Owning a feline friend can be very rewarding.  However, it can also raise some challenges.  I am a cat mom to two domestic shorthairs, so luckily for me, the hairball issue is a less common occurrence.  Hairballs are more likely to be an issue with medium-hair cats, such as; Bobtails, Munchkins, or Turkish Angoras.  It is even more likely to be a problem with long hair cats, such as; the Maine Coon, Himalayan Persian, or Ragdoll.  Although less common with shorthair cats, that doesn’t mean the issue is eliminated completely, as grooming is an innate behavior in felines, and they do it for many reasons.  A few main reasons why cats groom are; to maintain body temperature or cool down, to eliminate parasites, infections and allergies, and to keep the coat clean and smooth by distributing natural skin oils.  Lets keep in mind here that grooming is a necessary part of a cat’s daily life, and they spend 30-50% of their day grooming themselves.  With that being said, if they undergroom that could also be a major issue.  Let’s discuss some ways that hairballs can be controlled, because let’s be honest, picking up regurgitated fur off of your carpet is never fun! 

I think one important thing to note here is that you may have engraved in your brain that hairballs are just a part of owning a cat, and they are inevitable.  That’s actually not the case.  Your cat should be able to digest the fur they ingest while grooming and pass it in the litter box.  However, we all know that doesn’t always happen and we will dive deeper into why.  Fur is not really digestible, it is made mostly of Keratin, which is not easily digested by the feline’s GI tract.  Therefore, when there is a lot of fur in the tract, it can get tangled into clumps.  If your cat is in good health, they should be able to pass fur with no issue, but there are a few factors that might make your cat more susceptible to hairballs, such as; long haired cats (which we previously touched on), cats with skin diseases like alopecia, dermatitis, or pruritus (itchy skin).  Cats can also overgroom as a reaction to their environment.  For example, if you just moved, you may notice your cat grooming more because they are stressed by the change in scenery.  Cats also over groom when bored, (it is so important to play with your kitties and give them enriching activities throughout the day, and implement instinctual behaviors like hunting!)

Luckily for you, there are some natural remedies to control hairballs.  It is not only a nuisance for you to clean up, but I can imagine it is not the most pleasant experience for a cat either.  There is actually an over the counter hairball medicine, called Laxatone that may help.  It acts as a lubricant and can help the fur slide down the digestive tract more easily, making it easier for your cat to pass.  High fiber nutritional supplements are another great way to help your cat.  “Vet’s Best Chewable Tablets Hairball Control Supplement for Cats” is a highly rated supplement available on Chewy (without a vet note) for a reasonable price.  There’s also a treat option called “Dual Texture Hairball Support Chews Supplement for Cats” by the brand PetHonesty.  This may be a good option for the more picky felines out there.  One thing I give my cats every single night after their dinner is, “Arya! Sit Freeze-Dried Quail Egg Yolk.”  With 100% quail egg yolk as the only ingredient, this high quality protein snack helps minimize hairballs by supporting a healthy digestive system.  My cats go bonkers for them too!  I have an auto-ship set up for those on Amazon.  

If your cat is frequently coughing up hairballs, it is worth a trip to the vet.  Underlying health issues may need continued management.  If you are at all concerned about your cat’s hairballs, contact a professional.  If your cat is overall healthy, and has the occasional hairball, maybe some of these ideas I highlighted in this blog post can be of use. I am not a professional, and you should contact your veterinarian for any concerns regarding your cat.  Thank you for reading!