Cuddling, stroking and playing with your cat are great aspects of having a cat. However, with great snuggling power, comes great responsibility. As their owners, we also have to keep them healthy and happy.
One important aspect of a cat’s health is keeping them free from pests and infestations. Fleas are indiscriminate little nasty parasites who will happily infest your kitty if they get the chance. Outdoor cats can be more prone to picking them up, but indoor cats get them too.
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Fleas can be very tricky to deal with because they are so good at procreating. One female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day which can mean in one month and a half your pet has 20,000 fleas causing issues.
With fleas, at the least, your cat will be irritated and itchy. At the most, he could get an allergic reaction to the bites and he could even become anemic. The fleas can also infest your house, which is unpleasant at best.
So what do you do to get rid of fleas in cats?
Luckily, there are lots of answers to this pesky problem. There are flea collars, topical back of the neck treatments, tablets and shampoos. Today, we want to help you understand more about flea shampoo for cats. It’s a great option when the infestation has gotten particularly bad, or if your cat is used to being bathed anyway.
Using the best flea shampoo for cats is especially great when it comes to helping little kittens get over an infestation fast. Kittens are prone to anemia when they have fleas because they are so small, so acting quickly is really important.
To help you get the very best cat flea shampoo for your beloved furry friend, we’ve rounded up all the best products currently available on the market. We’ve also answered common questions and answers on the topic.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, we’ve also got top tips on how to choose the best flea shampoo for cats. Let’s take a look at that, first:
How To Choose The Best Flea Shampoo For Cats
Before you start browsing the epic products we have rounded up for you, we want to help you get a better understanding of what to look for.
Different products suit different needs, and being more informed helps you get the best product for your kitty. Here’s how to choose the best flea shampoo for your furry feline buddy:
Don’t Use Shampoo
Wait, what? Don’t worry, we haven’t gone off course here. But we do want you to think about whether or not you should be shampooing your cat at all.
If your adult cat has never been bathed, you may find shampooing him results in him being very stressed, and you losing an eye. Cats that are very anti-bathing can be treated for fleas using alternative products like flea collars and topical treatments. The cat still loses the fleas, but you don’t lose your eye.
If you must shampoo the cat, or you have a kitten that is able to be conditioned to tolerate bathing, make it a slow process. Start with gentle exposure to water and being bathed and provide lots of treats and reassurance. If you need more guidance on how to bathe a cat, this article on the topic is really helpful.
Try To Choose Shampoos With Lasting Effects
Some cat flea shampoos leave a residue on the coat which repels fleas. This is a helpful preventative for future infestations so products that do this are useful.
Never Use Flea Shampoo On A Neonatal Kitten
According to kitten expert Kitten Lady, there is no topical flea treatment safe for kittens under 8 weeks old. Do not choose a flea shampoo for a neonatal kitten you care for, even if it claims to be safe for this purpose. Instead, take a look at Kitten Lady’s guide to giving a tiny kitten a soap dish bath.
Speak To Your Vet First
You may want to speak to your vet before using any flea treatment on your cat.
This is especially true if your cat is pregnant, very young, unwell, very old, breastfeeding or has had an allergy to fleas or flea products before. It’s better to be safe than sorry with pets. Your vet can recommend the best flea treatment for your cat, which may or may not be shampoo.
Take Extra Steps
Try not to rely on flea shampoo to deal with the entire problem. In most cases, you have to comb out dead fleas and eggs after shampooing your cat. So you’ll want to buy a flea comb along with your shampoo.
You’ll also need to buy treatment for your home to deal with residual eggs and larvae hiding out in the fibers of your carpet.
Avoid shampoos that claim to ‘do it all’ because they can’t possibly deal with all aspects of a flea infestation, no matter how amazing they are.
The Best Flea Shampoos Currently Available On The Market
Now you know how to choose the best shampoo for your cat, you’re all set to browse the best products currently available to buy:
Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention
A Great Alternative To Cat Shampoo
If your cat is totally against being shampooed then the Bayer Advantage 2 for large cats is a great choice. It will protect the cat for 6 months and fleas die without having to bite your kitty, minimizing flea bite irritation.
Owners will love that the product is vet recommended, giving you peace of mind when it comes to your cat’s safety.
Why We Like It:
- Protection for a whole 6 months
- Easy to apply
- Starts working in just 12 hours
- No need to bathe the cat
What We Don’t Like:
- In a higher price bracket
- Even with vet recommendation kitties can still have a bad reaction
Adams Plus Flea & Tick
The Best Flea Shampoo For Cats And Dogs
Adams is a trusted pet care brand offering an effective shampoo that deals with fleas and ticks too. It’s also suitable for both cats and dogs, so its use stretches out to more than just your cats.
Kitters with sensitive skin will appreciate the aloe, coconut extract, oatmeal and lanolin in the shampoo designed to soothe and reduce inflammation. In combination with special flea kill and prevention ingredients it’s go everything you need to help your cat feel comfortable again.
Why We Like It:
- Kills all stages of the flea growth cycle & deals with ticks
- Contains skin soothing ingredients
- Includes a flea development preventative
- Safe for use on cats and dogs
What We Don’t Like:
- Some cats may be sensitive to the ingredients
- Scented, which may not suit everyone
Veterinary Formula Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
Provides Maximum Flea & Tick Control
If you are looking for a product that is highly effective in killing and controlling flea and ticks, look no further than Veterinary Formula shampoo. Using natural insecticide fleas and ticks are killed on contact.
