At-Home Cat Hair Ball Relief

Most cats, both long-haired and short-haired, develop hairballs. These little wet balls of fur are caused by a cat̵7;s bathing process. Cats will typically bathe themselves, and their kittens, several times a day in order to remove any stray hairs or debris that might be found on their coat. This fur eventually builds up and the cat will begin to hack and heave, and a hairball will end up on the floor in your home. There are ways to cut down on the number of hairballs your cat coughs up.

  1. Bathing and Brushing

    • Take your cat to the groomer or bathe and brush him or her yourself on a regular basis. This is especially important if you have a longer-haired cat, such as a Siamese or a Persian. Bathing will ensure that the loose hairs on the cat are removed and any debris is also washed away that might cause your cat to excessively bathe itself. Use a natural hair brush to brush out your cat̵7;s fur. You may need to do this on a daily basis if the cat is cleaning itself or shedding excessively. Rub a wet washcloth over your cat̵7;s fur between baths to help eliminate even more excess fur that can lead to hairballs.

    Food

    • Changing your cat̵7;s food may also help reduce the number of hairballs. There are brands on the market, such as Eukanuba Hairball Relief, that are specially formulated to cut down on the number and frequency of your cat̵7;s issues with hairballs. Speak to your veterinarian about switching your cat̵7;s diet. He or she may also suggest a food that is rich in fiber, which is also believed to control excessive hairballs.

    Home Remedies

    • There are a few home remedies you may also want to try to control hairballs. Giving your cat butter is believed to cut down on hairballs by acting as a natural lubricant in the stomach that causes the hair to slide through your cat. A few slices a week is the recommended among, and mixing them in with food will help encourage your cat to eat the butter. Pureed, not canned, pumpkin will also help with hairballs. Pumpkin is a good source of fiber and can be mixed with the cat's food for easier consumption.