what to feed cats for fur balls

• High-Fiber Cat Food. Cats that produce regular hairballs may be lacking dietary fiber. ...
• Feed Little and Often. Cats empty their stomachs more easily when provided with small, regular meals. ...
• Larger Kibble. Cat fur isn’t easily digestible, so you might be able to expedite the process through diet. ...
• Gastric Lubricant. Hairball pastes, gels, and lubricants can help ease the passage of hairballs through the gastrointestinal tract.
• Malty Treats. Malty treats work similarly to gastric lubricants, improving the natural passage of ingested hair through the gastrointestinal tract.
• Natural Stool Softeners. If your cat’s stool has hardened within the body, it won’t be able to poop out its furballs. Vomiting may not produce the desired result, either.
Hydration. Providing your cat with enough water is crucial as dehydration can lead to irregular bowel movements or digestive issues.
Regular Exercise. Cats go to the toilet more regularly when they get enough exercise. ...
Cat Grass. Grass is one of the most effective plants in helping cats pass hairballs. Cats with a hairball that needs to come out commonly chew on grass.
Manual Relief. If your cat has difficulty passing a hairball, you can help it go to the toilet by stimulating elimination.

Full Answer

What should I Feed my Cat to help with hairballs?

On top of helping with hairballs, your cat’s food also needs to provide balanced nutrition for their overall health. You want a food with low amounts of digestible carbohydrates. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are great ingredients in cat food. They help your cat have a healthy skin and coat.

What kind of chicken soup is good for cats with hairballs?

This Chicken Soup for the Soul Indoor Recipe with Hairball Care Dry Cat Food is a great option. Made with real chicken, turkey, duck, and salmon, this recipe is protein-rich and supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables for nutritional support.

How do I get rid of hairballs in my Cats stomach?

Groom your cat regularly. The more fur you remove from your cat, the less fur that will end up as hairballs in her stomach. Combing or brushing your cat on a daily basis can be an effective way to minimize hairballs, and it can also provide a fun way for you to bond with your cat.

How can I add fiber to my Cat’s diet?

If you are looking for a way to add fiber to your cat’s current food, try mixing in a little canned pumpkin or unflavored psyllium. The great majority (90% or more) of your cat’s diet should be made up of nutritionally complete and balanced foods. The remaining 10% of calories can be provided by treats.

What is a natural remedy for hairballs in cats?

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.

Can I give my cat olive oil for hairballs?

Adding olive oil to your cat's food can ease digestion and help pass the hair naturally. If you see your cat struggling with hairballs, consider adding a bit of olive oil to his or her food. Never force oil into the mouth, though, as you could send it into the lungs. Allow your cat to lick it up.

What can I put in my cat's food to prevent hairballs?

Adding coconut oil or fish oil to a cat's diet can also help with hairballs, and fish oil has additional, well-documented health benefits due to its high Omega-3 content. Hairball gels can also help hairballs pass more easily through a cat's digestive system.

Does wet cat 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.

How do you help a cat hack up a hairball?

Provide your cat with a small amount of canned tuna or sardines occasionally. Another effective option is to dip your cat's paw into some petroleum jelly. They'll lick it off, and the jelly will line the digestive tract to help the hair pass through their system.

Does tuna help hairballs?

If they seem to have a lot of hairballs, try adding a dab of Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing to you the brush to help the coat. Adding oily fish to their diet also helps. A can of sardines or a tuna canned in oil about once a month can aid in lubricating their digestive system.

What do vets recommend for hairballs?

Our Top Picks For The Best Cat Hairball Remedies in 2021Vet'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)More items...•

Does dry food cause hairballs in cats?

Indoor cats can get into hairier situations if they don't have enough moisture in their diet so be sure your cat gets a mix of wet food with her dry food and plenty of fresh water to drink.

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.

Is it safe to give a cat olive oil?

Olive oil is considered a healthy part of human nutrition, but can cats eat olive oil? Yes, although it may not be a good idea. Although olive oil isn't considered poisonous to cats, consuming too much of any fat, including olive oil, may cause your cat to experience diarrhea and vomiting.

How much olive oil can you give a 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!

Can I add olive oil to cat food?

Adding olive oil to your cat's diet on a regular basis will even keep fur shiny and soft. It's recommended to add a spoonful of oil in your cat's food at least 3 times a week; mix it well until the oil is absorbed by the food.

What are the pros and cons of hairball control?

Pros: High-protein and low-carbohydrate, formulated for hairball control, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, rich in omega fatty acids, fresh fruits, and vegetables, chelated minerals and probiotics. Cons: Contains plant proteins (pea protein), could be higher in moisture content.

What does it mean when a cat coughs up a hairball?

Every cat owner knows that coughing, wheezing, retching sound a cat makes when it is coughing up a hairball. If the sound doesn’t make you gag yourself, it probably has you running for a paper towel. If you’re lucky, you can clean up the mess fairly quickly.

Why does my cat throw up hairballs?

If too much hair accumulates and cannot be passed, the cat vomits it up instead. Sometimes hairballs are a sign that something else is going on in your cat’s digestive system, causing vomiting and other symptoms. All cats groom themselves and therefore have the potential to develop hairballs.

How to make sure your cat doesn't get hairballs?

The best thing you can do to make sure that the hair doesn’t become a problem is to take steps to improve his digestion. Healthy digestion is the key to smoothly passing hairballs instead of vomiting them up, but it will also boost your cat’s absorption of key nutrients for better overall health.

What can I give my cat to help with hairballs?

Probiotic Supplements – On top of increased fiber and moisture content, choosing a cat food that contains probiotic supplements can improve your cat’s digestion and help pass hairballs. Generally speaking, the higher the quality of the ingredients in your cat’s food, the more digestible it will be.

Why is it important to choose a cat food made with whole food ingredients?

High digestibility is key when it comes to cat food because if your cat can’t digest the food well, he won’t absorb all of the nutrients. This is why it is important to choose a cat food made with whole food ingredients – especially if your cat is prone to digestive issues.

Why does my cat cough?

In the same way that respiratory conditions can cause chronic bouts of coughing, exposure to chemical irritants can cause episodes of acute coughing. Chemical sprays, powders, and propellants can cause your cat to develop a sharp cough that sometimes sounds like a hairball.

Why does my cat vomit so much?

If the vomiting episodes become more frequent or persistent, or if your cat is not eating, they should be seen by their regular veterinarian for an exam. Other underlying diseases that can cause vomiting in cats include a bacterial overgrowth, intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, or GI lymphoma.

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.

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 ...

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.

What is furminator brush?

The FURminator deShedding Edge Cat Brush is a great grooming tool to consider . It helps to gently remove the undercoat and loose hairs on your cat. Both short-haired and long-haired breeds can have hairballs. It is especially important for long-haired cats to be brushed daily.

What happens when a cat grooms?

When a cat grooms, they will typically swallow hair. Some of the hair will pass thorough their digestive tract and into their feces with no complications. In some cats, the hair will collect in their stomach and develop into a hairball.