11 Best Waterless (Dry) Cat Shampoos in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks    

Waterless cat shampoo is a great tool for any cat owner to have available in their grooming arsenal. Cats do not need full-rinse baths nearly as often as dogs. Bathing a cat too often can strip the coat of natural oils and can cause dry skin and irritation.

While full-rinse baths are necessary every once in a while, waterless cat shampoos can help you freshen up your cat without the full bath. Some of these no-rinse, dry shampoos can even help maintain shine and moisten dry skin.

Whether you need to spot clean, eliminate a smell, or just freshen up your cat, waterless cat shampoo is a great go-to. We have looked into the reviews of fellow cat-lovers that have provided feedback on the products used on their own cats and come up with a list of the best waterless cat shampoos on the market.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo	Formulated with all-natural ingredients No rinsing required Softens and cleans as it moisturizes	Check Price
Budget Buy		Burt's Bees Waterless Shampoo	Great price for the quantity Help balance pH Helps with dander and dry skin	Check Price
		Douxo Dog & Cat Mousse	Helps remove excess sebum, oils, and dander Neutralizes odors Free of soaps, dyes, parabens, sulfates, and nanoparticles	Check Price
		Earthbath Cat Grooming Foam	Safe for all cats and kittens 6 weeks or older Hypoallergenic and free of fragrance All-natural ingredients	Check Price
		Vet's Best Waterless Cat Bath	Formulated by veterinarians Cleanses and helps soothe dry skin Made with a calming fragrance for cats	Check Price

The 11 Best Waterless Cat Shampoos

Hepper’s Waterless No-Rinse Pet Shampoo takes the dread out of bath time for both you and your feline companion. Most cats aren’t fond of water, and this shampoo requires no water whatsoever.

This waterless shampoo is pH balanced and formulated with all-natural ingredients, so you can feel good about bathing your kitty with nothing but the best. This formula moisturizes and softens as it cleans, leaving your cat’s fur looking and feeling luxurious with a soothing cucumber and fresh aloe scent.

This shampoo comes in an 8-fluid-ounce bottle and is free from soap, DEA, synthetic dyes, gluten, sulfates, and phthalates. Simply apply the foam directly to your cat’s fur, massage it in, and brush out—that’s it! It will also clean the paws and nails, and you just have to massage the formula into the paws and nails and wipe clean to do it. Easy peasy!

Hepper’s No-Rinse Waterless Dry Cat Shampoo is manufactured in the USA and is safe for all animals. It won’t strip the fur from its natural oils and won’t irritate the skin. We think it’s the best overall waterless cat shampoo.

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!

Burt’s Bees Waterless Cat Shampoo is a great choice if you are looking to get the best waterless cat shampoo for the money. This 10-ounce bottle comes at a great price, is 99.8% natural, and is free from sulfates and colorants. Burt’s Bees is a cruelty-free manufacturer as well.

This waterless cat bath is formulated to balance a cat’s pH and contains apple and honey to leave the coat soft, shiny, and well-nourished. Some cat owners did complain of their distaste for the smell, while others stated they had issues with the bottle leaking.

Burt’s Bees Waterless Cat Shampoo is a great price for the quantity and some owners rave about how it helps reduce their cat’s dander and soothes their dry skin.

Duoxo S3 SEB Dog and Cat Mousse is designed specifically to remove excess oils, flaky build-up, reduce dander, and help deodorize. This choice is more on the expensive side but can restore the balance of the protective microbes to help alleviate dermatological diseases. It is formulated with ophytrium, which helps to strengthen the skin’s physical barrier.

This waterless shampoo is free of soaps, sulfates, parabens, dyes, and nanoparticles. In addition to the health benefits, it does moisturize the skin and coat, helps with detangling, and leaves the fur soft and shiny.

Due to the price, Duoxo S3 SEB may be a better choice for cats that do already suffer from skin issues, but overall, this is a great option for any cat with oily to flaky skin. It was designed and tested by veterinary dermatologists.

