10 Best Deep Cleansing Cat Shampoos – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Nobody wants to deal with bathing a dirty cat, and if you get the wrong cat shampoo, you might be wasting your time! We know the headache it can be, which is why we want to help you get it right the first time.

Whether you have a cat with sensitive skin, excessive shedding, or something else entirely, we have just what you’re looking for here. Our comprehensive reviews help you break down everything you need to know about the best deep-cleaning shampoos so that you get the right product for your cat the first time.

 A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Deep Cleansing Cat Shampoos

1. Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo – Best Overall

When you’re looking for the best overall deep cleansing cat shampoo, you’re not going to find a better choice than the Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo. It’s available for an affordable price considering the quality you’re getting, and it’s made in the USA, so you know exactly what you’re getting every time.

Its pH-balanced formula makes it as gentle as possible for your cat’s skin. Even better, it smells amazing and gets your cat’s skin and coat clean the first time. It does come in a smaller bottle, but with how effective it is, you won’t need to worry about using it as often.

Disclaimer: You might have guessed that this product is our own, but we love it, and so we bring it up in the hope that you get to own one too.

You might have guessed, this is our own product – but we love it so much we just have to share it, and hope you get to own one too!

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2. PetArmor Coconut Berry Flea & Tick Shampoo – Best Value

If you need an excellent shampoo for your cat but don’t have a big budget at the moment, the PetArmor Coconut Berry Flea & Tick Shampoo is here to bail you out. It’s the best deep cleansing cat shampoo for the money, plus it doubles as a flea and tick treatment shampoo.

Your cat doesn’t need to have fleas or ticks to use this shampoo, but if they do have them, it’ll take care of them with ease. It’s a very affordable shampoo and also safe for younger cats, although they should not be under 12 weeks old. Plus, it has a pleasant berry scent.

While it’s great in quite a few ways, the primary concern is that it can be a little rough on cats with sensitive skin. It’ll work for most cats, but it’s far from the perfect solution for every cat. And considering it’s a flea and tick shampoo, you need to be extra careful about reading the instructions and warnings.

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3. Earthbath Shed Green Tea Cat Shampoo – Premium Choice

If you don’t mind spending a little more and just want the best deep-cleansing cat shampoo around, Earthbath Shed Control Green Tea Cat Shampoo might be just what you need. It helps control excessive shedding while cleaning your cat’s skin, but that’s far from the only perks.

It’s also entirely cruelty-free, so you don’t need to worry about the production process. Moreover, it’s 100% biodegradable, making it a great choice for the environment. Finally, it’s great for cats with sensitive skin, getting them clean without needing to worry about irritating them.

However, it is a bit more expensive compared to other options on our list, so if you’re going to need a lot of it, it can get a bit pricey over time.

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4. Burt’s Bees Kitten Shampoo – Best for Kittens

Cats and kittens have unique requirements, so if you’re looking for a cat shampoo specifically for kittens, Burt’s Bees Kitten Shampoo is as good as it gets. It’s a pH-balanced formula that’s great for their skin, and Burt’s Bees ensures this formula meets a kitten’s unique needs.

Moreover, it’s 99.8% natural ingredients, ensuring it’s not only great for your cat but also for the environment. Finally, it’s made in the USA, so you can rest easy knowing that it goes through the most stringent quality control processes and you’re supporting jobs in the United States.

It’s not the best formula for older cats, but it’ll still work until you run out and purchase a shampoo for adult cats. Also, there are reports that it doesn’t lather well.

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5. Pawtitas Organic Sheabutter & Oatmeal Cat Shampoo

Pawtitas Organic Sheabutter & Oatmeal Cat Shampoo is another shampoo that’s cruelty-free and hypoallergenic, ensuring it’s a great choice for animals worldwide and your cat’s skin.

Moreover, it’s a paraben-free formula that ensures it’s great for the environment. Also, Pawtitas is made in the USA. But what sets this shampoo apart from other options on our list is the calming aromas.

If your cat freaks out at bath time, this might be just what you need to keep them calm. It is a bit more expensive, but if it keeps your cat from stressing too much, it’s well worth every penny.

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6. Cowboy Magic Rosewater Pet Shampoo

Cowboy Magic Rosewater Pet Shampoo is an outstanding multi-pet shampoo, allowing you to get one product for your cats and dogs. It does a great job cleaning your cat’s skin and fur, and the formula moisturizes their skin with every wash.

It is a bit more expensive, but the larger bottle size helps offset that cost quite a bit, especially if you plan on using this shampoo for both dogs and cats. However, while this versatility is great for you, it does mean it can take a bit longer for your cat’s skin and coat to regain all the necessary nutrients.

