Best Dry Cat Food For Hairballs

The 12 Best Cat Food For Hairballs Of 2022

Hairballs are a nightmare.

Theres nothing worse than stumbling downstairs half-awake in the morning, just to squish your bare foot into the gift your feline friend left on the carpet. The thought is enough to make most of us physically shudder.

While hairballs are a common part of cat ownership, if your fluffy friend is dealing with a lot of them, this could be a sign that something is very wrong. Hairballs arent just an issue for the person who needs to clean them up. These gross regurgitations are bad for your cat too. Theyre capable of causing everything from intestinal problems to sickness.

What To Look For In The Best Cat Food For Hairballs

The ingredients you look for when youre searching for the best cat food will depend on your moggy. All cats have unique dietary requirements, and your vet can tell you if yours needs anything special. There are many pet food manufacturers out there that now add fiber to their formulations to improve hairball management.

Usually, youll need to look for diets with a good percentage of fiber and plenty of extra delicious ingredients too. All cats need plenty of protein, vitamins, and minerals to help them stay healthy.

Best Senior Cat Food For Hairballs: Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control Chicken And Brown Rice Recipe Mature Dry Cat Food

If you have a senior cat that suffers from hairballs then we think this is the best choice for you. This food is formulated to work on hairballs by having a high fiber content derived from cellulose and psyllium seed husks.

It contains specially formulated levels of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for older cats whos digestive system might not be as efficient as younger cats. It contains no meat by-products just deboned chicken. And is rich in all-natural ingredients sweet potato, cranberries, carrots, turmeric amongst others for the source of nutrients.

Owners say their cats seem to like the flavor and it works well to reduce hairballs. This is corn, wheat, and soy-free cat food so it should work well for cats that have sensitive stomach or intolerances.

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Can Kittens Get Hairballs

Yes, kittens can certainly have this problem! However, hairballs are less common in kittens and younger cats. Older cats tend to get more simply because they have perfected their grooming skills. As a result, they tend to spend more time rigorously licking their fur when compared to their kitten years. The risks should be treated seriously regardless of a cats age.

What Causes Hairballs And Are They Dangerous

Hairballs are more likely to appear with long-haired cat breeds like Maine Coons and Persians. Thats because they have more hair to deal with. Cats that shed a lot or groom regularly are also more likely to have hairballs because they swallow a lot of fur.

You may have noticed that your cat didnt have as many hairballs as a kitten, but these issues can grow as your cat does. Excessive grooming habits caused by stress can also exacerbate hairballs. Symptoms of hairballs include:

• Gagging or retching
• Lethargy and exhaustion
• Constipation or diarrhea

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Hairball Control Wet Cat Food

Wet cat food is generally better for hairball control than dry recipes, simply because it is less likely to cause dehydration and constipation.

Hills Science Diet Hairball Control Cat Food*is made with real chicken or ocean fish in a tasty pate texture.

The food contains natural vegetable fiber that helps to control the formation of hairballs by moving hair safely through the cats digestive system.

The food has added taurine for good heart health and phosphorus for healthy kidney function, as well as essential nutrients for your cats coat and skin.

Purina Salmon & Rice Entree in Sauce* is a wet cat food for hairballs thats specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of indoor cats, especially those who suffer from hairballs.

The primary ingredient is real salmon, and rice and corn bran are added to provide your pet with a natural source of fiber.

Essential nutrients are added to boost organ and immune system health.

Iams Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food With Chicken And Salmon

Iams Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food Is another Best Cat Food For Hairballs option for cats that are each regurgitating or passing hairballs through the gut.

Proprietary Fiber Blend With Beet Pulp Formulated To Helpyour cat Reduce Hairballs Before They Start And To Aid Your Catâs DigestiveHealth. And also Crunchy Cat Kibble Texture Helps Reduce Plaque Buildup.

I think This way, and you minimize falling hair, so kitties have to lick these into a ball.

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Does Wet Cat Food Help With Hairballs

If you find your cat throwing up hairballs daily in most cases it doesnt matter if you feed them a wet or dry cat food. The key to controlling hairballs is to buy a cat food with a sufficient amount of fiber.

You can find both wet and dry cat food that is specifically formulated to control hairballs. If your cat is happy eating dry cat food then stick with that and get a dry cat food that is made to control hairballs. Otherwise, if your cat is already eating wet cat food then you can find a number of canned cat foods that control hairballs listen in this article.

All About The Relationship Between Hairballs And Cat Food

Lets start by talking about why hairballs happen.

