Below, we look at 10 of the best cat shampoos in the UK to help you find the one that is best for your feline friend’s bath time.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favourites in 2025
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Best Overall
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Bugalugs 2-in-1 Cat Shampoo & Conditioner |
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Best Value
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Buddycare Peach Cat Shampoo |
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Premium Choice
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WildWash Purrfect Cat Shampoo with Added Catnip |
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| Best for Kittens |
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Burt’s Bees for Kittens Natural Tearless Shampoo with Buttermilk |
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Animology Feline Great Cat Shampoo for a Clean and Healthy Coat |
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The 10 Best Cat Shampoos in the UK
1. Bugalugs 2-in-1 Cat Shampoo & Conditioner – Best Overall
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Scent: | Papaya & Coconut |
Suitable for kittens aged over 8 weeks, as well as adult cats, Bugalugs 2-in-1 Cat Shampoo & Conditioner uses a mild formula that is ideal for sensitive skin. Because it combines the cleaning of a shampoo and the conditioning of a conditioner, it means you only have to apply the shampoo and wash your cat once. Even accepting cats that will put up with being washed can get agitated if they have to endure a second coat.
Bugalugs 2-in-1 Cat Shampoo & Conditioner uses natural coconut oil and papaya extract to give a fresh scent. The ingredients are all vegan, it is easy to apply, and the scent lasts for a few days after bathing. However, it can be a little sticky, presumably as a result of the inclusion of coconut oil in the ingredients.
As well as being reasonably priced, it comes in a manageable bottle size, so you don’t have to find storage room for a massive vat just to enjoy a decent price. Bugalugs is the best available cat shampoo in the UK, according to our research.
- Pleasant papaya and coconut scent
- Inexpensive
- Cleans and conditions in one application
- Vegan ingredients
- Can be a bit sticky
2. Buddycare Peach Cat Shampoo – Best Value
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Scent: | Peach |
Buddycare Peach Cat Shampoo is another vegan formula that doesn’t test on animals. It has a peach scent and uses aloe vera and vitamin B5 to strengthen and condition, as well as clean coats. Formulated to be sympathetic to cats’ sensitive skins and coats, Buddycare is very reasonably priced. It does have a pleasant scent, but the peach aroma wears off quite quickly once bathtime is over.
The bottle is a reasonable size and comes with a pump head, and the combination of sympathetic ingredients and low cost make this the best cat shampoo in the UK for the money, but if your cat is particularly aromatic, you may need something with a stronger, longer-lasting scent.
- Pleasant peach smell
- Very affordable
- Vegan recipe hasn’t been tested on animals
- Scent doesn’t last long
3. WildWash Purrfect Cat Shampoo with Added Catnip – Premium Choice
| Volume: | 250ml |
| Scent: | Catnip |
Most cats love catnip. With some, it will send them into a hyper frenzy. But, for others, it can have a calming effect. In either case, if your cat hates bathtime, the scent of catnip in WildWash Purrfect Cat Shampoo with Added Catnip could be enough to entice them into the water, although we can’t guarantee it will keep them there.
The formula is free from parabens, phosphates, sulphates, phthalates, petrochemicals, palm oils, and PEGs. The bottles are also made from 100% recycled materials, and the lids are 50% recycled. The shampoo lathers well and rinses out relatively easily.
However, the catnip scent is a little mild and won’t last long. The shampoo is also on the expensive side, and if your cat has a strong response to catnip, it might make them harder to manage once they’re in the bath.
- Free from parabens, phthalates, sulphates, phthalates, petrochemicals, palm oils, and PEGs
- Bottle is made from recycled materials
- Catnip scent might calm your cat
- Expensive
- Scent is mild
4. Burt’s Bees for Kittens Natural Tearless Shampoo with Buttermilk – Best for Kittens
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Scent: | Unscented |
Cats generally have sensitive skin and coats, but kittens are especially sensitive to harsh chemicals and even some natural ingredients. As such, if you do need to bathe a kitten, for example, because it has rolled in its own waste or gotten itself into the cat litter, you need to use a soft shampoo that won’t cause itching or irritation. This is especially important because if a young kitten has negative bathing experiences, it will become increasingly difficult to bathe them in the future.
Burt’s Bees for Kittens Natural Tearless Shampoo with Buttermilk is designed for use on kittens aged 8 weeks or older. It doesn’t use harsh chemicals and is free from sulfates. It uses buttermilk to naturally cleanse and condition the coat, and it is unscented, so it won’t bother your cat’s or your family’s noses.
