Best Cat Food for Hairballs

Now we have finished looking at all the top choices for your kitty, let’s find out a little bit more about hairballs, so you can be fully informed about this common feline problem and how you can help your cat.   

What Are Hairballs? 

 The official name for hairballs is trichobezoars. Try saying that three times fast. We all know that cats groom themselves by licking their coat clean. What you might not know is that they have tiny, tough projections on the surface of their tongue called papillae that help to move any loose hair during grooming down their throat and into their stomach.  

Most of the hair eventually moves through the cat’s digestive tract and passes out in their stools. However, sometimes if there is a lot of hair, it can clump together in the cat’s stomach and form hairballs. This is where a hairball control cat food comes in real handy.  

When a cat throws up a hairball, they usually look more cylinder or tubular than a ball. It takes on this sausage shape as it passes through the narrow esophagus from your cat’s tummy to its mouth. It’s a damp and smelly combination of hair and stomach juices, and will usually be a similar color to your cat’s hair. Most hairballs are about an inch long, but sometimes they can be longer and thicker, especially in longer-haired breeds of cats. 

What are the Symptoms of Hairballs?  

If you have seen your cat bring up a hairball, you will know that it is usually not a very nice experience. Most cats will retch and gag, with their neck extended for a few seconds before producing a hairball. All the more reason to try to help prevent your cat from coughing them up in the first place. 

Frequent hairballs may create problems in your cat’s digestive system and cause vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. A hairball may pass from the stomach into the intestines, where it could even create a life-threatening intestinal blockage.    

However, other health conditions can sometimes cause similar signs. Therefore, if you aren’t sure if your cat is producing hairballs or if it might be another illness, then it is best to seek advice from your veterinarian.   

What Causes Hairballs in Cats? 

As all cats groom themselves and ingest hair, it is normal for your cat to produce the occasional hairball, once every week or two weeks is standard for most cats. 

All types of cats can get this problem, but older cats develop them more often than younger ones. Long-haired breeds of cats, such as Persian or Ragdoll, are also at a much higher risk of suffering from hairballs. You might also notice your cat is producing more hairballs at certain seasons of the year when he is shedding more hair, and hairball control is even more important.  

Some cats can develop hairballs from excessively grooming themselves. The excessive grooming might be due to a skin issue, matted hair, or even stress. Common reasons for stress in cats include moving home, a new family member (e.g., baby or a new cat), or building work nearby. 

Some cats may produce hairballs due to an underlying intestinal issue such as inflammatory bowel disease or a food allergy. These can reduce the normal movement of the gut, and make it more likely for hairballs to form. Other cats may only start developing hairballs after a change in diet, as the new cat food fails to safely move the excess hair through the cat’s gut as well. 

If the ingested hair can pass slowly through your cat’s system, then there will be no problems. It is when the excess hair starts to build up in the stomach and form balls, that it can begin to cause some severe issues. 

Hairball Remedies for Cats: How to Prevent Hairballs?  

If your cat is prone to hairballs, there are some easy things you can do to reduce or even prevent the problem altogether. 

1.  Daily grooming 

 If you get in the habit of brushing your cat every day, you will significantly reduce the amount of dead and loose hair in your cat’s coat. Then your cat will be ingesting a lot less hair while he grooms, and therefore there is much less chance of producing hairballs. Grooming your cat is also an excellent way for you to bond with your cat. If your cat hates being brushed, over time, you can hopefully change his mind by making it a positive experience with treats.  

2. Increase your cat’s exercise 

 Getting your cat to be more active may be difficult, but it will have several positive effects. Firstly, it can help to alleviate boredom and reduce stress, which are frequent problems with indoor cats. Secondly, regular exercise can get your cat’s digestive tract moving, which will encourage any excess hair to move through the gut. Good ways to get your cat be more active include chaser toys, food balls, or catnip. You could introduce climbing posts somewhere in your home too. 

3. Change to a hairball diet 

We have already mentioned some diets which we think are great choices if you are looking for new cat food to help your cat with his hairball problem. The best hairball cat food can make a real difference to cats who suffer from hairballs regularly, by supporting any excess hair pass safely through the intestinal tract and out the other end in the stools.   

4.  Use a cat hairball remedy 

 There are a variety of hairball pastes, gels, and chews available which claim to help cats with hairballs. Many hairball pastes contain mineral or vegetable oil to help lubricate excess hair in your cat’s tummy so it will pass more easily. It can be challenging to know which ones work! Do some research and talk to your veterinarian to check if a hairball supplement would be a good option for your cat. 

