Food for cats with hairballs
Hairball-control cat food generally works by adding extra fibre to the diet, which helps swallowed fur move through the gut and out in the litter tray rather than building up and being brought back up. It is a genuine, sensible approach for a cat who hairballs occasionally, but it is not the only thing that helps, and frequent hairballs are worth mentioning to your vet rather than managing with food alone indefinitely.
Why cats get hairballs in the first place
Hairballs form because cats swallow loose fur while grooming, and most of it normally passes through the digestive system without any issue. A hairball happens when enough fur clumps together in the stomach that it cannot pass through easily, and the cat brings it back up instead, usually as a damp, cylindrical clump rather than a neat ball.
Long-haired breeds and heavy shedders are more prone to hairballs simply because there is more loose fur available to swallow during normal grooming. Cats who groom excessively, whether from habit or anxiety, are also more likely to bring up hairballs than cats with more typical grooming patterns, which is worth bearing in mind if grooming itself seems to have increased.
How hairball-control food actually helps
Most hairball-control cat foods work by increasing the fibre content of the diet, which helps keep the digestive system moving and encourages swallowed fur to pass through naturally rather than sitting and clumping in the stomach. Some also include ingredients intended to help fur pass more smoothly.
This kind of food is a reasonable everyday choice for a cat who gets occasional hairballs, but it addresses the symptom rather than the cause, which is the amount of loose fur being swallowed during grooming in the first place.
What else genuinely reduces hairballs
Regular brushing is arguably the most effective thing you can do, because fur removed with a brush is fur that never gets swallowed during grooming. This matters most for long-haired cats and during seasonal moults, when loose fur can increase noticeably, and a few minutes most days makes a genuine difference over weeks and months.
Making sure your cat drinks enough water also supports healthy digestion generally, which can make it easier for swallowed fur to pass through rather than sitting in the stomach. A cat who is well hydrated and regularly brushed will often see fewer hairballs than diet changes alone achieve, and wet food can help with hydration for a cat who does not drink much from a bowl.
When frequent hairballs need a vet
An occasional hairball, brought up without much fuss, is normal cat behaviour and not usually a cause for concern. Hairballs that happen frequently, repeated retching that does not produce anything, a reduced appetite, or a cat who seems lethargic or uncomfortable are different and worth a vet visit.
Frequent hairballs can occasionally point to an underlying digestive issue rather than simply excess grooming, and a vet can help work out whether diet, grooming, or something else needs addressing rather than guessing at home.
Foods formulated for this
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Electric Pet Grooming Clipper
A quiet, rechargeable electric clipper for trimming dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets at home. Low-noise and low-vibration with an adjustable blade for tidy, stress-free grooming around the body and paws.
From£11.99
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb
A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.
From£8.99
Pet Deshedding Grooming Mitt
A soft mesh grooming mitt you wear on one hand to lift loose fur while stroking your pet, turning shedding control into a soothing massage. Suits dogs and cats with any coat length.
From£7.99
Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
A skin-friendly slicker brush that gently lifts loose fur and undercoat from dogs, cats and rabbits. The angled pins glide through the coat while a one-click button releases the collected hair for easy cleaning. Soft non-slip handle.
£9.99
Whiskas 1+ Salmon Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete salmon dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1 Tuna Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete tuna dry food for adult cats, offered in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas 1 Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
A complete dry food for cats 1+, with chicken present only in the brown kibbles
From£3.19
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Double-Sided Deshedding & Flea Comb
A two-sided steel comb with coarse deshedding teeth on one side and fine flea-comb teeth on the other. Lifts loose fur and catches fleas to keep your cat or dog's coat clean and healthy.
£13.99
Common questions
- Does hairball-control food actually work?
- It can genuinely help for a cat with occasional hairballs, mainly by adding fibre that helps swallowed fur pass through the digestive system rather than building up. It works alongside, rather than instead of, regular brushing to reduce how much loose fur is swallowed in the first place.
- How often is normal for a cat to get hairballs?
- An occasional hairball, perhaps once every few weeks, is common and not usually worrying, particularly in long-haired cats. Hairballs that happen frequently, or repeated retching that brings nothing up, are different and worth mentioning to your vet rather than treating as routine.
- Does brushing my cat reduce hairballs?
- Yes, regular brushing removes loose fur before your cat swallows it during grooming, which is one of the most effective things you can do, especially for long-haired breeds and during seasonal moults when shedding increases noticeably.
- When should I take my cat to the vet about hairballs?
- See your vet if hairballs are happening frequently, if your cat retches repeatedly without bringing anything up, or if they seem to have a reduced appetite or seem unwell alongside the hairballs. These can point to something beyond ordinary grooming that is worth investigating properly.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.