Cats are known for their excellent grooming skills, but sometimes they might need an extra hand to keep themselves as clean and healthy as they need to be. If you’re hunting for the best cat shampoo available in Canada, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep reading to find our reviews on individual products and learn how to pick the best cat shampoo and which options will be your best bet based on your cats’ grooming needs.
The best overall Cat Shampoo available in Canada today is Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic formula. This shampoo is 99.7% natural and is infused with ingredients like shea butter and honey to leave your cat’s skin moisturized and coat shiny. The mild formula is designed to maintain the fur and skin pH balance and is formulated without any colorants, sulfates, or additional fragrances that can irritate your kitty’s sensitive skin.
Burt’s Bees’ shampoo features ingredients from nature that are responsibly sourced and cruelty-free, so this product is something you can feel good about spending your money on.
The best cat shampoo in Canada for the money comes from Wahl. This no-rinse shampoo has a calming formula that’s perfect for cats prone to anxiety. The formula features plant-derived ingredients such as botanical extracts of lavender, aloe, and chamomile that work to condition your kitty’s coat while giving it a beautiful shine. It has a wonderful light lavender scent that will leave your cat smelling nice.
This shampoo is easy to use as no water or rinsing is required. Dispense the product into your hand and rub it into your cat’s fur. Couple its ease of use with its calming scent, and you have the perfect recipe for stress-free shampooing.
Earthbath’s Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo takes our Premium Choice award as its high-quality formula does cost a bit more than other options on our list. This formula is designed to address the needs of cats who suffer from dry and itchy skin. It features colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe to remedy skin irritations, promotes faster healing time, and moisturizes sensitive and dry skin.
The shampoo contains no soap and is pH-balanced, so it’s safe to use on your kitty’s already sensitive skin. It will leave your pet’s skin clean and coat soft and plush. This shampoo is safe to use in cats over 6 weeks old.
Though the initial cost of this shampoo is high, it can be diluted to 10 parts water and 1 part shampoo to make it last longer.
Kittens are mischievous little devils that can get themselves into a lot of trouble so they need a shampoo that’s been specially formulated for their unique needs. Espree Animal Products’ tear-free and hypoallergenic kitten shampoo is designed to clean the sensitive skin and coat of kittens. It contains high-quality ingredients such as jojoba and aloe to leave your kitten with a soft and fluffy coat. The shampoo has a lovely baby powder scent to leave your kitten smelling fresh and clean.
The manufacturer recommends diluting the formula with 1 part shampoo and 16 parts water, though it can be used as-is if desired.
This tropical-scented pet shampoo from TropiClean has a mild formula that leaves your cat’s coat healthy and soft. It is a 2-in-1 product that can both shampoo and condition your cat’s skin and coat while also simultaneously cleaning and moisturizing their fur.
The formula is paraben- and dye-free so it’s safe for use on cats 12 weeks or older. The manufacturer chose to use only naturally-derived ingredients in the formulation of this product.
The long-lasting papaya and coconut scent will leave your cat smelling fresh and clean for a long time.
This formula is available in a 20-ounce size, as well as 1 and 2.5 gallons for multi-cat and multi-species households.
John Paul’s pet shampoo features a luxurious botanical formula that works to cleanse and moisturize your cat’s fur while soothing their dry or sensitive skin. Pure oatmeal helps to relieve itchy and flaky skin and prevent further scratching and pain. Aloe and chamomile ensure sensitive skin won’t be further irritated. This formula also contains sweet almond oil, which works to condition your cat’s fur while leaving behind a lovely almond scent. Its highly concentrated formula requires less shampoo per use than its competition which means your bottle will last a long time.
This cruelty-free shampoo was tested on humans first but has been pH balanced for use on dogs and cats.
This waterless cat shampoo from Vet’s Best features a unique leave-on formula that will clean and moisturize your kitty’s skin and coat without requiring the use of water. All you need to do is massage the shampoo in and brush it out to leave your cat smelling and feeling fresh and clean.
This formula has been vet-formulated for sensitive skin and contains powerful and soothing ingredients such as vitamin E, neem oil, oatmeal, and aloe.
This shampoo is safe to use on cats over the age of 12 weeks. It doesn’t affect topical flea or tick control treatments so it can be used in conjunction with those products so long as the shampoo is used 24-hours after topical application.
Espree Animal Products Silky Show Cat Shampoo is an easy-to-use formula that features silk proteins and safflower oil to condition dry skin while cleaning and conditioning your cat’s fur. The formula is designed to improve the texture and manageability of your cat’s coat, so it’s perfect for those kitties who have fur that leans on the unruly side.
This shampoo is a natural degreaser and deodorizer so it works great on dirty cats who find themselves getting into all sorts of trouble.
If your cat is notorious for shedding, you need a shampoo formula that can help. This product from Shed-X can not only reduce shedding but dander and other cat allergens, too. While some shedding from cats is natural, shedding in excessive amounts is not normal and can sometimes be due to unhealthy skin and coats. This formula contains high-quality ingredients such as flaxseed oil to moisturize and nourish skin, DL panthenol to strengthen the hair shaft, and vitamins, such as A, D, and E to moisturize and protect the skin.
This shampoo from Arm & Hammer for Pets is a 2-in-1 solution that not only combats stinky cats but can also reduce their dander, too. This foaming shampoo uses Arm & Hammer’s signature baking soda ingredient to control and remove odors naturally. It seems to be efficient at reducing the amount of cat dander as well, which can be a great benefit for cat owners who have allergies.
