What is the Best Shampoo for Cats? Top Kitten Shampoos for 2020
Cats are the friendliest of all pets. They can make a game out of almost anything and a toy out of anything they come into contact with. Therefore, cats are not very picky creatures.
One of the few things that cats are not such big fans of is water. It is no secret that cats do not like to bathe owing to their dislike for water. Whenever you introduce water to cats, they become very aggressive.
Keeping this in mind, as a cat owner, you need to come up with an alternative to a wet shower since you cannot let your cat stay dirty. Bathing is an essential part of life or both pets and human beings. However, you may be tempted to let your cat go bath-free as cats tend to be very meticulous about self-cleaning.
Top 5 Cat Shampoos
How do cats clean themselves?
If you pay keen attention to your cat when it is not looking, you will realize that cats are often licking themselves. This is how they clean themselves. Cats can lick themselves from head to tail hence cleaning themselves. However, this is not enough.
So, what is the trick?
What you need are the best tools. By the best tools, we mean items like shampoos and other bathing ingredients. There are specific shampoos in the market that are designed specifically for cats. Such products have been designed and formulated with ingredients and cleaning action that is just what you need to keep your cat clean and get rid of the bacteria, odors, and dirt that may be stuck to the coat of your kitty.
Best Cat Shampoo List
① Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Cat Shampoo
This is a soap-free shampoo that is made with oatmeal and organic aloe vera made especially for skin that is dry and itchy. It is designed to restore moisture to the coats of cats and dogs, to heal and soothe dry coats and fur, and to heal and soothe skin that has been scratched. It is also guaranteed to neutralize and eliminate bad odors.
It is made from almond and vanilla whose scents are dominating in the shampoo and designed to keep your kitty smelling clean and fresh as if it just left the spa. The shampoo is made from 100% biodegradable materials that are free of parabens and phosphates hence very safe and trustworthy in regards to the formula.
Pros
Pros
- It has the fresh and sweet smell of vanilla and almond
- It eliminates bad odors
- It is made from completely safe materials
Cons
Cons
- It is expensive
- The scent may not be too appealing to some users
② Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic and Antifungal Shampoo
This cat shampoo is designed to deodorize and help to remove skin infections that may have been caused by fungal and bacterial issues. Such infections and issues include dermatitis and pyoderma. These infections may also be a result of allergies, hormonal disorders, folds of the skin and short coats, and a weakened immune system.
It can also arise from trauma resulting from grooming and or scratching of the skin. The aloe vera in this shampoo helps to soothe the skin and fastens the speed at which the affected area of the skin heals. If your cat is plagued with skin conditions, you ought to consider shampooing twice per week, and after the condition is cured, you can proceed to do it once a week to prevent additional flare-ups. Pros Cons
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③ Veterinary Formula Solutions Snow White Whitening Shampoo for Cats
This shampoo is formulated to clean and gently deodorize dingy and yellowing coats. It does all this without any influence from bleaches and or peroxide. Compared to other products, this shampoo is exceptionally long-lasting in terms of its blue coral and its circuit fragrance.
This shampoo is designed in such a way that it does not wash away other topical treatments the likes of tick and flea topical treatments. If used repetitively, this product is guaranteed to remove all sorts of stains. It is also patented as an optical brightener for the ultimate whitening effect.
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④ Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Cat Shampoo
This product is packed with Chlorhexidine and climbazole that helps to control issues to do with bacteria and fungi populations. It is also packed with lipid which helps to restore the skin barrier by moisturizing and leaving a lipo-protidic file deposited on the skin. This product also helps to regulate associated seborrhea and inflammation.
It is also rich in Phyto sphingosine; a salicyloyl that is modified with pro-ceramide which is packed with anti-inflammatory as well as anti-seborrheic properties that help to eliminate itching and other conditions like pruritus. By doing so, it helps to eradicate chances of injury that can result from prolonged itching and scratching.
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⑤ Malaseb Medicated Shampoo for Cats
This shampoo is packed with medicinal values. It combines the unique formulation of anti-bacterial antifungal agents with other coat conditioners to allow for optimal therapeutic effectiveness. It is a non-scented shampoo whose base descales and decreases the coat of the hair without necessarily stripping it of the healthy look.
Malaseb Shampoo is initially formulated for skin conditions that are associated with bacterial or fungal infections of the skin. It is especially useful for those infections that are responsive to miconazole and Chlorhexidine. The active ingredients in this shampoo are gentle on the skin while harsh on the pathogens, killing the pathogens within a minute of introduction to the skin.
