Most cats are excellent groomers and typically don't need baths. However, you may occasionally need to bathe very dirty cats and cats who can't groom themselves easily due to health conditions or senior age. In those cases, we recommend using one of the best cat shampoos, which come in liquid, foam, or spray form.
Our top pick is Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo, which contains plant-based ingredients and vitamins to cleanse and soothe the skin. This shampoo is made for cats with sensitive skin, but you can use it to bathe any cat.
Cats generally don't like baths, so you'll want to keep a few tips in mind to protect you and your cat. "Introduce baths to your cat when they're young," says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, veterinarian and director of Cornell Feline Health Center. He also advises brushing your cat beforehand to remove any tangled fur, using warm water, and avoiding getting shampoo in their eyes, nose, and mouth.
Our top picks for the best cat shampoos
Best overall: Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo - See at Chewy
Best for fleas: Adams Plus Flea and Tick Foaming Shampoo and Wash for Cats and Kittens - See at Chewy
Best for kittens: Earthbath Fragrance-Free Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo - See at Amazon
Best dry shampoo: Tropiclean Berry and Coconut Waterless Cat Shampoo - See at Chewy
Best medicated: Virbac Ketochlor Medicated Shampoo - See at Chewy
Best overall
"The ideal cat shampoo is mild and does not contain artificial fragrances or additives," says Kornreich. That's why Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo is our top pick for the best cat shampoos. It's mild, unscented, and made with plant-based ingredients and skin-nourishing vitamins. It contains aloe vera, which moisturizes the skin and helps reduce skin irritation, and vitamin E, which conditions the skin and acts as an antioxidant to protect skin cells from damage.
Plus, it doesn't contain soaps and sulfates that could irritate sensitive skin or cause side effects like an upset stomach. You can also use this shampoo to bathe any cat or dog over 6 weeks of age. Just keep in mind that although it's mild, you'll still want to avoid getting it in your cat's eyes, nose, and mouth. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly to remove any remaining residue on the skin.
Best for fleas
Although year-round flea and tick prevention is essential, even for indoor cats, flea and tick cat shampoos can also help you protect your cat from these pesky skin parasites. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Foaming Shampoo and Wash for Cats and Kittens is our top choice for this category. This foaming shampoo contains S-methoprene and pyrethrins, pesticides that work together to kill fleas and ticks for up to 28 days. A third ingredient, piperonyl butoxide, boosts the effects of these pesticides. The flea shampoo also contains oatmeal, aloe vera, lanolin, and coconut extract to soothe and moisturize irritated skin, and its drip-free formula is easy to apply.
You can repeat treatment with this shampoo every 10 days if your cat has a heavy burden of adult fleas. Keep in mind that the effects of flea and tick shampoos do not last very long, cautions Dr. Robert Kennis, a veterinary dermatologist at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Your vet can offer more guidance on using this shampoo with an over-the-counter or vet-prescribed oral or topical flea and tick preventive, the most effective forms of flea and tick prevention. You can read more about these in our guide to the best flea treatments for cats.
It's always a good idea to work closely with your vet when using flea and tick treatments.
Best for kittens
"Bathing a kitten is usually not needed," says Kennis. If your kitten does need a bath, he recommends an oatmeal-based shampoo, adding that oatmeal is a good all-around shampoo ingredient for kittens and adult cats. Kornreich adds that oatmeal is a humectant, which moisturizes the skin.
Earthbath Fragrance-Free Oatmeal and Aloe shampoo is our top choice for a kitten shampoo. In addition to containing oatmeal and aloe to soothe and moisturize the skin, this shampoo also contains coconut-based cleansers to clean the skin. Vitamins in the shampoo, including vitamin E, promote good skin health.
Although this shampoo is gentle on the skin, take care to avoid getting it in your kitten's eyes as it may cause irritation.
Best dry shampoo
"Dry shampoos avoid the stress of exposing cats to water during a bath," says Kornreich. These products are formulated as foams or sprays and make a great option for cats who need help bathing but won't tolerate getting wet.
Our top choice for dry shampoos is TropiClean Berry and Coconut Waterless Cat Shampoo. This deep cleansing foam shampoo contains plant and fruit extracts, coconut water, and coconut cleanser to clean and condition your cat's skin and remove odors. However, it has a berry scent that may be too strong for some cats and people.
Best medicated
Feline skin infections are common, and they can make your cat miserably itchy. Kornreich says medicated shampoos can help manage skin infections like bacterial pyoderma.
