Felines aren’t known for their love of bathtime, but sometimes, a bath is needed when a cat gets exceptionally stinky. But to get your cat smelling nice and clean again, you really need an odor control cat shampoo. How do you know which will work best for your pet, though?
There may be tons of cat shampoos on the market that help control odor, but a few stand out above the rest. We’ve compiled a list of those shampoos, complete with reviews and pros and cons, to help you be better informed for an easier decision. Keep reading to learn more and find the cat shampoo for odor control that’s best for your favorite feline friend!
Want the best overall cat shampoo for odor control? Then look no further than Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets! Our shampoo starts off with a strong scent that lasts for 24 hours and then fades away to leave a soothing, fresh scent behind. The odor-neutralizing capabilities of this shampoo are specially formulated to work on the smelliest of pets and are skunk-proof, so you can rest assured you will get your pet smelling clean again. Plus, because this shampoo by Hepper is pH-balanced and paraben-free, it’s gentle on the kitty’s skin and coat.
Most pet parents loved the scent of this shampoo, saying it smelled wonderful. However, a few people didn’t enjoy the smell of this shampoo, saying it was much too strong. There were also many fans of this shampoo’s ability to clear up instances of dry and itchy skin and make coats super soft.
If you’re looking for the best cat shampoo for odor control for the money, you’ll want to check out Petkin. Not only is this shampoo less expensive than most, it also offers you more shampoo for the money. This shampoo deodorizes your pet’s coat, leaving behind a pleasant coconut and vanilla scent, but it also soothes your pet’s skin and detangles their fur. Plus, the organic oat extract promises to leave your kitty’s coat squeaky clean and extra shiny.
Most pet parents said this shampoo smelled fabulous and loved how soft and clean their pets felt after being washed with it. One person commented that the shampoo’s texture was a bit gelatinous, making it globby, which wasn’t very pleasant, but most people were fans of Petkin.
If it’s a premium option you’re searching for, take a look at Douxo S3 SEB Odor-Control Seboregulation shampoo! This shampoo isn’t only made for odor control; it also controls oils, excess sebum, and flaky skin, as it’s designed for pets with seborrheic dermatological diseases. Managing all that should mean your favorite feline is left smelling fabulous and feeling squeaky clean! This shampoo even helps detangle your kitty’s fur and moisturizes skin and coat to keep the cat feeling soft.
Most people using this shampoo claimed it left their pets smelling great (though one person said you would likely need to wash your pet weekly to keep them odor-free). There were also a few animals with extremely sensitive skin that had allergic reactions to this, so if that sounds like your cat, you might want to look elsewhere.
Pros
Designed to control odor
Designed to control flakiness, oiliness, and excess sebum
Moisturizes and detangles kitty’s coat
Cons
Might need to bathe your cat weekly to keep them odor-free
Kittens will be better off with a gentler shampoo when they need a bath, which is part of what makes Burt’s Bees Kitten shampoo perfect. This tearless shampoo is designed to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin while still managing to get kittens squeaky clean. The addition of buttermilk ensures this shampoo softens and soothes skin and coats, leaving your little one feeling fabulous. While the shampoo doesn’t have much scent, cat parents said it left their kittens smelling fresh and clean!
Kitten parents were pleased with how clean this left their pets, but some wished this shampoo lathered up a bit better. They said the shampoo was a bit watery for their tastes.
If your cat is a bit stinky due to a skin infection, this is the shampoo for them. Vetnique’s medicated shampoo is designed to deodorize skin and help clear up skin infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and yeast. It can also help ease itchiness and ringworm and promote the health of your kitty’s coat and skin.
Those who used this shampoo commented about how much they enjoyed the scent and how it left their pets smelling incredibly nice. Most pet parents found this shampoo was amazing for their animal’s skin infections, dry skin, and itchiness; some had been dealing with these issues for years before this shampoo helped clear things up. A few people felt that the shampoo was a bit harsh, though, saying it stripped the skin of oils and occasionally left the skin a bit pink. And, if using this for skin conditions, be aware some said the relief it offered was temporary.