It does come in quite a small bottle, although it should provide ample shampoo for your kitten’s first year of baths, it is on the expensive side due to the small bottle size, but it is a good option for kitten owners.
- Sympathetic on kitten coats and skin
- Doesn’t contain harsh chemicals
- Uses natural buttermilk for cleaning and conditioning
- Unscented so it might not get rid of all smells
- Expensive
5. Animology Feline Great Cat Shampoo for a Clean and Healthy Coat
| Volume: | 250ml |
| Scent: | Peach |
Animology Feline Great Cat Shampoo is a peach-scented, gentle cat shampoo that is suitable and safe for use on cats aged 12 weeks and over.
The formula is paraben, SLS, and SLES free, and it contains natural conditioner to leave your cat’s coat manageable and soft. Aloe vera extract helps protect and soothe the skin while vitamin B5 improves the health of the coat. And because the shampoo has a built-in conditioner, your cat’s coat will be easier to manage without having to apply two products, making it a suitable choice even for those cats that don’t enjoy getting in the water and being bathed.
The scent is quite mild, so it might not be best for very stinky cats, and it doesn’t create a lot of lather, which can lead to you using more than is necessary. However, it is modestly priced and gentle, and the aroma it does have is pleasant.
- Paraben, SLS, and SLES free formula
- Pleasant peach aroma
- Built-in conditioner leaves a pleasant scent
- Scent doesn’t last long
- Not much lather
6. Mikki Cat & Kitten Shampoo, Low Foaming Formula
| Volume: | 250ml |
| Scent: | Crisp Pear |
Mikki Cat & Kitten Shampoo is a low-foam shampoo made with a mild formula that is gentle on your cat’s coat and skin. It has a decent fruity, pear scent, that isn’t overpowering but it doesn’t disappear straight after bathtime.
The shampoo has a gentle formula that can be used on kittens as well as adult cats, and it is reasonably priced.
However, Mikki Cat & Kitten Shampoo is quite watery which means you do end up using quite a lot, especially as it is a low-foaming shampoo product. But this does mean that the shampoo and any residue are easy to clean out of the coat when you’re done.
- Pear scented aroma
- Low lathering means less residue
- Reasonable price
- Watery consistency means you use more
- Difficult to get a decent lather
7. Bugalugs No Rinse Cat Shampoo & Conditioner with Papaya & Coconut
| Volume: | 250ml |
| Scent: | Papaya and Coconut |
Most cats are difficult to bathe. Some cats are impossible to coax into water. But no matter how reluctant your cat is to get in the water, there may be occasions when they still need washing.
Bugalugs No Rinse Cat Shampoo & Conditioner with Papaya & Coconut is a dry or waterless shampoo, which means you apply it directly to your cat’s coat without having to wet or even dampen the fur first. Once applied, you massage it in and then brush it through with no fuss and no water on the bathroom floor.
It has a pleasant papaya and coconut scent, leaves the fur soft as long as you brush it through properly, and is especially useful to owners with cats that kick up a fuss around water. However, it can leave a bit of residue if you don’t brush it through properly and it is on the expensive side.
- Dry shampoo doesn’t require water
- Papaya and coconut scent is pleasant
- Leaves soft fur when brushed through
- Expensive
- Can leave a residue if you use too much or don’t brush through
8. Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath
| Volume: | 150ml |
| Scent: | Aloe Vera |
Waterless shampoo is convenient. It’s not only a great alternative for those cats that steadfastly refuse to get wet, but it can be a great option when you’re away or between baths, especially if your cat is the type that goes out and gets dirty or has problems with getting litter matted in its fur.
Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath is a leave-in shampoo that uses natural ingredients including aloe vera, Vitamin E, and oatmeal. It cleans the coat, and also conditions it, while the pump bottle won’t alert or alarm your cat when you’re trying to apply it. Chamomile in the recipe can also help relax your cat.
Vet’s Best is safe for use on cats over 12 weeks old, and while it does a good job cleaning without having to use water, it is very expensive, even for a waterless shampoo. And there isn’t much of a scent—aloe vera only has a mild aroma, and it dissipates quite quickly after cleaning.
- Waterless shampoo negates the need to bathe your cat
- Made using natural ingredients including oatmeal and aloe vera
- Chamomile is soothing
- Expensive
- Aloe vera aroma dissipates quickly
9. JVP Johnsons Vet Cat Flea Cleansing Shampoo
| Volume: | 200ml |
| Scent: | Unscented |
Cats, like dogs, need regular flea treatment to help avoid infestation and to kill flea eggs before they become a problem. There are various solutions, with flea shampoo being one possible option.
