Best Cat Shampoo: A Buyers' Guide

Keeping your furbaby’s skin and coat healthy is essential to his overall well-being. You might be thinking, bathe my cat? Why would I do that? Cats groom themselves don’t they? Actually yes, cats do spend a lot of time managing their coats, but spreading saliva around on their fur isn’t the same as grooming. It won’t take care of everything on their coat and it doesn’t make them smell fresh or clean. Every cat guardian needs a bottle of the best cat shampoo on hand. Trust me, at some point you are going to need it.

Contents

1 What to Use to Bathe Your Cat
2 Best Cat Shampoos: A Buyer’s Guide
3 Why You Should Not Use Human Shampoo for Your Cat
4 Why Do You Need to Bathe A Cat?
5 How Often Should You Give Your Cat a Bath?
6 Summary

What to Use to Bathe Your Cat

It’s important to use cat shampoo on your cat, not human shampoo, dog shampoo, or dish soap.

Select the best cat shampoo. Many shampoos are formulated for both cats and dogs. When in doubt, ask the manufacturer if the product is safe for cats.

Related Post: Click this link to learn more about bathing your cat

Some of my recommendations for best cat shampoo products are from a professional grooming company that labels the product for dogs. I have confirmed that they are safe for cats. I use them with my own cats and my client cats with good, show-worthy, results.

There are lots of different types of cat shampoo, and we recommend choosing one based on your cat’s needs. Some ingredients like oatmeal, aloe, and avocado oil can be helpful if your cat has dry, itchy skin. Some products have fragrances that can annoy you or your cat. Look for something with less chemicals.

Best Cat Shampoos: A Buyer’s Guide

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JP Pet Oatmeal Shampoo

Best budget-friendly cat shampoo option.

Made in USA from the makers of Paul Mitchell hair care products for humans
Hydrolyzed oat protein, aloe, and chamomile cleanse and moisturize your pet’s fur while relieving dryness and itchiness
Luxurious shampoo removes dirt without over-drying his skin
Sweet almond oil conditions fur and leaves a pleasant almond fragrance

Pro PetWorks

Best cat shampoo formulated for sensitive, dry skin. Good for pets with allergies.

Safe for frequent use, won’t strip skin and coat
Helps with shedding and tangles
Paraben, cruelty, and sulphate free
Made in USA

Tropiclean

Natural pet shampoo line, good for dogs and cats in a multi-pet family.

Clean, moisturize, and condition Kitty’s skin and coat
pH Balanced, soap, paraben, and dye free
Made with naturally derived ingredients
Safe for cats 12 weeks or older
Full range of naturally-derived grooming products. Try the 2 in 1 for a luxurious coat or the lime and coconut to help with shedding.

Zymox Shampoo and Conditioner

My favorite product for managing skin conditions like allergies and dandruff.

Helps provide relief for itchy & inflamed skin
Soothes & supports healthy skin
No harsh chemicals, detergents or chlorine

Espree For Cats: Silky Show Cat Shampoo

A luxurious shampoo especially good for cats with long coats
Cleans and conditions pet’s coat
Formulated with silk protein and safflower oil to moisturize and repair damaged coats
Made in the USA
Budget friendly

Espree for Cats: Tearless Kitten Shampoo

Gentle for kittens, pregnant cats, and nursing mothers
Organic aloe, jojoba and coconut-based cleansers clean, condition, and moisturize Kitty’s coat
Made in USA
Good results at a budget price

Top Performance Fresh Pet Shampoo

Keep Kitty smelling great with healthy skin and coat with Top Performance Fresh Pet Shampoo. Top Performance also makes an oatmeal shampoo and conditioner, a baking soda shampoo, color enhancers, and a full line of very popular professional-level grooming products for your kitty.

Prevents tangles and mats
Safe to use with kittens as young as 6 weeks old
Clean, fresh scent that lasts
Natural pH balance

The following are favored lines by professional cat groomers and cat show exhibitors. I use them regularly on client cats and on my own show cats.

Davis Degreaser

My favorite product for pretreating a greasy cat.

Works great on stud tail.
Leaves your pal’s coat shiny and manageable
Highly-concentrated formula

Davis Honey Almond Shampoo

Gentle, pH-balanced formula contains natural oils with a honey and almond fragrance that is not overpowering.
Helps condition the coat and replenishes natural moisture.
Rinses residue-free to leave your furry friend’s coat glossy, healthy and manageable

Chris Christensen Clean Start Shampoo

This is my go-to shampoo for all cats, either as a finishing shampoo or a follow-up to the degreaser. This product line is marketed at the dog show crowd but it is a favorite with cat groomers and cat fanciers as well.

Doesn’t strip coat of natural oils
Removes build-up, dirt, grease, and product residue
Pro-vitamin formula deep cleans coat without irritating skin
Gentle enough for frequent use

Chubbs Bar Shampoo

Formulated by the founder of the National Cat Groomers Institute. This is a product that I want to love but gives me inconsistent results. I would go with the Clean Start or Davis Honey Almond if you have hard water.

Gentle enough for frequent use
Whitening and brightening options
Degreasing
Volumizing
Cat friendly levels of scent. Seasonal scents available. I love the warm vanilla sugar scent. Also available in unscented.

Why You Should Not Use Human Shampoo for Your Cat

Your cat’s skin is different from yours and needs different products. Cat shampoos are carefully pH balanced so they won’t harm your cat’s skin or coat or make them itchy. The best shampoos for cats have the proper formulation to wash cat fur versus human hair. You can also find a great range of shampoos designed to help with issues like fleas, dandruff, and even hairballs.

In a pinch, if you need to wash your cat and don’t have any cat shampoo to hand you can use the original blue Dawn dish soap. It is safe, but not suitable for long-term use, it will strip the natural oils out of your kitty’s skin and coat.

Why Do You Need to Bathe A Cat?

The reason cat grooming is still somewhat controversial is that cats spend a great deal of their time managing their fur. But all cats are eventually going to need a bath. The most common reasons cats need baths include:

They get into something sticky, smelly, dirty or toxic
They get fleas or a medical issue that requires a bath
They are shedding and their coat is matting
They have an extra greasy coat
They don’t smell fresh
Their human family members are allergic
You want them to look and feel their best

How Often Should You Give Your Cat a Bath?

The National Cat Groomers Institute recommends a 4-6 week bathing routine for most cats. You fine tune that as you get to know your cat’s coat. A regular grooming routine is a great way to keep an eye on his health. Changes in his coat can signal illness.

Some more high-maintenance breeds, like Persians, might need a monthly routine.
If your kitty is a short haired domestic he might only need a bath a few times a year.
A hairless cat should be bathed weekly.
Outdoor cats need more frequent baths than their indoor-only companions.
Older cats that struggle to manage their coats might need more frequent bathing.

Summary

Not all cat shampoos are created equal. Look for a product that is properly formulated for cats. The best cat shampoo for your cat will not strip his coat, or dry your kitty’s skin, especially if you are going to be bathing Kitty frequently.

Best Cat Shampoo: A Buyers’ Guide

What to Use to Bathe Your Cat