9 Best Cat Shampoos for Shedding in 2023

As a cat owner, you’ve learned not to buy outerwear that doesn’t match the color of your cat’s fur. If you have a black cat, there’s no hope of keeping a white coat white. You’ve also learned to keep lint rollers in every room of the house with an extra in the car.

For pet owners, shedding is a fact of life. It’s not your favorite part of owning a cat, but it’s something you have to deal with. That being said, there are certain things you can do to control the amount of fur your find all over your clothes and furniture. By brushing and bathing your cat regularly, you might be able to remove some of that dead and loose fur before it can be shed.

In this article, we’ll explore the subject of shedding in cats to learn what causes excessive shedding and what you can do to resolve it. You’ll also see our picks for the best deshedding shampoo for cats.

Why Do Some Cats Shed More Than Others?

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Your cat’s fur grows in a similar cycle to your own. The fur grows for a period of months until it reaches a certain length before going dormant for a time. After resting, the hair falls out and a new one grows in its place. All of the hair follicles on your cat’s body go through this cycle, but not all at once – this is why shedding is a constant issue. Though shedding is normal for cats, excessive shedding is not.

Here are some of the issues that can cause excessive shedding:

• Poor quality food. If your cat’s diet is lacking in key nutrients, you may see the results in the form of skin and coat issues like increased shedding.
• Time of year. Some cats shed more heavily in the spring to get rid of their thick winter coats.
• Chronic stress. Significant changes to your cat’s routine like adding another pet, losing a family member, or moving to a new house can cause stress that may increase shedding.
• Decreased grooming. Some cats groom themselves less as they get older, often due arthritis, which can result in matted fur and an increase in shedding.
• Hormonal changes. The hormone changes that come with pregnancy can cause your cat’s skin and coat condition to change – luckily, excessive shedding should end when lactation does.
• Health problems. Your cat’s skin and coat condition are key indicators of his health. Allergies, parasites, and internal health problems can be reflected in coat issues like excessive shedding.

If you notice a change in your cat’s shedding, it doesn’t hurt to talk to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to check for other symptoms to rule out underlying health problems. If your veterinarian does notice an issue, he’ll be able to recommend a course of treatment.

Tips for Reducing Shedding in Cats

Though shedding is completely natural for cats, it doesn’t hurt to try to keep it under control. Grooming your cat to remove dead and loose hairs from his coat before they can be shed means less hair on your furniture, but it also has a benefit for your cat. Fewer loose hairs in his coat means less accidental ingestion during grooming which may reduce the frequency of hairballs.

Here are some simple grooming tips to reduce shedding: 

• Brush your cat at least once a week using a slicker brush for medium to long hair and a bristle brush for short hair.
• If you have a long-haired cat, check him regularly for mats and tangles – work through them gently with your fingers instead of cutting them out.
• Make sure your cat has unlimited access to fresh water to keep his skin healthy – consider a pet fountain if your cat doesn’t like drinking still water from a bowl.
• Bathe your cat once every few months with pet shampoo pH-balanced for your cat’s skin – use lukewarm water to avoid drying out the skin.
• If your cat has skin issues, consider a medicated shampoo and follow your veterinarian’s advice for how often to bathe him.

Now that you have a better understanding of why your cat sheds and what you can do about it, you’re ready to put some of these tips to work! Read on to see our top picks for the best cat shampoo to control shedding.

The Best Cat Shampoo for Shedding

There’s no way to stop your cat from shedding – it’s simply part of the natural cycle of hair growth. Brushing your cat regularly will help remove dead and loose hairs from his coat before they fall out, however, and the occasional bath may help as well. Just be sure to use a pet shampoo formulated specifically for cats so it doesn’t irritate your cat’s skin and make his shedding issues worse.

