What can I do about my hairball problem?
These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may improve skin and coat health, helping to control the hairball problem at its source. It also contains white petrolatum, which coats the hairs and helps them to pass through the digestive system.
What are hairball remedies and how do they work?
Fiber supplementation helps to bind single strands of hair to food particles, which carry the hairs on their journey towards the colon. By encouraging the hair to move quickly through the body, fiber-based hairball remedies reduce the hair’s chances of fusing into a ball and coming back up.
What is the best hairball treatment for dogs?
With healthy and potent ingredients in its formula, this salmon-flavored hairball remedy is not only effective in preventing and eliminating hairballs but it also nourishes your pet’s skin and coat. Coconut oil, wild salmon oil, and vitamin E all work to support a shiny fur that sheds less and a skin that’s not dry or flaky.
How can I prevent my cat from getting hairballs?
Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help prevent hairballs or reduce their frequency. Cats are excellent self-groomers. If your cat sheds a lot, however, they may swallow a lot of the loose fur, which increases the likelihood of a hairball. You can help to decrease the risk by brushing them periodically.
How do you treat hairballs naturally?
3 Ways to Naturally Reduce HairballsBrushing/Hair Removal. Brushing your cat more frequently is the easiest way to reduce hairballs. ... Digestive Aids & Fiber. Adding digestive enzymes to your cat's food can help dramatically reduce hairballs. ... Fish Oil.
What can I give my cat for a hairball blockage?
Add a spoonful of canned pumpkin to your cat's food. Pumpkin contains fiber that may help your cat pass the hairball. Mix it in with canned food, so your cat is more willing to eat it. Other fiber options you can try include wheatgrass powder, coconut fiber powder, or psyllium seed husk powder.
How do you dissolve hairballs?
More Fiber You can add a few tablespoons of high-fiber cereal to your cat's food to help process those hairballs. A quarter teaspoon of Metamucil or another fiber product can be added to the food for the same effect.
How much olive oil should I give my cat for hairballs?
1 teaspoonThe generally accepted amount that's appropriate for hairball prevention is 1 teaspoon of olive oil over your cat's food once a week.
Does petroleum jelly help cats with hairballs?
Vaseline and Hairballs Petroleum jelly is effective in most felines and your cat should eliminate the hairball within 48 hours after administering the Vaseline. The petroleum jelly works as a lubricant on the digestive tract and will make it easier for the cat to cough up or vomit the fur ball.
How much butter should I give my cat for hairballs?
one-half to one teaspoonTo stop a cat from expelling hairballs, add one-half to one teaspoon Land O Lakes Butter to the cat's food once a day for a week. The butter helps push the fur through the cat's digestive system, preventing hairballs from forming.
Does wet food help with hairballs?
Does wet food help with hairballs? Yes, they do. Wet food aids in the passing of hair through the tract because it's easy to digest, which means it passes through the body quickly, not allowing hair time to form a ball. Therefore, cats that are on a diet of just wet food will have reduced hairballs.
Is petroleum jelly safe for cats to eat?
Interestingly, some cats are willing to eat unflavored Vaseline or generic petroleum jelly, and this is an acceptable substitute. We do not recommend giving mineral oil by itself, as it is easily inhaled by the cat as it is swallowed and can cause fatal lung toxicity.
How do you know if your cat has a hairball blockage?
Some common hairball symptoms include hacking, gagging, and retching. Usually, your cat will then vomit the hairball in relatively short order....Symptoms of Hairballs in CatsOngoing vomiting, gagging, retching, or hacking without producing a hairball.Lack of appetite.Lethargy.Constipation.Diarrhea.
How can I help my cat pass a foreign object?
Moving the Foreign Object Once a foreign body makes it to the colon, it will pass in the feces. Another approach can be to push the object far down into the rectum, and then reach up and pull it out through the anus. Pets are under anesthesia during these processes, so they do not feel pain.
How can I make my cat throw up?
