10 Best Shampoos for Persian Cats in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

The thing that makes Persian cats so desirable and so adorable is also what makes them a high-maintenance pet to own — their long coats need regular brushing and washing to prevent knotting and matting. Keeping your Persian cat’s coat silky and healthy can be quite a challenge!

Persians are, in general, docile cats that naturally spend most of their time indoors, and although this makes maintenance easier, they are still more high-maintenance than most other cat breeds. Besides regular brushing to prevent matting and hairballs, Persians need regular bathing too. Human shampoo is not recommended because it can damage the natural oils in their coat and on their skin, causing a host of issues.

Luckily, there are shampoos made specifically for cats that are gentle and formulated to keep their coat shiny and healthy without stripping the natural oils. With so many types of cat shampoos out there, though, it can be tricky to find the right one for your feline friend. We put together this list of in-depth reviews of our favorite choices to help you narrow down the options and hopefully, find the best shampoo to suit your needs. Let’s get started!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 10 Best Shampoos for Persian Cats — Reviews & Top Picks 2022

1. FURminator FUR deShedding Rinse-Free Foaming Cat Shampoo — Best Overall

As the name suggests, the deShedding Rinse-Free shampoo from FURminator helps your cat get rid of excess hair during shedding, saving you time when brushing and preventing hair from getting all over your home. Since it helps reduce shedding, it indirectly helps prevent hairballs too! It’s great for Persians that don’t enjoy bathing because it requires no water and no rinsing — you simply massage it into your feline’s fur. The spray is free of parabens and chemical dyes and is enriched with omega fatty acids and hydrolyzed plant proteins for a healthy, shiny coat. It is our favorite choice overall.

The only issue that we found with this shampoo is the strong smell — it may be overwhelming for some cats, and if you spray too much, their fur may get sticky too.

---

 2. Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo for Cats — Best Value

The waterless shampoo from Burt’s Bees is the best cat shampoo for Persians for the money. We love that this shampoo contains natural ingredients, like apple for its nourishing, soothing properties and honey for added shine, and is free from sulfates and colorants. The shampoo is waterless, meaning you don’t need to bathe your cat or rinse it off — simply spray and rub it in! The shampoo is specially designed for cats, with a pH balance that won’t harm or irritate their skin, and it is produced cruelty-free with 99.8% natural ingredients.

Some users report that the shampoo has a strong, unpleasant smell and may get slightly tacky after use. Also, the spray bottle that it comes in is poor quality and leaks, and gets clogged easily, keeping this shampoo from the top position on this list.

---

3. Earthbath Shed Control Green Tea & Awapuhi Dog & Cat Shampoo — Premium Choice

The Shed Control Green Tea and Awapuhi shampoo from Earthbath is ideal for the relief of dander and shedding. It is made with natural antioxidants and moisturizers, like fair-trade shea butter, aloe vera, and green tea extract. It also has Awapuhi, the Hawaiian wild ginger plant, and omega-6 fatty acids to help give your cat a healthy and great-looking coat. The shampoo is 100% biodegradable and free from parabens and phosphates for a perfectly safe and effective shedding remedy!

There is little to fault with this shampoo other than the slightly high price, though some users report that it didn’t help much with shedding.

---

4. Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiseptic & Antifungal Shampoo

If your Persian suffers from any skin issues, such as dermatitis or pyoderma, this shampoo from Veterinary Clinical Care may help provide relief. The shampoo is formulated with benzethonium chloride, an odorless, water-soluble synthetic salt that is antiseptic to help eliminate the bacteria that causes skin irritation. It also contains ketoconazole, an antifungal medication to help relieve fungal infections. The shampoo has aloe vera to help soothe the skin and stop the spread of infection. This is 100% paraben-free.

However, this shampoo has a strong, chemical odor that your Persian may not enjoy, and it needs to be left on your cat’s coat for 5-10 minutes, which can be a challenge.

---

5. Frisco Oatmeal Shampoo with Aloe for Dogs & Cats, Almond Scent

This cat shampoo from Frisco is made with oatmeal, which naturally moisturizes and protects your cat’s skin and coat. The shampoo also contains coconut and certified organic aloe vera to help hydrate and deodorize your cat’s skin and coat, as well as chamomile to gently soothe itchy and dry skin. The shampoo is almond-scented, which will help add a fresh and clean smell after washing, and it is free from artificial dyes and parabens.

Several users report that this shampoo had a watery consistency, and you need to use a large amount in order to get it to lather sufficiently.

---

6. TropiClean OxyMed Medicated Oatmeal Dog & Cat Treatment Rinse

The TropiClean OxyMed Medicated shampoo contains soothing oatmeal and is formulated to help relieve itchy, flaking skin in felines. It also can reduce shedding, which is ideal for Persians, and will help reduce hairballs too. The shampoo contains alpha-hydroxy acids, which work by removing the top layers of dead skin, penetrating the lower layers of skin, and cleaning out the pores to promote firmness and health. It is also packed with vitamins, like A and E, and omega fatty acids to help promote a healthy coat and skin.

This shampoo is difficult to fault, although some users report that it left a strong odor after use that stayed with their cats for days afterward.

