If your cat isn’t licking its fur, then something is wrong. However, too much licking causes cats to swallow hairballs. So how do you deal with hairballs? Sure, you could try to give them hairball laxatives or discourage excessive grooming, but why not try dietary means? You could put your cat on a diet that helps them pass those hairballs before they do any real damage.
Anyone who has seen a cat cough up a hairball knows it’s not a pleasant experience, and it’s a pain to clean up. To prevent all that, we’ve thoroughly researched and compiled a list of some of the best cat food for hairballs on the market.
Both wet and dry cat foods can assist in reducing cat hairballs, so we’ll take a look at both down below.
Top Cat Foods for Hairball Reduction 2021
You can take a look below at the best cat foods for reducing hairballs in all breeds and sizes of cats
Hill’s Science Hairball Food
Hairballs are just horrible, both for you and your pet. That’s a valid reason to integrate some good food into their diet. With Hill’s Science Hairball Food provides all the dietary needs your cat requires to guide against hairball formation. The fact that it’s made using natural ingredients really makes it a viable choice if you’re trying to get rid of hairballs and equally ensure your pet’s wellbeing in the process.
Let’s start with the fact that it is packed with high-quality protein in the form of some savory chicken. This goes a long way to support some lean muscle mass development, which is relatively healthy for cats. There is also some dietary fiber in the mix, among other digestible ingredients. There is also a blend of omega-3 and omega-6, as well as some Vitamin E, which nourishes your cat’s skin and coat.
Altogether, all the ingredients included are relatively easy to digest and will gradually ensure that your cat’s hairball issues reduce. It equally helps that this option is tasty enough to entice the pickiest eaters. It is also 100% veterinarian recommended, so you can trust that this is a good choice for your fur baby.
Royal Canin Hairball Care Food
This is one of the best options out there because it is specially formulated to meet your cat’s needs on more than one level. But if it’s not apparent in the name, let’s tell you right now, the Royal Canin Hairball Care Food will keep your cat’s hairball issues under wraps. The formula used here ensures that hairball formation in the gut comes to a halt, and your pet can safely pass them.
In our Royal Canin review, we had a brief look at this product, as it’s probably one of their most desired and spoken about products.
So, if your cat is a year or older and is prone to forming hairballs, then this is a good choice for them. What it does is to move the swallowed hairballs through the GI tract instead of allowing them to build in the stomach and come up through the mouth. This is a more peaceful process for your cat and you can rest easy knowing they won’t suffer any complications. The high fiber content is great for controlling hairball development, which is also quite good for the gut.
If you want to get the best out of this option, then combine it with Royal Canin Hairball Care Thin Slices in Gravy wet cat food. Not only is it highly nutritious, but it’s also quite tasty so that you won’t have any issues selling this one to picky eaters. Altogether, it’s a good choice, and with 50 years of research on their side, you’re sure of a high-quality meal.
Blue Buffalo Hairball Control Cat Food
As far as cat food for hairball control goes, this is one of the most viable options on the market. Blue Buffalo Hairball Control Cat Food is packed with top of the shelf protein and a good measure of dietary fiber, which goes a long way to ensure that your pet receives all the nutrients they need. The real winner is the fact that it deals with hairballs and minimizes them while ensuring that they find safe passage through the gut.
There is also a good measure of omega-three and omega-six fatty acids, which do wonders for your pet’s skin and fur. Here’s something you’ll appreciate, the first ingredient used here is real meat, and as such, your pet can develop lean and strong muscles. Besides the high protein content, you’ll also find a range of whole vegetables and fruit in the mix.
Many pet owners also like the fact that this is all natural cat food, and all the ingredients are packed with minerals and vitamins which are sourced with your cat’s wellbeing in mind. The formula is also void of any poultry by-products, wheat, corn, artificial flavors, soy, and preservatives.
It wouldn’t be part of the blue family if it didn’t have their patented LifeSource Bits, which is a balanced mixture of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. What they do is boost your pet’s immune system and provide all they need at any given stage of their lives.
