Pet Naturals of Vermont - Hairball, Daily Digestive, Skin + Coat Support for Cats
★★★★★ 4.9/5
Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus Chicken Flavored Soft Chews for Cats and Kittens
★★★★★ 4.6/5
Cats spend a good fraction of their lives grooming themselves and like to stay neat and clean. Ingesting their own fur is one unintended consequence of grooming, which leads to the formation of hairballs in cats.
Some of the hair your kitty ends up eating makes its way through her digestive system and comes out when she goes to the bathroom. The rest of them, however, form a hairball that comes up with vomit.
This is one of the things that you’re bound to come across as a cat owner.
In this blog post, we will go through the top choices, along with other hairball remedies for your kitty!
Types of Hairball Remedies for Cats
When the hair your kitty swallows get stuck on their way to the digestive tract, they form a clump that isn’t able to pass through her gastrointestinal system. So, your cat’s body tried to eliminate it another way–through the mouth.
There are several courses of treatment you can try.
In this section of the blog post, we will help you figure out the best treatment for hairballs in cats.
Adding More Fiber to Your Cat’s Diet
So, how can adding more fiber to your cat’s diet help?
The single strands of hair stuck in your cat’s gastrointestinal tract get swept by the fiber particles, which help them move further along the intestines so that your cat can poop them out.
This helps quicken the process of elimination so that the hairs don’t fuse together and create a hairball that can only be puked up.
Since a cat’s conventional diet is mostly meat, adding some dietary fiber ensures that her digestive system runs smoothly, helping with other issues as well.
A promising study suggests that sugarcane fiber can help reduce the formation of hairballs.
Fiber-Based Remedies for Hairballs
Some believe that holistic treatment is the best treatment for hairballs in cats. To add more fiber to your cat’s diet, you can use the following home remedies:
- Cat Grass
- Coconut Fiber
- Chia Seeds
- Powdered Cellulose
- Psyllium Husk Powder
- Guar Gum
Increasing the Lubrication
If your cat’s gastrointestinal system is well-lubricated, the chances of her hair getting stuck within get lowered. Let’s take a look at some of the products you can use, shall we?
Hairball Gels
If you go looking for hairball treatments and remedies on the market, you are bound to come across hundreds of products that claim to work efficiently. Most of them are petroleum jelly-based.
Some may even contain beeswax and vegetable oils. Of course, they contain additional ingredients like artificial coloring, flavors, and sweeteners. These are a good choice if your cat is a picky eater.
However, these products are usually designed to appeal to humans so that they buy them.
Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly)
You can save some money by saving yourself from falling for a marketing gimmick and go for petroleum jelly–the main ingredient found in cat hairball gel treatments.
It’s available on the market as white petrolatum, paraffin oil, or even petrolatum. Refined petroleum jelly is safe for humans as well as their feline friends to consume. In fact, I can bet that you have some in your medicine cabinet!
100% plain petroleum jelly is hands down, the best treatment for cat hairballs.
Butter and Oil
If you’re looking for home remedies for cat hairballs, you’ll come across butter and oil, which are highly recommended by the pet community. But, if your cat is already packing more pounds than she should, these may not be the best idea for her.
In that case, you can try out mineral oil.
Best Treatment For Cat Hairballs: Additional Remedies to Try Out
During the research phase, we came across some additional treatments and home remedies for hairballs in cats that have been used by pet owners for years. However, these aren’t fool-proof by any means.
Take a look.
Dietary Changes: Do They Help?
Did you know that dietary cellulose can prevent hairballs in cats?
There are several cat foods for hairballs that you’ll come across on the market. However, they may not always be the best option.
Although these foods are high in fiber and easily digestible, they may not be the best for your kitty’s overall health. If your kitty has been vomiting up more hairballs than she ever has before, it may indicate some digestive issues.
For this, you need to go for cat foods that reduce inflammation.
Most research studies suggest that cats do best on high-protein and meat-based foods as they are obligate carnivores. So, a good cat diet is low in plants after and high in moisture.
