
Did you know that fleas are the most commonly occurring pests in cats and dogs? Did you know that there are cat shampoos that are great for ridding your cat of fleas?
Let’s be honest, we all know that most cat species hate being in water. Bath time could well easily be your cat’s worst part of their day. But sometime it is necessary for keeping those little pests at bay.
A flea infestation can be a horrendous experience for you and your cat. Your pet may spend the day scratching in an attempt to get rid f the fleas and relieve itself of the irritation on its skin. Can you imagine cuddling your cat on our laps and ending up with a flea or two? It is not the best experience.
There are many flea treatments that you can go for that are effective at keeping fleas away. But the easiest is quite likely a bath with an anti-flea shampoo. Fleas generally hate water, but it may not be effective when used alone.
So which shampoos are ideal for getting rid of fleas, and what are their best features? This article will review some products that are great, and also give a short buying guide on what to look out for in a good cat shampoo.
Let’s jump in!
The Best Cat Shampoo for Fleas
Product Name | Targeted Pests | Age of Cat | Buy on Amazon |
---|---|---|---|
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo | Fleas, flea eggs, lice and ticks | 12 weeks + | |
Vet’s Best Advanced Strength Flea and Tick Cat Shampoo | Fleas, ticks | 12 weeks + | |
VET-KEM Triple Action Pet Shampoo | Fleas, ticks | All ages | |
Vets Best Flea and Tick Waterless Bath Foam for Cats | Fleas, flea eggs and ticks | 12 weeks + |
The Best Cat Shampoo for Fleas Products Review
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo – Also conditions and restores shine to fur
This product is ideal for animal that are also dealing with lice and tick. It has a beautiful fresh scent.
Features
- Has an Insect Grow Regulator (IGR)
- Kills fleas, flea eggs, lice and ticks
- Ideal for cats over 12 weeks old
This product is a strong anti-pests shampoo. Ideal for cats that are 12 weeks and older, it bears the capacity to not just rid your cat of fleas, but also their eggs, lice and also ticks. It is a really strong, and has a repelling effect that lasts a period of 28 days. The Insect Grow Regulator kills larvae and eggs for up to 28 days.
It is made for cats that have sensitive skin. This makes it powerful enough to get rid of the fleas but also makes it gentle on your cat’s skin. It contains aloe, lanolin oatmeal and coconut extract that soothes the skin and leaves it feeling nice. Aside from keeping your cat pest free, this shampoo restores sheen and luster, leaving your cat with a beautiful fur coat.
Use this shampoo with warm water. Rub a tablespoonful or two into your cat’s fur coat, massaging it slowly and steadily to ensure it reaches every inch of the fur and the skin. You may need to rub a little longer on cats with long and thick coats. When fully massaged, let it rest for 5 minutes then rinse your pet in warm water. You can use this shampoo in intervals of 7-10 days.
Pros
- It is ideal for cats with sensitive skin
- It has a lovely fresh scent
- It kills flea eggs, lice and ticks too
- The effect lasts up to 28 days
- Has Insect Grow Regulator that keeps pests from multiplying
Cons
- It cannot be used for kittens
Verdict
This fresh smelling shampoo will have your cat smelling fresh and pest free for a period of 28 days. It also helps to soothe your cat’s sensitive skin.
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Vet’s Best Advanced Strength Flea and Tick Cat Shampoo – Specially formulated for cats
This shampoo has a special formula that is specific to cats. It has the capacity to kill flea larvae.
Features
- It is just for cats
- Contains natural oils
- Kills fleas, ticks and flea larvae
- Meant for cats 12 weeks and older
The Vets Best Advanced Strength shampoo for fleas and ticks is a powerful product that kills pets on contact. It is made without harsh chemicals, making it an ideal fit for cats that have sensitive skin.
This shampoo also contains 100% natural oils from cloves and cottonseed. They are ideal for soothing your cat’s skin and also leave your cat’s fur conditioned and beautiful. Aside from these, there are plant extracts in the shampoo that are known to repel pests without irritating the cat.
The shampoo is used with warm water. Wet your cat’s fur with warm water and rub a tablespoonful or two of the shampoo on the cat. Massage the shampoo throughout the cat’s body for 5 – 10 minutes and be sure to keep it away from the cat’s mouth, eyes ad genitals. Rinse it off with warm water.
This shampoo stays effective for up to 30 days.
Pros
- It has a gentle light scent
- It contains natural oils that soothe the cat’s skin
- It can kill flea larvae
- It lathers easily
- It conditions the cat’s fur
- It stays effective for 30 days
Cons
- It cannot be used for kittens below 12 weeks of age
Verdict
This shampoo that is specially formulated for cats will not just rid it of pests but also leave it looking and feeling good. The natural oils soothe its skin and rid it of irritation and dry and scaly patches. Its repelling effect also lasts 30 days, which is quite a bonus.
