Cats have a number of specific health concerns, and hairballs are often at the forefront. Put simply, hairballs are clumps of hair or fur formed in the stomach that cats eventually cough up or regurgitate. They can be troublesome to your cat’s comfort and their health, but thankfully there’s a few things you can do as a cat parent to help alleviate them.

What are hairballs?

Cats constantly lick and groom themselves, and as a result, they often ingest fur in their stomachs and digestive tracts. When too much hair or fur accumulates, it can become too large to pass and can cause the cat to regurgitate hairballs. Hairballs can have a negative impact on a cat’s well-being, including the loss of nutrition, esophageal irritation, and they could lead to other potential medical problems.

What can Pet Lovers do to alleviate hairballs?

Diet can play an important role in reducing feline hairball symptoms. For example, ACANA^TM Indoor Entrée was created specifically for indoor cats, and helps support a number of key health benefits. This includes controlling hairballs—a claim that’s been approved by FDA—by improving food digestibility with increased fiber content using oat groats, miscanthus grass, lentils and chickpeas. Indoor Entrée is also packed with quality animal ingredients like chicken and turkey, whole herring, and rabbit. The high quality protein from animal sources helps cats build strong muscles, and the balanced Omega fatty acids help to support healthy skin and a shiny coat.

In addition to feeding a nutritious, fibrous diet, pet parents should aim to brush their cats more frequently. Brushing them will help remove dead fur, reducing the amount ingested. There are many different undercoat brushes you can look for that help with removing dead or loose fur often found in the thick undercoat—try out a few to see which your cat likes best. It’s also a good idea to start brushing routines while the cat is young so they can get used to it as some cats aren’t always happy to be brushed.

What if my cat continues to experience hairball issues?

We always recommend working with your trusted veterinarian to address any serious issues your cat may be experiencing with hairballs. Your veterinarian knows the medical history of your cat and will be able to make the appropriate diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatments.

Everything considered, by feeding a quality food like ACANA^TM Indoor Entrée, incorporating a brushing routine, and working closely with your trusted veterinarian, your cat’s hairballs will hopefully be a thing of the past!