Use 3% hydrogen peroxide. Measure out 1 teaspoon for every 5 pounds, but do not exceed 3 teaspoons. This is given every 10 minutes until the cat vomits, but can only be given a total of three times. If the cat does not vomit after this get it to the veterinarian's office.
How much olive oil Can I give my cat?
Many people ask how much olive oil can you feed a cat. You can include one tablespoon of olive oil in your pet's meal 1-3 times a week. Mix it well so the oil is absorbed by the food. That's all you have to do!
Why do cats get hairballs?
Cats inadvertently develop hairballs when they groom themselves. "When a cat grooms, they swallow some of the loose hair from their coat," says vet...
Is it normal for cats to throw up hairballs?
All cats can develop the occasional hairball. Long-haired cats are especially prone to them. If your cat gets a hairball once in a while, it's usua...
Can hairballs be dangerous?
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 l...
What should you do if your cat is throwing up hairballs?
It's important to make an appointment to see your veterinarian if you suspect your cat is having an issue with hairballs. Dr. Harper says that cats...
How can you prevent hairballs?
According to Dr. Whittenburg, the best way to reduce hairballs is through daily brushing. "Removing the hair before the cat has a chance to swallow...
How to treat hairballs in cats?
I’m sure many of you are familiar with petroleum jelly, and have used it for some purpose at some point in time. Petroleum jelly is actually fairly safe for cats, and can be an effective tool at treating hairballs. You can easily apply it to your cat’s paws. From there, they will naturally lick it off, and the jelly will help lubricate their stomach, which allows for hairs to be digested properly. The entire goal is to help your cat properly digest their hairs so that they travel out through normal means of digestion, rather than travel up and out in a hairball.
Do cats have hairballs?
The good thing about cats is that they are particularly clean and have little to no issues with maintaining their coat every day. In fact, some might clean their fur coat a little too excessively, which can lead to dreaded hairballs.
Does fiber help cats with hairballs?
Not only is fiber helpful in humans, but it can make a world of difference in cats for hairballs. Fiber has numerous benefits for cats, including helping make your cat feel more full, promotes healthy weight, reduces diarrhea, and of course, helps prevent hairballs.
Is hairball gel safe for cats?
An effective hairball gel should be made with natural oils and minerals to help relieve any digestive issues that your cat might be facing. If there are any added ingredients, ensure that none of them can be potentially toxic or harmful to your cat.
The best hairball medicine overall
Tomlyn Laxatone Hairball Remedy for Cats provides quick relief from hairball-related constipation and supports your cat's digestive tract to prevent hairballs in the future.
The best hairball relief supplements
Support your cat's digestion and prevent hairballs with Vet's Best Hairball Relief Digestive Aid supplements, which are made from natural ingredients.
The best gel hairball medicine
Not only is this Nutri-Vet Hairball Paw Gel free from petroleum-based ingredients, but it contains natural ingredients that lubricate your cat's digestive tract, support healthy skin and coat, and minimize shedding.
The best hairball prevention treats
Loaded with chicken-based protein and plant-based fibers, these Feline Greenies Hairball Control Smart Bites work to minimize hairball formation and aid digestion while also giving your cat a boost of healthy nutrition.
Check out our other buying guides for cats
Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet industry. Her expertise includes dog and cat health, care, nutrition, feeding, grooming, behavior, and training.
What is the best treatment for cat hairballs?
Here are some cat hairball remedies and treatments that you might try: Laxatone: This is a palatable oral gel that can help bind hair in the stomach and make it easier for the hair to pass through your cat’s GI tract. These gels can help with hairballs in some cats.
How to prevent cat from getting hairballs?
One of the best ways to prevent your cat from having hairballs is to groom your cat frequently. Combing and/or brushing your cat’s coat helps to remove the loose hair, which reduces the amount of hair your cat ingests. Limiting the amount of hair your cat swallows can help decrease ...
What happens if a cat coughs up a hairball?
