It’s no wonder the Maine Coon is among the most popular cat breeds in the world. They are known for their sociability and are revered as the gentle giants of the cat world. They come with an uneven two-layered coat complete with a silky undercoat, not to mention that long bushy tail so it’s no surprise you’re on the market for the best shampoo for your Maine Coon.
Whether you’re in search of something to help reduce shedding due to their higher-than-average grooming needs, provide relief for itchy, irritated skin, or just something to keep them fresh and clean, we’ve got you covered.
After looking at reviews for the best products on the market this year, we came up with a list of the best shampoos for Maine Coon cats.
Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is currently our favorite cat shampoo for Maine Coon cats. This pH-balanced, all-natural shampoo is gentle on your cat’s skin and coat. Soothing ingredients like aloe vera and oatmeal help to moisturize your Maine Coon’s skin while gently cleaning and reducing shedding.
Anyone with a Maine Coon knows that they have quite a bit of fur, and we found that this shampoo can handle it! It has a nice cucumber and aloe scent that leaves your cat smelling fresh for days. Plus, it’s made in the USA.
Overall, we think this is the best cat shampoo for Maine Coon cats that you can find this year.
At Excited Cats, 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
pH-balanced all-natural formula
Gentle cleansing and moisturizing
Great for Maine Coon cat fur
Made in the USA
Soothing ingredients reduce shedding
Cons
Not fragrance-free
2. Frisco Shed Control Shampoo with Aloe – Budget Buy
If you’re on the market for a budget shampoo for your Maine Coon, look no further. We chose the Frisco Shed Control Shampoo with Aloe. This shampoo comes in 20 fluid ounces or a 1-gallon size and can even be bought with the Frisco Shed Control Conditioner if you choose.
This shampoo is inexpensive considering the quantity and is specially made for heavy shedders, like the Maine Coon. Not only does it assist with shedding and management of the undercoat, but it also cleanses well and is made with plant-derived ingredients to be gentle on your cat’s skin and leave the coat nourished and strong.
This shampoo is made in the United States and contains no parabens or dyes. The not-so-great reviews were mainly owners not enjoying the smell. There was a complaint that they felt their pet shed worse after use.
Pros
Contains no parabens or dyes
Helps reduce shedding and manage undercoat
Oat protein, jojoba oil, and pro-vitamin B5 help nourish and strengthen the cat’s coat
Cons
Some owners did not enjoy the smell
Some owners complained of excess shedding after use
Our third choice for the best shampoo for use on Maine Coon Cats is the Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Fragrance-Free Shampoo. Not only is it fragrance-free, but soap-free as well. It is formulated to provide relief for cats or dogs with dry, itchy, and sensitive skin.
This shampoo does great at cleaning, deodorizing, and keeping the skin well-nourished without causing any irritation or washing off topical flea applications. We opted to have the Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Fragrance-Free Shampoo listed as our premium choice for its lack of bad reviews.
While it may not be geared toward shedding like some of the other Maine Coon shampoo options, it does a great job for even the most sensitive cats.
Pros
100% biodegradable, paraben and phosphate-free
Free of fragrance and soap
Cleansing and moisturizes while relieving itchy, dry skin
The best choice of shampoo for your Maine Coon kitten would be the TropiClean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut Shampoo. This shampoo is designed to be gentle enough for use on kittens. It’s not limited to the little ones though, and it is also a great choice for any cats that have sensitive skin or just need a nourishing bath.
This shampoo is made from natural ingredients, is pH balanced, and contains no soap, dyes, or parabens. It lathers up nicely, degreases, cleans, and moisturizes both the fur and the skin. Not only does it leave their coat soft but smelling great as well.
Our choice for the top medicated shampoo for Maine Coon’s is the MiconaHex+Triz Shampoo for Dogs & Cats. This shampoo has been formulated for animals with skin conditions that are responsive to miconazole and/or chlorhexidine. If your cat struggles with moderate to severe fungal or bacterial infections, this is a great go-to choice for a medicated shampoo.
This shampoo can fight yeast and other fungal infections, bacterial infections, ringworm, and even dandruff. The formula is paraben-free and contains ceramides to help moisture and restore the skin.
The biggest downfall for this shampoo is that it’s not meant for everyday use and should only be used if you need a medicated shampoo for your cat. Some owners were advising it was ineffective for their pet. When trying to treat any skin conditions, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian first.
Water, mild surfactants, hydrolyzed wheat and oat proteins, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids from cranberry, sunflower and safflower seed oils, kava, calendula, chamomile, mallow, aloe vera, and papaya extracts, vitamin E, fragrance, preservatives, and salt
Another great shampoo for a Maine Coon cat is the FURminator Ultra Premium Deshedding Shampoo. This is a rinse-free foaming shampoo that is great to have on hand for the long-haired Maine Coon for a bath in between baths.
As the name suggests, it helps to reduce excess shedding and in turn, prevent hairballs without having to give them a full bath. This foaming spray contains no parabens or chemical dyes and is enriched with hydrolyzed plant proteins and omega fatty acids.
We recommend this above all due to the high maintenance of the Maine Coon’s coat and the excessive shedding they are prone to. Having this on hand to give a quick waterless bath will help you eliminate that excess hair and leave your cat clean and fresh. This does not eliminate the need for semi-regular rinse baths, but you can use it along with some other grooming tools as well. FURminator has a whole line of deshedding products to choose from.
Overall, this is a very well-reviewed product among cat owners. The biggest downfalls were that some pets with sensitive skin did have a reaction and others felt it may have thinned the hair a bit too much. Some owners complained of the smell, but that is typical with any bathing product. We would recommend doing a small spot test on your cat to ensure it does not irritate them.
