(Inspired by a reader’s question about their long-haired rescue)
🔗 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure here.
Why I’m Sharing This
A reader recently wrote to me about their gorgeous long-haired Russian Blue mix rescue cat.
This cat is brushed regularly, loves the attention, and lives in a well-kept home…yet still brings up a hairball almost every week.
The question was:
- Is this normal?
- Should it be a concern?
- Can a cat choke on a hairball?
- Would professional grooming help?
I realized this was the perfect opportunity to share a deeper look at hairballs, because it’s something many cat guardians deal with.
The Truth About Hairballs
An occasional hairball (about once a month) is considered normal for most healthy cats. It’s a natural byproduct of self-grooming, especially in long-haired breeds. But if it’s happening weekly or more, it’s a sign the digestive system is having trouble moving hair through smoothly.
From a holistic perspective, frequent hairballs are less about the hair itself and more about why the gut can’t process it effectively. This could be due to:
- Dehydration – Dry kibble diets and low water intake can slow digestion, making hair more likely to clump.
- Poor gut movement – If the digestive tract isn’t moving efficiently, hair sits longer and forms a mass.
- Gut imbalance (dysbiosis) – When beneficial bacteria are low, digestion and nutrient absorption suffer, which can make hairballs more common.
- Inflammation – Irritated gut lining from food sensitivities, stress, or toxins can make it harder to pass hair.
While most hairballs are harmless, the real danger isn’t choking. It’s when a hairball becomes lodged in the stomach or, worse, the small intestine. This can block food and water from moving through, and without swift veterinary intervention, it can be life-threatening.
Prevention is the goal…supporting the body so hairballs are rare, and the digestive tract is resilient enough to pass any ingested fur without struggle.
🚩Red flags that mean it’s time for a vet visit immediately:
- Repeated gagging or dry heaving without producing a hairball
- Loss of appetite for more than a day (especially in long-haired cats)
- Constipation or straining in the litter box
- Lethargy, hiding, or unusual stillness
- Abdominal discomfort (hunched posture, reluctance to be touched on the belly)
If these signs show up, don’t wait. Get to the vet. Blockages can escalate quickly.
The good news? You don’t have to accept weekly hairball puking as “just the way it is,” even for long-haired cats. In fact, with the right holistic support, most cats can go months without a single hairball, and still groom themselves happily.
Instead of relying on petroleum-based gels or quick fixes, the goal is to work with your cat’s body: improving digestion, supporting the gut lining, increasing hydration, and helping hair pass naturally. Think of it as a whole-body reset…not just for the hairballs, but for your cat’s overall gut health and vitality.
My Hairball Prevention Protocol
Here’s my step-by-step holistic protocol for reducing (and in many cases, eliminating) hairballs while keeping your cat’s digestive system healthy for the long run.
1. Nutrition
Food is the foundation of everything. A cat eating a highly processed, low-moisture diet is going to have a harder time passing hair than a cat eating fresh, moisture-rich meals.
- Feed moisture-rich food: Wet, raw, or lightly cooked meals are easier on the digestive system and help hair move through without forming a solid mass.
- Rotate proteins and avoid fish-heavy diets: Too much fish can be inflammatory for some cats and may even increase shedding. If you're still feeding your cat fish daily, read this.
- Add soluble fiber: 1 tsp unsweetened pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling) or mashed sweet potato daily helps bind hair with food so it moves through the intestines more easily. Fiber also supports healthy gut bacteria, which is key for long-term digestive balance.
2. Hydration
Hydration keeps everything moving, inside and out. A well-hydrated cat sheds less, digests better, and is far less likely to form large hairballs.
- Multiple fresh water stations: Place bowls in different rooms and refresh them with clean, filtered water often.
- Hydration toppers: Adding bone broth, raw goat milk, or tuna water (no salt) to their meals (whether kibble, wet food, or raw) are enticing ways to get more moisture in.