It’s a great choice, but if you can get a cat-specific shampoo, it’s usually the better choice.

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7. PetAg Fresh’ n Clean Soothing & Sensitive Cat Shampoo

If all you want is a clean cat and you don’t care for any extra scents or smells, then PetAg Fresh ‘n Clean Soothing & Sensitive Hypoallergenic Shampoo is the perfect choice. It doesn’t have any fragrances or dyes, it comes from a cruelty-free formula, and it’s great for your cat’s skin. PetAg makes this cat shampoo in the United States, so you know exactly what’s in each bottle.

It doesn’t always leave your cat with the freshest scent, but it does get them clean, just be ready to spend a little more for each bottle!

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8. FURminator Fur deShedding Rinse Free Cat Shampoo

Are you tired of dealing with cat hairs all over your home? Then let FURminator Fur deShedding Rinse Free Cat Shampoo come help you out! As the name implies, it’s good at helping control shedding, and since you don’t need to wash it out, it’s also the easiest option on our list to use.

It doesn’t use any chemicals or parabens either, making it an excellent choice for the environment. But while it’s better for the environment, it can be a little rough on your cat’s skin, so if they have sensitive skin, this isn’t the best choice.

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9. Veterinary Formula Antiseptic & Antifungal Cat Shampoo

 

Does your cat’s coat need cleaning while suffering from skin irritations? If so, we highly recommend talking to their vet, but Veterinary Formula Clinical Cat Antiseptic & Antifungal Cat Shampoo might be just what you need.

Not only will it clean their fur and skin, but it can help soothe redness and itching with the first wash. It’s a pH-balanced formula that’s great for a cat’s coat, and overall, it’s an amazing mix of price and quality.

But while all these are great things, it’s not quite as deep cleansing as some other options on our list. It might be the best choice if your cat has irritated skin, but if they don’t, you’ll likely want a different option.

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10. Cat Space Aloe Vera Cat Shampoo

Cat Space Aloe Vera Cat Shampoo might be the last choice on our list, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth checking out! It’s another cruelty-free cat shampoo that already puts it miles ahead of some of the competition.

Meanwhile, the pH-balanced formula helps nourish their coat, and it’s great for cats with sensitive skin. But while those are both great things, this list is all about deep-cleansing cat shampoos, and that’s where Cat Space struggles the most.

It’ll help with most cleaning, but for deeper cleans, your cat might need to do two washes, and this isn’t always the best thing with a cat, which is more than enough to send it to the bottom of the list.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Deep Cleansing Cat Shampoo

With so many cat shampoos on our list, it can be tough to narrow it down to just one. That’s why we came up with this comprehensive buyer’s guide that breaks down everything you need to know before and after you get a deep cleansing cat shampoo.

How Often Should You Bathe Your Cat?

You can absolutely over-bathe your cat, as it strips away their natural oils. However, if you give your cat a bath about once a month, they shouldn’t have any issues. But just because you can give them a bath that often doesn’t mean you need to. After all, most cats do a pretty good job of keeping themselves clean.

Keep their environment in mind and it might be fine to only bathe your cat once every 3 to 4 months if they’re an indoor-only cat in a clean environment and have good grooming habits.

How Much Shampoo Should You Use for Your Cat?

If you get an 8-ounce cat shampoo, you should expect that it will last at least 16 to 20 baths, depending on the size of your cat. A little shampoo goes a long way, so a single cat shampoo container can last a lot longer than you think.

Do No-Rinse Cat Shampoos Work?

While no-rinse cat shampoos can work with minor stains and dirt, they don’t help much with major messes. You’re not rinsing a mess out completely, so while you might be able to get a little out with a no-rinse cat shampoo, you’re not going to be able to completely clean a big mess on their fur or skin.

Do De-Shedding Cat Shampoos Work?

Yes! If you get the right kind, they absolutely work to help control your cat’s shedding. But if you really want to combat shedding, your best bet is to brush your cat daily.

Conclusion

If you’re still trying to figure out what cat shampoo is best for you and your feline friend after reading through the reviews and buyer’s guide, why not try our top choice, Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo? It’s at the top of our list for a reason, and it’s the ideal choice for most cat owners.

Of course, PetArmor Coconut Berry Flea & Tick Shampoo is a great choice too if you’re on a tighter budget, and the important thing is that you get something on order sooner rather than later so you can get your cat clean!

• See also: Is Witch Hazel Safe for Cats? Vet Approved Risks & Safety Guide

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Featured Image Credit: Marie-Claude Lemay, Shutterstock