If your cat regularly struggles with hairballs, you have probably come across a long list of possible solutions — hairball pastes, treats, special diets, supplements and plenty of home remedies.
But which hairball remedy is actually right for your cat?
The answer depends on why your cat is developing hairballs, how often they occur and what kind of daily routine works best for both you and your cat. In this guide, we compare three popular options — hairball paste, treats and supplements — so you can make a more informed choice.
First, why do cats get hairballs?
Hairballs start with something completely normal: grooming.
When cats lick their coats, their rough tongues pick up loose fur. Much of that swallowed hair can move naturally through the digestive tract, but some may remain in the stomach and collect together, eventually forming a hairball.
Long-haired cats can be particularly prone to hairballs, while seasonal shedding and frequent grooming may also increase the amount of fur swallowed.
Regular brushing can help by removing loose fur before your cat swallows it. The ASPCA also recommends regular brushing and notes that it can help reduce shedding and the incidence of hairballs.
If you want a deeper explanation of how hairballs form, read our Complete Guide to Hairballs in Cats.
What makes a good hairball remedy?
A practical hairball routine should ideally address one or more parts of the problem:
- Reduce loose fur before your cat swallows it.
- Support the movement of swallowed hair through the digestive tract.
- Support normal digestion as part of your cat’s everyday routine.
- Be easy to use consistently — because even a great product is not very helpful if your cat refuses it.
This is where paste, treats and supplements take slightly different approaches.
Option 1: Hairball paste
Hairball pastes and gels are one of the traditional options for managing hairballs in cats.
Many are designed to lubricate the digestive tract, helping swallowed hair move through rather than accumulate. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that medications may sometimes be used to help cats pass hair through the digestive tract.
Advantages of hairball paste
- Simple and familiar hairball-management option
- Can help swallowed fur move through the digestive system
- Useful when targeted, short-term support is preferred
Things to consider
The biggest issue is often acceptance. Some cats simply dislike the texture or flavour of paste, which can make regular use messy or frustrating.
Formulas also vary considerably, so always follow the product directions and check with your veterinarian if you are unsure whether a particular paste is suitable for your cat.
Option 2: Hairball treats
Hairball treats turn digestive support into something that feels more like a reward.
Some contain fibre or other ingredients intended to support the natural passage of swallowed fur through the digestive tract.
Advantages of hairball treats
- Convenient and easy to give
- Often appealing to treat-loving cats
- Can fit easily into an existing daily routine
Things to consider
Treats should still be treated as treats. They are not a substitute for a complete and balanced diet, and the amount given each day needs to be considered as part of your cat’s overall food intake.
It is also worth checking the ingredient list rather than choosing solely on flavour or packaging. Not every treat marketed around hairballs provides the same type or level of digestive support.
Option 3: Daily hairball supplements
A hairball supplement is designed to become part of your cat’s regular routine rather than only being used when a hairball appears.
Depending on the formula, supplements may combine ingredients such as dietary fibre and digestive support ingredients to help swallowed fur continue moving through the digestive system.
Advantages of hairball supplements
- Designed for consistent, everyday support
- Can combine multiple types of digestive support in one formula
- Easy to incorporate into a regular feeding routine when your cat accepts the format
Things to consider
Supplements work best as part of a broader hairball-management routine. They do not replace regular grooming, adequate hydration, a complete diet or veterinary care when something does not look right.
Paste vs treats vs supplements: which should you choose?
| Option | Best suited for | Main advantage | Consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paste / Gel | Targeted hairball support | Helps swallowed fur pass through | Some cats dislike the texture |
| Treats | Cats that enjoy treats | Convenient and appealing | Check ingredients and daily intake |
| Supplements | Ongoing daily support | Can support more than one part of the digestive process | Consistency is important |
So, what is the best hairball remedy for cats?
There isn't one solution that is automatically best for every cat.
If your cat only needs occasional targeted support and readily accepts a gel, a hairball paste may be practical. If your cat loves treats, a formulated hairball treat may be easier to maintain.
For cats that experience hairballs regularly, however, we prefer thinking beyond the occasional hairball and building a consistent daily routine.
That means combining regular brushing, hydration, appropriate nutrition and digestive support rather than relying on a single quick fix.
A daily approach to hairball control
MIHIJO Hairball Control was created around this everyday-support approach.
Its formula combines fibre and digestive enzymes to support normal digestion and help your cat manage swallowed fur as part of their daily routine.
Think of it as one part of a simple four-step hairball routine:
- Brush — remove loose fur before it is swallowed.
- Hydrate — make good hydration part of everyday care.
- Balance — feed a complete and balanced diet.
- Support — add targeted digestive and hairball support when appropriate.
Support hairball control from within
Looking for an easy way to add daily hairball and digestive support to your cat's routine?
When a hairball may be more than a hairball
Occasional hairballs can happen, but repeated vomiting or retching should not simply be assumed to be normal.
Speak with your veterinarian if your cat has frequent hairballs or repeated vomiting, or if you notice changes such as reduced appetite, lethargy, constipation or obvious discomfort. Persistent symptoms can sometimes point to another health issue rather than an ordinary hairball.
The goal isn't simply to clean up fewer hairballs. It's to help your cat stay comfortable, well groomed and supported from the inside out.
