Many people choose Sphynx cats due to their lack of hair, which means that they won’t shed and are less likely to attract fleas. They assume that, overall, these cats are pretty low-maintenance animals. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and a Sphynx cat’s lack of hair doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need to be groomed.
Sphynx cats can benefit from a bath from time to time in order to keep their skin clean and healthy. Since he doesn’t have hair, you will want to use a shampoo that is gentle on your cat’s skin without drying it out, which can cause itchiness and general irritation. That’s why we’ve created this guide to the best shampoos for Sphynx cats, complete with honest reviews of each one.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo
Keeps skin clean, nourished, and moisturized
Safe and natural ingredients used
Free from hidden nasties
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Best Value
Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath
Waterless shampoo
Contains neem oil to lock in moisture
Affordable and easy to use
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Premium Choice
Earthbath Oatmeal Cat Shanmpoo
Unscented
Great for cats with sensitive skin/allergies
Free of phosphates and parabens
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Burt’s Bees Kitten Shampoo
Gentle formula
Great for sensitive skin
Contains 99% natural ingredients
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Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
Made with 99% natural ingredients
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The 11 Best Shampoos for Sphynx Cats
- Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo – Best Overall
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Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera
Requires Water: Yes
Great for: Dry, itchy skin
Scent: Cucumber & aloe
It might seem unnecessary to bathe a Sphynx cat, but it’s crucial to their care to keep their skin protected and healthy. A cat with fur secretes oil from its skin that will then be absorbed into its coat, but the oils have nowhere to go on the Sphynx cat.
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Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera
Requires Water: Yes
Great for: Dry, itchy skin
Scent: Cucumber & aloe
So, finding a suitable shampoo that is gentle but effective is a must. The 1st-place best overall choice is Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo (Aloe and Cucumber Scent). The pH-balanced shampoo will keep their skin clean and nourished without drying it out.
Only safe and natural ingredients are used in Hepper’s shampoo, and it’s free from soaps, glutens, dyes, DEA, sulfates, and phthalates, so you can trust it on your Sphynx cat’s sensitive skin. Not only will your Sphynx cat feel great after its bath, but it will also smell fantastic, thanks to the aloe vera and cucumber scent.
This is not the cheapest option, but it’s also not the most expensive, and investing in the health of your pet’s skin is vital.
At PetKeen.com we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Pros
Keeps skin clean, nourished, and moisturized
Safe and natural ingredients used
Free from hidden nasties
Smells fantastic
Cons
More expensive than some other options
The best shampoo for sphynx cats for the money is the Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath. This dry shampoo is perfect for cats with dry skin because, in addition to containing oatmeal and aloe which soothe the skin, it also contains neem oil to help to lock in moisture provided from the aloe as well as the natural oils found on your cat’s skin.
Keeps skin clean, nourished, and moisturized
Safe and natural ingredients used
Free from hidden nasties
Smells fantastic
- Keeps skin clean, nourished, and moisturized
- Safe and natural ingredients used
- Free from hidden nasties
- Smells fantastic
More expensive than some other options
- More expensive than some other options
Ingredients: Oatmeal, vitamin E, aloe vera
Requires Water: No
Great for: Dry skin
Scent: Fresh scent
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Because it is a dry shampoo, you don’t have to worry about your cat getting skittish because he came into contact with water. The shampoo is a foam, so you just apply it to your cat’s skin, massage it in, and leave it alone to do its job. Plus, your Sphynx will love the feeling of getting a massage. This shampoo also has a fresh scent that is supposed to be calming for your cat. However, it may irritate cats with sensitive skin.
Pros
Waterless shampoo
Contains neem oil to lock in moisture
Affordable and easy to use
Cons
Contains a fragrance that may irritate sensitive skin
This shampoo is the unscented version of our top product. Oatmeal and aloe vera is soothing and moisturizing for your Sphynx’s skin, but because it is unscented, it can also be used for cats that have sensitive skin and allergies. Not only will it clean your cat’s skin, but it will also help relieve itchiness and neutralize any odors. Like other Earthbath shampoos, this shampoo is all-natural and free of phosphates and parabens.
