15 Best Hairball Cat Foods
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
We've all heard it, haven't we? The strange hacking cough that floats through the house in the middle of the night, usually followed by a nasty surprise when you wake up.
Hairball patrol clean-up crew is never fun, no matter what time of day it is.
Unfortunately, you must be concerned about more than just the ugliness of the situation. Hairballs can be extremely harmful to your tabby's health.
Intestinal blockages, diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloated abdomens, and other issues can occur, and your pet may require surgery to correct the problem.
Thankfully, some foods can help with hairballs, and we've found the best best hairball cat foods!
Below, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) will go over each brand and share important information such as the ingredients, nutrients, flavor, effectiveness, and so on.
As an added bonus, we will discuss some do-it-yourself solutions for cleaning up the mess. See the buyer's guide for more information.
Reviews
Best Value IAMS Proactive Dry Hairball Cat Food
We have just the thing for you if you have a hairball hacking tabby on a budget. IAMS Proactive Hairball Control Dry Cat Food is available in 312 pound, 7, 16, and 22-pound bags in chicken and turkey flavors.
This is a formula that is intended to not only help your pet pass hairballs, but also to keep their weight under control. IAMS combats hairballs with a blend of fibers and beet pulp.
It also contains L-carnitine, which can aid in weight loss in your pet. This is an excellent meal for indoor-bound cats.
The formula is easy to digest, has 10% less fat than other recipes, and uses real chicken as the first ingredient and source of healthy protein.
Furthermore, this cat food contains vitamins and minerals like calcium, potassium, and omegas 3 and 6 to promote a healthy tabby overall. To that end, the formula contains no artificial ingredients, synthetic dyes, or wheat.
One thing to keep in mind about this option is that it is not all-natural and contains chicken by-product meals. Aside from that, it is easy to digest and the most affordable cat food for hairballs.
Pros
- There are no artificial ingredients.
- Effective against hairballs
- Weight management
- Vitamins and minerals have been added.
- Simple to understand
- 10% fewer calories
Cons
- This product contains chicken by-product meals.
Feline Dry Hairball Cat Food by Royal Canin
If your cat has a serious hairball problem and you don’t mind spending a little more money, the Royal Canin Feline Hairball Dry Cat Food is a good choice.
This brand is well-known for its dietary formulas that address specific issues, such as this one. This option uses a blend of fibers, including psyllium seed husk, to help move hairballs through your pet’s GI tract.
It is made with chicken meal as its primary protein source. In addition, this formula contains 32% protein. It is also designed in accordance with AAFCO nutrition guidelines.
It is simple to digest and ideal for indoor animals. This product is available in 3-, 6-, and 14-pound bags. Furthermore, the meal contains additional vitamins and nutrients to keep your cat healthy.
As previously stated, this brand is more expensive than regular cat food. Aside from that, you should be aware that it is not an all-natural formula.
Indeed, some of the ingredients are dubious. It contains corn, brewers rice, and other ingredients that provide little nutritional value to your pet.
Overall, this is our third choice for the best hairball cat food on the market this year.
Pros
- Hairballs are the target.
- Added vitamins and nutrients
- High protein content
- Simple to understand
- Nutritional advice from AAFCO
Cons
- Greater cost
- Not entirely natural
Purina ONE Cat Food Hairball Formula
Purina ONE Hairball Formula Cat Food is a dry diet available in 312, 7, 16, and 22-pound bags. It comes in a delicious chicken formula with no artificial flavors or preservatives.
It contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant supplements such as vitamins E and A to promote healthy skin, fur, digestive, and immune systems.
Purina ONE cat food contains natural fibers that help prevent hairballs. The all-natural formula is made in the United States and begins with real meat.
Unfortunately, the food contains some unpleasant ingredients, such as chicken by-product meals and corn gluten meal, which contribute to the higher protein level.
Also, keep in mind that this meal may be difficult for some felines to digest. Aside from that, you’ll find this to be an effective method of reducing hairballs.
Pros
- There are no artificial preservatives or flavors.
- Formulated from natural ingredients
- Hairball reduction is effective.
- Vitamins and minerals have been added.
Cons
- This product contains chicken by-product meal and corn gluten meal.
- More difficult to digest
Dry Hairball Cat Food by Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food is another good option. This chicken-flavored recipe comes in 3-, 5-, and 7-pound bags.
This formula contains natural fiber sources that will help hairballs pass through your cat’s digestive system. Furthermore, the formulated low magnesium levels support your cat’s urinary tract.
