Bathing time for pets is one of the most difficult for the owner.
Cats, for example, are inherently designed to loathe bathing and water generally.
Like many other animals, cats spend a lot of time cleaning themselves and can live naturally for long without the need to take a bath.
A cat’s skin is designed to excrete natural cleansing oils, which keep them clean and healthy for long periods.
Their body’s flexibility also makes it easier for cats to reach almost every part of their bodies.
Despite this, there are numerous occasions when your cat requires taking a shower. Since they are generally clumsy animals, cats will sometimes tuck unpleasant material inside their fur, which requires cleaning like paint, honey, glue, oil, plant toxins etc.
Cats that spend a lot of time outdoors are also prone to catching fleas, ticks and other parasites.
Moreover, old and overweight cats also have trouble cleaning themselves and hence require bathing occasionally.
After careful consideration and testing, we have come up with the top five shampoos for cats in the market.
To come up with a comprehensive and unbiased review, our team researched in conjunction with veterinarians and with the help of numerous customer reviews on various authority websites.
Here are the five best shampoos to use when bathing your cat.
Let's get started
Vet's Best No-Rinse Clean Waterless Cat Shampoo (Editor's Pick)
This is undoubtedly the best cat shampoo in the market now. Vet's Best No-Rinse Cat Shampoo is a top-selling product in many authority websites because of its effectiveness.
As a no-rinse shampoo, it is only applied on the cat’s coats, lathered gently and dried off with a dry cloth.
According to customer reviews, this feature makes it quite easy to use and friendly to cats who hate being dipped in water.
Moreover, the shampoo is made from purely natural ingredients including Aloe Vera, Neem Oil, Vitamin E and Oat Meal, which keep your cat’s skin moisturized and soft.
It also helps to get rid of itching, dryness and breakage of skin.
The shampoo does not affect topical flea and tick products and is hence applicable to cats that are 12 weeks or older.
Unlike many other shampoos out there, the Vet's Best Cat Shampoo does not expire and can be used for a long period.
Pros
Natural, safe and effective shampoo for all cats 12 weeks and older
Easy to use and dry without rinsing
Perfect for cats that hate water baths
Long-lasting and highly recommended by veterinarians
Does not affect flea or tick products on the cat’s skin
Cons
May be harmful to cats younger than 12 weeks
Contains no fragrances, hence the smell may irritate some customers
Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo (Best Shampoo for the Value)
If your preference is a shampoo that will effectively solve itchiness and dry skin for your cat, then the Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo is what to settle for.
This product is formulated with Oat Meal and Aloe Vera itch relief ingredients to get rid of itchiness and dry skin on your cat. The shampoo is made from natural ingredients to combat skin irritation, itching, boost skin healing and keep your cat's skin healthy.
Although some cats are allergic to some of its ingredients, the shampoo can be used on many cat breeds of varying ages.
According to customer reviews, the Earthbath Pet Shampoo is quite easy to use and comes with an array of fragrances to choose from, including vanilla and almond, eucalyptus and peppermint, mango tango, sweet orange and tea tree and aloe.
Although it is designed for sensitive skin, some of its ingredients may be irritating to some cats.
Pros
Quite effective in treating sensitive skin
Comes in many fragrance options to choose from
Treats dry and itchy skin completely
Smells better than most other shampoos in the market
Cons
May be ineffective for extra-sensitive skin
Customers had problems with the packaging
Others felt it was dilute than many other shampoos
Calily Life Organic Dog and Cat Shampoo
Getting shampoo in your cat’s eyes can be a painful ordeal both for you and for the cat.
This is because the irritations hurt your cat’s eyes, which may lead him to scratch you with his paws. The Calily Life Organic Shampoo guarantees safe bathing for your cat even around the face and eye area.
This is due to the products formulae that eliminate the irritating and burning sensation experienced by pets when shampoo is exposed to their eyes.
Moreover, the shampoo is hypoallergenic and can hence be used on pets with sensitive skin without leaving any side effects.