Waterless shampoo
Contains neem oil to lock in moisture
Affordable and easy to use
- Waterless shampoo
- Contains neem oil to lock in moisture
- Affordable and easy to use
Contains a fragrance that may irritate sensitive skin
- Contains a fragrance that may irritate sensitive skin
Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera
Requires Water: Yes
Great for: Cats with sensitive skin and allergies
Scent: Unscented
This shampoo also contains vitamins A, B, D, and E which help to keep skin healthy. It is soap-free, using coconut and other plant-based ingredients to lather and cleanse. However, this product is listed as our premium choice because it is pricey, and it only comes in one size—16 ounces.
Pros
Unscented
Great for cats with sensitive skin/allergies
Free of phosphates and parabens
Cons
Not the most budget-friendly
Burt’s Bees is a trusted name in skincare and this Burt’s Bees Kitten Shampoo is no different. It is best for kittens because of the gentle, tear-free formula. It won’t hurt your kitten if it gets in his eyes and the ingredients of honey and buttermilk are safe to use on the still-delicate skin of your Sphynx kitten. But it’s not just for kittens. Since buttermilk is soothing, it can be used on cats that have sensitive skin as well. It is made from 99% natural ingredients and is free from sulfates and colorants that could harm your cat.
Unscented
Great for cats with sensitive skin/allergies
Free of phosphates and parabens
- Unscented
- Great for cats with sensitive skin/allergies
- Free of phosphates and parabens
Not the most budget-friendly
- Not the most budget-friendly
Ingredients: Honey, buttermilk
Requires Water: Yes
Great for: Kittens, sensitive skin
Scent: Unscented
This shampoo can also help to exfoliate your kitten’s skin without stripping away too much of the natural oils. And it doesn’t have a fragrance so it shouldn’t irritate your cat’s skin. It does need to be rinsed off with water which your kitten may not like at first. But as long as you bathe your kitten from an early age, he should get used to it. It’s also not recommended to use on kittens who are younger than 6 months old.
Pros
Gentle formula
Great for sensitive skin
Contains 99% natural ingredients
Cons
Kittens may not like it at first
Not for kittens younger than 6 months
- Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo
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Ingredients: Shea butter, honey
Requires Water: Yes
Great for: Cats with allergies
Scent: Unscented
This Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo is designed for adult cats, but the hypoallergenic formula is great for Sphynx cats that have allergies or skin sensitivities. Shea butter and honey can also help to moisturize skin, which is essential for keeping a Sphynx cat’s skin healthy. This shampoo is also 99% natural and free from fragrances, sulfates, and harsh chemicals.
Gentle formula
Great for sensitive skin
Contains 99% natural ingredients
- Gentle formula
- Great for sensitive skin
- Contains 99% natural ingredients
Kittens may not like it at first
Not for kittens younger than 6 months
- Kittens may not like it at first
- Not for kittens younger than 6 months
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Ingredients: Shea butter, honey
Requires Water: Yes
Great for: Cats with allergies
Scent: Unscented
The downside to this shampoo is that it lathers really well. How is that a bad thing? The shampoo needs to be rinsed out with water, and the more it lathers, the longer it will take to rinse. This shouldn’t bother your cat as long as he likes water. But if he doesn’t like water, it can prolong bath time and make it an unpleasant experience.
Pros
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
Made with 99% natural ingredients
Cons
Lathers a lot
Can take a while to rinse out
Another good shampoo for Sphynx cats is the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Cat Shampoo. One of the key benefits of this shampoo is that it is moisturizing for cats that have itchy and dry skin. Both oatmeal and aloe soothe itchiness, but aloe is also hydrating to help replenish moisture in your cat’s skin. This shampoo contains all-natural ingredients, meaning that it is free of phosphates and parabens that could be too harsh on your cat’s skin.
Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
Made with 99% natural ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance-free
- Made with 99% natural ingredients
Lathers a lot
Can take a while to rinse out
- Lathers a lot
- Can take a while to rinse out
Ingredients: Oatmeal, aloe vera
Requires Water: Yes
Great for: Dry, itchy skin
Scent: Vanilla and almond
In addition to moisturizing your cat’s skin, this shampoo is also scented with vanilla and almond, which can help deodorize your cat’s skin and keep him smelling fresh. This shampoo is safe to use on adult Sphynx cats. However, it does require water to rinse it off so it may not be the best choice if your cat doesn’t like water.
Pros
Great for cats with dry, itchy skin
Moisturizing and deodorizing
Contains all-natural ingredients
Cons
Requires water to rinse off
- Begley’s Natural No-Rinse Waterless Pet Shampoo
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Ingredients: Oatmeal, tea tree oil, citrus oil
Requires Water: No
Great for: Dry skin, oily skin
Scent: Varies
Begley’s Natural No-Rinse Waterless Shampoo is ideal for cats who don’t like bath time, and one of the best things about it is that it comes in four different varieties. Each variety is fragranced, but the scent comes from essential oils and not artificial fragrances. The scent matches the main ingredient used to make the shampoo and you can choose the shampoo that best suits your cat’s needs.
Great for cats with dry, itchy skin
Moisturizing and deodorizing
Contains all-natural ingredients
- Great for cats with dry, itchy skin
- Moisturizing and deodorizing
- Contains all-natural ingredients
Requires water to rinse off
- Requires water to rinse off
Ingredients: Oatmeal, tea tree oil, citrus oil
Requires Water: No
Great for: Dry skin, oily skin
Scent: Varies
For example, the oatmeal mango scent is great for cats with dry, itchy skin. Oatmeal is soothing while mango provides a fresh smell. If your Sphynx’s skin is oilier, try the tea tree versions since tea tree oil helps to dry out skin some. The other two scents are lavender and citrus, however, they don’t really provide any benefits for your cat. Plus, even essential oils can be too much for cats with sensitive skin.
Pros
Contains plant-based ingredients
Versions for dry and oily skin
The waterless formula is great for skittish cats
Cons
Some varieties of this product don’t provide many skin benefits
Essential oil fragrance can irritate cats with sensitive skin
- Dr. Cuddles Foaming Pet Dry Shampoo
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Ingredients: Aloe vera, plant extracts, cucumber
Requires Water: No
Great for: Sensitive and allergic skin
Scent: Fruity
This foaming dry shampoo is great for cats with sensitive skin and allergies due to the formula that is free of detergent, parabens, and sulfate. It is made with all-natural, plant-based ingredients, and is free from artificial fragrances. To use Dr. Cuddles Foaming Pet Dry Shampoo, just squirt a little into your palm and massage it over your Sphynx’s skin. The foam will clean your cat’s skin by soaking up oils and dirt.
Contains plant-based ingredients
Versions for dry and oily skin
The waterless formula is great for skittish cats
- Contains plant-based ingredients
- Versions for dry and oily skin
- The waterless formula is great for skittish cats
Some varieties of this product don’t provide many skin benefits
Essential oil fragrance can irritate cats with sensitive skin
- Some varieties of this product don’t provide many skin benefits
- Essential oil fragrance can irritate cats with sensitive skin
Ingredients: Aloe vera, plant extracts, cucumber
Requires Water: No
Great for: Sensitive and allergic skin
Scent: Fruity
The downside to this product is that it doesn’t provide many benefits for cats that have dry skin. And because it is a foam, you don’t get as much product as you would with a liquid or spray-on formula. It is also pricey considering the amount of product that you get.
Pros
Easy to use
Great for cats with sensitive skin
Made with plant-based ingredients
Cons
Pricey
Don’t get a lot of product
Created by one of the founders of John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Cat Shampoo, this pet shampoo is designed for cats that have sensitive skin. Oatmeal and aloe vera help to hydrate the skin and prevent it from drying out. The almond oil in this shampoo can help condition and soften your Sphynx cat’s skin.