Egg Yolk and Your Kitty
This is one of the best treatment for cat hairballs as egg yolks have long been known to emulsify the fat that binds a hairball in the first place while encouraging gastrointestinal contraction, thanks to the Lecithin and choline in the yolk.
Fresh egg yolk, as well as, a Lecithin supplement will help.
Brushing Your Kitty
If you brush your kitty on a regular basis, the chances of her swallowing hairs while grooming herself become low–and, there won’t be cat hairs all over your clothes and furniture!
For the best result, brush your cat at least twice a day.
Here’s the Deal: The Best Hairball Treats for Cats
While the treatments we shared in the previous sections are somewhat effective, they aren’t fool-proof. For busy cat parents, they can even be cumbersome to keep up with. So, we highly recommend you go for the best cat treats for hairballs as they are effective, easy, and something your kitty will enjoy.
In this section of the blog post, we review the top three best hairball treats for cats available on the market.
Of course, they’re all tried and tested!
Best Hairball Treats for Cats | Here’s Why You Should Get It | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Pet Naturals of Vermont – Hairball, Daily Digestive, Skin + Coat Support for Cats | Don’t contain herbs or mineral oil,
Easy to eat,
Chicken flavored for picky eaters,
Contains cranberry,
Made in the United States | 5 Stars | Check now |
Temptations Hairball Control Cat Treats, Chicken Flavor | Low in calories–a good pick for obese kitties,
Soft, creamy insides,
Hairball reduction formula,
Chicken flavored | 4.9 Stars | Check now |
Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus Chicken Flavored Soft Chews for Cats and Kittens | Helps the hairballs pass through the GI tract,
Soft treats, a good choice for older cats,
Chicken flavored,
Come in a resealable pack | 4.7 Stars | Check now |
Now, let’s take a look at each of these in detail, shall we?
Founded in 1972, Pet Naturals offers alternative and holistic solutions for pet health issues. They innovate and create healthy and natural supplements to ensure your pet’s health and overall wellbeing.
Their cat treats include other micronutrients that are excellent for digestive health.
Natural Supplement
This is the best treatment for cat hairballs because it is made of natural ingredients. These treats contain Biotin, which improves hair quality, strengthens them, reduces shedding, and increases the chances of your kitty having hairballs.
Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids
These treats contain essential fatty acids that support the skin, gastrointestinal system, and help control shedding. The chicken-liver flavored treats are a hit with fussy eaters as well.
Zinc
This mineral helps with the production of collagen and keratin and helps in the improvement of skin and fur. Additionally, these treats also contain Lecithin that improves nail, fur, and skin health.
These treats are manufactured in the United Staes in FDA-approved facilities, ensuring your kitty gets nothing but the best.
Pros and Cons
Let’s take a quick peek at the pros and cons, shall we?
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔ Made in the United States | ✖Not a good pick for cats with dental issues |
✔Chicken liver flavored | |
✔Reduces shedding | |
✔Natural ingredients | |
✔Micronutrients help improve health |
Moving on.
As America’s #1 cat treats, Temptations surely are the best cat treats for hairballs! These treats are low in calories and also work as meal replacements. The company is owned by Mars and is dedicated to providing high-quality treats!
Your kitty will definitely love them!
Low Calories
This is one of the best cat treats for hairballs as it contains less than 2 kcals per treat, making it an excellent choice for overweight and obese kitties. Most of the other treats on the market contain more calories per serving.
Savory Treats
These treats are a joy for your kitty’s taste buds as they are full-on flavor, making them a great choice for picky eaters. These are also a good pick for older cats or those with dental issues, and they are crunchy from the outside but filled with cream on the inside.
Hairball Control Formula
These treats contain a proprietary concoction of several ingredients, making them extremely effective in controlling hairballs. Ten treats given to your kitty in one go every two to three days will keep the hairballs away!
Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons!
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔ A perfectly balanced and nutritionally complete formula | ✖Not suited for cats under six months of age |
✔Crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside | |
✔Low calorie treats, a great choice for overweight kitties | |
✔The chicken flavored formula is a hit with kitties |
Moving on.
