If you see your cat retching or coughing then it is nothing to worry about; fur balls are natural. Most are passed through just like their food, but occasionally it will build up. Constant retching (with no sign of a hairball) and lethargy can also be signs of asthma. The vet should be able to discern the underlying cause. Either way, you will have identified a health issue in your cat and will have solved it before it gets worse. The gel’s first ingredient is cod liver oil, which is both a lubricant and a source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may improve skin and coat health, helping to control the hairball problem at its source.

Pros: Contains three lubricants to help your cat pass hairballs, three flavors, gel formula is easy to give, contains omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, 100% satisfaction guarantee, safe for use in kittens, carries the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) quality seal

All About Hairballs

Some cats with frequent hairballs may have an underlying problem like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects motility of their intestines, so diagnosing and treating this could solve their problems. Cats often take real pride in their appearance, keeping themselves clean and looking ready and primed for their next outing. But the downside? They can suffer from the odd hairball.

Nutri-Vet Hairball Paw Gel contains natural non-petroleum ingredients to lubricate your cat's digestive tract and it supports healthy skin and coat. Some cats are, by nature, more fastidious than others in their grooming habits. And the development of hairballs is more frequent in seasons of the year when cats normally shed their coats. To minimize the development of hairballs and their complications, Dr. Goldstein recommends that owners get into the habit of brushing and combing their cats’ coats daily.

Additionally, a small amount of dietary fiber can help keep the digestive system functioning smoothly, correcting hairball problems at their roots. Fiber-Based Hairball Remedies Cats are very good at keeping themselves clean. They naturally know how to self-groom, and rarely need bathing. However, during the self-grooming process, they can swallow loose hair – and this leads to a cat hairball. Most cats get hairballs from time to time and it’s usually nothing to worry about. But if you are wondering what is causing them, what are the symptoms you should look out for and how to help a cat with hairballs, here is everything you need to know. Some cat owners think that their pet brings up a hairball every day, but this isn’t true. Cats should only get hairballs occasionally, usually less than once a month. Most hairs swallowed from grooming will pass through the digestive system and out into the litter box without a problem.