Easy to use
Great for cats with sensitive skin
Made with plant-based ingredients
- Easy to use
- Great for cats with sensitive skin
- Made with plant-based ingredients
Pricey
Don’t get a lot of product
- Pricey
- Don’t get a lot of product
Ingredients: Oatmeal, almond, aloe vera
Requires Water: Yes
Great for: Cats with sensitive skin
Scent: Almond
There are a few downsides to this product. The first is that it does require water in order to use it, but it will get your cat cleaner than most dry shampoos will. It also contains artificial fragrances in addition to other chemical ingredients. So even though it says that it is for sensitive skin, it may be too harsh for some cats.
Pros
Cleans better than dry shampoo
Moisturizes and conditions your cat’s skin
Cons
Contains artificial fragrances
Contains some chemical ingredients
Cats that hate water may not like it
The Ark Naturals Waterless Cat Shampoo is full of plant-based ingredients that can help to clean your Sphynx and leave him smelling fresh. It’s also easy to use. Just pump it into your hand and massage it into your cat’s skin. This is a great product to use if your cat just needs a little freshening up.
Cleans better than dry shampoo
Moisturizes and conditions your cat’s skin
- Cleans better than dry shampoo
- Moisturizes and conditions your cat’s skin
Contains artificial fragrances
Contains some chemical ingredients
Cats that hate water may not like it
- Contains artificial fragrances
- Contains some chemical ingredients
- Cats that hate water may not like it
Ingredients: Balsam, cedarwood, rosemary, and orange oil
Requires Water: No
Great for: Cats that don’t like being bathed
Scent: Soft summer breeze
Although this shampoo is great for cleaning your cat, it doesn’t do much for moisturizing his skin. Plus, the type of plant-based ingredients may be too much for cats that have sensitive skin. Not all of the ingredients are natural either. However, this is one of the most affordable shampoos on this list.
Pros
Affordable
Easy to use
Contains plant-based ingredients
Cons
Doesn’t provide many skin benefits
May not be good for sensitive skin
Contains some chemical ingredients
If you love Burt’s Bees products but need a shampoo for a water-hating Sphynx cat, then the Burt’s Bees for Cats Waterless Shampoo might be the product for you. It is made with apple extract and honey to cleanse and nourish the skin. The waterless formula is easy to use, just spray it on your cat and wipe it off. It will leave his skin feeling fresh and smelling great.
Affordable
Easy to use
Contains plant-based ingredients
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Contains plant-based ingredients
Doesn’t provide many skin benefits
May not be good for sensitive skin
Contains some chemical ingredients
- Doesn’t provide many skin benefits
- May not be good for sensitive skin
- Contains some chemical ingredients
Ingredients: Honey, apple extract
Requires Water: No
Great for: Cats that don’t like water
Scent: Apple
Although this shampoo is designed to cleanse your cat’s skin, it doesn’t really provide any benefits for soothing or hydrating dry skin. It also doesn’t have much of a scent to it, which is great if your cat has sensitive skin but not great if you want a scented product. Plus, if your cat doesn’t like the idea of being “bathed” in general, the sound of the spray nozzle may make it hard to use this product discreetly.
Pros
Easy to apply
Waterless formula
Cons
Doesn’t provide many skin benefits
The scent is not strong
Hard to use discreetly
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Shampoo for Sphynx Cats
After reading our reviews as well as the pros and cons of the best shampoos for sphynx cats, you may be left feeling confused and even overwhelmed. With so many options, how do you know which one to choose, or even what to look for in a shampoo for your sphynx cat? Our Buyer’s Guide hopes to take some of the confusion out of your decision.
Easy to apply
Waterless formula
- Easy to apply
- Waterless formula
Doesn’t provide many skin benefits
The scent is not strong
Hard to use discreetly
- Doesn’t provide many skin benefits
- The scent is not strong
- Hard to use discreetly
Things to Consider
Obviously, the overall reason for buying shampoo for your Sphynx cat is to help keep them clean and healthy. But, there are other things to consider as well depending on what else you want to get out of a product. Safety, performance, ingredients, fragrances, and budget concerns are at the forefront of many people’s minds.
For some people, certain factors may take precedence over others. Let’s break down each of these factors so that you can determine what is most important to you in a product as well as what is best for your sphynx kitty.