Hartz is passionate about creating high-quality pet products while building a relationship of trust with its human customers. The company prides itself on being honest about its products and for not indulging in marketing gimmicks.
Reduces Hairball Formation
With regular use, these treats–suitable for adult cats as well as kittens–help reduce hairball formation by providing fiber and necessary lubrication to the gastrointestinal system.
Excellent Packaging and Flavor
The treats come in a convenient packaging that is resealable and easy to use–it is the best choice for a busy cat parent. These treats come in chicken flavor, which is a big hit with kitties—even the pickiest eaters find these treats appealing.
Inclusive of All Ages
We feel that this is one of the best hairball treats for cats because it is soft and chewy enough for older cats to enjoy while also being suitable for kittens. Most treats are only made for cats over six months in age–that isn’t the case with these.
Contain Omega Fatty Acids
For fur health, these treats contain Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids that improve skin and coat health, helping prevent shedding in the first place.
Pros and Cons
Let’s quickly weigh the pros against the cons, shall we?
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔ Contains fatty acids to improve coat health | ✖Too chewy for some cats |
✔Chicken flavored | |
✔These soft chews are best for older cats or cats with dental issues | |
✔Suitable for kittens | |
✔Easily digestible |
Moving on.
Take a Look at Some of the Frequently Asked Questions!
When we were researching the best cat treats for hairballs, we came across several questions that were frequently asked. In this section of the article, we will answer them in detail.
Here we go
1. Can cat hairballs be prevented?
Unfortunately, if you have a cat, the risk of having hairballs is always there, it’s never 100% avoidable. However, you sure can minimize them using the following techniques:
- Brush your kitty regularly to remove as much fur as possible–this helps with shedding and the hairballs
- Include hairball treats for cats in your feline friend’s diet at least three times a week. Alternatively, you can also try home remedies
- Feed your kitty a high-protein diet to ensure she doesn’t have any gastrointestinal issues
If the issue persists, visit your vet to figure out additional underlying reasons for it.
2. How many hairball treats should I feed my cat?
If your cat has a healthy weight and body mass index, you can feed her up to 15 treats as a snack. Five treats per day are ideal, and you’ll see the symptoms disappear.
Hairball treats aren’t ideal for cats under six months in age–you’ll have to look for kitten treats.
3. Does hairball medicine work?
Yes, hairball medicine does work in most cases as is petroleum jelly or mineral oil-based, which helps pass some lubrication to your cat’s GI tract, helping her pass the hairball easily. If, however, your cat isn’t showing improvements after having hairball medicine, you should consult a vet.
4. When should I expect to see results?
For most cats, it takes up to three weeks to notice any changes or results. This also depends on how consistent you have been in feeding the hairball treats to your kitty and whether or not you’ve been following the instructions.
If you don’t notice any results, consult your vet to determine why that may be the case.
Summing Up: The Best Hairball Treats for Cats
Did we help you find the best cat treats for hairballs?
There are several treatment options available on the market for hairballs in cats. However, they aren’t entirely avoidable and will always remain a part of your cat’s life. Grooming your cat can help along with changes to her diet.
If the treats don’t work, we recommend you look for the best hairball medicine for cats.
In case you see no improvement and the frequency of your cat throwing up hairballs increases, consult your vet as there may be something wrong with her gastrointestinal system.
Dr. Veronica Heller
Born and brought up in Grand Marais, Minnesota, ever since she was a little girl, Dr. Veronica Heller dreamed of becoming a vet thanks to Sruffy, her family pet. She graduated from College of Veterinary Medicine, Minnesota and began her veterinary career in Larpenteur Animal Hospital in St. Paul as an emergency Veterinarian. Since then, she has worked with Minnesota Veterinary Hospital, Small Animal Hospital, and Blue Pearl Pet Hospital. Her interests in the field include preventive medicine, internal medicine, nutrition, and surgery. She’s also a loving pet mother to two cats and a Golden Retriever.