Here are our top picks for the best cat shampoo for shedding:

Our 2023 Picks: Best Cat Shampoo for Shedding
	Earthbath Shed Control Cat Shampoo 100% biodegradable Paraben and phosphate-free Price: $$	CHECK PRICE
	FURminator deShedding Rinse-Free Contains no parabens or chemical dyes Rinse-free shampoo Price: $	CHECK PRICE
	TropiClean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Soap-free Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Espree Simple Shed Aloe Vera Dog & Cat A gentle cleansing formula Made with 100% organically grown aloe vera Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Top Performance Shed Patrol Deshedding  Helps to reduce shedding Expertly made in the USA Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	TropiClean OxyMed Medicated Oatmeal Shampoo  Helps exfoliate Made in the USA Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Frisco 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner Certified Organic Aloe Vera Paraben-free formula Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing No rinsing required Moisturizes skin Price:  $	CHECK PRICE
	Envirogroom Natural De-Shed Pet Shampoo  Zero grains or gluten Made in the USA Price:  $	CHECK PRICE

Earthbath Shed Control Cat Shampoo

If you’re looking for the best deshedding shampoo for cats, don’t compromise your cat’s safety just to get rid of some excess fur. It’s important to choose a shampoo made with natural ingredients that support your cat’s skin and coat health. This Earthbath Shed Control Cat Shampoo is made with organic fair trade shea butter to moisturize your cat’s skin as well as natural humectants to nourish and detoxify his coat. In addition to reducing shedding, this shampoo helps reduce dander which is a benefit for people with cat allergies.

Pros: Controls shedding and dander, made with natural ingredients, safe for cats over 6 weeks

Cons: Must sit in coat for 90 seconds to work well, some users disliked the scent

FURminator deShedding Rinse-Free Foaming Cat Shampoo

Hairballs are a problem for many cats but this FURminator hairball control shampoo is here to help. This shampoo features a foaming, no-rinse formula designed to reduce excessive shedding and prevent hairballs. Simply apply the shampoo and massage it into your cat’s coat – no rinsing necessary! It contains skin-supporting natural ingredients like omega fatty acids and hydrolyzed plant proteins with no harmful parabens or chemical dyes.

Pros: Reduces shedding and hairballs, natural skin-supporting ingredients, no-rinse formula

Cons: May make the fur feel a little sticky, some users found the scent too strong

TropiClean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Cat Shampoo

Keeping your cat’s skin and coat healthy means keeping it clean. This TropiClean Lime & Coconut Deshedding Cat Shampoo provides a deep, nourishing clean with the help of naturally derived ingredients like coconut and colloidal oatmeal. This shampoo is enriched with skin-supporting omega fatty and hydrolyzed wheat protein in a soap-free and earth-friendly formula. As a bonus, this recipe doesn’t contain added dyes or other chemical ingredients that might irritate your cat’s skin.

Pros: Nourishes and deeply cleans, skin-supporting omega fatty acids, no dyes or chemicals

Cons: Contains some added fragrance, may not lather as much as some recipes

Espree Simple Shed Aloe Vera Dog & Cat Shampoo

Regular grooming and bathing is the key to keeping shedding under control but you need a gentle shampoo that won’t irritate your cat’s skin. This Espree Simple Shed Aloe Vera Dog & Cat Shampoo is a great option because it is made with natural ingredients like organic oat proteins and aloe vera. These ingredients, paired with a mild coconut cleanser, gently clean and condition your cat’s coat for improved skin health and reduced shedding. It also has a clean and pleasant fragrance.

Pros: Made with natural ingredients, gentle coconut cleaners, support skin and coat health

Cons: Some users found the scent too strong

Top Performance Shed Patrol Deshedding Shampoo for Cats & Dogs

If you find yourself bathing your cat regularly, or you have multiple cats, it doesn’t hurt to stock up on deshedding shampoo for cats. This Top Performance Shed Patrol Deshedding Shampoo for Cats & Dogs is a great option because it comes in a handy 1-gallon bottle. Formulated to improve skin and coat health for reduced shedding, this shampoo contains beneficial ingredients like aloe vera and hydrolyzed wheat protein. For added benefits, leave it in for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Pros: Moisturizes and conditions coat, combats mats and tangles, adds shine to coat

Cons: Contains some added fragrance, somewhat expensive to purchase

TropiClean OxyMed Medicated Oatmeal Shampoo

Dry, itchy skin can cause your cat to scratch and overgroom which might make shedding worse. This TropiClean OxyMed Medicated Oatmeal Shampoo is the ideal solution because it is specifically formulated to address these issues. This shampoo is made with soothing natural ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, wheat protein, and omega-3 fatty acids to support optimal skin and coat health. It exfoliates to encourage new, healthy skin growth and it promotes healing as well.