Safety
All other factors aside, safety is the most important factor you should consider when choosing a shampoo. Any reasonable person wouldn’t use a product that was unsafe for them, so why wouldn’t you consider safety for your cat as well?
What you need to keep in mind about a cat’s fur is that not only is it there to keep the cat warm, but to protect its skin as well. Since Sphynx cats don’t have fur, the shampoo will be applied directly onto your cat’s skin. Because of this, the shampoo should be as natural as possible. It shouldn’t contain any harsh chemicals that could potentially burn or irritate your cat’s skin.
Shampoos that contain harsh chemicals are also more likely to dry out a cat’s skin. Just like our skin, a cat’s skin naturally produces oils that help to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized. Having hair helps to retain some of that moisture. But in addition to washing out dirt, shampoo can also strip away some of the oils. Without hair, more of the oils can get washed away, which can dry out the cat’s skin more quickly.
Type of Skin
The next factor to consider would be your cat’s skin type. A cat’s skin can be naturally oily, dry, sensitive, or somewhere in between. You’ll want to choose a shampoo that is formulated for certain skin types. For example, shampoos that are formulated for oily skin are designed to cleanse your cat’s skin and remove excess oils. Shampoos that are formulated for dry skin may be more hydrating to replenish some of the natural oils.
In cats that have sensitive skin (like allergies, for example) or kittens that have more delicate skin, you’ll want to use a shampoo that is gentle and hypoallergenic. These shampoos usually contain only the basic ingredients to keep your cat’s skin clean and tend to be free of fragrances and other ingredients that could cause allergies.
Natural Ingredients
Shampoos that are made with natural ingredients are essential for sphynx cats because they contain fewer harsh chemicals. Most natural ingredients are plant-based and include things such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, and even oatmeal.
When choosing a shampoo made with natural ingredients, you’ll want to consider the ingredients it contains in conjunction with your cat’s skin type. For example, shampoo that contains coconut oil will be more moisturizing and is better for cats with dry skin. Oatmeal can be soothing for skin that is itchy and flaky.
Scented or Unscented
The smell of shampoo should also be a consideration when choosing one for your cat. As we mentioned, you’ll want to choose an unscented shampoo if your cat has skin allergies. But if skin allergies aren’t a concern, you’ll want to take your own scent preferences into consideration as well.
Some common fragrances used in pet shampoos are floral scents such as lavender or rose, or tropical scents. But even ingredients such as coconut oil can give the shampoo a little bit of fragrance. Choose a shampoo in a scent that you’ll be happy with in addition to containing other ingredients that work for your cat’s skin.
Waterless Formula
It’s not a secret that some cats just despise water. However, there are others that love it. While most shampoos are designed to be rinsed off with water, there are some that can be used without water and therefore they don’t require rinsing. If your Sphynx cat hates water, it’s probably in your best interest to choose a waterless formula. That way, bathing your cat will be a more pleasant experience for both of you.
Budget
Lastly, you’ll want to consider how much money you’re willing to spend on shampoo for your cat, as well as the quality of that shampoo and how often you’ll use it. Remember that just because something is cheap doesn’t necessarily mean that it is low quality. But at the same time, you don’t want to spend a bunch of money on a product when a cheaper version will work just as well.
Consider the amount of shampoo that comes in a container also. If you only bathe your cat every few months, you can buy a smaller bottle. But if your cat enjoys getting dirty and needs to be bathed more frequently, it may be worth the money to buy a larger size.
Final Thoughts
The best shampoo for Sphynx cats should contain as many natural ingredients as possible while also providing benefits to keep your cat’s skin healthy. That’s why we like the Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo as the best overall shampoo for Sphynx cats. For the best value shampoo that also provides skin benefits and contains natural ingredients, we like the Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath. No matter what shampoo you choose for your Sphynx, we hope these reviews helped to make your decision easier.
See also:
- 10 Best Cat Foods in the UK – Reviews & Top Picks!
- 10 Pet Industry Cat Trends to Watch for in 2022
Featured Image Credit: Igor Lukin, Pixabay
