“Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you?” If you’re a fan of the TV show Friends, then you know this little quirky and catchy tune Phoebe sang in the coffee shop. In all seriousness, some cats develop a stench over time caused by a buildup of dander. A medical condition1 can also be the cause, such as allergies, skin infections, parasites, and even cancer. Let’s face it: Most cats are not fans of getting baths, but sometimes, it has to be done despite the fact that cats are self-groomers. And when the time comes, you want a cat shampoo that will do the trick for odor control.
In this guide, we’ll list the 10 best cat shampoos for odor control in 2024 so you know the good, the bad, and the ugly about each one based on consumer reviews. We’ll also list a buyer’s guide at the end loaded with even more valuable information to help you before you buy.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall
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Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets |
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Budget Buy
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TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo |
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Hyponic Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo |
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| Best for Kittens |
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Burt's Bees Kitten Shampoo |
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Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Deodorizing & Dander Reducing Shampoo |
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The 10 Best Cat Shampoos for Odor Control
1. Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets – Best Overall
| Scent: | Fresh scent |
| Lifestage: | All |
| Grooming feature: | Odor-neutralizing formula |
Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets uses safe, natural ingredients without added harsh chemicals that can damage the coat or irritate the skin. This deep-cleaning pet shampoo omits soap, alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and other synthetic ingredients to keep your cat safe while using. This cruelty-free pet shampoo is pH-balanced and leaves a long-lasting, fresh scent. It comes with a Precision Disk Top Cap that prevents spills and allows you to dispense the right amount each time. It’s gentle enough to prevent the stripping of your cat’s natural oils, and you can also use it on any canine kiddos in your household. It’s made in the USA and comes in an 8-fluid-ounce bottle.
Some consumers claim the smell is too strong; however, the smell of this shampoo is strong initially but will fade within 24 hours, leaving your cat with a fresh, odor-free scent. Given the all-natural ingredients, fresh scent, and the Precision Disk Top Cap for easy use, this product is the best overall cat shampoo for odor control.
At PetKeen.com 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!
2. TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo – Budget Buy
| Scent: | Berry & Coconut |
| Lifestage: | 12 weeks and older |
| Grooming feature: | Deodorizing, soap-free |
TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo is pH-balanced and creates a lush lather to cleanse dirt and debris off your cat’s coat for a gentle yet professional grooming quality clean. This pet shampoo controls odor and moisturizes the skin simultaneously, leaving your cat or dog with a soft, fruity-smelling scent of coconut and berries. The added aloe helps soothe and hydrate the skin and coat, and the manufacturer only uses naturally derived ingredients from naturally occurring plants and mineral-based raw materials.
It comes in a 20-ounce bottle, 1-gallon bottle, 2.5-gallon bottle, or a bundle of 2.5-gallon bottles, all at an affordable price. A downfall is the scent may not last long, and some consumers feel they need to use quite a bit of the shampoo to get a suitable lather. However, considering the price and size options and the use of all-natural ingredients, this pet shampoo is the best cat shampoo for odor control for the money.
3. Hyponic Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo
| Scent: | Baby powder, fresh scent |
| Lifestage: | All |
| Grooming feature: | Hypoallergenic |
Hyponic Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo is a nice option for kitties with skin sensitivities. Made with gentle, 100% all-natural ingredients, it soothes the skin and coat, leaving behind soft, luxurious fur. The scent is described as a fresh baby powder scent that’s light and refreshing, and it produces a rich and creamy lather. What’s nice about this shampoo is it leaves the fur soft and luxurious without the use of a conditioner, and it may help reduce shedding, which means potentially fewer hairballs.
This product is on the pricey side and only comes in a 10.1-ounce bottle, but if you have a cat with sensitive skin, this shampoo is an excellent option.
4. Burt’s Bees Kitten Shampoo – Best for Kittens
| Scent: | Light, fresh scent |
| Lifestage: | Kittens 6 months and older, adults |
| Grooming feature: | Tearless shampoo |
Burt’s Bees Kitten Shampoo is specifically pH-balanced and formulated for kittens and adult cats. This tearless shampoo includes all-natural buttermilk to soften and soothe a kitten’s sensitive skin, and it’s made from 99.8% natural ingredients, including honey. It contains no sulfates, dyes, synthetic fragrances, or other harmful ingredients, and it’s made in the USA.
