Hairballs are a familiar part of living with a cat, but frequent gagging, vomiting or repeated hairball episodes should not simply be accepted as normal. The most effective approach is to reduce the amount of loose fur your cat swallows and support its natural passage through the digestive tract.
This guide covers practical, gentle steps you can build into your cat's routine. For a fuller explanation of how hairballs form and what the symptoms look like, read The Complete Guide to Hairballs in Cats.
Why Do Cats Get Hairballs?
When cats groom, the tiny backward-facing structures on their tongues collect loose fur. Much of that swallowed fur travels through the digestive tract and leaves the body in the stool. A hairball can form when hair remains in the stomach and collects into a compact mass.
The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that hairballs can occasionally become large enough to contribute to an intestinal blockage, so prevention matters - especially when episodes are frequent or accompanied by other symptoms.
Some cats are more prone to hairballs because they have long or dense coats, shed heavily, groom excessively, or have an underlying digestive or skin problem. Prevention therefore works best when it addresses both loose fur and digestive health.
1. Brush Your Cat Regularly
Regular brushing removes loose fur before your cat can swallow it. It is one of the simplest and most direct ways to reduce hairball formation.
- Long-haired cats: brush daily, especially during seasonal shedding.
- Medium-haired cats: brush several times each week.
- Short-haired cats: brush at least weekly, or more often when shedding increases.
Choose a brush suited to your cat's coat and keep sessions short and positive. A few calm minutes is usually better than forcing a long grooming session your cat dislikes. The VCA Animal Hospitals hairball prevention guide also recommends regular grooming to remove loose hair before it is swallowed.
2. Support Normal Digestion
Swallowed hair is less likely to collect in the stomach when it moves normally through the gastrointestinal tract. A complete and balanced diet, appropriate fibre and consistent feeding habits can all support regular digestion and bowel movements.
Avoid making sudden diet changes solely because of hairballs. If you want to change food or add extra fibre, discuss the plan with your veterinarian, particularly if your cat has constipation, diarrhoea, food sensitivities or another medical condition.
3. Encourage Better Hydration
Hydration supports normal gastrointestinal function. Many cats naturally drink small amounts, so making water more appealing can help.
- Provide fresh water every day.
- Place several bowls in quiet locations away from litter trays.
- Try a cat water fountain if your cat prefers moving water.
- Include wet food as part of a complete and balanced diet, where appropriate.
A sudden increase or decrease in drinking can be a sign of illness rather than a hairball issue, so speak with your veterinarian if your cat's drinking habits change noticeably.
4. Feed a Complete and Balanced Diet
Good nutrition supports the skin, coat and digestive system. A healthy coat may shed more predictably, while suitable dietary fibre can help move swallowed hair through the gut.
Hairball-control foods and supplements are not interchangeable with a complete diet. Check the label carefully: your cat's main food should be nutritionally complete and appropriate for its life stage, while supplements should be used only as directed.
5. Address Excessive Grooming
A cat that grooms excessively will swallow more fur. Overgrooming may be associated with fleas, allergies, skin irritation, pain, stress or anxiety. The Cornell Feline Health Center's guide to excessive licking advises owners not to ignore grooming that becomes unusually frequent or causes hair loss.
For boredom-related grooming, add daily play, climbing areas, puzzle feeders and predictable quiet time. However, bald patches, broken skin or a sudden change in grooming behaviour warrant a veterinary check rather than home treatment alone.
6. Consider Daily Hairball Support
Some cats may benefit from a daily product designed to support digestive health and the natural passage of swallowed hair. Different products work in different ways: some are lubricant-style gels, while others use dietary fibre, prebiotic ingredients or a combination of nutritional components.
MIHIJO Hairball Control is designed as daily nutritional support for cats prone to hairballs. It can be mixed with food according to the feeding directions, making it easier to include in a consistent routine alongside brushing, hydration and a balanced diet.
Important: A supplement is not a substitute for veterinary care. Ask your veterinarian before use if your cat is unwell, has a diagnosed gastrointestinal condition, takes medication, or follows a therapeutic diet.
A Simple Weekly Hairball-Prevention Routine
- Brush according to coat length and increase frequency during shedding seasons.
- Refresh water daily and keep bowls clean.
- Monitor appetite, stool quality, grooming and vomiting frequency.
- Use any hairball product consistently and exactly as directed.
- Book a veterinary visit if episodes become frequent or your cat seems unwell.
Consistency matters more than relying on a single quick fix. Grooming reduces the fur your cat swallows, while hydration, nutrition and digestive support help the hair that is swallowed move through normally.
When Should You See a Vet?
Repeated retching is not always a hairball. Coughing, asthma, gastrointestinal disease and obstruction can sometimes look similar at home. Seek veterinary advice promptly if your cat repeatedly gags without producing a hairball, vomits frequently, loses appetite, appears lethargic, has abdominal discomfort, cannot keep food or water down, or stops passing stool.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, vomiting, abdominal pain and a lack of bowel movements may be signs of an obstruction. These symptoms require veterinary assessment rather than another home hairball remedy.
The Bottom Line
You may not be able to eliminate every hairball, but you can often reduce them with a practical routine: remove loose fur through brushing, support hydration and balanced nutrition, watch for excessive grooming, and consider appropriate daily digestive support.
For cats prone to recurring hairballs, explore MIHIJO Hairball Control and follow the feeding directions on the product page.
Shop MIHIJO Hairball Control to support healthy digestion and help swallowed hair pass naturally.
