Waterless cat shampoo is a great tool for any cat owner to have available in their grooming arsenal. Cats do not need full-rinse baths nearly as often as dogs. Bathing a cat too often can strip the coat of natural oils and can cause dry skin and irritation.

While full-rinse baths are necessary every once in a while, waterless cat shampoos can help you freshen up your cat without the full bath. Some of these no-rinse, dry shampoos can even help maintain shine and moisten dry skin.

Whether you need to spot clean, eliminate a smell, or just freshen up your cat, waterless cat shampoo is a great go-to. We have looked into the reviews of fellow cat-lovers that have provided feedback on the products used on their own cats and come up with a list of the best waterless cat shampoos on the market.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Image Product Details

Best Overall

Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo

Formulated with all-natural ingredients

No rinsing required

Softens and cleans as it moisturizes

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Best Value

Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo

Great price for the quantity

Help balance pH

Helps with dander and dry skin

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Premium Choice

Douxo Dog & Cat Mousse

Helps remove excess sebum, oils, and dander

Neutralizes odors

Free of soaps, dyes, parabens, sulfates, and nanoparticles

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Best for Kittens

Earthbath Cat Grooming Foam

Safe for all cats and kittens 6 weeks or older

Hypoallergenic and free of fragrance

All-natural ingredients

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Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath

Formulated by veterinarians

Cleanses and helps soothe dry skin

Made with a calming fragrance for cats

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The 11 Best Waterless Cat Shampoos

  1. Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo – Best Overall

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Quantity: 8 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Water, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, and Fragrance

Hepper’s Waterless No-Rinse Pet Shampoo takes the dread out of bathtime for both you and your feline companion. Most cats aren’t fond of water, and this shampoo requires no water whatsoever.

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Quantity: 8 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Water, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, and Fragrance

This waterless shampoo is pH balanced and formulated with all-natural ingredients, so you can feel good about bathing your kitty with nothing but the best. This formula moisturizes and softens as it cleans, leaving your cat’s fur looking and feeling luxurious with a soothing cucumber and fresh aloe scent.

This shampoo comes in an 8-fluid-ounce bottle and is free from soap, DEA, synthetic dyes, gluten, sulfates, and phthalates. Simply apply the foam directly to your cat’s fur, massage it in, and brush out—that’s it! It will also clean the paws and nails, and you just have to massage the formula into the paws and nails and wipe clean to do it. Easy peasy!

Hepper’s No-Rinse Waterless Dry Cat Shampoo is manufactured in the USA and is safe for all animals. It won’t strip the fur from its natural oils and won’t irritate the skin.

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

Formulated with all-natural ingredients

No rinsing required

Softens and cleans as it moisturizes

Fresh cucumber and aloe scent

Safe for all animals

Cons

Only one size available

Burt’s Bees Waterless Cat Shampoo is a great choice if you are looking to get the best value for your money. This 10-ounce bottle comes at a great price, is 99.8% natural, and is free from sulfates and colorants. Burt’s Bees is a cruelty-free manufacturer as well.

Formulated with all-natural ingredients

No rinsing required

Softens and cleans as it moisturizes

Fresh cucumber and aloe scent

Safe for all animals

  • Formulated with all-natural ingredients
  • No rinsing required
  • Softens and cleans as it moisturizes
  • Fresh cucumber and aloe scent
  • Safe for all animals

Only one size available

  • Only one size available

Quantity: 10 ounces

Type: Spray

Ingredients: Water, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Coco Betaine, Glycerin, Honey, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol

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This waterless cat bath is formulated to balance a cat’s pH and contains apple and honey to leave the coat soft, shiny, and well-nourished. Some cat owners did complain of their distaste for the smell, while others stated they had issues with the bottle leaking.

Burt’s Bees Waterless Cat Shampoo is a great price for the quantity and some owners rave about how it helps reduce their cat’s dander and soothes their dry skin.

Pros

Great price for the quantity

Help balance pH

Helps with dander and dry skin

Cons

Leaky bottles issues

Duoxo S3 SEB Dog and Cat Mousse are designed specifically to remove excess oils, flaky build-up, reduce dander, and help deodorize. This choice is more on the expensive side but can restore the balance of the protective microbes to help alleviate dermatological diseases. It is formulated with ophytrium, which helps to strengthen the skin’s physical barrier.

Great price for the quantity

Help balance pH

Helps with dander and dry skin

  • Great price for the quantity
  • Help balance pH
  • Helps with dander and dry skin

Leaky bottles issues

  • Leaky bottles issues

Quantity: 1 ounce

Type: Mousse

Ingredients: Ophytrium, Seboliance

This waterless shampoo is free of soaps, sulfates, parabens dyes, and nanoparticles. In addition to the health benefits, it does moisturize the skin and coat, helps with detangling, and leaves the fur soft and shiny.

