It’s common knowledge that cats are more than capable of grooming themselves. That being said, should your cat end up with a particularly dirty coat or even a dreaded infestation of fleas, it might be time to call in the cavalry - AKA cat shampoo. We're here to ensure that you have the right equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently. But what shampoo is good for cats?
With this straightforward guide, we'll help you find the best shampoo, with recommendations for products to buy in the UK at Amazon. Whether you need a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner combo to add shine to their coat, a waterless spray, a naturally hypoallergenic formula, or even shampoo for fleas or for dandruff, we're certain that you'll find something suitable for your cat on our list! Moreover, we have partnered with veterinarian Natalia Ramírez for reviewing and fact-checking the article to deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Cat Shampoos
Pet Head
A Thick and Nourishing No-Rinse Formula for a Gloriously Glossy Coat
The Healthy Dog Co
Natural Formula for Both Cats and Dogs to Treat Infestations and Itchy Skin
Earthbath
Cruelty-Free and Cherry-Scented 2-In-1 Formula Featuring Soothing Aloe Vera and Coconut
Natalia is a veterinarian with 10 years of experience, specialising in topics related to responsible pet ownership, preventive animal health and nutrition issues that she is currently deepening in her master's studies. She also helps new pet parents by delivering all the necessary information from their arrival at home to different stages of their life.
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Natalia is a veterinarian with 10 years of experience, specialising in topics related to responsible pet ownership, preventive animal health and nutrition issues that she is currently deepening in her master's studies. She also helps new pet parents by delivering all the necessary information from their arrival at home to different stages of their life.
Traditional shampoos are the most commonly available type on the market. They consist of a mild and gentle formula that can be used regularly to keep your kitty clean. Giving your cat a thorough shampooing every 4-6 weeks with this kind of product will remove dirt and leave them smelling fresh.
As you would expect, this kind of shampoo requires water and a bathtub. So, both you and your cat need to be prepared for that experience - if you have a particularly skittish kitty, then you may want to opt for one of our other suggestions!
A 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner combo for cats works in pretty much the same way it does for human hair. While cats don’t always need conditioner, this type of product can help to make their coat extra smooth, soft, and manageable. It's, therefore, a great choice if your cat has a mane that's particularly difficult to manage.
As this type of formula usually comes in a single bottle, it can make life easier for owners whose cat dislikes spending a long time in the water. That being said, you might want to use a separate conditioner if you find that one of the shampoos on our list works well for your pet.
If your cat hates getting wet, opting for a waterless shampoo will help save your arms from scratches! This type of product works similarly to dry shampoo and typically comes in either a spray or a mousse formula.
While there are certainly benefits to going waterless, owners of cats with sensitive skin may want to steer clear of this type of product as it tends to contain parfum and alcohol, which can cause irritation.
Most waterless formulas will require you to comb them through with a cat brush!
It might seem pretty obvious, but a good cat shampoo shouldn't contain harsh or potentially harmful chemicals. To keep your kitty clean and healthy, your best bet is to opt for natural ingredients.
Key ingredients to look for are aloe vera, coconut, and chamomile, which hydrate the skin and smooth out tangled fur. Oat or wheat proteins also strengthen your kitty's coat and leave it looking shiny, while camellia extract has anti-inflammatory properties.
As we mentioned earlier, some shampoos do contain parfum. While this will help make fur smell better, it may irritate your cat's skin. Therefore, finding a shampoo that contains plenty of natural ingredients instead will be a win-win - you’ll get the silky, fresh-smelling pet you deserve, and they’ll be left with luscious feeling fur!
While most cat shampoo is designed for regular cleansing, some are formulated to treat a particular issue. Most products that provide this type of specialised care will clearly state this on the bottle to help you identify them immediately when shopping.
Treatment shampoos will usually list which conditions or pests the formula can combat, such as fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. So, if your cat is plagued with an infestation, snap one of these shampoos up quickly to ease their suffering and keep the bugs at bay!
Since a cat's skin has a unique pH level and is much thinner than human skin, it's essential to ensure that the shampoo you select won't disrupt their delicate skin barrier. Most products formulated with pets in mind should take this into account anyway, but cats with sensitive skin that are prone to flare-ups or allergies will require an extra-gentle shampoo.
If this sounds like your furry pal, we recommend opting for a hypoallergenic formula without soap, sulphates, or parabens. These synthetic ingredients can dry out their skin and cause flakiness, which will only lead to an unhappy kitty!
