If your cat is like ours, then bath time is not their favorite. However, as much as they try to keep themselves groomed, cats still occasionally need baths. They may have skin problems, flea infestation, or other issues they can’t get rid of on their own.
Because we know how tough it is to get your cat in the bath, we’ve tried to make it easier to select the right shampoo. There are so many shampoos on the market and it can be overwhelming to sort through them all, leaving you exhausted before you even try to get your kitty into the tub! Read on for our reviews of the best cat shampoos to meet your needs!
Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is our best overall cat shampoo because of its amazing ingredients, and its freedom from soaps, glutens, dyes, DEA, sulfates, and phthalates If your cat suffers from dry, itchy, irritated skin, this shampoo can help soothe it. This product is also cruelty-free and made in the USA, so you can bathe your kitty worrying about the source.
Another great thing about this shampoo is it is safe for cats and dogs. So, it can save you money if you have a multi-pet household. Plus it smells divine which is always an added bonus!
Pros
Cruelty-free
Soothing colloidal oatmeal formula
Safe & natural ingredients
Cons
Some pet owners may not love the cucumber scent
2. John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Oatmeal Cat Shampoo – Best Value
John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Shampoo is the best cat shampoo for the money. This product is a high-quality shampoo with a small price point, making it ideal for the shopper on a budget. It contains aloe and almond oil which will keep your cat’s skin moisturized. Soothing oat protein will help prevent itching.
You can also use this shampoo on dogs and horses, further increasing its value as a multi-purpose shampoo. This product does contain sodium laureth sulfate, which some pets might have a sensitivity to. However, overall, you can’t beat this shampoo for the best value for your money!
If your cat has a bacterial or fungal skin condition, you’ll need shampoo to not only relieve the irritation of those conditions but also to prevent them from reoccurring. Pet MD Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo can do just that. This product is safe for cats, dogs, and horses. The active ingredients will relieve existing bacterial and fungal conditions without causing further irritation.
You will need to be careful if you are using this shampoo to bathe your cat as it can irritate their eyes. Overuse can cause dry skin, so make sure you are following the usage instructions on the bottle.
If getting your cat into the bath is a battle you can’t win, you can try a waterless shampoo. Vet’s Best is a great choice for cats who want nothing to do with the water. It is a gentle, leave-in foam that requires no rinsing. This shampoo is moisturizing and soothing for cats with dry itchy skin.
It can be irritating to your cat’s eyes so be careful to avoid contact with their eyes. The bottle is smaller and a little more expensive than some of our other top picks, but it might be worth it if you don’t want to struggle to get your cat into the water.
Pros
The leave-in formula—no water required
Good for dry skin
Prevents itching
Cons
Can irritate eyes
A little pricey for the bottle size
Cannot be used on kittens less than 12 weeks old
5. Pro Pet Wash Organic 5-in-1 Oatmeal Shampoo + Conditioner
Cat owners love this shampoo, because of its gentle ingredients, great value, and freedom from skin irritants. If your cat suffers from dry, itchy, irritated skin, Pro Pet Wash can help soothe it. This product is also cruelty-free and paraben-free, meaning you can use it without worrying about the source.
Another great thing about this shampoo is it is safe for cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, and guinea pigs. It can save you money since you won’t have to buy different shampoos for each of your furry pets! Finally, it has a great almond scent which makes post-bath snuggles even better!
If your cat has dry or itchy skin, then Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo is a great choice. This shampoo is formulated specifically to moisturize and soothe your cat’s skin. It is mild and soap-free, so it won’t contribute to further dryness or other issues. It can also be used on both dogs and cats. You can buy it in either 16 ounce or full-gallon bottles.
One drawback is the product must stay on your cat’s hair and skin for at least 90 seconds for it to work. This may not seem like a long time, but when you have an angry, squirming cat in your hands it’s an eternity. However, if you can get your cat to relax for long enough, this shampoo is a good choice for itch prevention.
Pros
Can be used on dogs and cats
Mild, soap-free
Prevents itching
Cons
Can irritate both pet and human eyes
Some people don’t like the scent
Must be left on for at least 90 seconds
7. Burt’s Bees for Cats Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo
This Burt’s Bees Cat Shampoo is a great choice if you have a kitty who is sensitive to a lot of products. It is hypoallergenic and free from colorants, fragrances, and sulfates. It will help soothe itchy skin and leave your cat’s hair silky-smooth. The honey in this shampoo will also give your cat’s coat a nice shine boost!