Due to the price, Duoxo S3 SEB may be a better choice for cats that do already suffer from skin issues but overall, this is a great option for any cat with oily to flaky skin. It was designed and tested by veterinary dermatologists.

Pros

Helps remove excess sebum, oils, and dander

Neutralizes odors

Free of soaps, dyes, parabens, sulfates, and nanoparticles

Cons

Expensive

Safe for cats and kittens 6 weeks and older, Earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Grooming Foam for Cats gets our pick for the little ones. You simply rub it in and wipe it off, which is quick and easy for kittens. This formulation is hypo-allergenic and free of any fragrance, which is great for cats or kittens with sensitivities.

Helps remove excess sebum, oils, and dander

Neutralizes odors

Free of soaps, dyes, parabens, sulfates, and nanoparticles

  • Helps remove excess sebum, oils, and dander
  • Neutralizes odors
  • Free of soaps, dyes, parabens, sulfates, and nanoparticles

Expensive

  • Expensive

Quantity: 4 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Purified Water, Sucrose-Derived Cleansers, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Colloidal Oatmeal, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Preservative

This waterless shampoo foam helps reduce human allergies since it helps with dander reduction. This is a well-reviewed product but did get a number of complaints due to leaving behind residue. You will have to make sure you wipe off thoroughly if you opt for this choice.

Pros

Safe for all cats and kittens 6 weeks or older

Hypoallergenic and free of fragrance

All-natural ingredients

Cons

Leaves residue

The Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath is another great choice for waterless cat shampoo. This product is formulated by veterinarians and is not only reasonably priced but is the highest-rated waterless cat bath among fellow cat owners.

Safe for all cats and kittens 6 weeks or older

Hypoallergenic and free of fragrance

All-natural ingredients

  • Safe for all cats and kittens 6 weeks or older
  • Hypoallergenic and free of fragrance
  • All-natural ingredients

Leaves residue

  • Leaves residue

Quantity: 4 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Neem Oil, Micronized Oatmeal, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Allantoin and Natural Fragrance

Vets Best uses all-natural solutions made with botanical oils in all their products. The Vitamin E, aloe vera, neem oil, and oatmeal in this waterless cat bath not only helps clean their fur but provides long-lasting relief for dry skin.

It is made with a fragrance that is calming for cats, the downside is that some owners did not take well to the strong scent. There were reports of faulty pumps on some bottles, which can be an inconvenience, as you need the pump to convert the liquid to foam. Overall, Vet’s Best Waterless Shampoo is a great choice for cleaning and deodorizing between full rinse baths.

Pros

Formulated by veterinarians

Cleanses and helps soothe dry skin

Made with a calming fragrance for cats

Cons

Occasional faulty pump

TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing Cat Shampoo is designed to keep a cat’s dander under control. Dander is the leading cause of allergic reactions in humans with cat allergies. Not only can the dander lead to reactions in humans, but it can also cause dermatitis in cats.

Formulated by veterinarians

Cleanses and helps soothe dry skin

Made with a calming fragrance for cats

  • Formulated by veterinarians
  • Cleanses and helps soothe dry skin
  • Made with a calming fragrance for cats

Occasional faulty pump

  • Occasional faulty pump

Quantity: 4 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Purified Water, Mild Cleanser, Odor Neutralizer, Organic Extracts of Oatmeal and Cucumber

TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing Cat Shampoo reduces dander between full rinse baths by offering this no-rinse option. This waterless shampoo is made with oatmeal and cucumber extracts and a mild coconut cleanser. Not only does it help with dander reduction, but it also reduces odor and helps moisturize your cat’s skin.

The most common complaint about TropiClean Waterless Dander Reducing Cat Shampoo was fault pump issues experienced among some buyers.

Pros

Reduces allergen causing dander

Reduces odors

Moisturizes the skin

Cons

Faulty pump issues

CHI Waterless Bath Spray for Cats is a sulfate and paraben-free waterless spray that works to eliminate unpleasant odors and keep the skin and coat free from dirt and dander. It is as simple as spraying and massaging into the coat.

Reduces allergen causing dander

Reduces odors

Moisturizes the skin

  • Reduces allergen causing dander
  • Reduces odors
  • Moisturizes the skin

Faulty pump issues

  • Faulty pump issues

Quantity: 8 ounces

Type: Spray

Ingredients: Water, Cleansing Agents from Natural Plant Source, Natural Conditioning Agents, Silk Protein, Aloe, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Natural Moisturizing Agents, Botanical Extracts, Natural Emollients, Fragrance

CHI Waterless Bath Spray is safe for use on all cats and kittens 8 weeks and older. The formula is pH balanced to help maintain healthy skin and coats. This option does contain fragrance, which is something that some owners wish to avoid, especially for cats with allergies or sensitivities.

