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If your cat is throwing up hairballs, make an appointment with your veterinarian, who can recommend which hairball remedies might be appropriate for your cat. Many cat owners are concerned when a cat has hairballs because it seems like they are choking or struggling. What’s the best way for owners to help a cat throw up a hairball?
Though hairball-specific cat foods usually focus on fiber alone, this isn’t always the right approach. We simply recommend choosing the remedy that the cat is most likely to accept and eat," Whittenburg says. "Some cats refuse the treats. Some cats don't like the gel. Some cats won't eat the food, or have medical conditions requiring a different diet. All the remedies are similar, but the delivery method is different." It’s normal for a cat to bring up occasional hairballs. You should only start to worry if the cat is vomiting up a hairball every few weeks or consistently for more than 48 hours at a time – it’s a sign too much hair is ending up in the gut. These tablets are designed to relieve hairballs and support overall digestive health. They’re primarily made from psyllium husk, a source of soluble fiber. Marshmallow root can help lubricate the digestive tract while reducing inflammation. Slippery elm bark has similar properties and is a popular remedy for hairballs on its own. Many cat owners find it very difficult and distressing to hear their cats gagging and retching, and they start to wonder if there is anything they should be worrying about. This self-grooming is completely normal and cats should be doing it to keep their fur in good condition.The key is not to get too distressed and just keep an eye on your cat to ensure they bring up the hairball and then stop gagging. Hairball gels: Hairball gels are given daily to eliminate current hairballs, or a few times a week to prevent hairballs from forming. Most over-the-counter hairball remedies contain petroleum or mineral oil, which provide lubrication to help move the hair through your cat's digestive system. If your cat is already eating a diet with a little bit of fiber, the best dietary change is finding a food that reduces inflammation. Hairballs often indicate digestive problems and should be approached the same way you’d approach any other symptom of gut inflammation, like diarrhea or vomiting. Additionally, a small amount of dietary fiber can help keep the digestive system functioning smoothly, correcting hairball problems at their roots. Fiber-Based Hairball Remedies
Pros: Contains three lubricants to help your cat pass hairballs, three flavors, gel formula is easy to give, contains omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, 100% satisfaction guarantee, safe for use in kittens, carries the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) quality seal The supplement contains five strains of probiotic bacteria along with bromelain, a natural enzyme derived from pineapple which may offer digestive, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting benefits. Our top choice for hairball control gel is Tomlyn Laxatone Hairball Remedy Gel. It carries the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) quality seal. In addition to safely and gently eliminating hairballs, it can be used to prevent the formation of hairballs in the future. It's important to treat and prevent hairballs so they don't cause a dangerous intestinal obstruction. While small amounts of hair usually pass harmlessly through a cat's digestive tract, too much hair can ball up and become trapped inside the stomach. At that point, the hairball may be "coughed up." While daily brushing reduces the amount of fur your cat swallows when they groom themselves, your vet might also recommend using one of the best hairball remedies for cats.Hairball food: Specially formulated hairball diets contain extra fiber to support digestive health and help push hair through the digestive tract. Both dry and wet hairball diets are available. Hairball foods are complete and balanced and are intended to be used as your cat's regular diet. It also contains white petrolatum, which coats the hairs and helps them to pass through the digestive system. Finally, the gel contains lecithin, a natural emulsifier that helps to loosen hairballs in the body. Many hairball gels contain white petrolatum, which is the same ingredient found in Vaseline — a semi-solid gel derived from oil. Although petrolatum is a safe and effective hairball remedy recommended by veterinarians, some pet owners prefer to avoid petroleum products. Cats often vomit up hairballs — what some people call "coughing up" hairballs — but if hair becomes lodged in the small intestine, it can cause a life-threatening obstruction, which could require surgery.
The products above are designed to help your cat remove a furball naturally. Most of the time, they can do this themselves, but there may be occasions where they need a bit of help. Slippery elm bark contains soluble fiber, which may help to soothe and lubricate the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and helping the hairball move in the right direction Dietary Changes Cons:Not intended to treat existing hairballs, tablet may need to be broken into pieces for consumption, only comes in one flavor, not for use in kittens younger than 12 weeks old Administration of this supplement is easy. Simply sprinkle one scoop of the powder over your cat’s dry food or stir it directly into wet food. Some cat owners have also had success soaking the powder in water or broth and using it as a liquid food topper. Pros Best dry cat food for hairballs: Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care, 16-pound bag - See at Chewy
Grooming
Cat hairballs are part of cats’ instinctive grooming regime and are usually nothing to worry about. Kittens and younger cats usually have fewer hairballs because they are not as fastidious in terms of grooming. Older cats, on the other hand, may have grown fussier and may produce hairballs more often. These products are not absorbed into the cat's gastrointestinal system and will pass right through, so there is no danger posed to the cat's health," Whittenburg says, emphasizing that all hairball products should be given according to the directions on the label. However, regular grooming is always the first line of defense for avoiding hairballs. It’s also vital you reduce how much they have to groom. Loose hairs can be removed using a comb or grooming glove, and hairs on their bed can be brushed off soft surfaces. Hairball treatments come in many different forms. You can buy hairball remedies in a tube, try homemade remedies, grow a pot of cat grass, or groom your cat to keep him from ingesting his hair at all. Mineral oil had previously been recommended for hairballs, but it carries the risk of aspiration (going down into the lungs) since it doesn’t trigger a cough reflex. Other Hairball Remedies
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