How to Groom My Cat to Prevent Hairballs?

Hairballs occur when cats groom themselves and ingest loose hair. Most of this hair is excreted in the feces, however, occasionally it will clump together and form a hairball when the ingested hair cannot move easily through the digestive tract and is instead regurgitated. Luckily, some grooming techniques can help prevent your cat from regurgitating hairballs.

What You Can Do To Reduce Hairballs

Some cats may be more prone to hairballs such as long-haired domestic cats, Maine coons, Persians, Himalayans, and Norwegian Forest Cats, while others are not, such as the Sphynx, Cornish rex, Devon rex, and Oriental. There are specific grooming techniques and customized diets that can be helpful in reducing the number of hairballs your cat regurgitates.

Brushing Your Cat

Brushing your cat daily is one of the most effective ways to reduce the amount of hair they ingest. Plus, many cats enjoy being groomed by their owners. More grooming by you means less self-grooming and fewer hairballs for them. It’s a win-win! On top of daily brushing, you may also want to bring your cat to get professionally groomed to remove any loose hairs. If you don’t have time for daily brushing or grooming, you can always use a wet paper towel or wipe to remove any excess loose hairs as well.

Bathing Your Cat

Bathing your cat is another great way you can prevent hairball regurgitation and shedding. The most important thing to note is that not all cats have the same bathing needs. Cats with longer coats as well as outdoor cats require more frequent bathing than short-hair and indoor cats. On average, a cat should be bathed and blow-dried no more than every four to six weeks.

Prior to bathing your cat, make sure you have purchased a cat-friendly shampoo and have set up a safe space to bathe your cat. Bathing can be a stressful activity for your cat so ensure that you make the process as relaxing as possible.

Here are a few tips on helping your cat relax during bath time:

• Bathe your cat in the sink as opposed to the bathtub.
• Stay calm and do not punish your cat for feeling anxious during this process.
• Praise your cat for good behaviour during and after the bath.
• Use a cloth to wash your cat’s face as opposed to pouring water on it; it is important that you do not get any water in your cat’s ears, eyes, or nose.
• Ensure the water is lukewarm.
• After bath time, wrap your cat in a large towel to dry and use a blow dryer on the lowest setting

Keep Your Cat Busy

Another way of reducing hairballs is to keep your cat busy with some activities. Less self-grooming time means fewer hairballs!

1. Play with your cat! Encouraging your cat to chase after a cat teaser is a great way to get them busy. If your cat does not seem especially interested, try a catnip spray on the toy to stimulate your cat.
2. Interactive toys! With our busy schedules, it can sometimes be hard to find the time to play with our cats. There are many toy options that will move on their own, keeping your cat entertained and moving when you don’t have the time to.
3. Walk your cat! It may sound silly, but many cats enjoy going for walks in the spring and summertime. Be sure to put your cat on a harness specifically made for cats, to ensure they cannot slip out of it.
4. Two is better than one! If you feel it is the right time to get another pet, another cat or a small dog may keep your cat busy and active while you are at work or occupied.

You may also want to try our Nutrience Care Hairball Control formula to help with the prevention of hairballs.