We like this shampoo because of its tearless feature and gentle ingredients, as it will not hurt your kitten’s eyes. It does not have much of a scent, but it will deodorize your kitten should they start smelling icky. It also may not lather up, but remember that this shampoo is made with kittens in mind and formulated to be gentle. That said, you may need something a bit stronger for your adult cat.
5. Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Deodorizing & Dander Reducing Shampoo
| Scent: | Lavender/chamomile |
| Lifestage: | All |
| Grooming feature: | Odor and dander control |
If you’re looking for a cat shampoo that deodorizes and controls dander, Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Deodorizing & Dander Reducing Shampoo may be an excellent option for your kitty. This cat shampoo leaves your feline companion with a pleasant lavender and chamomile scent, and it uses Arm & Hammer baking soda for odor control. The natural ingredients help hydrate the coat, which helps with shedding control and dander, and it is sulfate and paraben-free. It comes in 8-fluid-ounce or 20-fluid-ounce bottles.
This formula may be too strong for some felines, and it may leave a residue on your cat’s coat if not thoroughly rinsed.
6. John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Cat Shampoo
| Scent: | Almond |
| Lifestage: | All life stages |
| Grooming feature: | Sensitive skin |
Paul Mitchell products are known in the human world for their quality shampoo and conditioners, but the company also makes pet products worthy of consideration for your pets. John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Oatmeal Cat Shampoo does an excellent job of removing odor-causing dirt and debris from your cat’s coat without drying out the skin. It soothes and moisturizes by way of a special blend of hydrolyzed oat protein, aloe, and chamomile, and the sweet almond oil conditions the skin and leaves behind a soothing and light almond scent. It’s cruelty-free and safe for cats, dogs, and even horses.
Some consumers claim the shampoo makes the coat coarse rather than soft after use, and the scent is short-lived.
7. Breezytail PetO’Cera All-In-One Cat Shampoo
| Scent: | Unscented |
| Lifestage: | All |
| Grooming feature: | Itch relief |
Breezytail PetO’Cera All-In-One Cat Shampoo is veterinarian-approved and is an excellent option for cats with itchy skin. This tearless shampoo is formulated specifically for cats and provides advanced protection against dry, itchy skin. Formulated by veterinarians, it contains a blend of 11 botanical extracts that leave the fur with a fresh, clean scent. It’s also made with allantoin and ceramide to promote healthy skin and other natural ingredients to soothe sensitive, itchy skin. This shampoo is pH-balanced, cruelty-free, and serves as an all-in-one shampoo and conditioner.
This shampoo may not be suitable for all cats, as some consumers claim it leaves their cat with dry skin and a clumpy coat. The moisturizer in the formula may also leave the coat oily and sticky.
8. Earthbath Deodorizing Rosemary Dog & Cat Shampoo
| Scent: | Rosemary |
| Lifestage: | All |
| Grooming feature: | Deodorizing |
Earthbath Deodorizing Rosemary Dog & Cat Shampoo is soap-free and coconut-based to deodorize, cleanse, and soothe dry skin. It won’t wash away topical flea and tick treatments, and the rosemary and coconut work together to leave the fur soft and silky. It’s suitable for dogs and cats over 6 weeks of age and is paraben and phosphate-free. The formula neutralizes odor, leaving behind a clean, rosemary scent. It also contains vitamins and aloe vera for a deep, safe clean in a pet-safe formula.
The rosemary smell may not be attractive to some consumers, and some people claim it makes their pet smell worse. Others claim the shampoo smells like flea shampoo.
9. Petkin 4-in-1 Vanilla Coconut Cat Shampoo
| Scent: | Vanilla, coconut |
| Lifestage: | All |
| Grooming feature: | Deodorizing, detangling |
For those with long-haired cats, Petkin 4-in-1 Vanilla Coconut Cat Shampoo not only deodorizes but also helps keep your cat’s coat tangle-free. This four-in-one formula soothes itchy, dry skin, cleanses, deodorizes, and detangles, leaving your cat with soft, silky, fresh-smelling fur. The added organic oat extract and vitamin E are responsible for the soft, silky, and shiny fur, and the coconut and vanilla scent will remove foul smells from your cat’s coat. It also comes in a 33.8-fluid-ounce bottle at a great value. It can also be used on dogs.