Pros: Exfoliates and heals dry skin, natural soothing and moisturizing ingredients, cleans and hydrates

Cons: Some users disliked the scent

Frisco 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner with Organic Aloe

Getting your cat into the bath is difficult enough, so why make things even more challenging by trying to shampoo AND condition his coat? This Frisco 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner with Organic Aloe is the ideal solution because it offers the benefits of two products in one. First it gently cleans with coconut and plant-derived cleansers then it soothes and moisturizes dry skin with organic aloe vera. This formula hydrates your cat’s skin to support healthy coat condition which may reduce shedding.

Pros: Shampoo and conditioner in one, coconut and plant-based cleansers, clean scent

Cons: Contains some artificial dye and fragrance

TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing Cat Shampoo

Nothing is worse for a cat lover than cat allergies. Though many people assume allergies are caused by cat fur, they’re actually caused by dead skin cells – dander. If you want to reduce shedding while also tackling dander, this TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing Cat Shampoo is the ideal solution. It features a simple waterless formula that you just spray on and brush through your cat’s coat. Made with a mild coconut cleanser, it won’t irritate your cat’s skin and it’s the perfect product to keep your cat smelling fresh and clean between baths.

Pros: Helps reduce allergen-causing dander, waterless formula, made with mild coconut cleansers

Cons: May leave residue on the coat

Envirogroom Natural De-Shed Pet Shampoo

Skin problems like allergies and infections can also affect your cat’s coat, sometimes causing him to shed excessively. Improving the condition of your cat’s skin may also reduce shedding and that’s what this Envirogroom Natural De-Shed Pet Shampoo is designed to do. A natural, hypoallergenic formula, this shampoo cleans and conditions with the help of hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil, and shea butter. It also contains vitamin E for a boost of skin-supporting nutrition.

Pros: Natural hypoallergenic formula, cleans and conditions, hydrating natural ingredients

Cons: Somewhat more expensive than other shampoos

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I bathe my cat? Most cats don’t need to be bathed very often, so you’ll need to use your best judgment. Bathing your cat a few times as year is generally sufficient to keep his skin and coat healthy, though you may need to do it more frequently if he has skin and coat issues. Medicated cat shampoo often requires multiple applications, sometimes more than once a week, so follow your veterinarian’s advice.
2. Should I brush my cat before bathing? Yes, brushing your cat well before a bath helps remove dead and loose fur from his coat so it doesn’t all end up in your sink drain. Use a cat brush appropriate for your cat’s coat type and always brush in the direction of hair growth to avoid irritating your cat’s skin.
3. How much shedding is normal for a cat? The amount of shedding that’s normal for a cat varies depending where you live and how much access your cat has to the outdoors. In the wild, cats go through heavier periods of shedding twice a year in the spring and fall. With air conditioning and heating, however, an indoor cat’s environment tends not to change very dramatically, so shedding may be more consistent throughout the year.
4. Why did my cat stop shedding? All cats shed throughout the year, but some may shed more in the spring and fall. The amount a cat sheds varies depending on breed and coat type. As a cat owner, you’ll get used to what’s normal for your cat and what isn’t – this includes the amount your cat sheds. It’s normal for your cat to shed a little more at certain times of year depending on the climate where you live, but it could be cause for concern if your cat suddenly stops shedding as much as usual and you notice other changes to his skin and coat, consult your veterinarian because he may be dealing with a health issue.

There’s nothing you can do to keep your cat from shedding and, even if there were, you wouldn’t want to. Shedding is a sign of a healthy cat because fur grows in a cycle where new hairs grow in to replace old hairs. Though you can’t stop your cat from shedding, regular brushing and bathing can help keep it under control. Try one of our recommendations for deshedding shampoo for cats above!