It is a little pricey for the size as the bottle only contains 10 ounces of shampoo. This shampoo is free from added fragrances so it won’t leave your cat’s coat smelling any specific way. Some pet owners prefer when their pet’s shampoo leaves their pet smelling fresh and clean, but this is up to the owner’s discretion. Although this product is free from harsh chemicals, it can still irritate your cat’s eyes.
Pros
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance and sulfate-free
Soothes itchy skin
Cons
Pricey for the size
Very little scent
Can irritate eyes
8. Vet Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly antifungal shampoo option, Veterinary Formula Clinical Care might be a good choice for you. This product comes in 16 ounces and 1 gallon sized bottles. It soothes existing skin itching and deodorizes your cat. This shampoo will help relieve and prevent skin infections that cause your cat to scratch.
The biggest downside to this product is it must be left on your cat’s skin for 5 to 10 minutes. This will be difficult for many pet parents with feisty, water-hating felines. This shampoo can also irritate your cat’s eyes, the likelihood of which is increased by the long time it needs to be left on to be effective.
Pros
Relieves skin infections
Deodorizes
Soothes skin
Cons
Eye irritant
Must remain on pet for 5 to 10 minutes
9. Four Paws Magic Coat Cat Gentle Tearless Shampoo
Four Paws Magic Coat Shampoo is a nice option for a gentle shampoo. Their product is made to moisturize and soothe itchy skin without bothering your cat’s eyes. Although it is a gentle formula, it does contain fragrance which can irritate sensitive kitties. Some humans may not like the citrusy scent of the shampoo.
While it is paraben and dye-free, this product does contain sodium laureth sulfate. Some of the higher-ranked choices on our list are free from this potential skin irritant.
Pros
Gentle tearless formula
Moisturizes and soothes
Paraben and Dye-free
Cons
Contains sodium laureth sulfate
The scent may not be appealing to all pet parents
Fragrances can irritate some cat’s skin
10. Wahl Pet-Friendly Waterless Oatmeal No Rinse Shampoo
Wahl Pet-Friendly Waterless shampoo is another nice option if your cat is terrible about going in the water. It is meant to be used between baths, however, not to replace baths entirely. It can cut down on the number of times you need to coax your kitty into the tub, though, and all cat owners know this is a good thing.
The formula is plant-based and free from harsh chemicals and skin irritants. It can safely be used on dogs, cats, and horses. Some humans may not like the scent of this shampoo, but they do have other scent options if coconut-lime is not your style.
If your cat has a long, luxurious coat or is prone to matting, you might want to give this product a try. It is made to specifically target your cat’s coat by moisturizing and detangling the hair. It differs from the other products on our list in that it is not made for soothing your cat’s skin.
One drawback is that this product lists ‘conditioners’ and ‘detanglers’ in the ingredients. This non-specific detail makes it harder to determine if your cat will have a negative skin reaction to this product. This shampoo is also not suitable if you are looking for something to prevent or soothe itching.
Pros
Conditions hair
Plant-based ingredients
Detangles
Cons
Ingredients are not fully listed
Can irritate eyes
Some humans may not enjoy the fragrance
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Cat Shampoo
Now that you have read about our top picks, let’s review a few of the important things you need to consider when finding the right cat shampoo for your needs.
Before buying cat shampoo, you should ask yourself the following questions about your cat.
What purpose do you need the shampoo to serve? Is your cat itching? Does he or she have a skin infection? Is their skin dry?
Do they have allergies or sensitivities to any ingredients? You may need to speak with your vet before purchasing a shampoo to determine if there are certain ingredients you should avoid.
Does the shampoo address a problem your cat has, such as dry skin or itchiness?
Final Thoughts
When it comes to cat shampoo, you can’t go wrong with our best overall pick: Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo. This shampoo is a great choice for all cat owners with its gentle ingredients and soothing powers. Our best value, John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula, is another good choice for the budget-conscious cat owner.
Hopefully, our reviews have helped you navigate the dense forest of options out there for bathing your cat. You can now feel confident that you can find the best cat shampoo for your needs.
Featured Image Credit: Irina Kozorog, Shutterstock
