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What’s the Best Cat Shampoo for Fleas and Ticks?
- Best Overall Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats: Veterinary Formula Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats
A well-rounded and affordable shampoo that kills fleas and ticks while cleaning and exfoliating. - Best Deodorizing Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats: SENTRY PurrScriptions Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats
Coconut-scented shampoo with two active ingredients against ticks, fleas, and lice. - Best Conditioning Flea and Tick Treatment: Zodiac Flea & Tick Shampoo for Cats
Tick and flea control pet shampoo enriched with two insecticides and coconut conditioners. - Best Natural Flea Shampoo for Cats: kin+kind Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats
Plant-powered, antiparasitic dog and cat shampoo free from harsh chemicals and additives. - Best Unscented Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats: Advantage Flea and Tick Treatment Shampoo for Cats and Kittens
Premium quality and unscented flea and tick shampoo for cats from a reputable brand.
Is Flea and Tick Shampoo Safe for Cats?
Yes, the flea and tick shampoo for cats is safe. When used in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, the flea shampoo is not only safe but also beneficial.
Flea and tick shampoos are vital to flea-infested cats. The importance of eliminating fleas is even bigger in cats sensitive to flea bites and saliva.
If the flea and tick shampoo is not enough, you should talk to your vet about additional treatment and prevention options – topical products, flea and tick collars.
The Best Flea and Tick Shampoos for Cats Reviewed
Cat flea and tick shampoos come in different versions – from easy-use waterless or flea and tick sprays to regular and moisturizing formulas with insecticides. To help pet owners choose the right product, we have compiled a list of the best flea and tick shampoos for cats.
Summary: Using pyrethrum, the Veterinary Formula Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats offers a safe and effective treatment against fleas and ticks. The soap-free and paraben-free formula make the shampoo suitable for cats and kittens over 12 weeks of age.
Scent: Unscented
Key Ingredients: Pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide, N-octyl bicycloheptene
Pros
- Kills adult fleas and ticks on contact
- Conditions the coat and exfoliates the skin
- pH-balanced, paraben, and soap-free
- Prevents flea eggs from hatching for up to 4 weeks
- Offers excellent value per ounce
Cons
- Often out of stock due to high demand
Review: Most reviews are positive and noted the beautiful condition in which it left their cat’s coat. There are complaints about to low stock of the product on Amazon and Chewy.
Summary: Made with two active ingredients, the SENTRY PurrScriptions Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats works against ticks, fleas, and lice. The shampoo adds luster and helps condition the cat’s coat. Plus, it features a pleasant coconut berry scent.
Scent: Coconut berry scent
Key Ingredients: Pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide
Pros
- Kills fleas, ticks, and lice on contact
- Prevents flea hatching for up to 28 days
- Soothing effect on the cat’s skin
- Rich in coconut conditioners
- Suitable for kittens over 12 weeks of age
Cons
- Contains pyrethrins, which may concern some pet owners
Review: Consumers enjoyed this product because of its effect on pests. They noted it helped soothe their pet’s irritated skin, however, some are unhappy with its inclusion of pyrethrins.
Summary: The Zodiac Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats kills pests through contact with ingredients such as pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide. Plus, the formula is enriched with coconut extract, thus acting as an excellent conditioner for the cat’s coat.
Scent: Fresh Scent
Key Ingredients: Pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide
Pros
- Kills adult fleas and ticks through contact
- Creamy formula that cleans and conditions
- Fresh scent owners and cats like
- Suitable for kittens over 12 weeks of age
- Can also be used as a dog shampoo
Cons
- Does not kill flea eggs or larvae
Review: While most reviews by consumers expressed satisfaction with the results this cat flea shampoo offered some others demonstrated concern with its inclusion of pyrethrins and its effect on their cat.
Summary: Using natural ingredients like peppermint, castor, and rosemary oil, the kin+kind Flea and Tick Shampoo for Cats is a natural and safe alternative for mainstream topical flea treatments and tick collars with synthetic chemicals.