Safe for cats and kittens 6 weeks and older, Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Grooming Foam for Cats gets our pick for the little ones. You simply rub it in and wipe it off, which is quick and easy for kittens. This formulation is hypo-allergenic and free of any fragrance, which is great for cats or kittens with sensitivities.

This waterless shampoo foam helps reduce human allergies since it helps with dander reduction. This is a well-reviewed product but it did get a number of complaints due to leaving behind residue. You will have to make sure you wipe off thoroughly if you opt for this choice.

The Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath is another great choice for waterless cat shampoo. This product is formulated by veterinarians and is not only reasonably priced but is the highest-rated waterless cat bath among fellow cat owners.

Vet’s Best uses all-natural solutions made with botanical oils in all their products. The vitamin E, aloe vera, neem oil, and oatmeal in this waterless cat bath not only helps clean their fur but provides long-lasting relief for dry skin.

It is made with a fragrance that is calming for cats, but the downside is that some owners did not take well to the strong scent. There were reports of faulty pumps on some bottles, which can be an inconvenience, as you need the pump to convert the liquid to foam. Overall, Vet’s Best Waterless Shampoo is a great choice for cleaning and deodorizing between full rinse baths.

TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing Cat Shampoo is designed to keep a cat’s dander under control. Dander is the leading cause of allergic reactions in humans with cat allergies. Not only can the dander lead to reactions in humans, but it can also cause dermatitis in cats.

TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing Cat Shampoo reduces dander between full rinse baths by offering this no-rinse option. This waterless shampoo is made with oatmeal and cucumber extracts and a mild coconut cleanser. Not only does it help with dander reduction, but it also reduces odor and helps moisturize your cat’s skin.

The most common complaint about TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing Cat Shampoo was faulty pump issues experienced by some buyers.

CHI Waterless Bath Spray for Cats is a sulfate and paraben-free waterless spray that works to eliminate unpleasant odors and keep the skin and coat free from dirt and dander. It is as simple as spraying and massaging into the coat.

CHI Waterless Bath Spray is safe for use on all cats and kittens 8 weeks and older. The formula is pH balanced to help maintain healthy skin and coats. This option does contain fragrance, which is something that some owners wish to avoid, especially for cats with allergies or sensitivities.

FURminator FUR deShedding Rinse-Free Foaming Cat Shampoo is created to help reduce excessive shedding and prevent hairballs without having to fully bathe your cat. This formula is enriched with hydrolyzed plant proteins and omega fatty acids to help maintain healthy skin and coat.

FURminator created this waterless shampoo without any parabens or chemical dyes. The biggest complaint among cat owners was the strong smell that did not sit well with some. This option is best if shed reduction is your main goal for rinse-free baths.

Bodhi Dog Waterless Lavender Dry Cat Shampoo is an all-natural, plant-based formula that is alcohol-free and non-toxic. The formulation is gentle which makes it optimal for cats and other animals that have skin sensitivities or suffer from allergies.

The manufacturer does recommend brushing after use to ensure the coat is left shiny and well-maintained. This dry shampoo does a great job hydrating dry skin and coat and is safe for use on cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and even horses.

Some pet owner reviews did complain that the lavender scent and deodorizing ability of this product are short-lived.

• See Also: Is Waterless Shampoo Safe for Cats? Is It Effective for Cleaning?

The Whisker Litter-Robot Cucumber Aloe Cat Bath Foam Wash comes in a Cucumber Aloe or Bamboo Mint scent. This waterless shampoo foam features a catnip-infused formula that cats love. This foam is to be used just like a dry shampoo by massaging into the fur and brushing away any excess foam.

This is a newer product on the market and while it gets good reviews, thus far, they are limited. This waterless bath is made by the company that manufactures the famous Litter-Robot litter box.

Ark Naturals Don’t Worry Don’t Rinse Me Waterless Dog & Cat Shampoo is another great option that offers a low price for the quantity. This product is made in the USA and has a natural botanical formula that is composed of balsam, cedarwood, rosemary, and orange oils, which work great for deodorizing.

