Answer: As a rule it is the best to use a baby shampoo which will not irritate the eyes. However, the mild detergents in baby shampoo are unable to remove heavy grime or grease and if that is necessary a reputable non-medicated shampoo should be used. Shampoos either soap or detergent based and may contain various additives. Soap shampoo often have lime-dispersing agents added to avoid leaving a dull film on her hair when used in hard water. Detergent shampoo may incorporate lanolin, glycerin are various oils to make the hair glossier and easier to comb.
In the absence of a shampoo, a tablet of ordinary unmediated toilet soap such as you would to wash your own skin, or even mild soap flakes, could be used, but these are often more difficult to apply and may sometimes irritate the skin. Soap and shampoos should always be thoroughly rinsed from the coat.
At time especial medicated soaps or shampoos may be recommended or even provided by your vet, but otherwise medicate products are best avoided especially any containing could tar or carbolic. Never use detergent liquids or powders intended for washing clothes, nor dish washing liquids. However, when cats are covered in oils or creosote, the application of diluted dishwashing liquid (50/50 with water) or of a detergent gel intended removing grease from the hand, may be the only way to shift such tenacious materials.
Bath oils and protein containing ‘body-builders' are usually little value, though hair conditioners (crime rinses) cab be useful after shampooing in preventing ‘fly way’ hair. The positively charged particles that conditioners contain neutralize the negative electric charges which dry hair picks up, especially after extensive brushing, and which cause adjacent hairs to repel each other.
