6 Best Dry Shampoo For Cats In 2023: Solution To Cats Which Are Afraid Of Water

Last updated on February 26th, 2023 at 02:49 am

photo of me trying out vet's best waterless shampoo, probably the best dry shampoo for cats on my cat Max and he loves it.
Image Credit: Dan Wayman/Unsplash

You might not think you need to bathe your cat because they do an excellent job of washing themselves. One of the many advantages of owning a cat is that it cleans itself, which saves you time. However, cats can get into situations where self-cleaning is insufficient, and you must intervene to help them. The best dry shampoo for cats is essential when it comes to keeping your cat clean.

Dry shampoo for cats absorbs sebum, eliminates odors, and removes dirt without water. In layman’s terms, the ingredients in dry shampoo bind with dirt, oil, and debris before being wiped away with a towel. Depending on the exact formula, some dry shampoos for cats provide additional benefits such as hydration, conditioning, detangling, and de-shedding. However, not all dry shampoos are created equal; some are not even designed for cats. Refer to the list of suggested dry shampoos below to ensure that you select the right dry shampoo for your cat.

#1. Mooncat Waterless Cat Shampoo

Mooncat Waterless Cat Shampoo is designed to provide your cat with a relaxing, spa-like experience in the comfort of your home.

Brand: Mooncat

Item Form: Foam Spray

Liquid Volume: 5 fl. oz

Unlike traditional baths, which are stressful for most cats, this waterless shampoo is designed to provide your cat with a relaxing, spa-like experience in the comfort of your home. Its pH-balanced tearless formula that is made with natural, mild, and safe ingredients, can help moisturize and rejuvenate your cat’s fur and skin while dissolving any oil and impurities. Also, the bottle employs a quiet, non-threatening hand pump that, unlike other spray-action shampoos, will not frighten your cat. The solid foam makes application simple and comfortable for your cat, transforming a wet scratching frenzy into that relaxing wash you’ve always wanted.

Developed with sensitive skin cats in mind, this product has a mild formula that contains NO PARABENS, NO PEPPERMINT OIL, NO NEEM OIL, and NO ALCOHOL. This ensures that your cat’s coat and skin remain moisturized and soft after each bath. This gentle shampoo is pH balanced for all cats and kittens, bringing out their hair’s natural beauty and shine and leaving locks feeling refreshed and revitalized after use. Mooncat Waterless Shampoo is suitable for all cats of any age and breed, whether they have an oily long-haired Main Coon, a dry hairless Sphynx, an aging senior cat, or a cute little kitten.

Pros:

  • Stops itching so your pet can relax!
  • It smells AMAZING on your pet!!!
  • Contains natural amino acids and allantoin.

Cons:

  • A bit hard to remove residue after the cleaning.
  • The smell may be too strong for some people.

#2. Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath

Vet's Best Waterless Cat Bath is a dry shampoo for cats and pets that removes dirt and grime from your cat's coat while also soothing and moisturizing their skin.

Brand: Vet’s Best

Item Form: Foam

Liquid Volume: 4 fl. oz

Vet’s Best No Rinse Shampoo is a dry shampoo for cats and pets that removes dirt and grime from your cat’s coat while also soothing and moisturizing their skin. Natural ingredients such as aloe vera, neem oil, oatmeal, and vitamin E are used. Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath conditions and soothes dry skin on cats. The shampoo, which has a vet formula, is effective and safe for cats over the age of 12 weeks. This high-quality shampoo is made in the United States and does not wash away topical flea and tick treatments.

The natural ingredients work together to clean, condition, and nourish your cat’s skin and coat. Cats who dislike water will appreciate this dry shampoo; simply spray your cat directly or in your hand, massage it into your cat’s dry coat, and brush them to get even coverage. You don’t need to rinse afterwards, and the odor is a soothing fragrance that won’t irritate your cat’s nose while blocking stinky cat odors.

Pros:

  • No-rinse formula developed by veterinarians.
  • Natural, cat-safe ingredients are used.
  • Topical flea and tick treatments are not washed.
  • Parabens, sulfates, and dyes are not present.
  • Scent is light and fresh, with a calming effect.

Cons:

  • Usually out of stock.
  • May get a little sticky if you haven’t brushed the fur properly after.

#3. Wahl Pet-Friendly Dry Shampoo for Cats

Wahl Pet-Friendly Dry Shampoo for Cats is great for cleaning, conditioning, detangling, and moisturizing animals as its calming formula calms restless animals while cleaning.

Brand: WAHL

Item Form: Liquid

Liquid Volume: 7.10 fl. oz

This lavender and chamomile scented waterless shampoo is great for cleaning, conditioning, detangling, and moisturizing animals as its calming formula calms restless animals while cleaning. This lavender and chamomile waterless shampoo are pH balanced, alcohol-free, paraben-free, and PEG-80-free. It is highly recommended for gentle cleaning and refreshing dog, cat, and other animal coats.

This waterless shampoo is ideal for owners who want to avoid harsh chemicals for their dogs and themselves because they are derived from plants. Although it is a hypoallergenic formula, we recommend testing a small amount on your pet for the first time and thoroughly drying it to ensure that your pet tolerates the cleansing agents.

