It's no secret that cats are finicky creatures. But when it comes to hairballs, they all seem to have the same reaction - gag reflex! Although hairballs are a natural consequence of your cat's grooming process, you don't have to just sit back and watch them throw up their dinner.
There are excellent and economical hairball remedies for cats that can help keep your feline friend happy and healthy. Keep reading to learn more about the best ways to keep your cat from suffering with hairballs!
How We Pick the Best Hairball Remedy for Cats
Your cat is constantly hacking up hairballs and you're not sure what the best remedy is. It's hard to know which hairball remedy for cats is the best because there are so many on the market. And, since your cat's health is at stake, you don't want to just pick any old remedy off of the shelf.
We've done the research for you and have picked the best hairball remedies for cats. Our top picks are based on effectiveness, price, ingredients, and evaluation of hundreds of customer reviews.
We hope you enjoy the following product reviews. All products we evaluate are carefully chosen from among the best currently available. We may, in some cases, receive samples for hands-on evaluation - but all opinions noted in this article are ours alone. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers. Thank you for visiting us today!
Pleasant Maple Flavor That Cats Love
Vetoquinol Laxatone Oral Hairball Lubricant Gel for Cats
What We Like About It
Vetoquinol Laxatone Oral Hairball Lubricant Gel for Cats is a reliable and easy-to-use remedy for hairballs. This gel has a pleasant maple flavor that cats love, making it a favorite among pet parents. The gel lubricates your cat's digestive tract, helping to eliminate hairballs while also helping to prevent their reoccurance.
One Minute Pet Tips
While the manufacturer has not specifically said that it's safe for use with animals during pregnancy, there is no concrete evidence to indicate otherwise. If your animal becomes ill after taking this medication, please contact your vet immediately as they will know what steps should be taken.
What We Like About It
This unique formula supports digestive health, skin health, and regular shedding to help reduce hairballs in cats. Natural ingredients are safe and gentle, making this an ideal solution for your cat. The tasty chews are easy for cats to consume, and the manufacturer recommends 1-2 treats daily as a routine preventative measure to discourage hairballs from forming.
One Minute Pet Tips
The Pet Naturals chews contain no corn, wheat, or artificial ingredients that can affect your cat's health. These are manufactured in the USA, which we consider a plus in their favor.
What We Like About It
This delicious food is formulated to help reduce hairballs and keep your cat healthy and happy. Made with chicken by-product meal, animal fat, ground corn, and wheat flour, Temptations Hairball Control is full of the nutrients your cat needs to stay healthy and strong. And the best part? It tastes great, too! Your cat will love the taste of these treats, making feeding them a breeze.
One Minute Pet Tips
We reviewed a lot of customer reviews for these treats, and the overwhelming majority of comments that mentioned taste indicated that their cats love them!
Natural Fiber From Psyllium Husk
Wellnergy Pets Natural Hairball Control Chews for Cats
What We Like About It
These chews are specially formulated to prevent and eliminate hairballs, promoting a healthy GI tract on the inside and healthy skin on the outside. They contain natural fiber from psyllium husk to help with management of gastrointestinal and stool health, without the use of any laxative or mineral oil. Just give your cat one chew per day for healthy hair and a happy gut!
One Minute Pet Tips
These delicious chicken-flavored chews are made in the USA with premium quality, natural ingredients with no GMOs, corn, soy, or preservatives. Formulated to help reduce hairballs, these hairball control chews also contain no laxatives or petroleum jelly. We feel that they are an excellent buy and worth trying!
Easy To Feed Creamy Lickable Treats
INABA Churu Lickable Purée Cat Treat for Hairball Control
What We Like About It
Made with farm-raised chicken or natural wild-caught tuna, these creamy purée treats are a healthy and delicious snack your cat will love. And with added insoluble vegetable fiber to support healthy digestion and control hairballs, you can feel good about giving them a treat that is also good for their health.
With 88% moisture, these cat hairball treats are also a great way to help keep your cat hydrated. At only 6 calories per treat, they are also a low-calorie option that you can feel good about giving them as a snack.
One Minute Pet Tips
Churu is a delicious, healthy treat that your cat is sure to love. But it's not just for snacking - you can also use it to top off their dry kibble or wet food, or even as a way to help them take their medicine. No matter how you use it, these unique treats are a great way to promote interaction between you and your feline friend.
These hand-fed treats are perfect for promoting cat/human interaction. We think they are a cool treat for cats and their owners. c
Best Hairball Remedy for Cats FAQs
How do you get rid of hairballs in cats naturally?
