The best overall
Occasional scratching is nothing to worry about, but if your cat is scratching more than usual, it could be a sign of a skin problem. Other signs of skin problems in cats include excessive grooming, bald patches, dandruff, greasy coat, and redness.
Because these problems have many potential underlying causes, you should take your cat to the vet for an accurate diagnosis. Your vet will be able to determine the best treatment for any underlying infections or related health problems and may suggest a medicated shampoo to relieve physical symptoms.
Our top pick for the best medicated shampoo for cats is Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Shampoo for Dogs & Cats. This shampoo uses active ingredients like chlorhexidine and climbazole to control bacteria and fungi populations while also addressing skin problems like irritation, allergies, and hair loss.
It contains moisturizing agents to soothe and repair dry, itchy skin with lipacid to help restore the skin's natural protective barrier. The shampoo has phytosphingosine-salicyloyl, a modified pro-ceramide, in it that offers anti-inflammatory and anti-seborrheic benefits.
Pros: Works for a variety of skin conditions, antifungal and antibacterial benefits, restores the skin's natural protective barrier, contains moisturizing agents to soothe itchy skin
Cons: May require repeated applications for maximum benefit, contains some artificial fragrance
Buy Douxo Chlorhexidine PS Shampoo for Dogs & Cats on Amazon for $14.80The best for skin allergies
Your cat's skin is covered by a protective layer of fur, but it can be just as sensitive as your own skin. Cats can develop skin allergies to anything from dust and pollen to parasites, food ingredients, and even certain types of fabric.
The most common symptoms of skin allergies in cats are itching, scratching, dry or flaky skin, hair loss, skin odor, and scabs or red patches. The longer your cat's skin allergies go untreated, the worse these symptoms will get, and your cat may also develop secondary bacterial or fungal infections.
Our top pick for the best medicated cat shampoo for skin allergies is Earthbath All-Natural Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo. Made entirely with natural ingredients, this formula is 100% biodegradable and free from soap, sulfates, and parabens.
It contains natural moisturizing agents like colloidal oatmeal and aloe to soothe your cat's dry, itchy skin with coconut-based cleansers to clean and deodorize his coat. This formula comes in a light, refreshing vanilla and almond scent or you can purchase the formula fragrance-free.
Pros: All-natural ingredients, scented or fragrance-free, 100% biodegradable, free from soap and sulfates, concentrated formula, relieves dryness and itching
Cons: Some customers disliked the scented formula
Buy Earthbath All-Natural Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo on Amazon for $14.25The best for bacterial skin infections
When your cat's skin is scratched or cut, there is an increased risk of infection. Primary bacterial skin infections are fairly uncommon in cats, but they can develop when the skin is already injured due to intense scratching due to allergies or other skin problems.
Symptoms of bacterial skin infections in cats include itching, crusted skin, hair loss, pustules, and raised lesions. Depending on the underlying cause of the infection, your veterinarian may recommend oral antibiotics with topical medication or medicated shampoo to address physical symptoms.
Our top pick for the best medicated shampoo for bacterial skin infections is PetMD Benzoyl Peroxide Medicated Shampoo. This shampoo features three active ingredients: benzoyl peroxide for its antibacterial and anti-seborrheic action, sulphur for its antiseptic properties, and salicylic acid to lower skin pH.
Free from soap and parabens, this shampoo contains skin moisturizers, deodorizers, and degreasers to remove scales and excess oils from the coat, leaving your cat smelling fresh and clean.
Pros: Three powerful active ingredients, relieves itching and scaling, cleans and degreases the coat, antibacterial and antiseptic properties, soap- and paraben-free
Cons: Some users found the scent too strong, may require repeated applications at first
Buy PetMD Benzoyl Peroxide Medicated Shampoo on Amazon for $19.95The best for yeast infections
You may not realize it, but Malassezia pachydermatis yeast cells are naturally present on your cat's skin at any given time. Yeast cells tend to occur in small numbers in the ears, around the anus, and in the vaginas of female cats.
When the immune system becomes weakened, those yeast cells can multiply rapidly, causing skin symptoms such as redness, inflammation, itching, and scaling. Yeast infections may also lead to increased oil production in the skin and patches of hair loss or hyperpigmentation.
The ultimate goal of treating a yeast infection is to reduce the number of yeast cells and resolve physical symptoms of the infection. Our pick for the best medicated cat shampoo for yeast infections is Curaseb Chlorhexidine Medicated Shampoo.
This shampoo features several powerful active ingredients, including chlorhexidine and ketoconazole, to treat a broad spectrum of fungal, bacterial, and yeast infections. It also cleans and deodorizes your cat's skin and coat, leaving behind a refreshing cucumber melon scent.
Pros: Chlorhexidine and ketoconazole active ingredients, works against yeast and bacteria, cleans and deodorizes the skin, made in the USA, free from soap and parabens
Cons: May not lather as much as some shampoos, ink on the bottle tends to bleed, contains some artificial fragrance
Buy Curaseb Chlorhexidine Medicated Shampoo on Amazon for $15.95The best for fleas and ticks
Cats are less likely to get Lyme disease than dogs, but they are still susceptible to other tick-borne diseases like cytauxzoonosis. A heavy tick infestation can also lead to blood loss severe enough to cause anemia, particularly in kittens.
Fleas are more of a nuisance than an immediate threat to your cat's health, but they cause intense itching and scratching. If your cat scratches too much, he could damage the skin and open himself to a secondary bacterial infection or other skin problems.
The best way to protect your cat against fleas and ticks is with a topical preventive or flea collar. If your cat already has a flea or tick problem, however, you'll need to bathe him with medicated shampoo to kill the existing fleas or ticks as well as their eggs and larvae.
Our top pick for the best medicated cat shampoo for fleas and ticks is Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor. This shampoo contains active ingredients to kill fleas, ticks, and lice as well as an insect growth regulator to kill eggs and larvae. It also contains natural ingredients to soothe itchy, irritated skin like aloe, lanolin, oatmeal, and coconut extract.
Pros: Works quickly to kill fleas and ticks, contains insect growth regulator to protect against reinfestation for 30 days, cleans and deodorizes the skin and coat, affordable price
Cons: Chemical ingredients may irritate sensitive skin, strong smell may bother some cats, not for kittens under 12 weeks old
Buy Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor on Amazon for $9.79