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⑥ MiconaHex + Triz Shampoo for Cats
This is an antimicrobial, antifungal, and moisturizing shampoo that is affordable and easy to come by. It is primarily meant for cats owing to its PH. It is a medicated shampoo that is designed to treat topical fungal and bacterial skin infections that affect cats and dogs.
The shampoo contains ceramide that assists in moisturizing, repairing, and restoring skin that has been damaged and that which is dry. It is specially designed to kill and fight dandruff, ringworms, fungus, yeast, and other bacteria related infections. It is meant solely for topical use and does not wear off the effects of other topical treatment products for bugs like fleas and ticks.
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⑦ Burt’s and bees waterless shampoo for cats
This is a gentle waterless shampoo that does not need to be rinsed after being applied on the cat; hence, it eliminates the burden of having to pour water on your cat. It is packed with apple that nourishes the coat of the cat and honey that gives the coat a soft and shiny look and feel.
Keeping in mind the fact that human beings and pets have different PH levels, this product is specially formulated to match the PH of pets like cats and dogs as they tend to be more acidic. The shampoo is almost a hundred percent natural, and it has no traces of sulfates or colorants. Above all, it is easy to use as all you need to do is spray it on the hair of the cat, and it is produced cruelty-free.
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⑧ Hylyt Hypoallergenic Shampoo with Essential Fatty Acids for Cats
This shampoo is a gentle hypoallergenic that is made, especially for cats and dogs. It is a soap-free shampoo that is packed with emollients that are responsible for moisturizing and conditioning of the skin with its proteins. Seeing that the coats of pets tend to be much more acidic than the human skin, this product is formulated with a PH that suits its purposefulness and target market.
While it is a guaranteed natural moisturizer, this product promotes extra hydration on the skin and coat of your pet as the essential fatty acids in its formula help to nourish the skin and control flaking and to scale. It has a luxurious formula that is non-stripping and non-drying, and it may even benefit the topical flea and tick products.
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⑨ TropiClean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut Kitten Shampoo
This is a gentle and easy as it is made from safe, secure, and natural ingredients that are designed to keep your pet clean, tear-free, and snuggly. Its formula is gentle on the skin while the active ingredients are gentle and mild on pets that have allergies and those with sensitive skin. The all-natural soap-free shampoo does not in any way interfere with other topical treatments for flea and tick treatment.
It is packed with coconut ingredients which cleanse the coat of your pet. The aloe vera in its components also works to replenish the moisture of the skin resulting in a fresh and healthy clean coat and hair. It is gentle enough for use on pets of all ages even those that have just been birthed.
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⑩ Zymox Veterinary strength Enzymatic Cat Shampoo
This shampoo is designed to give your pet fast and effective relief from itchiness, inflammation, and it is very gentle on the skin of your pet. It is rich in the mild plant-based surfactant that is patented as LP3 Enzyme System that is soothing to the skin. It creates a natural barrier against infectious microbes while it cleanses and comforts the itchiness of the skin.
This shampoo is the perfect solution for managing fungal or bacterial infections of the skin and calming down the effects of inflammation that may be caused by allergies. It has a mild, pleasant fragrance that is guaranteed to leave your cat smelling fresh and clean. It is also gentle enough to be used for bathing even the youngest puppies and kitten.
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Conclusion & What is the Best Cat Shampoo
Now that you know what to look for and what to avoid in terms of cat shampoos, it’s high time you begin looking for the best cat shampoo for your cat. In this article, we heaven has given you a list of ten of the best brands of cat shampoos in the market. Each of the products on this list stands out from every other product in the market.
Of the ten, the Earth Bath Oatmeal and Aloe Cat Shampoo (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE) stands out. It is a soap-free shampoo that works wonders on skin that is dry and itchy. It re-moisturizes the skin, soothes and heals the skin while neutralizing any foul odors. It has a vanilla and almond smell that is appealing, and it is made purely from natural materials with zero traces of synthetic ingredients.
Make bath-times medicinal and fun for your kitty by using the Earth bath oatmeal and Aloe for dog and cat shampoo!
Why are baths important for cats?
As aforementioned, cats are very keen on self-grooming. They are very flexible; hence, they can reach every part of their body when self-cleaning. Their saliva can act as a natural detergent as it is useful in the task of grooming. They also have barbed-tongues that act as little combs that can get rid of oil, dander, and other debris from their coats.
