Some would say it’s fortunate you don’t have to bathe cats often. After all, they do an excellent job of self-grooming. However, things happen, and sometimes it’s necessary to give your kitty a bath, even if they aren’t happy about it. That makes a deep-cleansing shampoo an ideal product to have in your home.
These types of shampoos get the job done with minimal effort. They’ll also leave your cat smelling pleasant if they get into something smelly. Our guide below includes everything you need to know about deep-cleansing cat shampoos. We’ve even added reviews of some of our favorite products.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
The 10 Best Deep Cleansing Cat Shampoos
1. Hepper Deep Clean Shampoo – Best Overall
| Available sizes: | 8 ounces |
| Fragrance: | Original |
| Feature(s): | Deodorizing |
Hepper’s Deep Clean Shampoo ticks off many boxes we like to see in shampoo for pets. It will get your cat squeaky clean while deodorizing them at the same time. The initial scent is strong, but it quickly dissipates, leaving your cat’s fur fresh. The shampoo is soap-free, so it won’t dry out your pet’s skin. Better yet, it has a pH-balanced formula, is safe for both cats and dogs and is made in the USA. All of this makes it our pick for the best overall deep-cleansing cat shampoo.
At PangoVet, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Pros
- PH-balanced
- USA-made
- Safe on cats and dogs
- Soap-free
2. TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo – Budget Buy
| Available sizes: | 20 ounces, 1 gallon, 2.5 gallons, bundle of (2) 2.5 gallons |
| Fragrance: | Mixed berries, coconut |
| Feature(s): | Soap-free, deodorizing |
This TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo does double duty as a deodorizing product with a pleasing scent. It delivers on its name with a spa experience for your kitty to make the best of a seemingly unpleasant experience. It is versatile in the number of available sizes and the safety factor for using it on cats and dogs. That makes it an excellent value, meaning it’s our pick for the best deep-cleansing cat shampoo for the money.
You can use the shampoo on pets of all life stages, although we suggest using it on adults instead of kittens. The manufacturer makes several complementary products to extend its use. However, according to reviews, some pets have a negative reaction to it.
Pros
- Deodorizing
- Pleasing scent
- Various sizes
- Affordable
Cons
- Occasional negative reactions
3. Smith & Burton Dermal Relief 2-IN-1 Dog & Cat Conditioning Shampoo
| Available sizes: | 16.9 ounces |
| Fragrance: | Unscented |
| Feature(s): | Non-irritating |
Smith & Burton Dermal Relief 2-IN-1 Dog & Cat Conditioning Shampoo offers pet owners a great product that tackles two jobs with one bath. It’s unscented for kitties that don’t like heavy perfumes. It’s also non-irritating and will soothe your cat’s skin. You’ll even save time with a conditioning shampoo, as you won’t have to go through extra steps in order to make their coat soft after stripping it to clean the fur. Your pet will thank you for making the most of their time in the tub.
The shampoo is said to calm dull, dry, and itchy skin. It is made from 100% natural ingredients and is free from parabens, silicone, artificial colors, synthetic dyes, and synthetic fragrances. However, you do have to let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it off, which some cats definitely won’t be a fan of.
Pros
- Free from parabens, silicone, artificial colors, synthetic dyes, and synthetic fragrance
- Calms dry, dull, and itchy skin
- 100% natural ingredients
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Pricey
- Has to sit for 5 minutes before rinsing
4. John Paul Pet Tearless Shampoo for Puppies & Kittens – Best for Kittens
| Available sizes: | 16 ounces |
| Fragrance: | Fragrance-free |
| Feature(s): | Soothing |
John Paul Pet Tearless Shampoo for Puppies & Kittens is a gentle product that will give your kitty a deep clean without irritating their skin or eyes. It lathers up well to get your pet clean without drying out their skin. The formula strikes an excellent balance between deep cleansing and soothing properties. It’s also tearless, making it an excellent choice.