JVP Johnsons Vet Cat Flea Cleansing Shampoo is designed to clean your cat while also eradicating flea eggs and killing young fleas. The shampoo is unscented and does a decent job of cleaning. It is also reasonably priced, and it has a mild formula that shouldn’t irritate your cat or cause skin and coat problems.
However, shampoo-based and over-the-counter flea treatments are rarely as effective as prescribed alternatives, and you might need to combine this product with other flea products to get rid of a full flea infestation. And because it is unscented, your cat might start to smell again a couple of days after use.
- Can help get rid of fleas
- Good price for cat shampoo
- Sensitive formula
- Not great at killing fleas
- Unscented
10. PET HEAD Cat Shampoo 300ml Felin’ Good
| Volume: | 300ml |
| Scent: | Fruity |
PET HEAD Cat Shampoo 300ml Felin’ Good is a fruit-scented cat shampoo made with a vegan formula and pH-balanced to match the needs of your cat’s coat and skin. Safflower oil cleans and conditions the coat while aloe vera helps soothe the skin. The aroma combines lemon, strawberry, peach, and verbena.
The scent is a little strong, especially considering many cats don’t like citrus smells like lemon, which means your cat might not appreciate you using this shampoo. The shampoo is expensive, too, but it does lather up well and does a good job of deodorizing, conditioning, and cleaning a cat’s coat.
- Fruity scent some will like
- Made using natural ingredients
- Vegan formula
- Expensive
- The scent is a little strong
- Not all cats like the smell of lemon
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Shampoo in the UK
Cats are known for grooming and cleaning themselves. When they’re not sleeping, they spend a lot of the time licking and rubbing themselves to keep their coats looking and feeling clean.
But, sometimes, our cats do need a little help keeping themselves clean. Feline bathtime can be challenging. Some cats have a natural fear of the water, and they will hiss, wriggle, scratch, and bite their way out of the bath.
Getting the right shampoo is important. It won’t necessarily stop the biting and scratching, but it will help keep your cat clean and if it minimizes the time you have to spend bathing your cat, it also minimizes the amount of scratching.
Shampoo Types
There are many types of cat shampoo, which is good because it means you can find the one that is best for your cat and their needs. But it can also be confusing, ensuring you get the right bottle. Some of the most commonly seen types of cat shampoo include:
- Shampoo and Conditioner: Shampoo washes hair typically by using surfactants that reduce the tension between soil and hair so that the dirt can be more easily removed. From there, cleaners remove the dirt and clean the remaining hair. Many shampoos also contain conditioning ingredients. These can strengthen hair strands and potentially lubricate the fibres, so the hair is less likely to become tangled. Conditioned hair is easier to brush, and it shouldn’t become knotted. It isn’t just useful for cats with longer cats, but long-haired cats do benefit from its use.
- Waterless Shampoo: For cats that steadfastly refuse to get in the water or have water poured over them, waterless shampoo is an alternative. Waterless shampoo is also handy if you’re going away or if your cat gets dirty often and you don’t want to damage their coat by bathing them too often. It might also prove beneficial for cats with sensitive skin and difficult coats. Waterless shampoo is applied to dry hair and doesn’t need to be rinsed out, although you may need to brush the product through your cat’s coat to get the best results and avoid leaving a sticky residue.
- Kitten Shampoo: Most cat shampoo is made to be sympathetic and can be used on cats from the age of around 12 weeks, although you should always check the manufacturer’s recommendations to be sure. Kitten shampoo is made to be even more sympathetic and will generally use all-natural ingredients. As kittens start to explore, and especially as they start to use the litter tray, they can get really messy, and it is a good idea to give your kitten baths every once in a while, just to get them used to the experience for when they’re older.
- Flea Shampoo: Flea shampoo is designed with a very specific purpose – to kill fleas or to help prevent fleas from moving into your cat’s coat. Flea shampoo contains any of several medications that are designed to kill fleas and their eggs. The shampoo deposits this medication on the fur, where it stays at least for a short while, and has the chance to kill at least some of the fleas on your cat. Generally, flea shampoo works best when there are only a few fleas or when combined with other flea-killing products.
- Medicated Shampoo: Medicated shampoos contain medication designed for one or more purposes. Flea shampoos are a type of medicated shampoo, while other medicated products might work to help ease itchy or irritated skin. This can help reduce inflammation and not only are these products beneficial for cats with existing skin problems, but they can be useful if you know your cat is prone to skin irritation after a bath.
