As a cat owner, the last thing that you want to experience is hairballs. Not only is this a bad encounter for you since you have to clean it but also bad for your cat. Hairballs form when cats are grooming and this is common to cats that have short fur. Since you cannot change the licking behavior of cats, it is important to look for ways to prevent hairball formation. In this case, you can consider buying the best cat food for hairballs. Giving your cat the right food can be a great way to deal with loss of fur.
Since having hairballs is unavoidable to any cat owner, you can reduce the rate at which they occur if you change your cat’s diet. Selecting the best cat food for hairballs and weight control can be a tough task since there are so many brands on the market. We have made your work easier by providing you with recommendable cat food that will help change the situation.
This post will provide you with more information about hairballs and how you can prevent them. You will also find detailed reviews and buying guide so that you can have an easy time as you make the right selection.
Are Hairballs Normal and Why Do Cats Get Them?
If you have experienced hairballs with your cat, then you don’t have to worry since it is very normal. Most cats get hairballs at least every once or two weeks but if you have long haired breeds like Maine Coon, Persian and Burmese, the hairballs will be more frequent.
The next question that you are probably asking yourself is why cats get hairballs. Just like the name suggest, hairballs refer to balls of fur/ hair. The next question that you will ask yourself is where the balls come from and how they form. We all know that cats are fond of grooming themselves and they do this by licking.
This means that there are chances that they ingest some amounts of fur. If the fur is in small amounts, it can go through the cat’s intestinal tracks without any problems and later passed through feces. However, if there is accumulation of fur, the cat can vomit and this can happen to all cats of all ages and breeds. This requires you to buy the best cat food for hairballs and vomiting so that you can prevent the problem. For more information about hairballs, you can visit here.
How Can I Tell That My Cat Has Hairballs?
Like I mentioned above, hairballs are normal and your cat can experience them occasionally. Some of the signs that will let you know that your cat has hairballs include:
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Retching
- Loss of appetite
- Repeated vomiting
If your cat experiences any of these signs, then this is an indication that there are hairballs blocking the digestive track and you should seek help from your vet. You should also know how to prevent hairballs by grooming your cat. This is a task that will not take up much of your time. In less than 10 minutes, you can brush your cat and get rid of excess hair. Moreover, brushing your cat gives you some bonding time.
Another way in which you can prevent hairballs is through alternative exercise. It could be that your cat is over-grooming because he/she is undergoing through stress. You can introduce more interactive play sessions because exercise will stimulate the digestive system to prevent constipation.
Another way that you can prevent hairball formation is through giving your cat the best cat food for hairball. There are different types of cat food for hairballs that you can find. We have outlined some of the best on the market this year. Depending on the ingredients that your cat wants, I’m sure that you can find something that will help with the situation.
And if you have more than one cat, you can also consider buying the best automatic cat feeder for multiple cats. This will ensure that your cats get their meal at the right time even when you are not around.
Best Cat Food for Hairballs and vomiting Comparison Table
| Product Name | Brand | Size | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purina ONE Hairball Formula Adult Dry Cat Food | Purina ONE | 16 lbs | 16.5 pounds | Check Price |
| Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Hairball Control, Chicken Recipe | Hill’s Science Diet | 7 lbs | 7 pounds | Check Price |
| Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Dry Cat Food | Nutro | 3 lbs | 2.8 pounds | Check Price |
| Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food | Blue Buffalo | 7 lbs | 1 pound | Check Price |
| FELINE GREENIES SMARTBITES Cat Treats | Greenies | 2.1 oz | 2.08 ounces | Check Price |
| Iams Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food | Iams | 22 lb | 22 pound | Check Price |
| Greenies Smartbites Hairball Control Chicken | Greenies | 23 oz | 1.6 pounds | Check Price |
| Weruva Grain-Free Canned Wet Cat Food | Weruva | 3 oz | 14 pounds | Check Price |
| Meow Mix Hairball Control Formula Dry Cat Food | Meow Mix | 3.15 lb | 3.15 pounds | Check Price |
| CANIDAE Grain Free Pure Dry Cat Food | CANIDAE | 5 lb | 5 pounds | Check Price |
10 Best Cat Food for Hairballs Reviews In 2022
The market is flooded with so many manufacturers making it hard to pick quality products. From our research and analysis, we have compiled a list of top ten quality cat food that will prevent hairballs. Read on to find their individual reviews and make comparisons.
