Warm weather brings a lot of fun to our lives, but it also brings some pests like irritating fleas. Whether your cat goes outside or not, he is at risk for fleas, and there is only so much you can do to prevent them in the first place.
If you realize your cat is covered in fleas, take a deep breath. There is no need to call in your local exterminator. The quickest way to kill fleas is to give your cat a flea bath with a high-quality flea shampoo for cats, and then you can take steps to rid the pests in your house in order to prevent re-infestation.
If your cat has fleas, we expect you want to find a great flea shampoo for cats right away, so check out our top five best flea and shampoo spray recommendations.
- Pet Safe: Cats/Dogs
- Usage: Shampoo
- Weight (oz): 12
- Pet Safe: Cats/Dogs
- Usage: Shampoo
- Weight (oz): 16
- Pet Safe: Cats/Dogs
- Usage: Shampoo
- Weight (oz): 16
Best Flea Shampoo For Cats
1. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor
Adam Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo is hard to beat when it comes to a top-selling flea shampoo for cats.
Not only does this cat flea shampoo feature powerful ingredients such as pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide which kill adult fleas as well as flea eggs, ticks, and lice immediately, but it provides an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) for a full 28 days of protection, killing flea eggs and larvae, so they don’t develop into adult fleas.
Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo also has soothing, natural ingredients like aloe, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal to nourish your cat’s sensitive skin. The fresh, clean scent is also worth mentioning since many flea shampoos for cats don’t smell all that great. This formula can be used on kittens and cats 12 weeks of age or older.
This cat flea shampoo can be used every seven to ten days. However, if your cat has any pre-existing health conditions, contact your veterinarian to see if this flea shampoo is right for your cat. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo comes in three sizes: a 12-oz, 24-oz, or one-gallon bottle.
- Kills not only fleas, but ticks and lice on contact
- 28 days of protection
- Soothing natural ingredients
- Used by veterinarians
- Fresh, clean scent
- Not recommended for kittens under 12 months
- May need to use multiple applications
- May not be suitable for cats with medical conditions
2. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Shampoo
Manufactured in the USA, Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Shampoo effectively removes fleas and ticks on contact, but also gently cleanses and exfoliates your cat’s skin and coat.
A veterinary-grade formula, this cat shampoo includes .15% pyrethrins to control fleas and ticks, as well as natural ingredients aloe and lanolin to soothe irritated skin. This potent, high-quality flea and tick shampoo also leaves a lasting fresh scent. This formula is designed to protect your cat from fleas and ticks for up to 14 weeks.
This flea and tick shampoo is safe to use on cats over 12 weeks (along with dogs, ferrets, and horses!) If your cat is older, on medication, or pregnant/nursing, consult your vet before using this product. You can reapply this shampoo every seven days, and the formula comes in a 16-oz bottle or a one-gallon bottle. Do note that while this product kills and repels fleas and ticks, it does not kill eggs and larvae.
- Contains .15% pyrethrins to kill fleas and ticks on contact
- Contains natural ingredients to exfoliate and soothe skin
- 14-week protection
- Fresh, lasting scent
- Affordable price
- Does not kill flea eggs and larvae
- May need to use multiple applications
- May not be suitable for aging cats, pregnant cats, or cats with medical conditions
3. RX 4 Pets Dog & Cat Skin Irritation Shampoo & Conditioner
While RX 4 Pets Skin Irritation Shampoo and Conditioner is not used to repel fleas, t is an anti-hair loss shampoo and conditioner for cats and dogs, made with homeopathic, natural ingredients, including colloidal oatmeal, avocado, and aloe.
This formula treats dog and cat skin diseases, including flea bites, rashes, mange, as well as dry, itchy skin. This shampoo and conditioner formula is used to soothe your cat’s skin and coat after using flea shampoo while also increasing skin circulation and providing beneficial vitamins and minerals to stop skin problems and scratching.
This shampoo contains no sulfates, parabens, or harsh chemicals and leaves your cat and dog’s coat smooth and smelling fresh and clean. The botanical and herbal extracts are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, fighting skin diseases and irritations. Proudly made in the USA, RX 4 Pets Irritation Shampoo & Conditioner can be used two to four times a week.
RX 4 Pets Skin Irritation Shampoo and Conditioner comes in a 16-ounce bottle and can be used on kittens, cats, and dogs. The company states that for maximum effect, keep the shampoo on your pet’s coat for five minutes before rinsing.
- Homeopathic, natural, organic ingredients/no harsh chemicals
- Treats skin diseases as well as dry, itchy irritations
- Increases circulation
- Prevents hair loss
- Fresh, clean scent
- A bit pricey
- Five minute “wait time” after applied
4. Vet’s Best Flea +Tick Yard and Kennel Spray
Yes, you can treat your cat for fleas and ticks after they have already made their appearances, but it’s important also to use flea treatment to prevent future flea infestations.
Vet’s Best Flea + Tick Yard and Kennel Spray is made with steam-distilled essential oils to kill fleas, flea larvae and eggs, ticks, and mosquitoes on contact. This plant-based cat flea and tick spray is safe to use on your lawn, garden, kennels, patios, and other outside surfaces and will repel fleas right away.
Customers say the minty smell is refreshing, too. The 32-ounce bottle comes with a hose attachment, making it easy to use and will treat up to 5,000 square feet.