Scent: Lavender
Key Ingredients: Peppermint oil, castor oil, and rosemary oil
Pros
- Vet-formulated and plant-powered
- With lavender essential oil
- Shampoo for cats & kittens over 12 weeks of age
- Vegan, GMO-free, and hand-mixed
- Made in the USA with cruelty-free practices
Cons
- More expensive than some of its competitors
Review: Most customers are pleased with its effects. However, some complain that this flea and tick shampoo for dogs and cats is on the higher end of the price range.
Summary: The unscented shampoo formula from Advantage is suitable for all cats and kittens over 12 weeks of age. It features three active ingredients and kills adult fleas and ticks on contact. The shampoo comes in an easy-use bottle and lathers quickly.
Scent: Unscented
Key Ingredients: Pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide, N-octyl bicycloheptene
Pros
- Kills fleas and ticks on contact
- Safe for kittens over 12 weeks of age
- Prevents re-infestation for seven days
- Suitable for cats with sensitive skin
- Unscented and easy-lathering formula
Cons
- Does not work on lice and mosquitoes
Review: Pet owners are pleased with the efficacy of the product. They say this is one of the best flea shampoos for cats and kittens.
What Should I Look for When Buying Flea Shampoo for Cats?
The ingredients, efficacy, and brand are the top three things to consider when looking for the best flea and tick shampoo for cats. Here is a close look at the factors cat owners should keep in mind:
- Natural Ingredients. The best flea and tick shampoo for cats features natural ingredients that are pet-safe and skin-soothing. In addition to the active ingredient, the shampoo should have skin-friendly additions like coconut, aloe, shea butter, or buttermilk.
- Efficacy. Anti-pest shampoos contain different active ingredients. Some formulas have more than one active ingredient. Depending on the formulation, there are shampoos that kill pests in different life cycle stages, and there are shampoos that prevent re-infestation.
- No Harsh Chemicals. The flea and tick shampoo for cats is free from harsh chemicals (lanolin, sulfates, parabens, soaps, DEA, MEA) and artificial additives (dyes and fragrances).
- Brand. Finally, when choosing flea and tick shampoo for cats, pay attention to the brand. The right shampoo should be made in the USA with cruelty-free practices. A reliable pet shampoo brand will be open about its ingredients and feature reviews from previous customers.
- Give your pet relief from symptoms including droppings/flea dirt in dog’s coat, allergic dermatitis, excessive scratching, licking or biting at skin, hair loss, tapeworms and pale gums.
- Veterinary Formula Clinical Care premium medicated products are created with veterinary-grade ingredients, available at an affordable price.
- With up to 3x more active ingredients, this flea and tick shampoo is formulated with pyrethrum – a natural insecticide – to kill and control fleas and ticks on-contact, soothe irritated skin while cleansing & exfoliating.
How Often Can I Wash My Cat With Flea and Tick Shampoo?
The exact frequency of flea baths for cats varies on the product. While some shampoos are made to be used once weekly, others should be used twice per month. If using additional flea and tick treatments, bathing once per month is enough.
Consult with your veterinarian and read the label on the flea and tick shampoo for cats for more information.
How Fast does Flea and Tick Shampoo Work?
As a rule of thumb, the flea and tick shampoo for cats starts working around 5 to 10 minutes after application. However, it should be noted that flea and tick shampoos are not efficient against fleas in the cat’s environment.
Therefore, you will not be able to get rid of the flea infestation if you do not take action to remove the fleas (in all life cycle stages) from the environment. Often, full elimination of flea infestations requires professional help.
How Long does Flea and Tick Shampoo Last?
Generally, flea and tick shampoos are effective for 4 weeks, and monthly bathings are suggested to keep flea and tick populations.
This is because most pet shampoos do not work against flea eggs and flea larvae. Additionally, as we already noted, the shampoo is not efficient against ticks and fleas in the environment.