Purina ONE Hairball Formula Adult Dry Cat Food
Purina is one of the best brands on the market today that provide you quality pet food.
If you have an adult cat and you are looking for the best hairball cat food, Purina ONE Hairball Formula is a nutritious dish that you can give your best friend. The food is rich in minerals, vitamins and other essential nutrients that your cat will love.
The formula is easy to digest and it doesn’t contain any fillers. This means that all the ingredients that are included are beneficial to the health and well-being of your cat. This dry cat food provides an all-round nutrition and it meets all the dietary requirements that an adult cat needs.
Cats also love the taste of the food and they cannot resist eating it. It includes natural fiber that work amazingly well to deal with hairballs. If you care about the health of your cat, you can feed him this nutritious meal every day and your cat will also enjoy it.
Pros
- Contains 100 percent dietary requirements of adult cat
- It tastes good
- Has fiber to deal with hairballs
- Doesn’t contain fillers
- Healthy and nutritious
- Has chicken as the number one ingredient
Cons
- Might not be the best for long haired cats
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Hairball Control, Chicken Recipe
A healthy pet means a happy owner. You cannot prevent your cat from grooming and this means that at some time, you will have to deal with hairballs.
As a concerned pet owner, looking for cat food to help with hairballs can be a great idea.
Have you tried the Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food?
If not, this is one of the recommended food that you should give your cat to prevent hairballs.
This is a dry cat food that has natural fibers that work well to help your cat get rid of hairballs. On top of that, the food is nutritious and flavorful and your cat will like it. Unlike other cat food that you will find on the market, this one doesn’t contain preservatives, colors or artificial flavors.
Another great thing about this cat food is that it is highly digestible to provide effective absorption of nutrients and allow easy passing of stool. The food helps to nourish the skin of your cat with omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E which gives your pet a healthy look.
Pros
- Contains natural ingredients
- The food is highly digestible
- Nourishes the skin of your cat
- Doesn’t contain artificial additives
- Has fiber to remove hairballs
Cons
- Bite seems big for a small cat
- Might not be better for cats with sensitive stomach
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Dry Cat Food
The best cat food for hairball prevention costs more as compared to the normal cat food.
This is why you need to invest your money on a quality cat meal from a recognized brand so that you can get value for your money. After all, you don’t want to spend money on a poor quality cat food that will not help your cat deal with hairballs.
Nutro is another trusted suppler of nutritious and tasty cat food that will help you have a healthy cat. Their food is rich in natural fiber that promotes better digestion and also contains antioxidants that give your cat a strong immune system.
This cat food is made with high quality ingredients which your cat needs. It contains Omega 6 fatty acids that give your cat a lustrous coat and a healthy skin. The food also contains vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients that your cat needs.
Pros
- Contains natural fiber for healthy digestion
- Promotes a healthy skin and coat
- Made with high quality ingredients
- Fiber minimize hairball formation
- No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
Cons
- Some users complain of constipated cats
- Some cats throw up after eating
Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food
After going through hairball cat food reviews, it can be pretty confusing to determine which food is suitable for your cat.
Cat food from various brands contain different ingredients so you want to choose the best that your cat will love. Blue Buffalo cat food is a recommendable option that contains natural ingredients, minerals and vitamins.
It contains real meat as the first ingredient and other ingredients include fruits, veggies, grains and antioxidants. The food has all the necessary formulation to meet the requirements of your cat and lifestyle. Giving your cat this food prevents hairball formation and also helps to control if your cat has a sensitive skin.
The good thing about this formula is that it is suitable for cats of all ages. It has the necessary requirements for kittens, adult cats and mature cats. For kittens, it features DHA for cognitive development and glucosamine and chondroitin to make your older cats healthy.