Virbac Ketochrlor Medicated Shampoo is our top choice for medicated shampoos. It contains chlorhexidine gluconate to treat bacterial skin infections and ketoconazole to treat fungal skin infections. The shampoo also contains ingredients that remove unpleasant odors, grease, and scales, all of which are associated with skin infections.
Ketochlor has an artificial floral fragrance that may irritate sensitive skin. Also, the shampoo requires a relatively long contact time on the skin (5 to 10 minutes) to be effective. If you have difficulty bathing your cat, you may find it challenging to keep the shampoo on their skin for the full length of time.
What to look for in a cat shampoo
The number and variety of cat shampoos can be overwhelming, especially if you aren't sure what to consider when choosing among the best cat shampoos. Keeping a few important factors in mind can make it easier to choose the right product for your needs. These factors include ingredients, indicated use, scent, safety for kittens, and the type of formulation.
Ingredients: Kornreich and Kennis recommend using shampoos that contain humectants, like vitamin E and oatmeal, to help moisturize the skin. Other beneficial ingredients include skin-soothing aloe vera and lanolin. If your cat has a specific skin condition, choose a shampoo with ingredients that treat that condition. For example, antifungal and antibacterial ingredients, like ketoconazole and chlorhexidine, can help treat skin infections. Kennis says to avoid benzoyl peroxide, which can irritate a cat's skin, and permethrin, which can be toxic to cats. Kornreich also recommends avoiding essential oils, which can be toxic to cats, and sulfates, which can dry out and irritate their skin.
Indication/use: Cat shampoos have either a general indication for regular bathing or a specific indication. Specific uses might include:
Scent: Cat shampoos may be scented or unscented. Scents may come from the shampoo's natural ingredients or as an added fragrance. Unscented shampoos are ideal for cats with sensitive skin and people who are sensitive to added fragrances.
Safety for kittens: You can safely use most cat shampoos on cats and kittens over 12 weeks old. Some cat shampoos are safe for kittens as young as 6 weeks old, but you'll want to call the shampoo's manufacturer if the label doesn't clearly state that the shampoo is safe for kittens.
Formulation: Cat shampoos may come in liquid, foam, or spray form. Liquid shampoos require water, while foam and spray shampoos are waterless and do not require rinsing. Waterless shampoos typically work best for cats who won't tolerate a water bath and can make the process less stressful for you both. Many of the best cat shampoos come in a tearless formula, which can minimize irritation if the shampoo gets in or near your cat's eyes.
How we selected the best cat shampoos
To make our recommendations, we evaluated 16 cat shampoos across several categories based on their ingredients, indication, scent, safety for kittens, and cost. We referenced the Merck Veterinary Manual and other professional veterinary websites for general information on cat shampoos.
We also consulted two veterinarians who have feline medicine and veterinary dermatology expertise. Our experts shared their insights on the various types of cat shampoos and provided general advice on bathing a cat. However, they didn't recommend or endorse specific cat shampoos.
Cat shampoo FAQs
"Cats are self-cleaning machines and generally do not need to be bathed," says Kennis. That said, you may need to bathe cats with skin infections and those with arthritis, obesity, and senior cats who have trouble grooming themselves. Hairless cat breeds also need baths about every two weeks to remove the excess skin oil they produce. And of course, you'll probably want to bathe your cat if they get extremely dirty.
There is no single best shampoo for all cats. Selecting the ideal shampoo for your cat depends on several factors, including whether they have a skin condition or tolerate water. Kennis recommends asking your veterinarian for advice on choosing one of the best cat shampoos for your pet. Your vet will use their clinical knowledge and experience with your pet to recommend a product.
The best cat shampoos to help relieve itching contain ingredients that soothe the skin, like oatmeal, lanolin, and aloe vera.
Johnson's baby shampoo is considered gentle for people, but it's not safe for cats. Kornreich says this is because the pH of human skin is lower (more acidic) than that of a cat's skin. The pH of Johnson's baby shampoo can irritate your cat's skin, dry it out, and contribute to dander.
You can safely use some pet shampoos for both dogs and cats, but you shouldn't use a shampoo formulated only for dogs on cats. "Dog shampoos contain ingredients that may irritate a cat's skin," says Kornreich. Some medicated dog shampoos contain benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient that can cause skin irritation for cats, according to Kennis. Read the shampoo label closely to make sure the shampoo is safe for cats before you use it.
Waterless shampoos tend to make the best cat shampoos for cats who don't like getting wet. These shampoos are formulated as foams or sprays and don't require rinsing. Apply the waterless shampoo to your cat's skin according to the label instructions. You can also brush the shampoo through your cat's fur to improve its cleansing power.
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