The problem is caused by your cats love of neatness and cleanliness. The little hooks on your cats grooved tongue pick up dead fur during grooming.

While most of that hair passes easily, some can get stuck in the digestive tract. The fur will cause discomfort until it can be naturally ejected.

Some cats are more likely to have this problem than others. Longhaired cats are at greater risk for obvious reasons. However, you shouldnt assume that your cat has a short-hair safety guarantee just because she has a thin coat.

Older cats are also at risk. This mostly comes down to the fact that older cats are more meticulous about grooming because theyve simply had time to figure it out.

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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Chicken Recipe Grain

Our Top Pick for the Best Grain-Free Cat Food for Hairballs: Another Blue Buffalo recipe, this Wilderness Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Food is an excellent option. This recipe consists of high-protein kibble supplemented with a blend of natural fibers to support healthy digestion and prevent hairballs. It is loaded with healthy nutrients, thanks to the inclusion of LifeSource Bits and it is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. This recipe features lean chicken as the main ingredient with supplemental sources of protein such as chicken meal and turkey meal. It is made with fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources of key nutrients with chelated minerals and vitamins for nutritional balance.

• Pros: High-protein and low-carbohydrate, formulated for hairball control, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, rich in omega fatty acids, fresh fruits, and vegetables, chelated minerals and probiotics
• Cons: Contains plant proteins , could be higher in moisture content

How To Help Control Hairballs

You cant totally prevent hairballs, but you can reduce it. Below are ways to reduce the frequency of hairballs in your cat.

Groom your cat regularly

Less fur will enter the cats digestive system if you groom her regularly. Brushing and combing your cat daily is an effective way if reducing hairball and its a good way of bonding with your little feline. Ensure that you give the cat a haircut every month, even if it means going to a professional groomer.

Discourage compulsive grooming

You should train your cat not to lick its coat if the hairballs are as a result of compulsive grooming. There are other activities that your cat can do, such as playing a new toy or any other fun activity.

Use natural products for indoor hairball control

The amount of fur that cats shed depends on the season, breed and overall health. There are different ways of lowering the amount of fur that cats shed. For instance, vitamins and supplements can reduce shedding by strengthening fur and boosting skin health. Also, coconut oil can help with indigestion, although it has several downsides. Find the best cat food to help with shedding.

Also, cat grass has many benefits when it comes to hairball control

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Tips For Reducing Hairballs

Hairballs are not only gross, but they can cause your pet some serious health concerns. Although feeding them a fiber-rich formula that will help your feline digest them is a good place to start, there are also some other roads you can add to your journey that will help the overall situation.

• Grooming: One of the best ways to reduce hairballs is by grooming your cat daily. Doing so will get rid of excess fur that they will not ingest themselves.
• Oil and Butter: Giving your tabby a small amount of oil or butter will help lubricate their digestive passage, making it easier for them to pass any hairballs that may already be present.
• Water: Another important aspect of hairball control is to make sure your pet has plenty of water to help wash the excess fur away.
• Extras: Besides food, you can also find supplements, treats, and gels that will also promote hairball control.
• Catnip: Fiber is an important ingredient to your cats diet especially when hairballs are involved. Something else you can give you feline that has a lot of fiber is catnip. Not only is it a fun treat for them, but it will help their furry diet, as well.

Want to see more cat food reviews? Check out our review page here!

Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control

Blue Buffalo Hairball Control is a complete and balanced formula tailored to adult cats aged seven plus. This tasty chow is popular among felines for its great taste and high-quality ingredients.

The first ingredient is deboned chicken protein, which is high in protein and promotes good overall health. Omega-3 and -6 help keep your cats skin and coat in good condition, minimizing shedding and the risk of hairballs.

This Blue Buffalo food also contains natural fibers such as cellulose and psyllium, so any hairballs that form will be expelled in no time.

Your furry friends immune system is in safe hands with Blue Buffalos patented Lifesource Bits. These are a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that veterinarians and expert animal nutritionists have carefully selected.

Some consumers said that this recipe isnt kind to their cats stomachs. However, some other customers said they received an expired product. These two issues could be connected, and any upset caused may be down to customer care rather than the formula. Check expiry dates on receipt of the product before giving it to your pet.

Pros

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Best Cat Food For Hairballs In 2021

Cats spend at least five hours a day grooming themselves, so its not surprising that most cats produce hairballs. In this article, we look at what hairballs in cats are and how to treat them. We also discuss what you should look for in cat food to help control hairballs.

