How to Prevent Cat Hairballs: Natural Remedies, Supplements & Food

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Grooming Strategies That Work

The most effective hairball prevention strategy is surprisingly simple: remove loose fur before your cat can ingest it. Regular grooming sessions intercept shedding hair, keeping it out of your cat's digestive system.

Regular brushing removes loose fur before your cat swallows it, dramatically reducing hairball frequency while strengthening your bond.

Choosing the Right Grooming Tools

Different coat types require different approaches. Long-haired cats benefit from metal combs that penetrate deep into their thick coats, followed by slicker brushes to remove loose undercoat. Short-haired cats do well with rubber curry brushes or grooming gloves that catch loose fur during petting sessions.

Deshedding tools can be particularly effective during seasonal shedding periods, as they remove large amounts of loose undercoat in a single session. However, use these tools carefully and sparingly to avoid irritating your cat's skin or removing too much healthy fur.

Healthy, comfortable skin reduces the urge to overgroom. When cats experience skin irritation, dryness, or discomfort, they may groom excessively to soothe themselves, inadvertently ingesting more fur. Use formulas that support skin wellness with pH-balanced, gentle ingredients specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

Establishing a Grooming Routine

Short, daily grooming sessions of just 5–10 minutes are more effective and less stressful than longer brushing sessions.

For cats who resist grooming, try different times of the day when they're naturally more relaxed, such as after meals or play sessions. Some cats prefer being groomed in specific locations or positions, so pay attention to what makes your cat most comfortable.

Dietary Approaches to Hairball Prevention

What your cat eats significantly impacts how efficiently hair moves through their digestive system. Some dietary changes can make a difference in hairball frequency.

Specialized Hairball-Control Foods

Many commercial cat foods are formulated specifically to help manage hairballs. These diets typically contain increased levels of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which work together to keep ingested fur moving smoothly through the digestive tract rather than clumping in the stomach.

Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool, helping push hair through the intestines. Soluble fiber absorbs water, creating a gel-like substance that coats ingested hair and facilitates its passage. Look for foods listing ingredients like beet pulp, psyllium husk, or cellulose as fiber sources.

Feeding your cat a hairball-control diet rich in fiber, keeping them well-hydrated, and using vet-approved lubricants helps swallowed hair pass smoothly through their system.

The Role of Moisture in Diet

Adequate hydration is crucial for preventing hairballs. Cats naturally have a low thirst drive, having evolved from ancestors that dwelled in deserts. Incorporating moisture-rich foods helps ensure proper hydration, which keeps the digestive system functioning smoothly.

Wet food contains significantly more moisture, typically 70–80% water, compared to just 10% in dry food. This extra moisture helps soften ingested hair and move it through the digestive tract more easily.

If your cat strongly prefers dry food, try adding warm water or low-sodium broth to kibble, creating a gravy-like consistency that boosts moisture intake. You can also provide multiple fresh water sources throughout your home, as some cats prefer drinking from different locations or types of bowls.

Natural Supplements for Digestive Support

Beyond dietary changes, specific supplements can support your cat's digestive system in processing ingested hair more effectively.

Fiber Supplements

Natural fiber supplements like psyllium husk powder or canned pumpkin (pure pumpkin, not pie filling) can be mixed into your cat's regular food. These gentle fiber sources help move hair through the digestive system without causing upset.

Start with very small amounts, about a quarter teaspoon mixed into wet food, and increase gradually to avoid digestive discomfort. Most cats tolerate these supplements well when introduced slowly and mixed thoroughly with appetizing food.

Omega Fatty Acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin health from the inside out. Healthier skin means your cat sheds less and experiences less itchiness that might trigger excessive grooming. Fish oil supplements or specialized omega supplements formulated for cats can provide these beneficial fatty acids.

Probiotic Support for Gut Health

A healthy gut microbiome supports overall digestive function, helping your cat's system process everything they consume, including ingested hair. Probiotic supplements introduce beneficial bacteria that support digestive balance and may help maintain comfortable digestion.

Environmental Enrichment to Reduce Stress Grooming

Cats who groom excessively due to stress or boredom ingest far more fur than necessary. Addressing the emotional triggers behind overgrooming tackles hairballs at their source.

Mental stimulation and play reduce boredom-driven overgrooming, naturally decreasing hairball formation through healthier grooming patterns.

Creating Stimulating Environments

Cats need mental engagement to stay content. Provide vertical territory through cat trees and wall-mounted shelves, allowing your cat to climb, perch, and survey their domain from various heights. This satisfies natural climbing instincts while providing exercise that can reduce stress.

