Wet cat food for hairballs
Wet food is not a specific treatment for hairballs, but its higher moisture content can support normal digestion, which helps fur pass through a cat's system rather than building up. Regular grooming to remove loose fur before it is swallowed, and food genuinely formulated to support hairball management, tend to make more difference than switching to wet food alone.
Why moisture matters, but isn't the whole answer
Cats form hairballs from fur swallowed during normal self-grooming, and most of it passes through the digestive system without any problem at all - a hairball is what happens when it does not. Adequate hydration supports normal gut motility generally, and wet food's high moisture content is one reasonable way to help with that, particularly for cats who do not drink much water on their own.
That said, moisture is only one part of the picture. Fibre content specifically formulated to help move ingested fur through the digestive tract is what dedicated hairball-control foods are actually built around, and that is a different feature from moisture content alone - a wet food without that specific formulation is not doing the same job as one designed for it.
What actually reduces hairballs
Regular brushing is the single most effective thing most owners can do, since fur removed by a brush cannot be swallowed during grooming in the first place. This matters most for long-haired breeds and for cats going through a heavy seasonal shed, when the amount of loose fur available to swallow increases significantly.
A specific hairball remedy, such as a mild lubricant paste designed to help fur already swallowed pass through more easily, is a targeted option worth discussing with your vet if hairballs are a recurring problem despite regular grooming, rather than something to reach for as a first response.
Choosing a food if hairballs are a regular issue
If your cat is prone to hairballs, a food specifically formulated for hairball control - typically higher in certain fibres to help move ingested fur through - is a more targeted choice than wet food generally, whether that formulation comes in a wet or dry format. Our wet cat food range includes a variety of formulas, and checking a food's specific claims and formulation matters more here than simply choosing wet over dry.
Whatever you choose, introduce it gradually alongside your cat's current food, and keep grooming as the first line of defence regardless of which food you settle on - diet supports the process, it does not replace the physical removal of loose fur.
When frequent hairballs need a vet
An occasional hairball every few weeks, especially in a long-haired cat, is not unusual and rarely a cause for concern on its own. Hairballs that occur very frequently, that come with vomiting unrelated to a hairball, weight loss, reduced appetite, or a cat who seems to be repeatedly trying and failing to bring one up, are worth a vet visit rather than managing with diet alone.
Frequent hairballs can occasionally point to an underlying digestive issue that diet changes will not resolve, so persistent problems deserve a proper look rather than an assumption that more fibre or more moisture will eventually fix it.
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
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
Steam Spray Detangling Grooming Brush
A rechargeable steam grooming brush with a fine mist that lifts loose fur and eases tangles while you brush. Gentle on the skin and cuts down flyaway hair, no bath needed. Chick design.
£12.99
Wahl Competition Series Clipper Blades
High-precision, chrome-plated clipper blades with a rust-resistant finish, available in 17 sizes for every coat type and clipping style.
From£37.99
Double-Sided Undercoat Rake
A twin-bladed rake that removes mats and tangles on one side and reduces shedding on the other. The non-slip ergonomic handle suits cats and dogs with thick or long coats.
£23.99
Silicone Pet Bath & Massage Brush
Soft silicone bristles work shampoo into a rich lather while gently massaging your pet and lifting loose hair at bath time. A handy strap keeps the brush secure across the back of your hand.
£7.99
Self-Cleaning Deshedding Slicker Brush
A deshedding grooming tool for dogs and cats that lifts loose undercoat and eases out tangles, with a self-cleaning button that releases the trapped fur in one press.
£25.99
Wooden Pet Deshedding Grooming Brush
An ergonomic wooden grooming brush with a fine-toothed edge that loosens and lifts away dead and shedding fur. The smooth contoured handle sits comfortably in the hand for quick, gentle daily de-shedding.
£14.99
Common questions
- Does switching to wet food stop hairballs completely?
- No, it is not a complete solution on its own. Wet food's moisture content can support normal digestion, but regular grooming to remove loose fur before it is swallowed makes a bigger difference for most cats, and a food specifically formulated for hairball control is more targeted than moisture content alone.
- How often is it normal for a cat to bring up a hairball?
- An occasional hairball every few weeks, particularly in a long-haired cat, is generally considered normal. Hairballs happening very frequently, or accompanied by other symptoms like weight loss or reduced appetite, are worth discussing with your vet rather than treated as routine.
- Do short-haired cats get hairballs too?
- Yes, though typically less often than long-haired breeds, since there is less fur available to swallow during grooming. Any cat that grooms itself can develop a hairball occasionally, and heavy seasonal shedding can temporarily increase the risk in short-haired cats as well.
- Should I give my cat a hairball remedy paste regularly?
- Only if your vet has suggested it for a specific, recurring problem - it is a targeted product rather than something every cat needs as routine. Regular brushing to reduce swallowed fur in the first place is the better default approach for most cats.
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.