Purina Hairball Cat Food
If hairballs are a severe issue for you and your feline friend, then the Purina Hairball Cat Food is a great option. Since it is high in dietary fiber, you can rest assured that your cat will be able to pass its hairballs safely and painlessly. It’s equally high in protein and has real protein (chicken) as the number one ingredient, so you know it’s the real deal. Altogether, it contains up to 38 grams of protein in each cup and, as such, will help your adult cat develop strong and healthy muscles.
Even better is the fact that this is an easy to digest option for your cat. Thanks to the fiber component, it passes through the gut quite easily. It’s equally packed with minerals, vitamins and nutrients while being void of any fillers, so you can rest assured that every single ingredient has a clear purpose.
That’s not all; there’s a blend of antioxidants in the mix that gives your pet’s immune system a much-needed boost. It’s also packed with different components that contribute to your cat’s general wellbeing. You’ll appreciate the fact that it comes from a veterinarian-recommended brand, so you can rest assured that it’ll do what the manufacturers promise. The hairballs will be kept at bay, and their dietary needs will be met in the process.
Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Dry Cat Food
If you’re looking to build your pet’s immune system while getting rid of hairballs in the process, then Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Dry Cat Food is a viable choice. It was formulated specifically for indoor cats and went a long way to minimize hairballs.
Thanks to the high fiber content, you can rest assured that your cat won’t have any issues passing hairballs through its digestive system. There is also a high protein content in the mix, which goes a long way to building lean and strong muscles.
This equally extends to the heart, which is essentially a muscle on its own. It will give them a good boost of strength as well. There is also a good dose of omega 6 and 3 fatty acids, which help develop healthy skin and a shiny coat. With that in place, your pet will shed less hair and, in turn, create fewer hairballs.
As expected, chicken is the first ingredient here and a blend of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. It equally contains zero fillers, so you don’t have to worry about your pet ingesting anything they do not need. Each ingredient has a distinct function, and they all work together to ensure that your cat gets all its dietary needs met.
Iams ProActive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food
Here is another great option if you are trying to keep hairball issues under wraps. Iams ProActive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food is one of the best out there. Many pet owners appreciate that the number one ingredient here is chicken, which makes this a protein-rich cat food option. This goes a long way to build strong and healthy muscles, so you’ll have an energetic and healthy pet.
It is also packed with dietary fiber in the form of beet pulp, which practically shrinks the hairballs before they can form and cause any mayhem. There is also a good dose of l-carnitine, which ensures that your pet maintains a healthy weight while eating a balanced diet. Eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining your cat’s weight is a major part of controlling hairball formation in cats.
With that in mind, you’ll like the fact that Iams cat food has 10% less fat than most options out there. So, you don’t have to worry about your pet’s weight when this is integrated in their diet. Making it even better is the omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acid added to the mix which develops good skin and a shiny coat. This further ensures that your cat will not shed too much during the grooming process.
Greenies Feline Smartbites Hairball Control Chicken Flavored Cat Treats
These tasty bites are just what the doctor ordered especially if you are looking for something to tackle a growing hairball problem. Greenies Feline Smartbites Hairball Control Chicken Flavored Cat Treats help to curb hairball formation while also boosting healthy digestion. It works better if you combine it with another health hairball control cat food option.
The treats themselves are quite healthy and contain two calories in each one. The fact that they are low calorie does not mean they are not tasty; with bold flavors like tuna, chicken and salmon, your cat will be glad to eat these indulgent treats.
Their texture makes them even more desirable; you see, they are soft on the inside while being encased in a crunchy exterior. Even more, their portable size makes them more fun for your pet to munch on. You’ll appreciate the fact that they come highly recommended by vets and are packed with a wide range of healthy natural ingredients as well as vitamins and minerals that work together to build a healthy immune system.