You have to use a significant amount for a good lather, and the formula has a gooey, gelatin-like consistency, which may be unappealing to some consumers.
10. Veterinary Formula Solutions Soothing & Deodorizing Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs & Cats
| Scent: | Lavender |
| Lifestage: | All |
| Grooming feature: | Deodorizes |
Veterinary Formula Solutions Soothing & Deodorizing Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs & Cats uses natural ingredients that soothe and deodorize the coat and skin. The formula contains baking soda, zinc, and aloe and is sulfate and paraben-free. This shampoo does not just mask the odors; it neutralizes them, making the fur smell pleasant with a light lavender scent. It helps relieve itchy skin and hot spots, restoring natural moisture to your cat’s skin and leaving the coat soft and shiny. It comes in a 17-ounce bottle or 1-gallon jug and is pH-balanced.
Some consumers claim the shampoo has an unpleasant smell, and some claim the formula is runny and hard to apply.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Cat Shampoo for Odor Control
Now that we’ve reviewed our top 10 cat shampoos for odor control, you may still have a few questions about how to look for the right shampoo for your particular cat. In this section, we’ll discuss specifics on what to look for in a cat shampoo to best suit your needs. We also would like to advise that if your cat smells and you can’t seem to rid your cat of the odor, a trip to the vet is warranted to rule out a medical condition.
Ingredients
The ingredients used in a cat shampoo product are of utmost importance. You want to look for shampoos that use mostly all-natural ingredients without the use of soap, sulfates, dyes, or parabens. Rather, seek shampoos with organic ingredients, such as botanical extracts and vitamins. Parabens are chemical preservatives to add shelf life, and sulfates are cleaning agents that allow for more lather, but these ingredients are not safe and can cause skin issues and even cancer down the road.
You also want to ensure the product is made specifically for cats, as some are suitable for both cats and dogs. Ensure the product is pH-balanced without the use of artificial fragrances that will only mask odors.
Types of Cat Shampoos
There are many types of cat shampoos in today’s market, making choosing one a bit of a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. For example, there is cat shampoo available for dander control, itchy skin, detangling, moisturizing, and some that even are waterless and tearless, meaning no rinsing is required and your cat’s eyes won’t hurt if the formula gets in them.
It’s best to look for cat shampoos with natural fragrances, and if your cat suffers from itchy skin or tangled coats, go with a shampoo that covers all of these areas. It’s also wise to consult your vet before purchasing to ensure the product is safe for your particular kitty, especially if your cat suffers from a medical condition.
How Often Can I Bathe My Cat?
Bathing cats is a different experience compared to dogs, and most cats would rather claw your eyes out rather than get a bath. However, even though cats are self-groomers and hate baths, they may still need one from time to time, especially if your cat is an indoor-outdoor cat.
Dander build-up can also cause an odor, and bathing your cat with a safe, odor-neutralizing shampoo can make a world of difference. You don’t want to bathe too often, as this can strip the coat from its natural oils, causing skin irritation. Instead, opt for bathing your cat only once every 4 to 6 weeks, preferably once every 2 months.
Can I Use Human Shampoo on My Cat?
You should avoid using human shampoo for a number of reasons:
Conclusion
We hope our reviews of the best cat shampoo for odor control help you make the best buying decision for your cat’s odor needs. To recap, Hepper Deep Clean Pet Shampoo for Smelly Pets uses safe, natural ingredients, no harsh chemicals, and protects the coat without stripping the natural oils for the best overall cat shampoo. For the best value, TropiClean Deep Cleaning Berry & Coconut Dog & Cat Shampoo is pH-balanced and creates a lush lather to cleanse dirt and debris off your cat’s coat while leaving a soothing berry and coconut scent.
Featured Image Credit: eeechos, Shutterstock