Pros
Leaves pets smelling nice and fresh
Helps clear up skin conditions
Promotes the health of your pet’s coat and skin
Cons
Some felt the shampoo was a bit harsh
Relief from skin problems may be temporary
6. Top Performance Fresh Pet Shampoo for Dogs & Cats
Purified water, natural surfactants or cleansers derived from coconut oil, coco betaine
This shampoo may be extremely gentle and mild, but it promises to leave your kitty smelling fantastic for weeks! pH-balanced, especially for a cat’s skin and coat, Top Performance’s shampoo leaves your pet’s coat feeling smooth and helps prevent future tangles. Plus, it can be used on kittens as young as six weeks old due to how mild it is, so you can use it on your cat their whole life.
And it seems the scent of this shampoo is indeed as long-lasting as it says—one person said they could still smell it three weeks later! At least a couple of animals became really itchy after using this shampoo, though, and there were rare complaints about people disliking the scent of the shampoo, so it may not be for everybody.
Pros
Long-lasting scent
Can be used on kittens and adults
pH balanced for cats
Cons
A couple of pets got extremely itchy after using this shampoo
Some disliked the scent of the shampoo
7. Earthbath Deodorizing Rosemary Dog & Cat Shampoo
Purified water, renewable plant-derived and coconut-based cleansers, aloe vera
Want your pet to smell like something other than fresh and clean? Then you may want to try this rosemary shampoo by Earthbath, which has a lovely rosemary scent that leaves your favorite feline smelling like they just left the spa. Besides deodorizing your pet’s skin and coat, Earthbath’s shampoo soothes itchy skin and leaves their coat feeling silky and soft. Plus, this shampoo won’t wash away topical tick and flea treatments!
One person said the scent of this lasted for at least two weeks. However, another commented that they didn’t like the smell of this shampoo for regular baths (but it would be perfect for bathing extremely stinky, dirty animals). And a few others greatly disliked the rosemary scent. There were also a few complaints of this shampoo not lathering well.
Pros
Long-lasting scent
Soothes itchy skin
Won’t wash topical flea or tick medication
Cons
The rosemary scent may be overpowering
Not the scent for everyone
Shampoo might not lather well
8. TropiClean Luxury Papaya & Coconut Pet Shampoo & Conditioner
TropiClean’s papaya and coconut-scented shampoo will leave your cat smelling exceptionally sweet. That isn’t all it does, though! This shampoo will gently clean your cat’s skin and coat via a coconut cleanser, getting rid of any debris and dirt that may be lingering. All-natural extracts will leave your kitty’s coat silky smooth while hydrating skin.
The scent of this shampoo was a big hit with pet parents, but a few did say they wished it was longer lasting. Most other complaints were about the shampoo bottle being leaking. However, one person did state that TropiClean made some of their cat’s hair fall out.
Pros
Leaves kitty smelling sweet
Gentle cleanser
Hydrates skin
Cons
Some wished the scent lasted longer
Bottle seems to have issues with leaking
One person said some of their cat’s hair fell out after using this shampoo
Purified water, coconut & plant-derived cleansers, aloe vera juice
Don’t just make your kitty smell fantastic again; soothe their delicate skin with some gentle oatmeal! Frisco’s oatmeal shampoo cleans and deodorizes so your pet looks, feels, and smells great. And oatmeal isn’t the only ingredient working to soothe your pet’s skin and coat. You’ll also find aloe and chamomile here; your cat will surely thank you for the extra TLC!
The scent of this shampoo is incredibly mild and doesn’t last as long as some others (one person said it lasted for three days), but it was still mostly a hit with pet parents. The other main complaint about this shampoo was that it was watery (though people said it still lathered pretty well).
Pros
Deodorizes, cleans, and soothes
Contains several soothing ingredients
Cons
Scent doesn’t last as long as other shampoos
Shampoo is on the watery side
10. Zymox Veterinary Strength Enzymatic Dog & Cat Shampoo
Zymox’s shampoo is designed to offer relief for those felines suffering from skin allergies, easing dry and itchy skin. Despite being medicated, it’s incredibly gentle and free of harsh chemicals that can cause damage. Plus, it works well at odor control!
