Best Cat Food for Hairball Control 2024

This Merrick Purrfect Bistro recipe is our top pick as the best hairball control food for several reasons. Designed for adult cats, this high-protein, grain-free recipe features deboned chicken as the first ingredient, and includes natural fiber sources such as miscanthus grass and pea fiber to help keep hairballs in check.

Merrick is also one of the cat food brands that Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends to her clients. “Merrick offers high-protein diets with meat as the primary ingredient,” she says. “Recipes are free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and rich in omega fatty acids and include probiotics for overall feline well-being.”

Best of all, Merrick Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Hairball Control Recipe is made in the USA.

There are lots of good reasons why you should check out this Blue Buffalo hairball control recipe for your cat. 

It uses natural fiber sources like flaxseed and psyllium seed husks to prevent the formation of hairballs, and contains the right amount of calories your cat needs to maintain a healthy weight. 

And with Blue’s LifeSource Bits also included to provide essential antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, it provides all the goodness your cat needs to stay happy and healthy.

Dr. Georgia Jeremiah also recommends Blue Buffalo food to her clients. 

“Blue Buffalo provides wet and dry recipes tailored to various life stages, including high-protein and grain-free choices,” she says. “Catering to special dietary needs, they offer limited ingredient varieties such as Blue Basics without common allergens such as chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy and eggs. With real meat, omega fatty acids and plenty of antioxidants, Blue Buffalo recipes are a good option for felines with delicate digestive tracts. Be mindful of the higher carbohydrate and low moisture content with some formulas if your cat has specific medical conditions.”

Be sure to add this Blue Buffalo recipe to your shortlist of options when searching for the best cat food for hairball control.

Next on our list of the best cat food for hairball control is this grain-inclusive recipe from Wellness. 

Featuring chicken meal as the number-one ingredient, this recipe features natural fiber to help hair pass through your cat’s digestive system, and flaxseed and added vitamin E to ensure skin and coat health. And with probiotics for added digestive support, this diet can help make hairballs a thing of the past.

Wellness is also another brand Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, recommends to her clients. “Wellness cat food offers a protein-rich, grain-free option for those on a budget, featuring both wet and dry varieties complemented by toppers and treats. Their CORE line prioritizes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes,” she says.

But Dr. Jeremiah also offers a word of caution. “Wellness diets have been the center of several recalls in recent years and those seeking a safe wet-food alternative might consider the batch-tested Raised Right range,” she explains.

This Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe from Nutro is also well worth a look if you’re searching for the best cat food for hairball control. This recipe features real chicken as its first ingredient and is designed for adult cats aged one year or older. It’s also specially formulated to help tackle your cat’s hairball problem.

It starts with a blend of natural fibers to help reduce the chances of hairballs forming, and omega 6 fatty acids are also included for optimal skin and coat health. This formula also includes essential antioxidants to support a strong immune system, but it doesn’t have any GMO ingredients or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Hairball Control is available in 3lb, 5lb, and 14lb bag sizes, so keep an eye out for it the next time you’re stocking up on cat food.

If your cat finds wet food to be more palatable than dry food, this Diamond Naturals Indoor Hairball Control recipe could be just what they need. 

Served up as an easy-to-chew pate, this formula features chicken for protein, omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, and insoluble fiber to reduce hairball formation. Even better, it’s made in the USA.

“Diamond offers a diverse range of products catering to various dietary needs, featuring real meat and quality ingredients, free from artificial additives or preservatives,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “It is an established and affordable brand; however, it is important to note that Diamond has faced multiple product recalls in recent years, which may raise some concerns for consumers.”