Any cat owner is sure to be familiar with the lengthy bathing routine each cat has, and if your cat has ever been stopped from cleaning themselves you’ll notice how much it really does for them. Whether your cat heads outdoors frequently to play, has stopped cleaning due to old age, or had a run-in with fleas, it can be helpful to give your cat a bath occasionally. To ensure this bath does the trick, it’s important to use one of the best cat shampoos.
Since cats can’t tolerate many products suited for humans, it’s important to rely on a reputable cat shampoo to get the job done. In order to keep your cat clean and healthy, we’ve found the best (and safest) cat shampoos on Amazon and gathered them here:
Best Overall Burt's Bees Cat Shampoo
Burt's Bees for Cats Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo with Shea Butter & Honey | Best Shampoo for Cats with Dry or Sensitive Skin | Cruelty Free, Sulfate & Paraben Free, pH Balanced for Cats - 10 Fl Oz
$10.99
Best Cat Shampoos to Consider
Buying shampoo for your cat is similar to buying one for yourself, you don’t want to grab just anything off of the shelf. It is crucial to take into consideration the length of your cat’s fur, specific cleansing concerns, and any allergies or sensitivities they have.
Kittens may need a more gentle shampoo, as many chemicals can impact them more than adult cats. If it is your first time bathing a new cat, you may also want to opt for a shampoo that rinses out easily and has a mild scent to reduce time in the water and prevent them from getting overwhelmed. Luckily, there are kitten-specific shampoos that will help their first few baths go smoothly.
For cats struggling with ticks and fleas or long fur, a stronger shampoo may be required to fully cleanse your cat. A shampoo that has a great lather and thicker formula is greatly suited for situations like these. Even with a stronger shampoo, you should still consider the ingredients to ensure you are caring for your cat while you clean them.
Burt's Bees Cat Shampoo
This cat shampoo from Burt’s Bees is a great pick for those who want to clean their cat while ensuring comfort and gentleness. The shampoo has a hypoallergenic formula featuring shea butter and honey that will power through dirt without making your pet uncomfortable.
We love that this shampoo is cruelty-free, paraben-free, unscented, and pH balanced for cats, giving your pet the custom guilt-free bath they deserve. Even if you aren’t sure of your cat’s allergies and sensitivities, this shampoo is a safe pick to avoid any issues.
The shampoo comes in a 10-ounce bottle, and is available in single, double, and six-packs.
Burt's Bees for Cats Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo with Shea Butter & Honey | Best Shampoo for Cats with Dry or Sensitive Skin | Cruelty Free, Sulfate & Paraben Free, pH Balanced for Cats - 10 Fl Oz
$10.99
Pros:
- Moisturizing formula
- Natural ingredients
- Easy to rinse
Cons:
- Watery formula
- Doesn’t lather well
Arm & Hammer Cat Shampoo
Whether your cat has a strong odor that never seems to go away, or you’ve been sneezing around them more, dander might be the cause of your problems. Pet dander can trap in odor and cause discomfort to owners, luckily this shampoo from Arm & Hammer tackles that issue with ease.
The shampoo was designed to eliminate odor and cut through dander to give your cat a clean appearance and fresh scent. It uses baking soda as a key ingredient to eliminate odor and gently clean your cat’s fur and skin.
This shampoo comes in a 20-ounce bottle, but is also available in eight-ounce bottles and quantity packs.
Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Deodorizing & Dander Reducing Shampoo for Cats | Cat Dander Remover for Cat Dander and Cat Odors | Baking Soda Moisturizes
$7.72
Pros:
- Includes lavender and chamomile
- Uses natural ingredients
- Great scent
Cons:
- Leaves behind residue
- Sticky formula
Adams Plus Cat Shampoo
If your cat makes frequent trips outdoors, or was just rescued, you might have to cleanse them from fleas and ticks. To help this process and get your cat back to a healthy state, consider picking up Adams Plus cat shampoo specially designed for fleas and ticks.
This shampoo kills adult fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and lice, making it a great way to tackle many problems at once, all while reviving your cats coat. While the formula is harsh enough to kill these pests, it is still gentle on your furry friend. It includes aloe vera, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal to hydrate and soothe as it cleanses.
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor for Cats, Kittens, Dogs & Puppies Over 12 Weeks Of Age Sensitive Skin Flea Treatment | Kills Adult Fleas, Flea Eggs, Ticks, and Lice
$18.99
Pros:
- Great for kittens and adult cats
- Only small amount needed
- Coconut scent
Cons:
- No cons here
Espree Kitten Shampoo
Just welcomed a new kitten home? Congratulations on your new pal, as a welcome home gift to you and your new pet, we’d like to introduce you to the Espree kitten shampoo that will make your new pet softer and cleaner than ever.
The shampoo has an extra gentle formula to ensure your pet doesn’t have any uncomfortability while bathing. It is also tear-free, so you don’t have to worry about it accidentally running into their eyes. It is made with 100 percent organically grown aloe vera to nourish your cat’s body and give you peace-of-mind while bathing
Pros:
- Baby powder fragrance
- Adds shine to coat
- Easy to rinse
Cons:
- Scent is unpleasant to some
- Includes red and yellow dyes
Burt's Bees Waterless Cat Shampoo
If you’ve tried (and failed) to bathe your cat many times, but still want to give them an extra boost of freshness, consider this waterless shampoo from Burt’s Bees. The shampoo comes in a spray bottle and features a formula that does not need to be rinsed, allowing your pet to stay clean without going into water.
The shampoo uses natural ingredients like apple and honey to cleanse your cat and work through odor to restore a fresh scent. We love that it is also pH balanced to assist the body in its natural process, and it is suitable for kittens.
Burt's Bees for Cats Natural Waterless Shampoo with Apple and Honey | Cat Waterless Shampoo Spray | Easy to Use Cat Dry Shampoo for Fresh Skin and Fur Without a Bath | Made in the USA, 10 Oz
$10.99
Pros:
- Fragrance-free
- Veterinarian recommended
- Sulfate-free
Cons:
- Cats may be hesitant to be sprayed
- Not great for long-haired cats
Frequently asked Questions
Is a cat shampoo necessary?
While your cat will take on the task of cleaning themselves, it is still helpful to give them a bath every few weeks with a cat shampoo to tackle any spots they may miss and larger concerns like fleas and ticks. Pair this with a good cat brush, and you’re set.
Cat shampoo can also help cut through dander and odor better than your cat can while they clean themselves. Dander and odor go hand in hand as dander build-up can trap odor and leave your cat with an unpleasant smell. If you have any cat allergies, or have frequent visitors who do, regularly bathing your pet can eliminate dander and make them easier to be around.
Can I use my shampoo on my cat?
No, your cat’s skin and coat is much more sensitive than your own scalp and hair, making your shampoo a dangerous and potentially irritating choice for your cat.
Cat shampoos feature a low cost, and with a few baths a month just one bottle will go a long way. They are crafted with cat-specific ingredients that are known to be gentle and safe for use on their body.
How do I bathe a cat who dislikes water?
If your cat, like most, is hesitant around water there are a few things you can try. When shampooing your kittens, try giving them baths as soon as allowed to acclimate them to water and bath time. Try to give them a bath during calm and quiet times so that they do not become overwhelmed by their surroundings.
If your cat is still hesitant to get into water after many tries, you can try joining your cat in the shower while holding them for security so that their fear levels go down. Alternatively, you can try a rinse-free shampoo that cleanses them without the use of water.
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