Pros

Removes dirt and dander

Helps neutralize odors

Sulfate and paraben-free

Cons

Contains fragrance

FURminator FUR deShedding Rinse-Free Foaming Cat Shampoo is created to help reduce excessive shedding and prevent hairballs without having to fully bathe your cat. This formula is enriched with hydrolyzed plant proteins and omega fatty acids to help maintain healthy skin and coat.

Removes dirt and dander

Helps neutralize odors

Sulfate and paraben-free

  • Removes dirt and dander
  • Helps neutralize odors
  • Sulfate and paraben-free

Contains fragrance

  • Contains fragrance

Quantity: 5 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Water, Mild Surfactants, Hydrolyzed Wheat and Oat Proteins, Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids from Cranberry, Sunflower and Safflower Seed Oils, Kava, Calendula, Chamomile, Mallow, Aloe Vera, and Papaya Extracts, Vitamin E, Fragrance, Preservative and Salt

FURminator created this waterless shampoo without any parabens or chemical dyes. The biggest complaint among cat owners was the strong smell that did not sit well with some. This option is best if shed reduction is your main goal for rinse-free baths.

Pros

No parabens or chemical dyes

Helps reduce shedding and hairballs

Plant-based formula

Cons

Strong smell

Best for deshedding purposes

Bodhi Dog Waterless Lavender Dry Cat Shampoo is an all-natural, plant-based formula that is alcohol-free and non-toxic. The formulation is gentle and makes it optimal for cats and other animals that have skin sensitivities or suffer from allergies.

No parabens or chemical dyes

Helps reduce shedding and hairballs

Plant-based formula

  • No parabens or chemical dyes
  • Helps reduce shedding and hairballs
  • Plant-based formula

Strong smell

Best for deshedding purposes

  • Strong smell
  • Best for deshedding purposes

Quantity: 8 ounces

Type: Spray

Ingredients: Water, Mild Surfactants, Hydrolyzed Wheat and Oat Proteins, Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids from Cranberry, Sunflower and Safflower Seed Oils, Kava, Calendula, Chamomile, Mallow, Aloe Vera, and Papaya Extracts, Vitamin E, Fragrance, Preservative and Salt

The manufacturer does recommend brushing after use to ensure the coat is left shiny and well-maintained. This dry shampoo does a great job hydrating dry skin and coat and is safe for use on cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, and even horses.

Some pet owner reviews did complain that the lavender scent and deodorizing ability of this product are short-lived.

Pros

Non-toxic and hypoallergenic

Safe for cats, kittens, and other small pets

All-natural, plant-based formula

Cons

Short-lived deodorizer

  • See Also: Is Waterless Shampoo Safe for Cats? Is It Effective for Cleaning?

The Whisker Litter-Robot Cucumber Aloe Cat Bath Foam Wash comes in Cucumber Aloe or Bamboo Mint scent. This waterless shampoo foam features a catnip-infused formula that cats love. This foam is to be used just like a dry shampoo by massaging into the fur and brushing away any excess foam.

Non-toxic and hypoallergenic

Safe for cats, kittens, and other small pets

All-natural, plant-based formula

  • Non-toxic and hypoallergenic
  • Safe for cats, kittens, and other small pets
  • All-natural, plant-based formula

Short-lived deodorizer

  • Short-lived deodorizer

Quantity: 8 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Water, Tween 20, Glycerin, Catnip Oil, Aloe Fragrance Oil, Cucumber Seed Oil

This is a newer product on the market and while it gets good reviews, thus far, they are limited. This waterless bath is made by the company that manufactures the famous Litter-Robot litter box.

Pros

Available in two fragrances

Easy to use

Cons

Newer product with limited reviews

  1. Ark Naturals Don’t Rinse Me Waterless Cat Shampoo

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Quantity: 18 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Balsam Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Rosemary Oil, Orange Oil, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid

Ark Naturals Don’t Worry Don’t Rinse Me Waterless Dog & Cat Shampoo is another great option that offers a low price for the quantity. This product is made in the USA and has a natural botanical formula that is composed of balsam, cedarwood, rosemary, and orange oils, which work great for deodorizing.

Available in two fragrances

Easy to use

  • Available in two fragrances
  • Easy to use

Newer product with limited reviews

  • Newer product with limited reviews

Check Latest Price

Quantity: 18 ounces

Type: Foam

Ingredients: Balsam Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Rosemary Oil, Orange Oil, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid

Ark Naturals works great when you need to do a quick spot cleaning on your cat. There are some extra ingredients compared to the competitors and there are some complaints of poor packaging. Overall, though, this is a well-reviewed waterless shampoo that can be used on cats or dogs.