Pros
Reduces shedding and hairballs
Free of parabens and chemical dyes
Contains hydrolyzed plant proteins and omega fatty acids
John Paul Pet Sensitive Skin Formula Shampoo is made from the makers of the well-known Paul Mitchell hair care products. This shampoo is made for those with dry, flaky, and sensitive skin and comes specially formulated with a blend of aloe, chamomile, and hydrolyzed oat protein to nourish, moisturize, and cleanse.
The sweet almond oil leaves a great fragrance and helps condition the coat. This product is made in the USA and guaranteed cruelty-free. This shampoo is not only great for cats but dogs and horses as well.
There is a longer list of ingredients for this shampoo choice, and it does include dyes and perfumes. The biggest complaint from reviewers was that the fragrance didn’t last long enough. It may not help with de-shedding like some of the other options which is a very convenient feature for Maine Coon cats.
Neem oil, micronized oatmeal, vitamin E, aloe vera, panthenol (vitamin B-5), allantoin, and natural fragrance
The Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath is another waterless shampoo option that is a great choice for a quick clean in-between full rinse baths for your Main Coon. Best for use on cats 12 weeks or older, this formula is derived from natural ingredients and is free of parabens, dyes, and sulfates.
Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath does not replace the need for full rinse baths but makes for a great go-to option for freshening up in between them. Unfortunately, it’s not meant to help with deshedding, like most Maine Coon owners prefer. Some reviewers complain about the strong scent but others find it pleasant.
Pros
Cleansing and refreshing between full baths
Soothes dry skin
Free of paraben, dyes, and sulfates
Cons
Not geared for deshedding
Some owners didn’t enjoy the smell
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Shampoo for Maine Coons
When deciding on the best shampoo option for your Maine Coon or any other cat, you do have some things to consider before finalizing your decision. Below we will go over some of the things you should keep in mind while shopping for the best shampoo.
Cost/Quantity
Since these two go hand in hand, we’ve combined price and quantity. When making any purchase, you will need to consider the cost of the product in reference to your budget as well as the cost compared to the quantity you are getting for that price. Some shampoos may look like they are a great deal, but it turns out you only get a few ounces of shampoo in the bottle. We have included the quantity of each product on the list to help you get an idea of how much shampoo you’ll get with each choice.
Ingredients
The ingredients in shampoo are a very important consideration and it’s highly recommended that you have a look at what is in the shampoo before purchasing. Some shampoos can contain harmful ingredients that could cause mild to severe skin irritation for some cats. If you know your cat has sensitive skin or is prone to skin allergies, you’ll need to opt for sensitive formulas with safe, natural ingredients.
Shying away from shampoos that contain artificial dyes, parabens, sulfates, alcohol, and other chemicals is the safest option for your cat. There are many shampoos on the market today that are made with all-natural, plant-derived ingredients that are formulated without the harmful stuff.
Designed for Cats
You need to ensure the shampoo you purchase is designed for use on cats. You will notice that many shampoos are safe for both cats and dogs and that’s fine too. You never want to use human shampoo on your cat, it’s necessary to stick with products that manufacturers designed specifically for cats.
Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
Purpose
A lot of Maine Coon owners will likely opt for deshedding shampoos since the Maine Coon is a long-haired, heavy shedder with high maintenance grooming needs.A lot of shampoos available serve multiple purposes such as cleansing, moisturizing, and deodorizing as well.
Cats with skin allergies or sensitivities should be bathed with shampoos that are hypo-allergenic and formulated for sensitive skin. You may even run into the need for medicated shampoo for antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial needs.
You’ll have to figure out what your needs are for your specific cat and decide which purposes are the most important to you.
Age-Appropriate
Ensuring the shampoo you are purchasing is age-appropriate for your Maine Coon is something to keep in mind. This mainly goes for kitten owners since most shampoos are safe for adult cats. Make you look at the bottle to see the recommended age for use. A lot of shampoos are recommended for cats and kittens 6 to 12 weeks or older, some may even have weight requirements.
Benefits of Bathing Your Maine Coon
Reduce Shedding
It’s no secret that your Maine Coon has a lot of hair and an undercoat to go along with it. They are a bit high maintenance when it comes to grooming needs. Regular baths can help reduce excess shedding, manage the undercoat, and even prevent hairballs.
Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
Keep Them Clean
While they may be masters at grooming themselves and are well-known for being very clean animals, bathing them regularly can help keep their coats clean of dirt, dust, and anything else they get into. Bathing them regularly will keep their coats cleaner and prevent them from licking off any unwanted debris.
Maintain a Healthy Coat
Regular shampoo can help prevent the Maine Coon’s long coat from tangling and matting. You may even notice that after a while they can even begin to look a little greasy. A quick bath can solve that, and the right ingredients can leave their coat soft, shiny, healthy, and smelling great.
Provide Relief or Relaxation
Not all cats enjoy bath time but if you introduce them to regular baths as kittens, they can even learn to enjoy them. It can provide a bit of relaxation and bonding with their owner, depending on the individual of course. Not only that, but regular bathing can also help relieve cats with skin allergies and other skin conditions that leave them dry, itchy, and irritated. If you do have a cat that suffers from skin conditions, make sure to use an appropriate shampoo for the job.
Image Credit: Summer 1810, Sutterstock
Conclusion
Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo has a pH-balanced, all-natural formula that gently cleanses your Maine Coon cat while moisturizing and reducing shedding. It has a pleasant, light scent and reduces irritation and itchiness.
Now that you have more information on the things to consider before your purchase, the benefits of bathing your Maine Coon, and have a list of some of the best-reviewed products available, we hope we’ve helped make your decision as easy as possible.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
