How to Get Rid of a Hairball in a Cat's Stomach

When a cat grooms itself, it ingests the loose hair on its coat. This hair usually passes through its digestive system and into the stool. Sometimes, however, the hair can collect in the stomach or small intestine, forming a hairball that causes the cat to retch or vomit and may lead to constipation on a decrease in appetite, according to the ASPCA. If you think your cat has a hairball, treat it with remedies to help the hairball pass through its system.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 tsp. mineral oil
  • Canned cat food
  • Ground cat treats
  • 2 tsp. canned pumpkin
  • Hairball control cat food
  • Hairball lubricant
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Lettuce
  • Barley grass
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stir 1 tsp. mineral oil into your cat's canned food to lubricate the digestive tract, helping to move the hairball along in the cat's system. Sprinkle some ground cat treats over the food to tempt your cat to eat it.

    • 2

      Mix in 2 tsp. canned pumpkin into your cat's canned or dry food. The pumpkin provides fiber to help the cat pass the hairball.

    • 3

      Feed your cat a hairball-control commercial cat food. These foods contain ingredients to promote the passage of the hairball through the cat's system. A high-fiber cat food will also help the cat pass the hairball.

    • 4

      Rub a hairball control gel, found in pet supply stores, or petroleum jelly on your cat's paw or mouth so that it licks it off and ingests it to help the hairball pass through its digestive tract.

    • 5

      Shred lettuce and mix it into the cat's canned food. You can also give the cat barley grass to chew on. The roughage helps force the hair through the digestive system.