Fur Free Living The Power of Hairball Control Treatments for Cats

The 5 Best Hairball Remedies For Cats

Note: Veterinary review of this article includes only the medical information in this article. The veterinarian reviewing this article does not personally endorse, recommend, or vouch for the efficacy or claims of any product mentioned in this article.

The best hairball remedies do more than help hair slide through your cats body. They treat the problem at its root by supporting overall digestive health.

Thats why we chose Cat Lax as the best hairball remedy on the market. This well known hairball gel contains a blend of ingredients that break up hairballs, prevent new ones from forming, and minimize shedding to keep hairballs at bay.

Before we learn more about Cat Lax and our other top five picks, lets talk about the types of hairball remedies and how they can help.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Hairball Remedies for Cats

Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, weve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. Youll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Overall Best

9.9

Picked by 31 people today!

• Contains a blend of lubricants
• Most cats like the gels flavor
• Affordable

Runner Up

9.8

Picked by 31 people today!

• Over 1,600 customer reviews, 4.5 star rating
• Cats seem to enjoy the tuna flavor
• Helps lubricate ingested hairs to prevent hairballs

BEST FOR BUDGET

9.6

Picked by 25 people today!

• Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
• Controls hairballs while supporting digestive health
• Most cats like the way the gel tastes

BEST HAIRBALL PREVENTION SUPPLEMENT

9.4

Picked by 21 people today!

• Most reviews are positive
• Made from a blend of well-regarded ingredients
• Appears to be safe for cats

BEST HAIRBALL CONTROL TREAT

9.3

Picked by 18 people today!

• Contains fiber to help move hair through the GI tract
• Features prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health
• Free of potentially-harmful ingredients

Types of Hairball Remedies for Cats

Hairballs form when hair gets stuck or slowed on its way through the digestive tract, allowing it to form into a clump. Once it forms into a clod, hair is unable to continue its journey to the litter box and instead it gets stuck or heads in the opposite direction.

Hairball treatments come in many different forms. You can buy hairball remedies in a tube, try homemade remedies, grow a pot of cat grass, or groom your cat to keep him from ingesting his hair at all.

Some cats with frequent hairballs may have an underlying problem like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects motility of their intestines, so diagnosing and treating this could solve their problems.

Heres a quick breakdown of the types of hairball remedies available and how they work.

Fiber

Fiber supplementation helps to bind single strands of hair to food particles, which carry the hairs on their journey towards the colon. By encouraging the hair to move quickly through the body, fiber-based hairball remedies reduce the hairs chances of fusing into a ball and coming back up.

Additionally, a small amount of dietary fiber can help keep the digestive system functioning smoothly, correcting hairball problems at their roots.

Fiber-Based Hairball Remedies

The following are sources of fiber that, when integrated into your cats diet, may help hair move smoothly through the body.

• Psyllium Husk Powder
• Ground Chia Seeds
• Guar Gum
• Powdered Cellulose
• Cat Grass

Lubrication

The second type of hairball remedies includes products that lubricate ingested hairs, preventing them from sticking together.

Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly)

Petrolatum, also known as petroleum jelly, paraffin oil, or white petrolatum, is a highly refined derivative of petroleum. After its been fully refined, petroleum jelly appears to be safe for cats and people.

If you decide to give your cat petroleum jelly from your medicine cabinet, check the back of the package to ensure that youre giving your cat 100% plain petroleum jelly with no scents or other additives.

Hairball Gels

Most products marketed as hairball remedies are petroleum jelly-based. Others use vegetable oils or beeswax instead of petrolatum. They contain added flavors and sweeteners like malt syrup, fructose, and dextrose.

Butter and Oil

Butter and olive oil are frequently recommended for hairball control, but as digestible fats, theyre more likely to make your cat chubby than keep him from hacking up a furball.

Mineral oil had previously been recommended for hairballs, but it carries the risk of aspiration (going down into the lungs) since it doesnt trigger a cough reflex.

Other Hairball Remedies

Egg yolks have interesting properties for hairball control. They contain choline and lecithin, which work together to, respectively, encourage GI contractions and emulsify the fat that binds hairballs together.

You can provide the anti-hairball power of egg yolks by feeding your cat fresh egg yolks or by giving him an egg yolk lecithin supplement. A safe and effective dose for lecithin has not been established for cats, and most supplements formulated for people contain much more than is present in hairball products for cats.

