I didn’t know what shampoo or soap was safe for my persian kitten when I got her. After doing a lot research and visiting the vet, I now have some tips for safe soaps for cats and kittens.
What should a cat be bathed with? Safe soaps for cats and kittens include Soapnut, Reetha and baby Shampoo. Avoid human soaps and dog soaps. Avoid shampoos that contain essential oils, hydrosols, or phenols.
Some ingredients in shampoos and soaps can be toxic to cats, and may cause liver damage or even death.
We almost lost our cat when a vet applied dog shampoo to my cat. It was the most painful and heartbreaking moment in my entire life. Be careful with the soaps that you use on your cats.
Can cats use human soaps?
The pH level in cat skin is 7.5 while that of human skin is acidic. From neutral to alkaline.It will cause skin irritation in cats and kittens if you use shampoos or soaps made for humans. The cat’s skin will become dry. The balance of bacteria that naturally lives on the skin will be disturbed.
A rash or skin allergy might occur. This is more common in Persian cats. You will notice changes in the skin and develop rashes.
Your cat’s skin can dry out and may develop rashes or dandruff. Itching is common.
My cat started itching like mad and I wondered how she got fleas.
Our cat lives in an apartment, so she is not exposed to dirt or other cats.
It was a rash, I discovered when I looked behind her ears and where she was scratching.
Tip: Fleas are responsible for black spots or specks in your fur and skin.
Essential oils and fragrances in soaps made by humans can cause cat death. Use baby soaps and shampoos if you don’t want to use soap made from human ingredients. These soaps are gentler. These should only be used in an emergency.
My cat was not harmed by herbal soaps, ayurvedic and soaps with essential oil. One day, I tried one on her.
My cat began acting very dull and was not her usual cheerful self. I knew there was something wrong.
Don’t use soap on your cat…
It’s okay for her to not take a bath. Your cat is usually very clean so she can do it on her own.
Can you bathe your cat with Herbal Handmade Soaps for Cats?
Although hand-made natural soaps are great for humans, they can be dangerous for cats. Because most natural soaps contain essential oils, this can be dangerous for cats.
Essential oils are not broken down by cats. Cats don’t have the ability to make enzymes to metabolise essential oil.
Essential oils can cause liver damage, respiratory problems, nausea, and ultimately death in cats.
Can you use Dog Soaps for cats?
A vet gave me a shampoo for my cat’s coat once. I knew right away that I needed to research this before I applied it on my cat.
My cat mamma instinct was very helpful.
Do not use any dog shampoo on cats. Flea repellants are one of the ingredients in shampoos for dogs. They can be toxic to cats.
Dog shampoo can also dry out cats skin, leading to itching, dandruff, and other skin problems.
What ingredients can be harmful to cats and why?
Essential oils and organic cleaners are my favorite. Research led me to the conclusion that essential oils and phenol can be harmful for cats when I researched natural floor cleaners.
It was shocking to me!
The Most Harmful Ingredients For Cats & Kittens
- Tea tree oil
- Tar
- Selenium Sulfite
- Peppermint Oil
- Citrus Oil
- Cinnamon Oil
- Pine Oil
- Phenol
Cats can be exposed to any of the above ingredients and have many problems. It can cause dry skin and skin rash. Some essential oils and organic ingredients can cause respiratory problems and liver damage.
What soaps are safest for cats?
Cat soaps specially formulated for cats. You can also use baby shampoo or pure castile soap if these products are unavailable or run out.
If you’re in India, check with your local pet shops. They were able to provide better products than the veterinarians. My concern was that vets had herbal products and other brands that I thought were dangerous for cats.
It may be different in your country. Please check the ingredients before you buy. This article has been compiled with the list of ingredients that you should avoid.
Castile soaphas oil and is chemical-free. It moisturizes cats’ skin and fur. The soap does not contain dyes that can cause skin or fur irritations.
You can use cat wipes to clean your cats.
These are great for when you’re in a rush and need to clean up the cat’s tush.
We need to keep our cat’s long fur clean. Although she is quite good at it, there are times when she needs help. Wipes are great for this.
Waterless shampoos can be applied to the fur of cats. These powders can be left in the cat’s fur without needing to be washed.
They are safe for cats to lick and they are not toxic.
These are not something I use often, but they can be useful if you have to wash your cat or if the cat is sick.
DIY Dry Shampoo for Cats
Equal parts corn meal and oatmeal.
Add 2 tablespoons Baking soda to the mixture
Rub this on the cat fur.
After 5 minutes, you can brush it off
It will absorb all oils, and baking soda will deodorize the fur.
DIY Homemade Cat Shampoo
Equal parts Original Unscented Dawn Dish Soap & White Vinegar
Mix 1 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar with 4 cups water
Dish soap is free from all oils. The vinegar cleans and is also very effective against fleas.
This liquid should not be used too often. This liquid is ideal for cats with flea infestations or when they are running out of cat shampoo.
DIY Antibacterial and Antifungal Cat Shampoo
Boil 15 to 20 Soapnuts in 6 cups water (2 litres). Boil water down to 1 Liter (approx 30 min).
Take out any liquids and store it in the fridge. This can be mixed with water to make liquid cat soap.
It’s very effective at removing all dirt.
It is non-toxic, and repels fleas.
Rinse the product well.
Soapnut liquid has no preservatives and is 100% organic. This means that you will need to keep the product refrigerated and eat it as soon as possible. This is the product I love the best.
Dish soap can be used to wash a cat.
Dawn Dish soap can be used to clean dishes. It can dry your cat’s fur if it is used continuously.
You can give your cat some dawn soap if it has become very dirty or has fleas. It was used once by me when my cat was extremely dirty. It was also helpful when my cat was sick with fleas. It was very helpful.
If you use dish soaps, make sure to rinse it out thoroughly.