Natural Hairball Remedy: Omega 7 and Sea Buckthorn

Hairballs can be a major issue for a number of housecats. They make your cat very uncomfortable and can ruin your upholstery!  There are a variety of ‘hairball remedies’ on the market that claim to help your feline friend, but which one is best for addressing the problem as naturally as possible?

What exactly causes hairballs?

Before I discuss which product may be best for your cat, we need to understand why cats produce hairballs in the first place. Hairballs are actually not a normal occurrence in healthy cats. Cats are very tidy, fastidious groomers and when they groom themselves, they swallow hair. This hair should simply pass through the digestive tract. Experts think that hairballs are a product of stomach or intestinal problems, skin disease, and can even be a symptom of other issues, such as kidney failure.

Cats that have skin problems such as fleas or allergic dermatitis will groom themselves more than others, leading to more hair ingestion. Some cats may produce hairballs a couple of times a day, causing further irritation. Chronic irritation can slow down the movement of ingested contents (food and hair) through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and predisposes vomiting.  Some cats that chronically produce hairballs or vomit may also suffer from undiagnosed irritable bowel syndrome or constipation.

What are your options?

If your cat is frequently producing hairballs or vomiting undigested food, have him or her examined by your veterinarian. Additional diagnostics may be necessary such as bloodwork or x-rays if your vet suspects concurrent constipation or another medical problem.

If your cat is suffering from health problems, it is best to consult your veterinarian before trying a remedy. There are a great number of hairball remedies out on the market that are ‘over-the-counter.’ Most are made from a variety of natural and synthetic ingredients.

• Petroleum jelly
• Petroleum jelly is an old remedy for addressing hairballs, but has not been proven to help move hair through the GI tract. Petroleum-based remedies won’t address any underlying inflammation either. Some cats dislike the taste while others readily eat it in their food.
• ‘Bezo-pet’ or ‘Laxatone'
• These products are also mineral oil or petroleum jelly-based products, which also contain a fish or malt flavor additive.
• Lactulose
• This is a prescription-strength laxative that stimulates the GI tract and helps to propel hair and other ingested contents along. It is often prescribed for cats who suffer from constipation as well as hairballs. Often it is too strong for some cats and can cause diarrhea.
• Psyllium
• Psyllium is a fiber found in grains such as wheat and corn husks. It is the ‘active ingredient’ in ‘over-the-counter’ laxatives and fiber supplements such as Metamucil.  It has a grainy texture and human products are often flavored.  It is best used in cats with stool problems but is reported to occasionally help with hairballs.
• Pumpkin
• Pureed or canned pumpkin is an all-natural hairball remedy. It is thought that pumpkin’s high fiber content helps to soothe the irritated stomach and helps “pull” the hair along in the gastrointestinal tract. While dogs readily like the sweet flavor of pumpkin, many cats just don’t have a sweet tooth.
• Sea buckthorn omega-7 oil
• Omega-7 rich, whole-fruit sea buckthorn helps soothe irritated GI tracts in many species from horses to cats. Owners who supplement their cats with omega-7 oil see a great improvement in their cats hair coat and a drastic reduction in the number of hairballs produced. Some report that their cat’s hairball problem completely disappeared, calling it “a hairball cure”! Whole-fruit sea buckthorn helps to soothe irritation and inflammation in the stomach. This inflammation predisposes cats (and other mammals, like horses) to ulcers and poor GI motility. Poor motility leads to hair getting stuck in the stomach, predisposing hairball formation.
• The fiber content and lubricating properties of sea buckthorn and omega-7 oils help hair to move at greater ease in the GI tract. 

"You know, now that it’s been about a month, I've noticed that Katie has not thrown up a hairball in a LONG time. On the recommendation of my vet, I tried Cat Lax which seemed to improve things but not completely. She’s been hairball and throw-up free ever since the Omega 7 oil."~ Debbie G.

For preventing hairballs, sea buckthorn-sourced, pure omega-7 oils are by far the best “bang for your buck.” It is a natural whole-food source and pure, not purified using harmful chemicals. It will also bring a brilliant shine to your cat’s coat and may help minimize skin problems such as dry, itchy skin. 

Do you have a hairball success story to share? Tell us about it in the comments.