Slippery elm bark contains soluble fiber, which may help to soothe and lubricate the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and helping the hairball move in the right direction

Dietary Changes

Though hairball-specific cat foods usually focus on fiber alone, this isnt always the right approach.

If your cat is already eating a diet with a little bit of fiber, the best dietary change is finding a food that reduces inflammation. Hairballs often indicate digestive problems and should be approached the same way youd approach any other symptom of gut inflammation, like diarrhea or vomiting.

Typically, this would mean giving your cat a high-protein food made primarily from meat and animal fat. You want as little plant matter as possible. A moisture-rich diet is ideal.

Read Our Article On The Best Cat Food For Hairball Control

Grooming

Finally, you can control hairballs by brushing your cat a couple of times a week. If your cat has a long, thick coat, you might also give him a full-body clip in the warmer months. Capturing loose hair before your cat licks it up is the most reliable means of stopping hairballs.

Read Our Guide To The Best Cat Grooming Brushes

Top 5 Best Hairball Remedies Reviewed

The following hairball remedies are popular, top-rated products that have a reputation for safety and effectiveness. Most are lubricating products, but youll also find a few that take a different approach to hairball control, addressing it as a component of digestive health.

Ultimately, you dont want to have your cat on lubricants and other hairball treatments for the rest of his life. You dont want him to have hairballs.

The above hairball remedies can help, but theyre not a complete solution to the hairball problem.

If your cat coughs up hairballs more than a few times a year, his frequent hacking is probably connected to digestive problems. In this case, he probably doesnt need to be swept out with fiber or lubricated with greasehe might need to go to the veterinarian. Extremely frequent hairballs may be a symptom of organ dysfunction, IBD, and other conditions.

If you determine that your cats hairballs are caused by a digestive issue, you may want to consider treating the hairballs the same way youd treat any chronic digestive problem.

Adjust your cats diet to reduce inflammatory ingredients and consider incorporating probiotics, prebiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids to promote digestive health

Also Read: Best Cat Food for IBD

Cat Hairball Control

Your kitty is a cuddly little fur ball. And to keep him clean and cuddle-ready, his pretty coat requires both love and attention. He knows it and so do you. Like any vain kitty, he's got his cat grooming routine down to a science. He's very good at cleaning himself and, when not curled up taking a good nap, he spends many waking hours making sure his fur looks just right. But there are those times when kitty may need a little help. The constant licking and grooming can cause hairballs, which are an accumulation of hair in the digestive system, that result in kitty hurling or vomiting up a fur ball. For those moments, there are a few ways to step in and help him out a bit:Simply brushing your kitty using a cat brush like, the FURminator can help reduce the chances of fur build-up. Regular brushing diminishes shedding by up to 90%. This brush is designed to go deep beneath the topcoat and gently remove under coat and loose hair. There's also JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Comb which features a rubber sheathed handle so you can comfortably stroke and brush. Not only will this cat comb help prevent matting and formation of hairballs it's also a great way to bond with your kitty. Pair it with the Grip Soft Cat Slicker Brush for maximum effectiveness. There are also vitamin and supplements that are also useful in helping with this furry dilemma. Vets Best Hairball Relief Digestive Aid Cat Supplement is a veterinarian recommended formula packed with herbs like slippery elm bark, psyllium seed and marshmallow to provide natural hairball relief.There are fun tasty treats that can work wonders including Feline Greenies SmartBites Hairball Control Chicken Flavor Cat Treats. The best part is that you only have to give your furry friend a handful or two in his bowl and these yummy snacks begin to work their magic while he chomps away. Plus, they're not only made with real chicken protein, they also contain plant-based fiber that helps to minimize hairball formation and promote digestive health. Cat food blends that are specially made for hairball control may prove to be an ideal way to get a leg up on hairballs. Recipes like Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Mature Dry Cat Food contain a unique blend of natural fiber sources to help control hairballs. And Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food contains natural fiber from oats to help avoid hairballs forming in the digestive tract and features fresh chicken is the first ingredient.Whether its cat food, treats or grooming products shop Chewy today for the best hairball treatments and hairball remedies around.

Related Categories: Cat Vitamins & Supplements, Vet Recommended Cat Diets, Cat Skin & Coat Care, Weight Loss Cat Food, Cat Hip and Joint Care, Cat Digestive and Urinary Health, Cat Anxiety & Stress Relief, Cat Eye Drops, Cat Ear Care, Cat Wound Care & First Aid, Cat Dewormer, Cat Test Kits, Cat Healthcare

What is the best cat hairball control treatment?