 Guide on Choosing the Best Hairball Food 

 There is not just one hairball diet that will suit every cat. Every cat is different, and each cat needs an individual assessment to see what is essential for them. 

 Let’s take a look at some essential things to consider before choosing a new hairball food for your kitty. 

1.       Quality

Choose a good quality brand that you trust! You want to give your cat the best quality diet to make sure he has all the essential nutrients he requires to thrive. That includes the right levels of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and all the vital vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Choosing a cat food for hairball control doesn’t mean you need to compromise on the quality of the ingredients! 

You should choose a cat food that is complete and balanced for your cat’s age. If the cat food has a statement from The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), then you know it is good quality and contains all the nutrients your cat requires. 

2.    Ingredients

An important factor in any hairball control diet is the natural fibers, which are the most effective way of moving hair through your cat’s digestive system. However, the type and quantity of fibers are significant, not enough, and there will be no effect, too much, and they may cause digestive issues. 

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat to survive. Therefore they naturally need a protein-rich diet to thrive, so choose a food that is high in protein but low in digestible carbohydrates (which can be difficult for cats to digest if there is too much). The diet should also contain all the essential vitamins and minerals your cat requires. Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids are also great additions in cat food, as they are critical for healthy skin, coat, and overall wellbeing. 

3. Taste & Consistency

It doesn’t matter if you buy the best hairball control cat food in the world if your cat turns her nose up at it. If you have a fussy eater, then you will have to pay extra attention to the flavors of the food. Additionally, some cats only eat dry food, while others prefer canned. 

Thankfully there are lots of different flavors and styles of hairball diet food on the market. Canned food is available in various textures such as meaty slices in gravy, minced, smooth pâté, or chunks mixed with vegetables. Some brands offer both dry and canned options, which is essential if your cat likes to eat both. 

Changing your cat’s diet too often, or mixing different brands of cat food can cause your cat to have an upset tummy. If your cat likes variety, try to stick to the same brand range but just choose a different flavor. When changing your cat’s food, it is a good idea to slowly mix small amounts of the new diet with the old diet for a week or so. This way, your cat’s system has time to adjust and will make her more likely to eat the new food. 

You know your cat’s preferences and quirks best, and it is important to choose a diet which you think will be tasty and irresistible for your cat 

4. Other Health Considerations

Does your cat have any other health issues that you need to take into account? Does your cat currently eat a special or prescription diet for another problem? It usually doesn’t make sense buying two different diets, if one food can do both jobs. Plus, it can be costly to buy two diets. 

Thankfully some brands are now offering hairball control diets, which also help to combat other common feline issues too such as urinary tract problems or obesity. A few of our top picks were good choices at helping to keep your cat at a healthy weight as well as reduce hairballs. Another one of our top options works to prevent urinary tract issues in addition to reducing hairballs. Talk to your veterinarian if you need some advice about your cat’s health. 

5.  Price

We know that hairball control diets can be much more expensive than regular cat food. Therefore, you need to consider the price of the diet and what you can afford for your kitty. You might be able to feed a hairball diet for every other meal if you are worried about costs. 

However, a proper hairball diet is more of a long term investment in your cat’s health as it could dramatically reduce hairball production and improve your kitty’s quality of life.   

Things to Avoid When Choosing a Hairball Cat Food 

If you want the best for your cat, then you want to choose a cat food that uses high quality and natural ingredients. You should avoid artificial flavors, additives, preservatives, and colors. There are some concerns about links to cancer reported. There are natural alternatives to these harsh chemicals; for example, rosemary extract is a natural preservative. 

A healthy adult cat food needs to have the right balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates- your cat needs all three. However, avoid cat food that is high in carbohydrates. If your cat eats too many carbohydrates, then it may be at higher risk of obesity, diabetes, and intestinal problems. 

Choose a cat food which contains lots of good quality real meat. Avoid diets that include meat by-products and fillers as the quality of these products is not always known, and avoid foods that have high levels of plant-based protein sources such as soy.    

Final Thoughts  

If you are always finding little surprises of smelly hairballs throughout your home, then it is time to make some changes in your cat’s life. Daily grooming and playing with your cat are easy ways to make his lifestyle healthier. However, changing to a special hairball control diet is the easiest way to make him more comfortable and reduce the number of hairballs he is producing. Choosing an excellent hairball control cat food could improve your cat’s quality of life considerably, and mean a lot less cleaning up around the home for you. Hopefully, our guide will make choosing the best cat food for hairball control a little easier!