Best Cat Shampoos for 2020

When you want your cat shampoo to be as gentle and caring as possible, it is a great idea to try and keep things natural. The Purrfect range contains a whole host of essential oils and organic ingredients, such as virgin coconut and aloe vera to be gentle on the skin.

With no parabens or chemicals, it shouldn’t irritate your cat’s skin and fur. This will reduce the likelihood they will develop rashes or irritations, and also makes it suitable for cats with existing skin and fur issues.

There is also an infusion of catnip which should help to calm them down if bathtime often makes them a little bit stressed. The solution is easy to rinse off too, as it doesn’t cling to hair or become sticky, which means less time for them under the water.

With a peach scent that will ensure your cat smells lovely for a long time to come, as well as keeping your nose happy, this is a gentle solution suitable for most cats.

It has built-in conditioner, so won’t only leave fur clean but smooth and nourished too. SLS, SLES, paraben and alcohol-free, it won’t cause any irritation or reactions so is safe for the skin as well. The added aloe vera soothes and protects, and pro-vitamin B5 nourishes the coat.

When on your cat, it foams but doesn’t bubble up too much so is good for keeping them calm and relaxed. You can rinse it off easily and quickly, minimising the time spent under the taps.

Johnson’s are a big name when it comes to taking care of fleas, and this shampoo is perfectly formulated to ensure that they go away and stay away.

Fleas hate water, and with the addition of this shampoo, all traces will be removed from the skin, including eggs. This should help to clear your home of them quicker too. It smells pleasant enough and works itself into a nice lather.

You can use it on kittens from eight weeks of age, which shows it is gentle and caring. It also won’t be harsh on your hands which is good if you really need to work it in to get rid of all of the bugs.

No flea shampoo works absolute miracles, as it all depends on how bad the issue is and your cat’s fur and behaviour, but the shampoo should really help the issue alongside stronger treatments if necessary.

Socks really really needs a bit of a freshen up, but any attempt to take him near water ends up with a clawed hand and grumpy cat.

Waterless cat baths are for you, then. There is no need to rinse it out, use water to foam it up or even hold them against their will in the sink. Just massage the foam through the fur, avoiding the eyes and nose area. It can also be a good answer when the weather is cold outside, and you don’t want to risk any chills.

It is a foamy solution and includes a range of conditioners and moisturisers to help the hair. The application will not affect topical flea treatments, and the addition of chamomile helps combat pollutants outside, neutralising smells such as car fumes and dirt.

Shampoo means plastic bottles. Plastic Lids. Labels. And if you’re trying to cut down on your single-use plastic, it can be hard to then buy these things for your pet.

But, these shampoo bars are similar to the bars of soap and shampoo we humans can now buy. They are natural and handmade, and one bar can do about 10-12 washes. You get 6 bars in a purchase too, so this one buy can basically do a lifetime of kitty baths. Because you massage the foam into your hands and rub on, it is nice for your pet to accept.

The ingredients have benefits too. Aloe, tea tree essence, green tea extract, follicle boosters and botanicals are antibacterial. The goats milk, chamomile, lavender, and rose calm and moisturise. And the hemp, chamomile, lavender, and botanicals are relaxing and soothing.

Does your cat suffer from a case of bacteria or yeast overgrowth? Maybe a fungal imbalance, or simply just very dry skin? They are conditions which need to be controlled and can cause irritation otherwise.

Pyo is vet recommended, as it not only tackles the issue at hand but also helps to restore the skin’s natural barrier and soothe irritation. If your cat has pyoderma or Malassezia, this shampoo can combat the effects for soothing bath time.

Pets with these issues often have underlying problems, and it can easily flare up again once treated. This shampoo is good to use 2-3 times every week for the first couple of weeks until the issue is controlled.

Cats with long hair face the usual issues of dirt and pollutant build-up, but can also suffer from knotting and tangles.

The contents of this shampoo not only leave the fur silky smooth but also contain nutrients which help to prevent matting. The texture of the shampoo also means it is easy to rinse out, reducing the likelihood that you will create tangles from the product removal or foaming.

All ingredients are organic too, so gentle on the skin and for use on young and old, as well as puppies.

If your cat is generally able to keep on top of cleaning and grooming, but occasionally there is spot washing required, this dry foam shampoo could combat any dirt without the need for a full bath.

Cleaning wipes can be just as nerve-wracking as a wash for some cats, but this gentle foam is easy to rub on to fur and leave. Situations such as dirty paws or bellies from the rain outside are perfect for this spot cleaning, or if you have had to apply greasy ear drops or flea treatment to the face/neck area.

It is perfumed so will leave a nice scent behind, and doesn’t leave any marks or residue behind. It can also get rid of any loose hairs upon rubbing, and just needs a simple brush through after it has been left to work for a few minutes.

Your cat isn’t dirty as such, but could definitely do with a spruce up and a spray with something which smells a lot more pleasant.

This no-rinse cat shampoo is ideal – no water needed, a nice peach scent and suitable for kittens above 12 weeks. It can still remove grease and dirt too and contains aloe which will soothe their skin and ensure it doesn’t dry out.

Built-in conditioners leave their fur feeling really soft as well, and you just spray it through and leave it to work. It won’t work on things like poo which need to be physically washed off, but are great if your cat feels a bit dirty from rolling around or running through trees.

The scent can be a downside too, however. Some cats have a real aversion to anything scented, so avoid if this is the case. It can be particularly a problem if they are outdoors or live with other cats.

Virbac specialises in animal health, and if your precious four-legged friend needs something gentle and hypoallergenic, then this could be the one.

It contains keratoplastic properties, which will help to control surface bacteria on the skin. This will reduce the likelihood of any future issues, which is perfect if they have dry or irritated skin. Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, it will combat any smells or skin damage too.

It is best for mild or moderate superficial issues, so bear in mind that more serious issues could need additional treatment.