Sure, cats bathe themselves, but sometimes, you’ll need to give them a bath. Because cats lick their fur frequently, it’s important to use a shampoo that’s safe. While there are many different types of cat shampoo on the market, the best cat shampoos are made with clean ingredients, have performed well in clinical trials, and are even recommended by vets. We used these criteria and tips from our veterinarian to find the best shampoos for cats.
When you’re shopping for pet shampoo, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Our vet recommends following these tips for finding a trustworthy shampoo for your feline friend.
👉 If your cat is experiencing a fungal infection like ringworm, your vet may recommend certain shampoos to treat their symptoms.
The FDA doesn’t test grooming aids, or cat shampoos, so consumers should check ingredients before applying shampoos to pets’ fur and skin. It’s important to watch out for harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients that could harm a cat’s skin or health. Here are some ingredients that can be problematic for cats:
👉 Some ingredients like neem oil are okay in small concentrations, but it’s important to check with your vet if you’re unsure about a certain ingredient before using it on your cat.
Generally, cats don’t need to be bathed regularly. Cats usually stay clean by grooming themselves with their tongues. Some cats do need help with regular bathing. Long-haired cats or cats with greasy skin, like the Sphynx cat breed, will require baths. Old or overweight cats that have trouble bathing themselves also require help. In these cases, plan to give your cat a bath once every 3 months, and brush their fur every week.
“Most cats don’t need baths unless they get something on their hair coat or have diarrhea that gets on their feet and/or rear end.”
Dr. Michelle Diener, DVM
The best shampoo for your cat depends on the mess at hand and your cat’s personality. If your cat really hates water, you can opt for a waterless cat shampoo. With this type of shampoo, you can spray it on, then massage it into the coat. But if your cat has something particularly tough to remove from the fur, liquid shampoo and water will thoroughly cleanse the fur.
Cats notoriously hate water, so it can be a challenge to bathe your pet. But you can help make them feel at ease and prevent any unwanted scratches with a few tips to make bathing a cat easier for both of you.
Prepare for bathtime — Grab cloths, the shampoo, a small cup for rinsing, and towel to dry off, and a brush. Set everything near the sink or bathtub to prepare for the bath.
Confine the space — Your cat might try to escape, and if they succeed, you want to limit how far they can run. Close the bathroom door. Opt to bathe the cat in a space with a retractable hose so you can easily rinse them. A confined bathing area, like a bathtub with tall glass walls, can help keep your cat from running off mid-bath.
Test the water — Make sure to only fill the tub with 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm water before bringing your cat in the bath. The water shouldn’t be too hot or cold for a cat.
Stay calm — Your cat will sense if you’re nervous. Help them feel more at ease by going into bath time calmly.
Use a pitcher or cup — Pour the lukewarm water over the cat’s body with a small pitcher or cup until the body is completely wet.
Avoid the face — If you need to clean your cat’s face, use a damp washcloth. Otherwise, avoid lathering soap in this area, and don’t dump water over the cat’s face.
Ask for help — The easiest, most efficient way to bathe a cat is with two sets of human hands. Ask someone in your household to help gently hold the cat while you bathe the cat.
Rinse thoroughly — Cats lick their fur frequently, so it’s important to make sure you remove all remains of soap from the bath. Continue rinsing until there are absolutely no suds left.
Supervise the cat — Stay with the cat for the entire duration of the bath. You should never leave a cat alone in the bathtub unsupervised.
Dry quickly — After the bath, wrap your cat in a towel and dry the fur as much as possible.
Brush the fur — Once the fur is mostly dry, help your cat feel more relaxed after their stressful bath by brushing their fur. This will help prevent tangles or mats, too.
It’s not recommended to use human shampoo for cats. Cat skin and human skin have different pH levels, and human shampoo can cause dry skin and irritation for cats over time.
Cats can get dry, flaky skin, just like humans, but again, Head and Shoulders is formulated for human skin, not cat skin. It may worsen the problem.
If you have a shampoo that is formulated for both dogs and cats, like some of the options in our best cat shampoos list, you can use it for cats. But in general, you shouldn’t use dog shampoos for cats. Dog shampoos may contain flea control treatments or essential oils that are toxic to cats. In particular, some dog shampoos may contain permethrin, an insecticide that is dangerous for cats to come in contact with.
If your cat has flaking skin, you’ll want a shampoo that can help moisturize and condition their skin. Some of the best cat shampoos for dandruff include Bayer Hylyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo and Dechra Dermallay Shampoo.
Use shampoos formulated for felines to wash your cat. You may want to talk with your vet if you aren’t sure what options will work best for your pet. When purchasing cat shampoo, be sure to check the ingredients to avoid dangerous essential oils, sulfates, and other harmful ingredients.
Using dish soap to wash cats is controversial. Some sources say it’s safe, but if you use it for regular bathing, it can actually strip your cat’s skin of natural oils, which help protect from skin infections. The best option is to use a shampoo specifically formulated for cats and made with cat-safe ingredients.
If you don’t have cat-specific shampoo, make sure you purchase some as soon as possible. It’s the best option for washing a cat without causing irritated skin or other serious health problems.
In the short term, you can use baby shampoo, which is gentler than normal shampoos for humans. Avoid added fragrance in the ingredients. Make sure you use small amounts and rinse thoroughly from your cat’s fur. Don’t use Dawn dish soap, as this can cause intense vomiting and sometimes diarrhea and respiratory issues if your cat ingests this product. It’s best to use shampoos that are specifically formulated for cats to avoid any risk for toxicity or adverse reaction.