One cat parent said this shampoo was able to clean up and control odor for their cat with a megacolon who required enemas (which can get messy), so it seems it gets the job done when it comes to making cats smell better. In fact, some found the scent of this shampoo just a bit overwhelming. If you’re using it to aid skin allergies, be aware that a few animals saw no difference in their skin problems after use.
Pros
Seems to be excellent at odor control
Medicated to offer relief for skin allergies
Gentle
Cons
Scent may be overwhelming for some
Some animals saw no difference in skin problems after use
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Shampoo for Odor Control
Now you know more about your options for the best cat shampoos for odor control, but how do you know which one is right for you? There are a few things to look at when you’re considering a shampoo for your smelly kitty!
Deodorizing
The main thing you want to look for in a cat shampoo for odor control is that it is deodorizing. If a shampoo isn’t labeled as “deodorizing” or “odor control”, then it may not do the job you want (or, at the least, you’ll need to comb reviews to find out whether a non-deodorizing shampoo will improve the smell of your cat). Deodorizing shampoos have ingredients that are there to make your pet smell better than they currently do, and that’s what you want out of a shampoo meant to control odor.
Ingredients
Check the quality and number of ingredients in any shampoo you’re considering. While not all ingredients in the shampoo will be all-natural (particularly if the shampoo is medicated for some reason), you may want to look for those with fewer chemicals that might be harsh on the kitty’s skin. You may also need to consider shampoos with fewer ingredients, especially if your pet has incredibly sensitive skin. (But keep in mind, you do want ingredients that work to deodorize in there!)
Image Credit: angnokever, Shutterstock
Meets All Needs
If your cat only needs a shampoo that controls odor, you can skip this one. But many felines will also need a shampoo that meets other needs. These needs may be sensitive skin, itchiness, infections, a dull coat, or any variety of things. Ensure any shampoo you look at meets all your pet’s needs; otherwise, you could find yourself with several shampoos on hand and one unhappy cat!
Price
Shampoo comes in a wide variety of prices, so find one that fits your budget. Many shampoos will have the same or similar ingredients even though they may be in different price ranges. Also, keep in mind that bigger is not always better. Shampoos in gallon sizes that cost less might actually be diluted, so you end up not getting your money’s worth!
Reviews
Reviews from other cat parents are the best way to be sure you’re getting a shampoo that will actually do what you want. Just because a shampoo advertises itself as having a long-lasting scent doesn’t mean it necessarily does; long-lasting for the shampoo brand may not be the same as your definition of long-lasting. Reviews can also let you know how well a shampoo cleans and whether there might be potential side effects to using it.
Our Cat Shampoos for Odor Control Selection Process
When it comes to selecting products, Hepper has a committed team of writers and editors who work closely with licensed veterinarians to find the very best in today’s market. Together, they consider customer feedback, brand reputation, veterinary expertise, and whenever possible, hands-on testing. We aim to select and review the highest-quality products to help you make informed choices that meet both your and your pet’s needs.
Why Trust Hepper?
Since 2007, Hepper has been a trusted and growing online brand and resource with the edge of creating and retailing our own line of cat furniture, toys, and gear, and pet consumables, giving us valuable insights into how to choose cat shampoos. Our driven team of pet-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to empowering our readers to make the best decisions for their animal companions. Our priority lies in providing top-notch information and recommendations. Our team is genuinely invested in the health and well-being of all pets worldwide, believing that expert knowledge is crucial for achieving this goal.
Conclusion
You’ve made it through our reviews of the ten best cat shampoos for odor control, so here’s a quick recap!
Want the best cat shampoo for odor control for the money? Check out Petkin 4-in-1 Vanilla Coconut Scent shampoo since it offers more for less money and gives your pet a fresh scent.
Finally, if you’re seeking a premium option for kitty, Douxo S3 SEB Odor-Control Seboregulation shampoo is designed for odor control, as well as for controlling oil, flakiness, and excess sebum.
Featured Image Credit: Matheus Mendes 42, Shutterstock
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