reviewed and updated for accuracy on April 14, 2020 by dr. jennifer coates, dvm
if you live with cats long enough, you’re bound to find a furball on the floor (or in your bed or shoe, if you’re not very lucky). but hairballs don’t have to be a regular part of owning a cat.
cats shed hairballs so often it’s easy to think they’re normal, but in fact they’re a symptom of a problem. You can think of hairballs the same way you might think of diarrhea: both happen once in a while, but they’re still symptoms of a health problem.
the most common problems behind hairballs are gastrointestinal dysfunctions or skin diseases that cause excessive grooming and/or hair loss.
Here’s what you need to know about when hairballs are a major problem and how you can help control hairballs through your cat’s diet.
go to the vet if you see hairballs frequently
If you find hairballs more often than once a month, it’s time to make an appointment with your vet to look for an underlying problem.
a complete workup for chronic or severe hairballs begins with a history and physical examination of the patient and may include:
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skin scrapings to look for mites
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tests for ringworm
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cytology to rule out skin infections
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abdominal imaging
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blood test
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urinalysis
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fecal exams
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possibly GI tract or skin biopsies
what to feed your cat to treat occasional hairballs
if your cat only has occasional hairballs and is otherwise healthy, dietary management is your best bet.
hypoallergenic diets
Undiagnosed food allergies or inflammatory bowel disease often play a role in hairball formation.
These conditions cause the GI tract to become inflamed, and that inflammation interferes with a cat’s natural ability to deal with swallowed hair (in other words, keep it moving in the right direction).
hypoallergenic diets can help in this case.
how to find the right hypoallergenic cat food
Diets that are somewhat hypoallergenic are available without a prescription through many pet food retailers. look for products that contain only one main source of protein that your cat has never eaten before.
These diets are often advertised as “limited ingredients,” but read the label carefully to determine what is actually included.
feed the hypoallergenic diet exclusively for 8 weeks
You’ll need to feed one of these foods (and nothing else!) for about 8 weeks before you can definitely tell if it’s helping or not.
If you’ve tried a couple of over-the-counter limited-ingredient foods with little success, talk to your vet about prescription diets. these are veterinarian-prescribed and tend to be significantly less allergenic.
fiber-rich cat food to control hairballs
a high fiber diet will also help some cats with hairballs.
Different types of fiber perform different digestive functions. insoluble (non-digestible) sources of fiber such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignins can help sweep hair through the intestinal tract.
Sources of soluble (partially digestible) fiber, including chicory, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, pectins, psyllium, vegetable gums, oats, barley, beet pulp, and some types of fruits and vegetables, perform a similar function and also promote metabolism. gut overall health.
Bacteria living in a cat’s large intestine partially break down soluble fibers and produce short-chain fatty acids that are important sources of energy for the cells lining the large intestine.
how to choose a high-fiber cat food
Several pet food manufacturers have added fiber to their formulations to create “hairball” diets that work well for some cats.
look for dry diets with a crude fiber percentage of around 8-10% and canned options in the 2-4% range, but note that crude fiber does not represent insoluble fiber sources.
If you’re looking for a way to add fiber to your cat’s current food, try mixing in some canned pumpkin or plain psyllium.
treats for hairball control
The vast majority (90% or more) of your cat’s diet should consist of nutritionally complete and balanced foods. the remaining 10% of calories can come from candy.
If your cat has a mild problem with hairballs, a hairball treat that increases her intake of soluble or insoluble fiber may help. or for greater effect, try combining hairball treats with a hairball diet.
anti-ball gels
Lubricating gels that contain petroleum jelly, waxes, or oils are also options for controlling hairballs. they coat the hair in the gastrointestinal tract and prevent clumps from forming.
Cats shouldn’t be forced to eat hairball lube because the stress and mess outweigh any potential benefit, but you can try adding it to your cat’s food or putting some on your cat’s paw to that licks it.
don’t give your cat flavored hairball lube if you’re also feeding her a limited-ingredient diet.
brushing your cat can also help reduce hairballs
and don’t forget this simple, no-diet remedy for hairballs: brush your cat (assuming it’s a pleasant experience for both of you).
Any hair you can throw away is hair that won’t be swallowed or redeposited on the floor as a hairball.
dr. jennifer coates
image: lubava/shutterstock
