In 90% of cases: no, your cat doesn’t need shampoo

Cats are naturally extremely clean. Their tongue is designed to remove dirt, loose hairs and grease. A healthy cat with a normal coat manages perfectly well without your help. In fact, washing can disrupt the skin’s natural balance.
Washing too often can cause:

  • Dry or irritated skin
  • Excessive oil production
  • Stress (and yes, cats remember that)

So if your cat doesn’t smell bad, their coat is clean and shiny, and there’s no medical reason? Best to leave it as it is.

When is cat shampoo necessary?

There are situations where washing is useful or even necessary:

  • Dirty or sticky substances
    Think oil, mud, faeces, or anything that absolutely doesn’t belong in the coat.
  • Older, ill or overweight cats
    They may no longer be able to groom themselves properly.
  • Long-haired cats
    Such as Maine Coons or Siberians, where dirt builds up more easily in their thick coats.
  • Medical reasons
    Skin conditions, allergies or fungal infections (always in consultation with your vet).

👉 In these cases, the rule is: targeted washing, not the entire coat.

Never use regular shampoo (not even baby shampoo)

This is very important. Your cat’s skin has a different pH level than human skin. Even mild baby shampoo can irritate it. Always use shampoo specifically developed for cats: without perfume, without alcohol, and without harsh cleansers. Not sure? Then not washing is always better than washing incorrectly.

No appetite for wet chaos? There are alternatives

Not every cat tolerates water. Luckily, washing isn’t always necessary:

  • Cleaning wipes for small accidents
  • Regular brushing (don’t underestimate this!)

Often, proper brushing is more than enough to remove dirt and loose hairs.

Have you ever washed your cat?

Let us know in the comments!

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