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VET-KEM Triple Action Pet Shampoo – Ideal for cats and kittens of all ages
This product comes as a gallon. You will not be buying cat shampoo any time soon after purchasing this product.
Features
- Kills both ticks and fleas
- Contains aloe, coconut extract and lanolin
- Removes dandruff, dirt and scales
- Ideal for cats of all ages
This pet shampoo is a strong and powerful product that is ideal for keeping pests at bay. It comes as a gallon, which will last you a great deal of time considering how much of it you will be using per wash.
This shampoo kills both fleas and ticks which are the most common pests in cats. Part of the main ingredients includes lanolin, aloe and coconut extracts that work towards keeping your cat’s skin healthy and its fur shiny and lustrous.
Aside from keeping pests from your cat, this shampoo also gets rid of dandruff and scales from your cat’s skin. It is also excellent for removing stubborn dirt that lodges itself in the skin and fur of your feline friend.
Unlike most shampoos for cats, this brand can be used for cats of all ages. Wet the cat’s fur with warm water and massage a bit of the shampoo for 5 to 10 minutes, then proceed to rinse it off. Being that it is a stronger shampoo than most, you can dilute it in water using a 1:2 ratio. One cap of the shampoo is diluted into 2 caps of water. This will ensure that even cats with the most sensitive skin are spared of irritation.
Pros
- It contains extracts of coconut, aloe and lanolin
- It is gentle on even the most sensitive skin
- It comes as a gallon
- It can be diluted
- It remove dandruff, dirt and scales
- It can be used for cats of all ages
Cons
- You may have to spend more as it is a big size
Verdict
This product is able to kill all pests while still soothing your cat’s skin. It is ideal for a home with many cats, and you will not be buying cat shampoo every so often.
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Vets Best Foam (Waterless) Bath for Cats – Does not require the use of water
This water-free shampoo is ideal for cat owners whose pets hate to have a bath. It is as effective as regular shampoo.
Features
- It comes as a foam
- Kills fleas, ticks and eggs of fleas
- For cats 12 weeks and older
- Specially made for cats
- Has no perfume
Unlike dogs that are naturally drawn to play with water, cats hate water and anything to do with it. It goes without saying that a cat’s bath time is the worst part of its day. For this reason, you may want to consider getting your cat a waterless shampoo.
This foam shampoo is specially formulated for cats. It is a powerful product that kills fleas, their eggs and ticks. It also repels mosquitoes, allowing your cat to stargaze in peace. Much as it is strong, it is quite gentle on the cat’s skin. It contains natural oils that soothe the cat’s skin and leave the fur coat looking shiny.
All you have to do is apply some foam on your palms and massage it through the cat’s fur. Ensure that you reach through the thickest coat right to the skin. You do not need to rinse your cat, just let the foam dry. This product does not have added perfumes, making it ideal for cats that may have sensitivity to certain scents.
Pros
- You do not need to use water
- It is gentle on the cat’s skin
- It kills fleas, their eggs, ticks and repels mosquitoes
- It contains natural oils that soothe the skin and keep the cat’s fur luscious
- It has no added perfumes, making it great foe sensitive cats
Cons
- It cannot be used for kittens younger than 2 weeks
Verdict
If you have a cat that detests bath time, this product is for you. It works just as effectively as regular shampoo and keeps your cat happy. It gets rid of fleas and ticks and also repels mosquitoes. Its scentless feature ensures that sensitive cats do not get any adverse reactions.
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Buying a flea shampoo for your cat – What to look out for
Here is what you need to consider and look out for when getting an anti-flea shampoo for your cat.
Age of cat – A good number of most shampoos are made for cats that are 12 weeks and older. Make certain that products you buy for younger cats are safe for them. Some may be too harsh and cause your cat certain complications at a young age.
Cat’s skin type – Some shampoos may be a little too harsh for some cats’ skins. Make sure that the product you pick ensures the safety of your cat’s skin, especially if it is sensitive.
Allergens – A good number of cats are sensitive to pyrethrenes and other plant based pesticides. When buying a shampoo, ensure that the contents are declared, and if your cat is sensitive to some of them, do not purchase. Always ensure that your choice of product is entirely safe for your pet.
Frequency of use – Buy a product that is effective for longer. You do not want to keep exposing your feline to chemicals, and so giving them frequent baths with products that are potentially harmful, especially when ingested, is discouraged.
Price – An expensive shampoo does not always translate to a good quality one. Try and find a balance between quality and cost. You do not have to spend an arm and a leg for a brand that is less effective than a less popular one. But if you want to splurge on your pet, it is absolutely fine.
Final Verdict
Fleas can be a menace to not just your cat, but to you as well. They cause loads of unrest and even deteriorate the health of your cat’s skin over time. Getting rid of them can be a tall order, especially if you use treatments that are not effective. A good anti-flea shampoo will kill two birds with one stone. You will rid your cat of dirt and also kill fleas at the same time.