How to Prevent Hairballs in Cats: 9 Solutions

Reviewed by Emily Swiniarski, DVM on 08/21/2024. Published on 08/21/2024

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If you’re a cat parent, you’ve likely encountered the unpleasant surprise of a regurgitated hairball left behind by your furry friend. Hairballs are a common issue for many cats, especially those with longer fur, such as Persians and Maine Coons.

While hairballs are a natural result of your cat’s meticulous grooming habits, they can cause problems for your kitty (and your carpet). Thankfully, there are several ways to reduce the occurrence of these upchucked surprises.

We spoke to veterinarians to get the best tips and tricks for preventing (or at least reducing) hairballs in cats.

Preventing Hairballs in Cats: Is It Possible?

You’ve probably noticed that your cat spends a good chunk of their day licking their fur to keep it clean. When they do this, their rough tongues capture loose hair, which gets swallowed.

Most of the hair passes through the cat’s digestive system without any problems and is eliminated in their stool, explains Dr. Bethany Hsia, co-founder of CodaPet. But sometimes, hair accumulates in the stomach and forms a hairball, which cats usually throw up in a tubular-shaped, saliva- and bile-soaked package. (Good thing cats are so cute, right?)

Large or frequent hairballs can cause digestive issues, such as constipation. In rare cases, hairballs can grow too large to pass through the narrow sphincters in the esophagus or stomach or become lodged in the small intestine and create a blockage. This can be fatal if left untreated and may require surgery to remove the hairball.

While hairballs can’t be prevented entirely, their frequency and severity can be drastically reduced with proper preventative care.

How to Prevent Hairballs in Cats: 9 Methods to Try

Reducing the prevalence of hairballs in cats requires a multi-faceted approach that combines grooming, diet, hydration, and overall health care. Here are nine actionable, vet-approved methods to apply:

Establish a Regular Grooming Routine

“Frequently brushing your cat is the best way to prevent hairballs,” says Dr. Raymond Spragley, founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care. “Regularly brushing will limit the amount of loose hair and mats your cat may ingest by self-grooming.”

Dr. Spragley says regular brushing is especially important for long-haired cats, as they consume more hair and matted fur, which can lead to more hairballs. He suggests brushing long-haired cats daily and brushing short-haired cats at least once a week.

Long-haired cats might also benefit from being clipped or shaved. Seeking assistance from a professional groomer can be helpful in managing their coat.

Switch to a Hairball Control Diet

Cat food specifically formulated for hairball control can significantly reduce the frequency of hairballs.

“Hairball control diets help to limit hairballs by increasing the amount of fiber in their diet, which helps to move hair through their digestive system,” says Dr. Spragley.

Hairball control foods also contain fatty acids, such as those found in fish and fish oils, to support skin and coat health, which reduces shedding that contributes to hairball formation.

Here are a couple of highly-rated hairball control foods to consider:

Hill’s Science Diet Cat Hairball Control (canned or dry)
Royal Canin Feline Hairball Care (canned or dry)

Offer Cat Grass

“Wild cats often eat grass after consuming prey,” says Dr. Spragley. It’s thought that this helps the cat regurgitate the non-digestible parts of what they ate, including bones, hair, connective tissue, and feathers, he says.

To provide your domesticated kitty with the same benefit, you can purchase cat grass, which is typically grown from rye, barley, oat, or wheat seeds. Cat grass is available already grown at pet stores. Or, if you’d like to exercise your green thumb, you can buy a cat grass kit, which includes seeds, soil, and a potting container.

Use Hairball Soft Chews

Hairball soft chews are a convenient way to help manage and reduce hairballs. These chews typically contain fiber that helps the digestive tract move and eliminate hairballs, as well as skin health supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and biotin to reduce shedding.

Some popular options include:

Use Oral Hairball Gel

Oral hairball gels contain ingredients like cod liver oil and petroleum jelly, which help lubricate the digestive tract, making it easier for hair to pass through naturally.

A couple of pet parent favorites include:

Get a Cat Water Fountain

“Getting your cat a cat water fountain can encourage them to drink more water,” says Dr. Hsia. Cats tend to drink more from cat fountains than stagnant water in a bowl, she explains, because the flowing water appeals to their natural instincts, resembling the cleaner, safer running water found in the wild.

Increased water intake is crucial for a cat’s overall health and for preventing hair accumulation and hairball formation in the digestive tract.

Taking Steps to Reduce Overgrooming

Overgrooming can lead to excessive hair ingestion, which can contribute to the formation of hairballs. One way to curb this habit is by providing your cat with ample enrichment opportunities. Cat towers, interactive toys, and play sessions with wand toys keep your cat’s mind and body engaged, reducing the likelihood of overgrooming due to boredom.

You might also consider using products like the Feliway Classic diffuser or spray, which release calming pheromones to help your cat feel more secure, which may reduce overgrooming caused by stress.

Use Year-Round Flea and Tick Control

Itching caused by fleas and ticks can lead to overgrooming, which, in turn, can result in excessive hair ingestion and hairball formation, explains Dr. Hsia. To prevent this issue, she stresses the importance of keeping your cat on year-round flea and tick control.

One highly effective product to consider is NexGard COMBO — a broad-spectrum monthly topical medication for cats that kills fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.

If your cat isn’t a fan of topicals, try Credelio CAT — a monthly chewable tablet that treats and prevents fleas and ticks.

Visit the Vet for Regular Preventative Checkups

Regular veterinary checkups are vital for maintaining your cat’s overall health. Your vet can help identify and treat any underlying conditions that might contribute to excessive grooming and hairball formation.

For instance, if your cat is vomiting up hairballs frequently (several times a week or daily), an underlying gastrointestinal disorder or a skin problem causing excessive grooming may be to blame.

Cat Hairballs: What to Avoid

When it comes to managing hairballs in cats, there are some common mistakes you should avoid:

Feeding too much fat: Fish oil may help hair make its way through the intestines more easily. But giving your cat too much fat can cause diarrhea, pancreatitis, and weight gain. Always consult with your vet before adding any fats to your cat’s diet.
Giving too much fiber: Supplements like Metamucil can help cats with occasional constipation, but giving them too much too frequently can cause gastrointestinal issues, such as worsened constipation or diarrhea. While fiber can help with hairballs, it must be given in the correct amount and form, ideally as part of a balanced, hairball-control diet recommended by your vet.
Using unapproved home remedies: Many home remedies found online or suggested by non-professionals can be ineffective or even harmful. Always verify any home remedy with your veterinarian before trying it on your pet.
Ignoring persistent hairballs: If your cat easily vomits up a hairball only once or twice a week, a vet visit is likely unnecessary. But if your cat throws up hairballs several times a week or daily, or does not seem to be improving despite your efforts, it’s crucial to seek veterinary advice.

By following these tips and working closely with your veterinarian, you can significantly reduce hairball formation and keep your kitty happy and healthy.