Homeopathic Treatments for Hairballs in Cats

Cat owners know hairballs are a common problem. Cats' rough tongues pull fur from their bodies while grooming. They swallow these small bits of debris and fur. Most of it is expelled in their feces, but some of it becomes compacted in the intestines. Large hairballs cause retching and gagging, which eventually leads to vomiting. Hairballs are not serious, unless they occur frequently or prevent your cat from eating or using the litter box. Several homeopathic remedies exist for preventing and eliminating hairballs.

  1. Fiber

    • Dietary changes are the easiest ways to prevent hairballs and build better overall health for your cat. A high-fiber diet prevents the formation of hairballs. Effective, healthy cat foods contain 3 to 10 percent fiber. Fiber supplements and cat grass are also effective. Cat grass is found at health food and pet stores. Fiber moves the compacted hair through the digestive system. High-fiber foods are the best option.

    Soft Foods

    • Though some cat owners have success feeding oil or butter to their cats, these products cause digestive problems. Baby food is an effective alternative. Unsweetened pumpkin added to dry kibble lubricates a cat's intestinal tract. Traditional moist cat food is also effective. However, many brands contain ingredients that are harmful to cats, so choose carefully. Choose soft foods that are free of animal byproducts, grains, corn and soy, and contain a low-mineral content.

    Lubrication

    • Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to your cat's paw and allow it to lick it off. Though it is not a food, it will lubricate the intestinal tract. There are several commercial products sold at pet stores that achieve the same ends, but petroleum jelly is cheap and natural. It is important to consult your cat's veterinarian before using a non-food substance to eliminate or prevent hairballs.

    Brushing

    • One of the easiest ways to prevent future hairballs is to brush your cat. This reduces the loose hair it will ingest during grooming. Brush long-hair cats daily and short-hair cats several times each week. Your cat sheds more as seasons change, so increase brushing during these times. If your cat is over-stimulated by brushing, try a short period of gentle brushing while it sleeps. Doing this two to three times per day during one of is several cat naps should keep loose hair to a minimum.