There is also a nice kick of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in the mix, so you can rest assured that your pet will develop a healthy coat and good skin in the process. This goes a long way to ensure that your pet does not shed as much. Less shedding automatically means that your pet won’t ingest as much hair.
Hairballs Reduction Cat Food Buying Guide
Just having a list of some of the best cat food for hairballs is not enough. There are so many options out there so you’ll need a little more direction when it comes to picking the right one for your fur baby. It’s obvious that there are so many things to consider when choosing the best one for your pet, so before jumping at the first one that seems attractive, step back and dissect your decision. With that in mind, this buying guide will help you hone in on the best choice.
Ingredients to look out for when buying cat food for hairballs
- Protein
Cats need a good source of protein to thrive as a whole, after all, they are carnivorous in nature. So, when you’re making your choice, don’t skimp on the protein because it’s something they need nutritionally.
All the best brands out there would never sacrifice protein content for more fiber or any other ingredient. Altogether, look for something that presents a balanced diet for your cat. If you’re going to up the fiber at the expense of any ingredient, then you can dial back on the carbs, but protein is a must.
- Fiber
This is the most important ingredient as far as hairball control is involved. A food brand with a high fiber content will help unclog your pet while encouraging a smooth bowel movement. You can choose to add fibrous foods to your cat’s regular diet, such as adding canned pumpkin to their meal. If that seems a bit stressful or your cat is nit-picky about what they eat, then simply buy cat food with high fiber content.
Most cat food brands tailored toward hairball management have added fiber in the mix. So, simply add that to their diet and you’ll be good to go. Nevertheless, do not hold back when scrutinizing the source of fiber, ingredients like beets and the above-mentioned pumpkin are a solid choice.
- Antioxidants
They may not be quite keen on it, but you should ensure that your cat gets some fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet. The great thing is that fibre-rich diets are equally rich in antioxidants which is great for your pet’s general wellbeing. It equally contributes to better skin, coat, and a stronger body. Even more, it decreases hair loss so when your cat licks themselves they won’t swallow as much fur.
- Omega Fatty Oil
It is important for cat food to contain some healthy omegas, a good measure of Omega 3 and 6 go a long way to keep your pet healthy. What these omegas do is to enhance their skin and coat, which in turn ensures that they shed less hair. If they shed less hair, then that simply means they won’t be able to ingest as much hair. Besides all that, they also provide added nutrients which contribute to your pet’s all-around wellness.
- Grain
Contrary to popular belief, not all cats suffer adverse effects when they ingest grain. But, it’s best to double-check with your veterinary practitioner to ensure that they can eat grains. If they do have an aversion towards the grain, that is not a problem. There is a wide range of grain-free cat food that does wonders when it comes to hairball control.
How To Stop Hairballs In Cats
- Brush your cat’s coat
You can’t stop your cat from self-grooming, it’s their nature. Once they really get into it, they swallow a lot of furs and hairballs are the result. Since you can’t get them to completely stop, brushing their fur can help take some of that excess hair off so your cat doesn’t end up ingesting them. If your cat is a heavy shedder, then you may need to add some omegas to their diet.
- Hydration
Your cat needs water to thrive especially if they are on a dry food diet because cats aren’t naturally keen on drinking water. You could equally switch them to a wet food diet so they get enough water to nourish their coats.
- A balanced diet
A good diet characterized by high-quality food is one good way to ensure that your cats properly pass their hairballs. It’ll also do a good for their skin and coat which in turn ensure they do not shed as much.
- Fiber it up
Stepping it up with the fiber in their diet can promote great bowel movement which will, in turn, help your cat pass hairballs peacefully. If that’s the aim, then look for ways to incorporate some fiber into their diet. If they won’t eat it in its natural form, then you can look for options that are high in fiber.
Best Cat Food for Hairballs Summary
It’s safe to say that the above-listed products are some of the best cat food for hairballs on the market. All in all, most of the ingredients included in each of them are relatively easy to digest and will gradually ensure that your cat’s hairball issues reduce.