Meanwhile, this cat food contains natural fiber sources that can help with hairballs. Your pet will get plenty of protein, as well as the vitamins and minerals he or she needs to stay healthy.
Hill’s Science Diet contains no chicken by-products, artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors and is made with all-natural ingredients.
They also start with real meat as the first ingredient. The formula contains vitamins and minerals that cats require to stay healthy.
This cat food is made in the United States and responsibly sourced from around the world. The meal is easy to digest and rich in nutrients such as omegas, antioxidants, and vitamins C and E.
It will not only help with hairballs, but it will also promote healthy immune and digestive systems, as well as strengthen their skin and fur.
Pros
- All-natural
- Hairball reduction is effective.
- There are no artificial ingredients.
- Vitamins and minerals have been added.
- There are no chicken byproducts.
- Simple to understand
Cons
- None that we can see
Dry Cat Food Meow Mix Hairball Control
The Meow Mix Hairball Control Dry Cat Food comes next. This delectable meal is available in chicken, turkey, salmon, and ocean fish flavors.
It contains high levels of protein to keep your cat energized and a natural fiber blend to aid in hairball elimination.
Not only that, but this cat food is enriched with taurine and vitamin B-complex, as well as having optimal calcium and phosphorus levels.
It should be noted, however, that this formula is not entirely natural. Although it is easy to digest, some of the ingredients are not as healthy as we would like.
Soy, for example, and chicken and turkey by-product meals are available. Furthermore, it is colored artificially. Aside from that, this product is manufactured in the United States.
We should also mention that this food is available in 6.3-pound bags or a four-pack of 3.15-pound bags. It is also an excellent choice for cats who spend their time indoors or outdoors.
It is also suitable for cats of all breeds, sizes, and ages.
Pros
- Hairball reduction is effective.
- Vitamins and minerals have been added.
- A high protein content
- Simple to understand
Cons
- Not everything is natural.
- Colors are synthetic.
- By-product meals are included.
Dry Cat Food with Hairball Control by Blue Buffalo
The Blue Buffalo Hairball Control Dry Cat Food is a good choice if you need a cat food formula that will not only treat hairballs but also promote weight loss and overall good health.
This formula contains sufficient protein to keep your cat active, natural fibers to prevent hairballs, and their patented LifeSource bits, which contain essential vitamins and nutrients.
This is an all-natural formula with pea protein and alfalfa meal. Having said that, Blue Buffalo uses real meat as the first ingredient, along with other healthy grains, fruits, and vegetables.
There are also no chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives or flavors in it.
Another disadvantage of Blue Buffalo Hairball Control is that the kibble bits are harder than average, making it more difficult for your cat to chew.
Having said that, you can get it in 3- or 7-pound bags. Finally, keep in mind that this formula is difficult for many felines to digest.
Pros
- Hairball reduction is effective.
- Formulated from natural ingredients
- Bits from LifeSource
- There are no artificial preservatives or flavors.
Cons
- Difficult to digest
- Kibble is difficult.
- Protein fillers are present.
- Weight loss is less effective.
Wet Hairball Cat Food by Hill’s Science Diet
If your tabby prefers a wet meal, Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food could be a good option. This formula is available in 2.9-ounce (12 or 24-pack) cans or 5.5-ounce cans (24 pack).
The chicken recipe is intended to aid in both hairball prevention and urinary control. The meal has been supplemented with vitamins and minerals such as omega 6 and vitamin E.
Another factor to consider with this formula is that the protein levels are lower than in other options. Despite the fact that it is an all-natural formula, it contains ingredients such as pork by-products and soy.
You should also keep in mind that this can be a difficult food to introduce, and your cat may experience digestive issues as a result.
The Hill’s Science Diet, which is made in the United States and sourced globally, contains natural fiber to promote healthy digestion and thus reduce hairballs.
However, it is not the best option for overweight cats or those who have stomach sensitivities.
Pros
- Hairballs are reduced.
- Encourages urinary tract control
- Vitamins and minerals have been added.
- Ingredients derived from nature
Cons
- Byproducts are present.
- Soy is present.
- More difficult to digest
- Overweight pets are not advised.
- Reduce your protein intake.
Dry Cat Food with Nutro Hairball Control
The Nutro Hairball Control Dry Cat Food is made with all-natural ingredients and comes in a chicken and brown rice formula.
