It’s Getting Hairy in Here With The Best Cat Hairball Remedies
I don’t think my uncle knew about a hairball remedy, I once saw him try and shower his cat, reasoning that the cat was constantly grooming herself, so it must want a shower. As all cat owners can imagine, that did not go well for him!
Cats prefer grooming themselves–and they do it with their tongue. Quite efficiently as well! But, an issue with this is that it can cause cat hairballs. These can cause a few problems, within and outside your cat, as every veterinarian will be able to tell you!
Luckily we here at I Love Veterinary care about you and your cat’s welfare and have looked into the market of hairball remedy and in our opinion, the best hairball remedy for cats are:
Richard’s Organics Hairball Remedy
This hairball remedy contains only natural ingredients to help prevent your furry friend from being blocked by the hairballs through the intestinal tract! Besides that, it also contains Valerian Root Extract to combat stress and anxiety, worsening excessive grooming and hairballs. As well as chamomile that will help calm an upset stomach – and promote healthy sleep!
A slight downside to the product is that it contains soybean oil which generally comes with a high environmental impact one shouldn’t forget.
But then it is lucky there are other terrific options out there for you and your cat’s unique wishes and needs, including these fantastic products.
Our Top Picks For The Best Cat Hairball Remedies in 2021
- Vet's Best Cat Hairball Relief Digestive Aid (Best For Cats That Love Treats)
- Nutri-Vet Cat Hairball Support Paw Gel | Hairball Remedy for Cats | Tasty Salmon Flavor | 3 Ounce Tube (Best For Cats Who Shed Excessively)
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Indoor Hairball Control Dry Cat Food (Best For a Complete Food Solution For The Spoiled Cat)
- Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus (Best For The Cat Who Wants Chewy Treats)
- Sentry Hairball Relief for Cats I Malt FlavourI (Best For The Cat Who Prefers Liquid Hairball Remedies)
- Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus I Salmon Flavoured Paste I For Cats and Kittens (Best For The Cat That Loves Salmon)
- Richard’s Organics Hairball Remedy (Our Top Pick)
- PetNC Natural Care Hairball For Cat (Best For High-quality Ingredients).
If you are still curious about cat hairballs and the remedies we’ve already mentioned, continue reading below!
What Are Hairballs And What Causes Them?
On cat-tongues are tiny hook-like structures that catch loose and dead hair, which the cat swallows afterward. The majority of this hair will pass through, but sometimes it can cause a hairball in the stomach that the cat will vomit back up.
Hairballs are unpleasant, not just for the cat but also for the person who has to clean them up! Another issue with hairballs is that they can cause blockages in the intestines, which can be a severe health hazard for your cat.
That’s why a hairball remedy should be stable in any household with a cat, so it will always be on hand when needed.
Luckily there are quite a few options to choose from! From fiber-rich food to pastes and treats, there’s a texture for everyone, and with malt, chicken, liver, or tuna flavors to choose in between, you are likely to be able to find at least something your cat will love.
So continue reading about the best hairball remedies for cats out there and pick your favorite!
Reviewing The Best Cat Hairball Remedies
Sentry Hairball Relief for Cats I Malt FlavourI
Best Liquid Hairball Remedy
This hairball remedy is for cats and kittens over four weeks and will help eliminate and prevent hairballs. It is the consistency of a very thick syrup, meaning some cats are willing to lick it straight out of the tube! Others might need a bit more help. Just remember to give it on an empty stomach to ensure it doesn’t bind with any food there may be there.
Best vs. Worst
It can be given to kittens vs. Not all cats like the taste of malt.
How it works
Allows easier passage of hair through the intestines.
Flavor
Malt
Rating on Amazon: 4.3 stars
Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus I Salmon Flavoured Paste I For Cats and Kittens
Best Hairball Remedy for the Cat That Loves Salmon
This easy-to-use salmon flavored paste can be used for both cats and kittens! It contains many omega-3, -6, and -9, which supports healthy skin and fur, curbing excessive shedding and grooming. Luckily, the additional fatty acids also cover the hairballs to keep them moving through the intestines and avoiding blockages.
Best vs. Worst about this product
Easy to use paste vs. Some cats do not like the flavor.
How it works
It helps hairballs pass through the intestines quickly.
Flavor
Salmon
Rating on Amazon: 4.2 stars
Nutri-Vet Cat Hairball Support Paw Gel | Hairball Remedy for Cats | Tasty Salmon Flavor | 3 Ounce Tube
Best For Cats That Shed Excessively
This hairball remedy not only contains psyllium and vegetable oil with omega-3 to support healthy digestion but also other ingredients to prevent the cat from shedding excessively. That means the cat is less likely to develop hairballs in the first place and will have lovely soft fur to pet as well!
Best vs. Worst
Flavors most cats love vs. Contains a lot of preservatives.
How it works
By minimizing excessive shedding.
Flavor
Salmon or Chicken
Rating on Amazon: 4 stars
Richard’s Organics Hairball Remedy – Naturally Eliminates and Prevent Hairballs in Cats – Promotes Healthy Skin and Coat – Natural Ingredients, 4.25 oz.
Our top pick!
Here is a natural hairball remedy for your cat with a rich supply of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from beeswax and lecithin! These attach to the swallowed hair and covers it, allowing it to easily pass through the intestinal tract without causing blockage or vomiting. It is easy to use and can even be mixed with food or placed on your cat’s paws for it to lick.
Best vs. Worst
Natural ingredients vs. Contains soybean oil.
How it works
The natural ingredients lubricate the hair and allow it to pass easily.
Flavor
Chicken
Rating on Amazon: 4 stars
Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus Chicken Flavored Soft Chews for Cats and Kittens
Best For The Cat Who Wants Chewy Treats.
