Hairball Prevention: Is it Grooming or Diet?
Stepping on a cold, wet hairball in the middle of the night is a rite of passage for cat owners. But frequent hairballs aren't "normal"—they are a sign your cat's digestive system is overwhelmed.
To stop them, you need a two-pronged attack: Grooming AND Diet.
1. The Grooming Solution
Cats swallow loose fur while licking themselves.
-
The Fix: Brush your cat daily. Every hair you remove with a brush is one less hair they swallow.
2. The Dietary Solution
Even with brushing, some hair gets swallowed. It needs to pass through the poop, not come back up.
-
Malt Paste: This is the most popular cat hairball remedy. It is a sticky, tasty paste that coats the swallowed hair, making it slippery so it slides through the intestines easily.
-
Hairball Control Food: These kibbles are high in fiber, which pushes hair through the gut.
When to Worry
If your cat is retching but nothing is coming up, this is an emergency. It could be a blockage.
Summary
Brush more, feed malt paste, and say goodbye to the mess.