Finishing up, well review our selection for the eight best cat foods for hairballs in 2021. These are:

• Hills Science Diet Hairball Control Wet Food

The 6 Best Cat Foods For Hairball Control

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The best cat food for hairball control treats the problem at its source. Its a highly-digestible, species-appropriate food that helps to keep your cats digestion running smoothly.

We recommend Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe as the overall best cat food for hairball control. Its a carnivores feast that provides plenty of species-appropriate nutrition without a lot of carbohydrates or plant protein. On top of its meat content, it includes a touch of pumpkin, an additive frequently recommended for cats with hairball issues.

This Nulo recipe isnt right for every cat, so stay tuned for the other products in our list of the best cat food for hairball control. Youll find freeze-dried foods, options for cats with allergies, and a low-fat food for cats who need to lose weight.

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Are Hairballs In Cats Dangerous

Hairballs are normal in cats, but in some cases, they can become too big for the cats digestive tract.

Large hairballs can cause blockage along the esophagus and may threaten the cats life.

If you notice your cat having breathing difficulties or is uncomfortable, it is recommended to visit your vet as soon as possible.

What If My Cat Doesnt Like His Or Her New Food

Cats can be picky eaters and its not guaranteed that yours will fall in love with his or her new meal.

Have no fear. The same skill that made the steam engine can help your cat change his or her diet: we just need a little creativity.

If your cat isnt loving the new meals youre putting on the bowl, you can try to change your kittys diet a bite at a time. First, start with something like 90% of the original food and 10% of the new. Over the course of a few weeks, change that percentage at a rate your cat will eat. Go to 75% original and 25% new, then 50% and 50%, then 25% original and 75% new, all the way until youve made the full change.

Cats, like people, enjoy the feeling that they are having a bit of input in a decision. As long as youre making the change gradual for your special guy or gal, he or she wont mind it too much over the long run. Just give a little extra affection and be patient. Good things come to those who wait .

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What Ingredients In Cat Food Helps With Hairballs

• Hypoallergenic diets – Hypoallergenic diets provide plenty of nutrients without giving you allergy issues. It also helps to reduce vomit and hairballs and makes your cat’s coat shine.

• High fiber cat food for hairball control – When you are looking for food to help with hairball control, you want to find something high in fiber. Fiber helps to improve the digestive tract.

• Hairball control treats – Hairball control treats contain high amounts of fiber as this food contains specific enzymes to keep hairballs from forming.

Royal Canin Feline Intense Hairball

Royal Canin is an excellent company in the special kitty diet landscape. The company has something for everyone, including a unique food for cats. Royal Canin Hairball Care is tailored to suit cats over the age of 1, so its best to avoid using it for kittens.

This food reduces hairballs by moving the hair gently through the GI tract. This also controls hairball development thanks to a specific blend of dietary fibers intended for healthy stomachs! Unfortunately, there isnt a lot of variety in flavor. Whats more, this isnt the cheapest food around.

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Best Cat Food For Hairballs Summary

Hairballs are an unfortunate fact of life for many cat owners.

Hairballs form when your cat swallows tiny amounts of fur during grooming.

The hairs either pass through the gut with faeces, or eventually form a ball in the cats stomach, which is usually vomited up without problems.

However, chronic hairball problems can indicate underlying health issues and you should have your cat checked out by your vet in this case.

One way of helping to prevent the formation of hairballs is to feed your cat a hairball prevention food such as one of those weve reviewed in this article.

Why not tell us if you tried one of the products we suggested!

Did the product help your cat and prevent hairballs from forming?

Wed love to know! Tell us your experience in the comments section below.

Affiliate link disclosure:Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.

A Quick Comparison Of Our Favorites

When youre looking for the best overall cat food for hairballs, look no further than Blue Buffalos Indoor Hairball Control recipe. Its an outstanding mix of price and quality, and it works wonders for hairballs. With at least 6% fiber in every serving, its more than enough to tackle most hairball problems.

It also aids your cats overall digestion and improves their immune system health with plenty of antioxidants and vitamins. It comes in four different size options, so you can try it out and then buy it in bulk if its working for your cat.

Our only complaint is that its not a limited-ingredient food, but as long as your cat isnt allergic to a wide array of foods, it shouldnt be a problem.

If youre looking for cat food that can get your cats hairballs under control, but you dont have a ton of money to spend on food, then IAMS ProActive Health Adult Hairball Care is worth checking out. It is the best cat food for hairballs for the money, and when you look at all that it offers, its not hard to see why.

First, the 8.5 fiber percentage in each serving is phenomenal. Not only does it help with hairballs, but it also keeps your cat full longer. Second, it has more than enough protein for your cat to thrive.

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