---

7. John Paul Pet Tearless Shampoo for Puppies & Kittens

If you have a new Persian kitten running around your home, this Tearless Shampoo from John Paul Pet is the ideal choice for your feline’s first bath. Kittens can be a challenge to bathe at the best of times, and it can be almost impossible to wash their face without getting shampoo into their sensitive eyes. Luckily, this shampoo is extra gentle and won’t irritate their eyes or ears with its tear-free formula. It contains aloe vera, oats, and chamomile extract for a gentle, soothing, yet efficient wash. It is made in the U.S.A. with cruelty-free manufacturing practices.

This shampoo is difficult to fault, although it does contain synthetic ingredients and doesn’t have any anti-shedding properties, so it is not ideal for older cats.

---

8. Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath

This waterless cat shampoo from Vet’s Best is veterinarian formulated to ensure the best ingredients for your Persian. It contains soothing aloe vera, moisturizing neem oil, and vitamin E and oatmeal to help soothe dry skin without irritation and leave your cat’s coat feeling soft and smooth. It is also formulated with a calming fragrance to help your kitty feel relaxed. It is ideal for cats that are averse to bathing because there is no water or rinsing required — simply spray on and lather! The 4-ounce bottle is enough for eight baths, depending on the size of your cat.

Several users reported that the odor of this shampoo is strong and smells like perfume. Also, the bottle is not made well, and the pump breaks easily, causing spilling and wastage.

---

9. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor

If you Persian is having issues with fleas or ticks, this shampoo from Adams may help in solving the problem. The shampoo is formulated for cats with sensitive skin, and it will help prevent flea infestation for up to 28 days by killing flea eggs and larvae. It also contains soothing ingredients like aloe, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal to help soothe your cat’s coat and skin and keep their coat shiny and healthy.

However, this shampoo has a pungent perfume odor that many cats will not enjoy. Also, several customers reported that their cats still had fleas after use, and it dried out their skin and coat.

---

10. Bio-Groom Purrfect White Coat Brightener Cat Shampoo

The Purrfect White Coat Brightener shampoo from Bio-Groom is specially formulated to bring out the brilliance and color in your Persian’s fur, while strengthening their coat and hydrating their skin. The formula is gentle and non-bleaching, with a coconut oil base to keep your cat’s coat smooth and shiny and help control tangling and matting, with a neutral pH formula that won’t damage or irritate your cat’s skin. The shampoo is made using cruelty-free methods and is free of soap.

Several users reported that the shampoo came lumpy and needed to be watered down before use. Also, it doesn’t foam and is difficult to lather. Customers also reported that it didn’t seem to make much difference to the color of their cat’s coat, and it didn’t feel noticeably softer either.

Buyer’s Guide

Since grooming is such an essential aspect of owning and caring for a Persian cat, the shampoo that you decide to use on them is an important factor. Many people believe that cats do not need to be bathed because they are such fastidious self-groomers, but bathing can be vital to the health of your cat’s skin and coat, especially with Persians. When choosing the right shampoo for your Persian, there are several important factors to consider.

• See also: 13 Basic Cat Maintenance Tips That Go Beyond Nutrition

Ingredients

The right ingredients are essential when choosing the best shampoo for your Persian. Natural ingredients are best because they are gentle on your cat’s coat and skin. Since your cat licks their coat so much, natural ingredients are also less dangerous when ingested. Beneficial natural ingredients to look out for include:

Try to avoid shampoos with artificial ingredients, like parabens, alcohol, sulfates, or dyes, as these are potentially harmful when ingested and may damage the natural oils in your cat’s coat.

Shedding control

One of the biggest issues with Persian cats is excessive shedding. This can cause matting and tangling of their coat and cause hairballs due to self-grooming. Many shampoos offer formulas that help reduce shedding, and these products are best for long-haired breeds like Persians.

Medicated

If your Persian has any skin issues, like fungal or bacterial overgrowth, using a medicated shampoo will help rid them of the issue. These kinds of conditions are fairly common in long-haired breeds. Although these medicated shampoos may help resolve the issue, you should stop using them as soon as the condition has cleared up.

How often should you bathe your Persian?

While many people believe that indoor cats like Persians don’t need bathing, we recommend bathing your Persian once every 2-3 months to reduce excess shedding and keep their coat healthy and shiny. If your cat has any skin issues that need attention, you can increase this to two to three times a month until the condition clears up. That said, you should always consult your vet if your cat has any skin conditions, and you should keep a close eye on their coat and skin to check if they are having any negative reactions after bathing.

What’s wrong with human shampoos?

You should always use shampoos specifically designed for felines and avoid using human shampoos on your cat. This is because human shampoos contain vastly different ingredients that can be harmful to your cat’s sensitive skin and disrupt the natural oils on their coat.

You might also be interested in: How Much Does It Cost to Own a Persian Cat? (2021 Price Guide)

Conclusion

The deShedding Rinse-Free shampoo from FURminator is our top pick overall of shampoo for Persian cats. It helps reduce shedding, requires no water and no rinsing, and is free from parabens and chemical dyes. It is also enriched with omega fatty acids and hydrolyzed plant proteins for a healthy, shiny coat!

The waterless shampoo from Burt’s Bees is the best cat shampoo for Persians for the money. It contains natural ingredients like apple and honey, is free from sulfates and colorants, and is waterless — simply spray and rub it in!

Persians are high-maintenance felines, and regular bathing is an essential part of keeping their coat beautiful and shiny. Hopefully, our in-depth reviews have narrowed down the available options somewhat and helped you find the perfect shampoo for your fluffy feline friend.

---

Featured Image Credit: Nynke van Holten, Shutterstock