Rotate toys regularly to maintain novelty and interest. Puzzle feeders transform mealtime into an engaging activity that occupies your cat's mind and provides a healthy outlet for natural hunting behaviors.

Interactive Play Sessions

Regular interactive play sessions help cats release pent-up energy and stress in healthy ways. Feather wands, small balls, and other toys that mimic prey movements engage your cat's hunting instincts and provide both physical and mental stimulation.

Aim for two to three short play sessions daily, timed around dawn and dusk when cats are naturally most active. Even 10 to 15 minutes of engaged play can significantly impact your cat's stress levels and reduce compulsive grooming behaviors.

When Hairballs Signal a Bigger Problem

Frequent hairball episodes (more than once or twice per month) may suggest underlying digestive issues or excessive grooming driven by medical problems.

Watch for hairballs accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, constipation, or visible discomfort. If your cat makes repeated retching motions without producing a hairball, this could indicate a blockage requiring immediate veterinary care.

Sudden increases in hairball frequency, especially alongside changes in grooming behavior, coat quality, or skin condition, warrant veterinary consultation.

Bailey's CBD: Supporting Your Cat's Overall Wellness

At Bailey's CBD, we understand that cats experiencing stress-related overgrooming or digestive discomfort need gentle, effective support. Our veterinarian-formulated products use single-source USDA organic hemp from Boulder, Colorado.

It is then processed using subcritical CO₂ extraction at a specialized lab in Boulder, Colorado, the only facility in the United States that offers this method. This unique extraction process preserves beneficial plant compounds without harsh chemicals, delivering cleaner, higher-quality CBD for your cat. 

At Bailey’s CBD, we offer natural wellness support for cats experiencing digestive discomfort or overgrooming that contributes to hairball formation.

We're committed to transparency and quality and ensure every product undergoes rigorous third-party lab testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants, with results accessible through QR codes on each package. Our formulations are backed by Dr. Robert J. Silver, DVM, and we hold a Department of Health license, providing regulatory oversight that most CBD companies operate without.

For cats dealing with hairball-related concerns, we offer:

• CBD Oil For Cats: Our full-spectrum hemp extract blended with organic coconut oil may help support digestive comfort and promote overall wellness. The coconut oil base itself supports healthy digestion while providing an easy-to-administer format for precise dosing.
• Calming CBD Cat Chews: These grain-free, soy-free soft chews combine 1.5mg of CBD per chew with ginger (which helps maintain comfortable digestion), probiotics (supporting healthy gut flora), and calming ingredients like GABA, tryptophan, chamomile, and valerian root. The chicken and cheese flavor makes daily supplementation enjoyable for even picky cats.

Our non-psychoactive formula (<0.3% THC) promotes natural balance without sedation, making it suitable for daily use alongside your regular hairball prevention routine. Each product is crafted to address the interconnected factors that contribute to hairball formation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should I groom my cat to prevent hairballs?

Daily brushing is ideal for long-haired cats, while short-haired cats typically do well with three to four grooming sessions per week. During heavy shedding seasons in spring and fall, increase grooming frequency regardless of coat length. Even five minutes of daily brushing can dramatically reduce hairball formation by removing loose fur before your cat ingests it.

Are hairball treats effective, or should I focus on other prevention methods?

Hairball treats can be helpful as part of a comprehensive approach, but work best when combined with regular grooming and an appropriate diet. These treats typically contain petroleum-based lubricants or fiber that helps move hair through the digestive system. However, they shouldn't replace fundamental prevention strategies like brushing and proper nutrition.

Can too much fiber in my cat's diet cause problems?

While fiber helps prevent hairballs, excessive amounts can interfere with nutrient absorption and cause digestive upset. When transitioning to higher-fiber foods or adding fiber supplements, introduce changes gradually over seven to ten days. Watch for signs like diarrhea, gas, or decreased appetite, which might indicate too much fiber too quickly.

How can I tell if my cat's hairballs are normal or a sign of a problem?

Occasional hairballs (once or twice per month) are generally normal. More frequent episodes, hairballs accompanied by lethargy or appetite loss, repeated unsuccessful retching, or hairballs with blood or unusual coloring warrant veterinary attention. Also consult your vet if hairball frequency suddenly increases or if your cat shows signs of digestive discomfort.

How can Bailey's CBD help with hairball prevention?

Bailey's CBD products work with your cat's ECS to promote natural calm and digestive comfort. For cats experiencing overgrooming due to restlessness, our full-spectrum CBD products may help promote a sense of calm, potentially reducing excessive grooming behaviors that lead to hairball formation.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.