Ark Naturals works great when you need to do a quick spot cleaning on your cat. There are some extra ingredients compared to the competitors and there are some complaints of poor packaging. Overall, though, this is a well-reviewed waterless shampoo that can be used on cats or dogs.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Waterless Cat Shampoo

Purpose of Waterless Shampoo

It is important to note that waterless shampoos are not to be used as substitutes for full-rinse baths. Waterless shampoos are great for a quick cleanse between baths or for spot cleaning

Waterless shampoos are great to have on hand, especially since they are much better tolerated by our feline friends than regular baths. They help them freshen up and eliminate any lingering odors. Some products even help to reduce dander and provide some added moisture to the skin.

The Benefits of Waterless Shampoo

Cleans

Whether your cat has gotten into something that dirtied their coat or simply needs to be freshened up, waterless cat baths are a quick and easy way to provide a quick clean-up. You can apply it all over or just spot-clean any dirty areas. Waterless cat shampoos are great for ill, disabled, obese, or senior cats that have trouble self-grooming.

Improves Smell

You share your life, your home, and your furniture with your cat, so keeping them smelling fresh and clean is a necessity. If you notice your cat is emitting any unpleasant odor, having a waterless cat shampoo in your grooming arsenal is a quick fix for eliminating odors and getting them smelling fresh again.

Great for On-the-Go

A lot of pet parents travel with their cats nowadays. Giving your cat a full-rinse bath while you are on the move is not going to be easy. Cats are typically not big fans of full-rinse baths in the first place, let alone outside their comfort zone. Having a waterless, rinse-free option is good to keep on hand in case a quick clean-up becomes necessary.

Reduce Dander/Shedding

A lot of waterless cat shampoos on the market are formulated with ingredients that will soothe dry skin. Some options are even hypoallergenic and can reduce shedding and excess dander. This can be very helpful to cats that suffer from dry skin and owners that suffer from allergies. Applying waterless shampoo between baths can keep dander at bay and help reduce allergy symptoms in humans.

Before You Buy

There are some considerations you need to keep in mind before you make your purchase. Let’s look:

Type – There are different kinds of waterless cat shampoos available on the market today and most come as either foam or spray. The type of dispenser will be dependent on your preference. Some cats do not take well to sprays and may be frightened by sound and mist coming at them. If your cat is fearful of sprays, opting for foam may be the way to go. Some products will offer additional benefits such as being hypoallergenic, providing dander control, dry skin relief, or even salon-like smells. You need to decide what purpose you want your waterless shampoo to serve.

Cost – While waterless cat shampoos are not a heavy expense, some products are pricier than others. Make sure you look at how many ounces of product you are getting for the price. Ensuring you are getting good value for your money is great for anyone’s budget and just because a product is more expensive, does not necessarily mean it is superior.

Ingredients – When you are applying a rinse-free product to your cat’s coat, you want it to be safe. Cats do a lot of self-grooming and you do not want them licking up any residue that contains any harmful chemicals or toxins. You will need to read the labels of each product to see what ingredients they are composed of. Waterless shampoos with heavy fragrances can be irritating to some cats. As a rule, it is ideal to avoid products that contain artificial dyes, sulfates, and parabens.

Conclusion

Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo is a great overall choice for waterless cat baths, as it is pH balanced and formulated with all-natural ingredients.

Burt’s Bees will get you great value for your money by providing great quality with 99.8 percent natural ingredients and being easy on your wallet at the same time.

The Douxo S3 SEB Dog & Cat Mousse will help reduce dander and excess oils and is free of any soaps, dyes, parabens, sulfates, and nanoparticles. This is a more expensive option but is a great choice for cats with sensitivities.

Regardless of your product choice, waterless cat shampoos are great to keep on hand and provide benefits for both cats and their owners.

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Featured Image Credit: Ekaterina Kuzovkova, Shutterstock