This plant-based spray contains no hard chemicals and is completely safe to use around pets, people, and plants. Peppermint oil, clove extract, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are among the top ingredients. This formula takes 30-60 minutes to dry, so make sure it’s dried before you let your cat enter the treated area; however, if it rains, you will need to reapply.
A garden hose is necessary for application. This flea and tick spray comes in either a 32-oz and 96-oz bottle.
- Made with natural, effective essential oils
- Chemical-free formula
- Multipurpose: Can be used on lawns, turf, patios, kennels, and other outdoor surfaces
- Safe for people, cats, and plants
- Easy to use: attach to hose and spray
- Cannot use without a garden hose
- Needs to be reapplied after rain
5. TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Home Spray
After using a flea shampoo for cats, you will also need to use a quality flea spray to kill fleas on surfaces and prevent future infestation. Made from a blend of potent, natural oils including clove, lemongrass, cedarwood, sesame, and cinnamon, TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Home Spray kills up to 99% of fleas, ticks, larvae, eggs, and mosquitos on contact and repels them for up to two weeks.
While this flea treatment can be directly applied to dogs, it should not be used directly on cats. However, it is safe to spray on areas that be infected with fleas both indoors and outdoors and feature a fresh scent.
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Home Spray comes in a 32-oz bottle, and a small mist is all that is needed for maximum efficiency. Each application is designed to repel pests for up to two weeks. You can use this formula year-round, but not more often than three-day intervals. The company warns that this product can cause allergic reactions to humans by causing moderate eye and skin irritations.
Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after using this flea treatment.
- Kills pests on contact and repels for two weeks
- Natural oil blend
- No harsh chemicals
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Fresh scent
- Pricey
- Cannot be directly applied to cats
Pre-Purchase Considerations For Cat Flea Shampoo
Here are some factors to take into consideration when shopping for flea shampoo for your cat.
1. Effective, Natural Ingredients
An effective cat flea shampoo does not need to contain harsh chemicals that could potentially hurt your cat. Unfortunately, there are flea shampoos for cats on the market that include chemicals that are not safe for cats. Look for products with natural ingredients, and make sure you read ALL the ingredients in a flea shampoo before you buy.
2. Soothing Ingredients
Cats often end up with inflamed, irritated skin after a flea bath. A good flea shampoo will include natural soothing ingredients, such as Aloe Vera, coconut oil, and lanolin, to rejuvenate your cat’s skin.
3. Preventative Benefits
You want a flea shampoo that not only kills existing fleas but future flea infestations. Also, keep in mind that many flea shampoos target other parasites, such as ticks, lice, and even mosquitos. Choose a shampoo for cats that works as a preventative, and a flea spray in and outside your house to kill and repel fleas.
4. Number of Baths Necessary for Maximum Treatment
Some flea shampoos only require one bath for maximum effectiveness, while others require more. Obviously, most cats aren’t going to enjoy baths at all, so the fewer flea baths, the better.
5. Fresh Scent
Just because it’s in shampoo form doesn’t mean it smells good! Look for cat flea shampoos that smell good. Reading customer reviews helps, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flea bites are painful and itchy, so if your cat has fleas, she will show symptoms of scratching and biting her skin, and she may develop a rash.
You may notice her grooming herself more. If you look closely at your cat’s coat and skin, you may see fleas. They could be anywhere on her body, but flea hot spots include the neck, lower back, hind legs, and tail.
Flea shampoo for cats is designed to kill both fleas and ticks. As you have seen in our top five recommendations, some flea shampoo for cats will also work on eggs, larvae, and lice. It’s important to read the flea and tick shampoo labels to know exactly which parasites are targeted.
Most cats don’t like water, so giving your cat a flea bath may be a strenuous task, but it is necessary if he has fleas. You may need to enlist someone to help you if your cat is especially resistant. Make sure you are as calm as possible throughout this process, as your cat will sense your energy.
First, trim your cat’s claws a day or two before bathing. Right before bathing, brush her coat to ensure there are no knots and tangles where fleas are hiding. Fill the bathtub with warm water, around eight inches high. Gently place your cat in the water and let her get used to the temperature. Use a large cup or something similar to rinse your cat.
Then, apply the cat flea shampoo and spread it throughout her skin, avoiding her eyes. Some people have found that using a cat brush during this step is also effective. Let the flea shampoo sit on her skin for a few minutes, and then using the cup, gently rinse the shampoo from your cat’s fur and skin. Use dry towels to dry your cat, and after she is dry, use a flea comb to remove any additional eggs, larvae, and adult fleas.
When it comes to eliminating fleas for good, you should rely on more than a flea bath. Once your home is infested, fleas may keep coming back.
Your best bet is to talk to your veterinarian about your best course flea treatment. Mild fleas can be controlled with flea baths and treating the area with a quality flea spray. Let’s be honest, though; fleas multiply rapidly. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, so you may need to have more flea control methods in your plan.
There are other forms of flea treatment, such as topical and internal medications for your cat that your vegetarian can recommend. In addition, it’s a good idea to vacuum your home every day, including furniture and wash bedding, sofa covers, and other fabrics your cat has touched at least once a week. Use hot water in the washing cycle.