There are a few things you can do to help get rid of hairballs in cats naturally. One is to brush your cat's fur and check your cat's paw regularly, which will help remove some of the loose hair that can lead to hairballs.
Another is to feed your cat food that is high in fiber, which can help move the hair through its digestive system.
You can also give your cat an occasional dose of petroleum jelly or olive oil, which will help lubricate the intestines and help the hairball pass more easily.
How do you know if your cat has a hairball blockage?
There are a few signs to watch out for if you think your cat might have a hairball blockage. One is if your cat is constantly licking their stomach or chest. If they're doing this more than usual, it might be because there's a hairball stuck in their digestive tract that's causing discomfort.
Another sign is if your cat is vomiting frequently, especially if the vomit contains hairballs. If you notice either of these symptoms, it's best to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.
The vet can perform tests to determine whether your cat has a hairball blockage, and will be able to provide treatment if needed.
Is olive oil good for cat hairballs?
There is some evidence that olive oil may help to soften stools and reduce the formation of hairballs in cats. However, it is not clear if olive oil is more effective than other types of oils or over-the-counter remedies. You should speak to your veterinarian before using any type of oil or remedy to treat hairballs in cats.
What happens if a cat can't cough up a hairball?
There are a few potential consequences if a cat can't cough up a hairball. The first is that the hairball will eventually move from the stomach to the small intestine, where it could get stuck and cause an obstruction.
This obstruction would prevent proper digestion and absorption of food, leading to weight loss and malnutrition.
Another possible consequence is that the hairball could travel all the way down to the large intestine, where bacteria will break it down. This process will release toxins that can cause inflammation and diarrhea.
So even if a cat manages to eventually cough up a hairball, it could still end up experiencing some unpleasant side effects.
Is it OK to give cats butter for hairballs?
Yes, it is generally safe to give cats butter for hairballs. Butter contains fatty acids that help to lubricate the digestive system and coat the throat, making it easier for hairballs to pass.
However, it is important to use moderation when giving butter to cats, as too much fat can lead to weight gain and other health problems. A little bit of butter every once in a while should be enough to help with hairball problems.
Does wet cat food help with hairballs?
There is some debate over this, but many people feel that wet cat food helps with hairballs because it lubricates the fur and helps the hair pass through the digestive system more easily. Some people also believe that wet cat food helps to keep cats hydrated, which can also help to reduce hairballs.
How long does it take for a cat to expel a hairball?
It depends on the size of the hairball. A large hairball can take a few days, while a small one might only take a few hours. Most cats will groom themselves and eat their own hair.
When they swallow too much hair, it forms a hairball which the cat will eventually expel through vomiting or passing it in their stool. If your cat is having trouble passing a hairball, you can help them by lubricating it with petroleum jelly or olive oil.
How much Vaseline do you give a cat for a hairball?
You should never give Vaseline to a cat. While it is an effective hairball remedy in some cases, it can also be dangerous if ingested in large quantities.
There are several safe and easy-to-use remedies for hairballs that you can purchase from Amazon (see our reviews above). Some of these remedies even come in flavors that cats enjoy, such as liver or fish.
So before you reach for the Vaseline, be sure to check out the other options available. Your cat will thank you for it!
Is it normal for cats to throw up hairballs everyday?
It is normal for cats to throw up hairballs, but if your cat is vomiting more than once a week then it might be time to take him or her to the vet.
Cats groom themselves by licking their fur, and during the grooming process they often swallow a lot of hair. This hair accumulates in their stomachs and forms hairballs, which can cause discomfort and vomiting.
One way to help reduce the amount of hair your cat swallows is to brush him or her regularly. You can also give your cat a hairball remedy food or supplement, which will help move the hairballs through his or her system more quickly.
Do cats feel sick when they have hairballs?
Hairballs can make cats feel sick, because they can cause an obstruction in the stomach or intestines. Hairballs form when a cat grooms itself and ingests hair. Most of the time, the hair passes through the cat's digestive system without any problems.
However, sometimes a ball of hair may become too large and get stuck in the stomach or intestines. This can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can be very dangerous if not treated.
One way to help reduce your cat's risk of developing hairballs is to groom it regularly. You can also try feeding your cat specialized hairball control food or giving it a hairball remedy once a week.
One Minute Recommendation
If your cat is a chronic hairball sufferer, you may want to consider trying one of the commercial hairball remedies available on the market. While these products won't cure your cat's hairballs completely, they can help reduce the frequency and severity of hairballs, and make them easier for your cat to expel.
There are a variety of different types of hairball remedies available, so talk to your veterinarian about which product would be best for your cat. Check out our reviews in this article of five of the best hairball remedies for cats.