Make the bathing experience a bit nicer for your cat with some of our best cat treats!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Earthbath Pet Shampoo | ![]() | A Coconut-Based Cleanser That’s Hypoallergenic and Environmentally-Friendly | |
2 | Pet Head Strawberry Lemonade Fizzy Kitty Mousse Cleaner | ![]() | A Thick and Nourishing No-Rinse Formula for a Gloriously Glossy Coat | |
3 | The Healthy Dog Co Flea Shampoo for Dogs & Cats | ![]() | Natural Formula for Both Cats and Dogs to Treat Infestations and Itchy Skin | |
4 | Earthbath Wild Cherry 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner | ![]() | Cruelty-Free and Cherry-Scented 2-In-1 Formula Featuring Soothing Aloe Vera and Coconut | |
5 | Vet's Best Natural Waterless Cat Bath | ![]() | A Dry Shampoo Made With Natural Ingredients - No Rinsing Required | |
6 | Animology Feline Great Cat Shampoo | ![]() | A 2-In-1 Shampoo Infused With Pro-vitamin B-5 From a Multi-Award Winning Pet Care Company | |
7 | John Paul Pets Oatmeal Conditioning Rinse | ![]() | A Highly-Concentrated Rinse-Out Conditioner, Ideal for Cats With Sensitive Skin and Long Hair | |
8 | Johnson's Cat Flea Cleaning Shampoo | ![]() | Highly Effective Flea Treatment to Cleanse and Deodorise Any Cat Over 8 Weeks Old | |
9 | TropiClean Deep Cleaning Waterless Shampoo for Cats | ![]() | A Completely Waterless Deep Clean for Especially Mucky Cats |
Here we have another environmentally-friendly offering from Earthbath, and it's a favourite among cat owners everywhere. This coconut-based cleanser features plant derivatives and aloe vera, making it great for pets who suffer from allergies as well as those who have sensitive and sore skin. Even if your kitty has neither of these issues, it's still a nice natural option for bathtime.
Since all ingredients are 100% plant-derived, this product can be used on kittens from six weeks old. The liquid lathers well, too, despite the lack of sulphates, and works without interfering with topical flea medications. A hypoallergenic shampoo that really does the job!
While it has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the shampoo, we have to say that this is by far our favourite bottle in terms of the design! Luckily, the fruity-flavoured contents are great too, making our job that little bit easier. This waterless solution is another non-rinse formula, meaning you'll be safe from bathtime scratches for the foreseeable future.
The formula is relatively thick, but the brand claims that this increases the cleaning capability, as it's better at picking up dirt when brushed through fur. It, therefore, it mainly benefits pets with long hair, producing a gloriously glossy coat.
If you have several four-legged pals at home that are different species, then this offering from The Healthy Dog Co could be the perfect solution to your bug-based woes! The formula caters to both dogs and cats, using non-toxic ingredients to deal with fleas and all sorts of other invasive insects.
Moreover, this formula soothes itchy and sore skin, thanks to the coconut extract. If you're after a treatment shampoo that'll leave your pets with glossy, luscious-looking fur, you're onto a winner with this one!
As the name Earthbath suggests, you'll have no problems with dodgy ingredients if you purchase products from this brand. Not only is this 2-in-1 formula gentle, but it's also cruelty-free - so no cute furballs were harmed in the manufacturing process!
Alongside soothing aloe vera and hydrating coconut, this shampoo and conditioner combo has a delightful cherry scent that's derived naturally, so it shouldn't upset your kitty's pH balance. Plus, it's suitable for cats as young as six weeks, so you can get your pet used to a regular grooming routine.
Dry shampoo is undoubtedly the way to go if, despite your best efforts, your cat resents getting in the water with every ounce of their being! This offering is a little different from other waterless options around as rather than combing out the spray, you leave it in. It'll then work to moisturise your pet's coat without clogging their pores.
Furthermore, including natural ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, and oatmeal will leave them feeling super fresh and wonderfully clean. This product can be used on cats 12 weeks and older and won't affect topical flea control products - always a bonus if you ask us!
Animology was born in 1999 and has since gone on to win multiple awards for their pet care products, establishing themselves as market leaders when it comes to cat cleanliness! Their 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, cheekily titled "Feline Great" is entirely free from parabens and alcohol.
The formula includes aloe vera extract to soothe and protect the skin and pro-vitamin B-5, which is known to nourish kitty coats. While it leaves out most nasties, this product does contain parfum, which may irritate your feline friend if they have a sensitive nose.
Technically this is a rinse-out conditioner, but we wanted to include it in our top 10 as it's a brilliant buy for cat owners! It's ideal for cats who have the unique combination of sensitive skin and long hair. The formula not only gives a silky, luxurious feel to their fur but will also aid with moisturising the skin underneath too.
This formula is highly concentrated, so you don't need to use a lot, and you get loads for your money - especially considering the large size of the bottle. Still, if you're strictly looking for something for cleansing rather than conditioning, skip this one!
This flea treatment shampoo by Johnson's is suitable for cats older than eight weeks and comes highly recommended by Amazon customers. It not only cleanses the coat but deodorises it at the same time - so your cat should come out itch-free, happy, and smelling better.
Sadly though, information about the ingredients isn't available. As most flea treatment formulas contain chemicals rather than natural ingredients, this product may irritate kitties with sensitive skin.
If you've got a mischievous little pal, then you'll know that they often tend to end up in the muckiest of places! Picking up a shampoo that's designed to provide a deep clean is, therefore, an excellent choice, as it'll have your pet gleaming in no time!
This waterless option is easy to use and requires no rinsing; all you need to do is massage it into the fur, then brush it out. However, it does have a strong fragrance, which some cats might not like. Plus, it's a firm foam, so it can be hard to work in around their face - particularly delicate areas like their nose, eyes, and mouth.
If you're looking for more cat products, we've got you covered with our extensive range of articles that'll assist you in your purchase. To deliver the appropriate information, some of our articles are also reviewed/fact-checked by veterinary, so keep browsing!
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: Earthbath|Pet Shampoo
No. 2: Pet Head|Strawberry Lemonade Fizzy Kitty Mousse Cleaner
No. 3: The Healthy Dog Co|Flea Shampoo for Dogs & Cats
No. 4: Earthbath|Wild Cherry 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
No. 5: Vet's Best|Natural Waterless Cat Bath
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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