Pros
- Real meat is the first ingredients
- Ideal for cats with sensitive stomach
- Works well to control hairballs
- Boosts the immune system of your cat
- Suitable for cats of all ages
- The cat food is all natural
Cons
- Some cats vomit
- Complaints of mold
FELINE GREENIES SMARTBITES Cat Treats
There are several things that you should know if you are a pet owner. Most people are familiar with the ways of keeping pets out of trouble when they are awayon top of that, you should know how to prevent hairballs so that you can have a healthy cat.
This can be done if you get the right cat food like Feline Greenies that works well with hairballs.
The food has chicken flavor so you can be sure that your cat will love it. It is specifically designed by veterinarians to prevent the formation of hairballs. The food features natural ingredients and it is a good source of protein. It also contains minerals, vitamins and other important nutrients.
On top of that, the food contains plant-based fiber to reduce hairball and stimulate a healthy digestion. This delicious cat food also features a great taste and your cat will also love the texture.
Pros
- Contains natural ingredients
- Has fiber to prevent hairball formation
- Delicious and great tasting
- Nice food for daily use
- Offers essential health benefits
Cons
- Induces vomiting in some cats
- It is expensive
Iams Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food With Chicken And Salmon
Minding the health of your cat is important. Hairballs formation is a common problem especially among indoor cats because they spend most of their time grooming.
If you need to provide your cat with a healthy meal, Iams Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Cat Food. The food contains salmon and chicken as the main ingredients so you can be sure that your cat will love it.
Giving your cat this food provides a wide range of benefits which include healthy teeth, strong muscles, strong immune system and a healthy skin. It also includes proprietary fiber blend that work well to reduce the formation of hairballs.
This cat food is ideal for both indoor and outdoor cats and it is rich in high quality proteins that support a healthy cat. It also has a crunchy cat kibble texture that reduce the buildup of plaque. You can be sure that your cat will be healthy because the food is nutritious and contains essential nutrients that the cat needs.
Pros
- Has salmon and chicken ingredients
- Gives your cat energy to play
- Prevents the buildup of plaque
- Improves your cat’s immunity system
- Has fiber to control hairball
- Gives your cat a healthy skin
Cons
- Cat food is expensive
Greenies Smartbites Hairball Control Chicken
There are different types of cat food from various manufacturers that you will find when looking for the best.
However, if you need quality food that will prevent hairball, you need to be keen so that you can get the right food that works well and your cats love it too.
The Greenies Smartbites is an ideal selection for cats that are one year and above older. These food contains chicken meaning that your kitties will enjoy a great taste. It also contains other essential ingredients like animal fat, ground whole wheat, brewers rice and other important ingredients that contribute to a healthy cat.
It works well to minimize hairballs and also promotes a healthy digestion. This pack contains uniquely shaped food that is dual textured and tastes great.
Pros
- Reduces the formation of hairballs
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Contains essential ingredients
- Less throwing up for cats
- Cats love the taste
Cons
- The texture feels too soft
Weruva Grain-Free Canned Wet Cat Food
When my vet confirmed that my cat has hairballs, he recommended the Weruva Grain-Free Canned Wet Cat Food and my cat can’t get enough of this food.
This is an amazing meal that features cage-free boneless and skinless white breast chicken meat that any cat cannot resist.
The food is well-manufactured and it is free of Gmos, grain, gluten and any other bad thing that you would not like to find in cat food. Unlike other cat foods that you will find, this meal doesn’t contain wheat, soy, corn, colors or other preservatives.
It is a complete and well-balanced diet for adult cats which is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. The food contains less ash, phosphorus, magnesium and has the right moisture to ensure that you cat has a healthy urinary track.
Pros
- It is grain and gluten-free
- Contains real ingredients
- Supports easy digestion
- It contains low fat
- Boneless and skinless white meat that your cat will love
Cons
- The new recipe is not improved
Meow Mix Hairball Control Formula Dry Cat Food
Don’t panic if you find that your cat has hairballs because it is completely normal.
During their grooming process, they are likely to swallow some fur and when they build-up, this leads to the formation of hairballs.
