formulated with a signature Arm and Hammer baking soda which is especially effective in removing cat odors.
The product has a fresh lavender chamomile scent, which lingers from a few days up to a week on a cat’s fur. The lavender chamomile smell also serves as a cat calming product during a bath.
The cat owners who used this cat shampoo were praising the product for getting rid of dander and leaving their cats’ fur soft and shiny and smelling great. Some reported that the texture of a shampoo is a bit viscous so you should make sure to lather and rinse your cat well.
- Effectively reduces cat odors and dander
- Fresh lavender chamomile scent stays from a few days up to a week on a cat’s fur
- Lavender chamomile scent calms a cat during a bath
- A slighly viscous texture (make sure to leather and rinse well)
5. Burt’s Bees for Kittens Natural Tearless Shampoo with Buttermilk – Best shampoo for kittens
Burt’s Bees for Kittens Natural Tearless Shampoo with Buttermilk is based on the all-natural ingredients that soothe and soften the skin and coat of sensitive kittens.
The main ingredient of shampoo is natural buttermilk, which according to many cat owners makes their kitties’ fur soft and silk. The product has a very mild scent and is tearless so it makes the bath more bearable for the kitten.
The shampoo is pH balanced and free of fragrances, sulfates, colorants, and harsh chemicals. The product doesn’t leather much, so you need to rinse your kitty for a longer time to make sure the shampoo is properly washed off.
- pH balanced for cats
- Tearless formula
- Free of fragrances, sulfates, colorants, and harsh chemicals
- Mild fragrance
- Smell doesn’t linger on a kitty after washing
- It’s hard to tell when the shampoo has been completely rinsed off because it doesn’t leather much
Best Cat Shampoo – Frequently Asked Questions
Home » Cat Supplies »