You can use a dog shampoo on a cat only if the label says it is made for cats too. Never use a dog flea or tick shampoo, spray or spot-on on a cat unless it is labelled for cats: some contain permethrin, an insecticide that is safe for dogs but can be fatal to cats. A plain dog shampoo isn’t poisonous in the same way, but it isn’t made for a cat’s skin or its habit of grooming everything off. The safest choice is a shampoo made for both, or one made for cats.
Why cats aren’t small dogs
- Cats groom constantly. Whatever isn’t rinsed off gets licked off, so a cat swallows far more of its shampoo than a dog does.
- Cats process some chemicals differently. Their livers can’t break down certain compounds that dogs handle easily, which is why some dog products are toxic to cats.
- Cats have very sensitive noses. A strongly perfumed dog shampoo can make bath time far more stressful.
- Cat skin can be delicate, and a cleanser that suits a muddy Labrador may be too strong for a cat.
The one rule that matters: check for permethrin
Permethrin is a common insecticide in dog flea and tick products. It is highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts, and even from close contact with a freshly treated dog.
- Never use a dog flea or tick product on a cat unless the label says it is for cats.
- Keep cats away from a dog that has just had a permethrin spot-on until it has dried, as the vet or label directs.
- Read the active ingredients on every flea and tick product in a home with cats.
Signs of permethrin poisoning in a cat include drooling, twitching, tremors, shaking, a wobbly walk and seizures, usually within hours. This is an emergency: wash the product off with mild washing-up liquid and lukewarm water if you can do so safely, and get to a vet immediately.
For tick protection on dogs in a home with cats, see the best anti-tick spray for dogs, which covers which products suit which species.
What about plain dog shampoo?
A plain dog shampoo, with no flea or tick actives, isn’t toxic in the same way. But it may still:
- carry a strong fragrance that stresses your cat
- use cleansers stronger than a cat’s coat needs
- leave residue your cat will groom off
- not have been tested or considered for cats at all
If you’ve used a plain dog shampoo on your cat once, rinse thoroughly and watch for redness, itching or excessive licking. If your cat seems unwell, call your vet.
Can I use puppy shampoo on my cat?
Only if it’s labelled for kittens or cats. “Puppy” means gentle for young dogs, not suitable for cats. Many products are labelled “for puppies and kittens”, and those are fine for the age on the label.
Shampoos made for both dogs and cats
The easiest answer in a home with both is a shampoo made for both. Plenty exist, including:
- Furrytail Gentle Daily Shampoo, made for dogs and cats: cleansed with amino acids, pH-balanced, a sensitive-skin formulation with no synthetic fragrance, preserved with probiotics. For a cat, Violet Leaf & Muslin is the softest scent.
- Furrytail Dry Foam Shampoo, a no-rinse foam for dogs and cats with no synthetic fragrance, for cats who won’t go near water.
- Virbac Episoothe, an oatmeal-based soothing shampoo labelled for dogs and cats.
- Natural Remedies Fresh Me Up, a waterless foam for dogs, cats and pups.
Our best cat shampoo and best dry shampoo for cats reviews compare more options.
How to read a label in a home with cats
- Look for “for cats” or “for dogs and cats” on the front or back.
- Check the active ingredients on any flea, tick or medicated product, especially for permethrin and other pyrethroids.
- Check the minimum age for kittens.
- Look for a full ingredient list, so you can check what your cat will groom off.
- When in doubt, ask your vet before using it.
What about human shampoo on a cat?
No. Human shampoo, including baby shampoo, is made for human skin and hair. See can I use human shampoo on my dog, which applies to cats as well.
