Home Remedies for Treating Cat Hairballs

Besides being gross and messy, hairballs can endanger your cat's health. Large hairballs can cause serious health problems like intestinal blockages. There have even been reports of vets surgically removing baseball-sized hairballs. Hairballs occur naturally during the grooming process, when a cat loosens and swallows dead hairs. Since it is obviously not an option for your cat to cease grooming altogether, some remedies may reduce the frequency and severity of hairballs.

  1. Brushing

    • Brushing not only promotes a healthy, shiny coat, but also reduces the amount of dead hair left for your cat to swallow. Depending on the breed, age, and general activity level of your cat, you may need to brush it on a daily, bi-weekly or weekly basis. A wipedown with a damp towel picks up stray hairs as well. Brushing the cat daily and making a visit to a professional groomer approximately every six months effectively reduces instances of hairballs in long-haired breeds.

    Natural Laxatives

    • Commercial laxatives and digestive aids can help to reduce hairballs by lubricating the digestive tract to allow hair to pass through more easily. Home remedies can work the same way. A daily 1/2 tsp. dose of butter or petroleum jelly can aid in the passing of hairballs, according to PetMD. Consistent use for several days can completely eliminate hairball problems.

    Change In Diet

    • What you feed your cat plays a big part in how much it sheds and the frequency of hairballs. A premium food specifically formulated to help control and prevent hairballs can make a difference. The right nutrients will keep a cat's coat healthy and shiny. Besides being essential to the overall health of your pet, this greatly reduces shedding by preventing the hair from becoming knotted and frizzy.

    Reducing Amount of Grooming

    • IA cat that spends an unusual amount of time grooming may be prone to hairball problems. The solution may be to simply discourage the cat from excessive grooming behavior. This can be achieved by spending more time with the cat, training it to do another activity besides grooming or distracting it with a toy.