The best cat hairball control treatment will be easy to administer and effective for your cat. There are many cat hairball products to choose from, including cat hairball treats, cat food formulas for hairball control, and hairball remedies and supplements. Some people have success feeding their cats a hairball control diet, while others find they need to administer a hairball medicine like Laxatone to keep hairballs at bay. Hairball relief supplements and digestive aids can play an important role in hairball control, as well. Talk to your vet about good options for your cat and experiment to see which work best.

How do I stop my cat from getting hairballs?

Stop your cat from getting hairballs by talking to your vet about appropriate hairball care solutions. Some felines need little to no cat hairball help, while others may need a combination of interventions to avoid hairball issues. A hairball control diet combined with supplements or occasional cat hairball remedies as needed provides excellent control for many, but you may need to try a few things to find what works best for you.

10 Best Hairball Remedies for Cats 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more

Hairballs are frustrating for any cat owner. There is no world where your favorite part of the day is cleaning up the sloppy, mucus-covered hair tubes that we call hairballs. Luckily, if your cat struggles with hairballs, there are plenty of remedies that you can give to your cat to ease their issues. Here are our top 10 best hairball remedies for cats.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Hairball Remedies for Cats

1. Vets Best Chewable Tablets Cat Hairball Control Supplement Best Overall

Supplement Form:	Chewable tablet
Container Amount:	60 count, 180 count
All-Natural?:	Yes
NASC Approved?:	Yes

Our favorite hairball remedy for cats was Vets Best Chewable Tablet Hairball Control Supplement for cats. These chewable tablets feature natural ingredients that aid digestion and make it easier for your cat to pass hairballs out of the other end.

The tablets are chicken-flavored to increase palatability and make it easier to get your cat to take them without a fight. They are made with apple fiber, papaya extract, psyllium seed, marshmallow root, and slippery elm to help ease and lubricate the digestive tract.

Vets Best Hairball Control Supplement also features the seal of approval from the National Animal Supplement Council. It makes sense since this product is made and recommended by vets everywhere!

• All-natural
• Vet recommended
• NASC approved

• May not be safe for use by pregnant animals

2. CatLax Cat Supplement for Hairball Prevention Best Value

Supplement Form:	Paste
Container Amount:	2 oz
All-Natural?:	No
NASC Approved?:	No

Our choice for the best cat hairball remedy for the money was CatLaxs Cat Supplement. This supplement isnt all-natural or NASC-approved, but it is affordable. It features common anti-hairball supplements like petroleum that lubricate the digestive tract to allow built-up hair to pass through the digestive system easily.

Unlike some hairball remedies that need to be administered every day, CatLax only has to be administered 23 times per week to be effective, which reduces the amount of time pet parents have to spend trying to get their cats to take their medicine. Just put a 1-inch ribbon of CatLax on your cats paw or in their food to help them pass any hairballs that might be brewing!

This supplement also contains cod liver oil and vitamin E, which promotes coat health and keeps your cats coat shiny and soft!

• Affordable
• Easy application supplement

3. Pet Naturals Hairball Control Cat Chews Best Premium

Supplement Form:	Soft chews
Container Amount:	30 count, 160 count
All-Natural?:	Yes
NASC Approved?:	Yes

Pet Naturals Hairball Cat Chews are our choice for the best premium hairball remedy for cats. These come at a price thats steeper than the average hairball remedy, but they feature all kinds of wonderful supplements to help your cat pass hairballs easily and live their best life!

These soft chews are NASC approved as all-natural, so pet parents with worries about what theyre feeding their cats need not worry about the safety of this choice.

Pet Naturals Hairball Cat Chews also feature other supplements that help your cat thrive like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, biotin for healthy skin and fur, zinc for keratin and collagen production, and cranberry powder to help your cats urinary tract.

• Vet formulated
• Contains additional supplements to keep your cat healthy

4. Tomlyn Laxatone Tuna-Flavored Gel Hairball Control Cay Supplement

Supplement Form:	Gel
Container Amount:	2.5 oz, 4.25 oz
All-Natural?:	No
NASC Approved?:	Yes

Tomlyn Laxatone Tuna-Flavored Gel Hairball Control Supplement for Cats is a great option for pet parents who need an effective hairball remedy for their cats. The basis of this remedy is Laxatone, a gentle lubricant that allows for the easy elimination and prevention of hairballs.