Pros

Low price for the quantity

Great for spot cleaning

Made in the USA

Cons

Poor packaging

Extra ingredients

Related Read: 22 Essential Supplies for Your New Cat (Shopping Checklist)

Low price for the quantity

Great for spot cleaning

Made in the USA

  • Low price for the quantity
  • Great for spot cleaning
  • Made in the USA

Poor packaging

Extra ingredients

  • Poor packaging
  • Extra ingredients

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Waterless (Dry) Cat Shampoo

Purpose of Waterless Shampoo

It is important to note that waterless shampoos are not to be used as substitutes for full-rinse bathes. Waterless shampoos are great for a quick cleanse between baths or for spot cleaning

Waterless shampoos are great to have on hand, especially since they are much better tolerated by our feline friends than regular baths. They help them freshen up and eliminate any lingering odors. Some products even help to reduce dander and provide some added moisture to the skin.

Related Read: 7 Best Shampoos for Persian Cats – Reviews & Top Picks

The Benefits of Waterless Shampoo

Cleans

Whether your cat has gotten into something that dirtied their coat or simply needs to be freshened up, waterless cat baths are a quick and easy way to provide a quick clean-up. You can apply all over or just spot clean any dirty areas. Waterless cat shampoos are great for ill, disabled, obese, or senior cats that have trouble self-grooming.

Improves Smell

You share your life, your home, and your furniture with your cat so keeping them smelling fresh and clean is a necessity. If you notice your cat is emitting any unpleasant odor, having a waterless cat bath in your grooming arsenal is a quick fix for eliminating odors and getting them smelling fresh again.

Great for On-the-Go

A lot of pet parents travel with their cats nowadays. Giving your cat a full-rinse bath while you are on the move is not going to be easy. Cats are typically not big fans of full-rinse baths in the first place, let alone outside their comfort zone. Having a waterless, rinse-free option is good to keep on hand in case a quick clean-up becomes necessary.

Reduce Dander/Shedding

A lot of waterless cat shampoos on the market are formulated with ingredients that will soothe dry skin. Some options are even hypoallergenic and can reduce shedding and excess dander. This can be very helpful to cats that suffer from dry skin and owners that suffer from allergies. Applying waterless shampoo between baths can keep dander at bay and help reduce allergy symptoms.

Before You Buy

There are some considerations you need to keep in mind before you make your purchase. Let’s look:

Type – There are different kinds of waterless cat shampoos available on the market today and most come as either foam or spray. The type of dispenser will be dependent on your preference. Some cats do not take well to sprays and may be frightened by sound and mist coming at them. If your cat is fearful of sprays, opting for foam may be the way to go. Some products will offer additional benefits such as being hypoallergenic, providing dander control, dry skin relief, or even salon-like smells. You need to decide what purpose you want your waterless shampoo to serve.

Cost – While waterless cat shampoos are not a heavy expense, some products are pricier than others. Make sure you look at many ounces of product you are getting for the price. Ensuring you are getting good value for your money is great for anyone’s budget and just because a product is more expensive, does not necessarily mean it is superior.

Ingredients – When you are applying a rinse-free product to your cat’s coat, you want it to be safe. Cats do a lot of self-grooming and you do not want them licking up any residue that contains any harmful chemicals or toxins. You will need to read the labels of each product to see what ingredients they are composed of. Waterless shampoos with heavy fragrances can be irritating to some cats. As a rule, it is ideal to avoid products that contain artificial dyes, sulfates, and parabens.

You may also want to read: 10 Best Shampoos for Maine Coon Cats in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Conclusion

Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo is a great overall choice for waterless cat baths, as it is pH balance formulated with all-natural ingredients.

Burt’s Bees will get you great value for your money by providing great quality with 99.8 percent natural ingredients and being easy on your wallet at the same time.

The Douxo S3 SEB Dog & Cat Mousse will help reduce dander and excess oils and is free of any soaps, dyes, parabens, sulfates, and nanoparticles. This is a more expensive option but is a great choice for cats with sensitivities.

Regardless of your product choice, waterless cat shampoos are great to keep on hand and provide benefits for both cats and their owners.

You might also be interested in: 

  • 8 Best Cat Flea Shampoos – Reviews & Top Picks
  • How To Get Rid of Cat Dander (9 Proven Methods)
  • 7 Best Cat Shampoo – Reviews & Top Picks

Featured Image Credit: Ekaterina Kuzovkova, Shutterstock