Cats will typically vomit a long, tubular mass of hair when coughing up a hairball. This can be distressing for both you and your cat. Here are a few ways to help treat and prevent cat hairballs.
How to get rid of hairballs on cats?
Regular brushing will help to minimize the mats and tangles that your cat will try to resolve on their own. Spending some extra quality time each day to brush your cat will help reduce and/or prevent hairballs, and it helps promote bonding. Featured Image: iStock.com/hsvrs.
Can cats have hairballs?
How To Treat Cat Hairballs. As a cat parent, you have probably experienced your cat having hairballs occasionally. Cats will typically vomit a long, tubular mass of hair when coughing up a hairball. This can be distressing for both you and your cat.
What are some ways to control hairballs?
Other Hairball Remedies. Egg yolks have interesting properties for hairball control. They contain choline and lecithin, which work together to, respectively, encourage GI contractions and emulsify the fat that binds hairballs together.
How to stop cat hairballs?
Grooming. Finally, you can control hairballs by brushing your cat a couple of times a week. If your cat has a long, thick coat, you might also give him a full-body clip in the warmer months. Capturing loose hair before your cat licks it up is the most reliable means of stopping hairballs.
What can I give my cat to get rid of hairballs?
You can provide the anti-hairball power of egg yolks by feeding your cat fresh egg yolks or by or giving him an egg yolk lecithin supplement. Slippery elm bark helps to soothe and lubricate the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and helping the hairball move in the right direction.
What is the best hairball gel?
That’s why we chose Cat Lax as the best hairball remedy on the market. This well-known hairball gel contains a blend of ingredients that break up hairballs, prevent new ones from forming, and minimize shedding to keep hairballs at bay.
How do hairballs form?
Hairballs form when hair gets stuck or slowed on its way through the digestive tract, allowing it to form into a clump. Once it forms into a clod, hair is unable to continue its journey to the litter box and instead it heads in the opposite direction.
How to get hair to move faster?
By encouraging the hair to move quickly through the body, fiber-based hairball remedies reduce the hair’s chances of fusing into a ball and coming back up.
Why do cats have hairballs?
Also Read: Best Cat Food for IBD. If you determine that your cat’s hairballs are caused by a digestive issue , want to consider treating the hairballs the same way you’d treat any chronic digestive problem.
What is the best way to get rid of hairballs in cats?
By relying on the benefits of psyllium husk and pumpkin, this natural hairball remedy eliminates and prevents hairballs. When used on a daily basis, it will support your pet’s digestive system and help the passing of swallowed hair, but you still have to be vigilant about brushing, particularly for cat breeds that have long flowy hair. These soft chews taste like treats and are a great choice for kitties that frown on paste remedies.
How to prevent hairballs in cats?
The first step to preventing hairballs in cats is, without a doubt, a vigorous grooming routine. The less hair your pet has to swallow while he’s licking himself , the less chance of hairballs forming in the first place.
Why is my cat unable to pass a hairball?
It could either be that the symptoms are signifying another underlying condition, or that your cat is unable to pass the hairball. Hairballs can get stuck in your pet’s throat, or cause a blockage in the stomach and the intestines, and if they don’t receive medical help in time, this could have fatal consequences.
How do you know if your cat is trying to pass a hairball?
In addition to actually seeing your pet vomit out hair (it will usually be a cylinder-shaped wad of tightly woven pet hair), these symptoms could also indicate that your cat is trying to pass a hairball: Coughing or retching (frequent, without producing a hairball) Apathy. Loss of appetite. Constipation.
What is a hairball in cats?
Hairballs, or trichobezoars, are wads of hair that are formed in your pet’s stomach. The only way for your cat to safely pass such an object through their system is to regurgitate it- but even though it’s the less dangerous option, it is still very uncomfortable and unpleasant for cats.
Can hairballs be too big for a dog to eat?
Needless to say, depending on the amount of hair your pet has managed to ingest while grooming and the state of their digestive system, hairballs can end up being too large for them to either vomit out or pass through stool, which is when problems can arise.