The ingredients used to come up with this shampoo are all-natural, making it applicable to dogs and cats of all ages.
Natural Dead Sea ingredients have been added to the formulae to relieve itching, soothe dry skin and leave your pet relaxed and moisturized.
Pros
Gentle on sensitive, itchy and dry skin
Can be used to bathe cats of all ages
Smells better than most other shampoos
Does not affect your cat when in contact with the eyes and nose
Cons
According to some customers, the product does not lather properly
Some customers found the smell to be irritating
Magic Coat Cat Tearless Shampoo
Different shampoos for cats are best applicable to different skin and fur types. Some shampoos work best when applied on thick fur whereas others are meant for thin fur coats.
The Magic Coat Cat Tearless Shampoo, however, is a universal shampoo that can be used on cats with different fur coats, both thick and thin.
Unlike many other shampoos in the market, the Magic Coat Shampoo contains proteins and lanolin as ingredients, to bring out your pet’s coat natural gloss and lustre.
It is formulated with natural ingredients like Aloe Vera and proteins that do not irritate your cat when it encounters eyes and nose.
According to customer reviews, the shampoo is easy to use and rinse and leaves your cat with a pleasant smell.
It also guarantees overall skin health while leaving your cat refreshed, moisturized and attractive after use.
Pros
Does not irritate the eyes or nose
Leaves a refreshing and pleasant smell on your cat
Contains proteins and lanolin to keep the coat lustred
Effective on all types of pet coats and fur
Cons
A lot of it has to be used to foam properly
The fresh scent does not last for long
Fresh Cat Oatmeal Shampoo
This is another moisturizing, conditioning and natural shampoo ideal for your cat, dog or any other pet type.
Despite being the most affordable on our review, the Fresh Cat Oatmeal Shampoo works effectively on all your pet’s needs.
It contains natural ingredients like Sweet Almond Oils, which help to keep the pet’s fur lathered, even and good-looking.
It also contains Oat Meal that softens and hydrates the animal’s skin and fur. Other ingredients include coconut extract for a fresh smell and Echinacea, a natural disinfectant.
The shampoo guarantees to leave your animal refreshed, soft, moisturized and healthy for a long period.
Pros
Works effectively on different skin and fur types
Contains natural ingredients only
Easy to apply and rinse off
Leaves your cat smelling fresh and clean
Cons
Applicable for pets that are 6 weeks or older
Despite smelling good, the fragrance is too strong for some customers
Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right shampoo for your cat requires some considerations because cats vary in terms of skin sensitivity, fur length and allergy infections.
So, different shampoos and bathing detergents are designed for a particular breed of cats.
Before purchasing cat shampoo, the following factors should be put into consideration:
Safety - This is the most important factor to consider when purchasing bathing shampoo for your cat. According to veterinarian recommendations, it is prudent to settle on natural shampoo, containing no artificial additives that would harm your cat’s skin.
Ingredients - Although similar ingredients generally irritate cats, some breeds may be immune to some shampoos and not to others. Harmful ingredients in shampoos may cause skin irritation, drying, breakage and even infection. Some of the common harmful ingredients to most cats include fragrances, artificial colors, formaldehyde preservatives and phthalates.
Cost - Depending on how much you intend to spend, shampoos for cats vary in price. The higher the price does not depict the quality of the shampoo. Some of the most effective products come at a pocket-friendly price that should be cheap, affordable and equally effective.
Refund Policy - Just like many other products, ideal cat shampoos should come with a refund policy in case one purchases shampoo that is harmful or irritating to your cat.
Conclusion
Bathing your feline friend can be a daunting task that can easily make you go bonkers.
However, with the right cleaning products that do not affect or irritate, bathing your cat can become simple and peaceful.
When choosing the right shampoo for your cat, its important to consider the ingredients, intensity, and irritation levels of the product.
The ideal cat shampoo should be cat-friendly, non-irritant, effective, and affordable. Depending on the species, there is a cat shampoo that will suit your feline friend.