There are those times when the pet may need assistance. Such situations include:
If they have rubbed up against something that is withered very sticky or too dangerous for them to lick off on their own. Such may include wet paint, other household chemicals, peanut butter, honey, pine sap, oil and other toxins from plans or chemicals.
The other situation is when they happen to have a run-in with a skunk. Although this may not happen as often, in the rare cases that it does, licking will not do.
Then there is the point when they have particular health conditions the likes of obesity and allergies that may make cleaning themselves either difficult or not feasible for them to do on their own.
When they get older, they tend to decrease in terms of their mobility and endurance. In such a case, they will need to be helped with grooming.
When it comes to a breed of long-haired cats, there are more requirements when it comes to maintenance and grooming. There is a more significant need for brushing, and proper grooming especially because leaving their hair unkempt may result in the hair being matted and the occurrence of skin infections.
What happens when preparing a bath for a cat?
In case you have to bath your kitty, you may need to create an environment that is conducive and comfortable so that the cat does not go through a bigger tantrum than the usual that comes with introducing them to water. You can convert your cat’s bath into a spa day by doing the following:
It is advisable that you start washing your pet while it is still a kitten. At this point, you can start with the brushing of its teeth. If you begin bathing your cat from childhood, you will allow it to grow fond of the experience that at first will come off as uncomfortable and unusual experience.
To make the experience less traumatic, you should opt to bathe your pet at a time of the day when he or she is usually most calm and relaxed. This may help to prevent them from throwing tantrums.
You can begin with gentle brushing of the cat’s fur and trimming of its nails before the full bathing experience. Brushing will help to eliminate the excess hair and debris hence making shampooing more easily. On the other hand, trimming of the nails will help to reduce the risk of scratches on you as you clean it or play with it.
It will also save your tub, sink, and either household furniture from nail related scratches.
You will also need to prepare everything you may need to bathe your cat beforehand. The first thing you will need is warm water that is neither too hot nor too cold. You will also need a comb or a brush, a non-slip mat, a washcloth, a towel, a plastic cup, and of course, your favorite shampoo.
You may also need to assemble your cat’s favorite toys to keep your cat occupied and distracted during bath time. On rare cases, you may need a second set of hands to help you out.
As you put your kitty inside the water, you may want to adopt a calm and soothing tone of voice. While doing so, you can proceed to gently and slowly pour water over the cat in sections using the plastic cup that you had previously assembled, or you can also use a gentle spray. It is always better if you start from the neck.
While doing so, you ought to be very keen not to get the shampoo into your pet’s eyes and ears. You can use a washcloth to gently wipe the face.
Once you have gotten the entire coat wet enough with the water, you proceed to lather up the coat using shampoo and then gently massage the shampoo into the coat and the skin of the cat. You ought to do this long enough to allow for the oil and the excess dirt to be eliminated. While doing this, pay keen attention to the reactions of your cat to avoid irritating it and to see if the cat can tolerate more or not.
After you are done with the shampooing, then using the same gentle technique, you can rinse all the shampoo off. This is to prevent the cat from licking it later. Then you can pat down your furry companion using a dry and warm towel thoroughly and afterward, you should make sure to reward the cat with his or her favorite toy, and other high value treats to encourage further bathing experiences.
Why do you need a cat shampoo?
Now that you know how well to bath your cat, you need to understand why regular shampoos won’t do.
You may be tempted to use mild human products for bathing your cat, but that may be the worst decision you ever made for your cat. Even the slightest of human products may result in the drying of your pet’s coat, and further damage that includes irritation of the skin of your pet. Cat and pet shampoos are designed with the perfect PH and the perfect formula for cats and other pets.
Most cat shampoos are also made from natural ingredients that are safe for the cats and have other elements that fight parasites, bacteria, and fungus that are dominant on the skin of pets. By doing so, they can alleviate skin issues like dermatitis, itchiness, and redness in cats.
What are the best ingredients for cat shampoos?
When choosing the best cat shampoo, here are some ingredients that you should completely avoid:
Parabens. Alcohol, phenol, pyrethrin’s, pyergroids, and permethrin. These are synthetics and artificial ingredients that can cause harm to your pet.
Always for a product that is packed with natural ingredients as they tend to be gentler and safer while effective in their purpose. Natural ingredients also make for incredible antibacterial and antifungals. They also have replenishing and restorative features that can be beneficial to cats and other pets that have been victims of skin conditions like itchiness and dryness.
In addition, natural ingredients have medicinal elements.