Because Tomlyn Laxatone Gel is so gentle, its appropriate for daily use if your cat has that much trouble with hairballs. Regular use of this hairball remedy will coat the hair in the stomach and make it easy for your cat to eliminate it into the litter box rather than onto the floor.

This supplement is NASC approved, so pet parents dont have to worry about safety with this one. Its also presented as an easy-to-administer gel that makes medicating your cat simple and enjoyable.

• NASC approved
• Vet formulated

5. Vetoquinol Laxatone Tuna Flavored Gel Hairball Control Supplement for Cats

Supplement Form:	Gel
Container Amount:	2.5 oz, 4.25 oz
All-Natural?:	No
NASC Approved?:	No

Vetoquinol Laxatone Supplement is just like Tomlyns, but it lacks the NASC seal of approval, unfortunately. Just like Tomlyns gel, Vetoquinol Laxatone Tuna-Flavored Gel Hairball Supplement for Cats features a palatable and tasty paste that will lubricate the hairballs in your cats digestive system and help them pass it.

To administer this gel, youll want to smear a little bit of the gel on your cats paws or nose to encourage them to lick it off. It shouldnt be too difficult to get them to eat it since its so tasty!

Once you get the Laxatone in your cats system, it will help them eliminate hairballs in a less stressful manner and keep your floors nice and clean!

• Tuna-flavored for palatability
• Reduces hairballs

6. Richards Organics Chicken Flavor Hairball Remedy for Cats

Supplement Form:	Gel
Container Amount:	4.25 oz
All-Natural?:	Yes
NASC Approved?:	No

Richards Organics makes a chicken-flavored hairball remedy for any cats that are finicky eaters, particularly those that dislike fishy tastes. Unfortunately, while this supplement is all-natural, it isnt approved by NASC. So, pet parents who are conscious of that seal will have to pass on this one.

This is made into a gel much like Tomlyn and Vetoquinols gels, but this one doesnt contain any petroleum. This is made with lecithin and beeswax which lubricate the hair in the intestines, much like petroleum would. They allow the hairballs to pass gently through the digestive system and eliminate into the litter box.

Additionally, this gel is tasty. So, getting your cat to start eating it wont be hard. You can put this gel on top of their usual kibble, mix it in with their wet food, or even just serve it as a treat for your cat!

7. Nutri-Vet Chicken-Flavored Gel Hairball Control Supplement for Cats

Supplement Form:	Gel
Container Amount:	3 oz
All-Natural?:	Yes
NASC Approved?:	Yes

Nutri-Vets hairball gel is similar to Richards Organics, but it is NASC approved. This is made with vegetable oil and omega-3 fatty acids which lubricate the intestinal tract and allow the passing of hairballs through the intestines.

This hairball gel is also made with soybean oil, linoleic acid, and oleic acid to promote healthy skin and fiber to help improve overall intestinal health. These supplements also help minimize excessive shedding, and when combined with general grooming techniques, they should help get your cat to vomit up fewer hairballs overall.

• All natural
• NASC approved
• Made by vets

• Smaller bottle than other options

8. Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus Salmon Paste for Cats & Kittens

Supplement Form:	Gel
Container Amount:	2.5 oz
All-Natural?:	No
NASC Approved?:	No

Hartz Hairball Remedy Plus is a Salmon-flavored paste for cats and kittens that helps them pass hairballs with ease. The paste is made with omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 oils, as well as vitamin E to promote a healthy coat and skin.

This isnt an all-natural paste, but it will help lubricate the gastrointestinal tract to move hairballs through it, and regular use of the paste is shown to reduce the formation of hairballs in the long term.

Unfortunately, this gel only comes in 2.5-ounce bottles, which is smaller than other options on this list by far. However, since its notably suitable for both cats and kittens, its a compelling option for any pet parents of hairball-heavy producing kittens.

• Contains other supplements your cat needs to thrive
• Salmon-flavored for palatability

9. 21st Century Essential Pet Hairball Support Soft Chews Cat Supplement

Supplement Form:	Soft chews
Container Amount:	100 count
All-Natural?:	No
NASC Approved?:	Yes

21st Century Essential Pet Hairball Support Soft Chews are veterinarian-formulated to help your cat pass hairballs through their intestinal tract and reduce hairball build-up in the long term. Its a NASC approved supplement that is made with a delicious chicken and cheese flavor to attract your cats attention with ease.

