Best Cat Food for Hairball Control 2025

Written by Wag! Staff

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 01/31/2024, edited: 01/22/2025

The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.


Every pet parent of a cat will be all too familiar with the unpleasant sound of their fur-baby gagging and retching as they cough up a furball. But while hairballs are a normal result of your cat’s rigorous self-grooming regime, too many hairballs can be a sign of digestive problems.
If that’s the case, your vet may recommend switching your kitty to a hairball control cat food. These foods are typically high in fiber to support a healthy digestive system and feature the omega fatty acids your pet needs to keep their fur in optimum condition.
But how do you choose the best cat food for hairball control? To help you find the right food for your furry family member, we’ve put together this guide to the best hairball control cat foods.

Overview
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Hairball Control
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Vet recommended

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.

Merrick Cat Food

Why Wag! loves it

  • Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
  • Antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
  • Made in the USA.

Considerations & concerns

  • The fact that it’s grain-free may not please some pet parents.
  • There are cheaper foods available.
  • Some pet parents report that their cats refuse to eat this food.
What pet parents say about Merrick Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Hairball Control Recipe 
“My kitties loved it and it would be good if I only had 1 cat but I have 14 and it's too expensive to feed them."
“Merrick is the only cat food I can feed one of my cats that has had issues with throwing up daily. Since he has been on Merrick dry and wet food, he hasn't thrown up ever again, except if he hunts something down outside and then eats it. I have two cats and both seem to love this food. They both have beautiful coats, are healthy and are 12 year old siblings. Merrick is the only cat food you will find in my house!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.

Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.

Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor Hairball Control Chicken and Brown Rice
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Vet recommended

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.

Blue Buffalo Cat Food

Why Wag! loves it

  • No artificial flavors or preservatives.
  • Features 3 natural fiber sources to support healthy digestion.
  • Available in 4 bag sizes depending on your needs.

Considerations & concerns

  • Some pet parents in 2023 have complained about a changed formula.
  • There are cheaper foods available.
  • Not a popular choice with some picky eaters.
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor Hairball Control Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
“My cat loves Blue Buffalo Hairball Control. She empties her bowl every day which is very new for her. It has reduced her hairball problem to a rare event. As a cat owner it makes me happy for her.”
“Really works to control hairballs. Of course, I still brush my two cats, but haven't had a hairball since I switched to the Indoor Hairball Control, which I mix with the same amount of Sensitive Stomach Blue.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.

Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Hairball Control Chicken & Brown Rice
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4.5
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.

Nutro Cat Food

Why Wag! loves it

  • Natural fiber blend to stop hairballs from forming.
  • No corn, wheat, or soy.
  • Chicken is the first ingredient.

Considerations & concerns

  • There are cheaper options available.
  • Not a hit with some picky eaters.
  • Some pet parents complain about quality control issues.
What pet parents say about Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Hairball Control Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
“My cat is very picky. After much trial and rejection of food, I finally found that he likes Nutro Limited Ingredient Salmon cat food. When he started having hairballs and the vet suggested hairball food, I was not looking forward to another round of hunting for hairball food he’d actually eat. Luckily, Nutro makes a hairball formula too. I mix this in with the Nutro salmon and he hasn’t seemed to notice! This is his third bag of it and it does seem to be helping. He hasn’t had any hairball issues!”
“This food really does work! Almost immediately (within a couple days of course). They love this food and were attracted to it instantly. I have also noticed a huge change in the softness of my older cat's coat which is a plus next to not having anymore hair ball episodes.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.

Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare, Inc.

Diamond Naturals Indoor Hairball Control
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Best vet recommended wet 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.”

Diamond Naturals Cat Food

Why Wag! loves it

  • Made in the USA.
  • Highly palatable and easy to chew.
  • Meets the AAFCO nutrient profile for maintenance.

Considerations & concerns

  • Not suitable for some picky eaters.
  • Some pet parents complain about the smell of this food.
  • Doesn’t offer the dental health benefits of kibble.
What pet parents say about Diamond Naturals Indoor Hairball Control
“Great quality cat food for a great price! My cat had a problem with loose stools on her last wet food and this one she no longer has that issue.”
“I purchased this for a senior rescue cat whom I believe has some GI issues similar to diverticulitis or Crohn's. She needed a softer food as well as extra Omegas and this seems to be helping her and reducing symptoms. We will purchase again.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.

Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.

Smalls Cat Food
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5

We are no stranger to Smalls cat food. In fact, this brand has been featured in many of our best-of guides — and for good reason! This food comes in 6 flavors (like chicken, pork, and fish) and 3 different textures (minced, pate, and pulled). All of the recipes are human-grade and centered around real, named animal proteins. So why is this food great for cats with hairballs, you ask? That's because it contains both psyllium husk and pumpkin, which helps to push hairballs through the digestive tract thanks to their high fiber content. 

Smalls Ground Beef Cat Food

Why Wag! loves it

  • If you are unsatisfied with the product, Smalls will refund your purchase
  • Made with 100% human-grade ingredients
  • Yummy meat-based wet recipes that appeal to the pickiest of kitties
  • The high fiber content helps digestion and encourages the hairballs to move through the intestines

Considerations & concerns

  • Unfortunately, you won't find this food in local stores or on Chewy. Smalls recipes are available by   subscription only 
What pet parents say about Smalls
"Within a week of switching to Smalls cat food, my cat's chronic diarrhea from IBD has completely resolved. The customer service team was responsive and very helpful when I underestimated how much food I'd need to feed her. Yes, it's expensive, and the daily packets are a little bit of a hassle. By little I mean LITTLE hassle. There is no such thing as perfect, and for an all natural food that comes pre portioned, to me those minor inconveniences are so worth it if my cat no longer has those issues."
Read more Trustpilot.

Image sourced from Smalls website. Copyright Smalls. 

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