Cats are some of the cleanest animals around and can spend hours a day grooming. But as they groom, they swallow loose hair. Most of it passes through the gut, but some can build up in the stomach and come back up as a hairball. Long-haired cats and cats that groom a lot are most affected. Hairball-control foods can help.
How Do Hairball Foods Work?
Most hairball-control foods contain extra fiber, often from cellulose, beet pulp or psyllium, which helps swallowed hair move through the gut and out in the stools rather than building up in the stomach. Many also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat and reduce shedding.
Choosing a Hairball Food
- choose a complete and balanced food labeled for hairball control, suitable for your cat’s age;
- dry and wet hairball foods are both available; wet food also helps with hydration;
- if your cat has other health needs, such as weight control or urinary health, look for a food that covers them too, or ask your vet;
- switch gradually over 7–10 days. Read more: how to switch your cat to a new food.
Hairball treats and hairball gels or pastes made for cats are also available. Use them according to the pack, and ask your vet before using them regularly, especially if your cat has other health problems. Don’t give your cat human laxatives, mineral oil or butter.
Other Ways to Reduce Hairballs
- Brush your cat regularly, daily for long-haired cats, especially during shedding season. Every hair you brush out is one your cat won’t swallow. Read more about grooming a cat.
- Encourage drinking with wet food and a water fountain.
- Offer cat grass, which some cats like to chew.
- Reduce stress and boredom, as some cats over-groom when stressed.
An occasional hairball is normal for many cats, but frequent hairballs, or vomiting more than once or twice a month, aren’t. See your vet if your cat brings up hairballs often, retches without producing anything, stops eating, is constipated or seems lethargic. A hairball can occasionally cause a blockage, which is an emergency. Frequent hairballs can also be a sign of digestive disease or skin problems that cause over-grooming. Read more about vomiting in cats.
