What Can I Wash My Cat with – 7 Tips
You’re ready to give your fluffy, adorable cat a bath – or it has fleas. You’re considering using shampoo, maybe dish soap, or probably laundry detergent?
Really, what can I wash my cat with?
What should I use to wash my cat with so he doesn’t get irritated skin or an allergic reaction?
- In summary: to wash your cat, use a deodorizing shampoo made from natural ingredients. Or use a conditioning and dry skin shampoo, for a cat having dry skin. But overall, avoid human shampoo to wash the cat as it’ll dry out its hair.
Let us find out!
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Details: What Can I Wash My Cat with
There are a number of benefits associated with using authentic cat shampoo compared to human shampoo, including; less dryness and itching, more natural pH balances, and fuller hair.
1. Cat Shampoo – Earthbath 2-in-1 Shampoo
What can I use to shampoo my cat? First, avoid human shampoo as it’ll dry out the cat’s skin. Cat shampoos are made with natural ingredients and do not contain harsh chemicals.
- There is a wide range of cat shampoo to choose from, depending on the desired outcome – if you want your pet’s hair to smell good or be soft & silky all day long!
- Earthbath 2-in-1 Shampoo is a gentle and natural product for your cat, suitable for all breeds – check the quora thread.
Earthbath contains no harsh chemicals that can cause skin problems or deter a flea-free environment, unlike many other pet shampoos on the market.
Benefits of Earthbath:
- Earthbath is 100% biodegradable
- Contains only plant-based ingredients
- Great smell! You’ll love it too as you’re cleaning kitty up
- Great for sensitive skins/allergies
- Soap- and sulfate-free and pH balanced
- Works on tangled fur
- Has almond oil and aloe vera
Earthbath 2-in-1 cat Shampoo is a popular choice for pet owners because it is gentle, natural, and biodegradable. It uses essential oils to make your pet smell good.
Earthbath also has almond oil to nourish your pet’s skin while reducing allergic reactions caused by excessive bathing or flea bites.
All this without the use of harsh chemicals that can be toxic when inhaled or absorbed into a cat’s bloodstream through contact with their skin.
Related: How To Tell If Your Dog Has Fleas
2. Baby shampoo for washing cats
In contrast to regular pet shampoo, baby shampoo is made from gentle ingredients, and thus it’s great for use on cats’ sensitive skin.
The pH balance is also great for the skin, which means that you can use it without worries of making your cat’s fur too dry.
The other thing to know about baby shampoo is that even though it sounds like it has a light fragrance, in reality, there are no artificial fragrances added – so what you smell on your pet after using this type of shampoo comes from one natural ingredient: aloe vera.
- And by choosing something with zero sulfates and parabens as well as gentle cleansers or an organic selection, you’re ensuring maximum safety for their delicate skin while removing odor-causing bacteria.
3. Dawn dish soap
Dawn dish soap is well known for its oil-stripping properties. Dawn dish soap is perfect for bathing the cat, but it will also do a great job of removing oily or sticky residue.
Dawn dish soap is typically more expensive than other brands of dish soap, but Dawn’s oil-stripping properties make it worth the cost.
- Dawn dish soap should be used sparingly when washing cats because it can dry out your cat’s skin and fur.
- After you wash your cat with Dawn, let them air-dry outside or use a blow dryer on low to gently remove excess moisture from their coat.
- If they won’t stay put while drying in front of an open door or window, try using gentle hair rollers so that they don’t get too wet as they’re drying off.
Instead, put aside Dawn dish soap for washing cats and use a veterinarian-approved shampoo for animals with active skin infections.
If you’re in an emergency situation and don’t have anything else at hand, sprinkle a small amount of Dawn on the cat’s fur and towel dry it to get things clean again.
If you bathe your cat too often, it can dry out the skin and if they are infested with fleas then it is a trade-off between dry skin and scratching.
Related: Spider Killers and Sprays
4. Castile soap
Castile soap is gentle and natural for dry skin, making it a good alternative to pet shampoo – especially for cats having dry skin.
Is it safe to use Castile soap on cats?
When bathing your cat, avoid using essential oil-based products. This includes orange oils, lemon oils, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus. But, it’ll be safe to wash your cat with pure castile soap instead!
Dr. Bronners Castile is a popular choice because it is made of purified water, organic coconut oil, organic palm kernel oil, and pure castile soap.
Before using Castile soap on your cat for the first time, test this product in an inconspicuous place to see if there are any allergic reactions that may occur.
- If you decide to use Castile soap as shampoo, dilute one-half ounce per eight ounces of water or adjust according to what works best for your pet’s coat type.
- You can also try making homemade shampoos with ingredients such as apple cider vinegar mixed with a fractionated coconut oil – but be careful not to shake up the bottle!
If you have nothing else at hand and want to help clean off dirty cats then you can use Castile soap diluted in water as a makeshift shampoo.
5. Baking soda
If your cat doesn’t need to be washed but they still smell or has fleas, you can use baking soda. It will take away the bad smells and some dirt.
Baking soda will take away the bad smells and some dirt from your cat if they don’t need any more than just being brushed out.
Sprinkle the baking soda over the cat’s coat, avoiding their face. Rub into the base of the fur, then brush out. Wash your hands afterward if you’ve touched the cat to keep from smelling like baking soda too!
- Baking soda is a good natural alternative for washing cats when they are covered in dirt or have fleas and don’t need any more care than just being brushed out.
Baking soda is a great natural alternative to chemical-laden pet shampoos. It is important that you consult your vet before using it, and be sure to spot test on the furniture or carpet first.
When you mix baking soda with urine, which is an acidic substance, the baking soda’s chemical properties react to make them more neutralized. This can eliminate odors.
Related: Is Borax Safe for Cats?
6. Oatmeal DIY shampoo
This recipe creates a simple and gentle oatmeal shampoo that can help soothe irritated or itchy skin. Requirement/, Mix…
- Ground oatmeal (1 cup)
- Baking soda ( ½ cup)
- Water (4 cups)
Soak your cat’s fur in the mixture for five minutes and then rinse off the DIY shampoo with some warm water.
The oatmeal shampoo can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Conclusion
I hope this article has given you some good tips for keeping your cat clean.
- When faced with a cat who needs to be washed fast, not one of the above alternatives is going to disappoint.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me and I’ll try my best to answer them!
Have a great day!