Can hairballs help cats?
However – that doesn’t have to be the only function of hairball remedies. Many of them have fortified formulas that include vitamins or probiotics or other beneficial ingredients that could support your cat’s overall immune system, digestion, or just make sure they have a nice, shiny coat to boot. Safety.
How to stop cat hairballs?
The good news is that there are some ways to effectively and naturally help your cat prevent hairballs from occurring. Common hairball remedies, such as Laxatone, contain petroleum products – some of which have been linked to hormone disruption. Fortunately, there are more natural remedies for hairball relief.
How to get rid of hairballs on cats?
Brushing/Hair Removal. Brushing your cat more frequently is the easiest way to reduce hairballs. The more hair you get off, the less she will groom off herself and swallow. Furminators (or undercoat rakes) work well for both long and short haired cats – especially when you are just getting started. Slicker brushes are ideal for detangling long ...
What is the best oil for hair loss?
3. Fish Oil. Fish oil, such as salmon, pollock and sardine oil, is great because it fights hairballs on both fronts. The oils nourish the skin and coat to help reduce shedding and help move ingested hair along the digestive tract – all while nourishing the intestinal tract.
Does your cat need a hairball remedy?
Some cats are prone to hairballs, while others rarely seem to suffer at all. How often you find yourself cleaning up icky patches of chucked-up hair will help you determine if you need to consider hairball remedies.
Gels, tablets, or liquid hairball remedy?
The form of hairball remedy that will work for your cat can be trial and error. Cats always seem to know when they’re expected to eat something, even if it’s for their benefit, and they won’t want to touch it. Finding a method that they’ll be happy to accept may take experimentation.
Alternative remedies to hairballs
There are other ways to help prevent your cats from suffering from hairballs. The first and probably most obvious is brushing your cat’s fur. This will remove loose hair and stop your cats from eating it when they clean themselves. If your cat doesn’t like brushes, you can get pet grooming gloves or use a damp paper towel.
When to see a vet
If you’ve tried all sorts of methods to ease your cat’s hairball problems to no avail, it’s time to check in with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to give you a prescription for a stronger remedy that might work better.
How to get rid of hairballs in cats?
Fiber is vital for the well being of both animals and humans. It aids in proper digestion and also helps to process hairballs in cats. Add a few tablespoons of high-fiber cereal to your cat’s diet or fiber products like a quarter teaspoon of Metamucil to the cat’s food or one to three tablespoons ...
What to do if your cat has hairballs?
If your cat has a tendency of getting hairballs, you might want to switch to a hairball formula diet. This diet works like fiber-rich foods. It helps pass hairballs as stool while reducing shedding and generally improving the cat’s skin and hair health.
How to get hairballs out of cat's system?
The natural fiber found in pumpkin helps to pass the hairballs out of the cat’s system comfortably. Add one or two tablespoons of canned pumpkin to the cat’s food every day or a couple of days a week.
What to use to clean cat hair?
Make sure to use fragrance-free and hypoallergenic wipes to wipe your cat. Oil.
What causes hairballs in cats?
Excessive grooming can cause hairballs. To avoid this, train your cat to engage in a different but equally enjoyable activity. Playing with toys is a perfect substitute. It not only distracts the cat, it also gives you quality time to enjoy your kittie. Food.
How to get rid of hair in cat's digestive tract?
Alternatively, transition to a high fiber cat food to ease digestion. Petroleum jelly such as Vaseline will help lubricate your cat’s digestive track hence making feces elimination easier and comfortable. This process will, in turn, get rid of the hair in the digestive tract.
Can you use butter for cat hair?
If you do not have access to oil, a teaspoon of butter will work as a substitute. All you need to do is melt it and add it to your cat’s food once a week. There is no problem with your cat grooming herself, in fact, cats enjoy it. The problem arises if she does it constantly. Excessive grooming can cause hairballs.