Natural Ingredients
Cats can suffer skin irritation and other skin and coat problems that are exacerbated by getting wet, especially by the application of harsh chemicals. As such, the best-quality cat shampoos are usually those made using natural ingredients.
Some of the ingredients you will commonly find in cat shampoo include the following:
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera works as an antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory, and it is commonly used on people. It can also be used on cats, although the plant itself can be dangerous if ingested by cats. Shampoos use the juice or gel of the plant, and it is safe for use in this way. It helps soothe the skin and applies a protective layer that will help prevent irritation. It can also help hydrate the hair itself, giving it some conditioning properties.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal acts as a natural surfactant. It soothes and moisturizes the skin, too, helping to combat itchiness and inflammation.
- Coconut: Coconut is another ingredient that soothes itchy skin while also helping strengthen the hairs of your cat’s coat. You do need to ensure that coconut oil shampoo is thoroughly rinsed off your cat’s coat, though, as it can leave a greasy residue if any remains.
- Chamomile: Chamomile not only helps to clean the coat and protect the skin, but it is also a relaxant. It can help soothe anxious cats, which is most cats when they’re being bathed.
- Lavender: Similarly, lavender is another ingredient that can make bathtime less stressful for your cat. Its pleasant smell makes a good natural scent that will help ensure your cat smells clean as well as looks it.
Top 5 Tips for Less Stressful Bathtimes
Bathtime can be a stressful affair for some cats and their owners, but there are ways you can reduce the anxiety for everybody.
1. Be Prepared
Before you begin to run the water and reach for your cat, have everything you are going to need ready and prepared. Get the towel, shampoo, and brushes. Then you can turn the water on and make sure it is a reasonable temperature that isn’t too cold or too hot. When you’re fully prepared, it’s time to get the cat.
2. Brush First
Brush your cat before you bathe them. This will help remove some of the dirt from the strands of hair and it will also remove any knots or mats in the hair. It will make the bath easier, and it will also reduce the time it takes to bathe your cat.
3. Avoid The Ears, Eyes, and Mouth
Even sympathetic, natural shampoo can sting and cause stress if it gets in your cat’s eyes. You should avoid the eyes and ears, and make sure none of the shampoo or soapy water gets in your cat’s mouth. The experience should be as stress-free as possible for your feline friend.
4. Rinse Properly
Leaving shampoo to dry in your cat’s coat is a sure way to leave them feeling itchy and uncomfortable when they get out of the bath. Rinsing the coat is arguably the most important part of the bath, even if you just want to get the whole experience finished.
5. Towel Dry
Use a towel and carefully dry the cat. Put them in a room to finish drying, so they can’t go outside into the cold air or get dirty again. Only let them out when they are completely dry.
How Often Should You Bathe a Cat?
Some cats never need to be bathed because they do such a good job of keeping themselves clean and never roll in anything smelly or dirty. Other cats seem to be natural magnets for dirt and grime.
No matter how dirty your cat gets, you should avoid bathing them more than once every 6 to 8 weeks. If you bathe too often, it can cause skin irritation and can damage the coat.
Can You Use Human Shampoo on Cats?
The skin of humans and cats is quite different. Cat skin has a pH value of around 6.8 while humans have a skin pH of approximately 5.8 and while that doesn’t sound like much difference, it means that pH-balanced human shampoo is not formulated to be kind to cat skin.
Furthermore, cats have fewer layers of skin than people, which means it is more sensitive and more prone to itchiness and irritation.
Can You Use Dog Shampoo on Cats?
Just as people and cats are different, so too are dogs and cats. And what is safe for dogs isn’t necessarily safe for cats. Some ingredients found in some dog shampoos can be toxic to cats, which means using a dog shampoo on your feline pet could cause toxicity and make your cat quite ill. You should stick to using cat shampoo only.
How We Selected Our List of Cat Shampoos in the UK
Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat shampoos. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat shampoo. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!
Conclusion
Cat shampoo is formulated for a cat’s unique skin pH and to ensure that it doesn’t cause them harm, while also cleaning and conditioning their coats. Choose a good quality cat shampoo, ideally one that uses natural ingredients, using our reviews and guide above.
We found Bugalugs 2-in-1 Cat Shampoo & Conditioner is reasonably priced and does a good job of conditioning and cleaning. Buddycare Peach Cat Shampoo is an inexpensive option that also does a really good job of cleaning even the dirtiest, grimiest cats, and leaves them and the house smelling fresh.
Featured Image Credit: Soft_Light_Studio, Shutterstock