Even better, the treatment also exfoliates and soothes irritated skin, helping to further your kitties comfort.
Why We Like It:
- Soap and paraben free
- Deals with ticks and fleas
- Safe for rabbits, horses and ferrets as well as cats
- Contains additional skin soothing ingredients
What We Don’t Like:
- Scented, which may not suit everyone
- Low percentage of active ingredients
Oster Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal
The Best Flea And Tick Shampoo For Cats With Sensitive Skin
If your kitty has sensitive skin, you may want to consider the Oster flea and tick shampoo. It contains natural insecticide to effectively kill fleas and ticks on contact. It is also free of all the nasties and chemicals you want to avoid using on your cat. Even better, there’s also natural oatmeal extract which helps to soothe irritated skin.
For pet owners who want to keep flea treatment as natural as possible, the product is a really good option.
Why We Like It:
- Free from many nasties and chemicals
- Contains oatmeal extract
- Deals with fleas and ticks
- Suitable for dogs and cats
What We Don’t Like:
- Scented, which may not suit everyone
- May not be effective as a preventative
Natural Chemistry Flea Shampoo for Cats & Kittens
Great Alternative To Pyrethrin Products
If you are a cat owner who wants to avoid insecticide pyrethrin, which some cats can react to, this could be the product for you. Instead of pyrethrin, it uses botanical ingredients to kill fleas on contact.
As it only provides instant kill ingredients, and protection for a week after use, it is ideal if you want a quick treatment before moving on to longer term preventatives.
Why We Like It:
- A great alternative to products using pyrethrin
- A little goes a long way
- Good instant flea treatment
- Low chance of cat having allergic reaction
What We Don’t Like:
- You may need to use a few times to get effective results
- Does not provide any long-term preventative effects
Zodiac Pet Products Flea and Tick Shampoo
Perfect For Super Sensitive Kitties
If your cat is very, very sensitive to skin products then you may want to consider Zodiac. Not only does the freshly scented product contain natural insecticides, but it also has coconut conditioners to soothe your cats’ skin. The active ingredients are also very mild, minimising the chance of a reaction with your cats’ skin.
Why We Like It:
- Very mild
- Soothing coconut ingredients
- Kills both fleas and ticks
- Suitable for use on cats and dogs
What We Don’t Like:
- You may need to regularly repeat treatments to get effective results
- No preventative effects
SENTRY PurrScriptions Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats
Kills Fleas Whilst Also Boosting Coat Condition
Sentry PurrScriptions is an effective cat shampoo designed to deal with fleas, whilst conditioning your cats skin and hair at the same time.
It uses pyrethrin to kill fleas, whilst the natural ingredients like coconut work to strengthen and condition you cats fur, for a complete treatment.
Why We Like It:
- Kills fleas and ticks
- Makes cats coat shiny and soft
- Gentle on skin
- Easy to use
What We Don’t Like:
- The scent isn’t for everyone
- Doesn’t act as a preventative
Vet-Kem Flea Tick Shampoo for Dogs and Cats
Great All-Rounder For Treating Fleas
Vet-Kem shampoo is a great all-rounder when it comes to treating fleas on your cat. It treats fleas on cats and dogs effectively after one treatment. It also contains products to soothe your pets skin, and to add lustre to your pets fur.
Why We Like It:
- Treats fleas and ticks
- Soothes skin
- Adds lustre to fur
- Works quickly
What We Don’t Like:
- Scented, which may not suit everyone
- Does not prevent further flea infestations
FAQs
If you’re still feeling unsure about which is the best flea shampoo for cat, we’ve answers some of the most common questions on the topic:
Does Cat Flea Shampoo Also Treat My Home Infestation?
Unfortunately using shampoo on your cat to treat fleas will not also treat your home. You will want to use sprays and other products to rid yourself of the fleas in your home. This hack on Youtube is a great cheap and easy option to try if you need to rid your home of fleas.
How Often Should You Bathe A Cat?
When it comes to using flea shampoo, you should follow the instructions on the bottle. Sometimes you can use the shampoo for cats as often as you need to, to get rid of the fleas. Sometimes you have to leave time in between treatments. Always follow the instructions given by the manufacturer.
Can You Use Human Shampoo On Cats?
You should avoid using human shampoo on cats as it is made for people, not kitties. Certain types of gentle soap can be used to bathe kittens who are too young for flea shampoo.
What Is The Best Shampoo For Persian Cats?
If you have a specific breed of cat you need to treat it is a great idea to consult your vet for their view. Specific breeds may require a special flea shampoo and it is always best to air on the side of caution.
What Can I Use Instead Of Cat Shampoo?
You can use a flea collar for cats, or topical treatment, depending on what works best for your cats. There are lots of great products to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that works well for your kitty.
Can I Use My Cats Flea Treatment On My Dog?
Most flea shampoos are also suitable for other pets. However, if it does not state it is suitable for dogs as well as cats on the bottle, you should stick to only using it on your cat.
Your Kitty Will Be Free From Fleas With The Perfect Flea Shampoo
With our tips and information above you should be in a good position to get the best flea shampoo for cats. With the right product, your cat will soon be much happier, comfortable, and free of those pesky, itchy critters.