This hairball remedy is different from the others as it comes as soft, chewy treats containing omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids. This supports healthy skin and coat but also works to let hairballs pass easily. It should be given on an empty stomach and can be fed straight from the bag.
Best vs. Worst
Are chewy treats vs. Contains a lot of preservatives.
How it works
Aids hairballs in passing through the gastrointestinal tract.
Flavor
Salmon or Chicken
Rating on Amazon: 4 stars
Vet's Best Cat Hairball Relief Digestive Aid| Vet Formulated Hairball Support Remedy | Classic Chicken Flavor
Best For Cats That Love Treats.
This hairball remedy comes not as a paste but as a convenient chewable tablet. The tablet can be given either as a treat or with meals. However, not all cats will love taking the treats. But, if you are having issues, they can be ground up and mixed with food! However, this hairball remedy is made with premium ingredients that support healthy digestion – including fibers and psyllium seeds.
Best vs. Worst
It is endorsed by the National Animal Supplement Council vs. Not for kittens, only mature cats (over 12 months of age).
How it works
Supports healthy digestion to allow the hairballs to pass and avoid blockages.
Flavor
Chicken
Rating on Amazon: 4 stars
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Indoor Hairball Control Dry Cat Food
Best For a Complete Food Solution.
This isn’t a paste or treat, but a dry food for cats, made specifically to avoid them developing hairballs! It contains psyllium seed husks and cellulose to reduce hairball formation, which is excellent, but also a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your cat’s immune system.
Best vs. Worst
Good cat food with quality ingredients with lots of protein vs. Your cat needs only to be fed this food for it to work.
How it works
It contains fibers and omega-3, and 6 fatty acids that support digestion and promote healthy skin and coat.
Flavor
Chicken
Rating on Amazon: 5 stars
PetNC Natural Care Hairball Soft Chews for Cats, 90 Count: Pet Supplies
Best For High-quality Ingredients.
These hairball remedy chews are soft and made from human-grade quality ingredients. The tasty chews lubricate the hairballs in the stomach, helping them to pass easily through your cat instead of causing a hacking cough and a mess. These treats are designed by veterinarians and also carry the National Animal Supplement Council seal of approval!
Best vs. Worst
Made from human-grade ingredients vs. Not all cats will take the treats.
How it works
Supports the reduction of hairball build-up.
Flavor
Chicken & Cheese
Rating on Amazon: 4 stars
The Best Cat Hairball Remedy in Our Opinion
Our top pick is Richard’s Organics Hairball Remedy . Preservatives in high dosages are not suitable for us, and they aren’t ideal for our cats. In small amounts, it’s not an issue at all, but I’ve got a cat that often needs a dose of hairball remedy; going natural is worth it!
It comes out as a gel and is therefore easy to use. Just place the chicken-flavored gel on your cat’s paw or maybe even allow it to lick it straight out of the tube!
All in all, this natural hairball remedy is practical, effective, and affordable for all cat lovers out there, which is why it is our top pick here at I Love Veterinary!
Buying Guide
Hairball remedies are on the market, also known as ‘Cat Malt,’ and all of them generally shares a combination of ingredients, including:
- Vegetable oils and fats
- Malt extract
- Fibers
Most of them provide a laxative effect that sends the hair on through the intestinal tract, keeping it from causing any trouble or blockages on the way.
Most commonly, it comes as a paste or gel in a tube, much like a toothpaste tube, but as we’ve seen above, it can also come as treats, food, or even thick syrups!
But, as well all know, cats are picky, and many of them will have a preference for texture, flavor, and even smell, and it is almost impossible to know before buying what your cat will love! So, of course, the most important advice when buying a hairball remedy is this: Buy something your cat wants to eat.
Besides that, here is some good advice for when buying a hairball remedy:
- Buy from a known seller: There is nothing wrong with trying something new, but it is generally recommended to buy from a veterinary-related brand.
- Avoid excessive preservatives: Almost all products will contain some preservatives, and that’s okay, but as a rule of thumb, trying to minimize the number of preservatives is a good idea.
- Talk to your veterinarian: If you are in doubt, talk to your veterinarian about what will be the best hairball remedy for your cat’s unique needs.
There’s, luckily, a lot of wonderful products out there to choose from when looking for a hairball remedy. We’ve already shown you some of our favorites!
Giving your Cat a Hairball Remedy
How Much Hairball Remedy Should You Give?
How much hairball remedy your cat needs will depend on each cat, temperament, and fur length. Generally, cats will fall into three categories.
- The cat who never gets hairballs: Some cats rarely get hairballs. It’s difficult to say why exactly, but if your cat rarely suffers from hairballs, it is only necessary to give a hairball remedy when needed.
- The short-haired cat: A dose twice a week should be enough to keep the hairballs at bay.
- The long-haired cat: A long-haired cat might need to receive a hairball remedy up to four times a week. If your cat is struggling a lot, some might even need a dose daily.
If it seems like your cat is struggling a lot with hairballs, it can be a good idea to take it for a check-up at your veterinarian, but for most cats, a hairball remedy once in a while should keep the hairballs from causing any trouble!
Summary
Hairballs are a completely normal part of any cat’s daily life; it is essential to keep an eye on your furry best friend to ensure they don’t cause any dangerous blockage.
But that’s where a hairball remedy will become your new best friend! Another important way of avoiding excessive hairballs is to groom your cat. This, combined with a hairball remedy when necessary, will allow you and your healthy cat to spend your days lounging around–with no vomit in sight!
Catharina is a Veterinary Medicine student from Uni of Copenhagen. When she isn’t making camp in the library, stuck to the books, she’s also a writer and avid photographer. Capturing everything from buildings to dogs – especially her poodle Bailey is a frequent subject.