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Which cat hairball supplements are best? Hairballs are a normal part of life for cat owners, but that doesn't mean they're fun to deal with. They can be hard to clean up, especially if they end up on the furniture or carpet. For some cats, they can also cause discomfort as they try to cough them up. If you want to aid in your pet's digestion and cut down on the number of hairballs they have, consider incorporating a supplement into your cat's routine. The best one for hairballs is Tomlyn Laxatone Tuna-Flavored Hairball Remedy Gel. In this article: Tomlyn Laxatone Tuna-Flavored Hairball Remedy Gel, Iams ProActive Health Adult Hairball Care Cat Food and Vet's Best Cat Hairball Relief Digestive Aid What to know before you buy cat hairball supplements Hairball causes The main reason why cats get hairballs is from grooming. As they clean themselves, the barbs on their tongues trap fine hairs that the cat then swallows. Since it can't properly digest hair, the cat either ends up passing the hairs when they use the litter box or coughing them up. Most cats can get hairballs, but they're especially common in: * Long-haired breeds * Cats that groom themselves excessively * Cats that shed frequently (or during shedding season) Cats usually get hairballs as they age, so it's less common to find them in kittens. Hairballs are not typically dangerous, but they could cause a temporary blockage in your pet's system. Here are some symptoms that your cat is about to have a hairball: * Sudden laziness or lethargy * Constipation or diarrhea * Gagging sounds * Vomiting saliva, bile or nothing According to PetMD, you should consult a veterinarian if your cat starts having hairballs several times a week, or if it tries to have one but fails. This could be a sign of a more serious issue or complication. How hairball supplements work Hairball supplements and medications can help by reducing the frequency or size of hairballs. They can also help break up loose hair so it passes through the cat's system naturally while they use the litter box. This is often achieved through lubricating the stomach or digestive tract. Many hairball supplements include a minor laxative, such as laxatone, to hasten the process. Similar to dietary supplements for humans, hairball supplements rarely require a prescription. What to look for in quality cat hairball supplements Form Hairball supplements for cats usually come in the following forms: * Soft chewable tablets: These can be added to your pet's wet or dry food or administered as a treat. * Gel: This can be given to your cat directly. Either put some on your pet's nose so it can lick it off, or use a finger to apply it to the roof of your cat's mouth. Some cats are particular when it comes to what they consume, so be prepared to try out different supplements until you find the one that works. Flavor Supplements for hairballs come in different flavors meant to appeal to cats, such as: * Chicken * Tuna * Catnip * Flavorless Quantity and dose Gels and tablets come in different quantities. For example, one container could have 30 or 60 tablets for a 1 or 2-month supply. Gels, meanwhile, usually come in small tubes measured in ounces. Check the packaging for the recommended dose and frequency as this can depend on the supplement. The dose may vary based on the initial amount you should give your pet vs. the amount you should give it for maintenance. If you notice any issues, such as continued hairballs after using the supplement as intended, consult with your veterinarian for advice. Key ingredients Hairball supplements for cats usually have some form of lubricant, such as mineral oil or petroleum. Many use natural ingredients, such as fiber, to manage hairballs. Other common ingredients include: * Fatty acids * Soybean oil or other oils * Apple fiber powder * Flavoring agents * Preservatives Some ingredients can help break up hair so it can pass in your pet's stool. Others make it easier for cats who have difficulty coughing up hairballs to do so naturally. One thing to look for in any supplement or medication is quality assurance, such as the National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal. This indicates that the supplement is high-quality and safe for your pet. Alternatives If you don't want to use a supplement, or if you can't get your cat to take one, here are some other ways to cut down on hairballs: * Give your pet specialized cat food with a hairball solution, such as Iams ProActive Health Adult Hairball Care Cat Food or Purina Pro Plan Adult Indoor Hairball Management Turkey & Rice Formula. * Use a grooming brush to get loose hair before your cat can swallow it. * Take your cat to a professional groomer to get rid of loose hair and reduce shedding. * Introduce cat toys or distract your cat to cut down on excessive grooming. How much you can expect to spend on cat hairball supplements Cat hairball supplements usually cost $10-$30. Cat hairball supplements FAQ Why do cats groom excessively? A. Some cats groom excessively because of skin issues or parasites. Left unchecked, this could cause rashes or bald spots. Other cats groom due to reasons such as stress or anxiety, often caused by changes to the environment or other pets. If that's the reason, consider using a natural cat pheromone diffuser to reduce stress. How long does it take for a cat to pass a hairball? A. It usually takes between 24 and 48 hours. What are the best cat hairball supplements to buy? Top cat hairball supplement Tomlyn Laxatone Tuna-Flavored Hairball Remedy Gel What you need to know: This hairball supplement comes in gel form and is easy to administer. What you'll love: Available in maple, tuna and catnip flavors, this gel lubricates ingested hair so it can pass through the cat's digestive system more easily. It's great for any breed, including longhair and shorthair cats. It also comes with a National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal and is recommended by veterinarians. It's available in 2.5, 4.25 and 8.5 ounces. What you should consider: The flavor may deter some cats. Top cat hairball supplement for the money Vet's Best Cat Hairball Relief Digestive Aid What you need to know: These tablets can be mixed in with your cat's dry or wet food to help manage hairballs. What you'll love: Available in either a 60 or 180-count container, these tablets can help prevent hairballs and support digestion. It's safe to administer daily and comes with a quality seal. The ingredients are primarily plant-based. What you should consider: The tablets are large. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - We are certainly in a better position today compared to the weekend. The showers are more spread out and less intense. But they could add a half-inch to rain totals from the storm. Expect partly sunny skies and passing showers, particularly wet in the windward and mauka neighborhoods. We're transitioning back to traditional trade wind weather today... and it should hang around until later this week when winds turn more southeasterly. Lala continues to move away from us to the west. It's expected to strengthen back to hurricane-status by the weekend. It's track will curve northward but well west of the islands. The National Hurricane Center has highlighted a couple of areas in the East and Central Pacific that could become tropical cyclones. One is to our southeast and straddles the line separating the East and Central Pacific (140W). The other is much farther away just to the south of Baja. Both areas have zero chance of getting organized in the next 48 hours. The closer area's chances are 50% for 7 days. And the Baja area 70%. There's no need to worry. We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep you informed. Surf is coming down along all shores tomorrow. A new South Swell generated from a storm near New Zealand is expected later this week. View the latest weather conditions here. Download the HNN Weather app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for the latest updates from your First Alert Weather Team: chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins and weather anchors Guy Hagi, Dan Cooke, Ben Gutierrez, and Billy V.