11 Best Shampoos for Maine Coon Cats in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Maine Coons are large domestic cats, best recognized for their incredible mane of hair. However, that hair can be both a blessing and a curse. It is stunning and gives the cat its recognizable looks but it also takes a lot of care: not only from the cat itself but also from its human owner, who will need to lend a helping hand with grooming and occasional washing.

Fortunately, there are plenty of shampoos suitable for use on Maine Coon cats. As well as regular shampoos, using natural ingredients, there are those designed to reduce shedding, anti-flea shampoos, hypo-allergic, and medicated shampoos: not to mention dry shampoos and even dry shampoo wipes.

With so many options, the choice can seem baffling, which is why we have included reviews of the best shampoos for Maine Coon cats – to help you find the one that is best for your gentle giant.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo	Contains colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritated skin Free from harsh chemicals such as sulfates and dyes pH balanced specifically for a cat’s skin	Check Price
Budget Buy		Ark Naturals Waterless Pet Shampoo	No need to bathe or shower Paraben and sulfate-free Cheap	Check Price
		MiconaHex+ Triz Shampoo For Pets	Effective against yeast infections Cleans coat and moisturizes skin Fights off dandruff and ringworms	Check Price
		Tropiclean Hypo-Allergenic Kitten Shampoo	Has a very pleasant coconut smell Cheap Suitable for kittens and sensitive cats	Check Price
		Veterinary Formula Cat Shampoo	Medicated shampoo can alleviate skin conditions Can be used to prevent dermatitis Decent price	Check Price

The 11 Best Shampoos For Maine Coon Cats

If you’re lucky enough to have a Maine Coon in your life, you are aware of how amazing these cats are! Part of their charm is their enormously long and dense coats. This means a great deal of brushing! No matter how good cats are at grooming themselves, they still need help from us.

Without proper grooming, skin issues can arise, such as dry and flaky skin, which can be uncomfortable for your cat. This is when using a moisturizing shampoo can help.

Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is the best overall shampoo for Maine Coon cats. It’s made with only natural ingredients, including colloidal oatmeal, which helps soothe and heal dry, irritated skin.

It’s pH balanced and safe for all pets and doesn’t contain any soaps, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, glutens, or DEA. It also has a subtle scent of cucumber and aloe vera, which will leave your Maine Coon smelling fresh.

The only issue with this shampoo is that not all cats will appreciate the scent, no matter how subtle it is.

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!

Ark Naturals Don’t Worry Don’t Rinse Me Waterless Dog & Cat Shampoo is a dry foam shampoo. It’s sulfate and paraben-free and because it’s a dry shampoo it means that you don’t have to worry about the stress and difficulty of bathing or showering.

Pump the foam out of the bottle, into your hand, and then work it into your cat’s coat. You don’t need to rinse or even dry the shampoo off. The product is cheap, making it one of the best shampoos for Maine Coon cats for the money. Dry shampoo is a convenient alternative to having to bathe your cat. It can be used for cats that refuse any contact with water. It can also be beneficial if you’re traveling and don’t have the facilities to bathe your cat, or perhaps as an emergency shampoo for really mucky situations.

It won’t last nearly as long as a traditional wet shampoo of the same size. It can leave a slightly greasy-looking finish to your cat’s coat, too, and although Ark Naturals boasts natural ingredients like balsam, cedarwood, orange oils, and rosemary, it has a strong odor that will not appeal to all cats or cat owners.

MiconaHex+ Triz Shampoo For Dogs And Cats has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. The medicated shampoo uses miconazole and chlorhexidine so it is effective in the fight against fungal infections. It also contains ceramides that moisturize skin that has been damaged during fungal and bacterial infections.

Although it is an expensive shampoo, MiconaHex+ is recommended for use in the fight against dandruff and ringworms. It is especially effective against yeast infections. Yeast infections are most commonly caused by allergies, food intolerances, and dermatitis from flea bites.

In severe cases, the shampoo does do a decent job of cleaning the cat’s coat, but even using it three or four times a week as recommended, it may only offer some mild relief, and the frequency of washing means that you will have to keep buying a new bottle, ramping up the cost of this premium shampoo.

Tropiclean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut Puppy & Kitten Shampoo is a hypoallergenic, gentle shampoo that is suitable for kittens. It has a balanced pH, which means that it is sensitive to your kitten’s fur and skin. It also protects the essential oils in your kitten’s fur so that it looks healthy and offers the protection needed. The hypoallergenic ingredients mean that this is not only a good shampoo for use on young cats but also for those with allergies and sensitive skin.

Tropiclean doesn’t contain any perfume, relying on the natural scent of coconut to leave your kitty smelling fresh. It is also free from parabens and dyes and is very reasonably priced.

Cheap, hypoallergenic, and made with natural ingredients, Tropiclean is a good shampoo for kittens and sensitive cats. However, these same features mean that this shampoo struggles against tough dirt and stains, so if your Maine Coon tends to roll in mud or gets food in its fur, it may not be strong enough to shift it.

Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo is a medicated shampoo and is designed primarily for use in combating dermatitis, pyoderma, and other skin and coat-related conditions. Such conditions can be caused by illness and infections but they can also arise as a result of over-grooming. Maine Coons love to groom, which means that yours could be prone to flaky and damaged skin, which Veterinary Formula’s shampoo will help to clear up.

What’s more, the paraben-free formula can be used as a preventative, so you can continue to use it once the condition has cleared up or if your Maine Coon is particularly prone to dermatitis. The shampoo is well priced, free from parabens, and does make a difference to cat skin conditions.

For some severe conditions, it can take several uses before you notice a difference in your cat’s coat condition, and you may want to try something milder for cats that have clean and clear skin. Otherwise, this shampoo combines good price, medicated formula, and paraben-free ingredients, making it good choice for Maine Coon cats.

Tropiclean Luxury 2 in 1 Papaya & Coconut Pet Shampoo and Conditioner is another cat cleaning product from Tropiclean, this time combining shampoo and conditioner so it not only cleans but leaves your Maine Coon’s hair softer and easier to manage. The ingredients include coconut and mango which eliminate knots, making it easier to brush or comb the hair and keep it matt-free. It also contains kiwi and papaya, leaving your cat with a tropical fruit smell that is natural and long-lasting.

Although the shampoo does have a pleasant, natural smell, in the bottle, it is a mild smell on the cat, so if you’re looking for something that really packs a punch, this won’t be the best choice for you.

The shampoo is reasonably priced and does a good job of cleaning and softening. However, it takes a lot of shampoo to get a good lather, which is necessary on a long-haired cat like the Maine Coon. Because you’ll be using more of the shampoo, it means that it will cost a lot more over time, especially considering the amount of hair on your Maine Coon.

Vetoquinol Itchy Dry Skin Aloe & Oatmeal Soap-Free Dog & Cat Shampoo is a medicated shampoo that, like most on this list, can be used on both dogs and cats.

Vetoquinal claims that its aloe and oatmeal combination generates a thick lather that cleans skin and leaves natural oils in place. Emollients serve to restore moisture in dried and flaky skin, which can reduce itching. While It is reasonably priced, it is another shampoo that uses coconut as a natural perfume and while it smells good in the bottle, it doesn’t leave much of a smell on the cat.

If yours is an outdoor Maine Coon that regularly comes back covered in mud, you may need something a little stronger to get rid of the strong smell. You do need to remember to shake the bottle very well before use or the oil separates and it can leave your cat greasy and sticky.

Maine Coons are well known for being heavy shedders, especially during springtime. Regular grooming helps, removing the dead hairs so that they are left in the bristles of the brush rather than the cushions of the chair, but no amount of grooming will completely prevent your cat from shedding.

Frisco Shed Control Shampoo With Aloe For Dogs And Cats uses plant-based ingredients to clean, as well as oat, jojoba, and vitamins B5, A, E, and D, to strengthen the coat. It doesn’t contain dyes or parabens, so it is sympathetic to your cat’s natural needs. The ingredients combine to ensure that the coat sheds effectively, so you should expect a major shed after bathing, but once the loose hairs are gone, it should prove easier to control your cat’s coat leaving him more comfortable and reducing your need to brush and comb.

The intense shed that this shampoo produces means you will initially have to be ready for clean-up. It also means that continued use could actually make ongoing shedding worse.

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo With Precor is a flea control shampoo for cats and kittens aged 12 weeks and above. Precor is an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) which prevents young fleas from maturing to adults and also kills eggs and larvae for up to a month. The shampoo also contains oatmeal, coconut, lanolin, and aloe, to combat dandruff and ensure a smooth and manageable coat. Adams claims that it produces a rich lather that is easy to apply to your cat.

The flea prevention shampoo does a good job of killing existing fleas but is not as successful at preventing reinfection, so you will need to combine it with other flea treatments for the best results. Also, Adams has a strong aroma, and if you or your cat don’t like the smell, it can be overwhelming. In terms of price, the flea and tick shampoo is more expensive than most alternatives.

Typically, Maine Coons love water. They have water-resistant fur and most are strong swimmers. As such, they are considered a more cooperative cat breed at bath time. However, every cat is unique and individual, and if yours hates baths, it can be a real challenge to get them in the water and to be washed.

Dry shampoo is normally a foam consistency, but Nootie Japanese Cherry Blossom Dog & Cat Water Shampoo Wipes are alcohol-free cleaning and deodorizing wipes. They use a combination of glycerin, oatmeal, and aloe vera that cleans the skin and coat. They are fragranced but do not contain harsh chemicals so are safe for use, although you should avoid the eyes and mouth.

The fragrance has a strong smell that can be off-putting for some cats and disliked by owners. They are also quite dry, which means that you will have to use several for a long-haired breed like the Maine Coon, which means that the Japanese Cherry Blossom wipes do work out to be a very expensive method of washing your cat.

Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo For Cats is another glycerin-based dry shampoo that also contains apple, citric acid, and coco betaine. The manufacturer states that it is 99.8% natural ingredients and is designed to clean and deodorize your cat. It comes in a spray bottle and is applied directly to your cat to try and get a soft and shiny coat.

A lot of cats will not tolerate spray bottles as they dislike the sound, although this may not be a problem with your cat. While the gentle formula does mean that the shampoo is safe for use on your cat, even if it grooms itself straight after use, it also means that Burt’s Bees does a reasonable job of deodorizing and can help with mild spot cleaning, it does not do a good job of thorough cleaning. Like most waterless shampoos, it takes a lot to get a good result so while the bottle is inexpensive per ounce, it works out to be an expensive option by the time your cat is clean.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Shampoo for Maine Coon Cats

The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cat breeds. It is recognized for its incredible coat, especially the ruff around the neck and long hair on the tips of the ears. The breed is said to like water, which can be good news for owners that are looking for ways in which to help manage the majestic feline’s beautiful coat.

Maine Coon Coat Maintenance

The Maine Coon coat is one of the breed’s standout features, and what draws many cat owners to take on this giant breed. And, while cats are generally very good at managing their own cleaning and grooming, this breed will require some help with coat maintenance. You should brush three times a week and be prepared for a heavy shed during the springtime. If your Maine gets especially dirty, you may also need to bathe it to help get rid of grease, dirt, and grime.

How Often Should Maine Coons Be Bathed?

Avoid too-frequent bathing, even with a gentle shampoo. However, you can bathe this breed when it gets dirty. Aim to bathe once a month, if required, and consider a dry shampoo or wipes for emergency spot cleaning needs.

How Do You Keep A Maine Coon Clean?

The long coat of the breed means that it will get matted and it attracts dirt, grease, and even debris like leaves. How dirty your cat gets depends on whether it lives indoors or is allowed outdoors and whether it is one of those cats that likes to roll in the mud. Regular brushing will help remove dry dirt and debris, and it also encourages natural oils to clean individual hairs and moisturize the skin. Bathe when required and ensure that you use a cat shampoo considered suitable for a cat’s pH.

Do Maine Coons Need Special Care?

All Maine Coons require some help with their grooming. Brush three times a week at least, and ideally every day. Not only will your cat benefit, but so will you, because regular grooming helps reduce the number of hairs that are shed on furniture and around the house. Trim claws every two or three months, regularly check inside the ears for signs of blockage and infection and brush your cat’s teeth three times a week to help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.

Shampoo Types

Most Maine Coons like to play in water, but this doesn’t mean that they will easily tolerate being bathed or showered. However, this is an essential part of owning one of this breed. As well as starting bathing when your cat is still young, you will need to find a good cat shampoo that is sympathetic to your cat’s needs but that also cleans and moisturizes. The main types of cat shampoo are:

Can You Use Human Shampoo On Cats?

Although the aim of human and cat shampoos is basically the same, you should never use human shampoo on a cat. It can dry out the skin and cause damage to your cat’s coat, stripping away natural oils. Always use a dedicated cat shampoo.

Is It OK To Never Bathe A Cat?

Bathing a cat can be a stressful experience for the cat and its owner, and in most cases, it may not be necessary to have to do so. However, if your cat rolls in something, gets urine on its fur while using the litter tray, or if you have a long-haired breed like the Maine Coon, you should consider occasional baths to be an integral part of cat ownership. At the very least, you will need to bathe when your cat gets dirty.

Should I Shower My Cat?

Dunking a cat in a half-filled bath is likely to cause stress. Not only will that make it almost impossible to bathe your cat now, but it will remember the experience in the future and every attempt will become increasingly difficult. Showering a cat is an alternative, but there are caveats. Do not use an overpowered power shower and ensure that the temperature is right. Shower water is at its hottest a few inches from the showerhead and this is likely to be the distance to your cat’s head. Let the water run and test the temperature before and during the shower. Some cats will naturally dislike the feeling of being showered, too, and if it does cause too much stress, look for other ways to offer a regular clean.

Conclusion

Maine Coons are purebred cats that are known for their size and their long coats. Managing the long coat will become a major part of owning a Maine Coon, and this inevitably means having to find a suitable shampoo for routine bathing. Above, we have included reviews of some of the best cat shampoos for Maine Coons, as well as a guide on choosing one yourself. We believe that the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is the best overall cat shampoo: it’s made of all natural ingredients and has a fresh aloe and cucumber scent. Ark Naturals Don’t Worry Don’t Rinse Me Waterless Dog & Cat Shampoo is a good budget option and, because it is a dry shampoo, it is convenient and potentially easier to apply.

• Related read: 10 Best Cat Food For Maine Coons – Reviews & Top Picks

Featured Image Credit: Olleg, Shutterstock