Pros:

  • Smells nice.
  • Contains pure natural ingredients, making it easy to use for all breeds and sizes.
  • Hypoallergenic.

Cons:

  • Smell is really strong.

#4. FAMOUS Dry Shampoo for Cats

FAMOUS Dry Shampoo for Cats is natural and has a pH that is well-balanced. It also deodorizes thoroughly and safely. This shampoo is made with a calming cleanser that is based on coconut oil, and it conditions and moisturizes your cat's coat with botanicals.

Brand: FAMOUS

Item Form: Mousse

Liquid Volume: 6.8 fl. oz

The name suits it well, as this dry shampoo for cats is really FAMOUS among hundreds of cat owners. Your cat will have a coat and skin that is immaculately clean, plush, and soft after using this shampoo because it is natural and has a pH that is well-balanced. It also deodorizes thoroughly and safely. This shampoo is made with a calming cleanser that is based on coconut oil, and it conditions and moisturizes your cat’s coat with botanicals. After using this shampoo, your cat’s coat will feel fine, fresh, and fierce. Even better, it is safe to use on canine companions as well. It is safe enough for dogs and cats to use, and it will not cause allergies. This dry shampoo is designed specifically for cats with sensitive skin and will not cause skin irritation for your pet nor strip the skin of its natural oils. The ingredients are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, neem oil, and alcohol. Also free of sulfates and phthalates.

If your feline friend is afraid of water or resists being washed by you, this shampoo for cats that don’t require water could be the solution you’ve been looking for. The Pet Waterless Shampoo makes bath time a breeze by dispensing a silent spray of foaming mousse from a hand pump. As a result, your cat won’t even be able to feel the dry shampoo as it is applied all over his body. This dry shampoo takes care of them and helps them keep themselves clean, whether they are cute little kittens, greasy hairless sphynx, or elderly senior cats.

Pros:

  • Designed for cats with sensitive skins.
  • Smells amazing!
  • Contains safe ingredients and mild formula.

Cons:

  • Takes a bit long to dry.

#5. JP Pet Oatmeal Waterless Foam

JP Pet Oatmeal Waterless Foam is designed to bond with dirt and oils, allowing them to be easily brushed out of a pet's fur. It contains all-natural botanical extracts similar to their Paul Mitchell brand for humans, but it is pH balanced for animals.

Brand: John Paul Pet

Item Form: Foam

Liquid Volume: 8.5 fl. oz

The John Paul Oatmeal Waterless Foam Shampoo is designed to bond with dirt and oils, allowing them to be easily brushed out of a pet’s fur. It contains all-natural botanical extracts similar to their Paul Mitchell brand for humans, but it is pH balanced for animals. Furthermore, the company donates to wildlife foundations. Because it is highly concentrated, you can use less while still getting great results. To ensure quality and safety, all of the ingredients are sourced in the United States.

Sweet almond oil conditions and perfumes your car, whereas Aloe Vera and oatmeal protein soothe and moisturize your cat’s skin and fur. The majority of cat owners agree that John Paul Waterless Foam Shampoo is excellent for use in between regular baths. They also mention that the concentrated formula of the shampoo allows for a small amount of product to be used for a full bath. Some users, however, claim that the shampoo leaves a greasy residue.

Pros:

  • Based on oatmeal and suitable for sensitive cats.
  • Human-grade ingredients are used.
  • Aloe, sweet almond oil, and chamomile are included.
  • pH-balanced and devoid of harsh chemicals
  • Concentrated formula for increased effectiveness.

Cons:

  • May not be suitable and as effective for cats with longer hairs.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dry Shampoo for Cats

The following factors should be considered by cat owners when selecting a dry cat shampoo:

Ingredient Quality

The first step is to ensure that the ingredients are of high quality and safe for pets. Dry shampoos typically contain aloe vera, almond oil, vitamin E, fatty acids, and oatmeal.

There are no harsh chemicals

Dry shampoo should be free of harsh chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, MEA, and DEA. Allergens and synthetic ingredients (colorants and fragrances) are also dangerous.

Scent

This is not the most important consideration, but it is something you should consider before making a purchase. The scent of the dry shampoo should be pleasant to both you and your feline companion.

Price

The price of the product is important to consider, especially if you intend to use it frequently or if you have more than one cat. The price is not a perfect indicator of the product’s quality, but it is a good starting point.

Brand

Finally, consider the brand’s reputation. A reputable shampoo manufacturer will be forthcoming about its ingredients and where they come from. Reading reviews from previous customers can also provide useful information.

Conclusion

You can help keep your cat from becoming a stinky fur ball by using the best dry shampoo for cats. They are available as sprays or mousses that you can rub into your cat’s fur to remove debris, freshen their coat, rehydrate their skin, and provide them with a long-lasting scent. However, you must ensure that the shampoo you use is non-toxic to cats, as they will groom themselves even after a bath. Any of the cat shampoos recommended will thoroughly clean your cat while containing no harmful chemicals or ingredients. We hoped that we helped you find the best dry shampoo for your cat and that we gave you the best solution in finding one.