What Shampoo Can I Use On My Cat

You may be wondering if your cat needs a bath. After all, they use their tongue for bathing themselves often. Most cats are very good at keeping themselves clean. There are some situations when your cat will need extra help getting clean, which will mean a bath. You will need a shampoo with which to bathe your cat. What shampoo can I use on my cat?

There are several options: shampoos specifically for cats, shampoos for pets, human shampoos that claim to be gentle (some are for babies). Then there are recipes for homemade cat shampoo.

Now that you know that there are options, how do you decide which one is right for your cat? Read on to learn when and why you might need to bathe your cat and what type of shampoo is best for them.

Should I Wash My Cat?

Most cats never need a bath. Brushing them regularly will help keep their coat clean and prevent matting. Your cat may need a bath if:

• It has gotten into something like grease, soot, or something toxic, sticky, or stinky.
• It is a hairless Sphynx cat, which requires baths about every week or two (as well as cleaning its ears and toes).
• It is a long-haired cat with a thick coat. Breeds include Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, Norwegian Forest Cat, Himalayan, Siberian, and Birman. A bath every two months or so will help prevent matting. Some of these cats have a problem with feces sticking to their fur when using the litter box.
• It has had diarrhea and needs his behind cleaned up.
• It has a skin condition that requires a medicated shampoo as treatment.
• It will be entered into a cat show. Your cat will need to be clean and fluffy for the competition.

What can I use to wash my cat?

Cats are different from dogs because they use their tongue to clean themselves. So anything put on the cat will be ingested by her. Even if rinsed off, there is the possibility of some residue. Therefore, we need to be careful what we use when bathing our cats.

Shampoos for Cats

You cannot use your own shampoo on your cat. It may contain chemicals that cats can’t tolerate, and their pH is different from ours.

Chemicals to avoid are Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Parabens, Phenol, Permethrin, Pyrethrin, Tea tree oil.

There are shampoos made specifically for cats. They may be labeled natural or hypoallergenic. These are the best ones to use on your cat. Your veterinarian may recommend a medicated shampoo if your cat has a skin condition.

Alternatives to Cat Shampoo

If you need to bathe your cat right away and don’t have a cat shampoo on hand, there are a few alternatives you can use. Always check with your veterinarian. However, a shampoo made for cats is best to have on hand.

Alternatives to cat shampoo are:

• Cat wipes: There are wipes made just for cats, which are best for spot cleaning. Don’t use human baby wipes as they may contain alcohol or moisturizers.
• Johnson’s Baby Tear Free Shampoo: This is more gentle than adult shampoo and is hypoallergenic.
• Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap: This is all-natural. It has an olive oil base and needs to be thoroughly rinsed off.
• Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid: This has been used on ducks covered in oil due to a spill. Be sure you have the original version, which doesn’t contain harmful chemicals or fragrances. Sphynx cat owners like this since their cats can get pretty greasy.
• Cornstarch or Baking Soda: Sprinkle on the cat’s fur, massage in, then brush it out.

Here are two recipes online for homemade shampoo. Use a clean container, add the ingredients and shake well. Use as you would any cat shampoo.

1. 1-quart warm water, 1/3 cup glycerin, and 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2. 1-quart warm water, 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup oatmeal, ground up, and 1 tsp Dawn

What’s the Easiest Way to Bathe My Cat?

Cats are known for not liking to get wet. If your cat isn’t used to having a bath, be prepared for a possible struggle. If your cat is a young kitten, it may be easier to bathe her.

Preparation

Have everything ready before starting the bath. Here’s what to do before the actual bath:

1. Trim your cat’s toenails. Your cat may scratch you during the bath. You can do this the day before.
2. Brush your cat’s fur. Brushing will help prevent excess fur from going down the drain and remove any tangles.
3. Some people put cotton balls in their cat’s ears.
4. Plan to bathe your cat when she’s relaxed, after eating, or when she’s tired. You can play with her beforehand to tire her out.
5. Put a towel or non-skid mat down so your cat’s feet don’t slide around. Use the sink or bathtub.
6. Get help if you can. Having a person to help you will make it easier if your cat tries to escape. One of you will probably need to hold onto your cat for the entire bath.
7. Have washcloth, drying towel, shampoo, and water source ready. Decide if you’ll use a handheld sprayer, have a water pitcher for rinsing, or a cup to wet and rinse your cat.
8. Remain calm. Cats know when we are stressed. A pheromone spray may help to relax your cat. You can use it on yourself and in the bathroom.

The Bath

Now that you are all set up, you’re ready to bathe your cat.

1. Add a few inches of warm, not hot, water into the tub or sink.
2. Get your cat and put her into the water. Wet your cat. Do not wet her head.
3. Pour shampoo onto your hand and then massage it into your cat’s fur. Do not get any shampoo on the face, eyes, or ears. Start at the neck and work your way down their back, then the rest of the body. If your cat is very stressed, you can stop and rinse all the shampoo out.
4. Rinse with warm water from a cup, the pitcher, or the sprayer. Make sure you’ve rinsed off all the shampoo.
5. If your cat’s face needs to be cleaned, dampen the washcloth with water and wipe it, avoiding the eyes and ears. If her face has something sticky or greasy on it, you can use a little shampoo on the cloth.
6. Take your cat out of the water, wrap her in the towel and dry her thoroughly. Don’t use a hairdryer. Even on the low setting, it can scare your cat. Many cats do not like the sound of a hairdryer.
7. Keep your cat warm until she’s entirely dry so she doesn’t get a chill. She may want to run away and hide.
8. Praise and Treats! Your cat deserves a reward after her bath.

Conclusion

Most cats won’t need a bath. But if they get something on them, or you have a Sphynx cat, you will need an appropriate cat shampoo to clean your cat. There are shampoos made specifically for cats, substitutes for cat shampoo, and recipes for you to make yourself.

Bathing a cat can be both a lot of work and stressful. If you would rather have a professional take care of this, some groomers bathe cats. Look up groomers in your area and ask if they do. They know how to hold your cat and slowly introduce them to the water to minimize stress.

Whichever type of cleanser you use for your cat, take it slow, stay calm and relaxed during the bathing process. Both you and your cat will have a more pleasant experience.