The formula is gentle but still effective enough to moisturize your kitty’s skin and revitalize its coat. It has a lovely blueberry pomegranate scent that will leave your cat smelling fresh and clean.
This product is safe to use in cats eight weeks of age or older.
Pros
Foam is easy to distribute
Can reduce dander
Made with natural ingredients
Cons
Can leave a waxy residue
Some may not like the scent
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Shampoo in Canada
Now that you’ve read our reviews on the best cat shampoos available in Canada right now, you’re probably trying to decide which formula is the best for your cat’s needs. Keep reading to find the important factors you should consider when choosing the best shampoo.
Your Cats Personality & Needs
Before you pick a shampoo, you need to consider what your cat’s needs are and why you’re buying shampoo in the first place.
Is your cat itching a lot or do they have a lot of dry skin? If so, you’ll want a shampoo that contains ingredients like oatmeal to help relieve some of their skin irritation.
Does your cat have sensitive skin or do they have allergies? If so, the shampoo you choose should be safe to use on kitties with sensitive skin; otherwise, you could exacerbate their issues and make things worse. You might also wish to consult your vet in this situation as they can give you a list of ingredients to look for and some to avoid.
Does your cat have anxiety? You might consider purchasing a shampoo that’s infused with calming botanicals like lavender to help reduce their anxiety during their shampoo sessions.
Will your cat absolutely despise you after you try to get them in the bathtub? If so, you should probably get a waterless shampoo option that won’t require them to get soaked for the product to work its magic.
Shampoo Formulation
The 10 shampoos above have all been formulated for use on cats. That doesn’t mean that every other cat shampoo out there is safe for your kitty, though. If you’re choosing to pick a product that we didn’t review above, you should take the formulation into account.
Is the shampoo in question made with pet-safe ingredients? Are there any harsh chemicals that can do more harm than good to your cat’s skin or coat? Are the ingredients plant-based? Does the formula contain parabens, pyrethrin, alcohols, or artificial fragrances that could irritate your cat’s respiratory tract, skin, or coat?
It’s best to search for a shampoo with minimal or no artificial additives. Read the ingredients on the bottle and if you’re ever unsure about what a specific ingredient is, research it.
Phenol is a chemical to keep your eyes open for on your shampoo’s ingredient list. Once this product is used on a cat, it is absorbed quickly into their intestinal tract and can lead to liver or kidney damage.
Sometimes even natural ingredients can cause harm to your beloved pet.
Take linalool, for example. This is a citrus oil derivative that is sometimes found in pet products like shampoos or flea control sprays. Linalool can provide a fresh, lemony scent, but it also comes with insecticidal properties. When linalool is metabolized in your cat’s liver, it can result in liver damage or complete failure.
Pyrethrins are naturally derived from the chrysanthemum flower and are sometimes present in cat shampoos or dog flea and tick topicals. Cats cannot break down pyrethrin efficiently, and poisoning can become life-threatening.
Image Credit: Olleg, Shutterstock
Do Cats Really Need Baths?
Cats are meticulous with their cleaning schedules, spending up to 50% of their day grooming themselves. So, most cats will have their grooming needs met on their own, but there are some occasions when your kitty will need a helping hand with cleaning themselves.
If your kitty has a health condition such as obesity or allergies, they might not be able to clean themselves as efficiently as they should. Older cats may have less mobility and lack the endurance necessary to groom themselves.
Long-haired breeds may be prone to matting if they’re not as keen on grooming themselves. These breeds will require more frequent grooming and maintenance brushings.
If your curious little kitty has gotten into something they shouldn’t have such as paint or had a run-in with a skunk, they’ll need your help getting clean.
How Can I Shampoo My Cat?
How you’ll clean your cat will depend on what type of shampoo you’ve purchased.
The waterless variety will be decidedly easier to use. This type of shampoo comes in foaming formulas that you simply rub into your cat’s fur and skin and let dry. Once the shampoo has dried, you can brush it out to remove any residue.
The downfall to waterless shampoos is that they don’t do as good a job of cleansing as the ones that require water and rinsing. They are a good choice for small cleaning jobs, though.
However, if your cat is extra dirty, you’ll want to invest in a more traditional cat shampoo to get the job done right.
Fill your tub with a few inches of lukewarm water. Wet your cat from his shoulders right to his tail. Dispense shampoo into your hands and get it into a nice lather before applying it to your cat’s fur and skin. Once you’ve rubbed the formula from the shoulders to the tail, rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Use a wet washcloth to clean the head.
After the shampoo has been rinsed off, put your cat onto a towel and fold it around him. Pat him with the towel to remove as much water as possible.
Image Credit: KDdesignphoto, Shutterstock
Conclusion
In review, the best overall cat shampoo in Canada is from Burt’s Bees, thanks to its mild cruelty-free formulation and ease of use. For the best value, Wahl’s calming cat shampoo is the clear winner with its affordable price tag and waterless formula.
We hope our reviews and buying guide have provided you with the insight you need to get the best cat shampoo for your kitty.
Chantelle is passionate about two things in her life – writing and animals. She grew up on the prairies in Canada surrounded by animals and as an adult, she chooses to share her home with five cats, two guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Chantelle, her husband, and their child take great pride in being great animal parents - the ones who spend a thousand dollars on wall-mounted cat shelves so that their cats can have an indoor jungle gym all year round. When Chantelle isn’t snuggling her cats on the couch or taking pictures of them being hilarious, she’s outside exploring in the Rocky Mountains, binging the same shows on Netflix over and over, and reading about whatever random topic pops into her brain. ...Read more