If you care about the health of your cat, the most important thing that you should do is to change the diet and look for cat food that is made purposely to prevent hairball formation. Because it can be pretty tough to find the right cat food, Meow Mix is an amazing hairball control formula that any cat will love.
Giving your cat this food means they will healthy and you will be happy. The product is made in a way that cats will enjoy its taste and this gives you comfort knowing that your cat is healthy since they are part of our family.
Pros
- Works well to prevent hairballs
- Cats love the taste
- Better than hairball medicine
- Contains healthy ingredients
Cons
- Some cases of constipation
CANIDAE Grain Free Pure Dry Cat Food
Knowing the type of ingredient that is present in cat food is important before you buy. You don’t want to spend your money in food that your cat will hate. CANIDAE Grain Free Pure Dry Cat Food is a great formula that your can will love.
The food contains essential ingredients like chicken, suncured alfalfa, chicken meal, peas, turkey meal, chickpeas, lentils and chicken fat. The included ingredients also make the food better for cats with sensitivities. The food tastes well and your cat can’t get enough of it.
On top of that, it promotes a healthy digestion and the antioxidants present boost the immune system of your cat. You can also choose from a wide range of formulas that contain fish and real meat combines with other ingredients like lentils, potatoes, peas and much more. Get this food and your cat will enjoy the nutrition that they need.
Pros
- Tastes great
- Ideal for cats with sensitivities
- Supports a beautiful coat and skin
- Contains important ingredients healthy for cats
- Gentle for digestion
Cons
- Many cats don’t like the food
Things to Consider before buying cat food for hairballs
Just like when you are purchasing other products, there are several considerations that you should check when buying the best cat food for hairball. If you do not know some of the important factors to check, here is a simple buying guide to help you.
Ingredients
The first thing that you should check when buying cat food for hairballs is the included ingredients. Look for cat food that has natural fibers since it works well in dealing with fur and moving it through the cat’s digestive system. However, having too much far can also affect your cat since cats are carnivores. Avoiding choosing cat food with anything unnatural or the wrong type of fiber.
Protein content and source
I mentioned above that cats are carnivores so their food should have high protein levels. This is crucial if your cat has hairballs because more protein is required for a healthy and stronger skin to counter shedding. When it comes to the protein source, your major consideration should to pick is animal protein. Ensure that you read the list of ingredients so that you can ensure that the first ingredient included is animal protein.
Taste
It will make no difference if you buy cat food for hairball with a taste that your cat hates. There are different types of flavors on the market that you can choose and most cats love fish and chicken flavors. Hairball food is available in both dry and wet types. Wet food category included minced, sliced, shredded morsels among others. If you don’t know how to feed your cat wet food when you are away, read this guide for more details here.
When it comes to dry food varieties, you will find chunks of veggies and meat mixed with kibble or kibble alone.
Bag size
This is mostly important when you are dealing with wet food. You will find that it is mostly available in 3 oz and 5.5 oz. a bigger cat can finish the 5.5 oz in one sitting while smaller cats might not even finish the 3oz bag. If you want to give your cat fresh food, you can buy the right size that they will finish at once.
If you love giving your cat dry food with no preservatives, buy in smaller amounts. Hairball cat food is more expensive so there is no need of buying more food that will go stale.
Antioxidants and skin nourishers
You can check if the cat food has some vegetables and fruits added which will promote a healthy skin and hair. Fruits and vegetables have antioxidants and other things that boost the overall health of your cat. This will reduce hair loss and the number of hair strands swallowed.
Final Words
Taking care of pets is an important role for any pet owner. If you have an indoor cat, you know that they spend most of their time grooming. Long haired cat breeds like Persian or Ragdoll also spend a considerable amount of time grooming. Through their grooming process, they can swallow fur which can be a problem in their digestive track if it accumulates. I has earlier stated some of the symptoms that will let you know that your cat has hairballs.
If you notice the above symptoms, it is important to work closely with your veterinary alongside buying the best cat food for hairballs. From the above reviews and guide, I have highlighted everything you need to know about hairballs and the best cat food that you can buy to counter the problem. I hope you will now have an easy time picking the right food for your cat.