There are very few animals who hate being near water as much as cats do and yet, there is just so much they can do to avoid a much needed bath.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
Cats are usually very clean animals and spend a substantial amount of time grooming themselves due to which they do not have to be bathed that often. However, a bath does become necessary every now and then in the following situations:
- To remove any extra grime trapped in their fur or toes which they cannot clean
- To clean the grease from their coats
- To help them stay clean when they become too old to manage it properly
- To clean the ones with specially longer fur which can get tangled
- To help them clean if they are overweight and don’t have their regular mobility
Since the above situations are a common occurrence, bathing the cats also becomes a common occurrence, much to the feline friend’s excessive displeasure.
The 5 Best Shampoos for Cats
The key then is to know which cat shampoos to go for to bathe our cute friends to make it as easier on them as possible. Following is a list of some of the best cat shampoos available to help you decide which one you need:
1. For Sensitive Skin – Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Totally Natural Pet Shampoo
Not all cats have the same skin type which makes it difficult to choose a cat shampoo which would be the right fit for your cat. Just because a shampoo works for one kitty, does not necessarily mean it will suit the others especially if they have sensitive skin.
Earthbath All Natural Cat Shampoo is the answer to your worries if you want to buy a shampoo for cats with sensitive or dry skin which can get easily irritated. This shampoo is fragrance free since scented shampoos can sometimes cause skin irritation for pets.
One of the key benefits of this shampoo is that it does not wash off any flea medications you may have applied, hence, you can go ahead with the bath without worrying about having to reapply the ointment.
Disclaimer: The shampoo is suitable for cats older than six weeks. It is not suitable for kittens
2. To Remove Fleas
A constant struggle of having a pet is keeping them safe from fleas or treating them when they end up infested despite due precautions. Having fleas also makes cats somewhat irritable which just further complicates giving them a bath which they are already not very fond off to begin with.
In case you end up having to manage a flea problem, your ideal choice is to go with Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Waterless Bath Foam for Cats. Similar to dry shampoo, this cat shampoo simply needs to be applied without having to go through the regular gymnastics of convincing your cat to get in that bathtub of warm water you painstakingly prepared.
It will clean up your cat’s coat while helping them get rid of any parasitic insects which crawled up their fur. There are also no added perfumes which would cause irritation but the use of peppermint oil in the ingredients leaves behind a nice fragrance.
3. For Kittens – Espree for Kittens
Are you looking for the best cat shampoos to clean up your tiny feline and struggling? It is completely understandable. Most of the cat shampoos are simply not suitable to be used on younger pets like kittens.
Kittens are babies and, hence, their skin is extra sensitive to most of the materials used in regular cat shampoos. Therefore, if you have a kitten to clean at home, your best bet is Espree for Kittens. This shampoo has been designed to specifically cater to the age sensitivity of skin in cats
It is made with organic ingredients and is gentle on the skin of the tiny little felines. The best part about this shampoo is that it is also suitable for pregnant and nursing cats so both Mama cat and kitten will have their baths sorted with Espree.
4. All Around Good Cat Shampoo
One of the most recommended shampoo for cats is the Pro Pet Works All Natural & Organic Pet Shampoo. This shampoo has been made with the natural and organic ingredients and has been adjusted to the right pH to ensure it does not cause irritation to your cat’s skin.
One of the core issues with deciding on the right shampoo for cats is to check and see if the ingredients contain any chemical which may not be suitable for your feline. The best part about Pro Pet Works All Natural is that it contains no harsh chemicals and is especially suitable for pets with sensitive skin.
This shampoo also contains aloe extracts for a soothing effect and is made with biodegradable ingredients which makes it environmentally friendly. This shampoo is the top recommendation amongst all!
A Mini Guide to Bathing Your Cat
Aside from giving you a list of the best shampoo for cats, we also compiled a few pointers to help you in give your cat that much needed bath:
- Start them young – Bathing the cats from their kitten days makes them less likely to kick up a fuss when being bathed as adults
- Be gentle – The cat already doesn’t like water to begin with so some soft, gentle cooing, stroking and gentle rinsing will help keep your cat from throwing a massive tantrum
- Know your cat – If your cat does not react well to a particular shampoo, change it immediately and ask your vet for cat shampoo recommendations.
Our Final Thoughts
To conclude, be mindful when looking for the best shampoos for cats and keep your cat’s skin sensitivity in mind. Do not choose anything that is heavily scented or which used harsh chemicals as the ingredients. And overall, be gentle and kind when going through with the bathing process to reduce your cat’s anxiety.
We wish you the best for the next time you have to bathe your resistant feline!
