Cats are meticulous groomers, often washing themselves several times a day. As they lick, they naturally swallow a bit of their own hair. When enough of this ingested hair collects in a cat's digestive tract, it forms a hairball. Most hairballs are harmlessly coughed up or passed through your cat.
Cats with long hair and those that shed heavily or groom excessively are especially prone to developing hairballs.
What can you do?
Though you may not eliminate hairballs completely, you can help minimize
their occurrence
- Brush your cat regularly and thoroughly to remove loose hair and mats. Long-haired
felines should be brushed every day and those with short hair, once a week - Give your cat a daily food specially-formulated for hairball control.
Signs of a problem:
- Presence of hairballs - expelled from your cat's mouth
or present in the litter box - Frequent hackling, coughing and gagging
- Constipation or loose stools
Always consult your veterinarian if you
have questions about your cat’s health
Hill's® Science Diet® Hairball Control Cat Food
Available in a variety of formulas for all life stages and lifestyles, including for indoor cats.
Tasty Tips
- Precisely balanced nutrition helps control and avoid the formation of hairballs when fed on a daily basis
- Natural vegetable fibers help move hair through a cat's system with no drugs or artificial lubricants that may interfere with normal digestion and nutrient absorption
- Essential fatty acids promote healthy skin and a shiny coat
Try any of these formulas:
- Science Diet® Adult Hairball Control Dry – for cats age 1 to 6
- Science Diet® Mature Adult Hairball Control Dry – for cats age 7 or older
Related products
Adult Tender Tuna Dinner Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Beef Dinner
Gourmet daily nutrition, carefully made. Tasty chunks with chicken & beef in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
Adult Chicken & Spinach Casserole Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Adult 7+ Tender Tuna Dinner Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Related articles
Eating In: The Dietary Needs of Your Indoor Cat
Indoor cats' lifestyle differs greatly from outdoor cats, so it's important that their diet matches their needs. Lean more about their nutritional needs now.
How Treat-Dispensing Toys Keep Your Cat Active
Are you looking to get your cat more active? Does she constantly look bored? Then you may want to consider using a food-dispensing (also known as treat-dispensing) cat toy, which provides both physical and mental stimulation during snack times.
The Proper Nutritional Balance Your Cat Needs
Good nutrition is about the right balance of nutrients. Learn more about health issues when feeding a cat food that has an improper nutritional balance from your friends at Hills Pet Nutrition.
Fun Games for Exercising Your Cat
Discover which cat toys games your feline friend might like, and how they are great sources of exercise. Explore our library of articles to learn more.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.