The product comes in one size, but it’s USA-made and affordably priced. You can use it on your kitten’s face for spot cleaning. While it doesn’t directly say this is a deep-cleansing formula on the bottle, the reviews rave about its effectiveness. It does, however, have some detailed instructions regarding the drying process, which could take a while and isn’t ideal for cats who don’t like being groomed.
Pros
- Tearless
- USA-made
- Affordable
Cons
- Only one size
- Long drying process
5. Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo
| Available sizes: | 16 ounces, 1 gallon |
| Fragrance: | Papaya, coconut |
| Feature(s): | Deodorizing, soap-free |
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Dog & Cat Shampoo strikes the right tone right off the bat with its use for cats and dogs. It comes in two sizes to make it a value purchase. Most people love the scent, which will transport you to the tropics without being overpowering. It smells clean and complements its deodorizing properties. The product is even soap-free, so it won’t irritate your cat’s skin.
The shampoo also contains aloe, which we always like to see in these products. The oatmeal brings moisturizing properties to the mix. It is pricey, however, but worth the price.
Pros
- Soothing aloe and oatmeal
- Deodorizing
- Affordable
6. Richard’s Organics Moisturizing Shampoo
| Available sizes: | 12 ounces |
| Fragrance: | Coconut, almond |
| Feature(s): | Oatmeal |
Thanks to its oatmeal content, Richard’s Organics Moisturizing Shampoo is a pleasant-smelling product that will clean your cat’s coat without drying out their skin. It does the job well at an affordable price. It’s gentle and easy to use on cats that are reluctant to take baths. It will leave them squeaky clean without a lot of effort while moisturizing their skin.
You can use the shampoo on cats and dogs, making it an extra value for the money. While it won’t irritate your kitty’s skin, it is not tearless, so you should avoid getting it into your cat’s eyes or ears.
Pros
- Light fragrance
- Moisturizing
- Oatmeal content is soothing
Cons
- Must avoid pets’ eyes
- Some review of allergic reactions to ingredients
7. Ikaria Comfort Dog & Cat Shampoo
| Available sizes: | 16 ounces |
| Fragrance: | Sandalwood, vanilla, and basmati water |
| Feature(s): | Soothing |
Thanks to its pleasant scent, Ikaria Comfort Dog & Cat Shampoo is a spa experience for your kitty. It fits the bill as a calming product for you and your pet. The luxurious lather completes the bill and soothes your kitty’s skin while leaving their coat feeling silky-smooth and amazing. It contains oatmeal, which adds to its benefits for a healthy skin and coat.
The shampoo is pricey but worth the cost if your kitty has sensitive skin. It will take care of any issues while giving their coat a deep cleanse. However, the results seem to be better if you use a conditioner afterward.
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- USA-made
- Soothes skin
Cons
- Pricey
- Better results if followed with a conditioner
8. Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo
| Available sizes: | 10 ounces |
| Fragrance: | Scent-free |
| Feature(s): | Tearless |
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include at least one waterless shampoo for cats, and Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo fits the bill. You can use it on kittens or adults with its tearless formula. It’s scent-free, so you don’t have to worry about a strong scent for sensitive felines, although there are some mixed reviews from pet owners. The manufacturer even uses 80% post-consumer material for the packaging, making it an eco-friendly purchase.
The shampoo is safe to use with topical flea-and-tick medications. It’s also pH-balanced to prevent skin irritation. However, it works best with short-haired cats only.
Pros
- Waterless formula
- Unscented
- Suitable for all life stages
Cons
- Not suitable for long-haired cats
- Mixed reviews on the smell
9. Douxo S3 CALM Dog & Cat Shampoo
| Available sizes: | 6.7 and 16.9-ounce bottles |
| Fragrance: | N/A |
| Feature(s): | Optimized measures |
The Douxo S3 CALM Dog & Cat Shampoo can calm irritated skin with its soap-free formula. Jojoba and coconut also help soothe your cat’s skin. The manufacturer designed the dispense to give a measured amount based on the pet’s weight to optimize its use. We appreciate the precision to get the most value out of the product. It works well for relieving itchiness.
