Home Remedies to Get Rid of Cat Hairballs

It is distressing to watch a cat hack up a hairball, but it doesn't mean the cat is sick. It swallows fur stuck to its tongue barbs in grooming. Most fur passes through the intestines, but some accumulates in the stomach and gets vomited out when the mass reaches a certain size.

  1. Grooming

    • If excess fur is removed by regular combing and brushing, there is not as much for the cat to swallow. Combs reach to deeper fur levels and remove more of the undercoat. Use wide-toothed combs for long-haired cats and finer-toothed combs for short-haired cats.

    Lubricating Remedies

    • Spread a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the cat's forelegs where he can lick it off. It helps ease the hairball through. Commercial hairball preparations are merely flavored petroleum jelly.

    Natural Fiber Sources

    • Natural sources of fiber such as sprout oat, barley or rye grass seed may help your cat pass a hairball. Grass provokes either vomiting or elimination. Small quantities of pureed pumpkin or squash help with elimination. Psyllium can also be used in tablet, capsule or bulk form.

    Hairball Formula Cat Food

    • Introduce higher- fiber cat food designed to eliminate hairballs slowly to cats so their digestive systems are not irritated. Or give your cat hairball-fighting cat treats.