These supplements are also 100% wheat-free, so pet parents looking for a wheat-free option to help their cat pass hairballs need not look further. Additionally, theyre made in the USA and lab-tested to ensure that each chew is top-quality!

• Cheese and chicken flavor irresistible to cats
• Made in the USA
• NASC certified

• Not listed as all-natural

10. NaturVet Hairball Aid Plus Pumpkin Soft Chews Hairball Control Cat Supplement

Supplement Form:	Soft chews
Container Amount:	50 count, 60 count, 100 count
All-Natural?:	Yes
NASC Approved?:	Yes

NaturVet has also made a hairball aid to add to its repertoire of pet supplements. These all-natural soft chew supplements are NASC approved, wheat-free, and fortified with all sorts of vitamins and minerals that your cat needs to thrive.

The chews help your cat eliminate hairballs comfortably by using pumpkin as a natural fiber source to push the hairballs through the digestive tract with ease. They also have been shown to reduce the build-up of hairballs when used regularly.

Youre supposed to give your cat two chews a day which makes the 50 count container an odd choice since it doesnt come with a full months worth of chews. Still, its an option if youre just trying it out or your cat doesnt need two chews every day.

• NASC approved
• Wheat-free
• Cats find them delectable!

• Strange choice of container sizing

Buyers Guide: Finding The Best Hairball Remedies for Cats

What Are Hairballs?

Hairballs are the result of your cats grooming habits. As your cat licks their fur to groom it, they ingest an amount of hair that sheds off their body and into their mouth. While most times, this fur is passed in the stool without concern, the fur in the stomach can build up to where it cant pass through the intestinal tract easily.

When the hair build-up is too much to pass through the intestinal tract, the cat will purge the hair from its system by vomiting it up. They cant digest their fur, even if they ingest a lot of it. So, when hair isnt passing through the intestinal tract promptly, it comes up as a hairball.

What Do Look Like?

Hairballs, contrary to the name, arent ball-shaped at all. Usually, by the time it reaches your floor, a hairball is going to be an elongated tube or mucus-covered grossness that may be slightly darker than your cats natural fur color. The coloration change comes from the digestive secretions in the stomach that still discolor the fur, even if they cant break it down into nutrients.

Depending on your cats fur length and how long the hairball has been brewing, a hairball can be small or several inches in length.

Are Hairballs Dangerous?

Hairballs are not usually dangerous. Though, if your cat is passing many hairballs on a weekly basis, this could be a sign that something is wrong inside. Its rare for a hairball alone to be indicative of anything unusual. However, if hair accumulates in the stomach to the point where it cannot be passed or purged, the hairball will block the digestive tract and could make your cat very ill.

In situations where your cat has an excessive amount of hair build-up in its stomach or intestines, the hairball can block the intestinal tract or cause constipation. If this is occurring, youll see your cat retching, unproductive dry heaving, vomiting but without the hair in the vomit, and being generally lethargic.

Does Hairball Medicine Work?

In general, hairball remedies tend to be successful at reducing hairballs. Most hairball remedies contain something that lubricates the digestive tract to make it easier for your cat to pass hairballs through the intestines. They usually also contain a mild laxative to speed up the digestive tract and push hair through the tract faster, reducing the amount of hair that builds up in the stomach before being passed.

Types of Hairball Medicines

There are several types of hairball medicines available for cats over-the-counter. They all work similarly, but the different application styles can help pet parents of finicky cats find a medicine their cat tolerates well.

Tablets

Pet medicine tablets are generally chewable and allow your cat to chow down on them like a piece of food without harming the efficacy of the medicine.

Soft Chews

Soft chews are similar to treats that some pets may mistake particularly tasty soft chew medicines as treats. Theyre like pill pockets and other treats, but the medicine is cooked directly into the chew treat!

Gel

Gel medicines can be applied to the food, paws, or directly to the mouth with your finger. Some even recommend putting the gel on the cats nose to help them get used to licking the gel up themselves.

Final Thoughts

If youre dealing with daily hairballs, never fear! There are lots of hairball remedies out there waiting for you to try. Our choice for the best overall hairball remedy for cats was the Vets Best Chewable Tablets. If youre on a budget, check out CatLaxs Cat Supplement. If you have the extra money to spare, Pet Naturals Hairball Cat Chews are a great option for controlling your hairball situation!

Featured Image Credit: Norb_KM, Shutterstock