The shampoo is gentle on your pet’s skin but is not tearless. You should avoid eye contact when using it. It’s also formulated for adults and not kittens.
Pros
- Soothing properties
- Two sizes
- Soap-free
Cons
- Not tearless
- Adult cats only
10. Petkin 4-in-1 Lavender Scent Dog & Cat Shampoo & Conditioner
| Available sizes: | 32 ounces |
| Fragrance: | Lavender |
| Feature(s): | Deodorizer and detangler |
Petkin 4-in-1 Lavender Scent Dog & Cat Shampoo & Conditioner has a pleasant smell to calm your kitty. It comes in a concentrated form that extends its usefulness and value. It eliminates any odors and makes your pet smell freshly cleaned.
The low price is enough to sell the product. However, the shampoo also deodorizes and detangles your cat’s coat. It’s gentle enough to use often without irritating your kitty’s skin. With that said, though, some pet owners report that their pets started itching afterward.
Pros
- Concentrated formula
- Lavender scent
- Affordable
Cons
- Must carefully follow directions due to strong formula
- Some negative reactions per reviews
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Deep Cleansing Cat Shampoo
When you’re buying something for your pet, you want to look at all the elements that could affect them. We go into some of those details just below, including the following:
- Ingredients
- Fragrance
- Grooming features
- Value for the money
Ingredients
Water is often the first ingredient in these types of products. You’ll likely see chemically sounding ingredients as well, but don’t let them discourage you. After all, water sounds scary if you call it by its chemical name, dihydrogen monoxide. The same advice applies to preservatives since these products can go bad, too. They maintain the integrity of the shampoos after opening them.
Many shampoos serve multiple purposes and, thus, will often contain ingredients that do different things. You’ll find products moisturizing your cat’s skin with vitamin E and aloe vera. Remember that “deep cleansing” is a fine line between getting the coat clean and overdoing it by stripping the coat and skin of its natural oils altogether. We expect to see something that balances both ends of the spectrum.
Fragrance
While it seems counterintuitive, many shampoos are scented. Felines have a keen sense of smell. However, some aromas, like lavender, have a calming effect on cats. Baths are stressful for pets and their owners. We welcome anything that can take the edge off the experience. However, use your best judgment. Some kitties are more sensitive to novel scents than others.
Nevertheless, less is more when it comes to the fragrance. Avoid products that are overly perfumy or floral to avoid stressing or overstimulating your kitty.
Grooming Features
Many shampoos serve several purposes to increase their value. Combination products that include both shampoo and conditioner are a common offering. The main benefit is saving time and getting your pet out of the tub as quickly as possible. Others are detangling, a boon for long-haired cats. Some contain oatmeal, which provides soothing benefits. Soap-free shampoos won’t dry out your kitty’s skin.
Some products offer health benefits, such as hairball or shedding control. Suffice it to say that a deep cleaning only scratches the surface of what these shampoos offer. You’ll likely find that any product you choose does more than one thing.
Value for the Money
The grooming features add to the value of the deep-cleansing shampoos. So, if you really want the best bang for your buck, look for something that you can use a small amount of while getting the best results. Or you could look for a product that does two things in one application in order to shorten the bathing time. However, “value” is subjective, so go with what you feel is best for your budget.
Conclusion
To review, the Hepper Deep Clean Shampoo is an excellent all-around product. It’s safe for cats and dogs while deodorizing unpleasant odors. It tops the list of our reviews for the best one in its category. Meanwhile, TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo is a great option if you’re on a strict budget. If you have a bit more to spend, however, you might opt for the Smith & Burton Dermal Relief 2-IN-1 Dog & Cat Conditioning Shampoo. Regardless of what you decide, we hope this list of reviews has helped make the decision a bit easier so you can keep your kitty clean and smelling fresh.
Featured Image Credit: KDdesignphoto, Shutterstock
