If you have ever owned a cat, you will know that they spend most of their time sleeping, the other part is spent on grooming. All that licking does wonders on their fur, but that can also be the cause of something more serious—hairballs. This is an unavoidable aspect of being a cat owner, and there are ways you can help prevent this from becoming a health hazard for your furbaby.
The following are the best cat food for hairballs that you can give to your cats to help you control its formation:
Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
Rich in protein and fibers,Nature’s Variety cat food are made of ingredients that are very similar to what cats would actually eat in their natural habitat. It is free from grains which can cause allergies and can be hard for them to digest. It contains the right amount of protein and fiber to help relieve the discomfort of hairballs.
This cat food has a somewhat strong aroma that some cats may find unappealing. But when you look at online reviews, most users found this as their cat’s favorite.
Pros:
- Made of 95% chicken, turkey, and chicken liver
- Doesn’t contain grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives
- Packed with healthy Omega fatty acids
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
- Has a strong smell
- Poor customer service
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Cat Food
Uses a protein-rich recipe made with chicken and turkey, plus loaded with digestible fiber from peas and flaxseed to prevent hair from accumulating in your cat’s digestive tract. Wellness CORE Grain-Free cat food contains the key vitamins and mineral your cat needs for optimum health without any grains added.
There are complaints that some cats will not eat this food but there are more we found that love it. It has some traces of carrageenan, so if you want to avoid that, this may not be for your cat.
Pros:
- 100% grain-free adult recipe
- with vitamins, balanced minerals, EPA and DHA omegas and essential taurine
- No grains, carrageenan, or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not recommended for picky cats
- Contains carrageenan
Purina Pro Plan Entrees in Gravy Adult Wet Cat Food
Purina is a trusted and well-known brand that manufactures high-quality cat food. The Purina Pro Plan Entrees in Gravy Adult Wet Cat Food is one of their gems because it has all the nutrition your cats need. It has fiber that will prevent them from getting too many hairballs in their systems.
One word of caution, this cat food contains a slightly higher amount of phosphorus that would be unsuitable for cats that have urinary tract or kidney issues.
Pros:
- 100% approved as safe for pets by the FDA
- Rich in Omega fatty acids
- Protein-rich with no preservatives
Cons:
- Not recommended for cats with kidney or urinary tract problems
- Has carbohydrates that may be indigestible for some cats
- Some cats will only eat a certain variety
Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control Cat Food
One of the best cat foods for hairballs, Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control cat food is designed especially for the control of hairballs. Loaded with natural fibers from vegetable sources, this cat food helps decrease the formation of hairballs by having the hairs move easily through your cat’s digestive system.
Some users report that their cats would not eat this cat food while there is a rare report of a cat that had vomited after eating it. Just to be on the safe side, we will not be recommending this to those whose cats have dietary sensitivities.
Pros:
- Rich with natural vegetable fiber
- Has controlled levels of phosphorus
- Protein-rich and no preservatives added
Cons:
- Some reports of damaged packaging
- Not recommended for cats with sensitive stomachs
- Has a slightly odd smell
Weruva Grain-Free Canned Wet Cat Food
An all-natural, completely balanced meal for your cats, Weruva Grain-Free Canned Wet cat food is rich in high-quality protein that promotes a healthy urinary tract aside from preventing hairballs from forming on your cat’s stomach.
It has a very soupy and watery consistency that is preferred by most cats, but not all. There are reports of the customer service being unreliable, but most cat owners do not have issues with the food, so there is no need to call them.
Pros:
- Grain-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, MSG-free, carrageenan-free
- High in protein and low in fat and carbs
- Tested to be great-tasting for most cats
Cons:
- The consistency is very soup-like
- Poor customer service
- Contains vegetable and potato starches
The Best in Hairball Control
Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control Cat Food
- Rich with natural vegetable fiber
- Has controlled levels of phosphorus
- Protein-rich and no preservatives added
The Most Trusted Choice
Purina Pro Plan Entrees in Gravy Adult Wet Cat Food
- 100% approved as safe for pets by the FDA
- Rich in Omega fatty acids
- Protein-rich with no preservatives
The Best Tasting Choice
Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
- Made of 95% chicken, turkey, and chicken liver
- Doesn’t contain grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives
- Packed with healthy Omega fatty acids
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Cat Food for Hairballs:
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The Ingredients
The main ingredients that prevent the formation of hairballs are protein. The best cat food for hairballs should be protein-rich and has no grains added. This is the natural diet that cats would have in nature. Furthermore, you should also look for ingredients that may cause allergic reactions to your cats and get the cat food that does not have them or at least in small amounts only.
Also, there is a lot of cat food on the market today that is made with all-natural ingredients, and these are the ones that are highly recommended.
Your Cat
There are many factors to consider when buying food for your cat. Some of these are your cat’s age, their activity levels, and if there are existing health issues that you need to take note of. Starting at seven years old, your cat is considered a senior and should be eating food that is specially formulated for older cats.
Kittens under a year old also need to eat food specifically formulated for their young age unless recommended by your vet that they are ready for the adult formula.
Your Budget
Higher-quality cat food is almost certain to have a higher price tag. If you are on a budget or if you have more than one cat, you may also consider getting budget-friendly cat food. There are a lot of choices you can find that are inexpensive yet effective in getting rid of your hairball problems.
Conclusion
The right food is essential in keeping your beloved hairballs adequately nourished. With the many available choices in the market, it could get confusing. Choosing the wrong kind will not only be a waste of money and effort but will negatively affect your furbabies as well.
We hope this list points you in the right direction. While the ideal brand for your cat might not necessarily be on this list, but now you are more aware of the factors to look for in choosing the perfect option.