It also contains important nutrients such as omega-6, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also a non-GMO formula free of corn, wheat, soy protein, by-product meals, and artificial ingredients.
Unfortunately, even though this is a soy-protein-free food, it contains soy oil, so cats with sensitivities should proceed with caution.
Not only that, but the meal contains pea protein and alfalfa meal, both of which can increase protein levels. It also contains more fat.
Nutro is available in 3, 5, or 14-pound bags and is cooked in the United States. It’s made with a blend of natural fibers to control hairballs and has chicken as the first ingredient.
As a final note, most feline pets will find this food difficult to digest.
Pros
- Formulated from natural ingredients
- Vitamins and minerals have been added.
- Hairballs are reduced.
Cons
- Difficult to digest
- Soy products are present.
- Protein-boosting ingredients are included.
- Higher fat content
Cat Food with AvoDerm Hairball Control Formula
The AvoDerm Hairball Control Formula Cat Food comes in at number nine. This is a cat food designed to control not only hairballs but also weight. It comes in a chicken recipe, which is unfortunately not appealing to many feline companions.
It comes in three sizes: 312 pound, 6 pound, and 11 pound bags. We’d like to point out right away that this food isn’t as effective at controlling hairballs as our other options. It is also not advised for weight loss.
Having said that, the formula contains California Avocados, which promote healthy skin, fur, immune systems, and overall health.
Though there is some debate about the benefits of this ingredient for cats, it appears to be beneficial in this case. Unfortunately, this food is also high in salt and contains unhealthful ingredients such as white rice.
AvoDerm, on the other hand, is free of by-product meals and artificial ingredients. Though it contains nutrients such as antioxidants and omegas, the food is high in fat and is packed into difficult to chew kibble bits.
This is an indoor cat formula made in the United States.
Pros
- Formulated from natural ingredients
- There are no artificial ingredients.
Cons
- Ineffective against hairballs
- High fat content
- There is a lot of salt in this.
- It is difficult to digest and chew
- Indoor cat food
Natural Dry Hairball Cat Food by Wellness Complete Health
The Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Cat Food is our final recommendation. This option is available in a 212, 6, or 12-pound bag and comes in a chicken meal and rice dry formula.
Despite its vitamins and nutrients, the natural fiber blend is ineffective at reducing hairballs or assisting them to pass through your pet’s digestive tract.
Wellness has an all-natural ingredient list that excludes wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, and artificial ingredients. It’s made in the United States, but it’s difficult for cats to digest.
Unfortunately, many pets will not approach or eat it. It’s also worth noting that this food is high in calories, fat, and salt. There is also pea protein and brewers rice, which are both protein-boosting fillers.
As previously stated, this food is ineffective. It also has a short shelf life. Overall, this is our least favorite best cat food for hairball control option.
Pros
- Formulated from natural ingredients
- There are no artificial ingredients.
Cons
- It is ineffective.
- Fat and calorie content are high.
- Difficult to digest
- Cats dislike it.
- A lot of salt
- It quickly becomes stale.
Choosing the Best Cat Food for Hairballs: A Buyer's Guide
Hairball Prevention Techniques
Hairballs are not only unsightly, but they can also be dangerous to your pet’s health.
Although feeding them a fiber-rich formula that will help your feline digest them is a good place to start, there are some other paths you can take to improve the situation.
- Grooming: Grooming your cat on a daily basis is one of the best ways to reduce hairballs. This will get rid of any excess fur that they will not eat.
- Oil and Butter: Giving your tabby a small amount of oil or butter will help lubricate their digestive passage, making it easier for them to pass any existing hairballs.
- Water: Another important aspect of hairball control is to provide plenty of water for your pet to help wash away excess fur.
- Extras: In addition to food, supplements, treats, and gels are available to help with hairball control.
- Catnip: Fiber is an important part of your cat’s diet, especially if he has hairballs. Catnip is another fiber-rich treat you can give your feline. It’s not only a fun treat for them, but it’ll also help their furry diet.
Conclusion
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes you found the above reviews of the best hairball cat foods helpful in determining the best one for your cat.
Hairballs are a serious problem, but if you don’t know what to look for, finding the right food to help treat them can aggravate the situation.
Choose Dry Hairball Cat Food by Hill’s Science Diet if you want the best of the best. This is a nutritious meal that will help control the problem while also providing a variety of vitamins.
If you need a less expensive option, consider the IAMS Proactive Hairball Control Dry Cat Food, which is also effective at reducing the severity of the situation.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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