3. Herbal & Supplement Support
These are my go-to, gentle, natural remedies to keep hair moving through the GI tract comfortably and prevent inflammation from chronic vomiting:
- Slippery Elm Bark – Coats and soothes the GI tract, protecting it from irritation caused by fur. Give 100 mg per 10 pounds of weight, two times daily. IMPORTANT: Slippery elm must be given about 30-60 minutes away from all meds, so it doesn't interfere with absorption.
- Digestive Enzymes + Probiotics – Improve nutrient absorption, strengthen gut health, and keep digestion moving.
- Organic Coconut Oil – Gentle lubrication for the intestines + prebiotic support for the microbiome. Give 1/8 tsp, a few times per week.
- Psyllium Husk – Pure soluble fiber that binds with hair and helps it pass naturally. Give 1/16 tsp daily, mixed in food.
4. Grooming & Environment
Even the best diet can’t prevent hairballs if your cat is swallowing a ton of hair every day. Pair your internal support with external care:
- Daily brushing during shedding seasons: Use a de-shedding tool that actually reaches the undercoat.
- Professional grooming every 2–3 months for long-haired cats: This goes deeper than daily brushing and can dramatically reduce shedding.
- Reduce stress: Stress often leads to over-grooming, which means more swallowed hair. Create safe hideaways, keep routines consistent, and offer calming activities like interactive play, cat-safe herbs, or soft frequency music.
Pro Tips & Lessons Learned
Talking with other cat parents (and working alongside holistic vets) has shown me that hairball prevention is about doing the right things, consistently. These are the patterns I’ve seen make the biggest difference over time:
- Consistency beats complexity. A small handful of daily habits (hydration, fiber, brushing) done consistently will do more for your cat than a dozen sporadic remedies.
- Start slow with new supplements. Even gentle herbs and fibers can cause mild digestive upset if introduced too quickly. Add one thing at a time and watch how your cat responds.
- Don’t overlook emotional health. Over-grooming can be a stress response. If your cat is anxious, address the root cause, whether that’s environmental stress, boredom, or lack of safe spaces, before blaming “just shedding.”
- Seasonal shedding = seasonal protocol boost. Spring and fall are prime times to double down on brushing, hydration, and fiber. You’ll prevent more hairballs before they even form.
- Moisture is your best friend. I’ve seen cats go from weekly hairballs to none for months simply by switching from kibble to a moisture-rich diet and adding daily broth.
- Keep the gut happy year-round. A healthy microbiome not only helps move hair along, it supports immune health, nutrient absorption, and skin/coat quality (which means less shedding in the first place).
- Skip the petroleum-based gels. Many conventional “hairball remedies” are just flavored petroleum jelly. They may help hair slide through, but they do nothing for long-term gut health and can even block nutrient absorption.
- Track patterns. A simple journal (date, time, what the hairball looked like, what your cat ate) can reveal hidden triggers like a certain protein, grooming another pet, or specific stressors.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, hairballs are a message from your cat’s body. And the good news is, with a little consistency and a whole-cat approach, most cats can go from weekly hairballs to almost none at all. Think of it as building a smoother, more supported digestive “highway” from the inside out, while also reducing the amount of hair that ever gets swallowed in the first place. Start with one change, watch your cat, and let their body show you what’s working. You’ll not only help them feel more comfortable, but you’ll deepen your connection by truly tuning in to their needs.
Additional Resources
- Simple Holistic Swaps for a Toxin-Free Home for Cats
- The Surprising Way to Reduce Litter Box Odor With Diet
- Holistic Treatments for Cats With Kidney Disease (Diet)
- Is Your Cat’s Gut Unbalanced? 3 Early Signs Every Cat Parent Should Know
- Is Your Cat’s Gut Leaking? Signs, Causes & Natural Healing Tips for Leaky Gut in Cats
⚠️ Disclaimer
This protocol is based on my experience working with cats and holistic vets. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting new supplements or treatments.
