Hairball Cat Food

Hairball cat food uses added fibre to help swallowed hair keep moving through the gut, so less of it comes back up as a hairball. Every cat grooms and swallows hair, but long-haired breeds, heavy shedders and cats that over-groom swallow far more of it. This page brings together hairball control recipes from Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, PRO PLAN, Ivory Coat, SavourLife, Black Hawk and Kit Cat, in both kibble and wet food.

How the recipes differ

Most rely on a fibre blend, and some pair it with omega fatty acids for skin and coat. Several combine hairball control with a second need. Indoor recipes such as Ivory Coat Indoor & Hairball, PRO PLAN Indoor Hairball Control and SavourLife Indoor & Hairball Control also moderate calories for a less active cat, and Hill's Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control adds urinary support. Choose the one that matches the rest of your cat's situation, not hairballs alone.

What to expect

A hairball formula aims to reduce how often hairballs happen; it does not stop grooming. Brushing a long-haired cat regularly helps too, because hair removed with a brush is hair that never gets swallowed. Frequent retching, vomiting without bringing up hair, constipation or a drop in appetite are reasons to see your vet rather than to change food. Move to any new diet gradually, mixing it into the old food over about a week.

• Indoor cat food
• Royal Canin Hairball Care
• Hill's Science Diet Hairball Control
• Cat brushes and grooming supplies
• Dry cat food
• Wet cat food